Swallowtail Dart, Trachinotus coppingeri (Günther 1884)

Other Names: Dart, Southern Dart, Southern Swallowtail, Surf Bream, Surf Trevally

A Swallowtail Dart, Trachinotus coppingeri, at the West Wall, Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, Novemcer 1998. Source: Erik Schlogl / iNaturalist.org. License: CC By Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:

A bluish-black dart becoming silvery-white below, with a series of 6 or 7 vertically elongate dark spots just above the lateral line in adults, anterior 2 spots above the pectoral fins. Spots absent or indistinct in juveniles.

An Australian endemic found in shallow coastal waters, often in the surf zone along sandy beaches.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2021, Trachinotus coppingeri in Fishes of Australia, accessed 01 Apr 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2995

Quick Facts

CAAB Code:37337076

Depth:0-50 m

Habitat:Pelagic along exposed beaches

Max Size:60 cm

Native:Endemic

Species Image Gallery

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Distribution	Endemic to eastern Australia, from the Daintree River, Queensland and reefs in the Coral Sea, to Rosedale, New South Wales; also the Lord Howe Province in the Tasman Sea. Inhabits shallow coastal waters, often in the surf zone along exposed sandy beaches.
Features	Body relatively slender; soft dorsal and anal fins with elongate leading rays; pectoral fins shorter than head; caudal fin deeply forked, with very long pointed lobes; lateral-line scales with no enlarged or pointed scutes.
Feeding	Feeds mostly on polychaete worms, small crustaceans and small molluscs.
Biology	Individuals mature at about 2 years of age at 26 cm FL (fork length). Multiple spawner mostly during spring-summer. Attains a maximum age of about 6 years.
Species Citation	Trachynotus coppingeri Günther, 1884, Rept Voy. H.M.S. Alert, 1881–82: 29, pl. 3(a). Type locality: Percy Island, Queensland.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2021

Swallowtail Dart, Trachinotus coppingeri (Günther 1884)