DISCARDED, THOUGH EDIBLE. 79 
but not in sufficient numbers to warrant us in looking upon 
it as of economic importance. It attains a length of about 
3 feet. 
Three other species of Lethrinus (each of which is of 
value from an edible standpoint) have been recorded from 
the coastal waters of New South Wales, but they may be 
looked upon as rarities, and are likely to be found in greater 
abundance in the waters of Queensland. They are Lethrinus 
nematacanthus, Lethrinus opercularis, and Lethrinus glyphodon. 
GOATFISHES, OR RED MULLETS. 
Blue-striped Goatfish (Upeneus porosus). 
Of the three species of Goatfish or Red Mullet, already 
known to inhabit the waters of New South Wales, that 
above mentioned is the only one which is worthy of mention 
at present as an edible fish. It attains usually to a length of 
about Io inches, and the adults are to be found chiefly in 
fairly deep water in the vicinity of headlands or other rocky 
localities near to the entrances of our estuaries and harbors. 
It is an exceedingly beautiful species, with a fairly high, com- 
pressed body and large scales. When freshly taken from the 
water, the body is of a rich carmine on the sides, darker 
above, and silvery-white below. On each cheek are several 
narrow vermiculated bands of a most beautiful blue. All 
these colors fade considerably a short time after death. 
The Goatfishes or Red Mullets are not greatly esteemed 
at present in New South Wales, and there does not appear 
to be much prospect of them becoming of economic importance 
in the near future. 
THE SWEEP FAMILY. 
Sweep (Scorpis equipinnis). 
A common fish, of fair quality as a food-fish, attaining a 
length of 12 or 13 inches. The adults are captured chiefly by 
line at sea, while the young, up to about 6 inches in length, 
literally swarm around the rocky portions of the lower parts 
