Tasmanian Smelt

Anadromous. Fish that ascend rivers to spawn, as salmon and hilsa do. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Occurs in lowland streams, forming schools that feeds at or near the surface on insects and zooplankton. The species is thought to have an anadromous life cycle involving upstream migration of adults from the sea prior to spawning.

Inhabits estuaries and the lower reaches of coastal streams (Ref. 44894). Occurs in lowland streams, forming schools that feeds at or near the surface on insects and zooplankton. Found among the annual Tasmanian whitebait migrations in shoals with Lovettia seali and various galaxiids. Most of the life cycle is spent at the sea (Ref. 44894). The species is thought to have an anadromous life cycle involving upstream migration of adults from the sea prior to spawning. Newly hatched larvae are carried on tides out to sea where they develop to maturity (ref. 44894).

fisheries: of no interest; bait: usually

The Tasmanian smelt (Retropinna tasmanica) is a small, pelagic freshwater smelt found in lowland streams of Tasmania, Australia.