ANIMAL SPECIES:Giant Herring, Elops hawaiensis Regan, 1909
The Giant Herring can be recognised by its silvery colour, slender body, relatively large mouth, single dorsal fin and strong forked tail.
Alternative Names/s
The species has also been called the Ten Pounder.Identification
The Giant Herring can be recognised by its silvery colour, slender body, relatively large mouth, single dorsal fin and strong forked tail.
A second species of elopid fish, E.machnata, is recorded from Western Australian waters. Its teeth are different from those of E.hawaiensis.
Size range
The Giant Herring grows to 1.2 m in length.Distribution
This species is recorded from Australia, Hawaii and the Philippines. In Australia, the Giant Herring is recorded from tropical and subtropical waters. On the east coast is is recorded south to Sydney, and on the west coast, south to Albany. A few specimens have also been recorded from South Australia. It is a schooling species found in coastal and estuarine waters.
Habitat
The fish in the image was captured in January 1999 by M. Cassie in the Clarence River at Mylneford. This town is approximately 70km upstream from the mouth of the river, which is still tidal at this point. The image was sent to the Museum by Fisheries Officer Wayne Power of the Clarence District Fisheries Office.
Classification
- Species:
- hawaiensis
- Genus:
- Elops
- Family:
- Elopidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Glover, C.J.M. in Gomon, M.F, C.J.M. Glover & 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.
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