FISH AND FISHERIES. 33 
The Longfin. 
(Plate III.) 
Anthias longimanus, Giinth. is a good fish that finds its way to the 
market occasionally, though probably so rarely that it is not known by 
any local name. The genus is known by a rather short compressed 
body, with scales of moderate size. Teeth villiform on all the palatine 
bones, with small canines in both jaws. One dorsal fin, with generally 
ten spines, anal fin with three, tail forked. The rays of the fins some- 
times prolonged. The species figured may be known by its uniform red 
colour and the great length of the pectoral fins. All the fins are nearly’ 
covered with scales. There are two other species known in Australian 
waters, which like all the members of the genus are beautifully coloured, 
the prevailing tints being pink and yellow. Aristotle says that fishers 
of sponges called it sacred, because no voracious fishes came to the places 
which it frequented, and the diver might descend with safety. 
(G.S.F.*) 
’ 
The Rock Cod. 
Serranus is a genus with oblong compressed body and small scales. 
Teeth villiform on the vomer and palatine bones, none on tongue. Very 
distinct canines in both jaws. One dorsal, mostly nine or eleven short 
spines, rarely eight, ten, or twelve ; anal fin with three. Pre-operculum 
serrated behind, and at the angle, but not below. (Giinth.) 
Thése are commonly called “sea perches.” A few enter brackish and 
even fresh water, one having been found high up the Ganges, but all 
spawn in the sea. There are very many varieties known, probably 150, 
but they vary so much that specific distinctions are extremely difficult 
to define. Many are mostagreeably coloured, with spots, cross-bands, and 
stripes. These fishes are small, but some reach a length of 3 or 4 feet, 
and become dangerous to man. Instances of bathers having been 
attacked by a gigantic species, not uncommon at the Seychelles and 
Aden, are on record, where death resulted from the injuries received. 
All the species are eatable (G.S.F.) In New South Wales the best 
marketable species, S. damelii, Giinth., is distinguished by being of an 
entire purplish black, with generally a black spot on the base of the 
tail at the end of the soft dorsal ; end of tail black with a white fringe. 
In fresh specimens there are faint traces of blue spots; body elongate ; 
height about a third of length without the caudal fin ; canine teeth very 
strong ; preoperculum very finely serrated behind ; the central spine of 
the operculum strong ; scales very small ; dorsal formed of eleven spines, 
the two first lower than the third, the others becoming rather shorter as 
they extend backwards, soft parts of fourteen rays rather higher than 
the spines; caudal fin rounded; anal with three spines, of which the 
first is shorter and the others almost equal. Extreme size about 3 feet, 
The genus Serranus comprises most of the fishes known as ‘‘rock cod.” There 
are many species of it in these seas, and the number increases in the warmer 
latitudes of the north, but one only is sufficiently useful as an article of food to 
merit notice, and that is the ‘‘black rock cod” (Serranus damelii, Giinther), 
without exception the very best of all our fishes. Itis found on all the rocky 
parts of the coast, and in the harbours about bold headlands. It takes the hook 
* Gtinther on the Study of Fishes, Edinb., 1880. 
E 
