i26 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



our fresh-water fishes, the Snapper is, in the fishes of 

 the sea; and it is generally looked upon as the principal 

 fish, both for sporting and food purposes, to be obtained in 

 our waters. The latter part of this statement of course does 

 not refer to comparative quantities obtained; for, undoubt- 

 edly the Mullets hold their own in that respect. 



The Snapper is found on the coast of every State 

 in the Commonwealth (as well as New Zealand), but as 

 far as we know is most abundant in New South Wales. 



Fig. 45. SNAPPER (Paffrosomm auratus). 



At one stage or other of its growth, it must be a familiar 

 object to most of my readers ; or at the very least those who 

 reside in coastal districts. 



Though the adults frequent principally the "outside" 

 grounds in the vicinity of sunken reefs and bomboras, the 

 young familiarly known as Red Bream are quite common 

 in the lower waters of our harbours, where they are eagerly 

 sought after by many an angler, young and old. 



Up to about 4 or 5 inches in length, the young fry of 

 the Snapper, which are then characterised by the posses- 

 sion of dark vertical bars on the body, are very often known 

 as "Cockneys." I should have mentioned that the prevail- 

 ing colour of the Snapper throughout life is a most de- 

 licious pink; which becomes, usually, richer and a little 

 deeper in tint with increased age. 



Beyond the "Cockney" stage and up to a weight of 

 about a pound and a half, the Snapper is known as Red 

 Bream, that is in the restricted sense of the term. At the 

 beginning of this stage, the vertical bars gradually disap- 



