To thirty centimetres. This is a species of northern waters which prefers rocky shores about headlands and offshore islands. It is frequently observed moving about in shoals which, when near the surface, impart a bright blue coloration to the water. It wanders south to Cook Strait but is not abundant there. Most small animals including other fishes are taken as food. The blue colour, deep body, small mouth and aggressive feeding behaviour are features well known to fishermen. They are particularly attracted to berley ( chum ) trails and may be easily caught on light lines and tiny hooks. They are strong for their size and are a reasonable table fish, however they are seldom targetted by anglers who are mostly interested in larger species.

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