THE SERGEANT-FISHES. 159 



The body is of a brilliant silvery colour and has 6 or 

 / dark vertical bands upon each side. 



The tail is very deeply forked. 



In America this species is usually known as "Cobbler 

 Fish" or "Thread Fish." 



THE SERGEANT-FISHES. 



( Family : Rachycentrida . ) 



As far as is at present known, this family contains but 

 one species the Sergeant-Fish (Rachycentron canadus). 

 This species is an inhabitant of most warm seas, being very 

 widely distributed. It is not very uncommon on the New 

 South Wales coast and is also obtained in Queensland. In 

 shape it is elongate, and it is covered with very small 

 smooth adherent scales. The head is broad and low ; the 

 bones above appearing through the thin skin. It is a large, 

 strong and voracious fish attaining a length of at least 4 



Fig. 58. SERGEANT-FISH ( Jfachjicentron canadus). 



feet. In colour it is of a light brown ; darker above and 

 somewhat inclined to greyish below, and possessing along 

 each side, a broad chocolate-coloured band, with, usually, a 

 narrower one beneath. It is the possession of this broad 

 stripe which has given rise to the name of "Sergeant," 

 applied to this fish. In addition to the name stated, this 

 species is also known under various others, such as West- 

 Indian Kingfish, Crab-eater, Coal-fish, etc., the last two being 

 given to it on the coasts of the United States of America, 

 where it is considered as an edible fish. 



