sand sand known summer blue nose common species coastal marine fish family slender slightly compressed fish similar species detailed spine ray lateral line scale counts needed distinguish species nearest relative sand distributed east coast australia south tasmania lord howe island pacific_ocean sand commonly inhabits shallow sandy bays surf zones worms small crustaceans reproduction species variable range generally spawning twice september april young fish inhabit shallow sand flats coast upper reaches described species long prized table fish commonly sought recreational commercial fishermen new_south_wales queensland sand fishery prolific southern queensland northern new_south_wales species abundant caught species beaches importance commercial fish substantial research carried species especially feasibility studies involving use sand taxonomy naming sand belongs genus division family containing individual species division species identified named french naturalist receiving specimen listed having collected southern seas specimen apparently taken near coastline tasmania australia junior synonyms subsequently placed species applying applying species names invalid nomenclature rules states correct naming synonyms applied confusion nearly identical closely related species species synonym southern school commonly called sand reference preference sandy compared members genus prefer muddy grassy common names include blue nose reference colour nose fish larger sizes summer applied applied species deeper offshore waters shallow beach waters summer target recreational description sand similar profile members genus slightly compressed body tapering terminal mouth dorsal fin parts spines second soft rays headed single spine ventral profile straight species known grow maximum size weight fin anatomy highly useful identification purposes species having spines dorsal fin spine soft rays second dorsal fin anal fin spines soft rays posterior spines lateral line scales cheek scales distinctive sand possessing lateral line scales cheek scales positioned rows having total swim rudimentary projecting series diminish size like posterior extension single tapering projection extends caudal region like process extends ventral surface opening swim morphology useless determining nearly identical body pale brown brown colour transitioning white green reflections fish removed water indistinct silver yellow mid lateral band extends specimens dorsal fin olive green faint darker second dorsal fin pale olive rows dark brown spots anal ventral fins pale yellow pale yellow pale brown defined dark blue black base caudal fin yellow olive colour darker margins juveniles darker sides backs distribution habitat sand inhabits range east coast australia queensland southward coast great barrier reef eastern victoria east coast tasmania species inhabits number islands lord species abundant lower queensland new_south_wales studies inhabits estuary sampled course study north queensland species distributed coast sand species inhabiting exposed coastal areas beaches surf zones bays coastal lakes sand enter including intermittently open ones penetrate far upstream tidal limits rivers creeks juveniles adolescent fish abundant adults mouths bars depths constitute large percentage regions implied found exclusively sandy occasional appearances beds individuals occasionally taken offshore waters winter biology behaviour sand schooling species movements associated variety factors including prey lunar patterns spawning movements appears little consistency movements relation factors studies species period year shown species change local distribution course day generally abundance night day seasonal abundance spawning variable studies conducted queensland finding species recruits heavily shallow waters increase numbers winter months studies estuary shown difference numbers recruited course season like ability sand remained hidden predator net passed diet sand distinctive body shape mouth placement adaptation feeding predominant method feeding species larger feed jaws tube like mouths suck types prey ocean substrate nose dig substrate large body evidence shows rely visual cues feeding instead system based vibrations emitted prey benthic feeds predominantly crustaceans like species diet species related size age individual distinct size classes identified study conducted smallest fish large fish consume largest fish large amounts genus reproduction species fish timing spawning varies range species development indicating spawning southern new_south_wales region occurs december april spawning southern queensland occurs september february spawning takes place twice year evident classes egg size found recruitment observed year young fish enter juvenile habitats spawning takes place mouths surf zones larvae occurring fully marine waters juveniles reach length year life second year year beginning spawning season young observed swimming actively small sand flats beaches recruited moving tide swimming shallow water depths unlike closely related juveniles usually prefer unprotected sand species tend use protection grow older shore relationship humans sand highly prized table fish rated equal king george making common target commercial recreational fisheries flesh white tender moist low oil content composition making easily investigations species began 1980s led development farmed sand commercial fishery sand ranges victoria tasmania species common significant fisheries school stout making bulk catch new_south_wales queensland common species taken especially lower queensland species differentiated golden lined meaning fisheries statistics reflect total catch species tonnes taken queensland decrease past years species primarily taken new_south_wales included general heading school taken beaches research showed average commercial harvest individual tonnes year increase rivers 1970s species commonly taken number fishing methods common nets ring fence beam occasionally associated sampling entire population research purposes research focused effectiveness different sizes net species order prevent juvenile individuals dying associated research shown survive discarded tend lower survival rates scale loss major issue young fish regularly taken nets released fisherman sustaining scale loss studies led number proposals subsequent changes net regulations market sand medium priced fish sold fresh frozen form abundance sand moderately priced slightly expensive recovery rate fish sand recreational fishery sand commonly sought reputation food fish relative accessibility large catches possible shore based locations catches recreational fishermen exceed catches professionals studies showing queensland twice fish taken species commonly caught habitat sand flats tidal surf beaches commonly having producing good catches excessively shallow water especially proximity beds produce numerous fish avoided young fish prevalent preferred habitat light lines minimal weight added employed avoid fish small running ball commonly rigged size hook specialist fishermen use red piece attract works proved evidence shows fishermen catches don suffer resemble species natural prey variety beach worms successful catches obtained live bait new_south_wales sand minimum legal length taken daily personal bag limit applies queensland minimum size combined bag limit species sand live bait larger species jack large adhere minimum size limit potential sand investigated late 1980s number reports detailing successful trials number problems trials study showed sand likely grow captivity species mortality rate unacceptable use economic setting number problems diseases failure swim properly documented initial problems overcome facilities breeding larvae survival rate depleted form basis commercial fish crops
Sand whiting