Author: (Valenciennes, 1847)
FBname: Southern garfish
Comments: Found inshore in surface waters of estuaries, bays, inlets and gulfs to a depth of about 20 m (Ref. 9563).  In the South Australian gulfs, southern sea garfish may be found in deeper waters during the colder months (Ref. 27008).  Generally herbivorous, seagrasses and algal filaments comprise about 75% of their food (Refs. 26551, 27013).  Form schools, generally found near the surface at night and close to the bottom over seagrass beds during the day (Ref. 6390).  Post-larvae or young fish less than 1-year-old live in estuaries from March to July then move to inshore marine waters, remaining there for up to 2 years (Ref. 27012).