52 EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



filamentous, 1*25-1"50 in the lenglli of the head: pectorals sickle-shaped, 

 extending beyond the origin of the anal fin, and one sixth to two fifths 

 longer than the head : caudal emarginate ; the height of tlie pedicle 

 3 33-3'66 in that of the body. Scales feebly ctenid, adherent : snout, 

 preorbital, maxilla, and interorbital space scalelcss : dorsal spines set in a 

 deep groove, the rayed portion and the anal with a basal scaly sheath : a 

 long narrow scale above the base of the ventral fin. Lateral line sinnous 

 anteriorly, subsequently following the curvature of the back, frequently with 

 a slight sinuosity beneath the posterior dorsal rays. Airbladder large. 



Colors. — Upper surface of head dark bluish-gray, lighter between the eyes, 

 cheeks and opercles gray and gold with a tinge of pink ; mandibular region 

 silvery white ; a dark gray arcuate band from the occiput to tlie origin of 

 the lateral line ; back, olive green ; sides, silvery, each scale margined with 

 dull yellow ; lower surfaces white, tinged with yellow below the base of the 

 pectorals : dorsal opaque, with a narrow black margin ; anal yellow, basally 

 tinged with jiink, and with a broad dark gray median band ; ventrals yellow ; 

 a black axillary spot ; caudal yellowish-brown, with a moderately broad 

 black marginal band : irides brown and gold. 



The evidence elicited before the Eoyal Commission in connection with the 

 spawning of the Black Bream is again very conflicting, so much so that the 

 only conclusion arrived at is stated thus : — " The schooling season seems to 

 be summer, but when or where they spawn has not been ascertained." 

 From Twofold Bay Mr. Griover distinctly asserts that " February is the 

 month for spawning, and the fish spawn among weeds, and in deep holes 

 with a muddy bottom." This agrees fairly well as to the date with the 

 observations of the late Mr. Edward Hill, who, referring probably to the 

 Sydney District, says : — " These Bream visit our harbors from seaward 

 periodically during the summer months of Pebruary, March, and April, and 

 are adult fishes, being full roed at the time of their visit; probably they are 

 migratory for the purpose of spawning." Writing from the Clarence Heads 

 Mr. Hood Pegus states that " Black Bream spawn in July, and are found in 

 the river all the year round." Prom my own notes I find that of two 

 specimens examined during the month of August, both having been taken 

 in the same haul of a seine, one was found to contain ova in a very early 

 stage of development, while in the other the ova was fully developed, but 

 exceptionally few in number ; during the following month a specimen from 

 the same locality showed not the faintest trace of spawning, nor did a 

 specimen from Lake Macquarie captured in October, though in another 

 example from the same Lake the roe was about half developed ; a specimen, 

 however, from Wollongong, taken during the same month, had the spawn 

 ready for extrusion ; lastly a specimen from Shellharbor, taken in December, 

 scarcely showed any signs of breeding, while the roe was fully developed 

 in Port Jackson examples purchased at the same time ; it would appear, 

 therefore, that even in fishes from the same locality much diversity occurs 

 as to the spawning season. 



Though occasionally taken on the outside Snapper-grounds, the favorite 

 haunts of the Black Bream are the sheltered bays, lakes, and estuaries which 

 are so frequent on the coast of the Colon}' ; here they are taken by the 

 seine in enormous numbers, the finest offered for sale in the Sydney 

 market coming from Lake Macquarie. They are also great favorites with 

 the amateur line fisher, as when plentiful and in a taking humor they afford 

 fine sport, the best bait according to Mr. Hill being fresh or a day old 

 mackerel, or better still the small prawns, popularly known as " nippers " 

 {Alpheus eclwardsii), which are procurable at low tide among seaweeds. Of 



