Species
Ribbonfish
Trichiurus lepturus
Also known as dealfish · frostfish
Tier 4Eating6/10light tackleNSWQLDWANT
0 waypoints80–130 cm (max 200 cm) typical
Overview: about ribbonfish
Long silver eel-like fish caught in deeper inshore and shelf waters, sometimes off jetties at night across northern Australia. Sharp teeth — handle carefully. Mostly used as bait.
Biology: Ribbonfish size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Inshore, Shelf
- Typical size
- 80–130 cm (max 200 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–4 kg
- Depth range
- 0–400 m
- Diet
- small fish, squid
- Global range
- Circumtropical
How to target: Ribbonfish angling strategies
Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- bait around jetty lights at night
Safety & handling
Ciguatera risk: lowAvoid eating large specimens from tropical reefs. Risk varies by region and individual fish — when in doubt, release.
In the same waters
- sharp teeth
Recent community catches: anglers who caught ribbonfish
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More information: ribbonfish references & sources
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