THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO,
BY
BARTON WARREN EVERMANN, Ph. D.,
Ichthyologist of the United States Fish Commission,
ANl)
MILLARD CALEB MARSH,
Assistant, United States Fish Commission.
F. C. B. 1900—1 49
..
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO.
By BARTON W. EVERMANN and MILLARD C. MARSH.
INTRODUCTION.
In preparing this report upon the fishes of Porto Rico it seemed desirable to
include not only those obtained by us, but to give diagnoses of all the families and
genera and detailed descriptions of all the species now known from those waters.
That the species may be readily determined we have given very full keys leading to
the definite identification of each, including certain genera and species which, though
not yet actually known from Porto Rican waters, may hereafter be found to occur
there. The unrecorded genera and species are, however, not numbered in the keys.
The keys to the families are also of the same character.
The keys and all the diagnoses of families and genera are adapted from “The
Fishes of North and Middle America,” by Jordan & Evermann. which work we have
followed in the arrangement and sequence of genera and species.
The descriptions of all the species of which we have specimens have either been
wholly from Porto Rican material or verified upon specimens from that island, and
in the majority of cases the color descriptions are from living specimens.
The common names inclosed in quotation marks are the names by which the
species are known in Porto Rico. The other common names are those by which the
species are known at Key West or elsewhere.
It has not been the intention to give much synonymy. In every case reference
is made to the original description of each species, to all original synonyms, to Poey's
and Stahl’s papers on Porto Rican fishes, and to Jordan & Evermann’s “Fishes of
North and Middle America.” The locality named at the end of each reference is that
from which the type of the species came.
Of the 49 colored plates, 33 were made by Mr. A. IT. Baldwin, and 16 by Mr.
C. B. Hudson. All those by Mr. Baldwin were painted on board the Fish /latch, the
fish being placed in an aquarium as soon as caught and the life colors gotten before
they had undergone any appreciable change.
Among the fishes painted from life by Mr. Hudson at Key West, Fla., in the
winter of 1897-98, are 16 species which occur in Porto Rico, and his paintings of
those are used in this report. The fish were selected from those (usually a large
number) brought in by the fishermen in the live-wells of their boats and transferred
to a large aquarium on the pier only a few feet distant from the fishing boats, where
they were kept in as nearly a normal condition as possible while being painted. We
can not give too high praise to the artists, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Baldwin, for the care
51
52 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
and fidelity with which they have done their work. All who are familiar with the
life-colors of the species and who have seen these paintings have been struck with
their accuracy, both as to color and structural detail.
The lithographers, Messrs. Julius Bien & Co., have given faithful and satisfactory
reproductions of the originals.
Besides the colored plates of 49 species, 115 drawings were to be reproduced, each
5.25 inches long, as cuts illustrating the text. But as these pages were being written
all of these drawings were destroyed by fire in New York. Steps were at once taken
to have the 28 new species redrawn. Some of the others can not be replaced, but 82
of them had recently been reproduced in the “Fishes of North and Middle America,”
by Jordan & Evermann, and through the courtesy of the U. S. National Museum the
same blocks are used for illustrating this report, but we were thus compelled to
have them appear 4.25 inches long instead of 5.25 inches, as originally intended.
Another serious loss was incurred by the burning of the model and training-
school at San Juan, July 1, resulting in the total destruction of a valuable collection
of fishes made in the vicinity of San Juan by Mr. Oscar Riddle, and his notes upon
them, both of which he was about sending for use in preparing the present paper.
As already stated, the investigations of the Fish Commission in Porto Rican
waters, though extending over about forty -five days and really embracing not over
thirty-eight days of actual work, resulted in adding to the known fish fauna of the
island nearly 200 species, among which were 3 genera and 33 species which are new
to science. The 3 new genera and 20 of the new species were described by the present
writers in the Annual Report of the IT. S. Fish Commission for 1899. 1
One of the new eels (Aphthalmichmys caribbeus), the type of which was collected
by Mr. G. M. Gray, was described by Drs. Gill and Smith in Science for June 22, 1900. 2
The following is a full list of the new genera and species resulting from these
investigations. Those which appear for the first time in this report are indicated by
the star. The number following each name is that which the type specimen bears on the
register of the U. S. National Museum, in which all the types are deposited. Cotypes
of species of which duplicate specimens were obtained are in the reserve series of the
U. S. Fish Commission and in the Museum of Leland Stanford Junior IMiversify.
Species.
Aphthalmichthys caribbeus
Sphagebranchus opkioneus*. .
.
Lycodontis albimentis*
Lyc.ondontis jordani
Stolephorus lyolepis *
Stolephorus gilberti
Stolephorus garmani
Apogon sellicauda*
Mycteroperca bowersi *
Prionodes baldwini
Neomaenis megalophthalmus *
Calamus kendalli
Doratonotus deeoris
Scorpsena albifimbria *
Scorpsena bergii*
Pontinus beanorum *
Sieydium caguitse
Gobius bayamonensis
Type No. Species. Type No.
49366
49526 Microgobius meeki 49367
49527 Gillias
49358 Gillias jordani 49368
49528 Malacoctenus culebrse 49369
49359 Malacoctenus moorei 49370
49360 Malacoctenus puertoricensis 49371
49529 Auelienopterus albicaudus 49373
49530 Auchenopterus fajardo . 49376
49361 Auchenopterus rubescens 49374
49531 Auchenopterus cingulatus 49375
49362 Auchenistius
49363 Auckenistius stahli 49372
49532 Coralliozetus
49533 Coralliozetus cardonse 49377
49534 Emblemaria pandionis * 49535
49364 Cithariehthys arenaceus* 49536
49365 Halieutichthys smithii * 49537
1 Description of new genera and species of fishes from Porto Rico. ^Report U. S. Fish Com.
1899 (December 19), 351-362.
2 The Moringuoid Eels in American Waters, by Theo. Gill and PI. M. Smith. OScience, N. S.
,
vol. xi, No. 286, pp. 973-974, June 22, 1900.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 58
The total number of fishes now known from Porto Rican waters is 291 species.
Prior to the investigations by the IT. S. Fish Commission the number was 99. Of
the 291 species, 263 were obtained by us, and of this number 33 species proved to be
new, which is more than 12.5 per cent of the species collected by us, or 11.3 per cent
of the entire known fish fauna of the island.
The 291 species represent 76 families and 165 genera, 3 of the latter being new.
The majority of the families and genera are represented by but few species each.
Among the families with largest representation are the grunts (Hcemulidce), with 17
species; the sea basses and groupers (S&rranidce), with 16 species; the pampanos ( Car-
angidoe) and parrot-fishes (Scaridoe), with 15 species each; and the blennies (JBlenniidce)
and gobies ( Gobiidai) , with 11 species each. The snappers (Lutianidce
)
are represented
by 11 species. The largest genera are Sparisoma
,
with 11 species; Neomcanis
,
with 10;
Ilcemulon and Stolephorus
,
with 8 each; and Caranx
,
Scorpcena
,
and Auchenopterios, with
5 each. Several families and many genera are represented by a single species each.
The food-fishes of the island are numerous as to species, but only fairly abundant
as to individuals. The absence of extensive shoals or banks about the island, the com-
paratively limited area of shallow water about the river mouths, and the fewness and
small size of the bays, are evidence that there can not be suitable feeding-grounds
such as could support large numbers of commercial fishes. The number of species of
fishes used as food is, however, large, as is shown in the chapter on the commercial
fisheries of the island.
A comparison of the fish fauna of Porto Rico with that of Cuba and other
neighboring regions will prove interesting. Poey records 199 species from Cuba,
301 of which have not been taken in Porto Rico. Of the 291 species known from
Porto Rico, 198 are common to it and Cuba, while 93 of them are not known from
Cuba.
The number of species known from the Florida Keys is almost exactly the same
as the number recorded from Porto Rico. With few exceptions the food-fishes
found at Key West, Habana, and Porto Rico are identical, and the same is true for
Jamaica, from which Jordan & Rutter give a list of 197 species. Of these, 15 were
not obtained by us, and of our 291 species, 139 were not listed by them from Jamaica.
The species common to Key West, Habana, Jamaica, and Porto Rico, however,
show that those four regions belong to one fauna—the West Indian. It is true that
at Ivejr West are found a number of species which are not yet known from the West
Indies, and which probably do not occur among them, but they are mostly stragglers
or the peripheral species of the faunas of the Gulf and the coast of the South Atlantic
States.
Another remarkable feature of the Porto Rican fish fauna is the paucity in the
representation of the cyprinodonts. The family Poeciliidm is a large one, and in most
of our tropical waters it is represented by many species. From Florida 21 species
of this family are recognized, but only 2 are known from Porto Rico. This great
difference is doubtless largely due to the marked difference in the character of the
environment. The Poeciliidce are chiefly fishes of brackish water and mud bottom,
conditions adequately met in Florida, but almost entirely absent from Porto Rico.
54 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF FISHES REPRESENTED IN WEST INDIAN WATERS . 1
I.—Ventral Fins Present, Abdominal.
A. Back with an adipose fin behind the single-rayed dorsal fin.
B. Head with 4 to 8 long barbels about the mouth and nostrils Sinjp.in.-E.
BB. Head without barbels as described above.
C. Sides of body without photophores or luminous glands; no barbel at throat.
D. Pseudobranehiee present.
E. Maxillary very narrow, rudimentary, or obsolete; hypocoracoids not divergent Synodontida.
EE. Maxillary well developed, dilated behind; pectoral normal; hypocoracoids mostly divergent Aulopida.
DD. Pseudobranchiae absent.
F. Pectoral* undivided, subhumeral; pseudobranchise absent Benthosaurida.
FF. Pectoral rays elongate, arranged in two groups Bathypteroididac.
CC. Sides of body with photophores more or less developed. Barbel at throat present, very long; body naked.
Astronesthida.
G. Vertebral spines projecting through skin of back before dorsal fin; body short and deep, greatly compressed.
Sternoptychida.
GG. Vertebral spines not exserted in front of dorsal.
H. Pseudobranchite present.
I. Premaxillaries forming entire margin of upper jaw; body scaly; opercular apparatus complete.
J. Form elongate, the snout pointed, barracuda-like; photophores very small Paralepidida.
JJ. Form oblong, the snout not much produced; photophores conspicuous Myctophida.
II. Premaxillaries not forming the whole margin of upper jaw, the maxillary entering into it; body naked; opercular
apparatus incomplete Maurolocida.
HH. Pseudobranchise absent; mouth large, with canine teeth; scales deciduous or wanting Chauliodontida.
AA. Back without adipose fin.
B. Dorsal fin single, made up of rays, and not preceded by a series of free spines or followed by finlets.
C. Tail evidently strongly heterocercal; scales ganoid; no -gular plate; dorsal fin short Lepisosteida.
CC. Tail not evidently heterocercal.
D. Tail tapering to a point, without caudal fin; anal fin very long, of about 200 rays; body scaly Halosaurida.
DD. Tail not tapering to a point; caudal fin developed.
E. Body naked.
F. Throat with a long barbel; no caudal filament; mouth large.
G. Barbel free at tip Stomiatida.
GG. Barbel connecting throat with symphysis of lower jaw Malacosteid.i..
FF. Throat without barbel.
H. Caudal fin with a long filament; body elongate; mouth very small Fistulariida.
HH. Caudal fin without filament. Pectorals present Rondeletiida.
EE. Body scaly.
I. Head with a large divided luminous plate in place of eyes Ipnopida.
II. Head with normally developed eyes.
J. Anal fin with many spines; mouth toothless, sucker-like Lipogenyida.
JJ. Anal fin without distinct spines.
K. Pectoral fins inserted high, near axis of body; lower pharyngeals united; lateral line along side of belly.
L. Jaws each with long sharp teeth mixed with smaller ones Esoctda.
LL. Jaws with small equal, conic or tricuspid teeth.
M. Lower jaw more or less produced; teeth tricuspid Hemiramphid.e.
MM. Lower jaw a little produced; teeth conic; pectoral elongate, forming an organ of flight , Exoccetida.
KK. Pectoral fins inserted below axis of body; lower pharyngeals separate.
N. Phosphorescent spots present; teeth unequal Chauliodontida.
NN. Phosphorescent spots none. .
O. Head scaly, more or less.
P. Maxillaries connate with premaxillaries; jaws long Synodontida.
PP. Maxillaries distinct; upper jaw protractile, its margin formed by premaxillaries alone; no lateral line . Pocciliida.
OO. Head naked.
Q. Dorsal fin inserted more or less before anal (rarely slightly behind it); shore fishes or river fishes, usually silvery
in coloration and with skeleton firm; air-bladder well developed.
R. Gular plate present, between branches of lower jaw; mouth large; teeth present, all pointed; axillary scales and
sheaths large Elopida.
RR. Gular plate none.
S. Lateral line well developed; mouth small, horizontal; posterior part of tongue and roof of mouth covered with
coarse-paved teeth Aebulida.
SS. Lateral line wanting; no gular plate.
T. Mouth moderate, terminal, the maxillary of about 3 pieces; stomach not gizzard-like Clupeida.
TT. Mouth subinferior, very large, below a tapering, pig-like snout; maxillary very long Engratjlidida.
QQ. Dorsal fin posterior, opposite anal; deep-sea fishes, of loose organization; mostly blackish in color; mouth small,
with small pointed teeth; air-bladder wanting Alepocephalida.
1 The laneelets, sharks, and rays are not included in this key.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO.
BB. Dorsal fin single, preceded by free spines. Body scaly; snout tubular Aulostomid®.
BBB. Dorsal Jin composed of free spines; ventrals with 1 or 2 spines each; body elongate Notacanthid®.
BBBB. Dorsal fins 2, the anterior of spines only, the posterior chiefly of soft rays.
U. Pectoral fin with 5 to 8 lowermost rays detached and filamentous Polynemid®.
UU. Pectoral fin entire.
V. Teeth strong, unequal; lateral line present Sph yr®nid®.
VV. Teeth small or wanting; lateral line obsolete.
\Y. Dorsal spines 4, stout; anal spines 3 Mugilid®.
YVW. Dorsal spines 4 to 8, slender; anal spine single Athekinid.e.
A
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II.—Ventral Fins Present, Thoracic or Subjugular, Number op Rays definitely I, 5.
Gill-openings in front of the pectoral fins.
Body more or less scaly or armed with bony plates.
Ventral fins completely united; gill-membranes joined to the isthmus; no lateral line Gobiid®.
Ventral fins separate.
Suborbital with a bony stay, which extends across the cheek to or toward the preopercle; cheeks sometimes
entirely mailed.
Pectoral fin with 3 lower rays detached and free; head bony Triglid®.
Pectoral fin with 2 lower rays detached and free; body mailed Peristediid®.
Pectoral fin entire; slit behind fourth gill small or wanting.
Dorsal spines 4; lips fringed; eyes superior Uranoscopid®.
Dorsal spines 8 to 17; anal spines 3; body scaly Scorp.enid®.
Suborbital stay wanting; cheeks not mailed.
Spinous dorsal transformed into a sucking disk on top of head, composed of 8 to 30 transverse plates.. Echeneidid®.
Spinous dorsal (if present) not transformed into a sucking disk.
Dorsal spines all or nearly all disconnected from each other.
Body elongate, spindle-shaped Rachycentrid®.
Body oblong or ovate, compressed.
Caudal peduncle very slender, the fin widely forked; preopercle entire Carangid®.
Caudal peduncle stoutish, the fin little forked. Gill-membranes broadly united to isthmus Ephippid®.
Dorsal spines (if present) all, or most of them, connected by membrane.
Pectoral fin with 4 to 9 lowermost rays detached and filiform Polynemid®.
Pectoral fin entire.
Dorsal and anal each with 1 or more detached finlets.
Anal preceded by 2 free spines Carangid®.
Anal not preceded by 2 free spines.
Caudal peduncle keeled Scombrid®.
Caudal peduncle not keeled Gempylid®.
Dorsal and anal without finlets.
Lateral line armed posteriorly with a series of keeled plates; 2 free anal spines; gill-membranes free from isthmus.
Carangid®.
Lateral line armed posteriorly with a sharp, movable, lancet-like spine, or with a few bony tubercles; scales small,
rough; gill-membranes adherent to isthmus Teuthidid®.
Lateral line unarmed.
Throat with 2 long barbels (placed just behind chin) ; dorsal fins 2 , Mullid®.
Throat without long barbels.
Anal fin preceded by 2 free spines (these obsolete in very old, joined by membrane in very young) ._... .Carangid®.
Anal fin not preceded by free spines.
Nostril single on each side; lateral line interrupted; lower pharyngeals united.
Anal spines 2 Pomacentrid®.
Anal spines 3 to 11. Fresh-water fishes Cichlid®.
Nostril double on each side.
Lateral line extending to tip of middle rays of caudal.
Anal spines 3, the second strong.
Dorsal fins 2, separate; body elongate Centropomid®.
Dorsal fin continuous H.emui.td®.
Anal spines 1 or 2, the second large or small Sci®nid®.
Lateral line not extending beyond base of caudal fin.
