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The Javelin-fishes take their name from the large, strong anal spine that characterises the group generally; this spine has some fancied resemblance to a spear, or javelin. They differ from the Snapper-like fishes in possessing weak jaw teeth and strong pharyngeal ones. They occur in estuaries and inshore waters of the entire Queensland coastline, and are of greater importance to anglers than to commercial fishermen.
They are sometimes confused with the true Bream from which they are readily separable, if only because of their square-cut (truncate) tails-the Bream tail is markedly forked. All the Javelin-fish are capable of emitting loud grunts, caused by grinding together the powerful teeth in the gullet.
The Small-spotted Javelin-fish possesses the very large second anal spine which generally characterises the group. This is a uniformly silvery-olive fish, with no trace of dark blotching, in which the sides are covered with a profuse speckling of dark-brown spots which become progressively fainter towards t he belly. These spots tend to form irregular dark lines above the lateral line. Further confirmation of identification can be made from the fin colours: the anal and ventral fins are bright canary-yellow, and the lower portion of the tail fin is splashed with yellow. The greyish dorsal fin itself bears two or three rows of dusky spots within the membranes.
This is a hard-fighting and popular angling fish; it grows to about 500 mm (20 inches), and is very good eating. This Javelin-fish emits a staccato series of grunts on being captured-hence its common names of "Grunter" and "Grunter Bream." its range extends the length of the Queensland coast; although it is fished in such southerly locations as Moreton Bay and the Noosa River, it is commonest in more northerly waters, where it is captured in arrowhead fish-traps and by mesh-netting in sheltered estuaries and tidal creeks.
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