Common names
Japanese meagre, Jewfish, Butterfish, Kingfish, River Kingfish
Mulloway
Argyrosomus japonicus
- Saltwater
- Endangered
Max length71.25 in
Length typeTotal Length
Max weight165 lb 6 oz
Water typeSaltwater
Fish info
IUCN Vulnerability status
Short description
Mulloway are mostly silver with a blue/grey, green, or bronze-coloured back. They have a copper-coloured head and are silvery with a bronze-green dorsal surface and a paler belly. They have a row of distinctive white spots running along the lateral line. The caudal fin is angular in juveniles but becomes more rounded in larger fish. They possess a line of silver/white spots that follow the lateral line and sometimes have a black mark at the pectoral fin base. Preserved specimens vary in colour according to treatment. The mulloway is also called jewfish, which arose from the term 'jewel fish', referring to the mulloway's very large otoliths or earbones that in the past were collected for use as jewellery.
Habitat
Adults are gregarious and are found over soft bottoms mainly beyond the surf zone, and reef environments, occasionally going inshore. Juveniles are exclusively found in shallow water and sometimes move into estuaries.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: African southeast coast from Cape of Good Hope to southern Mozambique; northern Indian Ocean off Pakistan and the northwest coast of India; northern Pacific from southern Korea and Japan, along the Chinese coast to Hong Kong; in Australia along the entire southern seaboard from North West Cape (north of Shark Bay) in Western Australia to the Burnett River (north of Brisbane) in Queensland.
Behaviour
Although described as a predatory benthic carnivore, mulloway are capable of feeding throughout the water column. As the fish increase in size the diet changes to include small-finned fish, then larger-finned fish and squid and other cephalopods.
Edibility
A well-regarded eating fish with firm white flesh and few bones. They have a mild, delicate flavour, though in certain areas it develops a pleasantly salty, almost iodine, taste.
Lure suggestion
Mulloway have been taken on a huge range of lures and flies, 10- to 20-cm soft plastic shads and fish-shaped “swim baits” are arguably the most productive offerings of all. Good baits: squid, beach worms, mullet & other baitfish, oily fish such as tuna.