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SPECIES PROFILE

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

Lates

IUCN STATUS

Least Concern

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) — Northern Australia, WA to Queensland, Southeast Asia

CONSERVATION STATUS

Least Concern

CLASS

Actinopterygii

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE

Northern Australia, WA to Queensland, Southeast Asia

DIET

Carnivorous

HABITAT

Coastal waters, estuaries, mangroves, freshwater rivers/billabongs

🔬 Classification

PHYLUM

Chordata

CLASS

Actinopterygii

ORDER

Perciformes

FAMILY

Latidae

GENUS

Lates

📋 Description

SIZE

Up to 1.8 meters, typically 60-120 cm; up to 60 kg

COLORATION

Silver, greenish/bronze sheen; juveniles dark markings fading

ADAPTATIONS

Catadromous, large mouth for ambush, strong body

🌿 Ecology

HABITAT

Coastal waters, estuaries, mangroves, freshwater rivers/billabongs

DIET

Carnivorous

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Northern Australia, WA to Queensland, Southeast Asia

REPRODUCTION

Spawns in estuaries/coastal waters wet season, millions of eggs; juveniles freshwater

DIET DETAILS

Feeds on fish, crustaceans, small mammals, birds near surface

⚠️ Threats & Conservation

PRIMARY THREATS

Overfishing, mangrove clearing, water quality decline

💡 Interesting Facts

1

Indigenous Staple: Barramundi, revered as ‘large-scaled river fish’ in Indigenous culture, support Kakadu’s communities, with 60 kg giants caught monthly. Overfishing threatens their 100,000-strong wild stocks, though aquaculture bolsters northern economies.

2

River Nomads: Migrating 100 km from Daintree’s rivers to coastal estuaries for spawning, their catadromous life adapts to salinity shifts in Fitzroy River. This flexibility, consuming 5 kg of fish weekly, ensures their dominance, despite mangrove loss impacting juveniles.

🔭 Sighting Guide

📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT

Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory has South Alligator River billabongs and estuaries for barramundi sightings

Daintree River in Queensland near Daintree Village offers mangrove waters and boat trips for barramundi sightings

Fitzroy River in Western Australia Kimberley near Derby features tidal and upstream pools for barramundi sightings

🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT

October-March. Wet season triggers barramundi migration to estuaries for spawning.

🎯 SIGHTING TIPS

Hire fishing guides to catch barramundi in South Alligator River mouth, Daintree Village mangroves or Derby's tidal pools at dawn.