Barramundi (Lates calcarifer), Asian sea bass, or giant sea perch

We recently adopted two barramundi fish from Aspley State High School as they had outgrown their tank.

After several emails we organised their delivery and they moved in to our empty aquaponics tank. They were very shy at first and didn’t eat for nearly a week. Now they look comfortable and are used to our (Kate and Ravneet) faces.

We are going to add some plants and rocks to their tank so they can hide and be more comfortable. Ask your friendly science teacher if you would like to visit them.

FAST FACTS…

• Barramundi is a loanword from a first nations language of the Rockhampton area meaning "large-scaled river fish".
• Barramundi can reach up to 1.8 m long, though evidence for this is scarce. Generally, the maximum weight is about 60 kg. The average length is about 0.6–1.2 m.
• Barramundi inhabit coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers; they are found in clear to turbid water, usually within a temperature range of 26−30 °C.
• Barramundi feed on crustaceans, molluscs, and smaller fish (including its own species); juveniles feed on zooplankton.
• Barramundi are sequentially hermaphroditic, with most individuals maturing as males and becoming female after at least one spawning season.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barramundi

Kate Phillips

Science Technician