Editing Arripis (section)

== Ecology ==
All species are [[Neritic zone|neritic]] and [[epipelagic]], staying within the upper layers of relatively shallow (1–80 m), open and clear coastal waters (although the western Australian salmon may prefer deeper water). The turbulent [[surf zone]] of [[beach]]es, rocky [[reef]]s, bays, and [[brackish]] waters such as [[estuary|estuaries]] are also frequented, and some species may also enter [[river]]s. Juveniles inhabit estuaries and [[mangrove]]s, as well as sheltered bays with soft bottoms carpeted with [[seagrass]]es. Adults undertake seasonal migrations over vast distances, moving into deeper water during winter months. The evolutionary history of the species of ''Arripis'' has been shaped by changes to oceanographic conditions and land-bridges that occurred during glacial cycles.<ref>{{cite thesis |author=Glenn Moore |title=Aspects of the evolutionary history of a pair of fish species (Arripidae: ''Arripis'') on either side of a biogeographic barrier in Southern Australian seas |year=2012 |url=http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/8476/ |degree=[[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] |publisher=[[Murdoch University]]}}</ref>

Australian salmon form immense schools with hundreds to thousands of individuals, as both adults and juveniles. They are [[carnivore|carnivorous]] and feed primarily on small fish, such as [[pilchard]] (Clupeidae); [[crustacean]]s such as [[krill]] (Euphausiacea), [[copepod]]s, and other [[zooplankton]] (the latter comprising the bulk of the juvenile diets). The [[benthos|zoobenthos]] is also sampled to some extent, with primarily [[shellfish]], [[crab]]s, and [[annelid]] worms eaten. The Australian salmon are very fast swimmers, and are sometimes seen mingling with ostensibly similar species of [[Carangidae|carangids]], such as trevally; this is an example of [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualism]].

Together with the carangids, Australian salmon feed ''en masse'' by co-operatively bullying baitfish up to the surface; this herding technique is exploited by [[seabird]]s which are quickly attracted to, and feed upon, the foaming mass of fish at the surface. This [[commensalism|commensal]] relationship between the Australian salmon and the birds is noted to be especially strong in such species as the [[white-fronted tern]], (''Sterna striata''), [[fluttering shearwater]], (''Puffinus gavia''), and [[Buller's shearwater]], (''Puffinus bulleri''). The baitfish made available by the Australian salmon's herding behaviour may also be important to the reproductive success of winter-nesting birds; the decline of the Australians salmon stocks has evoked concern for these bird species, some of which – such as the [[fairy tern]], (''Sterna nereis'') – are [[endangered species|endangered]]<ref>[http://www.option4.co.nz/Fisheries_Mgmt/kahl_mcu.htm Kahawai – Letter to Marine Conservation Unit ] www.option4.co.nz (2004).</ref>

Aside from seabirds, the Australian salmon are also important in the diets of [[cetacean]]s, such as [[killer whale]]s (''Orcinus orca'') and [[bottlenose dolphin]]s (''Tursiops truncatus'' & ''T. aduncus''); several species of large [[shark]]s, for example; [[great white shark|great white]] (''Carcharodon carcharias''), [[dusky shark|dusky]] (''Carcharhinus obscurus''), [[copper shark|copper]] (''Carcharhinus brachyurus''), and [[sand tiger shark|sand tiger]] (''Carcharias taurus'') sharks; and [[eared seal]]s such as the [[Australian sea lion]] (''Neophoca cinerea'').