(Image credit: Erik Schlögl)

Mangrove Jacks are a voracious ambush species that wait in the tangles of mangrove roots or fallen timber for prey to pass. They will rapidly dart out of their hiding places and attack prey items."
Juveniles: are generally greenish- brown on the dorsal surface, deep red below the lateral line. Often have pale bars on the side of the body and one or two blue lines on the cheeks. Adults: once they leave the mangrove systems the adults become more reddish in colour and loose the greenish brown appearance.

JUVENILES: Generally darker colouration than adults. Black, grey and dark green are common in younger fish. A series of white vertical bands cross the body. There may be one or two horizontal blue bars on the face underneath the eye.

ADULTS: Fish venturing out into deeper water lose the darker colouration and turn silver to greenish brown in colour. Copper, orange and brown are among the colours generally found on larger fish still living within estuary areas.

Length: Up to 1.2 m

Habitat

Juveniles in mangroves, creeks and estuaries. Adults in deeper reef areas and deep ocean outcrops; 0-200 m depth

Log it

In New South Wales, log if spotted in Sydney Habour and south
In Western Australia, log it south of Cape Cuvier

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following resources:

Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Australian Museum website http://australianmuesum.net.au

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/