16 EDIBLE FISHES OF XEW SOUTH WALES. 



Pearl Perch. 



Plate III. 



B. Tii. D. S;'ll. A. 3;0. V. 1/5. P. 16. C. 17. L. lat. 48. L. tr. 12/20. 



Length of head 3-25, of caudal tin 4-85, height of body 3-15 in the total 

 length. Diameter of eye 3'SO in the length of the head, and TIO in that of 

 the snout : interorbital space convex, 1'33 in the diameter of the eye. 

 Nostrils approximate, vei'tical, oval, the posterior about twice the size of the 

 anterior. Upper profile of head sinuous. Lower jaw protruding. Cleft of 

 mouth large and oblique, the maxilla, which extends to beyond the posterior 

 margin of the orbit, greatly dilated and with the edges sinuous and the 

 posterior angles rounded. A single flat inconspicuous spine on the opercle : 

 preopercle finely serrated, the denticles at the angle rather coarser : 

 supraclavicle enormously developed, forming a strong ovate bony shield : 

 posttemporal bone concealed. A'illiform teeth on the jaws, vomer, 

 and palatines, the outer row m the former greatly enlarged. The dorsal 

 fin commences behind the base of the pectoral and terminates above 

 the third anal ray ; the spines are short but strong, the last the longest, 

 little more than half of the second and longest ray, and 3"75 in the 

 length of the head ; the bases of the spinous and rayed portions of 

 the fin are subequal : the anal fin commences beneath the fourth dorsal ray ; 

 the third spine is the longest, not half the length of the anterior ray, and 

 ■i'33 in that of the head : the ventral does not nearly reach to the vent, and 

 its length is 2'20 in the same : the pectoral extends backwards to beneath 

 the cigthteenth scale of the lateral line and its length is 1"85 in that of 

 the head : caudal very slightly emarginate, with the angles a little pro- 

 duced and rounded ; the least height of the pedicle one third of the height 

 of the body. Head entirely scaly ; bases of vertical fins enclosed in a scaly 

 sheath. Lateral line gently curved. Airbladder large. 



Colors. — Upper surfaces greenish-brown, with numerous, small, indistinct, 

 darker spots ; sides and below silvery : fins immaculate ; a small black 

 axillary spot: supraclavicle black. 



The Pearl Perch, or Epaulette Fish as it is styled in Queensland, is 

 undoubtedly one of the best food fishes inhabiting the seas of Australia, 

 but it is unfortunately only obtainable in the markets at very rare intervals, 

 for, as the greater number are taken by pleasure parties on deep-water reefs 

 when fishing for Snapper, they do not find their way thither, being too 

 valuable from a gastronomic point of view to be lightly parted with. 

 Under these circumstances it is needless to say that absolutely nothing is 

 known of its habits or economy. 



Some confusion exists as to whether the three described species of 

 Olaucosoma are one and the same species or not. The genus was first 

 described in the Fauna Japonica (loc. cit.) by Schlegel, who, however, 

 neglected to give it a specific name ; to remedy this Eichardson proposed 

 for the Japanese form the title of G. hilrgerf, while to West Australian 

 examples he allotted the name of G. hehrdicum. Giinther considers that 

 these two forms are certainly the same, and it, therefore, remains to be seen 

 whether or not our eastern Australian fish must be included wath them. At 

 present we have thought it best to keep them apart, until further evidence, 

 one way or the other, shall be forthcoming 



The Pearl Perch is a fine handsome fish growing to a length of at least 

 two feet. 



