Australian Bonito, Sarda australis

Plate 155. The Melbourne Pelamyd, Pelamys schlegeli (now known as the Australian Bonito, Sarda australis) found in Port Phillip

The Pelamyds differ from the Tunnies chiefly in their larger teeth. The beautiful species here figured does not agree exactly with any of the preciously known. Its fin-rays are fewer than in P. sarda, and the color streaks are less oblique and more over the sides and belly, and the pectoral fin is larger. The P. orientalis of Japan, which approaches it in many respects, has, according to Schlegel's figure, a more flexuous lateral line and smaller pectoral (its length going about eight and a half in length of body, instead of considerably less than one-eighth, as in our example).

The longitudinal streaks in ours are more numerous, and extend more over belly, and do not conform so nearly to line of back.

The only specimen seen of this fish was caught in Port Phillip Bay on 19th of January, 1877.