Gulf saratoga

Scleropages jardinii

Scleropages jardinii is a freshwater fish of the family of osteoglossid ( Osteoglossidae ). He comes in northern Australia in rivers that flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Timor Sea, and in the central southern New Guinea north of the habitat of Leichhardt's osteoglossid ago. Along with it Scleropages jardinii is also known as Spotted Barramundi, which can lead to confusion with the designated also as giant perch Lates calcarifer Barramundi.

Features

Scleropages jardinii can be a meter long, but usually remains at a length of just over half a meter. The heaviest documented fish weighed 12.27 kg. Scleropages jardiniis body is elongated and laterally strongly flattened. It is olive green and shows a lot of silvery sheen. At large scales, there are crescent-shaped rust-colored or orange-red spots. The iris is yellow or red. In the lateral line series (SL ) are 35 or 36 scales in a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3 to 3.5 scales on each side of the body. The dorsal fin is supported by 20 to 24, the longer anal fin from 28 to 32 fin rays.

Way of life

Scleropages jardinii lives in still water and in slow-moving sections of rivers and swamps. He usually keeps to the surface to between aquatic plants and reaching into the water branches. He is territorial and towards conspecifics and other large fish aggressive. Scleropages jardinii feeds on insects, small fish (mainly Australian freshwater herring ( Nematalosa erebi ) ), frogs, crustaceans and plant material. He planted himself at the beginning of the rainy season continues, when water temperatures are relatively high (30 ° C). The fish are mouth brooders. It is believed that both parents participate in brood care. During the breeding period, the fish take no food. Juveniles feed mainly on small crustaceans.

Use

The Aborigines began the dotted Barramundi with a special three-pronged hook. From normal fishing hook the fish break free and mostly with the network they are not to catch because of their highly structured habitat. The taste of their meat is compared to the taste of salmon meat.