Acanthopagrus australis

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Acanthopagrus australis
Acanthopagrus australis ALA.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Spariformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Acanthopagrus
Species:
A. australis
Binomial name
Acanthopagrus australis
(Günther, 1859)
Synonyms [2]

Chrysophrys australisGünther, 1859
Mylio australis(Günther, 1859)
Pagrus australis(Günther, 1859)
Sparus australis(Günther, 1859)
Roughleyia australis(Günther, 1859)

Contents

Acanthopagrus australis, the yellowfin bream, also known as sea bream, surf bream, silver bream or eastern black bream, is a species of marine and freshwater fish of the porgy family, Sparidae. It is a deep-bodied fish, occasionally confused with Acanthopagrus butcheri (black bream), but is generally distinguished by its yellowish ventral and anal fins. [3] It is a popular target for recreational fishermen due to its capacity to fight well above its weight coupled with its table quality. [4]

Taxonomy

A. australis is one of 20 species in the genus Acanthopagrus , part of the porgy family Sparidae. [5]

The species was first mentioned in scientific literature by Richard Owen in an 1853 work on skeletal material held by the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Although he named it Chrysophrys australis, it was insufficiently described and hence designated a nomen nudum . [6] German-British naturalist Albert Günther formally described the surf bream in 1859 using Owen's name. Allan Riverstone McCulloch classified it in the genus Sparus in 1929. Texts up till 1949 used either of these binomial combinations. [7]

Ian Munro used the binomial name Mylio australis in a 1949 review of the Australian "silver breams", preferring Mylio over Acanthopagrus and Roughleya as he found it to be the oldest valid genus name available. [7] However, the validity of Mylio was questioned as its describer—Philibert Commerson—had listed the type as Sparus mylio.

Munro also found that M. australis was in fact two separate species, creating the new species name of Mylio butcheri to accommodate the southern black bream. Munro based this classification on a number of new specimens, [7]

Acanthopagrus australis has a number of common names, many of which are applied to a number of related fish species, both in Australia and worldwide. It was known as the sea bream or surf bream during the spawning season, while black bream was a common name from New South Wales. In Queensland it was known simply as bream. Munro termed it the yellowfin bream. [7] The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts of the Federal Government designated yellowfin bream as preferred name. [2] It has also been designated the standard name by the CSIRO Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research in commercial fishing in Australia. [8] Its name to the local Eora and Darug inhabitants of the Sydney basin has been transcribed as garuma, karngooma, caroom-a and kururma. [9]

The species has also been known to hybridise with the closely related southern black bream forming viable offspring, themselves able to backcross with the parent species. This is only known from one coastal lake where the two species are landlocked together for extended periods, promoting interbreeding and the production of offspring with morphological traits intermediate between the two species. The setting required to cause hybridisation, however is too rare to consider the two species subspecies, or even a single species. [10]

Description

The yellowfin bream is a slower-growing species than the related black bream, [7] reaching a fork length of 23 cm (9 in) in five years, having matured when 22 cm (8.7 in) long. [11] The colour can be variable: fish caught in freshwater may be bronze- or brown-coloured, while those caught in estuarine or marine habitats are more silvery. [7]

A specimen measuring 56 cm (22 in) long and weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces was caught in the Georges River and reported in 1928, while another even longer specimen from the Clarence River was 58.5 cm (23 in) and 7 pounds 2 ounces. [7]

Distribution and habitat

Yellowfin bream are found along the east coast of Australia from around 19 S to 38 S—roughly from Townsville in northern Queensland to Mallacoota and the Gippsland Lakes region in eastern Victoria. [7] A yellowfin bream specimen was first identified in New Zealand waters in Piwhane / Spirits Bay in 1990, likely introduced by ship dispersal of juvenile fish. [12] Due to the large amount of fishing around Northland and the lack of subsequent specimens, it is unlikely that a population established. [12]

The bream inhabit estuaries in salt or brackish water up to the fresh water limit, and inshore rocky reef habitats near ocean beaches and rocky headlands. [13] [12]

Breeding

Surf bream come downstream to river mouths during spawning season, typically winter, [12] where they spawn and the females lay planktonic eggs. These hatch after a few days, and the young remain in the estuaries. [14] Like other species of sparid fish, the surf bream have a gonad termed the ovotestis that is made up of ovarian tissue dorsally and testicular tissue ventrally, separated by connective tissue. The species is protandrous – male fish become female after the spawning season. [15] The eggs hatch after 2.5 days, after which they spend approximately four weeks as pelagic larvae. [12] Larvae and juvenile fish live exclusively in seagrass beds in shallow estuaries. [12]

