Northern Australia's Tasty Catch

Barramundi

A barramundi can weigh-in at up to 60 kg. Photo courtesy Ian Morris.

The barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a fresh water fish that is famous for its size. It can grow up to 60 kg (over 132 lb) in mass.

It is a blue green/grey colour on top, silver on the side and white underneath and has a pointy face with a concave forehead. If you can catch them they make a very tasty meal.

Barramundi are interesting because they all begin their lives as males and after about five years change into females! They breed in estuaries and return to their original rivers after each breeding season. The barramundi eats a range of foods including fish, shrimps, crayfish, crabs and aquatic insects.