Beaked Salmon, Gonorynchus greyi (Richardson, 1845)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Beaked Salmon, Gonorynchus greyi (Richardson, 1845)

The Beaked Salmon is sandy coloured on the back and upper body, and pale below. It occurs in coastal bays and estuaries to deep offshore, in temperate marine waters.

Alternative Name/s

Ratfish, Sand Eel, Sand Fish, Sandfish, Shark Whiting

Identification

The Beaked Salmon has an elongate body that is rectangular in cross-section. It has a small mouth that is positioned ventrally and preceded by a single barbel. The short-based dorsal and anal fins are positioned posteriorly on the body.

The species is sandy coloured on the back and upper body, and pale below. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins have black markings.

Size range

The Beaked Salmon grows to 50 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in temperate marine waters of Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia it is known from southern Queensland, around the south of the country, including Tasmania, and north to the central coast of Western Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Beaked Salmon specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is found in coastal bays and estuaries to deep offshore.

Classification

Species:: greyi
Genus:: Gonorynchus
Family:: Gonorynchidae
Order:: Gonorhynchiformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 28 August 2009

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