53 



THE ZEBRA FISH 



{Neotephroeops zebra) 



Is -A. nice lively little fellow, of ;i dark- 

 grey colour, with eiglit or nine transverse 

 black bands from back to belly. The 

 specimens shown in the tanks are obtained 

 from the vicinity of Rickett's Point, 

 between Mordialloc and Brighton, but the 

 fish is not by any means rarg. It is 

 peculiar in that the head is covered with 

 tiny scales. It is very little bother in 

 the tanks — feeding well, and being easily 

 acclimatised. 



THE WHITING 



{Silago punctata) 



Is one of the best-known iisli in the Melbourne market, and one of the most toothsome. 

 Fried Wliiting is as well known a feature of our " menus " as ox-tail soup. It sometimes attains 



a large size, and scales 3 or 3^ lbs. It frequents mostly nice sandy patches, and gives excellent 

 sport with the line should the angler happen to drop on a school just at the turn of the tide. It 

 is a nice silvery colour, dark on top and speckled, something like a. trout, witli lirown spots. 



Is sometimes called the '' 

 in shape but has longer jaws, aiu 



THE STRANGER 



( Odax Richardsoni) 



Rock Whiting," and resembles the ordinary Wliiting something 

 is (dad in a variety of beautiful tints. It has a peculiar method 



of swimming, caused by a lateral motion of the dorsal tin. There are several varieties, which differ 

 considerably in colour. It is not esteemed as an edible fish, the flesh being soft, and having a 

 peculiar coppery taste. 



