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iki jime Fish Finder
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Also known as:

Eastern Australian salmon

Bay trout

Blackback salmon

Buck

Cocky salmon

Colonial salmon

Salmon

Salmon trout

Common Group Name:

Australian Salmons

Family Name:

Arripidae

Genus Name:

Arripis

Species Name:

Arripis trutta


Dispatch Method:

The eating qualities of kahawai are greatly improved if they are killed immediately by iki jime, or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.


Fish Description:

  • Adult kahawai are dark blue-green above and silvery below, with irregularly defined spots arranged laterally in indistinct rows. The small pectoral fins are yellowish.
  • Juveniles have several additional brown blotches over the flanks.
  • Kahawai mature at between 36 and 42 cm long (3-4 years old) and may live for up to 26 years.

Fish Distribution:

  • Kahawai occur throughout New Zealands coastal waters, with juveniles usually seen in bays and estuaries. Adults are found mainly along beaches or in offshore waters.
  • The same species is also known as the eastern Australian salmon and occurs along Australias east coast from SE QLD to Tasmania.
  • A similar species (A. xylabion) occurs around Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and the Kermedec Islands.

Fish Size Common Length:

30-60 cm, maximum size around 90 cm and 9.5 kg.