Gills 3.5, the slit behind the last very small or wanting.
Mouth not vertical, lips not fringed; dorsal fin continuous, spines 8 to 18; scales cycloid; lower pharyngeals united.
Teeth in each side of each jaw united, forming a sort of beak Scarid®.
Teeth distinct or nearly so, the anterior usually more or less canine Labrid®.
Mouth nearly vertical, the lips with fleshy fringes; dorsal divided, the spinous part short, of about 4 spines; lower
pharyngeals separate Uranoscopid®.
Gills 4, a long slit behind the fourth.
Teeth setiform, like the teeth of a brush; body elevated, longer than deep, the soft fins completely scaled.
Dorsal fin continuous Ch.ktodontid®.
Dorsal fin divided Ephippid®.
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.56
zz.
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BB
C.
CC.
D.
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Teeth not setiform.
Body deeper than long, covered with rough scales; dorsal spines 8; anal spines 3; soft fins very long Capboid/E.
Body longer than deep.
Gill-membranes broadly joined to isthmus; body long and low; no lateral line Gobiidae.
Gill-membranes free from isthmus or very nearly so.
Premaxillaries excessively protractile, their basal process very long, in a groove at top of cranium.
Teeth small; scales large, silvery; spines strong Gerridje.
Teeth none; spines slender Masnidac.
Premaxillaries moderately protractile or not protractile.
Lateral line incomplete or interrupted, running close to dorsal fin; dorsal spines very slender, continuous with the
soft rays; body low, covered with small scales; anal fin very long Opisthognathidas.
Lateral line, if present, not as above.
Anal fin much longer than dorsal; body much compressed, the belly prominent Pempherididas.
Anal fin not much, if any, longer than dorsal.
Pseudobranchiae wanting or covered by skin; dorsal fin of soft rays, only beginning as a crest on the head; caudal
widely forked. Pelagic fishes Coryph .emd/e.
Pseudobranchiae developed.
Spinous dorsal of 2 or 3 short spines only; anal without spines; scales small, smooth Serranidae.
Spinous dorsal, if present, not as above.
Dorsal fin continuous, the spines few, slender; maxillary usually with an enlarged tooth behind; nape sometimes
with an adipose appendage; anal fin long, even Malacanthidas.
Dorsal fin continuous or divided, not as above.
Perch-like fishes, the caudal peduncle not very slender, the scales well developed, ctenoid or cycloid; the dorsal
with distinct spines; the anal with at least 1 spine, its soft rays usually few.
Maxillary not sheathed by the preorbital, or only partially covered by the edge of the latter; ventral with its
accessory scale very small or wanting; pectoral without accessory scale; sheath at base of spinous dorsal little
developed; vomer usually with teeth; opercle usually ending in a spine.
Precaudal vertebrae with transverse processes from the third or fourth to the last; ribs all but the last 1 to 4 sessile,
inserted on the centra behind the transverse processes; anal spines 3; species silvery in color, the dorsal deeply
notched, with 10 spines; vertebra 1.0+15=25 Kuhliidae.
Precaudal vertebra normal, anteriorly without transverse processes; all or most of the ribs inserted on the trans-
verse processes when these are developed.
Anal spines 2, rarely 3; vertebra 24 or 25; dorsal fin divided. Marine fishes Cheii.odipteridas.
Anal spines 3, never 2 nor 1; dorsal fin continuous or divided; vertebrae 24 to 35.
Vomer, and usually palatines also, with teeth.
Anal fin shorter than dorsal; head not everywhere covered with rough scales; postocular part of head not
shortened Serranidae.
Anal fin scarcely shorter than dorsal and similar to it; head and body everywhere covered with rough scales;
body deep, compressed, the posterior part of head shortened Priacanthhue.
Vomer without teeth; dorsal fin continuous; body deep, compressed Lobotidab.
Maxillary slipping for most of its length under the edge of the preorbital, which forms a more or less distinct
sheath; ventrals with an accessory scale; opercle without spines; maxillary without supplemental bone; anal
spines 3, rarely 2.
Fishes carnivorous; intestine of moderate length; teeth in jaws not all incisor-like; vertebra usually 24 or 25.
Vomer with teeth, these sometimes very small; maxillary long Lutianidae.
Vomer without teeth; palatines and tongue toothless.
Teeth on sides of jaws not molar; maxillaries formed essentially as in the Serranidse; preopercle mostly serrate.
Hasmulidae.
Teeth on sides of jaws molar; maxillaries peculiar in form and in articulation; anterior teeth conical or else more
or less incisor-like; preopercle entire Sparidae.
Fishes herbivorous; intestinal canal elongate; anterior teeth in jaws incisor-like; no molars or canines; premaxil-
laries moderately protractile Kyphosida:.
Mackerel-like fishes, with the caudal peduncle usually very slender, the fin widely forked, the scales various,
usually not ctenoid; the dorsal spines various; anal fin long.
Scales firm, linear, parchment-like; body compressed; bones of head rough; dorsal spines few; mouth small.
GKAMM ICO LEPIDIDAE.
Scales not linear, mostly cycloid.
Dorsal fin very long, all the rays soft; skeleton soft Icosteida:.
Dorsal fin with 3 or more spines.
Dorsal fin divided, the spines 6 to 12 in number.
Scales weak, cycloid; jaws without canines Nomeidal
Scales firm, each with a median ridge; no canines Stetnegeriidac.
Dorsal spines 3 or 4, the fin not divided.
Body scaleless, smooth or armed with tubercles, prickles, or scattered bony plates.
Breast with a sucking disk; gill-membrane free from the isthmus; no spinous dorsal Gobiesocida:.
Breast without sucking disk.
Gill-membranes broadly attached to the isthmus.
Ventrals completely united Gobiida:.
Ventrals widely separated; body depressed; preopercle with a strong spine Caliaonymidae.
Gill-membranes nearly or quite free from the isthmus.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO.
F. Anal preceded by 2 free spines (these lost with age; connected by membranes in the very youug) Carangtda;.
FF. Anal without free spines.
G. Dorsal and anal fins followed by finlets Scombrida:.
GG. Dorsal and anal without finlets; mouth very large, nearly horizontal, the teeth sharp; no pseudobranchise.
CHIASMODONTIDA).
AA. Gill-openings small, behind, above, or below the pectoral fins, which are more or less pediculate.
H. Gill-openings in or behind upper axil of pectoral; mouth small Ogcocephauda.
IIH. Gill-openings in or behind lower axil of pectoral; mouth large.
I. Head compressed; no pseudobranchise AntennariiD/e.
II. Head depressed; pseudobranchise present Lophiida.
III.—Ventral Fins Present, Thoracic or Jugular, Number of Rays not definitely I, 5.
A. Eyes unsymmetrical, both on the same side of head.
B. Eyes large, well separated; edge of preopercle usually evident Pleuronectida.
BB. Eyes small, very close together; edge of preopercle hidden by skin; mouth very small Soi.eida:.
A A. Eyes symmetrical, one on each side of the head.
C. Ventral fin with or without spine, the number of soft rays more than 5.
D. Caudal fin wanting; scales spinous , Macroitrida.
DD. Caudal fin well developed.
E. Ventral rays about 15; dorsal fin single, elevated Lampridida:.
EE. Ventral rays 1 , 6 to 1 , 10; dorsal with spines.
F. Chin with two long barbels behind symphysis; dorsal continuous, with 5 spines Polymixtjdas.
FF. Chin without barbels.
G. Dorsal fin divided, the anterior part of a single slender spine; ventrals elongate Bregmacerotida:.
GG. Dorsal fin divided, the anterior part of many spines.
H. Body covered with firm serrated scales; anal spines 4; dorsal spines not elevated Holocentrida.
HH. Body naked or covered with small scales, besides bony plates or warts Zeidje.
GGG. Dorsal fin continuous, its spines 2 to 8 Berycida:,
CC. Ventral fin with or without spine, the number of soft rays fewer than 5.
I. Gill-opening before the pectoral fin.
J. Anal fin present; caudal fin not directed upward.
K. Upper jaw not prolonged into a sword.
L. Dorsal fin with some spines or simple rays.
M. Dorsal fin without soft rays, composed of spines only Blenniida.
MM. Dorsal fin with soft rays anteriorly, with spines posteriorly; gill-membranes joined to isthmus Zoarcida.
MMM. Dorsal fin of spines anteriorly, with soft rays posteriorly.
N. Suborbital with a bony stay, extending across cheek, to or toward preopercle, the cheek sometimes entirely covered
with a coat of mail Cephalacanthid/e.
NN. Suborbital without bony stay.
O. Dorsal spines 2 to 4 only; head very broad, depressed; gills 3; gill-membranes broadly united to the isthmus.
P. Ventrals each a strong spine; teeth incisor-like; scales shagreen-like Tpuacanthida:.
PP. Ventrals not reduced each to a single spine Batrachoidida.
00. Dorsal spines numerous; gills 4.
Q. Gill-membranes separate, free from the isthmus.
R. Body greatly elongate; lower jaw with a slit at base to permit, free motion; lips not fringed.
S. Soft dorsal and anal with a distinct lobe anteriorly, distinct from spinous part Gempylida.
SS. Soft dorsal and anal without anterior lobe, continuous with spinous part Lepidopodida.
RR. Body moderately elongate; operclesand lips fringed; eyes superior Dactyloscopida.
QQ. Gill-membranes broadly united, attached to the isthmus or not Blenniida.
LL. Dorsal fins of soft rays only.
T. Breast with a large sucking disk between ventral fins GoBiESOcroA.
TT. Breast without sucking disk.
U. Lateral line and base of dorsal beset with prickles; skeleton very soft; body compressed Icosteida.
UU. Lateral line unarmed.
V. Tail isocercal, the vertebral column pointed behind, the last vertebra very small; hypercoracoid not perforate; no
pseudobranchi se
.
W. Caudal fin present Gadida.
WVV. Caudal fin wanting Macrourid.e.
VV. Tail not isocercal, truncate at base of caudal; hypercoracoid perforate.
X. Gill-membranes joined to the isthmus; pseudobranchise present ZOarcida.
XX. Gill-membranes free from the isthmus.
Y. Ventral fins inserted below or before the eyes; pseudobranchise generally well developed Ophidiida.
YY. Ventral fins inserted below shoulder-girdle; no pseudobranchise Brotulida.
KK. Upper jaw prolonged into a bony sword; dorsal fin long and high; size large Istiophorida.
J.T. Anal fin wanting; caudal fin distorted or directed upward; body ribbon-like; ventral fins each of a few slender
rays Trachypterida.
II. Gill-opening behind the pectoral fin.
Z. Gill-opening above and behind pectoral; mouth small, low Ogcocephalida.
ZZ. Gill-opening below and behind pectoral; mouth large, nearly vertical Antennariida.
58 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
A.
B.
C.
cc.
D.
E.
F.
G.
FF.
H.
I.
II.
II II
EE.
DD.
BB.
AA.
T.
JJ.
K.
KK.
L.
M.
MM.
N.
NN.
O .
00 .
NNN.
P.
Q.
QQ.
pp.
R.
RR.
PPP.
LL.
S.
ss.
T.
TT.
U.
uu:
v.
vv.
w.
X.
XX.
ww.
IV.—Ventral Fins AV holly Wanting.
Premaxillary and maxillary wanting or grown fast to palatines; body greatly elongate, eel-shaped., gib-openings
restricted to the sides; scales minute or wanting; scapular arch not attached to the skull Eels.
Gill-openings well developed, leading to large interbranchial slits; tongue present; opercles and oranchial bones
well developed; scapular arch present.
Skin covered with rudimentary embedded scales, usually linear in form, arranged in smail groups, and placed
obliquely at right angles to those of the neighboring groups; pectorals and vertical fins well developed, the
latter confluent about the tail; lateral line present; posterior nostril in front of eyes; tongue with its margins
free Anguii.lip.-k.
Scales wholly wanting; eggs (so far as known) of moderate size, much as in ordinary fishes.
Tip of tail with a more or less distinct fin, dorsal and anal fins confluent around it; tail sometimes ending in a
long filament; coloration almost always plain, brownish, blackish, or silvery, the fins often black-margined.
Posterior nostril without tube, situated entirely above the upper lip.
Tongue broad, largely free anteriorly and on sides; vomerine teeth moderate.
Pectoral fins well developed; body not excessively elongate; lower jaw not projecting; anterior nostril remote
from eye Eeptocephaijda;.
Tongue narrow, adnate to the floor of the mouth or only the tip slightly free; vomerine teeth well developed,
sometimes enlarged.
Jaws not attenuate and recurved at tip; gill-openings well separated; anterior nostril remote from eye.
Pectoral fin small or wanting Moringuidje.
Pectoral fin well developed, skin thick; skeleton firm; snout moderate; tail not ending in a filiform tip.
Murasnesocida?.
Jaws long and slender, tapering to a point, recurved at tip; nostrils large, both pairs close in front of eye; gill-
openings convergent forward, separate or confluent; pectorals and vertic 1 fins well developed; membranes
of fins thin, not enveloping the rays; skeleton well developed. Deep-sea eels Nemichthyid.e.
Posterior nostril close to the edge of the upper lip; tongue more or less fully adnate tc the floor of the mouth:
teeth subequal Myrid.e.
Tip of tail without rays, projecting beyond the dorsal and anal fins (not filiform); posterior nostril on the edge of
the upper lip; anterior nostril near tip of snout, usually in a small tube; tongue usually adnate to the floor of
the mouth; coloration frequently variegated Ophichthyim
Gill-openings small, roundish, leading to restricted interbranchial slits; tongue wanting; pectoral fins (typically)
wanting; opercles feebly developed; fourth gill-arch modified, strengthened, and supporting pharyngeal jaws.
Mur.enid*.
Premaxillary and maxillary present, often immovably united to rest of cranium.
Gill-openings united in a single slit below throat; no pectoral fins; body eel-shaped Symbranchidie.
Gill-openings not united in a longitudinal slit.
Body eel-shaped, ending in a long filament, longer than rest of body; no anal or caudal fin Stylebhorid.e.
Body not truly eel-shaped.
Gill-membranes broadly united to the isthmus, restricting the gill-openings to the sides.
Snout tubular, bearing the short, toothless mouth at the end; body mailed Syngnathida:.
Snout not tubular.
Dorsal fin single, of spines or undivided rays only Blenniida:.
Dorsal fins 2, the anterior of spines, the posterior of soft rays; body short and deep.
Spinous dorsal of 2 or 3 spines; scales rather large, rough or bony Balistida?.
Spinous dorsal of 1 or 2 spines; scales minute, rough, forming a velvety covering Monacanthidie.
Dorsal fin continuous, of soft rays only.
Teeth in each jaw confluent into 1.
Body compressed, rough Moliiwe.
Body not compressed, spinous Diodontidae.
Teeth in each jaw confluent into 2.
Back broadly rounded Tetraodontida?.
Back with a sharp median ridge Canthigasteridas.
Teeth separate; body enveloped in a bony box Ostraciid.-e.
Gill-membranes free from the isthmus.
Vent at the throat; vertical fins confluent; body elongate, almost eel-shaped Fierasferida;.
Vent posterior, not at the throat.
Caudal fin wanting; body naked, greatly elongate Trichiurida?.
Caudal fin present.
Upper jaw prolonged into a sword; size very large Xiphtidaj.
Upper jaw not prolonged into a sword.
Belly with a series of bony scutes along its edge; body much compressed „ Clitpeid.e.
Belly not armed with scutes.
Body ovate, much compressed.
Scales small, cycloid, silvery Stromateid.e.
Scales wanting; caudal peduncle very slender Icosteida:.
Body oblong or elongate, much longer than deep; gill-membranes broadly united; teeth present; dorsal fin of
spines only, or the posterior half of soft rays, the anterior of spines _ Blenniidas.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 59
DESCRIPTIVE USX OF FISHES KNOWN FROM PORTO RICO.
Family I. BRANCHIOSTOMIDt-E. The Lancelets.
Body elongate, lanceolate, compressed, naked, colorless; fins represented by a low fold extending
along back, with usually a rudimentary fold below, which passes by vent to the abdominal pore.
Mouth inferior, appearing as a longitudinal fissure, surrounded by conspicuous, rather stiff, cirri. Eye
rudimentary. Liver reduced to a blind sac of the simple intestine.
Small, translucent creatures found embedded in sand on warm coasts throughout the world.
Eight species are now recognized, referable to two or three genera, all very similar in appearance and
habits. The numbers of the muscular impressions furnish the only characters thus far known by
which the species can be distinguished.
a. Gonads (reproductive structures) present on both sides of the median line; anal fin present, with traces of fin-rays;
no caudal process Branchiostoma, 1
aa. Gonads present on right side only; anal fin without fin-rays or successive fin-ray chambers; a .ong caudal process
or tail, about as long as head Asymmetron.2
Genus 1. BRANCHIOSTOMA Costa. Amphioxus.
Lancelets with the gonads present on both sides of median line. Anal fin present, with traces
of rays. Vertebral column not produced backward into a caudal process.
Six or seven species recognized, found in warm seas, usually buried in sand flats at no great depth.
