NSW industry status The barramundi is not native to NSW and is not currently bred in hatcheries in this State. However a large hatchery industry exists in QLD and the NT. There are a number of licensed barramundi farms in NSW. Due to the small number of farms, production of this species has been limited.

Inhabits a wide variety of habitats in rivers creeks and mangrove estuaries in clear to turbid water. Most common in rivers and creeks with large catchments with a slow continuous flow and water temperatures above 20°C. Shows a distinct preference for submerged logs, rock ledges and other structure in the water.

Barramundi are carnivorous. In the wild they eat other fish (including other barramundi), crustaceans like prawns and mussels, and insects. In aquaculture systems, barramundi are fed speciality pellets available from aquaculture feed suppliers.

Among the attributes that make barramundi an ideal candidate for aquaculture are: It is a relatively hardy species that tolerates crowding and has wide physiological tolerances. The high fecundity of female fish provides plenty of material for hatchery production of seed.

CANBERRA, May 17 (Xinhua) — A barramundi farm in northern Australia, which exports some of its highly prized fish to China, has become the first business in the Northern Territory (NT) to receive funds from a new federal initiative aimed at invigorating northern Australia’s economy.

Barramundi feed well on pelleted diets, and juveniles are easy to wean to pellets. Barramundi grow rapidly, reaching a harvestable size (350 g – 3 kg) in six months to two years.

Family owned and operated Humpty Doo Barramundi farm has been producing some of Australia’s most popular saltwater barramundi since 1993. The farm is located halfway between Kakadu and Darwin, and its warm water conditions make it ideal for barramundi.

Barramundi is available by the pound in the frozen sections of supermarkets, some seafood markets, specialty grocery stores, and it can even be purchased online . Look for barramundi that is frozen immediately upon being caught and is kept fully frozen.

Barramundi can live in freshwater or saltwater. Habitats include streams, rivers, lakes, billabongs, estuaries and coastal waters. Lifecycle . The barramundi’s lifecycle includes freshwater, estuarine and marine phases.

Barramundi (FDA common name ‘giant perch’) is native to Australia and regions of Southeast Asia. The fish comes from both wild fisheries and aquaculture production. The biggest supply of wild-caught barramundi comes from Indonesia, with fish reaching 5-10lbs.

Barramundi has a delicate, sweet buttery flavor and a firm, moist, succulent texture with large flakes. It has a high oil content but no fishy taste.