Colours

Distinguishing features

A large silvery fish with a rounded snout, powerful tail, and distinct diamond scale pattern on the body. Usually seen in schools along rocky shores and over sandy or muddy bottoms.

Size

Depth range

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Usually found in schools over shallow sandy, muddy or rubble bottoms.

Behaviour

This species feeds on plankton and detritus, and the fish move quickly across the bottom slurping up sediment. They aggregate in large schools to spawn in deeper offshore water during the mid-summer months. This species probably lives to about 10 years.

Web resources

References