104 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



vicinity of sandy sea-beaches in shallow water, but as they 

 become older they make their way into the estuaries, in 

 which the adults are usually found on muddy or sandy 

 bottoms. The color varies considerably according to the 

 situation in which the fish is found, those in sandy localities 

 being much lighter than those on muddy bottoms. The 

 range is from a deep black to a very light brown or fawn 

 color, dusted over with darker. The very young are, almost 

 without exception, of the lighter color. The eyes are on the 

 right side. 



The Long-snouted Flounder grows commonly to a length 

 of about 10 inches, and exceptionally to about 12 inches. 



Southern Flounder* {Rhombosolea flesoides). 



This is, as the vernacular name implies, a southern species, 

 most abundant on the coasts of Tasmania and Victoria, where 

 it is extensively used as food. It occurs also on the southern 

 portion of the New South Wales coast, but is not at present 

 of sufficient importance in these waters to be recognised as a 

 commercial fish. 



The Southern Flounder grows to a length of about 12 or 

 13 inches. The eyes are on the right side. 



Crested Flounder {Lophonectes gallus). 



A small species, which is extremely abundant in moder- 

 ately deep water at sea. It was first taken by the great 

 *' Challenger " expedition, and a little later (1882) one example 

 was taken in the waters of Port Jackson in a large Otter 

 Trawl, which was then being tried for the first time. At this 

 trial Sir William Macleay was present, and it is worth 

 mentioning that in the one short drag of the net no less than 

 seven species of Flounders and Soles were taken. In i8g8, 

 and during the trawling cruise of the " Thetis," this species 

 was found to be particularly abimdant off the New South 

 Wales coast, in depths ranging from 10 to 84 fathoms. 

 Specimens captured ranged up to 7I inches in length. 



* In my " Fishes of Australia,'' the name Southern Flounder is applied to 

 the spjcies known as Rhnml'osolea moiinpus. Though this species does, apparently, 

 occur in the waters there indicated, the species //csou/m is the most abundant form. 



