pelagic, saltwater
Arripis trutta
Arripis trutta
The species features an elongated, streamlined fusiform body. It has a distinctive greenish-blue to silvery-gray coloration on the upper body with numerous dark spots or irregular bars, fading to a silvery-white underside.…
- Habitat
- Found in temperate coastal waters, estuaries, and bays.…
- Size & weight
- Typically ranges from 30 to 50 cm in length and 0.5 to 2…
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Physical characteristics
The species features an elongated, streamlined fusiform body. It has a distinctive greenish-blue to silvery-gray coloration on the upper body with numerous dark spots or irregular bars, fading to a silvery-white underside. It possesses a deeply forked caudal fin, a relatively small head with large eyes, and fine scales.
Habitat & distribution
Found in temperate coastal waters, estuaries, and bays. Geographically common around southern Australia and New Zealand. They typically inhabit surface waters down to depths of about 30 meters, often seen in large schools near sandy beaches or rocky reefs.
Ecological role
Acts as an active carnivorous predator, feeding primarily on small baitfish such as pilchards and anchovies, as well as crustaceans. They serve as a vital prey source for larger marine predators like sharks, seals, and dolphins. The conservation status is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Similar species
Arripis esper (Western Australian Salmon) which has more gill rakers, and Arripis georgianus (Australian Herring) which is significantly smaller with larger scales and black tips on the tail fin.