Very tenacious of life and enduring considerable mutilation. Of the three American species, only one
is known from Porto Rico.
a. Myocommata or muscular bands 58 to 64.
b. Myocommata behind vent 11 to 18, the formula usually 35+14+12=61 lanceolatum
bb. Myocommata behind vent 7 to 10, the formula usually 35+14+9=58 caribxum
,
1
1 . Branchiostoma caribseum Sundevall. West Indian Lancelet.
Muscular bands (myocommata) usually 35 -j- 14
-f- 9= 58; gonads 22 to 26 on each side; tail
short; extremities attenuate. Usual length 1.75 inches.
In shallow waters, buried in the sand, from Beaufort, N. C., to the mouth of the La Plata;
abundant off the Carolina coast and in localities in Florida (Port Tampa), Jamaica, Brazil, etc.
In the white coral sand at the east, end of the island of Porto Rico, at a depth of 10 to 15 fathoms,
this interesting little species was fairly abundant. About 10 specimens were obtained at stations 6081,
6086, 6087, 6093, and 6097, mostly at station '6081. The first four of these stations are between Vieques
and Culebra islands and the last is off Hucares about 5 miles. The bottom at all was of live coral and
white sand. One specimen (station 6086) was obtained in the dredge, while all the others were caught
in the tangle. In many cases the lancelets were still alive when picked out from the meshes of the
tangle, though they had been subjected to considerable rough treatment. The majority do not exceed
an inch in length, and the largest is but 1.25 inches long. These are considerably smaller than the
numerous individuals collected by the Fish Hawk off Port Tampa, Fla., in 1898.
Branchiostoma caribseum Sundevall, Olfers, Vet. Akad. Forhandl., 12,1853, St. Thomas; Jordan & Evermann, Fishes of
North and Middle America, 3, 1896.
Genus 2. ASYMMETRON Andrews.
Gonads, or reproductive structures, developed on the right side only. Anal fia without fin rays
or successive fin-ray chambers. A long caudal process. Otherwise as in Branchiostoma. One species.
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.CO
2. Asymmetron lucayanum Andrews. Bahama Lancelet.
Right metapleuron continuous with median ventral (anal) fin, which passes to right of anus.
Preoral hood extensive, the cirri united by the membrane throughout greater part of their length, and
smooth, without sensory papillae. Gonads on the right, 29, extending from fifteenth to forty-third
myotomes inclusive. Myotome formula 444-9-fT3=66. Length gfinch. Adult and young swimming
at surface in the evening in June and July at Bernini and Nassau, Bahamas; also taken buried in
calcareous sand. {Andrews
. ) Three specimens, somewhat less than 0.75 inches in length, taken in the
dredge and tangle at Fish Hawk stations 6086 and 6093, off Culebra, in 14.75 and 15 fathoms respectively,
and 6097, off Humacao, in 10 fathoms. These are decidedly larger than specimens in the U. S. National
Museum collected by Dr. Andrews.
Asymmetron lucayanum Andrews, Studies Biol. Lab. Johns Hopkins Univ., V, 237, 1893, Bernini, Bahamas; Jordan &
Evermann, 1. e., 4, 1890.
Family II. G1NGLYM0ST0MID.F. The Nurse Sharks.
Large sharks with general characters of Scylliorhinidse, but with tail very long and more or less
abruptly bent upward at its base, as in the Galeidx. First dorsal above or behind ventrals, the second
opposite or rather before anal ; eyes very small, with small spiracles behind them; nostrils confluent with
mouth; nasal valves on both sides forming a quadrangular flap in front of mouth, each being provided
with a free cylindrical cirrus; an upper and lower lip, the latter not extending across symphysis;
fourth and fifth gill-openings close together.
Large sharks of the warm seas; genera 3, species about 5.
Genus 3. GINGLYMOSTOMA Muller & Henle.
Characters of the genus included above.
Fig. 2.—Ginglymostoma eirratum.
3. Ginglymostoma eirratum (Gmelin). Nurse Shark; “Gata.”
Head obtuse, depressed; nasal cirrus reaching lower lip; angles of fins obtusely rounded; tail
forming nearly one-third of total length; skin very thick; uniform brownish, the young with small,
scattered, round black spots.
A large shark of the warmer parts of the Western Hemisphere, abundant about coral reefs in the
West Indies and on the west coast of Mexico, and occasionally on our South Atlantic coast. Length
6 to 10 feet. Not seen by us in Porto Rico, but included on the authority of Professor Poey.
Squatus cirratus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, 1492, 1788, American Seas; after Broussonet.
Squalus punctatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. lehth.,134, 1801, Cuba; after Gata Hispanas of Parra.
Squaluspunctulatus Bloch & Schneider, 1. c., 549, 1801, Cayenne; after Squale pointille of Lacepede.
Squalus argus Bancroft, Zool. Jour., V, 82, 1832-1834, West Indies.
Ginglymostoma fulvum Poey, Memorias, II, 342, 1861, Havana; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riqueffla, 3 19, 1881; Stahl, Fauna de
Puerto Rico, 81 and 167, 1883.
Ginglymoslc la caboverdianus Capello, Jour. Sci. Phys. Lisb. 1867, 167, Cape Verde.
Ginglymostoma eirratum
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 26, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. G1
Family III. GALElDAt. The Requiem Sharks.
Sharks with two dorsal tins, first short and high, entirely before ventrals; second comparatively
small, opposite anal
;
no spines; gill-openings moderate, the last above base of pectoral; tail moie or
less bent upward from base of caudal fin; sides of tail not keeled; eyes with nictitating membrane.';
head not hammer-shaped, the snout being longitudinally produced, as usual among sharks. Spiracles
small or obsolete. Ovoviviparous.
A large family of 20 or more genera and about 60 species; found in all seas. The species are often
closely related and difficult of determination. Of 11 genera recognized by Jordan & Evermann as
occurring in American waters, only one is as yet known from Porto Rico.
Galeims:
. Teeth flat and paved, without cusps or ridges; spiracles present; no pit at root of tail; labial folds well developed.
. Embryo not attached to uterus by a placenta; teeth very blunt Mustei.us
an. Teeth more or less compressed, with entire or serrate sharp edges.
Galeorhininjs:
c. Spiracles present.
d. Root of tail with conspicuous pit above; teeth all coarsely serrate, alike in both jaws and each with a deep notch
on outer margin; caudal fin with a double notch Galeocerdo
CARCHARHININiE:
cc. Spiracles obsolete; lower teeth narrower than upper teeth.
e. Angle of mouth without groove or with merely a slight depression, which does not extend along either jaw.
/. First dorsal inserted anteriorly, nearer ventrals than pectorals; embryo (so far as known) attached to uterus by a
placenta.
g.
Teeth all serrate more or less, often entire in the very young Carcharhinus, 4
gg. Teeth of upper jaw serrate at base only; lower teeth entire, erect Hypoprion
gyg. Teeth all entire at all ages, and nearly all erect Aprionodon
ee. Angle of mouth provided with a more or less distinct groove which extends along one or both jaws; teeth entire,
or very nearly so, more or less obliquely placed, their points turned away from median line: embryo (so far as
known) with a placenta Scoliodon
Genus 4. CARCHARHINUS Blainville.
Body rather robust; head broad and depressed; mouth inferior, with teeth in both jaws strongly
serrated in adult, less so or entire in young, those in upper jaw broad or narrow, those below narrow,
straight, and nearly erect. No spiracles. First dorsal large, not far behind pectorals; pectoral falcate;
second dorsal small. Embryos attached by placenta to uterus, as in Scoliodon, Triakis, and Galeus.
Voracious sharks of the warm seas. Species very numerous and difficult of separation.
a. Teeth in both jaws distinctly serrate in adult; serrae on lower teeth smaller; upper teeth rather broad, lower teeth
narrower; snout not very acute.
Platypodoh
:
b. Upper teeth oblique, deeply notched on outer margin; lower teeth narrow, scarcely or not notched.
c. Pectoral very large, 3 times as long as broad, falciform, extending beyond base of first dorsal; color blue-
gray obscurus
cc. Pectoral shorter, not 3 times as long as broad, extending little if any beyond base of first dorsal.
d. Length of snout from mouth little if any greater than width of mouth.
e. Distance from end of base of first dorsal to ventrals less than length of base of first dorsal.
/. Nasal flap without sharp lobe; second dorsal and anal nearly equal; color blue-black falciformis, 4
ff. Nasal flap with an acute lobe.
g. Snout not very short, its length from the mouth not notably less than the width of mouth; color yellowish-
brown acronotus
gg. Snout very short and blunt, its length from mouth but two-thirds width of mouth perr.i
ee. Distance from end of base of first dorsal to ventrals greater than length of first dorsal; snout moderate remotus
dd. Length of snout from mouth greater than width of mouth; first dorsal small lienlei
Carcharhinus ;
bb. Upper teeth triangular, suberect, scarcely notched on the outer margin; lower teeth similar but much narrower.
h. Snout moderate, its length from mouth about equal to width of mouth milberti
hli. Snout very short, its length from mouth less than width of mouth.
i. Pectoral long and falcate, reaching to posterior part of base of dorsal. Anterior margin of first dorsal convex, height
of fin about equal to depth of body lamia
si. Pectoral fin moderate, scarcely falcate, not reaching to end of base of dorsal; second dorsal not larger than anal;
length of snout from mouth 1.5 times in breadth of mouth; upper teeth very broad platyodon
ISOGOMPHODON :
aa. Teeth slightly serrated, similar in form in the two jaws, narrow, elaviform, constricted at base; snout rather sharp.
j. Snout moderate, its length from mouth not greater than breadth of mouth; teeth moderate; fins edged with
black limbatus, 5
jj. Snout very long and narrow, its length from mouth twice distance between nostrils; teeth small, about 48 in each
jaw oxyrhynchus
62 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
4. Carcharhinus falciformis (Bi broil ) . “Cazon de Wliaya.”
Snout moderately prolonged and acute; nostrils without lobe; first dorsal rather backward;
second dorsal and anal opposite, each other and of medium size; pectoral not twice as long as broad;
upper teeth with a marked reentrant angle on outer border; two pores of nape well marked.
Color, blue-black, deeper than in any other species.
Two specimens, taken on a hook off the Morro at San Juan January 13, measured as follows:
Measurements. No. 0298. No. 0299.
Total length
Ft. In,
3 3
2 4
8
11.5
6
3.5
3
1 1.5
1 4
Ft. In.
7 4
5 6
Length of caudal tin from pit 2 1
1 4
5.5
7.5
2 6
Tip of snout to mouth
No. 0299 possessed the following characters: Snout gently and narrowly rounded; first dorsal far
in advance of ventrals, its height 9 inches, its base 11 inches; pectoral falcate, inner rays little pro-
duced; second dorsal and anal opposite, equal in size; ventrals small, claspers 10 inches long; lower
lobe of caudal about one-third length of upper, which is somewhat falcate.
Color, olivaceous, paler below.
Though we were constantly on the lookout for sharks and often had lines out trying for them,
this is the only species obtained by us in Porto Rico, and only these two specimens were seen. They
are probably more abundant at other seasons.
Carchariasfalciformis Bihron.in Muller & Henle’s Plagiostomen, 47, 1838, Cuba.
Squalus tiburo Poey, Memorias, IT, 331, 1861, Havana.
Carcharinus falciformis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 36, 1896.
5. Carcharhinus limbatus (Miiller & Henle)
.
Cuconetta.
Snout somewhat pointed in fro'nt, rather produced, distance between its extremity and mouth
somewhat less than width of mouth; nostrils nearly midway between extremity of snout and mouth;
teeth similar in form in both jaws, erect, constricted, on abroad base, upper more distinctly
serrated than lower; gill-openings wide, at least twice as wide as the small eye. Pectorals falciform,
extending beyond end of. dorsal, length of their upper margin nearly four times that of lower. First
dorsal commencing very close behind axil of pectoral; origins of second dorsal and anal opposite each
other, the bases being nearly equally long. Caudal tin long, its length equal to distance between
origins of the two dorsal fins.
Color, gray, lower side of extremity of pectoral, extremities of second dorsal and anal, and of
lower caudal lobe, black. (Gunther).
Found in tropical seas, north to Florida; numerous specimens once taken at Woods Hole, Mass.;
common in Brazil; used as food by the very poor. Not seen by us in Porto Rico, but recorded from
there by Doctor Stahl.
Carcharias (Prionodon ) limbatus Muller & Henle, Plagiostomen, 49, 1838, Martinique.
Isogompliodon maculipimiis Poey. Repertorio, I. 191, pi. 4, tigs. 2 and 3, 1867, Cuba.
Carcharias miiller
i
Steindachner, Sitzb. Akad. Wiss. Wien 1867, 356, West Indies.
Carcharias microps Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1810, 38, Madeira.
Prionodon cucuri Castlenau, Anim. Non. I-tares. Amer. Sud, Poiss., 99, 1855, Baliia.
Platypoclon ! Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 348, 1881.
Platypodon maculipinnis, Stahl, 1. <?., 81 and 167, 1883.
Carcharhinus limbatus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 40, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 63
Family IV. SPHYRNID/F. The Hammer-head Sharks.
General characteristics of the Galeidx, but with the head singularly formed, kidney-shaped, or
Hammer-shaped, from extension of its sides, the nostrils being anterior and the eyes on the sides of
the hammer; mouth crescent-shaped, under hammer; teeth of both jaws similar, oblique, each with
a notch on the outside near base; no spiracles; last gill-opening over pectoral; first dorsal and pectorals
large, the dorsal nearer pectorals than ventrals; second dorsal and anal small; a pit at root of caudal;
caudal fin with a single notch toward its tip, its lower lobe developed.
One genus, with 5 species, inhabiting most warm seas. Large sharks, known at once by the
singular form of the head, which is not quite the same in any two species.
Genus 5. SPHYRNA Rafinesque.
Characters of the genus included above. In form of head there is a jierfeet gradation among the
species from a narrow hammer, with the lobes three times as long as broad and deeply grooved along
the anterior edge) to kidney shape, in which the anterior grooves are obsolete. Only one species of
this genus is known from Porto Rico.
n. Nostrils near eyes.
b. Nostril with frontal groove short or obsolete; lateral extension of head moderate, so that the head is rather kidney-
shaped than hammer-shaped.
Reniceps:
c. Nostril with groove obsolete; anterior and lateral margins of head confluent into a semicircle tiburo
Platysqualus:
ce. Nostril with a short groove; anterior margin of head curved, not continuous with lateral edges tildes
Sphyrna:
bb. Nostril with a well-developed groove, which extends along front of the hammer-shaped head, the anterior and
posterior outlines of which are nearly parallel zygsena
,
6
6. Sphyrna zygasna ( Linmeus). Hammer-head Shark; “Cornuda.”
Head truly hammer-shaped; width 41f head about twice its length; length of hinder margin of
hammer nearly equal to its width near eye, prolonged into a groove which runs along nearly the whole
front margin of head; first dorsal large, second quite small, smaller than anal; pectoral rather large.
Color, gray. A large, voracious shark, reaching a length of 15 feet or more; found in all warm seas;
occasional on our coasts from Cape Cod and from Point Concepcion southward. Not obtained by us,
but included on the authority of Professor Poey.
Squalu< zygsena Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 234, 1758, Europe: America.
Cestracion zygsena, I’oey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 348, 1881; Stahl, Fauna de Puerto Kico, 81 and 107, 1883.
Sphyrna zygsena, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 45, 1896.
Fig, 3.
—
Prislis pectinatus.
Family V. PRISTIDdi. The Saw-fishes.
Body elongate, depressed; pectoral fin moderate, front margin quite free, not extending to head;
snout produced into a very long, thin, flat blade, armed with series of strong tooth-like processes placed
in sockets along each edge; teeth in jaws minute, obtuse; gill-openings moderate, inferior; spiracles wide,
behind eye; nostrils inferior, no tentacles; no nictitating membrane; dorsal fins large, without spine,
the first nearly opposite ventrals. Caudal well developed, bent upward, a fold along each side of tail.
A single genus, with five or more species, inhabiting warm seas on sandy shores, sometimes
ascending rivers.
Genus 6. PRISTIS Latham.
Characters of genus included above.
a. Rostral teeth in 18 to 20 pairs: first dorsal chiefly before ventrals; caudal with a small lower lobe perrotteti
aa. Rostral teeth in 24 to 32 pairs; first dorsal opposite ventrals; caudal without lower lobe pectinatus, 7
64 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
7. Pristis pectinatus Latham. Common Saw-fish; “Pez Sierra.”
First dorsal over ventrals; second dorsal scarcely smaller than first; no lower caudal lobe. Saw
with 24 to 32 pairs of teeth, the posterior farther apart than the anterior. Found in the tropical seas
north to West Indies and Florida; abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, ascending the Lower Mississippi.
The species probably reaches a length of 20 feet. Not obtained by us, but included on the authority
of Professor Poey.
