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Southern Ray's bream (Brama australis) — Bramidae

Southern Ray's bream

Brama australis
Family: Bramidae

The Southern Ray's bream (Brama australis) is a saltwater fish of the family Bramidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–120.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Chile, New Zealand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The southern Ray's bream is a pomfret (Bramidae) from cool, open parts of the southern hemisphere. The species grows to about 47 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, dark metallic body with sickle-shaped fins. As an oceanic predator it swims in open water and hunts fish, squid and crustaceans. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern Ray's bream?

The Southern Ray's bream has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Southern Ray's bream live?

The Southern Ray's bream lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia, Chile, New Zealand

How big does the Southern Ray's bream get?

The Southern Ray's bream grows to a maximum of about 47 cm.

Is the Southern Ray's bream dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern Ray's bream is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Southern Ray's bream edible?

Yes, the Southern Ray's bream is commonly eaten.

More photos

Southern Ray's bream (Brama australis) — Bramidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Lawenai (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Southern Ray's bream (Brama australis) — Bramidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Lawenai (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Southern Ray's bream (Brama australis) — Bramidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Nich Kelly, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Southern Ray's bream (Brama australis) — Bramidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) splish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Southern Ray's bream sourced
Scientific name
Brama australis
Family
Bramidae
Other names
Southern ray's bream; Southern rays bream verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Chile, New Zealand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Brama

More from the family Bramidae

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