Australian herring
📖 Overview
Usually found inshore in bays and estuaries over seagrass beds or near areas of seaweed (e.g. kelp), on rocky reefs, and along ocean beaches. Juveniles are found in inshore coastal waters, bays and inlets . Feed on small fish and prawns .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10; Vertebrae: 25. Large eyes, diameter of which about one fifth of the head length. Body scales are slightly rough to touch. Body coloration: green above and silvery below with vertical rows of golden spots on the upper sides, tips of the caudal fin are black. Juveniles have dark golden bars on their sides . Length of upper lobe of caudal fin < 29.9% SL .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Australian herring is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Australian herring is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Both small, undeveloped ova (eggs) and larger ripe ova are present in the ovary at the same time. This phenomenon suggests that these species are either partial spawners (i.e. only some of the ova are spawned each time) or that the small ova remain in the ovary after spawning and are resorbed .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; pelagic-neritic; depth range 1 - ? m . Temperate; 25°S - 41°S, 112°E - 153°E Southwest Pacific: endemic to the southern coasts of Australia, from Shark Bay to Bass Strait, Tasmania, and east to Forster, New South Wales.
🌿 Ecology
small fish and prawns (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Arripis Georgiana is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20.2 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 781 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Australian herring has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
👥 Community & Contribute
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