Australian Fishing Photographs,
Angling, Cooking & Species Information Fishing, Angling, Fishing Tackle,
Fishing Guides, Fly Fishing, Bass Fishing, Sportsfishing, Game
Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing
New Seafood
Trade Directory
Directory of Seafood
Companies by Species
Imported, Exported, Wholesale, Processors &
Producers
Click Here for
SEAFOOD DIRECTORY
Fish Photos,
Fishing Info, Angling, Catching Fish, Cooking Fish
Coral
Trout (Plectrodomus maculatus) Photographs
and Information
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.
Advanced Secrets Of Tuna Fishing
- What Some Fisherman Are Calling The Tuna
Fishing
Book Of The Century. Action Packed With Exciting
Stories And Insider Secrets From Tuna Fisherman And
Charter Boat Skippers
. Aimed At Everyday Users To Teach
Them How To Find, Attract And Catch Tuna!
Coral trout are widely dispersed around coral reef waters of Queensland, the Northern
Territory and Western Australia. They grow to about 110cm and can weigh more than
20kg. Generally the largest Coral Trout are found well offshore. Although
basically a bottom-dwelling fish, Coral Trout frequently cruise and hunt well off the
seabed and are capable of bursts of great speed.
Coral Trout can be usually caught on a wide variety of cut fish baits, but they will
also take trolled lures, jigs and live baits.
Scientific Name
Plectrodomus maculatus
Location
Tropical waters of northern Australia
Season
All year round
Size
To about 110cm
Australian Species Code
37 311905
Taste, Texture
Firm white flesh. Excellent eating.
Nutritional
Information
For every 100 grams raw product
for Coral Trout fillet.
Kilojoules
n/a
Cholesterol
25 mg
Sodium
n/a
Total fat
(oil)
0.6 g
Saturated
fat
32% of total
fat
Monounsaturated fat
16% of total
fat
Polyunsaturated fat
52% of total
fat
Omega-3, EPA
9 mg
Omega-3, DHA
149 mg
Omega-6, AA
27 mg
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.