Average length 30-40cmAverage weight 1.8kg, but can grow to 60cm.
Found around New Zealand, southern Australia and southern South America. Deep bodies and laterally compressed with one pectoral fin ray elongated. Colour varies with locally from silvery with a blue-green sheen, to silvery black. Distinctive black shoulder band. Small protractile mouth with thick lips. Moderate scales.
Tarakihi is common all round New Zealand; most abundant in the cooler waters south of East Cape and around the South Island. Demersal, main depth range 100-250m. Caught mainly by trawling. Landed all year round with catches increasing February to June. A moderate resource.
The related porae has more prominent lips, no black shoulder band, a greener head and black and silvery sheen on sides. Porae is occasionally caught in trawls, mostly around the North Island.
