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Triple-tail
Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790)
Triple-tail, Lobotes surinamensis
B. Dagnin with the 6kg Triple-tail
This 6kg fish was caught on hook and line near Kangaroo Point, Georges River, Sydney by B. Dagnin. It is the Triple-tail, Lobotes surinamensis and this fish is probably the most southern record of this species on the coast of New South Wales.
The Triple-tail is the only member of the family Lobotidae, and is found in all tropical and subtropical seas. Juveniles often float long distances on algal mats, whereas adults are usually found in coastal waters, estuaries and occassionally even in the lower reaches of freshwater streams.
The leaf-like juveniles are mottled with yellow, brown and black, whereas large adults are jet black. This species has small scales extending onto the dorsal, caudal and anal fins and a head profile which becomes more concave with age.
The Triple-tail has distinctively rounded soft dorsal and anal fins. This characteristic gave rise to the common name.
The Triple-tail grows to 1m in length and 15kg.
Further reading
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
