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Beche De Mer
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Also known as Redfish.

Nannygai have moderately short compressed bodies, a spiny head, large eyes and rough scales.  The upper parts of their head and body are red and the lower surface silvery.  The scales have red spots forming thin lines along their body, and their eyes are red.  The tail is red and other fins are pinkish.

The live in south-eastern waters of Australia and the species is abundant off the New South Wales coast.

Juvenile Nannygai inhabit estuaries and shallow coastal waters while adults are found over reefs and mud substrates in continental shelf and slope waters to a depth of 450 metres.

Spawning takes place in late summer and autumn.  Nannygai are relatively slow growing, maturing at approximately 4 years of age and lengths of 20-25 cm.  They reach a maximum size of 38 cm fork length for females at age 16 years and 33cm for males at 11 years.  Nannygai in New Zealand waters have been reported to reach a total length of 50 cm.

Prior to World War II most Nannygai that were caught by trawlers operating off New South Wales were discarded due to their low market price.  Following the War, landings by steam trawlers increased and peaked at 2500t in 1949, mainly as a result of declining tiger flathead catches.  Nannygai catches declined as steam trawlers left the fishery and the catch during the 1950s and 1960s was taken primarily by Danish seiners.

Demand for Nannygai was small until their name was changed for marketing purposes to "Redfish"  it is now a very popular table fish with a delicate to mild and slightly sweet taste.

Nannygai are often caught by recreational anglers on reefs and are an excellent live bait for Yellowfin Tuna.

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