Protein Food Library
When can babies have barramundi?
Can babies have barramundi?
Babies can have barramundi from 6 months, fully cooked and checked carefully for bones. Barramundi is a mild, flaky white fish that is low in mercury, which makes it a good early fish to try. Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens, so offer a small amount first and keep it in the diet regularly once tolerated.
How to serve barramundi by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Bake, steam or poach barramundi until it flakes easily and is opaque all the way through. Remove skin and every bone, then mash it finely with a little cooking water, breast milk or formula, or blend it into smooth potato or vegetable puree and offer it on a spoon.
7–8 months
Mash cooked barramundi more roughly into potato or rice for a lumpier texture. Your baby can also pick up large soft flakes, since cooked fish squashes easily between your fingers; check every flake for bones.
9–12 months
Break cooked barramundi into small, bite-sized flakes for your baby to pick up with a pincer grasp. You can also mix flakes into soft fish cakes or patties with mashed potato and egg.
12 months +
Toddlers can eat barramundi pieces from the family meal, such as pan-seared fillets or fish tacos, cut into small pieces. Check again for bones and keep seasoning light on salt.
Why it’s good
Barramundi gives high-quality protein for growth, plus omega-3 fats that support brain and eye development. Barramundi also provides vitamin D, selenium, B12 and iodine. As a low-mercury fish, barramundi can be offered two to three times a week as part of a varied fish routine.
Safety notes
- Cook barramundi until it is opaque and flakes easily, to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Never serve raw or undercooked fish.
- Remove all pin bones and skin. Run your fingers over every flake before serving, since barramundi can hide small bones.
- Barramundi is low in mercury, but still vary your fish. Avoid high-mercury fish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy and bigeye tuna.
- Skip breaded, battered or frozen fish products made for adults; they are usually high in sodium. Make your own fish fingers at home instead.
- Store cooked fish in the fridge and use within 2 days.
Introduce barramundi on its own, then keep it in
Barramundi is a fish, and fish is one of the Top 9 food allergens. Offer a small amount the first time, watch for hives, vomiting or swelling, and talk to your pediatrician first if your baby has severe eczema or another food allergy.
Barramundi for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about barramundi for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have barramundi?
Babies can have barramundi from 6 months, as soon as they are ready for solid foods. Barramundi must be fully cooked and carefully deboned before serving.
Can babies have barramundi?
Yes, babies can eat barramundi, and its mild flavor and soft flakes make barramundi a great first fish. Serve barramundi cooked through, skinless and boneless.
Is barramundi a choking hazard for babies?
Barramundi has a low choking risk because cooked fish is soft and flaky. The main hazard is small bones, so check every piece by hand before serving.
Is barramundi a common allergen?
Yes, barramundi is a fish, and fish is one of the most common food allergens. Introduce barramundi in a small amount, watch your baby for a reaction, and keep fish in the diet regularly once tolerated.
How do I serve barramundi to a 6 month old?
To serve barramundi to a 6 month old, steam or bake a fillet until it flakes, remove skin and bones, and mash it smooth with a little cooking water or blend it into potato or rice. Offer it on a spoon. Large soft flakes to pick up can follow at 7–8 months.
Is barramundi high in mercury?
No, barramundi is considered a low-mercury fish and is a good choice for babies and toddlers. Farmed barramundi in particular tends to be low in mercury and other contaminants.
How much barramundi can my baby eat?
Babies and toddlers can eat low-mercury fish like barramundi about two to three times a week. A child-sized serving is about 1 ounce (28 grams) for ages 1 to 3, and babies may eat less than that.
Is frozen barramundi okay for babies?
Yes, frozen barramundi fillets are a convenient and safe option for babies. Thaw frozen barramundi in the fridge, then cook it fully and check for bones as with fresh fish.
Should I buy farmed or wild barramundi?
Both farmed and wild barramundi are fine for babies when fully cooked. Look for fish from responsible farms or fisheries, and choose whichever is fresh and available near you.
The takeaway
- Babies can have barramundi from 6 months, fully cooked and checked carefully for bones.
- Bake, steam or poach barramundi until it flakes easily and is opaque all the way through.
- Choking risk is low. Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Advice about Eating Fish U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.