Dispatch Method:

Beware of the sharp dorsal and anal spines of iodine bream when handling them. The eating qualities of these fish can be greatly improved by killing them humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.

Fish Description:

• Iodine bream are silvery white in colour with light brown or olive countershade with brown spot on each scale forming longitudinal rows.
  
• A dark brown/black triangle bordered by white occurs above the eye and blackish vertical bar may also be evident running through the eye.
  
• The flesh sometimes has a distasteful iodine flavour (thus their common name), although untainted fish are reportedly good eating.
  
• This species feeds mainly on crabs, shrimps, bivalves and other benthic invertebrates.

Fish Distribution:

• Iodine bream have a distribution restricted to Eastern Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to southern Queensland and northern NSW, and as far east as New Caledonia.
  
• These fish inhabit sandy or rubble areas near coral reefs in water depths between 3 and 50 meters.

Fish Size Common Length:

25-35 cm, maximum size around 40 cm and 1.5 kg.