The saw-fish is abundant in Indian River, Florida, where it is permanently' resident. It is held in
much dread by the commercial fishermen on account of the damage which it does by becoming
entangled in their nets. The larger ones tear or cut the nets so seriously as to render them valueless,
while the smaller ones become entangled and can only be removed with great difficulty. Those seen
in Indian River usually do not exceed 3 feet in length, the saw included, but very large ones are
occasionally taken. It is said that one caught near Eau Gallie in October, 1895, was 12.5 feet long and
weighed 425 pounds. The largest reported by fishermen were 16 or 17 feet long.
Some interesting information concerning the young of the saw-fish is recorded. Mr. F. B. Everett
says that from a large female saw-fish he took a number of young which swam away when placed in
the water. The “saws” were enveloped in a membrane which soon disappeared in specimens left to
dry in the sun, and the teeth became visible. Mr. Stypmann, of Stuart, Fla., took 18 or 20 young from
a saw-fish about the 1st of July. The “saws” were well developed, but they, like the teeth, were soft
like leather. There is some variation in the number of teeth on the saw, and there is usually one more
tooth on one side than on the other. From a large number counted it appears that the usual numbers
are 25 and 26, respectively.
Another species of saw-fish (Pristis perrotteti Valenciennes) was described in 1838 from the Senegal
River, on the west coast of Africa. This is said to occur in the West Indies, and the saw-fish from the
Pacific coast of America north to Mazatlan has been identified with it. The Pacific coast species,
however, is now regarded as distinct, and has been named Pristis zephyreus Jordan & Starks. No
direct comparison has been made between specimens from the west coast of Africa and the West
Indies, and it may be that there is but the one species in the West Indies.
Pristis pectinatus Latham, Trans. Linn. Soc., II, 278, 1794, “in the ocean”; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 349, 1881;
Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 167, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, l.c.,60, 1896.
Pristis granulosa Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 352, 1801, Havana; after Parra.
Pristis mississippiensis Rafinesque, Ichth. Ohi., 80, 1820. Lower Mississippi River
Pristis megalodon DurmSril, Elasmobranches, 476, pi. 9, fig. 4, 1870, Cayenne.
Pristis acutirostris Dumeril, 1. c., 479, 1870, Martinique.
Family VI. DASYATIDtE. The Sting Rays.
Disk usually more or less broad than long; pectoral fins uninterruptedly confluent in front,
forming tip of snout; tail variously formed, usually whip-like, sometimes short and stout, sometimes
bearing a single dorsal or caudal fin, but never with two dorsals; usually one or more vertical folds
of skin on the tail, rarely a lateral fold. Tail generally armed with a large, sharp, retrorsely serrate
spine on its upper surface toward the base; 2 or 3 spines occasionally present. Ventral fins not
emarginate. Skin smooth or variously prickly or spinous, roughest in adult; no differentiated spines
on pectorals in males, the sexes being similar. Mouth rather small; teeth small, paved, usually more
or less pointed or tubercular. Nostrils close together; nasal valves forming a rectangular flap, which
is joined to upper jaw by a narrow frenum. Spiracles large, placed close behind eyes. Skull not
elevated, spiracles and eyes superior. Ovoviviparous.
Found in most warm seas, some of them in the fresh waters of the northern parts of South
America. Genera about 10; species 50. The large jagged spine on the muscular tail is capable of
inflicting a severe and even dangerous wound. Only two species of this family are as yet known from
Porto Rico, though doubtless others will be found.
a. Tail stout, provided with a rayed caudal fin; no dorsal fin; disk roundish; caudal spine strong Urolophus
aa. Tail slender, without caudal fin; pelvis without sword-shaped process. (Marine species.)
Dasyatinje:
b. Tail whip-like, longer than disk, which is rhomboid or roundish; caudal spine strong Dasyatis, 7
bb. Tail very short, shorter than the very broad, transversely rhombic disk; caudal spine weak, often wanting. No
trace of dorsal fin Pteroplatea
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 65
Genus 7. DASYATIS Rafinesque.
Disk oval, Hat, with rounded angles. Tail very long and slender, whip-like, without fin, hut
often with 1 or 2 vertical membranous folds; a strong, serrated spine toward base of tail. Skin more
or less spinous or prickly, rarely smooth. Teeth small, paved; a few papillae usually present in mouth
behind lower jaw.
This genus contains about 30 species; sting rays of large size abundant in warm seas. Many of
the spinous species are nearly or quite smooth when young, becoming rough with age. Some of our
species are yet imperfectly known and much of the synonymy is uncertain.
Hemitrygon:
a. Tail with a keel or wing-like expansion below only; adult with stout bucklers on back and tail; tail rough, more
than twice length of disk centrum
Dasyatis:
aa. Tail with a narrow keel or expansion both above and below.
b. Tail simply keeled above, with a wing-like expansion below.
c. Shoulder with 3 series of tubercles; tail less than twice length of disk hastata, 8
cc. Shoulder with fewer than 3 series of tubercles.
cl. Tail round, more than twice disk; back with strong tubercles; snout sharp gymnura
bb. Tail more or less compressed, with a wing-like expansion above, a larger one below.
e. Skin more or less prickly in adult, with a median series of tubercles on back sabina
ee. Skin nearly or quite smooth in adult; median line of back not prickly or with but one spine say
,
9
8. Dasyatis hastata (DeKay). Sting Ray; “Raya
Disk quadrangular, about one-fourth wider than long; anterior margins nearly straight, meeting
in a blunt angle on end of snout, curved near outer angle to meet slightly convex posterior margins;
inner border convex; outer and hinder angles rounded. Yentrals almost entirely covered by pecto-
rals, their hinder margins convex. Tail more than one and one-half times length of disk, low-keeled
on upper side, a long, broad, membranous expansion below, roughened with small asperities; one or
more serrated spines. Body smooth in young; very old with scattered, small asperities; a row of
narrow compressed tubercles along middle of back and on base of tail; points of tubercles depressed and
directed backward. On each shoulder, parallel with median row, is a shorter row, its length varying
according to age. Mouth with 3 papillae. Jaws with more curvature than those of IX centrura and less
than those of D. sabina; young without tubercles. Color, bluish or olivaceous-brown, pale below.
West Indies to Brazil; north to Florida. One female obtained at Hucares, whose length (of disk)
is 11.25 inches; tail, 15.5 inches; width of disk, 14.5 inches; a row of 12 spines along middle line of
back and a shorter lateral row of 2 or 3 spines on each side.
Trygon hastata DeKay, New York Fauna: Fishes, 373, pi. 65, fig. 214, 1842, Rhode Island.
Dasyatis hastata
,
Jordan & Evermann, l.c.,83, 1896.
9. Dasyatis say (Le Sueur). Southern Sting Ray; “Raya.”
Disk quadrangular, one-sixth wider than long, anterior margins nearly straight, posterior and
inner borders convex, outer and posterior angles rounded. Snout not protruding beyond lines of
margins. Yentrals rounded. Tail strong, rather more than one and one-half times length of disk,
with a strong serrated spine, bearing a short, low, cutaneous expansion behind spine on upper side,
and a longer, little wider one below, ending nearly opposite. Upper jaw undulated, lower prominent
in middle. Teeth small, smooth in young and females, sharp in adult males; 3 papillae at bottom of
mouth, and 1 at each side. Body and tail smooth.
Color, olive-brown in adult, reddish or yellowish in young; lower surface whitish.
This species closely resembles the European 1). pastinaca. In I). say the anterior margins form
a more blunt angle at end of snout, which is less prominent at apex; outer and posterior extremities
of pectoral rounder, posterior margin more convex, disk broader toward ventrals, and tail longer; in
D. pastinaca the lateral and hinder angles of pectoral and lateral angle of ventral are marked by blunted
corners; a single small, rounded tubercle on middle of back.
This ray is found from Carolina to Brazil. It is quite common in Florida, and is occasionally
taken as far northward as New York. Not obtained by us, but given on authority of Poey.
Raja say Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1, 1817,42, New Jersey.
? Trygon sayi, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 350, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 167, 1883.
Dasyatis say, Jordan 6c Evermann, 1. c., 86, 1896.
F. C. B. 1900—5
66 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Family VII. MYL10BATIDAE. The Eagle Rays.
Disk broad; pectoral tins not continued to end of snout, but ceasing on sides of head and reap-
pearing in front of snout as one or two fleshy protuberances (cephalic fins), which are supported by
fin rays. Tail very long and slender, whip-like, with a single dorsal fin near its root, behind which
is usually a strong retrorsely serrated spine. Nasal valves forming a rectangular flap, with posterior
margin free, attached by a frenum to upper jaw. Skull less depressed than usual among rays, its
surface raised so that the eyes and spiracles are lateral in position. Teeth hexangular, large, flat,
tessellated, middle ones usually broader than the others. Skin smooth; no differentiated spines on
pectorals in males, the sexes being similar. Ventrals not emarginate. Ovoviviparous.
Only a single species of this family is yet known from Porto Rico.
Aetobatina::
a. Teeth in a single series, very broad; muzzle entire Aetobatus, S
RHINOPTERINiE:
««. Teeth in several series, the middle series very broad.
b. Muzzle entire Myliobatis
bb. Muzzle emarginate; cephalic fins below level of disk Rhinoptera
Fig. 4 .—Aetobatus narinari, dorsal view.
Genus 8. AETOBATUS Blainville.
General form of Myliobatis. Muzzle entire. Teeth flat, broad, forming a single series correspond-
ing to the middle series in Myliobatis, there being no small lateral teeth. Upper dental lamina straight,
lower curved and projecting beyond upper. Free border of nasal valve deeply emarginate. Skin
smooth. Found in tropical seas.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 67
10. Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen) . Spotted Sting Ray; “Obispo’'’ ; “ Chucho.”
Disk nearly or quite twice as broad as long; tail very long, about 2.5 times length of disk; snout
7 in length of disk; distance from snout to eye 10 in width of disk; width of mouth 10 in length of
disk. A long furrow in middle of interorbital space, deepest in front; spiracles obliquely placed.
General color of whole upper surface light chocolate-brown, everywhere covered with roundish
or oblong pearly or bluish spots or blotches, largest about size of eye, smallest less than half as large;
under surface milky-white except margin of snout, which is dark-grav; tail uniform chocolate-brown;
iris yellowish-gray.
Found in tropical seas; north on our Atlantic coast to Virginia. One male seined at Culebra Island
February 9. This is one of the largest and most interesting of the rays. It is not uncommon on our
Florida coast, though the published records do not so indicate. It attains a length of 2 feet or more
exclusive of the tail, which is two to three times the length of the disk.
Raia narinari Euphrasen, Vet, Ak. Nya. Handl., XI, 1790, '217, Brazil; after Narinari of Marcgrave.
Myliobatis eellenkee Riippell, Neu. Wirb., 70, 1835, Red Sea.
Goniabatis macroptera McClelland, Calcutta Jour. Nat. Hist., I, 1841, 60, Bengal.
Aetobatus narinari, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 349, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 167,1883; Jordan* Evermann, l.c.,88, 1896.
68 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Family VIII. ANGUILEID/E. The True Eels.
The true eels are characterized by their scaly skin in association with a conical head and a
general resemblance to the congers.
Genus 9. ANGUILLA Shaw.
Bod}' elongate, compressed behind, covered with embedded linear scales placed obliquely, some
at right angles to others. Lateral line well developed. Head long, conical, moderately pointed, the
rather small eye well forward and over angle of mouth. Teeth small, subequal, in bands on each jaw
and a long patch on vomer. Tongue free at tip. Lips rather full, with free margin behind, attached
by a frenum in front. Lower jaw projecting. Gill-openings rather small, slit-like, about as wide as
base of pectorals and partly below them. Nostrils superior, well separated, the anterior with a slight
tube. Vent close in front of anal. Dorsal inserted at some distance from head, confluent with anal
around tail. Pectoral well developed.
Found in most warm seas (the eastern Pacific excepted), ascending streams, but mostly spawning
in the sea. They often move for a considerable distance on land, in damp grass, and in this way pass
waterfalls, dams, and other obstructions. It is thought that they spawn only in the sea, the female
dying after having once produced ova. The females are larger than the males, paler in color, with
smaller eyes and higher fins. Eels are among the most voracious of fishes. “On their hunting excur-
sions they overturn alike huge and small stones, beneath which they find species of shrimp and crawfish,
of which they are excessively fond. Their noses are poked into every imaginable hole in their search
for food, to the terror of innumerable small fishes.”
11. Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque. “Anguilla”; Common Eel.
(Plate 1.)
Head 3.2 in trunk; depth 5.8; eye 1.8 in snout; snout 5.5 in head; interorbital 5.4.
Body elongate, compressed behind, covered with linear embedded scales obliquely placed in
groups, the scales of which are at right angles to those of adjoining groups; lateral line well developed;
head long, conic, pointed; eye situated over angle of mouth; lower jaw projecting; fine conic teeth in
bands on each jaw and on vomer; the gill-openings are vertical slits in front of and partly below pectoral
;
dorsal inserted far back of head, but considerably in front of vent; anal commencing shortly behind
vent, confluent with dorsal around the tail, forming a caudal fin.
Atlantic coast of the United States, and Mississippi Valley; abundant from Maine to Mexico,
ascending all rivers south of Canada and east of the Rocky Mountains. Common in the West Indies
and highly valued as a food-fish. It is caught in considerable numbers in Porto Rico in the small
bamboo traps or “nasas” set in the small rivers.
Six examples, the smallest 4 inches long, the largest over 2 feet, from San Juan market and Baya-
mon River at Bayamon, the smallest one from the sea at Mayaguez.
Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque, Amer. Month. Mag. and Crit. Rev. 1817, 120, Lake George; Hudson River; Lake Champlain;
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 348, 1896.
Anguilla blephura Rafinesque, Amer. Month. Mag. and Crit. Rev. 1817, 120, Long Island.
Anguilla laticauda Rafinesque, Amer. Month. Mag. and Crit. Rev. 1817, 445, Ohio River.
Anguilla aterrima Rafinesque, Ich. Ohiensis, 78, 1820, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.
Anguilla xanlhomelas Rafinesque, Ich. Ohiensis, 78, 1820, Ohio River.
Anguilla lutca Rafinesque, Ich. Ohiensis, 78, 1820, Ohio River.
Murxna rostrata Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci Phila. 1821, 81, Cayuga Lake, New York.
Murxna bostoniensis Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1821, 81, Boston.
Murxna serpentina Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1821, 82, Newport, Ii. I.
Murxna macrocephala Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1821, 82, Saratoga, N. Y.
Murxna argcntea Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1821, 82, Boston Bay.
Anguilla lenuiroslris Do Kay, Fishes New York, 310, 1842, New York.
Anguilla novxorleanevsis Kaup, Apodes, 43, fig. 33, 1856, New Orleans, La.
Anguilla pundatissima Kaup, Apodes, 44, 1856, Niagara River.
Anguilla cubana Kaup, Apodes, 44, 1856, Cuba.
Anguilla novxterrce Kaup, Apodes, 45, fig, 35, 1856, Newfoundland.
Anguilla tezana Kaup, Apodes, 45, fig. 36, 1856, Texas.
Anguilla wabashensis Kaup, Apodes, 46, 1856, Wabash River.
Anguilla tyrannus Girard, U. S. and Mexican Bound. Surv., 75, 1859, Rio Grande.
Murxna anguilla. Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 344,1881,
Murxna cubana, Stahl, 1. e., 166, 1883.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 69
Family IX. EEPTOCEPRALIDdi. The Conger Eels.
This family includes those eels which are scaleless, and have the tongue largely free in front; body
moderately elongate, end of tail surrounded by a fin; posterior nostril remote from upper lip and near
front of eye, and pectoral fins well developed. All the species are plainly colored, grayish or dusky
above, silvery below, and the dorsal edged with black.
Genera 3, species about 15; in most warm seas, usually at moderate depths. Most of the species
undergo a metamorphosis, the young being loosely organized and transparent, band-shaped, and with
very small head. The body grows smaller with increased age, owing to compacting of the tissues.
a. Vomerine teeth in bands, none of them canine-like; lips thick.
b. Dorsal fin inserted at a point behind base of pectoral, but nearer pectoral than vent; head with inconspicuous
mucus cavities; jaws with an outer series of close-set teeth, forming a cutting edge; tail about half longer than
rest of body Leptocephalus, 10
bb. Dorsal lin beginning over the gill-opening; bones of front of head with large muciferous cavities; mouth rather
small; jaws with bands of small teeth, the outer not forming a cutting edge; tail from half to two-thirds of
total length Congermurjbna
aa. Vomerine teeth uniserial, some of them canine-like; maxillary teeth biserial; dorsal beginning above root of pec
toral; cleft of mouth extending beyond middle of eye; tail very long and slender, about half longer than rest
of body Uroconger
Fig. 6.—Leptocephalus conger.
Genus 10. LEPTOCEPHALUS (Gronow) Scopoli.
Body formed as in Anguilla, skin scaleless. Head depressed above, anteriorly pointed. Lateral
line present. Mouth wide, its cleft extending at least to below middle of eye. Teeth in outer series
in each jaw equal and close-set, forming a cutting edge; no canines; band of vomerine teeth short.
