Ok so im getting extremly annoyed with people purchasing barramundi without the doing any research before purchasing the fish and thinking a 6 foot tank will suffice for life. So ive decided to write up some information so people know what it takes to keep this true monster. the other reason is because lately there have been posts on barramundi all asking basically the same questions so this information will explain barramundi and keping them in aquaria.
Barramundi
Lates Calcarifer
Barramundi are a native australian fish found in the northern reaches of Australia. They have also been found in Southern Japan,PNG, China. Barramundi can live in fresh,brackish and saltwater.
Barramundi reproduction: Barramundi are catadromous meaning they spend most of their life in freshwater and go to sea to spawn. they are a
protandrous hermaphrodite meaning that they can swith sex if the need arises although from what i have understood they actually change when they reach a certain size.
Barramundi growth potential: This is one of the areas that has annoyed me about people that purchase a fish that can grow almost 7 foot thinking "she'll be right in a 6ft tank". They can reach a total of 200cm and 60kg or 6'8" and 120 pounds. Now for most of sceptics out there that say they only grow 4 ft you are gravely mistaken. A mate of mine used to live up there and we were having a yarn and hes been in a boat when they caught a 5' one. he has also seen them at about 6'. So no barramundi are not really good for the average homw aquaria. here is a table showing typical growth rates(thankyou native fish.asn.au for the table):
YearLength range (mm)1
2
3
4
5
6310-330
430-500
529-610
610-690
730-770
810+
Barramundi diet: Barramundi in the wild eat other fish but are not strictly piscevores. they also eat aquatic insects, crustaceans.
In the home aquaria: I don't recommend you purchase a barramundi unless u have a massive tank or a pond. The best temperatures to keep them in is 25-28C although they can be kept at 22-32C. it is best if barramundi are kept with a little salt but not to much depending on age. they like alakline ph, hardwater. here is a basic list of good foods for a barramundi pellet, frozen shrimp and worm foods, beef heart, fish, squid, cockle meat, krill. also feeders to keep your barramundi active. they are quite a hardy fish and inexpensive.
hope this answers any questions. if not just post away. also thank you fishbase, adelaide aquariums and ausfish.asn.au most of information from them. heres links:
http://www.adelaideaquariums.com.au/Faqs/freshwater/fish/brackish/barramundi.html
http://www.nativefish.asn.au/barramundi.html
http://www.wetpetz.com/barramundi.htm
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=346
heres a few pics enjoy:
Barramundi
Lates Calcarifer
Barramundi are a native australian fish found in the northern reaches of Australia. They have also been found in Southern Japan,PNG, China. Barramundi can live in fresh,brackish and saltwater.
Barramundi reproduction: Barramundi are catadromous meaning they spend most of their life in freshwater and go to sea to spawn. they are a
protandrous hermaphrodite meaning that they can swith sex if the need arises although from what i have understood they actually change when they reach a certain size.
Barramundi growth potential: This is one of the areas that has annoyed me about people that purchase a fish that can grow almost 7 foot thinking "she'll be right in a 6ft tank". They can reach a total of 200cm and 60kg or 6'8" and 120 pounds. Now for most of sceptics out there that say they only grow 4 ft you are gravely mistaken. A mate of mine used to live up there and we were having a yarn and hes been in a boat when they caught a 5' one. he has also seen them at about 6'. So no barramundi are not really good for the average homw aquaria. here is a table showing typical growth rates(thankyou native fish.asn.au for the table):
YearLength range (mm)1
2
3
4
5
6310-330
430-500
529-610
610-690
730-770
810+
Barramundi diet: Barramundi in the wild eat other fish but are not strictly piscevores. they also eat aquatic insects, crustaceans.
In the home aquaria: I don't recommend you purchase a barramundi unless u have a massive tank or a pond. The best temperatures to keep them in is 25-28C although they can be kept at 22-32C. it is best if barramundi are kept with a little salt but not to much depending on age. they like alakline ph, hardwater. here is a basic list of good foods for a barramundi pellet, frozen shrimp and worm foods, beef heart, fish, squid, cockle meat, krill. also feeders to keep your barramundi active. they are quite a hardy fish and inexpensive.
hope this answers any questions. if not just post away. also thank you fishbase, adelaide aquariums and ausfish.asn.au most of information from them. heres links:
http://www.adelaideaquariums.com.au/Faqs/freshwater/fish/brackish/barramundi.html
http://www.nativefish.asn.au/barramundi.html
http://www.wetpetz.com/barramundi.htm
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=346
heres a few pics enjoy:
