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Gulf Saratoga
Scleropages jardinii (Kent, 1892)
A 16 year old, 50cm long Gulf Saratoga in an aquarium at the Biological Sciences Museum, Macquarie University, February 2001. The fish was raised from an 8cm long juvenile. View larger image.
The Gulf Saratoga is an elongate fish with a single dorsal fin positioned posteriorly on the body. It has a large mouth, chin barbels (glossary) and a curved dorsal profile.
A similar species, the Saratoga or Spotted Barramundi S.leichardti, can be distinguised by the relatively straight dorsal profile.
The Gulf Saratoga is dark brown to greenish above and lighter on the sides. Each scale has a reddish crescent-shaped mark.
It grows to 55cm in length.
This species is known from coastal drainages of northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, primarily around the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is also recorded from southern Papua New Guinea.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
- Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
- Allen, G.R. 1991. Field Guide to The Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea. Christensen Research Institute. Pub. 9. Pp. 268.
- Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
