Tasmanian Smelt, Retropinna tasmanica McCulloch 1920

Summary:

A slender olive-green fish with a silvery belly. As adults, Tasmanian Smelt spend most of their lives at sea. During spring and summer they migrate to the lower reaches of rivers and streams to spawn, forming shoals in estuaries and freshwater. The newly hatched larvae are washed out to sea and develop in the open ocean.

Cite this page as:

M. Gomon, 2009, Retropinna tasmanica in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Nov 2023, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/3633

Tasmanian Smelt, Retropinna tasmanica McCulloch 1920

More Info

Distribution	Known only from eastern and southern Tasmanian localities and a landlocked population at Richmond near Hobart (42°45’S, 147°25’E); anadromous, adults migrate from the sea into the lower reaches of coastal rivers and streams to spawn.
Features	Meristic features: Dorsal fin 10-12; Anal fin 16-21; Pectoral fin 9-12; Gill rakers 18-23; Vertebrae 52-55; Scales in a longitudinal series 50-70. Body elongate and slender, compressed; dorsal and ventral profiles even and gradually arched; eyes large; snout pointed; gill rakers long and slender; caudal peduncle long and slender; lateral line absent. Body scales small, thin and delicate, easily dislodged; head without scales. Dorsal fin originates just in front of vent; anal fin longer than dorsal fin, highest at front; small adipose fin behind dorsal fin; caudal fin moderately forked.
Size	Maximum size about 7 cm, commonly 5-6 cm.
Colour	Olive overall with a silvery belly and largely unpigmented fins.
Feeding	Schools in lowland streams feeding at or near the surface on mosquito and caddisfly larvae, amphipods, water bugs, beetle larvae, adult flies and zooplankton.
Biology	Adults migrate from the sea into the lower reaches of coastal rivers to spawn during spring and summer. Eggs are less than 1.0mm diameter. Newly hatched larvae are carried on tides out to sea where they develop to maturity.
Remarks	Freshly caught fish emit a cucumber-like odour.
Similar Species	Most similar to Retropinna semoni but the two species do not co-occur.
Species Citation	Retropinna tasmanica McCulloch A.R. (1920) Studies in Australian fishes, No. 6 Rec. Aust. Mus. 13(2): 41-71, Huon River, TAS.
Author	M. Gomon, 2009