Overview
The Dhufish is endemic to Western Australia and is considered the state's iconic fish. With its sweet white flesh, it's arguably Australia's finest eating fish. Found only on limestone reefs off the west coast.
Identification
Broad headSilvery bodyDark bandsLong dorsal finLarge eyesWide mouthCtenoid scalesSpiny pits
- Body
- The body is sturdy and elongated with a broad head.
- Colouration
- Silvery coloration with dark bands running across the body.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very pronounced
- Growth
- Moderate, reaches maturity in a few years
Taxonomy
- Family
- Glaucosomatidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Glaucosoma buergeriGlaucosoma scapulareGlaucosoma magnificum
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- reefs, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- reef
- Geographic distribution
- Endemic to Western Australia, from north of Shark Bay to Cape Naturaliste.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides among reef crevices and feeds off rocky formations.
Prefers rocky reefs where it can effectively hide from predators.
Presence by sea area
Au Costa Ovest TemperataPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- fish, squid, prawns
- Secondary prey
- amphipods, isopods, cephalopods
- Occasional prey
- corals, sponges
- Feeding behaviour
- Primarily feeds at night, hunting its prey among rock and reef hideouts.
- Natural predators
- grey reef shark, rays, kingfish
Primarily hunts on the seabed during nighttime.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Non-migratory, with limited movements between reefs
- Seasonal behaviour
- Active year-round but more aggressive in feeding during summer months.
- Juveniles
- Young fish stay close to the shore before moving to deeper waters.
- Adults
- Adults are solitary and prefer deeper waters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- January, February
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, small and buoyant
- Larval stage
- Larvae develop rapidly and move to deeper waters as they grow.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Dhufish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn, Dusk
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
deep reefsrocky shoalspinnacleslimestone formations
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
handlinevertical jiggingtrollingdeep dropping
Other applicable
BolentinoVertical JiggingSlow JiggingPesca A Fondo
Recommended baits
sardinessquidprawnscephalopods
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitMetal jig pesante (100-300g)Slow pitch jigSoft plastic grande (20-30cm)Kabura / Tai rubberPaddle tail softbait
Medium
Calamaro interoCalamaro vivoPolpo mortoTrancio di sgombroEsca viva profondaPezzo di pesceSeppia morta
High
Arenicola
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights hard, tends to dive towards the bottom.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid injury from dorsal spines.
- Release
- Avoid damaging the swim bladder, release promptly.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Large Dhufish specimens are often caught along Australia's southwest coast, with some exceeding 55 lbs. A trophy species in this sport-fishing region where specimens over 44 lbs are considered a prize.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued meat, used in baked and grilled dishes.
- Cultural notes
- Regarded as a symbol of Western Australia.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished by coastal Australian communities for its commercial value.