Tongue anteriorly free. Vertical fins well developed, confluent around tail; pectoral fins well devel-
oped; dorsal beginning close behind pectorals. Gill-openings rather large, low. Eyes well developed;
posterior nostril near eye, the anterior near tip of snout, with short tube. Lower jaw not projecting.
Skeleton differing in numerous respects from that of Anguilla. Vertebrae about 56+100.
This genus is found in most warm seas, and contains the well-known and widely distributed conger
eel and three or four closely related species. The earliest generic name used for members of the group
is Leptocephalus, based on a curious, elongate, transparent, band-like creature, with minute head and
very small mouth, found in the waters of Europe, and known as Leptocephalus morrissi. This has been
shown by Gill, Gunther, and Facciola to be the young and larval form of Leptocephalus conger. A
number of the genera and species of the supposed family of Leptocephalidie have been described, but
there is no doubt that all of them are larvae, some of eels, as Conger, Congermursena, Ophisurus, and
Neitastoma, others of Isospondylous fishes, as Albula, Elops, Alepocephalus, Stomias, etc. (See Gunther,
Cat,., viii, 136. ) It is thought by Dr. Gunther that the Leptocephalid forms are probably “individuals
arrested in the development at a very early period of their life, yet continuing to grow to a certain
size, without corresponding development of their internal organs, and perishing without having attained
the characters of the perfect animal.” The recent observations of Dr. Gilbert on the larvse of Albula,
Elops, and Conger, however, seem to point to the conclusion that these curious forms are normal young,
and that the individuals grow smaller in size for a time with increased age, owing to the increasing
compactness of the tissues.
a. Dorsal beginning nearly opposite tip of pectoral; head about 1.8 in trunk conger, 12
aa. Dorsal fin beginning above middle of pectoral; head about 1.6 in trunk caudilimbatus
70 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
12. Leptocephalus conger (Linnaeus) . Conger Eel; Congrio.
Dorsal beginning opposite or just behind tip of pectoral; eye 1.5 in snout, 5 to 6 in head; snout
3.25 to 4.25 in head; gape extending nearly or quite to posterior margin of eye; head 1.8 to 1.86 in
trunk; tail longer than rest of body; pectoral 3.5 in head; upper lip full, with conspicuous pores.
Ashy-gray or blackish; vertical fins with black margin; body sometimes (var. niger) entirely black.
Atlantic Ocean, generally common on both coasts, from Cape Cod to Brazil; also on coasts of Asia
and Africa; almost cosmopolitan, but not found in the eastern Pacific. It reaches a length of 8 feet,
and is an important food-fish, especially in Europe. Recorded by Dr. Stahl; not obtained by us in
Porto Rico.
() Larval Forms.
Leptocephalus morrissi Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1150, 1788, Holyhead, England.
Ophidium pellucidum Couch, Lond. Mag. Nat. Hist., V, 1832, 313, 742, England.
Leptocephalus gracilis Storer, Mem. Amer. Acad., II, 524, 1839, Massachusetts.
Leptocephalus spallanzanii, candidissimus, etc., of European writers.
() Adult Forms.
Mursena supremo margine pinnse dorsalis nigro Artedi, Synon., 40, 2, 1738, Mediterranean.
Mursena conger Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., X, 245, 1758, Mediterranean Sea; based on Artedi.
Mursena nigra Risso, Ich. Nice, 93, 1810 (black variety), Nice.
Anguilla oceanica Mitehill, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1818, 407, off New York.
Conger verus Risso, Eur. M<5r., Ill, 201,1826, Nice.
Conger vulgaris Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. II, vol. 2, 350, 1829, France; Gunther, Cat., VIII, 38, 1870.
Conger rubescens Ranzani, He Novis Spec. Pise. Diss. Prima, 19, pi. V, fig. 5, 1838, Mediterranean.
Ophisoma obtusa Swainson, Fish., Rep., and Amph., II, 395, 1839, Sicily.
Conger orbignyanus Valenciennes, D’Orbigny, Voy. Am. M5rid., Poiss., pi. 12, 2, 1839, South America.
Conger esculentus Poey, Memorias, II, 346, 1860, Cuba; Stahl, l.c., 80, 1883 (misprinted "Conges”).
Leptocephalus conger, Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 354, 1896.
Family X. MUR£NESOCID£.
Scaleless anguilloid eels, with posterior nostril not labial, tongue largely adnate, jaws not excess-
ively elongate, end of tail surrounded by caudal fin, and pectoral fins well developed. None of these
characters appears to have in itself great importance, but, according to Dr. Gill, in the genus Murse-
nesox, the only genus in which the osteology is well known, the characters are such as fully to justify
family distinction.
Dr. Gill gives the following diagnosis of the Murxnesocidse
:
“ Enchelycephalous Apodals with
the tongue not free, the branchiostegal membrane connecting the opposite sides below, the epipharyn-
geals reduced to one pair, and the hypopharyngeals linguiform and encroaching on the fourth
branchial arch.” To this should be added: Gill-openings rather wide; pectoral fins well developed;
jaws of moderate length; vomer well armed.
Whether all these characters are found in the other genera commonly associated with the Murse-
nesox is not yet known. The family, as understood by us, seems divisible into two well-marked
groups, which are, perhaps, as distinct from each other as from the Echelidse or the Congridte. The
species of this family are not very numerous, and a large proportion are American. In general
appearance and habits they approach the congers. All are plainly colored, and some descend to
rather deep water. One genus represented in Porto Rico.
MURAiNESOCINAi:
a. Dorsal and anal fins well developed throughout, the dorsal beginning nearly above gill-opening; snout moderately
produced; vomerine teeth very strong.
b. Teeth in jaws in several series; gill-openings wide Mur.enesox, 11
bb. Teeth in jaws biserial, small; vomer with a series of long, pointed canines; tail about four times as iong as rest of
body; gill-openings narrow Hoplunnis
Stilbiscin^;:
aa. Dorsal and anal fins very low anteriorly, developed chiefly on the tail.
c. Tail about as long as rest of body; teeth moderate; dorsal beginning before the vent. Body moderately elongate,
diameter more than one-thirtieth the length; dorsal beginning just before vent Neoconger
cc. Tail short, little more than half as long as rest of body; teeth all uniserial, unequal, some of them canine-like;
body very slender, whip-shaped.
d. Dorsal fin beginning not far behind pectoral Leptoconger
dd. Dorsal fin beginning behind the vent Stilbiscus
ddd. Dorsal fin beginning close behind the nape Gordiichthys
THE FISHES OF POETO EIOO. 71
Genus 11. MTJRJENESOX McClelland.
Body robust. Dorsal and anal fins well developed, dorsal beginning nearly above gill-opening.
Mouth large, teeth in jaws in several series, those of one series enlarged and depressed, forming long
canines in front; vomer with several long series of teeth, the middle one of strong canines.
This genus contains numerous species, large, conger-like eels, some of which are found in all warm
seas. They are remarkable for the strong armature of the vomer. One species known from Porto
Eico.
13. Mursenesox savanna (Cuvier).
Median series of teeth on vomer distinctly tricuspidate in the young, becoming entire with age,
with nearly even surface; pectorals as long as maxillary, 2.66 in head; eye 2 in snout, which is 4.5 in
head; dorsal inserted over gill-opening.
Brown above, silvery below; dorsal and anal edged with black.
Cuba to Rio Janeiro, not common; occasional in the Mediterranean Sea. Not obtained by us in
Porto Rico, but included on authority of Poey.
Mursena savanna Cuvier, R£gne Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 350, 1829, Martinique.
Conger brasiliensis Ranzani, Nov. Spec. Pise. Diss. Prima, IV, 17, pi. 13, fig. 1, 1838, Brazil.
Congrus curvidens Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, 111, 1844, no locality given.
Cynoponticusferox Costa, Fauna Napoli, Pesc., pi. 28, 1854, Naples.
Conger limbatus Castlenau, Anim. Am. Sud, 83, pi. 43, fig. 3, 1855, Rio Janeiro.
Mursenesox savanna, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 344, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 166, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 360, 1896.
Family XI. MORINGUID/E. The Whip Eels.
Excessively elongate eels, with the abdominal cavity forming two-thirds of the length (the anus
opening about the commencement of the last third) and the heart far behind gills. Body scaleless;
cylindrical, with the trunk much longer than the tail; pectorals none or small; vertical fins but little
developed, limited to the tail; posterior nostril in front of small eye; cleft of mouth narrow; teeth
uniserial; gill-opening rather narrow, inferior.
Genus 13. APHTHALMICHTHYS Kaup.
Characters of the genus included above.
14. Aphthalmichthys caribbeus Gill & Smith.
Body exceedingly long and slender, the trunk of uniform depth throughout and not compressed,
post-anal part of body slightly compressed. Head long, not conspicuously wider than body, its length
contained 13 times in total length of fish, nearly 9 times in distance between snout and vent, and 4
times in tail. Anterior nostrils large and tubular, at end of snout; posterior nostrils large, immediately
in front of eye. Length of snout one-seventh that of head. Gape equal to depth of body, about one-
fourth length of head extending considerably beyond eye. Lower jaw projecting. Teeth rather large,
canine, retrorse, uniserial, a single row of small teeth on vomer. Eye very small and rudimentary,
little larger than the posterior nostril, and contained over 20 times in length of head and 3 times in
snout. Interorbital narrow, about half length of snout. Depth of body contained 54 times in total
length, 4.2 times in head. About the length of the head behind vent, a narrow, shallow groove extends
backward on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces; in this groove the dorsal and anal fins exist as low
ridges, and are entirely undeveloped until about length of head from end of body; they then become
less than half a millimeter in height and are confluent around the blunt tail. The pectoral is a mere
rudiment lying on the upper posterior edge of the gill-slit and is less than half the length of the latter.
The branchial openings are nearly vertical slits, about twice length of eye, and separated from each
other by a space equal to 1.5 times their length. The ventral opening is situated a little more than
two-thirds the distance from snout to end of tail. A series of large circular pores along lateral line.
Color in life, a uniform grayish-olive, without markings. The type, 270 mm. long, collected
among coral ( Pontes ) at San Geronimo, Porto Rico, by Mr. George M. Gray.
72 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
The following table gives the measurements:
Measurements. Milli-
meters.
Measurements. Milli-
meters.
Length 270
21
185
85
5
4.5
5
5
3
2.5
21
21
21
16
Length of head
Length of head and trunk
Length of post-ventral region
Depth at gill-slit
Depth at vent
Dorsal groove behind vent
Anal groove behind vent
Dorsal fin appears above surface, in
Depth at dorsal origin
Length of gape
Anal fin appears above surface, in
front of end of tail about
AphUialmiethys caribbeus Gill & Smith, Science, n. s., vol. XI, Nos. 286, 973, June 22, 1900, San Geronimo, Porto Rico.
Family XII. MYRIDtE. The Worm Eels.
End of tail surrounded by the confluent vertical fins; posterior nostril in, or very near, upper
lip, the tongue more or less full}' adnate to the floor of the mouth. The species are usually of small
size and plain colors, more or less worm-like in form, and inhabit sandy coasts in tropical seas. The
genera have but few species each. They are intermediate in character between the Ophichthyidx and
the Murxnesocidse. The osteology has not been carefully studied, but they will probably be found to
be most nearly related to the latter family, if indeed the two should not be, as in Bleeker’s arrangement,
reunited with the Leptocephalidx.
n. Body elongate, subterete; pectoral present, sometimes minute; anterior nostril tubular; dorsal fin beginning
behind head; teeth small.
b. Dorsal fin beginning behind vent; no teeth on vomer; teeth mostly uniserial; body slender, terete Ahlia
bb. Dorsal fin beginning before vent; vomer with teeth.
c. Dorsal beginning at a point about midway between gill-opening and vent; pectoral very small; teeth subequal;
body slender, terete; tail much longer than rest of body Myrophis
an. Body short, much compressed; pectoral almost invisible; mouth narrow; snout obtuse, depressed; vertical fins
well developed, dorsal beginning behind gill-opening Chilorhinus, 13
Genus 13. CHILORHINUS Liitken.
Body short, much compressed, especially posteriorly; mouth narrow, lower jaw slightly the
shorter; snout depressed, obtuse, two rows of short conic or incisor-like teeth on each palatine and a
group of similar teeth on nasals, back of which is a large tooth on anterior end of vomer; teeth on
lower jaw triserial; pectoral fin very minute; vertical fins well developed, dorsal commencing behind
gill-opening. One species known.
15. Chilorhinus suensonii Liitken. Worm Eel.
Head 5; depth 14.4; eye 8; snout6.3; interorbital 5.6; cleft of mouth 3.6 in head; head and trunk
a little less than half total length; dorsal fin beginning a short distance back of gill-opening, slightly
nearer vent than tip of snout.
Body elongate, trunk slightly compressed anteriorly, much so posteriorly; head large, deeper and
wider than body, its width somewhat greater than its depth, its upper surface convex; snout slightly
tapering, rather broadly truncate; eye chiefly lateral, posterior border just above the angle of mouth;
cleft of mouth horizontal, lower jaw included, lips fleshy, upper slightly overhanging the closed mouth,
its outline somewhat irregular; a double series of short canine-like teeth on each palatine, similar teeth
on nasals, behind which is a large tooth on vomer; teeth on lower jaw triserial; anterior nostril in a
short tube well forward at edge of lip, directed downward; posterior nostril without tube, opening in
lower part of upper lip just in front of eye, scarcely visible when mouth is closed; skin not firmly
attached to body, more or less movable, especially full and loose about head, where it is gathered into
longitudinal folds; dorsal and anal regular in outline, somewhat lower near their confluence; anal very
slightly lower than dorsal, each with numerous rays; lateral line present, being a straight shallow
groove running nearer dorsal outline anteriorly, containing a series of muciferous pores.
Color in spirits: Nearly everywhere uniform dark-brown; belly and ventral surface of head white.
Twenty-seven individuals, from 1.5 to 4.4 inches in length, were collected at Mayaguez, Ponce,
Arroyo, Hucares, and Boqueron. Hitherto known only from St. Croix, Danish West Indies.
Chilorhinus suensonii Liitken, Vid. Med. Naturg. Foren. Kjoben., I, 1851, St. Croix; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c. 372, 1896.
THE FISHES OE PORTO EICO. 73
Family XIII. OPHICHTHYM. The Snake Eels.
This family includes those enchelycephalous eels which are scaleless and have the end of the ia.il
projecting beyond dorsal and anal fins, and without rudiment of a caudal fin. Anterior nostrils placed
in upper lip, opening downward; gill-openings not confluent; tongue more or less fully adnate to floor
of mouth. Species usually moderate or small in size, very abundant in tropical seas, especially about
coral reefs. The eggs are numerous, of moderate size, similar to those of ordinary Ashes.
Of 12 genera of this family occurring in America only 4 are known to have species in Porto Rico.
a. Body without traces of fins anywhere; teeth all small, conical; gill-openings near together, subinferior; anterior
nostril tubular; tongue scarcely free in front; mouth small.
b. Gill-slits inferior, converging forward _ Sphagebranchus, 14
bb., Gill-slits small, lateral, placed vertically Verma
aa. Body with distinct fins, at least on back.
c. Anal fin wholly wanting; no pectoral fin; dorsal fin high, beginning on head; gill-openings subinferior, converging;
anterior nostrils tubular; tongue slender, somewhat free in front Letharchus
cc. Anal fin well developed; anterior nostril usually in a short tube near tip of snout.
d. Teeth blunt, mostly granular or molar; vomer with teeth; pectoral fins present, small.
e. Dorsal rather high, beginning on head, before gill-opening Myrichthys, 15
ee. Dorsal fin beginning behind gill-opening, fin usually low Pisoodonophis
dd. Teeth all pointed, none of them molar; vomer with teeth.
/. Dorsal fin beginning before nape, on anterior part of head; pectoral fin small or wanting.
g. Pectoral fins wholly wanting; body compressed, dorsal fin high Callechelys
gg. Pectoral fins small, but present; body elongate, subterete, dorsal fin moderate Bascanichthys
ff. Dorsal fin beginning more or less behind gill-opening.
h. Teeth subequal, with no elongate canines on jaws or vomer Ophichthus, 1C
hh. Teeth unequal, some of them long canines, either on vomer or on sides of one or both jaws; mouth large, snout
short, and eyes more or less superior Mystriophis
Genus 14. SPHAGEBRANCHUS Bloch.
This genus contains several little-known species of small eels remarkable for showing no trace of
fins in the adult stage. The snout projects beyond the small mouth, giving a shark-like profile, and
the small teeth are mostly uniserial. Gill-slits inferior and converging. The name Sphagebranchus
was based on a species which evidently belongs to the genus. It has, therefore, clear priority over
Ichthyapus and Apterichthys.
