Family LATIDAE

Common name: Barramundi, Basses, Giant Perches, Sea Perches

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Barramundi, LATIDAE in Fishes of Australia, accessed 21 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/family/340

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Family Taxonomy

 The Latidae comprise approximately 12 species belonging to three genera. Three species in three genera are known from Australia. Previous authors have included the glassfishes, family Ambassidae, in this group, but we follow the review of Greenwood (1975) in separating them. Until recently, authors placed the Australian barramundi in the family Centropomidae, which includes the New World genus Centropomus. Mooi & Gill (1995) separated the Indo-Pacific forms from the Centropomidae.

Family Distribution

 Most species are restricted to the fresh waters of tropical Africa, but a number of species are also found in the Indo-West Pacific region. They variously inhabit coastal reefs, sea grass beds, brackish mangrove estuaries and freshwater streams.

Family Size

 The barramundi grows to a length of 1.5 m and weights of more than 55 kg, but other genera only reach 15 to 40 cm.

Family Feeding

 Latids are predators of small fishes and invertebrates

Family Reproduction

 Barramundi spawn in coastal estuaries,

Family Commercial

 The barramundi, Lates calcarifer, is esteemed for its excellent eating qualities.

References

Greenwood, P.H. 1976. A review of the family Centropomidae (Pisces, Perciformes). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Zoology) 29(1): 1–81 figs 1–37

Mooi, R.D. & Gill, A.C. 1995. Association of epaxial musculature with dorsal-fin pterygiophores in acanthomorph fishes, and its phylogenetic significance. Bulletin of the Natural History Museum London (Zoology) 61(2): 121-137