Nemadactylus macropterus (Forster 1801)

Adults have elongate upper pectoral-fin rays and are silvery with a broad black band from the nape to the pectoral-fin base (Ref. 33616).

Jackass morwong have an extended pelagic postlarval stage (Ref. 6390). Research in New Zealand has shown that metamorphosis to the juvenile stage occurs between 9 and 12 months after hatching (Ref. 28625).

Dorsal spines (total): 17 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25 - 28; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 14 - 15; Vertebrae: 35

Found on the continental shelf and continental slope (Ref. 75154). In southeast Australia, adults live mainly at depths of 50-250 m (BRS, 1999). Juveniles tend to live near shallow reefs (Ref. 26998). They feed mainly at night.

Adults demersal on the continental shelf and upper slope (Ref. 9563) to depths of 450 m (Ref. 33616). Juveniles tend to live near shallow reefs (Ref. 6390). Postlarvae inhabit offshore waters and are found in surface waters at night (Ref. 9072). Average weight is 1800 g. Feed on polychaete worms, crustaceans, mollusks and echinoderms (Ref. 28626). Flesh is quite good eating. Often sold as tiki fillets.

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes