Nemadactylus macropterus

Nemadactylus macropterus has 17–18 spines and 25–28 soft rays in its dorsal fin and 3 spines and 14–15 soft rays in its anal fin. It attains a maximum total length of 70 cm (28 in), although 35 cm (14 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 2.9 kg (6.4 lb). This is a large species with an overall silvery colour with a wide black band or crescentic marking which runs from the nape to the base of the pectoral fin. The seventh pectoral fin ray is elongated. The fins are light to dark-greyish without any clear markings. The juveniles are also silvery but have dark bands or blotches on their upper bodies.

The fish is found in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it occurs along the southern coast from Broken Bay, New South Wales to Rottnest Island, Western Australia, its range encompassing Tasmania too. It is widespread in New Zealand, occurring from Cape Reinga to the seas immediately south of the Snares Islands, on the shallower areas on the Chatham Rise and off the Chatham Islands. There are reports of this species from South America and islands in the southern Indian Ocean but it is thought that these may be misidentifications of similar looking congeners. It is found on deep reefs in depths down to 400 m (1,300 ft), although they are known to enter large coastal bays at times.