Vlad (the champ) replies:
Dear Ken, there has been a lot of debate between what is a zebra fish and a luderick. I can tell you for sure that it has been an accepted fact that zebra fish do not come past Lakes Entrance in Victoria and the species that you encounter past that area would be a zebra fish. How will you know the difference between a zebra fish and a luderick? Well when you fish for luderick you will be only fishing with green weed (because they are vegetarians) which is a wool like weed that can be collected where ever you catch luderick and you might get a luderick on another bait every blue moon. I have caught a lot of zebra fish in the bay at places like Mornington and St Kilda piers on baits like sandworm, mussel and prawn. Just remember, I am not sure how many stripes each one has (and that's how you identify them) but you might want to look in the Fish File. If anyone has any questions about how to catch, clean, cook and do anything else, ask me because I do fish for them a lot.
(29 August 2002)

Henry replies:
Hi there, the zebra fish is a realative of the Luderick and is often mistaken for one. The zebra fish has nine vertical stripes. The Luderick has eleven vertical stripes. Apart from this cosmetic difference I think they are very similar. They both are good eating provided they are bled and the black lining is removed from the stomach.
(29 August 2002)

Alan Baxter of NRE replies:
Same family; two species:
- Girella tricuspidata (Luderick)
- Melambaphes zebra (Zebra fish)
The old wife, Enoplosus armatus, (Fam. Enoplosidae) is also called a zebra fish.
(6 September 2002)

Murray MacDonald of NRE replies:
This question perfectly illustrates the problems we face when using common names instead of scientific names to identify fish. The term "zebra fish" has been used widely and indiscriminately over many years to refer to a variety of fish species that are characterised by having alternate light and dark vertical stripes on their bodies. To answer your question:

Luderick (Girella tricuspidata) are also known as 'blackfish' or 'niggers', but juveniles of this species are not known as 'zebra fish'. Luderick have thin vertical dark stripes interspersed with broad silver/grey stripes.

A closely related species (Girella zebra) is commonly known as "zebra fish". This species also occurs in Victorian coastal waters and is sometimes confused with luderick. This species has broad black vertical stripes interspersed with grey/white stripes of about the same width.

Another species common in Victorian waters which is also referred to as "zebra fish" is the Old Wife (Enoplosus armatus). This species is much more spiny than Girella species and has a pointed snout reflecting its relationship to boarfish species. It has broad black vertical stripes interspersed with cream/white stripes of about the same size. This species is considered a good eating fish.

Now that I have thoroughly confused everyone, all I can say further is that if you show me a photo of the fish I will tell you which common name is most appropriate to use. Murray.
(6 September 2002)

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