THE BLACK FISH FAMILY. 93 



of 5 pounds weight and even more have been captured. 



The Bluefish is somewhat similar in form to the Black- 

 fish, but is more elongate, and possesses a much larger and 

 more powerful tail, as befits its ocean existence. It does 

 not appear to be at all common on the coast of New South 

 Wales, and is not known to occur anywhere else in Aus- 

 tralia, though it is very common at Lord Howe Island. It 

 is verv seldom seen in our fish-markets. 



In colour, it is of a magnificent uniform cerulean blue, 

 with a golden sheen, and with numerous golden-yellow spots 

 over the body. The blue colour fades very quickly after 

 death. 



To a large extent the Bluefish is herbivorous, subsisting 

 chiefly (in our waters, at least) upon gelatinous sea- 

 weeds ; but it also partakes to some extent of animal food 

 in the shape of small fishes, crustaceans, etc., which it finds 

 around the rocky parts that form its home. 



It may be occasionally taken with hook and line by using 

 a "Blackfish bait." Specimens are occasionally captured off 

 the point at the entrance to Port Jackson known as "Blue- 

 fish," and it appears highly probably that the name of the 

 point was derived from this fact. 



The Bluefish reaches a length of over 2 feet, but the 

 average size of those usually taken is considerably less. 



The Drummer differs a good deal in shape from both 

 of the preceding members of this family, being much 

 rounder, and, consequently, length for length, a good deal 

 heavier. So far it is only known from the coast of New 

 South Wales. It is a herbivorous fish dwelling in rocky 

 localities, where it may be captured by means of the trammel 

 net, or occasionally by hook-and-line. At times large shoals 

 of this species move along our shores, and then come within 

 the range of the hauling net ; but they are not welcomed by 

 the fishermen, as, on account of their inferior flavour, they 

 are at present almost unsaleable. 



The colour of the Drummer is a dark grey, washed 

 with silver on the lower part of the sides, and darker along 

 the back and on the fins. In large examples there are many 

 longitudinal stripes of a dusky, yellowish-golden hue along 



