120 



FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



is a common fish, and more easily taken than the latter, I 

 have found that the greater number of so-called Morwongs 

 brought in to market are really the species that we are now 

 dealing with. In this species, the head has a more drawn- 

 cut appearance than in the Morwong, and there is a wide, 

 saddle-like, purple band over the shoulders. It is this 

 character that has earned for the fish its common name. 

 Like the Morwong, this fish has an extended range, and it 

 is found in very similar localities. In Tasmania it is fairly 

 common, and is known both as "Perch" and "Silver Perch." 

 In New Zealand, where it is more commonly obtained than 

 in any other portion of its habitat, it is known under the 

 Maori name of "Tarakihi." It attains a length of from 

 18 inches to 2 feet. 



Both the Morwong and the Jackass-Fish are considered 

 to be first-class fishes for table use. 



Fig. 48. SEA CARP, OR RED MORWONG (Cheilodactylus fuscus). 



The next one of this family to be considered is the Sea- 

 Carp. This well-known fish is restricted to the waters of 

 New South Wales so far as is at present known and is 

 one of the State's finest food-fishes. It is an exceedingly 

 handsome species at all times, although there is a consider- 

 able amount of variation in colour. The general colour of 

 the body varies from a bluish-silvery to a light reddish- 

 brown, each scale having a reddish-brown margin. There 

 are usually a number of vertical bars interspersed at regular 

 intervals along the body in the adult, and always in the 

 young. The young, it may be added, are uniformly lighter 



