LONG-TOMS, GARFISHES, FLYING-FISHES. 69 



This fish attains a length of about 15 inches, examples 

 of that size weighing about 9 ounces. The approximate 

 average of those brought to market is from 3 to 4 ounces. 



Like its congeners, the Short-beaked Garfish is a most 

 delicate fish, and is highly appreciated for table purposes. 

 During the cooler months, large numbers are captured and 

 are brought from the Clarence and Richmond Rivers, to 

 the Sydney Fish Markets for disposal, there finding a read;\ 

 sale. The fish could be captured just as easily and in the same 

 numbers, during other parts of the year ; the reason that they 

 are only forwarded (in any numbers) during the cooler 

 months being, that under existing means and conditions of 

 transport they will not "carry" very well during the warmer 

 weather. Fishermen living and working at a distance from 

 city markets, labour under difficulties, which local fishermen 

 and those able to send their fish daily by rail know little of. 

 Sometimes boats are overdue through either stress of 



Fig. 20. SHORT-BEAKED GABFISII (Arrhamphus sclerolepis). 



weather or perhaps inability to cross the river-bars. Often, 

 again, a boat may be delayed within a river, with a large 

 consignment of fish aboard, waiting a favourable opportu- 

 nity to "cross out" over the bar on her homeward journey; 

 the result being that, at times, large quantities of what is 

 really valuable food, have to be thrown overboard. 



The diet of the Short-beaked Garfish is somewhat 

 similar to that of the River and Sea Garfishes, though per- 

 haps the fish is slightly more carnivorous. 



In colour it is greenish above, being darker towards the 

 head. The lower half is of a dirty-whitish tint; or, when 

 fresh, a semi-transparent, pale, yellowish-green. There is 

 a broad silvery band on each side. As in the other Gar- 

 fishes, the end of the beak and the membrane below it are 

 very brightly tinted. 



