Overview
The Tarwhine is a close relative of the Bream, with a silvery body and golden fins. Found along the entire east coast of Australia. Often caught as a 'bonus' when targeting Bream, but an excellent table fish with sweet, delicate flesh.
Identification
golden horizontal stripesgolden finssilvery bodyarched profilesmall terminal mouththin scaleswhite bellylarge eyes
- Body
- The body is laterally compressed with an arched profile above the head.
- Colouration
- Silvery with golden horizontal stripes along the sides and golden fins.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very noticeable
- Growth
- medium with faster growth in the early years of life
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sparidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sparus aurataPagrus majorDiplodus sargusPagrus pagrusAcanthopagrus australis
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, estuaries
- Preferred bottom
- sand, rock, seagrass
- Geographic distribution
- Widely distributed along the entire eastern Australian coast, extending marginally to the southeast Asian coast.
- Micro-habitat
- Often shelters among seagrass beds and rocky bottoms, where it finds both shelter and nourishment during the tides.
Prefers protected coastal habitats where currents carry abundant nutrients.
Presence by sea area
Au Gbr SudPeak
Au Costa Est TemperataPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, mollusks, small fish
- Secondary prey
- polychaetes, organic debris, algae
- Occasional prey
- insect larvae, fish eggs
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds during daylight hours by digging into the substrate to find crustaceans and mollusks, but occasionally ventures into upper water columns to hunt small fish.
- Natural predators
- sharks, dolphins, larger predatory fish, seabirds
An opportunistic species, it exploits both benthic and pelagic resources depending on availability.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- residential, with small seasonal movements linked to water temperature.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During the warm season, it moves closer to shores and estuaries for spawning. In winter, it withdraws to deeper waters.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to stay in shallow coastal areas, in seagrass meadows, and among rocks.
- Adults
- Adults form small groups and move according to tidal cycles, often staying in protected waters.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- October, November
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 30 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic, small, transparent with a slight golden halo.
- Larval stage
- The larval stage is transparent and is mostly found in the water column, near the coast.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Tarwhine
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
estuarine river mouthsseagrass bedscoastal reefsshallow waters
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
bottom fishingline fishinglight trollingtouch fishing
Other applicable
Pesca A FondoBeach LedgeringBeach FishingBologneseBolognese LeggeraBolognese MediaPesca A Fondo LeggeraPesca A GalleggianteRock FishingSurfcastingSurfcasting LeggeroSurfcasting MedioSurfcasting Notturno
Recommended baits
live shrimppieces of squidcephalopodssmall artificial bait
Baits by pressure
Low
Vibe lure / Blade
Medium
Gamberetto vivoPulce di sabbiaYabbie / Gambero d'acqua salmastraGambero morto / GamberoGambero vivo
High
Beach wormAmo lungo con vermePippy (Donax)Verme di sanguePane raffermo
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Puts up a strong initial resistance with quick and sudden bursts, but not long-lasting.
- Handling
- Handle it delicately to avoid damaging the silvery and golden scales.
- Release
- Submerge it slowly in water, supporting the body until it swims away on its own.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The tarwhine is a sought-after fish by sport fishermen in various parts of the world. Although there is no specific data for Italy, tarwhine can reach a maximum length of about 40 cm and considerable weights in locations like Australia.
- In the kitchen
- White and sweet meat, often used grilled or in fish soups.
- Cultural notes
- In some cultures, it is considered a symbol of abundance and good luck.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished by coastal communities for its delicate flavor and as a source of protein.
