What is kale-fish?

Answer 1

A type of fish found around reefs and coastal platforms along the East Coast of Australia, growing to around 600mm, although often a lot smaller. It is elongated and cylindrical in shape, and has large opaque pectoral fins. On first glance, it looks like a rock cod, but it has a smaller more down-turned mouth, indicating it is not as predatory as a large mouthed cod. The colouration can vary from light and bark brown blotches to more orange with tiny red flecks. They often are seen lazing on a rock, or just drifting through the weed in the current.

They are rarely caught on a fishing line, but are often seen by spear fishers, and are a great fish for starting out. They taste like an old boot, but the limit is 20 per day, so spear and eat your heart out.