Arripis trutta (Forster, 1801)
Australian salmon
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Arripidae (Australian salmon)
Max. size:  89 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 9,400.0 g; max. reported age: 26 years
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 30 - 39 m, anadromous
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: southern Australia (including Tasmania, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island), usually Brisbane to Western Victoria, rarely to Western Australia; and New Zealand (including Chatham and Kermadec Islands).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 25-25. Adults are dark blue-green above and silvery below, with irregularly defined spots arranged laterally in indistinct rows (Ref. 33616). Length of upper lobe of caudal fin < 29.9% SL, more or less equal to, or less than, the length fo the head (Ref. 9701).
Biology:  Inhabit continental shelf waters including estuaries, bays and inlets (Ref. 6390). Found between depths of 30 m (Ref. 33616) and 39 m (Ref. 58489). They enter rivers (Ref. 9002). Juveniles form school in shallow coastal bays and estuaries; adults move in large schools along shores (Ref. 9002), and can move over reefs in depths just sufficient to cover their bodies (Ref. 6390). They form large surface aggregations in deep water (Ref. 6390). Feed mainly on fishes but also on pelagic crustaceans, especially krill (Nyctiphanes australis). Take also food from the seabed. Fish smaller than 10 cm feed predominantly on copepods (Ref. 9072). Utilized fresh, canned and frozen; can be steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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