Overview
The Threadfin Salmon, also known as 'King Threadfin', is one of the most sought-after fish in northern Australia. With sensory filaments under its mouth, it hunts in turbid waters using touch. Fights hard and has excellent flesh.
Identification
Sensory filaments under the mouthElongated bodyExtended pectoral finsSilvery scalesProminent lateral lineThree dark vertical stripes on the sides
- Body
- The Filamentous Salmon has an elongated, streamlined body, with a prominent head and lower-set mouth.
- Colouration
- It has a silvery coloration with bluish tint along the back and a white belly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- not very noticeable
- Growth
- fast, especially in the early years.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Polynemidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Polydactylus quadrifilisEleutheronema tetradactylumPolydactylus plebeiusPolynemus paradiseusPolynemus sextarius
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- estuaries, coast, brackish
- Preferred bottom
- mud, sand
- Geographic distribution
- Primarily located in northern Australia, also found along the coastal regions of Southeast Asia.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers murky, calm waters near river mouths where it can use its filaments for hunting.
Prefers complex habitats with muddy bottoms, where hunting is easier.
Presence by sea area
As Golfo BengalaPeak
Au Nw ShelfPeak
Au Nt TropicalePeak
Au Gbr NordPeak
Oc PapuaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- shrimp, crustaceans, small fish
- Secondary prey
- aquatic insects, mollusks, bivalves
- Occasional prey
- algae, detritus, polychaetes
- Feeding behaviour
- Hunts using its sensory filaments below the mouth to detect prey in the mud and sand.
- Natural predators
- sharks, dolphins, seabirds, crocodiles
Also relies on sensory filaments to locate prey in the substrate.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Performs seasonal coastal migrations for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Increased activity during the rainy season, including inland waters.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles are often found in more brackish, marshy waters, forming schools.
- Adults
- Adults move into deeper waters in larger groups, especially for spawning.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- November, December, January
- Spawning depth
- between 5 and 20 meters
- Eggs
- Small pelagic eggs with a transparent coating.
- Larval stage
- Very small, pelagic larvae that initially depend on plankton.
- Sexual maturity
- 3-4 years
When to catch Threadfin Salmon
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
river mouthslagoonsmurky coastal watersestuarine flats
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
jiggingtrollingfly fishingdrift fishing
Other applicable
SpinningLive BaitingDriftingSpinning MedioTraina CostieraTrolling Oceanico
Recommended baits
live shrimpfresh minnowsartificial lurescrustaceans
Baits by pressure
Low
JerkbaitJig head + softbaitMinnow sospesoPaddle tail softbaitShad softbaitShrimp artificiale (gomma)Crankbait
Medium
Cefalo vivoGambero vivoEsca viva (generica)Granchio vivoPinfish vivoGambero morto / GamberoPezzo di pesce
High
Cefalo vivoGambero vivoJerkbait
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights energetically with quick movements and jumps, making it an exciting catch.
- Handling
- Use a wet towel to avoid damaging the silvery skin.
- Release
- Carefully release into calm waters to aid recovery.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The filamentous salmon is known to reach considerable sizes in certain tropical and subtropical areas, with specimens exceeding 10 kg. Occasionally noted in sport fishing records due to its limited spread in Italian waters.
- In the kitchen
- High-quality white meat, used in grills and Asian cuisine.
- Cultural notes
- Valued in Australian culture for its culinary quality and the challenge of catching it.
- Historical notes
- Traditionally fished by coastal communities in northern Australia for its meat and the challenge of catching.
