Tarakihi
Silver marine fish with a black crescent mark.
The tarakihi is a silver ray-finned fish found in the south-western Pacific. It lives near Australia and New Zealand on deep reefs. This species supports commercial fisheries but faces overfishing pressures in some regions.
- Max length 70 cm with typical size 35 cm
- Lives on deep reefs down to 400 metres depth
- Eastern NZ stock at 8% of unfished levels
- Migrates up to 500 km to spawn
- Distinctive black crescent mark on silver body
What it is
This marine ray-finned fish has a silvery body marked by a wide black band or crescent from the nape to the pectoral fin base. Its seventh pectoral fin ray is notably elongated, giving the species its scientific name meaning long-winged. Adults typically reach 35 cm, though they can grow to 70 cm and weigh nearly 3 kg. Juveniles display dark blotches on their upper bodies instead of the adult marking. The dorsal fin contains 17 to 18 spines, while the anal fin has three.
Where it lives
The tarakihi inhabits the south-western Pacific Ocean, specifically around Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, it ranges from Broken Bay in New South Wales to Rottnest Island in Western Australia, including Tasmania. In New Zealand, it is widespread from Cape Reinga to waters south of the Snares Islands, including the Chatham Rise. Reports from the southern Indian Ocean and Atlantic are likely misidentifications of similar species. They live on deep reefs down to 400 metres but occasionally enter large coastal bays.
How it lives
These fish feed on benthic invertebrates such as polychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms. Young individuals reside in high densities on the inner and mid shelf, while adults move to the outer continental shelf. The species has a maximum lifespan of about 35 years and reaches maturity between three and six years of age. Individuals may migrate up to 500 km from their home range to join regular spawning aggregations.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs between February and June. During this period, the fish form known regular aggregations in New Zealand waters. The young are found in shallower shelf areas after hatching. This migratory behaviour for breeding ensures genetic mixing across different populations within their range.
Fish and people
Commercial fishing has targeted this species for decades. On the east coast of New Zealand, the breeding stock has declined to 8 per cent of unfished levels as of 2026. The west coast stock sits at 28 per cent. Since stocks below 20 per cent are considered overfished, the eastern population is in a critical state. Conservation groups have called for fishery closures to allow recovery.
Status and threats
The eastern New Zealand stock is significantly depleted due to sixty years of fishing pressure. With breeding biomass at only 8 per cent of original levels, it is classified as overfished. The western stock is also reduced but remains above the critical threshold. Management debates focus on closing fisheries to restore population numbers.
Questions people ask about Tarakihi
What does the tarakihi look like?
It has a silvery body with a wide black band or crescent running from the neck to the pectoral fin. The seventh ray of the pectoral fin is elongated. Juveniles have dark blotches on their upper bodies.
Where is the tarakihi found?
It lives in the south-western Pacific Ocean, specifically around southern Australia and New Zealand. It inhabits deep reefs down to 400 metres but can enter coastal bays.
Is the tarakihi population healthy?
No, the eastern New Zealand stock is overfished, with breeding levels at just 8 per cent of unfished amounts. The western stock is also reduced but remains above the critical 20 per cent threshold.
Good reading and sources
- Nemadactylus macropterus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nemadactylus macropterus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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