NEW FISH.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1926, Page 3

NEW FISH.

A REMARKABLE FIGHTER. AUCKLAND, April 9. A fish not hitherto discovered in New Zealand waters, nor, so far as can bo ascertained, those of Australia, was drawn out of the Bay ol Plenty on a hand line this week, near White Island, and inis been forwarded bv Mr J. \\ ill lams ,of Tauraiiga. to Auckland Museum. It is about lour feet six inches long, and has no scales. In their stead the skin is completely covered with dermal tubercle, each terminating in several spines. Its colour is a uniform purplish brown, or violet black. The Assistant-Curator of the Museum, Mr L. T. Griffin, lias identified the newcomer as a fish known in Spanish waters as Escolar, the scientific name of which is Kuvettus pretiosus. Jt is one of the seomheroids, allied to the tunnies and mackerels. Its principal habitats are the .Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, where it is generally found at moderate and considerable depths. The museum authorities are having a cast of the fits 1 1 made lor exhibi-

tion. Reports received from laiirnnga hold out hope that other specimens t .an bo secured in the vicinity ol \\ bite Island by way of addition to the interesting collection of new food ashes in Dominion waters which Mr Gnlim lias collected within the Hast year or two at White Island. The fishermen state that this new species is a remarkable fighter. It has the strength of a shark, the speed ot a kinghsh ami the. sounding characteristics ol the lain,ka. When it was brougilt to Die surface it renewed its light afresh, anil owing to its body covering ol spines it. was n ticklish monster to handle. The first one had no sooner been captured than several more were hooked. One put.' up a terrific ftglit. “ IKI lifa ' l , j running with over thirty tat wins ( j line finally broke tho gear and escaped. All tho others were brought to the surface but their weight and viciousness proved too much for the ordinary barn,k a near. The largest seen was ol en estimated length of nine feet. It was noticed that while these unusual fish were being hooked hapilka and sharks were m the same ".item and taking the bait also.