‘40 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
HARDY HEADS. 
Hardyhead (Atherina lacunosa). 
This is a small carnivorous fish (not unlike a Mullet in 
general appearance), which is very abundantly distributed 
along the coast of New South Wales. Ordinarily it is to be 
found in great numbers, spread out over the sandy bottoms 
and slopes of our beaches in inlets; but at times, huge shoals 
swarm along the beaches in dense masses. 
The average size of full-grown Hardyheads is from 5 to 
6 inches. Though small they are excellent for table purposes. 
The Hardyhead is closely allied to the well-known British 
Sand Smelt or Atherine, and is of about the same size. 
THE MULLET FAMILY. 
Sea Mullet (Mugu dobula). 
Pirate XII. 
This is the largest, as well as the most important, of all 
our mullets; and is, without doubt, the principal ‘“‘ standby ” 
of the fish markets in New South Wales. It is exceedingly 
abundant at all times, but during the months of April, May, 
June, and July enormous shoals of the mature fish congregate 
together, impelled by the spawning instinct. The Sea Muilet 
is naturally an inhabitant of the estuaries, where it is to be 
found in great numbers in the vicinity of muddy bottoms 
and mud flats. It also grows well and thrives in fresh-water 
lagoons, &c., but, apparently, does not breed in such localities. 
The egg of this fish, it may be mentioned, is of a pelagic or 
freely-floating nature, and is deposited in prodigious numbers 
at the surface of the ocean, or in the vicinity of harbour 
entrances, along our coastline. Each female produces an 
enormous quantity of eggs. 
The Sea Mullet grows to a length of about 30 inches, 
with a weight of about 10 pounds. In my experience all 
the larger fish in a normal school are females—males of an 
