Dispatch Method:

The eating qualities of sooty grunters and other closely related species (e.g. Barcoo grunters) can be improved if they are killed humanely by iki jime, or a firm knock to the head then placed in an ice slurry after bleeding. Smaller specimens may also be killed in an ice slurry.

Fish Description:

• A brownish-grey to sooty-black grunter, with some individuals having golden blotches on the sides. Juveniles have a dark blotch on the anal and soft dorsal fins.
  
• Some large sooty grunter develop fleshy 'blubbery' lips.

Fish Distribution:

• Sooty grunter are an aggressive freshwater species which is endemic to the rivers of northern Australia. They naturally occur from the Daly River, in the Northern Territory eastwards around Cape York and south into the upper Burdekin River in central Queensland).
  
• Adults inhabit the upper reaches of river systems in clear or turbid waters, where they feed on a wide variety of prey including frogs, fishes, shrimps, insects, worms, and plant matter.
  
• Spawning occurs in summer when streams begin to rise. Eggs are guarded and fanned by the male parent.

Fish Size Common Length:

25-30 cm, max size around 54 cm and 6kg (12 lb).