Barramundi, part of the sea perch family, and the Aboriginal word for "large-scale silver fish", is valued for its fighting spirit, taste and its size. They are found in coastal areas from the Persian Gulf to China and southern Japan, South Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia, with many fisheries found in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Live in both salt and fresh water; in streams, rivers, lakes, billabongs, estuaries and coastal waters. Barramundi inhabit areas where water temperatures vary between 23 and 35 degrees Celsius. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Barramundis eat almost anything, including other Barramundis, and can consume prey up to 60% of their own length . Juveniles eat small fish, aquatic insects and small crustaceans, such as shrimp. Barramundi predators include larger fish, birds, and large reptiles, such as saltwater crocodiles. Growing up to 200 cm in length and 60 kg, the Barramundi dominates many fish. Their appearance includes a pointed head, a concave forehead, a large jaw, and a rounded tail fin. One of their two dorsal fins has 7 to 8 large, sturdy spines, while the other has 10 to 11 rays. Their colors depend on their living conditions, with freshwater fish being green/blue on the upper body, dark brown to black on the tail and fins. While saltwater fish have silver bodies and yellow fins. The Barramundi use what is called a lateral line, which is a sensory organ that runs through both sides of the body. The lateral line allows fish to detect vibrations in the water and thus locate their prey and avoid predators. During the rainy season from October to April, sexually mature Barramundi migrate from fresh waters to coastal waters to spawn. Mating generally takes place when tidal activity is strongest. Large females can produce up to 40 million eggs during the spawning season, although 90% of larvae and juveniles die within the first few weeks or months due to disease, becoming prey, or inhumane environments. . 24 hours after fertilization, the Barramundi are ready to hatch. High tides and rainy season flooding wash eggs and larvae into mangroves and tidal habitats. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay Larvae remain in mangroves or tidal habitats until the end of the rainy season. Juvenile fish then migrate to freshwater rivers and billabongs, where they mature into adults after three or four years. When the fish reach sexual maturity (at three to five years of age), they return to salt water to spawn and their life cycle begins again. The age of Barramundi can be determined by counting the growth rings on their scales. Barramundi are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning they change sex from male to female. They become sexually mature as males at around three to four years of age. Males change into females from around five or six years of age and measure around 80 cm in length, but require salt water for this sex change. Barramundi are believed to live to be around 20 years old..