y8 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



pounds is at present sold annually through the fish markets 

 of New South Wales. Added to this, of course, would be 

 the large quantities taken by thousands of amateurs, fishing 

 by line, and of which no official record can be kept. 



In line-fishing for Black Bream, Mr. Eastway informs 

 me that practically the only lines used are the " varnished 

 silk-twists"; experts using Nos. 30 and 28, medium fishers 

 using 24, 20, and 18, while the general public are satisfied 

 with 16 and 14. To the line is attached a 6-feet long 

 Japanese gut, a 2/0 or 3/0 hook, and a very small bullet, 

 fixed on the gut at a distance of 1 inch from the hook. 



The Black Bream attains a weight of at least 6 pounds. 



Probably the most productive water for its size on our 

 coast is Lake Macquarie, a little to the south of Newcastle. 



Tarwhino [Chrysophrijs sarha). 



Plate XLVII. 



Not nearly so important as the preceding, nor is it of 

 such good flavor. It does not occur in such abundance as 

 the Black Bream, and is found chiefly along the northern half 

 of our coastline. By many it is confused with the Black 

 Bream, but not by the fishermen, who recognise the distinct- 

 ness of the two species. From, its congener it may at once 

 be distinguished, among other characters, by the following: — 

 The scales are slightly smaller ; it has a number of golden- 

 yellow longitudinal stripes, which are most prominent along 

 the upper parts of the sides; the spinous rays of the anaj 

 fin are very weak, when compared with those of the Black 

 Bream ; it has eleven soft rays in the anal fin, as against 

 eight in the latter; while, most noticeable of all, the Tar- 

 whine is, what is termed, more " bull-nosed," having a bold 

 rounded nose, somewhat similar to that of the young Snapper. 



The largest Tarwhine yet seen by me was a little under 

 4 pounds in weight. 



Yellow-mouthed Perch {Lethrinus chrysostomus). 



A large and beautiful fish, of good quality as an edible 

 species. Obtained occasionally in our northern coastal waters, 



