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Average length 60-100 cm, average weight 1.5 kg. Blue-green above, silvery on sides and belly, dark fins, smooth skin, large and easily dislodged scales. Related to hake. Sometimes referred to as blue grenadier but not related to the grenadiers or rattails. Distinguished from the smaller javelin fish by pointed snout, smaller eye and silver belly. A deepwater fish, but ranges from 5-900 m. Most abundant around the South Island in 200-800 m but also occurs around the North Island and New Zealandâ&128;&153;s sub-antarctic islands. Caught mainly by trawling. Taken all year round with a number of seasonal fishers in different parts of the EEZ and a major winter fishery, June-September, on spawning fish off the west coast of the South Island. A very large resource, probably capable of yielding at least 200,000 tonnes per annum.

Average size 40-55 cm, weighing 2-3 kg. Speckled light green-blue above, white below, juvenile fish with additional brown markings. Found in inshore waters all around New Zealand but most common from Kaikoura northwards. Mostly taken by purse seine, some by trawl. Caught all year round but main season in April to October when schooling at surface. A moderate resource.

Average length 50-80 cm, average weight 3-5 kg. Blur green above, silver-white below, yellow on sides. Fins yellowish, tail fin brightest. Common in coastal waters and around North Island. Pelagic. Caught mainly by trawling, some by set net, line and trolling. Landed all year round but more available during the summer. Size of resource unknown but probably small.

Average length 20-30 cm, average weight 200-500 gms. Colour variable; usually grayish brown with some obscure darker markings. Soft dorsal and anal fins bright yellow. Rough skin. Widespread around New Zealand in rocky weedy areas from the shore to at least 60 m. Caught by trawling; landed all year round. A small resource.

Average size 55-70 cm, weighing 2-3 kg. Blue moki has a deep compressed body, moderate sized head and mouth with thick fleshy lips, small paired fins. Large scales. Blue-grey above, with several dark bands, silver-grey on flanks, white below. Distributed all around new Zealand but most common around the South Island, and from Cape Runaway to Hawkes Bay to depths of 100 m. taken mainly by trawling and set nets. Caught all year round. A small resource, perhaps yielding 1000 tonnes per annum.

Average size 3050 cm, weighing about 2 kg. Mottled olive brown above, white below; small fish have longitudinal pale stripes. A sharp prominent spine projecting above each pectoral base. The dull colour and spines are characteristic of this species. Moderately common in shelf waters about southern New Zealand 60-600 m. Caught by trawling. Landings decline over the winter, May-August. A moderate resource.