ANIMAL SPECIES:Gulf Saratoga, Scleropages jardinii (Kent, 1892)
The Gulf Saratoga is an distinctive-looking fish that has a large mouth and chin barbels.
Identification
The Gulf Saratoga is an elongate fish with a single dorsal fin positioned posteriorly on the body. It has a large mouth, chin barbels and a curved dorsal profile.
The Gulf Saratoga is dark brown to greenish above and lighter on the sides. Each scale has a reddish crescent-shaped mark.
The species is known from coastal drainages of northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, primarily around the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is also recorded from southern Papua New Guinea.
Two species of Scleropages occur in Australian waters. The second is the Saratoga or Spotted Barramundi, S. leichardti. It can be distinguished by the relatively straight dorsal profile and lower dorsal and anal fin ray counts (D 15-19, A 25-27 in S. leichardti vs D 20-24, A 28-32 in S jardinii).
The Asian and Australian species of Scleropages can be separated based on the number of lateral line scales. The Asian species have 21-26 lateral line scales versus 32-36 in the Australian species. The Asian species have longer pectoral and pelvic fins and a longer snout.
South American Arowanas (genus Osteoglossum), can be separated from the Australian and Asian Arowanas (genus Scleropages), by their dorsal fin counts. The former has 42-57 dorsal fin rays and the latter about 15-24 dorsal fin rays.
Size range
It grows to 55 cm in length.Similar Species
Saratoga or Spotted BarramundiDistribution
The species is known from coastal drainages of northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, primarily around the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is also recorded from southern Papua New Guinea.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Gulf Saratoga specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Classification
- Species:
- jardinii
- Genus:
- Scleropages
- Family:
- Osteoglossidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1989. Freshwater Fishes of Australia. T.F.H. Publications. Pp. 240.
- Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & M. Allen. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 394.
- Allen, G.R. 1991. Field Guide to The Freshwater Fishes of New Guinea. Christensen Research Institute. Pub. 9. Pp. 268.
- Merrick, J.R. & G.E. Schmida. 1984. Australian Freshwater Fishes. Biology and Management. John R. Merrick. Pp. 409.
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A Gulf Saratoga at Macquarie University View full size
Mark McGrouther
© Australian Museum
A Gulf Saratoga in an aquarium View full size
Mark McGrouther
© Australian Museum
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