52 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



The Rock Blackfish grows commonly to a comparatively 

 large size. It is present in its greatest abundance in the 

 vicinity of rocky shores and headlands, in the lower (salter) 

 portions of our harbors and estuaries, and along the " outside " 

 rocks. Like its congener, the Blackfish, it is herbivorous; 

 but, unlike the latter, it subsists upon the gelatinous weeds 

 which abound so plentifully in the regions which it frequents. 

 At all times of the year the prettily-mottled young fry of 

 this species are to be obtained in tidal pools, or in the shallow 

 water around the rocks, along portions of our coastline. I 

 have found them to be plentiful at Bondi, Kurnell (Cook's 

 Landing Place), and Stanwell Park. 



This species appears to congregate in shoals, principally 

 about winter time. During June, 1907, large shoals were 

 present near the entrances of Port Jackson and Port Hacking. 

 A quantity of five baskets was taken in one haul on George's 

 Beach, Port Jackson, at this time; while a haul made on 

 Jibbon Beach, Port Hacking, resulted in two and a half 

 baskets being captured. The individuals in these shoals 

 averaged from 4 to 5 pounds in weight. 



When freshly taken, the Rock Blackfish is of a dull 

 slatj^-blue, shortly becoming uniform brownish or brownish- 

 black (lighter on the lower surface). 



Bluefish [Girella cyanea). 



Plate XXI. 



Though this fish does not appear to be usually abundant 

 on the coast of New South Wales, there are times when it 

 occurs in fair quantities. It is to be found in the open ocean 

 waters m the vicmiry of reefs and rocky," weedy localities, 

 where it subsists upon a diet of gelatinous weeds, varied with 

 all sorts oi rock- and weed-dwelling organisms. 



From its congeners, the Blackfish and the Rock Black- 

 fish, the Bluefish may be at once differentiated by its beautiful 

 cerulean blue skin and its particularly elegant shape. Its 

 body is more elongated, the tail is very prettily forked and 

 is large and powerful. Along the upper part of the side^ 

 are a number of golden-yeilow spots. 



