Editing Arripis (section)

== Description ==
A streamlined, fusiform body and large, powerful forked tail – the upper lobe of which is equal to or less than the length of the head in the eastern Australian salmon – are indications of the fast-paced pelagic lives these fish lead. Upon dissection, the extremely large, dense gills (for maximum oxygen extraction) and large proportion of red aerobic muscle in the 'fillets' is further evidence of a fast-paced pelagic life. The first (spinous, with 9 spines) [[dorsal fin]] originates behind the [[pectoral fin]]s, the former being confluent with, but noticeably higher than the much longer soft dorsal fin (with 15–19 rays), itself much longer than the [[anal fin]] (which has three spines and 9–10 soft rays). The [[pelvic fin]] is situated in a thoracic position.

[[Scale (zoology)|Scale]]s and [[eye]]s are relatively large – in the Australian herring, the eyes are approximately one-fifth the length of the head in diameter. The large mouth is terminal, and the jaws are lined with bands of sharp villiform (brushlike) [[tooth|teeth]]. The [[lateral line]] runs along the upper sides of the body.

The western Australian salmon is the largest species at a maximum {{convert|96|cm|abbr=on}} standard length (that is, excluding the caudal fin) and {{convert|10.5|kg|abbr=on}} in weight. The Australian herring is the smallest species at maximum {{convert|41|cm|abbr=on}} [[fork length]] (that is, from the snout to the middle of the caudal fin's fork) and {{convert|800|g|abbr=on}}. Australian salmon share a passing resemblance to the unrelated [[yellowtail amberjack]], (''Seriola lalandi''), locally known as "kingfish", with which larger Australian salmon are sometimes confused.

All species are strongly [[countershading|countershaded]]; dorsal colours range from dark blue-green in ''A. trutta'', green in ''A. georgianus'', and steel-blue to grayish- or greenish-black in ''A. truttaceus''; the colours fade to a silver-white ventrally. A smattering of yellow, gray, or blackish spots embellishes the dorsal half, the spots arranged vertically or longitudinally in a series of rows. There are marked differences in subadult coloration: for example, on the flanks of juvenile Australian herring are a series of dark golden vertical bars.

<gallery>
FMIB 45665 Arripis georgianus.jpeg|''Arripis georgianus''
Australian salmon.png|''A. trutta''
</gallery>