The seasonal occurrence of postlarval stages of yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Gunther), and some factors affecting their movement into an estuary

Abstract

Planktonic postlarvae of yellow fin bream Acanthopagrus australis were found at surf bar entrances to Moreton Bay, a large subtropical estuarine system on the east coast of Australia. The postlarvae occurred from April to September with peak abundance during July to September. Most postlarvae entered the estuary at night during the full moon. They were more abundant on the flood and full tides than on the ebb tide. The transition from planktonic to littoral existence occurs from August to November when the fish are 13‐14 mm in length. Young yellow fin bream in littoral areas reach a modal length in excess of 100 mm after 1 year.