EDIBLE FISHES OF QUEENSLAND, PART II.—OGILBY. 
IT 
the wattle (Acacia dcalbola) and honeysuckle (Banksia marginal a) . Stead, who 
has made better use of his opportunities than others who were in a better 
position for observing these fishes, writes — “ Gadopsis marmoratus is a bottom- 
fish, lurking usually in quiet snaggy pools — particularly in places where there 
is an eddy — or in backwaters and billabongs. Here it finds worms and aquatic 
insects principally. Nothing, however, of an animal nature comes amiss (as the 
stomach contents reveal), from small fishes — including their own kind — down to 
‘ still life’ like the river Mollusca. In the mountainous parts of its habitat, it is 
found commonly in the pools and but rarely in the rapid running portions of the 
streams. The most seductive bait, used by anglers in pursuit of this species, is 
the common earthworm. This is attached alive to a small hook. The best anglers 
use a light line and light jointed rod. Under such circumstances a little sport 
may be got out of the capture of the fish; but usually ‘any old line’ and ‘any old' 
rod’ is used — the latter is frequently a bamboo, but is often made from a light 
thin sapling — ‘light 7 as a sapling, be it said, but hardly as a fishing-rod.” We 
have also received a most interesting letter, concerning its Tasmanian habits, 
uses, and distribution, from Mr. C. H. Harrison, lion. Sec. Northern Tasmanian 
Fisheries Association, which we have much pleasure in quoting in extenso. In 
answer to questions as to its value as a game and food fish, its size, and its 
relations with the introduced Trout, he writes as follows The Blackfish is a 
good food fish, but its game or sporting qualities are practically nil. It feeds 
mostly at night, and so is not much caught during the day. The hour about 
dusk is very favorable for taking it. The method is to bait with worm, or 
better still white grub obtained from trees, notably the wattle, and fish with a 
float. You give the fish time to get well hold, and then yank it straight out; 
that is, unless it is of large size, when a landing net is best employed. It attains 
a considerable size; in this country specimens up to 7 lb. have been fairly 
plentiful in years gone by, 'while specimens of 12 lb. have been taken. Even 
with the large fishes no fight has been put up, but some fine catches have been 
made. I may mention three rods taking 24 dozen in a night, and another three 
rods taking 63, weighing from l 1 /^ to 6 lb. apiece, the smaller ones having been 
all returned. A curious thing was that the 24 dozen just mentioned were all full 
of roe, not one carrying milt. The Blackfish spawns in the spring or early 
summer, but their exact breeding habits have not, to my knowledge, been 
investigated here. The species originates in this State only in the rivers flowing 
directly into Bass Strait. It has, however,- been transplanted into other streams 
and has done well. About fifteen years ago a mortality broke out amongst them, 
and they appeared to die almost out in some rivers, but a revival has taken place 
and they are again increasing rapidly. Many years ago about 500 were taken 
south and turned into the Derwent, about the best-stocked trout stream in the 
Island at the time. Everyone laughed and said they would only make food for 
the Trout. In a few years, however, they began to show up in the tributary 
streams, and have since increased to such an extent that they are now plentiful. 
