PORT PHILLIP BAY


Australian Herring 

Arripis georgianus (Valenciennes, 1831)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Dorsal fin spines/rays: IX, 13-14
Anal fin spines/rays: III, 10
Caudal fin rays: 17
Pectoral fin rays: 16-18
Ventral fin spines/rays: I, 5
Lateral line: 54-59
Gill rakers (first arch): 46-50

Interpreting fin count meristics.
Spines are in Roman numerals and soft rays are in Arabic numerals. Spines and rays that are continuous in one fin are separated by a comma. Fin sections are separated by semicolons.

Detailed descriptions of fin count and other meristics are in:
Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. and Kuiter, R.H. (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A Large and highly diverse group of modern bony fishes many of which have a generalized perch like body form. Most have pelvic fins with one spine and 5 rays and the maxillary bone is excluded from the gape of the mouth. Interrelationships of the group are poorly understood and continue to be studied. They inhabit almost all aquatic habitats from high-altitude strams to the deep sea, although most are marine.

Family level detail.
A small family of slender, streamlined silvery fishes with a single long-based dorsal fin, the spinous and soft portions joined by a low notch; anal fin short-based, positioned posteriorly; tail deeply forked; jaws with many rows of fine teeth; scales small, covering body and most of head.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Arripidae
Genus:
Arripis
Species:
georgianus

General Description

Body robust, streamlined, edge of bone under eye with prominent serrations at all sizes; scales noticeably rough to touch. Dark olive-grey above, silvery-white below, with faint darker stripes on scale rows, dorsal fin with a dark margin, tail with a broad dark margin and obvious black fin tips. Juveniles with silvery-grey or golden bars on upper half of body, breaking up into spots in slightly larger individuals; fins with black speckles. To 41 cm.

Biology

The Australian Herring is frequently seen near piers, jetties, and along outer beaches of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, during summer months. Individuals form large schools in shallow coastal waters. It is as very popular recreational angling fish.

Habitat

Free swimming in open coastal waters, moving close to beaches and into bays to feed; in depths of 0-50 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Salmons and allies

Depth

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

Water Column

Midwater Surface

Max Size

41 cm

Commercial Species

Yes

Global Dispersal

Native to 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, Australian Herring, Arripis georgianus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 23 Apr 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6356

Text: creative commons cc by licence