Quick Facts
Distribution
Interesting Info
- The Red Bass is a species of fish found in the waters surrounding northern parts of Australia. Primarily in Western Australia & Queensland.
- It is a deep-bodied fish with a broad, sloping head and a distinctive red coloration.
- The Red Bass is a predatory fish, feeding on a variety of smaller fish and crustaceans.
- The Red Bass is known to have a symbiotic relationship with a small shrimp called Alpheus soror. The shrimp cleans the fish’s skin of parasites and dead tissue, while the fish provides protection for the shrimp.
- It is known to form schools and migrate over long distances, particularly during spawning season.
- The Red Bass is capable of reproducing year-round, although peak spawning activity occurs during the summer months. The eggs and larvae of the Red Bass are planktonic, floating in the water column before settling in suitable habitats.
- Estimates of lifespan are between 20 – 30 years in the wild.
- The Red Bass is a popular game fish among recreational anglers, prized for its fighting abilities and meat quality.
Species Interaction
Recreational & Commercial Fishing
The Red bas is popular among recreational anglers for its strong fighting abilities and is considered a desirable game fish. Commercially, the Red Bass is valued for its high-quality flesh, which is sold in seafood markets across Australia and Asia.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Lutjanidae
Genus: Lutjanus
Species: Lutjanus Bohar
Conservation Status
The Red Bass is not currently listed as a threatened species in Australia by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. However, like many fish species, the Red Bass is vulnerable to overfishing and habitat degradation, particularly in areas where commercial fishing pressure is high or where coral reef habitats are threatened by factors such as climate change or pollution.
Fish Taste Quality
Red bass is highly valued for its firm, white, and flavourful flesh, which is considered to be of high quality. The fish has a moderate to strong flavour that is often described as sweet and nutty, with a moist and flaky texture.
Taste Rating: 4/5
How to catch
Red Bass
Catch Difficulty: Intermediate
Tackle: Running Sinker Rig, Artificial Rig
Bait: Anchovy, Fresh cut flesh baits, Lures, Octopus, Pilchards, Prawns, Squid, Soft plastics, Slimy Mackerel, Yellowtail Scad
Technique: Keep bait on the bottom, Keep bait close to the reef/structure
Popularity: Highly Targeted