West Australian Dhufish

Glaucosoma hebraicum, the West Australian dhufish, Westralian jewfish, or West Australian pearl perch, is a species of fish in the family Glaucosomatidae, the pearl perches. It is endemic to the waters around Western Australia from Shark Bay, Western Australia, to the Archipelago of the Recherche at depths to 200 m (660 ft), though typically they occur at depths of 20–50 m (66–164 ft). This species is important to local commercial fisheries and is also popular as a game fish.

Description

This species can reach 122 cm (48 in) in total length, though most do not exceed 80 cm (31 in). The greatest recorded weight for this species is 26 kg (57 lb). They reach maturity at the age of 3–4 years and can live for more than 40 years. The pearlescent, silver-grey colour of this fish is broken by dark stripes. It is distinguished from a species found in the eastern states of Australia by a dark stripe over the eye region. This striping is prominent in juveniles and fades as the fish matures at about three or four years old.

Breeding and habitat

The peak breeding season is between December and March. They are broadcast spawners, with floating eggs developing into plankton-feeding pelagic larvae. Adults occurs in various inshore habitats, from hard flat shelf areas to reefs, wrecks, and underwater caverns and gutters.