Feeding

Carnivorous, the yellowfin bream is demersal, preying on small fishes and invertebrates such as crabs, shellfish, polychaete worms and ascidians that dwell at the bottom of estuaries. [14] [12] They are fond of oysters, and can be found around oyster farms. [16]

Commercial fishing

The species is fished commercially, predominantly in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, where it is one of the most commonly caught fish. [1] [12] Fish are taken predominantly in autumn and winter in net and mesh traps. Recreational anglers are thought to catch twice as many fish as commercial fishers. [11] Remains of surf bream recovered from middens in New South Wales indicate it was eaten by indigenous Australians. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sparidae</span> Family of fishes

Sparidae is a family of ray-finned fishes belonging to the order Spariformes, the sea breams and porgies, although they were traditionally classified in the order Perciformes. They are found in shallow temperate and tropical waters around the world and are demersal carnivores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bream</span> Several species of freshwater and marine fish

Bream are species of freshwater fish belonging to a variety of genera including Abramis, Ballerus, Blicca, Brama, Chilotilapia, Etelis, Lepomis, Gymnocranius, Lethrinus, Nemipterus, Pharyngochromis, Rhabdosargus, Scolopsis, or Serranochromis.

<i>Acanthopagrus schlegelii</i> Species of fish

Acanthopagrus schlegelii, the blackhead seabream, black porgy or black seabream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the Western Pacific Ocean. The blackhead seabream is an important species in commercial fisheries, particularly in Vietnam.

Black bream may refer to one of several fish species:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilt-head bream</span> Mediterranean fish

The gilt-head bream, also known as the gilthead, gilt-head seabream or silver seabream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams or porgies. This fish is found in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is a highly esteemed food fish and an important species in aquaculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sand whiting</span> Species of fish

The sand whiting, also known as the summer whiting, yellowfin whiting or blue-nose whiting, is a common species of coastal marine fish of the family Sillaginidae, the smelt-whitings. It is a slender, slightly compressed fish that is very similar to other species of Sillago, with detailed spine, ray and lateral line scale counts needed to distinguish the species between its nearest relative Sillago analis. The sand whiting is distributed along the east coast of Australia from Cape York south to Tasmania, as well as Lord Howe Island and New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean.

<i>Acanthopagrus butcheri</i> Species of fish

The black bream, also commonly known as the southern black bream, southern bream and blue-nosed bream, is a species of anadromous ray-finned fish of the porgy family Sparidae. A deep-bodied fish, it is occasionally confused with other similar species that occur within its range, but is generally distinguished from these species by a lack of yellow ventral and anal fins. Southern black bream are endemic to the southern coasts of Australia from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Ulladulla, New South Wales, as well as Tasmania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowfin whiting</span> Species of fish

The yellowfin whiting, also known as the western sand whiting or fine-scaled whiting, is a species of inshore marine fish in the smelt-whiting family Sillaginidae. The species is endemic to the eastern Indian Ocean, ranging from Dampier, Western Australia to Gulf St Vincent in South Australia, with an apparent division in the populations of the two states. Yellowfin whiting inhabit relatively shallow waters for their entire life, often found on tidal flats and creeks, as well as large estuaries. It is one of the largest members of the smelt-whiting family, growing to 42 cm, and can be distinguished by a number of anatomical and colour related features. Yellowfin whiting are benthic carnivores, preying predominantly on polychaete worms, with minor amounts of copepods, amphipods and bivalves also commonly taken. The species shows a change in diet with age, and also dietary differences with other sillaginids presumably to minimize competition. Reproduction occurs at different times throughout its range, generally focused around summer, with up to 217,000 eggs produced per season. Yellowfin whiting reach sexual maturity at around 20 cm, with each individual spawning more than once. The species forms the basis of major fisheries in both Shark Bay, Western Australia and the two Gulfs of South Australia, with around 260 tonnes of fish taken each year. They are also a popular target for shore based anglers, with a reputation as a very good table fish.

<i>Acanthopagrus latus</i> Species of fish

Acanthopagrus latus, the yellowfin seabream, grey bream, Houttuyn's yellowfin seabream, Japanese bream or yellow-finned black porgy, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porgy fishing</span> Type of fish

Porgy is the common name in Australia for any fish which belongs to the family Sparidae. They are also called bream. Porgies live in shallow temperate marine waters and are bottom-dwelling carnivores. Most species possess grinding, molar-like teeth. They are often good eating fish, particularly the gilt-head bream and the dentex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salema porgy</span> Species of fish

The salema porgy, also known as the dreamfish, salema, cow bream, karanteen, salpa, saupe, strepie or goldline, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Sarpa. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and southwestern Indian Ocean. This species has been known to cause ichthyoallyeinotoxism when eaten.

<i>Diplodus sargus</i> Species of fish

Diplodus sargus, the sargo, common white seabream, or white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a target species for commercial fisheries and is grown in aquaculture. D. sargussensu lato was formerly thought to be a widespread species in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans but the taxa outside of D, sargussensu stricto are now recognised as valid species and are part of the D. sargus species complex.

<i>Rhabdosargus sarba</i> Species of fish

Rhabdosargus sarba, also known as the goldlined seabream, silver bream, tarwhine, or yellowfin bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide [[Indo-Pacific distribution.

<i>Acanthopagrus</i> Genus of fishes

Acanthopagrus is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. The fish in this genus are found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

<i>Acanthopagrus berda</i> Species of fish

Acanthopagrus berda, the goldsilk seabream, sly bream, picnic seabream, black sea bream, black porgy, picky bream, silver bream or river bream, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. This species is found in the Indian Ocean.

<i>Dentex</i> Genus of fishes

Dentex is a genus of marine ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. The fishes in this genus are found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.

Silver bream is the common name of several species of fish:

Yellowfin bream, yellow bream, yellow sea bream, or yellowfin sea bream are the common names for several species of sea breams with very similar appearances:

Acanthopagrus akazakii is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the sea breams and porgies. This species is found in the Western Pacific Ocean around New Caledonia.

Acanthopagrus morrisoni, the western yellowfin seabream, yellow sea bream or datina, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams and porgies. This fish was previoulst regarded as conspecific with A. latus but has now been recognised as a separate valid species restricted to the northwestern coasts of Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 Iwatsuki, Y.; Russell, B.; Pollard, D. & Carpenter, K.E. (2014). "Acanthopagrus australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T170257A1303135. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T170257A1303135.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Australian Biological Resources Study (14 December 2012). "Species Acanthopagrus australis (Günther, 1859)". Australian Faunal Directory. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  3. ↑ Hutchins & Swainston (1986), "Sea Fishes of Southern Australia", p. 62,
  4. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2014). "Acanthopagrus australis" in FishBase . November 2014 version.
  5. ↑ Gomon, Martin F.; Bray, Dianne J. "Acanthopagrus". Fishes of Australia. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Owen, Richard (1853). Descriptive Catalogue of the Osteological Series contained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Vol. 1. London, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis. p. 53.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Munro, Ian S. (1949). "Revision of Australian silver breams, Mylio and Rhabdosargus". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 12 (4): 182–223.
  8. ↑ CSIRO Marine Research (2015). "Standard Fish Names in Australia (commercial species)". CAAB – Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  9. ↑ Troy, Jakelin (1993). The Sydney language. Canberra: Jakelin Troy. p. 53. ISBN   0-646-11015-2.
  10. ↑ Rowland, S.J. (1984). "Hybridization between the Estuarine Fishes Yellowfin Bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Gunther), and Black Bream, A. butcheri (Munro)(Pisces : Sparidae)". Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 35 (4). CSIRO: 427–440. doi:10.1071/MF9840427.
  11. 1 2 Industry, Investment NSW (2009). "Yellowfin bream" (PDF). Wild Fisheries Research Program. New South Wales Government. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Roberts, Clive D.; Stewart, Andrew L. (2006). "First Record of Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus australis) (Günther) (Teleostei: Sparidae) in New Zealand Waters". Records of the Auckland Museum . 43: 43–54. ISSN   1174-9202. JSTOR   42905884. Wikidata   Q58623351.
  13. ↑ NSW Department of Primary Industries (2015). "Yellowfin Bream Acanthopagrus australis". Fishing and Aquaculture. NSW Government. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  14. 1 2 Bray, Dianne J. (2011). "Yellowfin Bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Günther 1859)". Fishes of Australia. Museum Victoria. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  15. ↑ Pollock, B. R. (1985). "The reproductive cycle of yellowfin bream, Acanthopagms australis (Günther), with particular reference to protandrous sex inversion". Journal of Fish Biology. 26 (3): 301–11. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.1985.tb04269.x.
  16. ↑ Brown, Gary (2011). How to Catch Australia's Favourite Saltwater Fish: Salmon, Tailor, Bream, Flathead, Kingfish, Leatherjacket, Luderick, Drummer, Mulloway, Snapper, Trevally, Whiting. Croydon, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. pp. 19–20. ISBN   9781-8651-3179-5.
  17. ↑ Attenbrow, Val (September 2009). "Aboriginal fishing in Port Jackson, and the Introduction of Shell Fish-hooks to Coastal New South Wales, Australia". In Daniel Lunney; Pat Hutchings; Dieter Hochuli (eds.). The Natural History of Sydney. p. 19. ISBN   9780980327236.
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