kahawai, blackback, colonial salmon, cockie salmon, buck salmon, bay trout, salmon trout

Found around New Zealand, Tasmania, and the southern portions of Australia.

Australian salmon have a moderately rounded, elongate body. Their dorsal fin is much longer than the anal fin and has 9 spines and 15-19 rays. Their caudal fin is forked. Australian salmon are olive green to steel blue with small dark spots on the back and upper sides, and pale yellow-green to silvery white below. The pectoral fins are bright yellow.

They feed actively on anchovies and other small fish and can be caught on these or on fast moving lures. On light tackle, the Australian salmon is a very sporting catch and will leap repeatedly.Australian salmon are sold as whole, fresh fish, or canned for human consumption or pet food, or used for rock lobster bait.