PISH AND PISHERIES. 33 



The Longfin. 



(Plate III.) 



Anthias longimanus, Giintli. is a good fish that finds its way to tlie 

 market occasionally, though probably so rarely that it is n.ot known by 

 any local name. The genus is known by a rather short compressed 

 body, with scales of moderate size. Teeth villiform on all the palatine 

 bones, with small canines in both jaws. One dorsal tin, with generally 

 ten spines, anal fin with three, tail forked. The rays of the tins some- 

 times prolonged. The species figured may be known by its uniform red 

 colour and the great length of the pectoral fins. All the fins are nearly 

 covered with scales. There are two other species known in Australian 

 waters, which like all the members of the genus are beautifully coloured, 

 the prevailing tints being pink and yellow. Aristotle says that fishers 

 of sponges called it sacred, because no voracious fishes came to the places 

 Avhich it frequented, and the diver might descend with safety. 

 (G.S.F.*) 



The Rock Cod. 



Serranus is a genus with oblong compressed body and small scales. 

 Teeth villiform on the vomer and jjalatine bones, none on tongue. Very 

 distinct canines in both jaws. One dorsal, mostly nine or eleven short 

 spines, rarely eight, ten, or twelve ; anal fin with three. Pre-operculum 

 serrated behind, and at the angle, but not below, (Giinth.) 



These are commonly called "sea perches." A few enter brackish and 

 even fresh water, one having been found high up the Ganges, but all 

 spawn in the sea. There are very many varieties known, probably 1.50, 

 but they vary so much that specific distinctions ai-e extremely difiicult 

 to define. Many ai-e most agreeably coloured, with spots, cross-bands, and 

 stripes. These fishes are small, but some reach a length of 3 or 4 feet, 

 and become dangerous to man. Instances of bathers having been 

 attacked by a gigantic species, not uncommon at the Seychelles and 

 Aden, are on record, where death resulted from the injiiries received. 

 All the species are eatable (G.S.F.) In New South Wales the best 

 marketable species, S. dcunelii, Giinth., is distinguished by being of an 

 entire purplish black, with generally a black spot on the base of the 

 tail at the end of the soft dorsal ; end of tail black with a white fringe. 

 In fresh specimens there are faint traces of blue spots ; body elongate ; 

 height about a third of length without the caudal fin ; canine teeth very 

 strong ; preoperculum very finely serrated behind ; the central spine of 

 the operculum strong ; scales very small ; dorsal foi-med of eleven spines, 

 the two first lower than the third, the others becoming rather shorter as 

 they extend backwards, soft parts of fourteen rays rather higher than 

 the spines ; caudal fin rounded ; anal with three spines, of which the 

 first is shorter and the others almost equal. Extreme size about .3 feet. 



The genus Serranus comprises most of the fishes known as "rock cod." There 

 are many species of it in these seas, and the number increases in the warmer 

 latitudes of the north, but one only is sufficiently useful as an article of food to 

 merit notice, and that is the "black rock cod" {Serranus damelii, Giinther), 

 without exception the very best of all our fishes. It is found on all the rocky 

 parts of the coast, and in the harbours about bold headlands. It takes the hook 



* GUnther on the Study of Fishes, Edinb., 1880. 