This genus is the most simple in structure among the genera of Ophichthyidse, as Ophichthus is
probably the most specialized. Its loss of fins is doubtless due to degeneration, but it seems nearer
the primitive type than Brachysomophis or Ophichthus. Only one species obtained in Porto Rico.
a. Head 6 times in trunk anguiformis
aa. Head little more than 4 times in trunk.
b. Color brown, head mottled selacJiops
bb. Color greenish, without mottlings ophioneus, 16
16. Sphagebranchus ophioneus Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 4.5 in distance from tip of snout to vent, 12.5 in total length; depth of trunk 48 times in
total length, depth of head 36 times; distance from tip of snout to vent 2.8 in total length; snout 6 in
head, mandible 2.5, interorbital 12.7.
Body cylindrical, tail tapering; longest diameter of head greater than that of body; head forward
of occipital region long, slender, conic, and sharply pointed; eye minute; mouth inferior, the pointed
snout far overhanging, tip of lower jaw considerably in front of eye; teeth numerous, directed back-
ward, conic, sharp, depressible, uniserial in each jaw and on vomer; roof of mouth not entirely covered
by lower jaw, exposing a triangular space in front of its tip, a single tooth exposed in front on median
line when the mouth is closed; in the preserved specimen the tooth next behind on each side is also
exposed, probably due to the contraction of the fleshy tip of lower jaw; a few fleshy papilla; at edge of
upper lip on each side opposite tip of lower jaw; nostrils not tubular, the anterior on ventral side of
fleshy tip of snout, the entrance guarded by a pair of fleshy papillae; the posterior in upper lip just
behind tip of lower jaw which covers nostril when mouth is closed; a row of muciferous pores on each
ramus of mandible; scattered pores about snout, behind eyes and along upper lip, and a transverse row
across head at occiput; lateral line distinct, complete, and continuous, commencing on side of head and
extending to tip of tail, consisting of a slight elevation of the integument, the pores arranged at regular
74 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
intervals along its lower edge; gill-slits 5.4 in head, entirely inferior, converging anteriorly where they
are very narrowly separated; skin over branchial chambers with longitudinal plications.
Color in spirits: Everywhere pale-green, without evident markings; traces of a faint yellowish
area on side of head, in front of occiput, and on snout; tip of snout a little darker.
One specimen, the type (No. 4952G U.S.N.M.) 11.25 inches long, dredged in 4 fathoms at Fish
Hawk Station 6065, off Mayaguez, Porto Rico, January 20.
Genus 15. MYRICHTHYS Girard.
\
Teeth mostly blunt and molar; pectoral fins small; dorsal beginning on head before gill-opening;
otherwise essentially as in Ophichthus. Coloration variegated. Species numerous, found in most trop-
ical seas. Only one of the three American species known from Porto Rico.
a. Spots on body large, black, most of them with a distinct pale center, the ground-color paler oculatus, 17
aa. Spots on body large, round, nearly whitish in color, the ground-color dark acuminatus
17. Myrichthys oculatus (Kaup).
Head 4.2 in trunk (tip of snout to vent); eye 2.5 in snout; interorbital 6 in head, slightly shorter
than snout; cleft of mouth 3.25 in head.
Body scaleless, very slender, tail tapering to a point, without caudal fin; dorsal and anal fins not
continuous around it; dorsal low, commencing on head far in advance of gill-opening, extending almost
to tip of tail; anal similar, shorter and lower; pectoral reduced to a thin, narrow, membranaceous flap
immediately behind gill-opening; anterior profile of head straight, making an angle of 45° with the
horizontal mouth; eye very small; nostril tubular, on side of tip of snout; lower jaw considerably
the shorter, upper overhanging, exposing some of the teeth, which are all small, molar, and scarcely
elevated.
Color in spirits: Body grayish, trunk paler below; side with two rows of about 35 large roundish
black spots not sharply circumscribed, the center of each with a small pale spot, upper row close to
dorsal fin, other row just below, the spots above alternating with those below; a large dark spot on
the head in front of the dorsal; lower jaw and snout with numerous much smaller dark spots, some
of these with a pale center; dorsal with dark-brown edge and many diffuse blotches of same; anal pale,
unmarked.
Tropical Atlantic, Cuba to Surinam, and Cape Verde Islands. One specimen, nearly 2 feet lg,on
collected at Hucares, Porto Rico.
Pisoodonophis oculatus Kaup, Apodes, 22, 1856, Curasao.
Ophisurus latimaculatus Poey, Repertorio, II, 252, pi. 3, fig. 1, 1867, Cuba.
Ophichthys latimaculatus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 345, 1881.
Myrichthys oculatus, Jordan & Evernmnn, 1. c., 376, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 75
Genus 16. OPHICHTHUS Thunberg & Ahl.
This genus contains all the ophisuroid eels which have sharp teeth, no marked canines, well-
developed pectoral fins, and dorsal inserted behind head. The species are very numerous in the
tropical seas, and many attempts have been made to split the group into smaller genera. Notwith-
standing the great differences when extremes are compared, these small genera can not be well
defined. Only one of the ten American species is known from Porto Rico.
a. Teeth of upper jaw in two or three series.
b. Teeth of lower jaw uniseriai, or nearly so; vomerine teeth in one series or slightly biserial in front.
Cryptopterus:
c. Coloration uniform, or nearly so ; teeth of lower jaw not quite uniserial ; tail half longer than rest of
body puncticeps
Ophichthus:
rr. Coloration not uniform; anterior teeth slightly enlarged; eye rather large, nearly median.
d. Sides of body with large, round, black spots; head with smaller ones; dorsal inserted opposite tip of pec-
toral- havannensis
dd. Sides of body with large, round, whitish spots; dorsal inserted behind tip of pectoral retropinnis
bb. Teeth of lower jaw in two to four series.
Mur-ENopsis:
e. Vomerine teeth in one row; anterior teeth of jaws or vomer sometimes enlarged; teeth in both jaws biserial,
those of inner series sometimes small and turned inward.
/. Dorsal beginning an eye’s diameter behind tip of pectoral guttifer
ff. Dorsal beginning over or just before tip of pectoral ncellatus
SCYTALOPHIS
:
ee. Vomerine teeth biserial throughout; teeth in both jaws biserial, subequal; no canines. Color plain-brownish.
g. Eye large, more than half length of snout.
li. Head rather short, 2.5 to 3 in trunk gomesii, 18
hh. Head long, 1.75 to 2.25 in trunk; pectoral a little longer than gape magnioculis
gg. Eye small, 2.5 in snout; gill-opening narrow; anterior nostril with long tube; pectoral longer than gape... parilis
18. Ophicthus gomesii (Castelnau). Sea Serpent.
Head 2.8 in trunk; head and trunk 2 in tail; eye about equal to interorbital space, 1.5 in snout,
which is 6 in head; pectoral 2.8 in head; teeth small, sharp and subequal, biserial on each jaw and
on vomer; upper jaw the longer; pores on head and lower jaw; dorsal and anal very low.
Color in spirits: Everywhere brownish above, color laid on in a multitude of very small brown
points somewhat in rows, on a yellow ground; ventral surface yellow with a few brown points; side
of head and lower jaw with dusky spots; dorsal edge of pectoral with dusky. points.
South Carolina to Rio Janeiro; generally common, especially about the Florida Keys and Cuba.
One example 8.5 inches long collected at Mayaguez.
Ophisurus gomesii Castelnau, Anim. Amer. Sud, 84, pi. 44, fig. 2, 1855, Rio Janeiro.
Ophisurus chrysops Poey
,
Memorias, II, 321, 1867, Havana.
Oxydontichthys brachyurus Poey, Synopsis, 426, 1868, Havana.
OxydonticMhys macrurus Poey, Anal. Soc. Hist. Nat. Esp.
,
1880, 254, Havana.
Ophicthus gomesii
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 384, 1896.
Family XIV. MIMNIM. The Morays.
The Mursenidse represent the most degenerate type of eels so far as the skeleton is concerned, and
are doubtless the farthest removed from the more typical fishes from which the eels have descended.
The essential characters of the family are thus stated by Dr. Gill: “ Colocephalous apodals with conic
head, fully developed opercular apparatus, long and wide ethmoid, posterior maxillines, pauciserial
teeth, roundish, lateral branchial apertures, diversiform vertical fins, pectoral fins (typically) sup-
pressed, scaleless skin, restricted interbranchial slits, and very imperfect branchial skeleton, with the
fourth branchial arch modified, strengthened, and supporting pharyngeal jaws.”
The morays may be readily distinguished from other eels by their small round gill-openings and
by absence of pectorals. The body and fins are covered by a thick leathery skin, the occipital region
is elevated through the development of the strong muscles which move the lower jaw, and the jaws are
usually narrow and armed with knife-like or else molar teeth. They inhabit tropical and subtropical
waters, being especially abundant in crevices about coral reefs. Many of the species reach a large
size, and all are voracious and pugnacious. Coloration usually strongly marked, the color cells being
highly specialized. Only two of the eight American genera represented in Porto Rico.
76 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
a. Vertical fins well developed, dorsal beginning before vent.
b. Posterior nostril an oblong slit; anterior in a short tube; teeth all pointed; dorsal beginning above gill-opening;
canine teeth strong: tail moderate Enchelycore
bb. Posterior nostril circular, with or without tube; tail moderate, not twice as long as trunk; body not excessively
elongate.
c. Teeth all, or nearly all, acute, none of those in jaws obtuse or molar-like.
d. Anterior nostrils without tube; vomerine teeth in many series; lips with a free fold Pythonichthys
del. Anterior nostrils each with a long tube; vomerine teeth in one or two series; lips continuous with skin of head.
e. Posterior nostrils without tube, margins sometimes slightly raised.
f. Dorsal fin inserted behind head, over or behind the gill-opening Rabula
ff. Dorsal fin inserted on head, considerably before gill-opening Lycodontis, 17
ee. Posterior nostrils as well as anterior each in a conspicuous tube-. Mur^na
cc. Teeth mostly obtuse, molar-like; only anterior nostrils tubular; cleft of mouth rather short; dorsal beginning
before gill-opening Echidna, 18
aa. Vertical fins rudimentary, confined to end of tail (often appreciable only on dissection, or altogether wanting);
teeth rather small, pointed, subequal, in several series; posterior nostril round, with a short tube, or none,
Channomur.ena
Genus 17. LYCODONTIS McClelland.
This genus, as here understood, comprises the great bulk of the Murxnidx, including all the
species with sharp teeth, the body normally formed, anterior nostrils only tubular, and the dorsal fin
beginning on head. Priodonophis with serrated teeth has been recognized as a distinct genus by
Bleeker, but the character in question disappears by degrees and seems not to be suitable for- generic
distinction. The morays of this genus are everywhere abundant in tropical seas, where some reach a
great size. They are the most active and voracious of the eels, often showing much pugnacity. Most
of them live in shallow water about rocks or reefs. Four species known from Porto Rico.
a. Teeth all entire, with no serrations anywhere, and none of them with basal lobes.
b. Body without small, round, bluish-white or yellow spots, the spots, if any, blackish or dull-grayish; dorsal without
distinct paler margin, or with merely the very edge whitish.
c. Dorsal with a distinct black margin; anal with a pale edge; teeth uniserial vicinus
cc. Dorsal without distinct, darker margin, its border colored nearly or quite like rest of fin.
d. Body and tail covered with close-set dark points; tail longer than rest of body virescens
dd. Body and tail not covered with close-set dark points.
c. Color olivaceous or brownish, with conspicuous markings, marblings or spots darker than the ground-color; belly
without distinct transverse lines, marked like the back and sides; tail slightly longer than rest of body.
/. Dark markings forming narrow reticulations, never rounded spots; these reticulations dark-lilac in color, covering
back and sides, some of them inclosing irregular polygons polygonius
ff. Dark markings in the form of rounded spots, more or less confluent, sometimes obscuring the pale ground-
color , moringa, 19
ee. Color dark-brown, dark-green, or blackish, either plain or with faint markings.
g. Belly with black, wavy, transverse lines; no dark lines along dorsal fin mordax
gg. Belly without black transverse lines; body nearly plain dark olive-brown.
h. Dorsal and anal with dark longitudinal streaks; chin pale but not white funebris, 20
hh. Dorsal and anal without dark longitudinal streaks; chin white albimentis
,
21
eee. Color brownish-black with irregular pale-grayish spots of various sizes; margin of anal not pale; cleft of mouth
less than half head sanctse-helense
bb. Body with distinct small spots, blue, white, or yellow.
i. Dorsal and anal without distinct colored margin; pale spots mostly smaller than eye.
j. Teeth of upper jaw uniserial.
k. Vomerine teeth uniserial; spots irregular, few, and scattered; dorsal colored like back.
kk. Vomerine teeth biserial; entire body covered with small blue dots; dorsal with vertical bluish streaks. . conspersus
jj. Teeth of upper jaw biserial; body with small yellow spots.
l. Vomerine teeth uniserial, mostly small and rounded; color nearly uniform from head to tail; spots innumer-
able miliaris
ll. Vomerine teeth biserial, small and rounded; color dark-brown, with yellow points excessively numerous, elaboratus
ii. Dorsal with a blackish border, interrupted with white; anal with white markings; body with close-set, irregular
pale spots.
m. Body greenish, marbled with brownish, almost obscured by the ground-color obscuratus
vim. Body rich-yellow or tawny; head and body covered with small, round, white spots jordani
,
22
Priodonophis:
aa. Teeth serrate, more or less.
n. Color brown, with irregular light-yellowish spots irregularly placed; dorsal with large, dark spots on its edge, these
sometimes obsolete, usually running together to form a continuous dark band; anal black-edged; teeth large,
uniserial, the larger ones serrate; mouth nearly closing ocellatus
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 77
19. Lycondontis moringa (Cuvier). Common Spotted Moray; Hamlet.
Head 3.2; snout 6 in head; eye 1.5 in snout; cleft of mouth 2.5 in head; tail somewhat longer
than trunk. Teeth strong and sharp; two or three long depressible teeth on vomer in front and a
median row of small ones behind; teeth in jaws uniserial, long in front, those behind retrorse.
Color in spirits: Dark-brown, everywhere mottled and reticulated with paler or light yellow, which
is properly the ground-color, but is nearly covered by the dark pigment; ventral surface of head pale
with a few brown spots; fins colored like body.
West Indies, Pensacola to Rio Janeiro and St. Helena. Two young examples, about 7 inches
long, from Culebra.
Murxna maculata nigra (the Black Moray), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, etc., pi. '21, 173S, Bahamas.
Murxna moringa Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. II, vol. II, 352, 1829, Bahamas: after Catesby.
Gymnotliorax rostratus Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Bras., 91, pi. 50, a, 1829, Brazil; Stahl, 1. c., 80, 1883.
Murxna moringua Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fishes, 89, 1811, Jamaica.
Murxna punctata Gronow, Catalogue Fishes, 18, 1854, North America.
Murenophis curvilineata Castelnau, Anim. Amer. Sud, Poiss., 81, pi. 42, fig. 2, 1855, Rio Janeiro.
Murxnophis caramura Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amdrique du Sud, 85, pi. 13, fig. 1, 1855, Bahia.
Gymnolhoraxflavoscriptus Poey, Enumeratio, 158, 1875, Cuba.
Gymnotliorax picturatus Poey, Anal. Soe. Esp. Hist. Nat. 1880, 257, Cuba.
Lycodontis moringa, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 395, 1896.
20. Lycodontis funebris (Ranzani). Black Moray; Moreno, Verde.
Tail a little longer than head and trunk. Teeth uniserial in jaws in the adult; teeth on vomer
uniserial (var.? erebus), or biserial (funebris); long, depressible canines on front of vomer; jaws not
completely closing; eye 2 to 2.5 in snout, above middle of gape; cleft of mouth 2.5 in head; head 2.5
in trunk.
Dark olive-brown, nearly plain, paler on throat, sometimes with very faint darker marblings;
dorsal and anal fins with dark lines running longitudinally; belly without black transverse lines.
Found in tropical America, on both coasts; the largest of our eels, reaching 5 or 6 feet or more;
extremely ferocious; common from Florida Keys to Rio Janeiro and from Gulf of California to Panama.
A single example, 4.12 inches long, obtained at Fajardo February 17, 1899.
Murxna maculata nigra etviriMiis, Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, etc., pi. 20, 1738, Bahamas.
Gymnotlioraxfunebris Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sc. Bonon.,IV, 76, 1810, Brazil.
Murxna lineopinnis Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fishes, 89, 1811, Puerto Cabello.
Txniopliis westphali Kaup, Aale Hamburg Mus., I, 1859.
Tlirysoidea aterrima Kaup, Aale Hamburg Mus., I, 22, 1859.
Murxna infernalis Poey, Memorias, II, 347 and 354, 1860, Cuba.
Tlirysoidea concolor Abbott, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, 479., Vera Cruz.
Murxna erebus Poey, Memorias, II, 426, 1861, Cuba.
Lycodontisfunebris, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 396, 1896.
78 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION
21. Lycodontis albimentis Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 6.4; snout about 7; mandible 1.8; eye 2.3 in cleft of mouth; head and trunk somewhat
compressed, tail considerably so; cleft of mouth a little less than half of head; jaws equal; teeth strong,
conical, and sharp, in one rather irregular row in upper jaw, strongest in front; in lower jaw one row
of similar teeth, becoming smaller posteriorly, those in front stronger than in upper jaw; eye rather
large, slightly nearer tip of snout than angle of mouth, bordering the lip; upper lip with a row of very
minute cirri along the edge, resembling teeth, visible only under a lens; a row of rather large pores
around upper lip and a pair on top of snout; anterior nostril tubular, in the lip at angle of snout; pos-
terior nostril without tube, just above front of eye; fins h.gher posteriorly.
