Western yellowfin seabream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western yellowfin seabream |
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The western yellowfin seabream, also known as the yellow sea bream or datina, is a type of marine fish. Its scientific name is Acanthopagrus morrisoni. This fish belongs to a group called Sparidae, which includes seabreams and porgies. For a long time, scientists thought this fish was the same as another species, A. latus. However, they later discovered it's a unique species found only along the northwestern coasts of Australia.
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Discovering the Western Yellowfin Seabream
This fish was officially named and described in 2013. A Japanese fish scientist, called an ichthyologist, named Yukio Iwatsuki was the first to describe it. He found the first known example of this fish in Hooley Creek in Western Australia.
For many years, scientists believed the western yellowfin seabream was the same as another fish, A. latus. But in 2013, they realized that A. latus was actually a group of very similar species. That's when A. morrisoni was officially recognized as its own distinct species.
What Does the Western Yellowfin Seabream Look Like?
The western yellowfin seabream has a body that's not too flat and not too round. It has 11 spines and 10 to 12 soft rays in its top fin, called the dorsal fin. Its bottom fin, the anal fin, has 3 spines and 8 soft rays.
The fish's body and head are mostly a shiny silver-grey color. They often have a slight golden shine. Their belly is a lighter, pale silver. You might also see faint, darker lines running along their scales.
Fin Colors and Markings
The dorsal fin can be greyish-silver, clear, or dark grey with yellow hints. The fins on its belly (pelvic fins), bottom (anal fins), and tail (caudal fins) are clear and bright yellow. The anal fins do not have any black marks near their base. The fins on its sides, called pectoral fins, are yellowish and also a bit clear. Sometimes, there's a faint dark spot where the pectoral fin starts. This fish can grow up to about 45 centimeters (about 1.5 feet) long.
Where Do Western Yellowfin Seabream Live?
You can find Acanthopagrus morrisoni in the eastern Indian Ocean. Their home stretches from Shark Bay in Western Australia all the way east to Welpa in the Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland.
These fish live in coastal waters and estuaries, which are places where rivers meet the sea. Sometimes, they even swim into freshwater parts of rivers, especially near the river mouths. They often look for food on muddy areas. When they are young, they like to hide among mangrove trees. As they get older, they move to rocky areas.
Life and Diet of the Western Yellowfin Seabream
The western yellowfin seabream enjoys eating crabs, especially a type called Sesarmidae. They also munch on small gastropods, which are like snails.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
This species is a protandrous hermaphrodite. This means they start their lives as males and later can change into females. In some areas, these fish gather together in large groups to lay their eggs. They lay eggs in batches, and this usually happens from late winter into early spring.
Western Yellowfin Seabream and Fishing
The western yellowfin seabream is an important fish for both commercial fishing and people who fish for fun in Western Australia. In Shark Bay, there's a special fishery near Denham. Fishermen there use large nets to catch four main types of fish, and the western yellowfin seabream is one of them.
In 2010, this fishery caught about 1.5 tons of these fish. By 2011, the amount caught had increased to 9 tons! The way this fishery is managed is considered "adequate," meaning it's doing a good job of keeping the fish population healthy. Fishermen often target these fish when they gather together for breeding.
