General Description

Body is deep, oval and compressed (narrow from side to side). The upper and lower parts are evenly arched. The head is short with a small mouth, eyes and scales. Body is silvery grey, darker above, with 8-12 narrow (often faint) vertical bars on back and sides. Body up to 70 cm.

Biology

A popular angling fish, often in large schools around jetties and rocky outcrops. Feeds on algae and seagrass, and sometimes on invertebrates including crustaceans, molluscs and polychaete worms. Spawning occurs offshore.

Distribution

Eastern and south-eastern Australia.

Habitat

In shallow bays, estuaries and along the coast, around reefs and beneath jetties, in depths of 0-20 m; juveniles in seagrass beds.

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