Southern black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) fish species and information / pictures of Southern black bream - Acanthopagrus butcheri

Southern black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) fish species information

Scientific Name
Acanthopagrus butcheri

Common Name
Southern black bream

Biology
Endemic in coastal areas, rivers and estuaries of Australia. Most abundant in river mouths and estuaries (Ref. 28468, 28472). Inhabit brackish waters of coastal rivers and lakes, occasionally penetrating fresh water (Ref. 44894). Considered as the only true estuarine sparid in Australia. Larvae and small juveniles are most abundant over seagrass beds in shallow estuarine waters (Ref. 28468, 28472). Spawning period varies considerably between estuaries (Ref. 28468). Remain upstream in sheltered waters to spawn and is not usually found in purely marine habitats (Ref. 44894). Feed on shellfish, worms, crustaceans, small fish and algae. Sold as whole, chilled products in domestic markets (Ref. 6390). One of top angling species in southern Australia (Ref. 6390, 44894), as well as being a delicious table fish (Ref. 2156).

Classification

Classified By
Munro, 1949
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Porgies (Sparidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: endemic to southern Australia.
Range
27°S - 44°S

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal
Trophic Level
3.47 s.e. 0.53 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
60.0 cm
Common Length
24.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Moderate vulnerability (39 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.11; tm=2-5; tmax=29)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated