Brama australis
| Brama australis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Bramidae |
| Genus: | Brama |
| Species: | B. australis |
| Binomial name | |
| Brama australis Valenciennes, 1838 (Southern Ray's bream) | |
Brama australis, the southern rays bream also known as reineta, is a Perciformes fish species of the Bramidae family. It is endemic to the south of Chile (II and IX Regions).
There is high demand for it in culinary uses due to for its flesh and relatively low price and its use as a substitute for hake. It began to be fished commercially in Chile in the 1990s.
Morphology
Males may reach 18.5 inches (47 cm) long and females 14.5 inches (37 cm).
It is a regular sized fish with a tall compressed body between 7.9 and 19.6 inches (20 and 50 cm) that possesses a toothy jaw whose shape is similar to that of a hatchet.
Juveniles are found closer to shore while adults are caught largely on the high seas at up to 344 feet (105 m) deep.
Gastronomy
Its flesh is white and firm. It possesses only onle central spine which allows for large boneless fillets. Based on one's preference it is prepared fried, steamed, baked, or salted. Its particular taste and texture make its meat very appetizing to its local palate.
Geography
The fish is found exclusively along the Chilean coast especially in the Antofagasta Region (approximately lattitud 22° south) through the Los Rios Region (40° south) concentrated along the coast of Lebu (latitude 38° south) in the Bio Bio Region. It is also found in the southern Chilean ocean waters of Tierra del Fuego (latitude 55° south).
Commercial fishing
It is mostly fished by local fisherman along the coast. Since 2001 its industrial fishing has not intensified.