West Australian Dhufish
The West Australian Dhufish is endemic to WA — you won't find it anywhere else on earth. It's the fish that defines offshore demersal fishing along the state's west and south coasts, from Shark Bay down to Esperance.
Rated five stars for eating by those who know it best, a big dhuie is what most offshore WA anglers are chasing when they head out over the reefs.
Scientific Name: Glaucosoma hebraicum
Also known as Dhuie, Jewie, Jewfish, WA Jewfish, Westralian Jewfish, WA Pearl Perch
- A deep-bodied, silver-grey fish with a distinctive dark curved band running through the eye — the clearest field ID mark at any size.
- Adult males develop an elongated filament on the dorsal fin; juveniles show broad dark stripes along the sides, wider than the pale gaps between them.
- Typical reef fish run 3–8 kg; anything over 10 kg is a serious specimen, and fish exceeding 20 kg have been recorded.
- Females lack the dorsal filament and the extra lateral lines seen on males, but grow to similar weights.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Endemic to Western Australia — found nowhere else. Range runs from Shark Bay in the north down through the West Coast Bioregion to Esperance on the south coast.
- Adults hold over rocky outcrops, ledges, reefs, wrecks and underwater caverns, typically in 20–50 m, though fish have been taken well beyond 100 m off the Perth metro.
- Juveniles use shallower inshore areas, sheltering in seagrass (particularly Posidonia) and sandy patches near reef edges with sponges and macroalgae.
- Occasionally encountered by shore-based anglers, particularly around Dongara and along south coast beaches — increasingly via drone fishing in recent years.
Key Locations
- Abrolhos Islands — a well-known dhufish stronghold with schooling fish, though average size tends to run smaller than southern locations.
- Perth metro reefs — fish are taken in good numbers offshore from the city, including in 100 m+ depths.
- The Capes region (Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin) — consistently productive stretch for demersal fishing including dhuies.
- South coast from Albany toward Esperance — known for larger average fish size.
- Dongara area — one of the few stretches where shore-based anglers have a realistic shot at dhufish.
Specific Spots
- Rocky outcrops and ledges are the core holding structure — dhuies sit tight to hard bottom, so putting your bait on or just above the reef is essential.
- Wrecks and underwater caverns concentrate fish, particularly larger adults; the HMAS Swan wreck in Geographe Bay is a documented example.
- Current breaks and drop-offs along reef edges are where fish move to feed — work the transition between hard bottom and sand.
- Juveniles use seagrass edges and sandy patches adjacent to reef, so shallower mixed-bottom areas are worth targeting when chasing smaller fish.
West Australian Dhufish FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for West Australian Dhufish?
Fresh whole squid and squid strips are the benchmark bait, consistent producers across the entire range from Shark Bay to Esperance. Whole fish baits (herring, whitebait, slimy mackerel) and cut flesh baits work well, particularly when presented on a running sinker or paternoster rig hard on the reef.
When is the best time to fish for West Australian Dhufish?
An annual demersal closure applies in the West Coast Bioregion from mid-October to mid-December, no demersal fishing including dhufish during this period. Autumn and winter (March–August) are generally the most productive months when the closure is not in effect and fish are actively feeding on the reefs.
How do you catch West Australian Dhufish?
Most dhufish are taken from boats anchored or drifting over offshore reefs, with baits fished hard on the bottom using paternoster or running sinker rigs. Charter fishing is popular across the West Coast Bioregion, and kayak anglers have also taken fish from shallower reef ground closer to shore.
What do West Australian Dhufish eat?
Dhufish are predatory demersal feeders that eat smaller reef fish, squid, octopus, and crustaceans, whole fish baits, squid and cut baits presented on the bottom directly imitate this forage.
Where do West Australian Dhufish live?
Endemic to Western Australia, found nowhere else. Range runs from Shark Bay in the north down through the West Coast Bioregion to Esperance on the south coast.
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