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Freshwater Fish of Victoria: Garfish | FN0073 |
Fisheries Victoria, Melbourne
Updated: March 2007
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Common Name:
River Garfish
Other Name/s:
Needle gar, Splinter gar
Family:
Hemiramphidae
Scientific Name:
Hyporhamphus regularis (Gunther, 1866)
Status:
Native, Estuarine/Freshwater | |
Description
Slender body, upper jaw much broader than long lower jaw. Lower jaw is former into a beak. Dorsal and anal fins are opposite each other. Greenish above, fins yellow and the long, slender beak can be tipped with red. Dark narrow streak running down middle of body on both sides.
Distribution
From south Queensland southward to Lakes Entrance in Victoria. Seasonally abundant in some waters.
Habitat
Commonly found in rivers, estuaries and coastal lakes, where it is usually associated with dense bodies of eel-grass. Surface schooling.
Brief Biology
Grows to 38 cm in length. Little is known of its breeding biology.
Common Name:
Southern Sea Garfish
Other Name/s:
Sea garfish
Family:
Hemiramphidae
Scientific Name:
Hyporhamphus melanochir (Valenciennes, 1846)
Status:
Native, Estuarine/Freshwater | |
Description
Lower jaw formed into a bill or beak. Upper jaw is either as long as it is broad, or slightly longer than broad. Dorsal and anal fins are opposite each other. Colour is pale green above, silvery below. Silver band along each side. Tail fin has a dark edge.
Distribution
Estuaries along the Victorian coast. Seasonally abundant in some waters. Very occasionally enters fresh water, such as rivers above estuaries.
Habitat
A surface schooling species commonly found in shallow sheltered bays and estuaries.
Brief Biology
Grows to 50 cm and 600g. Spawning begins in October and continues through the summer months. Some females mature at 22 cm, although most are 25 cm in length and at least 4 years old before spawning commences. Important part of the diet is "sea-grass" Zostera sp.
Other Notes
Popular inshore recreational and commercial species.
Regulations
The Fishing Regulations specify Recreational Fishing Licence requirements and the means by which the angler may take garfish. Details of licensing requirements and fishing regulations are provided in the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide available free of charge from DPI Offices and RFL sales agents.
Further Reading
Freshwater Fish of Victoria is a series of brief information material on the native and introduced freshwater fish of Victoria's inland waters. Further, detailed reading on Garfish is contained in:
- The Marine and Freshwater Fishes of South Australia, T D Scott, C J M Glover and R V Southcott
Acknowledgements
This Information Note was developed by Charles Barnham PSM, with the assistance of Tarmo Raadik. The previous version was published in November 2003.
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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