The snout is blunt with a dorsal head profile which is smoothly rounded. The chin barbel is absent. The first dorsal fin appears as a single, elongate ray, widely separated from the second dorsal fin. The color is generally pale pink-tan with spots or silvery with a spot on side of the head and a yellow lateral stripe. They reach around 130 mm in length.

Found over sandy and muddy bottoms in inshore waters to depths of 420 m.

Probably a plankton feeder.

Frequently seen in small schools around Otago. Often found by scientists in the stomach contents of other fish. It is thought they are an important part of the food chain. Possibly an important forage fish for commercial species.

A Treasury of New Zealand Fishes: Graham http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=2007# (accessed 13/12/10)
Cohen, D.M., T. Inada, T. Iwamoto and N. Scialabba, 1990. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 10. Gadiform fishes of the world (Order Gadiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cods, hakes, grenadiers and other gadiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(10). Rome: FAO. 442 p.