Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture (2+1)

LATES CALCARIFER (Asian seabass)

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS:

Body elongate, compressed, with a deep caudal peduncle. Head pointed, with concave dorsal profile becoming convex in front of dorsal fin. Mouth large, slightly oblique, upper jaw reaching to behind eye; teeth villiform, no canines present. Lower edge of pre-operculum with a strong spine; perculum with a small spine and with a serrated flap above origin of lateral line. Dorsal fin with 7 to 9 spines and 10 to 11 soft rays; a very deep notch almost dividing spiny from soft part of fin; pectoral fin short and rounded, several short, strong serrations above its base; dorsal and anal fins both have scaly sheaths; anal fin rounded, with 3 spines and 7 to 8 soft rays; caudal fin rounded. Scales large, ctenoid (rough to touch).

Colour: two phases, either olive brown above with silver sides and belly (usually juveniles) or green/blue above and silver below. No spots or bars present on fins or body.