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Fish Photos & Information

Fish, Crustaceans & Cephalopods

Beche De Mer
(Sea Cucumber)

Coral Trout is also known as Leopard Fish

Coral Trout range in colour from pink to red to brown, with small brilliant blue spots over the body and head.  Coral trout are beautifully marked, robust, predatory reef fish of tropical waters. They belong to the same large group of grouper-like fish as the tropical Australian saltwater cods (Serranidae). Coral trout have large mouths and sharp, widely-spaced canine teeth. Colouration varies between species and locations; from greenish-brown in shallow water, through brick-red to bright red in deeper water, but always with an overlay of blue or red spots. The eye is red around an elongated pupil.

Coral Trout are sometimes confused with Tomato or Coral Cod which have similar markings.  However the Coral Trout has an inward-curved tail and 7 or 8 spines in the first dorsal fin, the Coral Cod has a rounded tail and nine spines in the first dorsal.

There are several closely related members of the family Plectropoma in Australian waters, the most common being P. maculatum. Coral trout are often known simply as "trout" in many northern waters, although they are totally unrelated to the freshwater fishes of the same name.

The coral trouts belong to the same family (Serranidae) as the rockcods.

The Coral Trout is a protogynous hermaphrodite, that is, the individual becomes sexually mature first as a female and then later changes its sex to a male.  It is only one sex at a time and cannot self fertilise.

Most Coral Trout mature as females when they are about 22cm long and about 2 years old.   At this time a mature female Coral Trout can product 83,000 eggs a year.  A 4 year old female can produce about 458,000 eggs a year.

Angling for Coral Trout:

Saltwater Habitat. Caught near reef areas. The scarlet or red coloured coral trout are typically taken in deep water (up to 100 m).

The bulk of coral trout taken by anglers fall to traditional bottom-fishing techniques employing cut fish flesh, prawns or squid baits, but the species also responds well to more sophisticated sport fishing methods. Coral trout strike savagely at all types of cast, jigged and trolled lures, live baits and rigged dead baits. Large commercial catches are still taken in some areas using a rudimentary lure or jig called a "wog", made from a sinker and strips of black rubber. Tackle for catching coral trout ranges from relatively heavy handlines to jig outfits and double or single-handed casting gear.

Cooking Coral Trout:

Coral Trout are a highly prized table fish with firm white flesh. The coral trout has moist, firm, white meat and is a superb table fish, considered by most reef fishermen to be even tastier than the sweetlip, and only a short distance behind the red emperor and the barramundi cod in terms of flavour. However, in some areas, larger coral trout are proven carriers of potentially fatal ciguatera toxin, and eating more than one meal from a coral trout over 8 kg in weight is unwise, at best. It is highly advisable to heed local advice in this regard.

Coral trouts are among the most sought-after reef fishes for their impressive appearance and fine eating qualities. Their delicate flavour and fine, white flakes appeal to most. Bake, steam, poach or grill, but avoid handling them too much as their delicate flakes can be easily damaged. Enrich with an abundance of citrus, light butter sauces, parsley and chives.

Highlight these species attractively coloured skin by cooking and presenting them whole (gilled and gutted).

Fillets of coral trout and trout (rainbow or brown trout) can be plaited together to present an interesting contrast in colour and flavour.

The cheek flesh from coral trouts is very highly regarded and should not be wasted.

Microwave Cooking Times for Fish
- Fish fillets – 5 minutes per 500g on medium-high, +50 seconds more for thicker fillets, or until flesh flakes
- Whole fish - Large – 6 minutes/750g on medium
- Whole fish – Small – 3-4 minutes on medium

Commercial Fishing for Coral Trout:

Reef fish are harvested throughout the Queensland coast - from the NSW border to the Torres Straits ­ although most of the catch is harvested in the waters between Bundaberg and Cooktown.

The Queensland reef line fishery operates under the leading edge Reef Fin Fish Management Plan, and is widely recognised as the best managed reef fish fishery anywhere in the world.

Video Showing The Queensland Coral Trout Fishery: