Details
Lates calcarifer
Barramundi is a large predatory fish that moves between fresh and coastal waters and supports major fisheries. It is important in aquaculture and sport fishing but is affected by river and wetland change.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It lives in rivers, estuaries, mangroves, and coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific. Main habitat types in this guide are freshwater, coast, ocean.
Typical length 50-180 cm, weight 3 kg-60 kg. A large mouth, silvery body, high back, and powerful tail are typical.
It is active in repeated bouts across day and night and usually solitary. It shifts between rivers and sea with age and salinity, ambushing prey from cover.
It is carnivorous. Fish, shrimp, crabs, and small animals are swallowed whole.
Spawning often occurs near estuaries or coasts, with juveniles entering freshwater habitats.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. It is important in aquaculture and sport fishing but is affected by river and wetland change.
