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Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea) — Arripidae

Australian salmon

Arripis truttacea
Family: Arripidae

The Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea) is a brackish-water fish of the family Arripidae that grows up to 96 cm.

Length
96 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–80.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Australian salmon is, despite its name, not a true salmon but a large schooling coastal fish (Arripidae) from southern Australia. The species grows to about 96 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a blue-green back and rows of small dark spots in juveniles. As a fast predator it hunts in large schools in the surf zone and open coastal water for small fish and crustaceans. It is a valued sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian salmon?

The Australian salmon has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Australian salmon live?

The Australian salmon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Australian salmon get?

The Australian salmon grows to a maximum of about 96 cm. On average the species is around 65 cm.

Is the Australian salmon dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian salmon 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 Australian salmon edible?

Yes, the Australian salmon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea) — Arripidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Warwick Moyse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea) — Arripidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — leonie_rennie (CC BY 4.0)
Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea) — Arripidae — 4
jg001 (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Australian salmon (Arripis truttacea) — Arripidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Warwick Moyse, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Australian salmon sourced
Scientific name
Arripis truttacea
Family
Arripidae
Other names
Bay trout; Blackback; Black-backed salmon; Buck salmon; Cockie salmon; Cocky salmon; Colonial salmon; Jack salmon; Jacky; Kahawai; Lumpy; Ocean trout verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
96.0 verified
Average length (cm)
65.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
80.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
9.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Arripis

More from the family Arripidae

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