Fish ID please(Stout Longtom)

[fiveflies]

Hi Raiders,

I was out in my kayak today on the Port Hacking and managed to snare this thing. I guess its some sort of garfish but never seen one. I reckon it was around 45cm with lots of small, pointy teeth in its long jaw. The green was its actual colour and it jumped several times whilst hooked and being reeled in.

Let it swim off after pics as wasn't sure!

Thanks,

Matt

[Blackfish]

There's a few different Longtoms. I'll call this one a Stout Longtom. Tyosurus gavialoides.

There's also another common one, Barred Longtom Ablennes hains and seem Oceanic. I've only seen them out to sea especially on the north coast. To me they hang around in the same water as Wahoo/Mackeral etc, though I've seen them at 2&3 Mile out from the Entrance.

These I Alligator Gar but thats also a common name for Stout Longtom....... Bloody common names.

Thought I'd clear it up.

Thanks all.

.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Blackfish

[Scratchie]

Looks like a longtom to me!

[fiveflies]

Looks like a longtom to me!

Oh! Are they edible?? Never seen one or caught one before!

Thanks!

Edited February 12, 2016 by fiveflies

[ambrose607]

Yep. That's a long tom. Interesting colour!

[Scratchie]

I'm not sure if they are edible but the color of it is probably a product of its environment. They grow bloody big too!

[Yowie]

They are edible, as I have eaten a few. Similar to garfish fillets, though I prefer the garfish to the longtoms.

There are quite a few around that size swimming over the sand flats in Port Hacking, can be a bit hard to hook due to the toothy mouth - nowhere easy for the hook to penetrate the mouth.

[Dr Funk]

You do have to be careful in tropical and sub tropical areas as long toms can cause Ciguatera poisoning if eaten.

[Blackfish]

You do have to be careful in tropical and sub tropical areas as long toms can cause Ciguatera poisoning if eaten.

I know the common fish that have Ciguatera in those areas but never knew Longtom could also carry it.

Thanks Dr Funk.

Mind you I've never needed to knock one on its head either and eat it.