112 



FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



From the other Whitings this kind may be at once 

 separated by its "clean," semi-transparent appearance, the 

 prominent silver band running (longitudinally) along each 

 side, and by the possession of a series of rusty-red diagonal 

 blotches along the upper half of each side. 



This species is the smallest of our known Whitings, 

 growing usually to a length of 9 or 10 inches. It is a de- 

 licious little fish for the table.] 



Like the Sand Whiting, the Trumpeter Whiting is 

 greatly valued for its excellence as a food-fish ; but, not 

 attaining to such dimensions nor being obtained in such 

 profusion, it is not nearly so important. The usual weight 

 of those marketed, ranges from 4 to 5 ounces and it attains 

 rarely to a weight of 10 or n ounces. 



In addition to being found on this coast, this fish occurs 

 in India and the Malay Archipelago. 



The Trumpeter Whiting is not so often captured by 

 hook and line as is the preceding species, but is obtained 

 with a hauling net of small mesh. 



In colour this species is generally darker than the Sand 

 W r hiting, but at the same time is rather more transparent 

 looking when fresh. There is a prominent, broad silvery 

 stripe down each side of the fish, this being comparatively 

 indistinct in the latter. The scales too in this kind are more 

 deciduous and the body is always characterised by the pre- 

 sence on the upper parts of a number of very dark, blackish, 

 irregular blotches ; these being, as before pointed out, quite 

 absent in the adult Sand Whiting. 



The Spotted Whiting occurs chiefly along the coasts 

 of Victoria and Tasmania, though it is found also over 

 about half the extent of the New South Wales coastline, 

 becoming more common towards the southern boundary. It 

 may be at once distinguished from either of the preceding 

 by the more elongate body, the greatly increased number 

 (and consequently decreased size) of the body scales and 

 the presence of pretty Trout-like spots all over the upper 

 half of the body. 



It grows to a length of about 20 inches. 



