
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.