| Remarks |
A midwater predator which is more common offshore but occurs frequently in inshore areas as well (Ref. 26966). Juveniles are found over soft substrates in shallow and sheltered coastal waters. They are often found over seagrass (e.g. Posidonia species) beds in mangrove-lined (Avicennia species) creeks (Ref. 27967). They can tolerate temperature and salinity extremes, such as those found in gulfs in South Australia and the Coorong. Larger fish move into exposed, coastal waters, such as around rocky headlands, near reefs and the surf zone (Ref. 6390). Juveniles of 4-6 cm FL appear in shallow, sheltered Tasmanian waters between January and September (Ref. 6390).
Juveniles feed on zooplankton and epibenthic species of fish, squid, crustaceans and polychaete worms (Ref. 27967). They exhibit diel and seasonal diet shift which may be related to changes in the availability of prey (Ref. 27967). In New Zealand, adults appear to change their diet from planktonic crustaceans when they are less than 10 cm in length to fishes when larger (Ref. 27967), according to a study conducted by Baker (1971). Competitive interactions between its closest relative,Arripis truttaceus, may also be a factor in the seasonal dietary shifts. This needs further investigation (Ref. 27967). |