Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

Scientific name: Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790

The Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Latidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 15–28°C (59–82°F). Native range: Indo-West Pacific, eastern edge of the Persian Gulf to China, Taiwan and southern Japan, southward to southern Papua New Guinea and northern Australia.

Barramundi care at a glance

Temperature: 15–28°C (59–82°F)

Biology

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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lates calcarifer
Family: Latidae (Lates perches)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 200
Common length: 150
Depth range: 10–40 m (33–131 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; catadromous; depth range 10 - 40 m
Climate: Tropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.09-0.13; tm=1-5; Fec = 15,300,000)