ExploreFish

Barramundi

Lates calcarifer

Barramundi are tasty fish that are loved by many. They have a sleek body and can swim very fast!

Appearance

The Barramundi has a large, silver-grey body with big, prominent scales and a distinctive concave forehead. Its eyes are often golden, and it possesses a prominent, upward-slanting mouth. This sleek, torpedo-shaped fish is built for powerful swimming.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderPerciformesFamilyLatidaeGenusLates

Barramundi

Interesting facts

Barramundi are famous for leaping high out of the water when hooked by anglers!

Barramundi can change their sex, starting as males and later becoming females!

Their name 'Barramundi' means 'large-scaled river fish' in an Aboriginal language.

They can grow over 1.5 meters long and weigh more than a grown-up!

Special abilities

Barramundi can live in both freshwater and saltwater because of specialized kidneys that help them adapt to different water types.

Barramundi has a sensitive swim bladder that helps them hear very well, picking up faint sounds of prey in murky water.

Barramundi can open their large mouth extremely fast, creating a vacuum that sucks in unsuspecting prey in an instant.

Measurements & details

Length: 50-180 cm
Weight: 1-60 kg
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Swim Speed: 35 km/h
Max Depth: 30 m
Water Type: Brackish

Diet & Feeding

A fierce hunter, the Barramundi gobbles up smaller fish, crustaceans, and even water insects!

Age differences: Young barramundi eat more insects and crustaceans, switching to primarily fish as they grow larger.

Primary Foods

smaller fish
prawns
crabs
water insects
frogs

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Saltwater Crocodile

Crocodylus porosus

Large crocodiles prey on adult barramundi.

eaten by

White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Haliaeetus leucogaster

Eagles snatch barramundi from the water's surface.

hunts

Giant Tiger Prawn

Penaeus monodon

Barramundi actively hunt and consume prawns.

hunts

Eastern Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia splendida

They prey on various smaller freshwater fish.

hunts

Redclaw Crayfish

Cherax quadricarinatus

Young barramundi consume crustaceans like crayfish.

Traits

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.