Crescent Grunter, Terapon jarbua (Forsskål, 1775)

Scientific name: Terapon jarbua
Alternative name/s:
Crescent Perch, Spiky Trumpeter
Crescent Perch, Terapon jarbua Click to enlarge image
A 15 cm long Crescent Perch caught on hook and line at a depth of 3 m, Kedron Brook Floodway, Nudgee Beach, Brisbane, Queensland, May 2004. Image: Chris Power
© Chris Power

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Terapon
    Species
    jarbua
    Family
    Terapontidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 25 cm in length.

Introduction

The Crescent Grunter can be identified by curved stripes on the body and across the tail. The species occurs in shallow coastal waters, mangroves and freshwaters.

Identification

The Crescent Grunter can be recognised by the curved stripes on the body. There are stripes across the tail and a large blotch on the first dorsal fin.

Habitat

The species occurs in shallow coastal waters, mangroves and freshwaters. It is found in tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-west Pacific.

Distribution

In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
  5. Sainsbury, K.J., Kailola, P.J, & G.G. Leyland. 1985. Continental Shelf Fishes of northern and north-western Australia. An illustrated Guide. CSIRO Division of Fisheries Research. Pp. 375.