Fighting Queenfish

The Lang Queenfish of Northern Australia are popular with saltwater recreational anglers, with good catches of these fighting, athletic fish common along the Northern Territory coastal beaches and estuaries.

Growing to over a metre and 16 kgs, they are the largest of four species found in Australian coastal waters. A study by CSIRO scientists in 2005 has found they are relatively slow growing, reaching maturity at around 64cm after 4-5 years.
With a characteristic line of spots and silver-grey in colour, they often have a bright yellow throat, breast and belly. Also prominent is its spiny dorsal fin which has short off-set spines resembling barbed-wire. saltwater queenfish

Usually caught by casting lures into a school, these fish fight hard to throw the hook and have plenty of energy to do it with! fighting queenfish

Queenfish by the Boatload
1.25m Queenfish

Interestingly the CSIRO scientists had difficulty obtaining large specimens - may be they should have taken a safari with Darwin's Barra Base to the Dundee Beach area.