Barramundi, Adult and Juvenile (Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book 1, original release and re-release by Yujin)

(editor note–I need to update more than normal–because I didn’t discover the adult figure until long after the original writing about the juvenile)

These figures represent the Barramundi (or Asian Seabass), Lates calcarifer. The model number is 13 from the first series (original release); the juvenile is also model number 13, but number 14 in terms of the Yujin series. The adult figure is the last ‘regular’ figure in the original and original re-release series, while the juvenile is one of the secrets. For the revised release/box set, the juvenile is the last ‘regular’ figure, and not a secret one. After this, I just have a couple more secrets/chase figures that are a unique sculpt.

In terms of relationships, it forms a clade with other snooks and, as well as barracuda, within a larger clade of perciform fish. It is unusual that this fish, in a Yujin series, is not much associated with Japan, but there is a related species, Lates japonicus, a slightly smaller species with some small but noticeable (to specialists) differences; the two species are similar enough that L. japonicus was only named in 1984 (it may be primarily marine). The IUCN lists the Barramundi as Least Concern; they are actually more widespread for aquaculture purposes.

The Barramundi is a large catadromous fish that ranges over much of the Indo-Pacific region from the Persian Gulf to Northern Australia, north to southern Japan. In some regions the Barramundi can be strictly marine. The Barramundi is a popular food fish and sport fish in much of its range, and is also kept in aquaria—very large aquaria! The Yujin Barramundi model gives the size of 100cm, but some sources say as much as 200cm, although fish of this size would be rare now. Befitting a big fish with a big mouth, adult barramundi are highly predatory, preying on a range of organisms including arthropods, molluscs and fish–even smaller conspecifics. Juvenile barramundi are plankton feeders.

This model is about 7 cm long, making the figure roughly 1:14 ranging to 1:29 for an adult, (depending on the TL used). The juvenile is sculpted the same, although it would of course usually be smaller. The model itself is a deep and massive looking figure, befitting such a big and strong fish. The adult figure is fairly drab, which accurately reflects the real animal. The dorsum is a dark olive, fading to silver sides and belly. The scales are large and deeply sculpted, and all fins are a dark yellow ochre. The face is bright, the eye painted golden with a black pupil. The gill cover is sculpted with a long ventrally pointed pair of spikes on the upper margin, which is a feature seen on barramundi. I have this one on the grey mud and stick base.

For the juvenile, the figure is not brightly coloured, but this is in keeping with the natural colours of the fish—tan or brown fading to cream on the ventral surface, with just the faint hint of light bars on the sides and face—these patterns are easy to miss when simply glancing at the figure, but close inspection shows how much detail has gone into the paint work. One thing that is hard to miss is the deep red eyes of the fish, which may be a bit exaggerated but tend to be at least pinkish (the Japanese species is locally named for their red eyes. The base for this one is the brown gravel with plant.

I know for certain that Lates figures have been made several times—often, they are made using the juvenile pattern of strong dark bands, as in a recent CapsuleQ figure. One of the most notable models is another version of this Yujin Barramundi, except more striped and, possibly, meant to represent the Lates japonicus or a juvenile of the same species. It is different enough to be worth tracking down and having both (but so far I don’t…). edit–I wrote this before I realized that I was describing the juvenile version!

Like the Chum Salmon and the Japanese huchen, the Barramundi also comes in two separate pieces (the head and pectoral fins are separate). This is a pretty large figure overall, so it may have been required to fit the package that it came in.

Starting on the 14th of January, 2024, I migrated my first Yujin Freshwater Fish Pictorial walkaround post from the Animal Toy Forum to this blog, with the intention of moving all species’/figures’ walkarounds here. The initial post contained a lengthy explanation of the series (both the original and updated) that I don’t think should be repeated each time! For those details, the post can be seen at the first post. Then we can just get to the fish. Most of the details and writing will come from the original post, although I may supplement/add where appropriate.