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Herring Cale are long and cylindrical. They are plant eaters and spend most of their
time swimming through kelp and weed. They have a soft eel-like swimming style.
The male is black with two iridescent blue stripes on the tail. Females are kelp coloured to blend in with their habitat. Males are territorial and keep travelling
over the same route, so wait for a return visit. (Fish Counters take note!) This species is endemic to Australia.
Grows to 51cm.
Range: Kalbarri in Wa to Coffs Harbour in NSW, south to Tasman Peninsula in Tas.
Images: upper - female; lower - male
Images © Rudie Kuiter
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Map interpretation: This maps show the average abundance of this species, as observed by participants in the Great Victorian Fish Count. Each dot represents a site that has been monitered by Reef Watch, and the colour of the dot shows the average abundance, as detailed in the legend. Tentative sightings occur when the Reef Watcher is not 100% confident of the identification, or where the sighting is outside the previously known distribution of the species. It would be great to confirm these sightings with a photograph or further observations.
References:
- Edgar, Graham. J. 1997. Australian Marine Life - the plants and animals of temperate waters (revised edition). New Holland : Sydney .
- Gomon, Martin. F, Glover, J. C. M., & Kuiter, R. H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia 's South Coast . State Print: Adelaide .
- Hutchins, Barry, & Swainston, Roger. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia - Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing and Gary Allen: Smithfield .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1993. The Complete Divers' & Fishermen's Guide to Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia . Crawford House Press: Bathurst .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia - A comprehensive reference for divers & fishermen. New Holland : Sydney .
