A NEW FISH

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 166, 10 April 1926, Page 9

A NEW FISH

CAUGHT AT BAY OF PLENTY

“Dominion” Special. Auckland, April 9. A fish not hitherto discovered in New Zealand waters, or, so tar as can be ascertained, those of Australia, was drawn out of the .Bay of Plenty on a hand line this week, near White Island, and has been torwarded by Air. J. Williams, of Tauranga, to Auckland Museum. It is about 4ft. ,6in. long, and has no scales. In their stead the skin is completely covered with dermal tubercles, 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) has identified the newcomer as a fish known in Spanish waters as the escolar, the scientific name' of which is ruvettus pretiosus. It is one of the serombolis, allied to the tunnies and mackerels. Its principal habitats are the Mediterranean ami Atlantic Oceans, where it is generally found at moderate and considerable depths. 'The museum authorities are having a cast of the fish made for exhibition. Reports received from Tauranga hold out hope that other specimens of the species can be secured in the vicinity of White Island. The fishermen state that this new species is a remarkable fighter. .It has the strength of a shark, the speed of a kingfish, and the sounding characteristics of the hapuka. The first one li'ad no sooner been captured than several more were hooked. One put up a terrific fight, and after running with over 30 fathoms of line finally broke the gear and escaped. All the others were brought to the surface, but their weight and viciousness proved too much for the ordinary hapuka gear The largest seen was of an. estimated length of Oft. It was noticed that while these unusual fish were being hooked, hapuka and sharks were in the same waters and taking the bait also.