Color in spirits: Everywhere uniform dark-brown, except lower part of head and edge of fins;
upper lip and lower jaw perfectly white, the brown sharply demarcated from the colorless area, which
begins just back of mandible, extending over lower jaw, past angle of mouth, along upper lip, under eye,
and around snout; inside of mouth colorless; fins darker than body, narrowly pale-edged posteriorly.
One very small specimen, only 2 inches long, brought up by the tangle from coral bottom in 15
fathoms at Fish Hawk station 6093, off Culebra Island, February 8; possibly the young of a known
species, but the sharply defined white area on the lower jaw is so prominent a character that we have
thought it best to describe the species as new. Type No. 49527 U.S.N.M.
Pig. 9.—Lycodontis albimentis.
22. Lycodontis jordani Evermann & Marsh.
(Plate 2.)
Head 7 in total length; depth about 14; eye 8 in head; snout 5; gape 2.2; interorbital a little
less than snout. Teeth uniserial, strong, sharp, not close-set, all entire and without basal lobes; tail
considerably longer than rest of body; gill-opening smaller than eye; snout rather pointed, lower jaw
the shorter, the mouth capable of being completely closed. Dorsal fin high, much higher than anal;
nasal tube long, about 3 in eye.
Color in life: Tawny-ochraceous, paler below; upper jaw gray; iris blue; longitudinal brown stripes
on side of head in front of gill-opening; head and body covered with numerous small, round, white spots,
those on head smallest; a series of larger ones along upper part of side, and one or two irregular series
of large ones on side of belly; between these, on middle of side, the sjiots are smaller; dorsal with an
irregular series of small white spots along the base, and another series of about 16 much larger, more
quadrate spots of same color along edge of fin, some of the spots cutting the border, which is black;
anal similarly spotted and with black border.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 79
In alcohol the general color is grayish-black, yellowish below, the tawny-ochraceous or yellow
becoming darker, almost black, and the white spots on body becoming yellowish.
This species seems to be related to L. obscuratus (Poey), but differs markedly from it in color.
Only the type (No. 49358, U. S. N. M. ), a specimen about 15 inches long, was obtained. This was
collected at Mayaguez, January 20, 1899.
Lycodontis jordani Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19)
,
352, Mayaguez, Porto Rico.
Genus 18. ECHIDNA Forster.
This well-marked genus is distinguished from the other Morays by the blunt teeth. It contains
12 or 15 species, most of them belonging to the Western Pacific and representing the highest degree of
specialization among the morays, as Uropterygius represents the extreme of degradation. The name
Echidna was suggested for this group of eels long before its application by Cuvier to a genus of Austra-
lian monotremes. Only one species known from Porto Rico.
23. Echidna catenata (Bloch). Morena.
Head 3.7 in trunk; eye 2 in snout, which is 6 in head; cleft of mouth 3 in head; trunk a little longer
than tail; teeth somewhat molar-like, not very blunt, chiefly uniserial, but reduced in size and biserial
in rear of upper jaw; a median series on vomer.
Color in spirits: Ground-color pale-yellow, with some 30 heavy dark-brown transverse bars, some
oblique, some branched, some connected, forming heavy reticulations; on ventral portion of trunk
these bars are broken into definite roundish spots, these elongate in front of anal, forming a single
median series; intermediate pale area of ground-color everywhere marked with dark-brown in spots
of all sizes from punctulations to the size of pupil or larger; markings of body extend upon fins.
West Indies, Bermuda to Surinam, generally common. A very handsome eel. Mr. Gray obtained
3 fine specimens at San Geronimo; our collection contains one, of 6.5 inches, from Arroyo.
Murxna seu conger brasttiensis Seba, Thesaurus, II, 72, pi. 69, figs. 4 and 5, 1738, Brazil.
Gymnothorax catenatus Bloch, Ausl. Fische, XII, 74, pi. 415, fig. 1, 1795, Coromandel, an error; Stahl, 1. c., 166, 1883.
Murscnophis catenula LacOpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 628 and 641, 1803, Palmerston Island; after Bloch.
Echidna flavofasciata Poey, Repertorio, II, 264, 1868, Cuba.
Echidnafuscomaculata Poey, Repertory, II, 263, 1868, Cuba.
Echidna catenata
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 345, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 403, 1896.
Family XV. ELOPIDtE. The Tarpons.
Body elongate, more or less compressed, covered with silvery, cycloid scales; head naked. Mouth
broad, terminal, the lower jaw prominent. Premaxillaries not protractile, short, the maxillaries
forming lateral margins of upper jaw; maxillary composed of about three pieces, extending backward
beyond eye; an elongate bony plate between the branches of lower jaw (analogous to gular plate in
Amici)
;
bands of villiform teeth in both jaws and on vomer, palatines, pterygoids, tongue, and base
of skull; no large teeth. Eye large, with an adipose eyelid. Opercular bones thin, with expanded
membranaceous borders; a scaly occipital collar. Gill-membranes entirely separate, free from isth-
mus. Branchiostegals numerous (29 to 35). Gillrakers long and slender. Pseudobranchiae present
or absent. Belly not keeled nor serrated, rather broad and covered with ordinary scales. Lateral
line present. Dorsal fin inserted over or slightly behind ventrals; caudal fin forked; no adipose fin;
dorsal and anal depressible into a sheath of scales; pectorals and ventrals each with a long accessory
scale. Parietal bones meeting along top of head. Pyloric cseca numerous.
Genera three, species about five, forming two well-marked subfamilies, both widely distributed
in the tropical seas. Not much valued as food, the flesh being dry and bony.
Megalopinve:
a. Pseudobranchiae none; body oblong, covered with large scales; anal fin larger than dorsal; last ray of dorsal pro-
duced in a long filament.
b. Dorsal fin inserted notably behind insertion of ventrals Tarpon, 19
Elopin;e:
aa. Pseudobranchise large; body elongate, covered with small scales; anal fin smaller than dorsal; last ray of dorsal
not produced in a filament Elops, 20
80 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION
Genus 19. TARPON Jordan & Evermann. Grande iScaille.
Body oblong, compressed, covered with very large, thick, silvery, cycloid scales; belly narrow,
but not carinated, its edge with ordinary scales. Mouth large, oblique, the lower jaw prominent;
maxillary broad, extending beyond eye. Villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, palatines, tongue, sphenoid,
and pterygoid bones. Eye very large, with an adipose eyelid. Lateral line nearly straight, its tubes
radiating widely over surface of scales. Branchiostegals 23. Pseudobranchise wanting. Gillrakers
long and slender. Dorsal fin short and high, inserted, behind ventrals (over ventrals in Megalops)
,
its
last ray elongate and filamentous as in Megalops, Dorosoma, and Opisthonema; anal fin much longer
than dorsal, falcate, its last ray produced; caudal widely forked; pectorals and ventrals rather long;
anal with a sheath of scales;' dorsal naked; caudal more or less scaly; a collar of large scales at the
nape. Vertebrae about 57 (28 -j- 29). Size very large, the largest of the herring-like fishes.
The posterior insertion of the dorsal fin distinguishes the single species of Tarpon from the East
Indian Mcgalops cgprinoides. a fish of similar habit, in which the dorsal is inserted above the ventrals.
24. Tarpon atlanticus (Cuvier & Valenciennes).
Tarpon; Tarpum; Grande Ecaille; Silver King; “ Sabalo ”; Savanilla; Savalle.
Head 4; depth 3.75; eye 4.45; snout 5; maxillary 1.65; mandible 1.70; interorbital 4.8; preor-
bital 11; D. 12; A. 19 or 20; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.75; scales 5-42-5. Proportions in young of about
3 inches: Head 3.34; depth 4.7; eye 3.3; snout 4.75; maxillary 1.65; mandible 1.6; interorbital 4.6.
Body elongate, compressed, not elevated, with large cycloid scales; mouth large, maxillary
reaching far beyond eye, lower jaw projecting; villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, palatines, tongue,
sphenoid and pterygoid bones; lateral line straight with radiating tubes; pseudobranch is* minute; last
dorsal ray produced, the fin inserted behind ventrals; pectorals and ventrals each with an accessory
scale. Dark above, silvery on sides.
Found from Long Island to Brazil; common on our southern coasts, especially about Florida; com-
mon about Porto Rico where it evidently breeds, as numerous immature individuals were taken at
Hucares and Fajardo. The four examples from Hucares are from 7.5 to 11.5 inches long and were seined
in a small brackish pool of dark-colored water, hot over 5 feet deep, in the corner of a mangrove
swamp, and at that time (February) entirely separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land
scarcely 25 feet wide. The 13 others are nearly all very young, of 2.25 to 3.25 inches, collected at
Fajardo. No large individuals were seen. The young of the tarpon seems to be rare or wanting in
collections. The U. S. National Museum contains one individual of about 9 inches. We do not know
that any as small as those above mentioned have ever before been recorded.
The tarpon reaches a length of 5 or 6 feet and a weight of 30 to more than 300 pounds. The
largest one recorded as taken on a book weighed 209 pounds, and the largest taken with the harpoon
weighed 383 pounds, if we may believe the record; but examples weighing over 100 pounds are not
often seen. The silver king is the greatest of game-fishes. “An immense and active fish, preying
eagerly on schools of small fry, in pursuit of which it ascends fresh-water streams quite a long distance. ’ ’
It is often dangerous to seine fishermen, leaping over or through their nets with great force.
Megalops atlanticus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX, 398, 1846, Guadeloupe, Santo Domingo, Martinique,
and Porto Rico; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 343, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 80 and 165, 1883.
Mcgalops elongatus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, 224, Long Island.
Tarpon atlanticus, Jordan <& Evermann, 1. c., 409, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 81
Genus 20. ELOPS Linnseus.
Body elongate, covered with thin, small, silvery scales. Dorsal tin slightly behind ventrals, its
last lays short, the tin depressible into a sheath of scales; anal fin smaller, similarly depressible; pec-
torals and ventrals moderate, each with a long accessory scale. Opercular bones thin, with expanded,
membranaceous borders; a scaly occipital collar. Lateral line straight, its tubes simple. Pseudo-
branchise present, large. Vertebrse 43 + 29 = 72.
Large fishes of the open seas, remarkable for the development of scaly sheaths. The young are
ribbon-shaped and elongate, passing through a series of changes like those seen in Albula.
25. Elops saurus Linnaeus.
trPiojo”; Matajuelo Real; Chiro; Lisa Francesa; Ten-Pounder; John Mariggle; Bony-fish; Big-eyed Herring.
Head 4.3; depth 5 to 6; eye 5; snout 4.3; maxillary 1.6; mandible 1.5; interorbital 5.6; D. 20;
A. 13; pectoral 1.8; ventral 2; caudal 0.8; scales 13-110-12.
Fig. 11.
—
Elops saurus.
Body very elongate, moderately compressed, scales small and thin, none on head; head small,
pointed; mouth very large, the extremely long maxillary reaching far beyond eye, which has a well-
developed adipose eyelid, sheathing the eye anteriorly and posteriorly; rather blunt, villiform teeth
on jaws, vomer, and palatines and along lower edge of maxillary; jaws subequal; a pointed gular plate;
dorsal and anal fins with well-developed basal sheaths of scales, that of dorsal large; ventral with a
very large and pointed accessory scale; caudal lobes long and slender. Blue above, the sides silvery.
This species is abundant and widely distributed in the tropical seas. It is common in America
north to the Carolinas and the Gulf of California. Probably not uncommon about Porto Rico, though
seen by us only at Arecibo, where a specimen 15 inches long was obtained.
Elops saurus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 518, 1766, Carolina; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e.,410, 1896.
Argentina Carolina Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 519, 1766, Carolina.
Argentina mac.hnata Forskal. Descr. Anim., 68, 1775, Djidda, Arabia.
Mugilomorus anna-carolina Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 398,. 1803, South Carolina.
Elops incrmis Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 445, New Y’ork.
Elops capensis Smith, Zool. South Africa, 1845, pi. 7, Cape of Good Hope.
Elops purpurascens Richardson, Ichth. China, 311, 1846, China.
Family XVI. ALBUUDtE. The Lady-fishes.
Body rather elongate, little compressed, covered with rather small, brilliantly silvery scales;
head naked. Snout conic, subquadrangular, shaped like the snout of a pig, and overlapping the small,
inferior, horizontal mouth. Maxillary rather strong, short, with a distinct supplemental bone, slipping
under the membranaceous edge of the very broad preorbital
;
premaxillaries short, not protractile.
Lateral margin of upper jaw formed by maxillaries; both jaws, vomer, and palatines with bands of
villiform teeth
;
broad patches of coarse, blunt, paved teeth on the tongue behind and on the sphenoid
and pterygoid bones. Eye large, median in head, with a bony ridge above it, and almost covered
with an annular adipose eyelid. Opercle moderate, firm
;
preopercle with a broad, flat, membranaceous
edge, which extends backward over the base of opercle. Pseudobranchise present. Gillrakers short,
tubercle-like. Gill-membranes entirely separate, free from isthmus- branchiostegals about 14
;
a fold
f. C. B. 1900—6
82 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
of skin across gill-membranes anteriorly, its posterior free edge crenate; no gular plate. Lateral line
present. Belly not carinate, flattish, covered with ordinary scales. Dorsal fin moderate, in front of
ventrals, its membranes scaly
;
no adipose fin
;
anal very small
;
caudal widely forked. Pyloric cseca
numerous. Parietal bones meeting along top of head. Vertebra: numerous, 42 + 28 = 70.
A single species known, found in all warm seas. In this, and probably in related families, the
young pass through a metamorphosis analogous to that seen in the conger eels. They are for a time
elongate, band-shaped, with very small head and loose transparent tissues. From this condition they
become gradually shorter and more compact, shrinking from 3 or 3J inches in length to 2 inches.
According to Dr. Gilbert, this process, like that seen in various eels, is a normal one, through which
all individuals pass. In the Gulf of California, where these fishes abound, these band-shaped young
are often thrown by the waves on the beach in great masses.
Genus 21. ALBTJLA (Gronow) Bloch & Schneider.
The characters of this genus are included above with those of the family.
Fig. 12 .—Albula vulpcs.
26. Albula vulpes (Limneus). “ Macabi “JPiojo”; Lady-fish; Bone-fish; Banana-
-fish.
Head 3.4; depth 4.5; eye 7; snout 2.2; maxillary 3; interorbital 3.8; preorbital 5.6; D. 15; A. 8;
pectoral 1.9; ventral 2.4; caudal 1.1; scales 9-70-6.
Body elongate, robust, the trunk covered with large shining scales with membranous edges; head
large, naked, subconic; the snout pig-like, overhanging the inferior mouth, which is armed with villi-
form teeth; eye high in position, midway between tip of snout and edge of opercle, entirely covered,
save for a circular central opening smaller than pupil, with an adipose eyelid; vertical fins scaled, the
dorsal and anal very densely; caudal widely forked, upper lobe the longer; median line of back with
one series of modified scales, which are smaller and narrower than those of body and have a long
membranous appendage much narrower than the scale, this appendage alone exposed.
Color, bright-silvery, darker above; faint longitudinal dark or bluish streaks. A metamorphosis
(as in Hops) takes place in the young, previous to which they do not resemble the adult.
Tropical seas, on sandy coasts, almost universally distributed and generally abundant, ranging
northward on our coasts to San Diego and Massachusetts. Three examples in the collection, one 19
inches long, the others about 12 inches, from San Juan market and Culebra Island. Used as food to
some extent, but not highly esteemed.
Umbarana
,
Marcgrave, Hist. Bras., 1648, Brazil.
Vulpcs bahamensis (the Bone-fish), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolinas, pi. II, fig. 1, 1737, Bahamas.
Esox vulpes Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 1758, 313, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Argentina glossodonta Forskal, Descr. Anim., 68, 1775, Djidda, Arabia.
Macabi, Parra, Dif. Piezas, Cuba, 88, pi. 35, fig. 1, 1787, Cuba; on Umbarana of Marcgrave.
Synodus argenteus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 398, 1801, Asia.
Clupea brasiliensis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 427, 1801, Brazil.
Albula conorhynchus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 432, 1801, Antilles; after Gronow and Plunder; Poey, Fauna Puerto-
Riquena, 342, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 80 and 165, 1883.
Amia immaculata Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 451, 1801, Central America; after Parra.
Jiutyrinus banana Lac6pede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 46, 1803, Isle de France.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO, 83
Clupea macrocephala Lacepede, Hist, Nat. Poiss., V, 426, 1803, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Glossodus forskali Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Bras., 49, 1829, Bahia; called Engraulis serious and Engraulis bahiensis on the
plates, 22 and 24.
Albula parrx Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX, 339, 1846, Martinique; Bahia; Rio de Janeiro.
