King Threadfin

Polydactylus macrochir

• Group: Other
• Typical depth: 0–6 m
• Max size: 1.7 m
• For divers: safe

Long trailing feelers below the chin sweep the murky bottom for prawns and small fish as this threadfin works the turbid coastal shallows, estuaries and mangrove creeks of northern Australia. It can reach nearly one and three quarter metres, gathering in loose schools while the biggest fish tend to travel in pairs or alone. Every one begins life as a male and later turns female.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Teleostei › Carangaria incertae sedis › Polynemidae › Polydactylus

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 276590.