42 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



easily removed; they form about forty transverse rows along 

 the body, from the opercle or gill cover to the root of the tail. 

 In color the Sea Mullet is as follows: — Steel blue, with 

 a tinge of green or olive, above; sides and lower surfaces 

 silvery. There is a small black spot at the root of the pectoral 

 lin, and a golden spot — diffused on the edges — on the upper 

 angle of the operculum. The dorsal and pectoral fins are a 

 dark bluish-grey, while the caudal and anal fins are yellowish- 

 green. 



Green-backed Mullet {Mugd dussumieri). 



This species will ])robably be found to occur at times, in 

 considerable numbers, in the waters of our greater northern 

 rivers. At present we have only the one definite record* of 

 its capture, and this was in February, 1905, when a number 

 of specimens running as high as 2 pounds in weight were 

 caught in a net in the lower part of the Clarence River. It 

 is highly probable that this fish penetrates far up into the 

 fresh water. 



The Green-backed Mullet is a large-scaled and small- 

 headed species, of robust build. The eyes are partly covered 

 by an adipose lid, but not nearly to such a great extent as in 

 the Sea Mullet. 



The back is of a somewhat greenish color, lighter and 

 more silvery on the sides, while the belly is of a silvery white. 



Flat-tail Mullet {Mugil peronii). 



Pi.ATi: XllL 



This mullet cannot be claimed to be nearly so important 

 as the Sea Mullet, nor does it grow to such a large size. Still, 

 its value must not be underestimated, as it will, most probably, 

 for many years to come, hold a prominent place amongst our 

 food- fishes. Like the Sea Mullet, it inhabits all the inlets; 

 but unlike that species, does not proceed far in the direction 

 of fresh water. It usually, also, prefers less muddy ground. 



* Stead : Additions to the Fish-Fauna of New South Wales (No. i), 1907, 

 p. 7. 



