Large-mouth nannygai (sea perch)
Lutjanus malabaricus

Officers of DPI Fisheries

This is a regulated fish. See Recreational fishing rules in Queensland - Tidal waters for the current regulations.

Description

Large-mouth nannygai grow up to about 14kg. This species can reach a maximum age of 31 years and 100cm total length. Their body colouration is bright glowing red, graduating to dark pink on the belly. Like small-mouth nannygai, large-mouth nannygai have a black spot 'saddling' the base of the tail. As the name suggests, this species has a larger mouth than the small-mouth nannygai. It also has a slightly concave head profile. This species has been observed spawning on the Great Barrier Reed between September and February.

Habitat/distribution

These fish can be found on coastal and offshore reefs and over soft bottoms to depths of 100m. They often school with crimson sea perch. Juveniles tend to inhabit shallow inshore waters and larger fish live in deeper waters. In Australia large-mouth nannygai range from Shark Bay in Western Australia, across the top of the continent and down to Sydney in New South Wales. These fish are predators, consuming mainly other fish as well as small amount of crustaceans, cephalopods and other benthic invertebrates. They forage mainly at night.

Suggested further reading

Department of Primary Industries. (2002). Fish Guide. Saltwater, Freshwater and Noxious Species. The Great Outdoors Publications, Brisbane.

Grant, E.M. (2002). Grant's Guide To Fishes. E.M. Grant Pty Limited, Brisbane.

Note: Some information in this publication may change from time to time (especially size and in-possession limits). You should contact your nearest Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol or the DPI&F Call Centre (13 25 23) for latest fisheries regulations and information.

This DPI Note is also published on the DPI&F's PrimeNotes CD-ROM.

Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.

File No: f00079
Last updated: 18 December