Australian Elephantfish

The fish is silvery in colour with iridescent reflections and dark, variable markings on the sides. Males mature at 50 cm (1.6 ft) and females at 70 cm (2.3 ft), and the maximum length head to tail is 1.5 m (4.9 ft). It has an elongated body, which is smooth and torpedo shaped, with two widely separated, triangular dorsal fins. They use their hoe-shaped snouts to probe the ocean bottom for invertebrates and small fishes. From spring to autumn, adults migrate inshore to estuaries and bays and females lay their eggs on sandy or muddy substrates. The eggs are contained in large yellowish capsules. After a few months, the egg case partially opens, enabling seawater to flow in to the egg. Juveniles emerge from the capsule after six to eight months at about 12 cm (4.7 in) in length. Maximum age is estimated to be 15 years. This fish has three cone pigments for colour vision (like humans). Its dorsal fin has a very sharp spine. The spine has been reputed to be venomous, but no serious injuries have yet been reported.

At present this species is considered native to the waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. However, it has been hypothesized that the New Zealand population and the Australian population may actually be separate species.