82 ' THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
PARROT-FISHES OR WRASSES. 
Spotted Pigfish (Diastodon unimaculatus). 
This is well known to coastal anglers as a fine edible 
fish; of beautiful appearance, and growing to a length of 
about 15 inches. Like most of the Parrot-Fishes or Wrasses, 
it is a rock-fish, dwelling habitually in the vicinity of sunken 
reefs or rocky headlands. It is one of the species commonly 
grouped together by New South Wales anglers under the 
heading of “ Redfish,” this term applying princinally to 
the Snapper (Red Bream), Nannygai, and the Pigfish. In 
the Spotted Pigfish the body is of a deep scarlet on the upper 
parts, and pinkish or yellowish below. On each side and 
just beneath the first part of the soft portion of the dorsal 
fin, there is a large pinkish patch; while there is a large 
dark-blue spot about the centre of the spinous part of the 
same fin. The scales are very large, as in so many other 
Labroids. 
I think this fish, and the one which follows, are destined 
to play a more important part in our future fisheries than 
they do at present, and certainly their value, from an edible 
standpoint, warrants such a development. 
Banded Pigfish (Diastodon bellis). 
; Puate LI. 
As I stated in “Fishes of Australia,” this Pigfish is 
probably not a distinct species, but merely a color variety 
of the Spotted, Pigfish, which is the more common form. 
In habits it appears to be similar to the latter, but is generally 
of a somewhat smaller size. It may be distinguished from 
the Spotted Pigfish by the presence of three rows of large 
elongate oblong spots on each side. 
Crimson Groper (Harpe vulpina). 
This Wrasse appears to be uncommon, though further 
knowledge in regard to its haunts may prove the opposite 
to be the case. It grows to a considerable size, and is pos- 
sessed of a strikingly beautiful appearance. 
