82 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. * 



PARROT-^FISHES OR WRASSES. 



Spotted Pigfish {Diastoion unimaculatus). 



This is well known to coastal anglers as a fine edible 

 fish ; of beautiful api:)earance, and growing to a length of 

 about 15 inches. Like most of the Parrot-Fishes or Wrasses, 

 it is a rock-fish, dwelling habitually in the vicinity of sunken 

 reefs or rocky headlands. It is one of the species commonly 

 grouped together by New South Wales anglers under the 

 heading of " Redfish," this term applying principally to 

 the Sna})per (Red Bream), Nann3'gai, and the Pigfish. In 

 the Spotted Pigfish the body is of a deep scarlet on the upper 

 parts, and pinkish or yellowish below. On each side and 

 just beneath the first part of the soft portion of the dorsal 

 fin, there is a large pinkish patch; while there is a large 

 dark-blue spot about the centre of the spinous part of the 

 same fin. The scales are very large, as in so many other 

 Labroids. 



I think this fish, and the one which follows, are destined 

 to play a more important part in our future fisheries than 

 they do at present, and certainly their value, from an edible 

 standpoint, warrants such a development. 



Banded Pigfish {Diastodon heUis). 



Plate LI. 



As I stated in " Fishes of Australia," this Pigfish is 

 probably not a distinct species, but merely a color variety 

 of the Spotted Pigfish, which is the more common form. 

 In habits it appears to be similar to the latter, but is generally 

 of a somewhat smaller size. It may be distinguished from 

 the Spotted Pigfish by the presence of three rows of large 

 elongate oblong spots on each side. 



Crimson Groper {Harpe vulpina). 



This Wrasse appears to be uncommon, though further 

 knowledge in regard to its haunts may prove the opposite 

 to be the case. It grows to a considerable size, and is pos- 

 sessed of a strikingly beautiful appearance. 



