king-fish

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


In New Zealand a sea-fish, Seriola lalandii (Maori, Haku), sometimes called the Yellow-tail; in Victoria, Sciaena antarctica,Castln. Called Jew-fish (q.v.) in New South Wales.Tenison Woods says the King-fish of Port Jackson must not beconfounded with the King-fish of Victoria or the King-fish ofTasmania ( Thyrsites micropus, McCoy). The Port JacksonKing-fish belongs to a genus called «Yellow-tails» in Europe.This is Seriola lalandii, Cuv. and Val. Seriolabelongs to the family Carangidae, or Horse-Mackerels. Thyrsites belongs to the family Trichiuridae. The «Barracouta» of Australasia isanother species of Thyrsites, and the «Frost-fish» belongs to the same family. The Kingfish of America isa different fish; the name is also applied to other fishes inEurope.

1876. P. Thomson, `Transactions of New ZealandInstitute,' vol. XI. art. lii. p. 381:

«The king-fish, Seriola Lalandii, put in no appearancethis year.»

1883. `Royal Commission on Fisheries of Tasmania,' p. 11:

« Thyrsites Lalandii, the king-fish of Tasmania:migratory. Appear in immense numbers at certain seasons(December to June) in pursuit of the horse-mackerel. Caughtwith a swivelled barbless hook at night. Voracious in theextreme – – individuals frequently attacking each other, and alsothe allied species, the barracouta.»

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