
Also known as:
Jewfish
Jewelfish
Jew
Jewies
Butterfish
Japanese Meagre
Kingfish
River kingfish
School jew
Silver jew
Silver jewfish
Soapy
Southern meagre
Common Group Name:
Croakers, Drums
Family Name:
Sciaenidae
Genus Name:
Argyrosomus
Species Name:
Argyrosomus japonicus
Dispatch Method:
These fish should be killed humanely by iki jime, or a firm knock to the head, before being placed in an ice slurry after bleeding. Large mulloway can be energetic and therefore hard to handle. A firm knock on the head may be easier to implement to stun the fish first before attempting iki jime.
Fish Description:
- Mulloway are silvery grey above, sometimes with a bluish bronze or coppery sheen, and bright silver along the flanks with reflective areas from the lateral line.
- Juveniles live in estuaries and grow fast, reaching around 25 cm in the first year, and 45 cm in 2 years.
- Females mature at 3-4 years of age (67-70 cm long), while male fish mature in 2-3 years (51-53 cm long).
- These fish can exceed 42 years of age.
Fish Distribution:
- Mulloway are found throughout the Indo-West Pacific from Africa (Cape of Good Hope), India, along the Chinese coast and north to Japan.
- In Australia they can be found along the entire southern seaboard from North West Cape in Western Australia to the Burnett River in Queensland.
- Adult fish are found mainly near shore beyond the surf zone, or on offshore rocky reefs. Juveniles exclusively found inshore.
Fish Size Common Length:
45-90 cm, maximum size around 200 cm and 75 kg.