Barra (Lates calcarifer)

Barra is a variety of catadromous fish that comes from the Latidae family. This fish variety is native to Australia and is called by other names, such as Asian seabass and the Barramundi. These fish varieties live in both fresh water and salt water, and are extensively distributed in the Indo-West Pacific area, ranging from the Persian Gulf to the Southeastern part of Asia to Northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. Usually, the Barra fish varieties prefer the water temperature, ranging from 26 degree Centigrade to 30 degree Centigrade.

Features

The Barra fish breed is a big-scaled silver fish, with a body length, ranging from 2 feet to 4 feet, with the maximum weight of 130 pounds. This fish variety has a long body, with a big, somewhat oblique mouth and an upper jaw, widening at the back of the eye. The lower border of the fish’s preoperculum is notched with a powerful backbone at its angle, and the operculum contains a small spine and a notched flap over the origin of the side line.

The scales of the Barra fish breed may turn out to be lighter or darker, according to their settings, and in the side view, it is dense and the dorsal cranium profile is bowl-shaped. The single ventral and dorsal fins of the fish contain spines and soft rays, and its paired pelvic and pectoral fins contain soft rays only. The caudal fin of the fish contains soft rays, which is cut and rounded.

Most Barra fish varieties are born males, and then they turn into female fish when they attain the age of 4 years. This fish variety does not assume wide migrations between or within river systems, which has most probably inclined the establishment of hereditary distinct stocks in Northern parts of Australia.

Diet

Barra fish varieties are opportunistic killers and they feed on anything that survives in the water. They feed on spiders, insects, prawns, fish, and other Barra fish varieties. In fact, a Barra fish can eat equal to 60 % of its individual length.

Reproduction

Spawning in Barra fish varieties start at the beginning of the monsoon, and the male breeds migrate downriver to meet female breeds for mating. The female breed lays extremely large amounts of eggs. The adult fish do not safeguard the eggs or the fry, which need brackish water to grow.

The Barra fish breed is one of the longest surviving fish in its family, and their lifespan is more than 25 years.