EDIBLE EISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 81 



Colors. — Steel blue above, silvery on the sides and below ; a black spot on 

 tbeoperele, behind which along the median line of the body a broad golden 

 band is present or absent : tip of spinous dorsal blackish. 



The AV^hite Trevallies are full of spawn in October, and the principal 

 breeding season occurs during this and the succeeding month, large specimens 

 obtained in the Sydney market during December being as a rule without 

 trace of spawn. From Twofold Bay Mr. Glover also fixes the same two 

 mouths as the spawning season, and these may, therefore, be taken as the 

 normal period for the southern half of the Colony at least. As their habits 

 during this important season are similar to those of C. traclmrus, so likewise 

 we find the immature fishes, up to about ten inches in length, abundant in 

 our sheltered harbors and estuaries for the greater part of the year, whence 

 they are sent in numbers to the market, where they meet with a ready sale 

 at fair prices ; the adults too are much more commonly sent to market than 

 those of the Tellowtail, as they do not confine themselves so exclusively to 

 the open sea as does that species, but by freely entering the indentations of 

 the coast place themselves within reach of the seine fishermen. 



We are at a loss to know why it is stated in the Eeport of the Eoyal 

 Commission that the Trevally "' is not much esteemed as food." In our 

 opinion it, especially when large, is a firm, well flavored fish, rightly deserving 

 to hold a high rank among the edible fishes of the Colony. Its food consists 

 of small fishes, squid, swiunning crabs, and such like. 



Though not so generally affected by the presence of Anilocra as its 

 congener, it is by no means uncommon to find its throat similarly tenanted 

 by this curious Isopod. 



The White Trevally is abundant along the entire coast line of New South 

 Wales, and is also found along the Queensland coast northwards to Torres 

 Straits, where, referring to it, Saville Kent says: — -'"The White or Silver 

 Trevally of the Southern Colonies grows to a weight of ten to twelve pounds 

 and undoubtedly represents one of the most delicate and finest flaA^ored 

 fishes in Australian waters." It is very common on the Victorian coast, 

 where it is called " Silver Trevally " and, according to Castelnau, is " particu- 

 larly so in the cold mouths of the year." As it is also common in all the 

 seas of southern and western Australia it may be fairly considered as consti- 

 tutmg one of the most important sources of food supply for the entire 

 Australian seaboard. Johnston remarks of their occuri*ence in Tasmanian 

 waters, that they " are very much prized for food, and are caught in con- 

 siderable quantities in the Tamar and at South Arm during the autumn. 

 Although it is said that they grow to a considerable size, the smaller ones are 

 alone seen in local markets. They are caught by graball and seine, as a 

 rule, but they take bait readily, and may be caught with hook and line." In 

 New Zealand, where its native name is " Arara," it is, Hector remarks, " a 

 highly esteemed fish, that is very common in every part of the Colony during 

 the summer months, but is in best condition at the commencement and close 

 of the season. . . . The flesh is very delicate, but less so in the larger 

 sized fish, about twelve inches in length being the best size for the table. 

 The Trevalli frequents shallow water and feeds among the rocks, so that it 

 may sometimes be caught by the hand at low water." According to Mr. 

 Wilson {vide Sherrin) they " smoke splendidly, though they are not adapted 

 for canning." They are also found at Lord Howe, Norfolk, and Eaoul 

 Islands, and at the former are very common and grow to a large size, speci- 

 mens measuring 30 inches having been recorded. It is considered one of 

 the best food fishes, and is iised fresh, salted, or smoked. It has been 

 recorded by Gay from Juan Fernandez. 



