BUTTERFISH (Odax
pullus)
Synonymy: Marari, rari, greenbone
Adults
are brown-green becoming darker as they grow larger and juveniles
are a golden brown with a silvery white stripe along each side.
They are found around New Zealand but are restricted to the
shallow rocky weed zone, generally in less than 15m.
| They
are herbivorous, feeding mainly on seaweed but will opportunistically
prey on small invertebrates found on and around the weed.
|
 |
Their
average size is 30-50cm in length and they can reach 70cm around
southern New Zealand. Butterfish mature initially as females,
then at around 40cm in length they become males. During the
breeding season both sexes have a blue stripe along the lower
jaw and face.
Did
you know?
Butterfish juveniles and adults appear superficially so different
that they were originally thought to be different species!
MARBLEFISH
(Aplodactylus arctidens)
Synonymy: Kehe, Marble trout or Granite trout
| Greenish
brown fish with a white marbled pattern, blunt head, plump
body and small downturned mouth. Common throughout New Zealand
in rocky and weedy areas down to about 20 metres. |
 |
Average
size of 30-50cm but can reach a maximum of 70cm. Mainly grazes
seaweed from rocks but probably consumes a few small weed animals
also. Thought to spawn from August-September and are usually
most active at dawn and dusk.
Did
you know?
Are not fished commercially as their flesh has an unpleasant
smell!
