PORT PHILLIP BAY


Mulloway 

Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1843)

View scientific description and taxonomy

General Description

Body slender, rounded above, straighter below, dorsal-fin long-base, deeply-notched, tail rounded, pointed in juveniles; mouth large, with a slightly protruding lower jaw. Grey above, silvery below, with a black blotch above pectoral fin base. To 2 m.

Biology

The Mulloway is a migratory species and follows schooling fishes on which it feeds. It is also a popular recreational fish along the southern coast. It sometimes swims into the upper parts of Victoria's Port Phillip Bay.

Habitat

Coastal waters, off ocean beaches, often moving into bays and estuaries to feed, in depths of 0-150 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Parts of Africa, India, Pakistan and Asia. Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes Mulloways

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 m

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Mulloway, Argyrosomus japonicus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 06 Jun 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6355

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