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Australian salmon (Arripis trutta) — Arripidae

Australian salmon

Arripis trutta
Family: Arripidae

The Australian salmon (Arripis trutta) is a brackish-water fish of the family Arripidae that grows up to 89 cm.

Length
89 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
30.0–39.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Australian salmon is a coastal fish of the family Arripidae from the temperate waters around south-eastern Australia and New Zealand; despite the name it is not a true salmon. The species grows to about 89 cm and has a streamlined, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with a blue-green back and rows of dark spots. It inhabits continental-shelf waters, estuaries, bays and inlets and forms large, fast schools. As a powerful predator it hunts small schooling fishes, shrimps and crustaceans. The Australian salmon is a highly popular sport and food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian salmon?

The Australian salmon has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Australian salmon live?

The Australian salmon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Australian salmon get?

The Australian salmon grows to a maximum of about 89 cm. On average the species is around 47 cm.

Is the Australian salmon dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian salmon is harmless to humans.

Is the Australian salmon edible?

Yes, the Australian salmon is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische zalm sourced
English name
Australian salmon verified
Scientific name
Arripis trutta
Family
Arripidae
Other names
Australian salmon; Bay trout; Black back; Black-backed salmon verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
89.0 verified
Average length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Max depth (m)
39.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
26.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Arripis

More from the family Arripidae

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