Westralian jewfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westralian jewfish |
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| Glaucosoma hebraicum, at the Abrolhos Islands, Western Australia. | |
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The Westralian jewfish (also known as the West Australian dhufish or West Australian pearl perch) is a fascinating fish found in the ocean. Its scientific name is Glaucosoma hebraicum. This fish belongs to a family called Glaucosomatidae, which are often called "pearl perches" because of their shiny, pearly appearance.
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About the Westralian Jewfish
The Westralian jewfish lives in the waters around Australia. You can find it from Shark Bay in Western Australia all the way to the Archipelago of the Recherche. It usually lives in deeper parts of the ocean, sometimes as deep as 200 meters (about 650 feet).
This fish can grow quite large! Some have been measured up to 122 centimeters (about 4 feet) long. However, most Westralian jewfish are around 80 centimeters (about 2.6 feet) long. The heaviest one ever recorded weighed about 26 kilograms (around 57 pounds).
What Does It Look Like?
The Westralian jewfish has a beautiful, shiny silver-grey color, almost like a pearl. This pearly look is why it's sometimes called a "pearl perch." It also has dark stripes that break up its silver color.
One special way to tell this fish apart from similar species found in eastern Australia is a dark stripe that goes over its eye. When the fish is young, these stripes are very clear and easy to see. As the fish gets older, usually around three or four years old, these stripes start to fade away.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Westralian jewfish has a special time of year when it reproduces. This is called its breeding season, and it happens between December and March. During this time, you might find these fish closer to the surface, sometimes in waters as shallow as 20 meters (about 65 feet) over reefs.
For the rest of the year, outside of the breeding season, the Westralian jewfish prefers to stay in deeper waters. This behavior helps protect them and their young.
Fishing for Westralian Jewfish
The Westralian jewfish is very important to people in Australia. It's a popular fish for commercial fisheries, which means it's caught by professional fishermen to be sold in markets and restaurants. It's also a favorite game fish for people who enjoy recreational fishing. Its size and strength make it an exciting catch for anglers.
