AUSTRALIAN COUTA—AFRICAN SNOEK: 99 
THE BARRACOUTA FAMILY. 
Barracouta (Thyrsites atun). 
Familiarly known as ’Couta, this large and_highly- 
voracious fish is abundant along the southern portion of 
the New South Wales coastline. Occasionally large shoals 
penetrate the waters of Port Jackson (during the cooler 
months),, and even waters much farther in a northerly 
direction. It attains commonly a length of at least 4 feet; 
the body being highly compressed, very elongate, and almost 
band-like, while there are a number of small finlets preceding 
the powerful caudal fin. The mouth is armed with sharp 
and formidable teeth, well adapted to the predaceous habits 
of this species. 
Though the Barracouta can never be classed as a first- 
class table-fish, it is undoubtedly of very great importance 
and value; and no account of our edible fishes would be 
complete without mention of it. Although in its fresh state 
it is at present practically unsaleable in New South Wales, 
large quantities are sold annually in a smoked state. Many 
of these are captured in the waters of Victoria, Tasmania. 
and New Zealand. Their capture is usually effected .by 
means of hook and line; and in this no difficulty is experienced, 
as the Barracouta is neither particular as to the kind of bait 
used, nor slow about taking it. As I have mentioned else- 
where, any bright moving object is sufficient to attract the 
fish, a piece of red flannel fastened to the hook being a 
first-class bait. 
The “’Couta”’ is the “ Snoek”’ of South African waters. 
Australian Hairtail (Trichiurus coxit). 
This fish is somewhat suggestive of the Barracouta in 
appearance, and attains about the same length; but differs 
considerably from that fish, in that there is no caudal fin, 
the tail tapering to a fine point—hence the generic name 
Trichiurus. It has a long, attenuated, ribbon-like body 
of a uniform silvery color. 
