English Mackerel

• Also called blue mackerel, English mackerels are not really mackerels. They are more of the tuna family. They feed on squid and small fishes, and can grow up to 40cm. Fish in good condition yield oily flesh which is quite tasty. They are easily recognisable by a pattern of darker zigzag lines along the back.

Jack Mackerel

• Jack mackerels feed on a wide range of small planktonic animals. They can grow up to 50cm. Large jack mackerels yield good quality flesh.

John Dory

• John dory is a solitary fish that like warm waters. It is a prime species that yiled excellent flesh, and is usually a by-catch for many fishermen. They are easily identifiable with a big dark spot on two sides.

Kahawai

• It is an important recreational and commercial species in New Zealand. Kahawais are coastal fishes that feed on smaller fishes. They can grow up to as long as 70cm and 5kg. They are strong fishes, and fishermen usually have good fights with them before finally haul them from water. Note: kahawais need to be bled as soon as it is caught so as to eliminate the bitter and sour taste in the flesh.

Koheru

• Sometimes called scad, koheru can grow up to 40cm. They look very similar to jack mackerels, but koheru yield very poor quality flesh - too soft and tasteless. They are more valued as baitfish.

Parore

• Also called black snapper or African snapper, parores are herbivorous that feed mainly on algae. They do however take small soft-bodies animals occasionally. They are common in sheltered harbours and are especially active during dawn and dusk. They can grow up to 50cm and 4kg. Fish in good condition yield excellent white fillets, although some people may find their flesh tasteless.

Piper

• Also called garfish, pipers are easily recognised because of their elongated silvery body, and extended lower jaw. Pipers feed on algae, small animals and sea grasses. They are fast-growing, and can live up to 6 years. They are prime preys for kingfish, marlins, tunas, and seabirds. The flesh quality of pipers is excellent

Snapper

• It is one of the most valuable recreational and commercial fish species in New Zealand. Snappers are slow-growing fish that eat crabs, squids, shellfish, and small fishes. They can live up to 60 years, and grow up to 60cm long, and over 10kg. Snappers yield firm white tasty flesh, hence making them major targets for recreational and commercial fishermen alike.

Spotty

• They are small fishes that usually hide under fishing wharves, and caught by kids. They are easily identifiable by a large diffuse spot on their sides. Food quality of spotties are not well regarded.

Trevally

• Trevally is a prime species that is suitable for all cooking methods. They can grow up to 70cm and weigh up to 2kg.

Yellow Eye Mullet

• Yellow eye mullets are common in sheltered harbours. They take almost any kind of baits. They can grow up to 36cm, but are usually in much smaller size. They are bony, but their flesh are good quality. Note: people sometimes identify yellow eye mullets as sprats or herrings, which are in fact not correct.