MEMOIRS OF TEE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 
and trout-fishers using a grasshopper in the ripples of a summer’s night have 
caught a trout at one cast and a blaekfish at the next. In point of fact our 
Commissioners of Fisheries at one time received a complaint that Blaekfish 
were so plentiful in the Derwent that they interfered with the trout fishing. 
Of course trout prey on them to a certain extent, but the Blaekfish appears 
to have evolved a fresh sense, and now takes pretty good care of itself. On 
the other hand I have known a large Blaekfish caught with a trout in its 
inside, so that the dietary question is not all one-sided.” Referring to 
Queensland Mr. J. Hirst Stevens, State Inspector of Fisheries, while recently 
up country as a member of a Royal Commission engaged in reporting upon the 
condition of our fishery industries, interested himself in making inquiries about 
this species, and has supplied me with the following note: — ‘ 4 These little fishes 
frequent especially the smaller waterholes and pools along the banks of the 
Condamine, where they find comparative safety from the voracity of the Cod 
(Oligorus macquaricnsis ) . As they usually go in small schools of from two to 
five dozen and take a bait greedily, the angler, provided with light tackle and a 
box of earthworms or small grubs, would usually have no difficulty in catching 
as many as he desires of from 5 to 8 inches in length.” Mr. Colelough tells me 
that — “it is common everywhere about the Warwick District, but rarely attains 
a weight of over four ounces; it is not, therefore, seriously regarded as a food 
or game fish, except by youthful anglers, to whom it appeals by reason of its 
abundance, and the facility with which it may be captured by almost any lure, 
for it is a bold and voracious feeder. The most satisfactory baits in use here are 
the white grubs which are obtainable from the willow tree and the moth into 
which it eventually turns; the latter when hooked and allowed to flap about on 
the surface of the water is an almost irresistible attraction. Mole-crickets ( Curtilla 
spp.), small grasshoppers, cicadas ( Psaltoda hamsii *), beetles and other insects, 
with the ubiquitous worm, may also be successfully employed.” 
Uses : — The consensus of opinion as to the economic value of the Slippery 
varies, but is generally favourable from the epicure’s and damnatory from the 
angler’s viewpoint. Speaking of Victoria Castelnau calls it “a good edible fish” 
and McCoy “an excellent fish for the table.” Johnston bears testimony to the 
value of the Tasmanian fish as follows: — “ It is much esteemed as food, and is a 
welcome fare to the bushmen and settlers who are far removed from the centres 
of population.” Stead writes — “In country parts (of New South Wales) this 
species is looked ujxon as being of considerable value as an edible fish ; and as a 
sporting fish, it is of no mean ordex% taking the bait readily and showing fight.” 
This is satisfactory, in that presumably the mainland fish is not so arrant a cur as 
Mr. Harrison’s letter makes out his island cousin to be. 
* I am indebted for the scientific names to my colleague, Mr. H. Hacker. 
