EDIBLE PISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 173 



authors of the above report have apparently confused the two species, and 

 the season given as that in which the ova are shed is too iate, for these fishes 

 may be found distended with ripe ova at any date between the latter half of 

 September and midsummer. The ova are very large, globular, and of a 

 pale yellow colour. 



These fishes are greatly and deservedly esteemed as one of the most 

 delicious forms belonging to the Colony ; the flesh is white, flaky, and 

 delicate. Their food, so far as can be ascertained from the many hundreds 

 examined by us consists almost entirely of a small green weed, among which, 

 however, minute crustaceans and molluscs are frequently to be found, but 

 whether these latter are taken in accidentally along with the weed, or that 

 the latter is swallowed for the sake of the animal life is not quite apparent ; 

 Australian writers, however, seem to prefer the former theory ; be this as it 

 may, it will be seen below that the Sea Garfish can be caught with fish bait. 



In this Colony we are indebted for our supplies entirely to the seine net, 

 and so important is the fishery that special provision is made to allow of a 

 small-meshed net for the capture of these fishes during the winter months ; 

 they are abundant along our coasts throughout the year, but are in best 

 condition and most plentiful from January or February to about October, at 

 which time they for the most part retire to the open sea. Hill states that 

 this species is known to the professional fishermen as '' Ballahoo." 



It is found in large quantities along our whole seaboard, and is always in 

 demand at remunerative prices. Its range is very wide, comprising the 

 whole coastline of Australia, Tasmania, and Xew Zealand ; it is abundant at 

 certain seasons round Lord Howe Island, where they are taken in vast 

 numbers, and are greatly esteemed ; they arc also found throughout the 

 Malay Archipelago, northward to the Chinese seas. Ca«telnau states that it 

 is "one of the commonest fishes in the ]Melbourne market, during all seasons 

 of the year," and he also records that young specimens are often found in the 

 brackish waters of the lower Yarra. .lohu.ston says of its presence in 

 Tasmauian waters : — " It is found in great abundance in the shallow waters 

 of estuaries during the summer months, and is most highly esteemed in 

 the market. It does not ascend within the influence of the fresh water so 

 freely as the other migratory fishes, and its capture by the seine is not 

 affected by the closing of the upper waters of the estuai'ies. * * * The fish 

 may be captured at any time between April and October." 



Among the Maories this Garfish is known as the "Ihi" or " Heihe," while in 

 Auckland it goes by the name of Piper. Shernn, quoting from a writer in 

 the Field, tells us how angling for Garfish is carried on there : — "' In many 

 parts of ]Srew Zealand they swarm in the estuaries at certain seasons of the 

 year, and may be caught three and four at a time with a light, stifiish rod 

 and fine tackle. I look on the Piper as the float fish of New Zealand, for, 

 though you may have plenty of fun with others here and there, it is the only 

 one which really requires a float to keep the bait in proper position. The 

 bait to begin with is a tiny bit of beef or mutton, wherewith you catch, most 

 probably, a so-called "herring," which is not a herring at all, but which 

 serves your purpose. Scaling it and cutting a wee triangular bit out of its 

 side, and hooking it so as to make it play nicely, you fish till you catch a- 

 Piper, and then you cut little triangular bits out of his side to entrap his 

 brethren." He further remarks : — " In Dunedin they are most plentiful 

 during the months of October and November according to Mr. Thompson's 

 records ; and in some years are remarkably abundant, large shoals being in 

 the lower harbor for several days together, when they are caught in nets." 

 He also notices their gradual diminution in Auckland Harbor of late years. 



The Sea Garfish attains a length of eighteen inches. 



