Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fish species and information / pictures of Barramundi - Lates calcarifer

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fish species information

Scientific Name
Lates calcarifer

Common Name
Barramundi

Biology
Found in coastal waters, estuaries and lagoons, in clear to turbid water (Ref. 5259, 44894). A diadromous fish, inhabiting rivers before returning to the estuaries to spawn. A protandrous hermaphrodite (Ref. 32209). Larvae and young juveniles live in brackish temporary swamps associated with estuaries, and older juveniles inhabit the upper reaches of rivers (Ref. 6390, 44894). Have preference for cover on undercut banks, submerged logs and overhanging vegetation (Ref. 44894). Feed on fishes and crustaceans. They reach 1500-3000 g in one year in ponds under optimum conditions (Ref. 11046, 44894). Juveniles also eat insects (Ref. 44894). Sold fresh and frozen; consumed steamed, pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9987). A very popular and sought-after fish of very considerable economic importance (Ref. 9799). Presently used for aquaculture in Thailand, Ind

Classification

Classified By
Bloch, 1790
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Lates perches (Latidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-West Pacific
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: eastern edge of the Persian Gulf to China, Taiwan and southern Japan, southward to southern Papua New Guinea and northern Australia.
Range
49°N - 26°S, 56°E - 155°E

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
15 °C
Water Temperature To
28 °C
Depth From - meters
10 m
Depth To - meters
40 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 10 - 40 m (Ref. 7261)
Trophic Level
4.35 s.e. 0.77 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
200 cm
Common Length
150 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5024 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
High to very high vulnerability (69 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.09-0.13; tm=1-5; Fec = 15,300,000)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated