7^ FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



bait, it is often captured by the small boy when he is out 

 for sport and to whom all fish is flesh, however small the 

 former may be. 



The average size of full-grown Hardyheads is from 5 

 to 6 inches. Though small, they are excellent for table 

 purposes. 



The Blue-eye : This is indeed a very wee fish, adults 

 only averaging from i l / 2 to 2, inches, in length. Though 

 it is never likely to grace our tables, it is destined in the 

 future to play a highly-important part as an aquarium-fish 

 a sphere for which it appears to be admirably adapted. Let 

 us halt a little here to remember that, in performing the 

 function of providing for us food for reflection and recrea- 

 tion it will give us an infinitely-higher sense of satisfaction 

 than could ever be brought about by the mere satisfying of 

 the grosser demands of the stomach. 



The Blue-eye is sprightly, vivacious and an active 

 swimmer; being, in addition, very tenacious of life, and, 

 therefore, embracing, in its little self, all the qualities which 

 go to make up a desirable aquarium-fish. Its common 

 name is derived from the blue-colour of the irides of both 

 sexes. In general shape it is more Mullet-like than any 

 other species of the Athcnmdce. The male is far more 

 handsome than the female ; the second-dorsal, anal and 

 caudal fins being greatly elongated ; each being beautifully 

 barred with yellow and black. The beautiful colours are 

 particularly noticeable during the spawning season, which 

 is the summer-time. The body is usually of a silvery tint 

 on the sides, the back being somewhat greenish. If in very 

 dirty waters, the body-colour is often a yellowish-brown, 

 and only slightly silvery. But little is known in regard to 

 the habits, and, nothing so far, in regard to the life-history, 

 of this entertaining little Atherinid. 



( My friend Mr. Albert Gale, of Sydney, has furnished 

 me with some interesting information in regard to the Blue- 

 eye. While at Cook's River (near Sydney) recently, in 

 pursuit of material for his aquaria of which he is an 

 enthusiastic keeper he was attracted by the rapid evolu- 

 tions of several male Blue-eyes at the surface of the water; 

 the females being a little distance below. Contriving at last 