Albula goreensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat, Poiss., XIX, 342, 1846, Gorea.
Albula neoguinaica Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c., XIX, 350, 1846, New Guinea.
Albula seminuda Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c., XIX, 351, 1846, New Guinea.
Albula erythrocheilos Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c., XIX, 352, pi. 540, 1846, Friendly Islands.
Albulaforsteri Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c., XIX, 354, 1846, Tahiti.
Albula rostrata Gronow, Cat. Fishes, 189, 1854, American Ocean, etc.
Albula vulpes, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 411, 1896.
Family XVII. CLUPEID£. The Herrings.
Body oblong or elongate, more or less compressed, covered with cycloid or pectinated scales.
Belly sometimes rounded, sometimes compressed, in which case it is often armed with bony serratures.
Head naked, usually compressed. Mouth rather large, terminal, jaws about equal, the maxillaries
forming the lateral margins of upper jaw, each composed of about three pieces. Premaxillaries not
protractile; teeth mostly small, often feeble or wanting, variously arranged. Adipose eyelid present or
absent. Gillrakers long and slender; gill-membranes not connected, free from isthmus. No gular
plate. Gills 4, a slit behind the fourth. Branchiostegals usually few (6 to 15). Posterior lower part
of opercular region often with an angular emargination, the tips of larger branchiostegals abruptly
truncate. Pseudobranchise present. No lateral line. Dorsal fin median or somewhat posterior, rarely
wanting. No adipose fin. Ventrals moderate or small. Anal usually rather long; caudal fin forked.
Vertebrae 40 to 56.
The Clupeidx comprise about 30 genera and 150 species, inhabiting all seas, usually swimming in
immense schools; many species ascend fresh waters, and some remain there permanently. The
northern and fresh-water species, as in many other families, differ from the tropical forms in having a
larger number of vertebral segments.
a. Belly rounded, covered with ordinary scales; supplemental bones of maxillary very narrow; anal fin short.
b. Ventral small; teeth small, persistent, on jaws, vomer, palatines, pterygoids, and tongue.
c. Scales of breast not forming a corselet.
d. Species very small, with teeth minute; a silvery lateral band; dorsal short, of 11 to 16 rays; ventrals inserted nearly
under its front Jenkinsia, 22
dd. Species of moderate size, with moderate teeth; no silvery lateral band; dorsal long, of 18 to 20 developed rays;
ventrals inserted much behind dorsal, much nearer base of caudal than tip of snout Etrumeus
aa. Belly compressed, armed with bony serrse; supplemental bones of maxillary broad.
e. Anal fin moderate, of 15 to 25 rays; dorsal inserted nearly opposite ventrals.
/. Scales with their posterior margins entire and rounded; intestinal canal of moderate length.
g. Last ray of dorsal not produced.
h. Vertebrae about 50 in number (46 to 56); species of northern regions.
i. Vomer with teeth; ventral scutes weak, ventrals below middle of dorsal; vertebrae 50 to 56 Clotea
ii. Vomer without teeth.
j. Ventral scutes very weak, belly more or less rounded; vertebrae about 52; ventrals under middle of dorsal.
Clupanodon, 23
lih. Vertebrae about 42 (40 to 44) ; tropical species with scales large and usually firmly attached; ventrals inserted under
middle of dorsal; adipose eyelid obsolete Sardinella, 24
gg. Last ray of dorsal produced in a long filament; scales large, not firmly attached; otherwise essentially as in Sardi-
nella Opisthonema, 25
ff. Scales with their posterior margins vertical, and pectinate or fluted; head very large; no teeth; intestines elongate;
herbivorous Brevoortia
Pristigasterinie:
ce. Anal fin very long, of more than 30 rays; dorsal fin inserted behind ventrals.
k. Teeth not all villiform; both jaws with strong canines; ventrals present, very small Chirocentrodon
kk. Teeth all villiform; no canines; ventral fins present Ilisha, 26
Genus 22. JENKINSIA Jordan & Evermann.
Very small species, closely allied to Etrumeus, blit with minute teeth and a silvery lateral hand;
dorsal with fewer than 18 rays; ventrals inserted below or just behind it. Two of the three known
species are found in Porto Rico.
a. Dorsal inserted midway between snout and base of caudal; dorsal rays 14; anal 15 lamprotxnia
,
27
aa. Dorsal inserted nearer snout than base of caudal ; dorsal rays 11 ; anal 17 stolifera, 28
84 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.27.
Jenkinsia lamprotaenia (Gosse).
Heart 3.75; depth 5.75; eye 3; snout 3; maxillary 2.3; mandible 2.2; interorbital 5; D. 14; A. 15.
Body long, slender, and compressed; head narrow; snout long, conical, as long as the large eye;
mouth large, jaws subequal, maxillary narrow, reaching slightly past anterior border of eye; minute
teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; origin of dorsal midway between tip of snout and base of caudal,
slightly in front of insertion of ventrals. Length 2 to 3 inches.
Pale straw-color; a narrow dark stripe along median line of back, and a broad silvery lateral
band nearly as broad as eye.
Known only from Jamaica and Porto Rico. One specimen, 2.5 inches long, obtained.
Ctupca lamprotxnia Gosse, Nat. Sojourn in Jamaica, 291, pi. 1, fig. 2, 1851, Jamaica.
Jenkinsia lamprotsenia, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 419, 1896.
28.
Jenkinsia stolifera (Jordan & Gilbert).
Head 3.75; depth 5.5; eye 2.5; D. 11; A. 17; scales caducous, about 36.
Body elongate, slender, moderately compressed. Snout sharp, tapering; jaws equal; maxillary
2.5 in head, reaching slightly beyond front of eye. Teeth minute, evident in both jaws. Eye large.
Dorsal high, inserted at a point slightly nearer snout than base of caudal; ventrals under fourth
dorsal ray, nearly half head, and slightly shorter than pectoral.
Translucent green; side with a silvery band as in Stolephorus, one-fourth depth of body, a little
broader than pupil; a double row of dots along back before dorsal and a single row behind; fins pale.
Found in the Gulf of Mexico from Ivey West to Yucatan. A small silvery fish very abundant in
schools in the surf with Stolephorus brovmii, a species it much resembles in form and coloration. Length
2 inches. Numerous specimens obtained near the shore of the reefs at Culebra Island. Most of these
lack the silvery lateral band, which is replaced by a dark band, this condition appearing to be due to
the formalin in which they were first preserved.
Dussumieria stolifera Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884 (June 3), 25, Key West.
Jenkinsia stolifera, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 419, 1896.
Genus 23. CLUPANODON Lacepede. The Sardines.
This genus is close to Clupea, which it resembles in the elongate form and weak ventral serratures.
Vomer toothless; teeth in jaws mostly weak. Scales thin, deciduous. Adipose eyelid present. Gill-
rakers very numerous. Species about 6; chiefly confined to the two temperate zones; all closely related
to the European sardine, Clupanodon pilchardus, and agreeing with it in the rich and delicate flesh;
less firm than that of related species, and much richer in oil. Species marine, not anadromous.
29.
Clupanodon pseudohispanicus (Poey). Sardina de Espana; “Sardina.”
Head 4; depth 3.75 to 4.5; eye 3.75.; D. 16; A. 16; scales about 45. Vertebrae 46 to 48.
Body slender, little compressed, belly scarcely carinated, its scutes not prominent; mouth small,
maxillary not quite reaching pupil, 2.6 in head; gillrakers very long, slender, and numerous, 30 to 40
below angle, the longest two-thirds eye. Lower jaw with a few feeble teeth; some minute teeth on
tongue. Cheek much longer than deep, their depth below eye two-thirds diameter of eye. Adipose
eyelid well developed. Opercle with very faint strife, preopercle with very few. Caudal well forked,
lower lobe as long as head and a little longer than upper; ventrals inserted nearly below middle of
dorsal, a little nearer base of caudal than tip of snout; pectoral 1.33 in head, a conspicuous sheath of
scales at base. Intestine 1.5 times length of body.
Color, bluish with no distinct markings, sides golden and silvery; peritoneum dusky; opercle
dusky within.
Found in the Gulf of Mexico from Pensacola and Tampa southward to Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto
Rico; occasionally taken in numbers at Woods Hole, Mass., whither it is probably carried in the Gulf
Stream. Called “sardina” in Porto Rico and “bang” in Jamaica. Length 8 inches. Specimens
taken at Culebra Island.
Sardinia pscudohispanica Poey
,
Mem., II, 311, 1861, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riq., 343, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 80 and 165.1883.
Qlupanodon pseudophispanicus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 423, 1896,
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 85
Genus 24. SARDINELLA Cuvier & Valenciennes. Scaled Sardines.
Small herrings of the tropic:!] seas, with the vertebra in reduced number, about 40 to 44; scales
lax-ge, usually firm and adherent, often crossed by vertical striae. Ventral scutes strong, 25 to 35 in
number. Adipose eyelid obsolete. Lower jaw projecting; upper jaw somewhat emarginate; teeth
weak. Ventrals inserted behind front of dorsal. Body compressed; cheek not deep; gillrakers long
and numerous; otherwise essentially as in Pomolobus.
The genus Sardinella, as here understood, covers a wide diversity of forms and may be divisible
into several genera when the anatomy of the species is better known.
a. Side of body without distinct silvery lateral band; month moderate, teeth very small, but permanent over most of
bones of mouth; scales large and usually firm.
Sardinella:
6. Ventral scutes 33 to 35.
c. Body slender, depth about 4.5 in length; a black opercular spot anchovia
cc. Body rather deep, depth about 3.5 in length; no black opercular spot clupeola
bb. Species imperfectly described.
d. Snout and chin black apicalis
dd. Snout and chin not black; a black humeral spot; side with dark streaks bishopi
Harengula:
666. Ventral scutes 25 to 28; body short and deep, compressed, scales usually with vertical striae.
e. Scales not very firm and little adherent, so that many are lost in preserved examples; each scale with four vertical
wavy striae; ventral scutes about 15 + 10; depth 3.4 in length; eye 2.5 in head; no humeral spot sardina
ee. Scales firm and closely adherent so that few, if any, are lost in preserved examples; usually a humeral spot.
/. Body moderately elongate, ventral outline not strongly arched; depth 3.33 to 3.4 in length.
g. Head long, 3.43 in length; eye 2.66 in head macrophthalma, 30
ff. Body deep, ventral outline arched, forming an even curve from snout to vent; depth 2.75 to 3; eye 2.66 in
head humeralis, 31
aa. Side with a very distinct lateral silvery band; scales very firm, without vertical striae; month very small, almost
vertical; teeth small, none on vomer; tip of snout, chin, and upper tins dusky stolifera
30. Sardinella macrophthalma (Ranzani). “Sardina.”
Head 3.5; depth 3.4; eye 3; snout 3.4; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.9; interorbital 4.1; D. 16;
A. 17; pectoral 1.5; ventral 2.5; caudal 1.1; scales 40-10; scutes about 28.
Close to S. humeralis but differing in shape, chiefly in greater slenderness of body; the ventral
outline is not so strongly arched, head not quite so heavy and more pointed, and in spirits the outlines
of scales are less distinct. Humeral spot said (Jordan & Evermann) to be usually evident but some-
times wanting. In all our specimens it is absent, A dark, rather indistinct, longitudinal stripe from
humeral region to base of upper lobe of caudal separated from the dark of the back by a pale stripe.
Otherwise as in S. humeralis, with which it is taken.
West Indies, Cuba to Brazil
;
not common. Nine examples, 2.5 to 6 inches, from Saix Juan, Puerto
Real, Culebra, and Fajardo.
Clupea macrophthalma Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sci. Bonon., V, 320, 1842, Brazil.
Harengula maculosa Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XX, 292, 1847, Martinique.
Harengulajaguana Poey, Repertorio, 1, 169, 1866, Jagua, near Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Sardinella macrophthalmus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 430, 1896.
31. Sardinella humeralis (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “Sardina”; Sardina Escamuda; While-hill.
Head 3.5; depth 3; eye 2.7; snout3.4; maxillary 2; mandible 2; interorbital 4.3; D. 16; A. 17 or
18; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.2; scales 40-10; scutes 27 to 30. Resembling Opisthonema, but
without the produced ray in dorsal, and with heavier head, larger eye and scales; fine teeth on jaws,
palatines, and tongue; eye with a thin adipose eyelid; scales large, firm, with vertical stria:.
Blue above, silvery below; a dusky humeral spot; some golden on opercle behind eye; chin and
snout dusky.
Very common and much used as food; captured extensively with the cast-net. Eiglxty-nine
examples, 3 to 5.5 inches, collected at San Juan, Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Boqueron, Arroyo,
Hucares, and Culebi'a; one from San Geronixno.
Harengula humeralis Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., XX, 293, 1847, Rio Janeiro; Bahia; Guadeloupe; Santo Domingo.
Alausa striata Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XX, 429, 1847, Guadeloupe; Bahia.
Harengula pensacolx Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1879 (Nov. 5)
,
152, Pensacola, Fla.
Sardinella humeralis
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 431, 1896.
86 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 25. OPISTHONEMA Gill. Thread-herrings.
Characters essentially those of Sardinella, except that the last ray of the dorsal is produced in a
long filament as in Dorosoma, Megalops, and Tarpon. Species few, American.
32. Opisthonema og'linum (Le Sueur) . Thread Herring; Machuelo; Cailleu-Tassart; Sprat.
Head 4.7; depth 3.2; eye 3.6; snout 3.3; maxillary 2.5; mandible 2.1; interorbital 4; D. 17 to 19;
A. 23; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2.7; caudal 0.6; scales 50-15; scutes about 31.
Body much compressed below, ventral outline trenchant, much more strongly arched than dorsal;
head small; mouth small, the wide maxillary reaching about to front of pupil, the lower jaw barely
projecting; opercle with a deep emargination at lower angle; adipose eyelid present; fins small, last
dorsal rav greatly produced, reaching base of caudal in younger individuals, somewhat shorter in older
ones; pectoral fitting into a shallow depression; ventral small, with an accessory scale nearly as long as
fin; anal extremely low; caudal lobes long and slender, subequal
;
scales large, cycloid, rather loosely
attached; lateral line absent.
Color in spirits : Bluish above, silvery below, back with interrupted brownish longitudinal stripes
along middle of rows of scales; a dusky shoulder-spot, the young with a series of smaller spots behind,
and black-tipped caudal lobes.
West Indies, north to the Carolinas, occasionally to Massachusetts; common; 47 examples, 3.25
to 9 inches, from San Juan Market, Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Guanica, Hucares, Isabel Segunda, and
Fajardo; one from San Geronimo.
Clapea thrissa Broussonet, Iehthyologie, fasc. I, 1782, Carolina; Jamaica; not of Osbeck, 1757.
Megalops oglinci Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., I, 1817, 359, Newport, R. 1.
Megalops notata Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., I, 1817, 359, Guadeloupe,
Chatoessus signifer De Kay, N. Y. Fauna: Fishes, 264, 1842, New York.
Chatoessus eumorphus Gosse, Nat. Sojourn in Jamaica, 290, 1851, Jamaica.
Opisthonemus thrissa, Poey, Fauna, Puerto-Riquena, 343, 1881; Stahl, l.c.,80 and 166, 1883.
Opisthonema oglinum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.,432, 1896.
Genus 26. ILISHA Gray.
Body much compressed, thorax and abdomen strongly serrated. Scales moderate; lower jaw
prominent; mouth moderate with rasp-like bands of minute teeth on jaws, palatines, pterygoids, and
tongue; none on vomer. Anal fin very long; ventrals present, small, inserted before the small dorsal;
upper ray of pectoral strong; caudal deeply forked.
Tropical coasts of America and Asia. Only one species known from Porto Rico.
a. Anal rays 40 to 45; anal placed behind dorsal.
6. Dorsal rays 19 or 20; eye 4 in head flavipinnis
bb. Dorsal rays 15; eye 3.5 in head bleekeriana, 33
33. Ilisha bleekeriana (Poey). Manjua; Anchoa Pelada.
Depth 5.66 in length with caudal; eye 3.5; D. 15; A. 43; scutes 25; ventral line strongly curved.
Mouth wide, oblique. Anal placed behind dorsal; length of anal equal to its distance from posterior
border of eye. Scales very caducous. Silvery.
Matanzas, Cuba; rare. Not obtained by us, but included on the authority of Poey and Stahl.
Pellona bleekeriana Poey, Repertorio, II, 242, 1867, Matanzas, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 343, 1881; Stahl, 1. c.
79 and 166, 1883.
Ilisha bleekeriana, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 436, 1896.
Family XVIII. ENGRAUUDIDtE. The Anchovies.
Body elongate, more or less compressed, covered with thin cycloid scales. Head compressed.
Mouth extremely large, more or less oblique, usually overlapped by a pointed, compressed, pig-like
snout. Gape very wide, maxillary very long and slender, formed of about three pieces, extending back-
ward far behind eye, in some species beyond head. Premaxillaries not protractile, very small, firmly
joined to maxillaries. Teeth usually small, sometimes obsolete, usually fine and even, in a single row
THE FISHES OP PORTO RICO 87
in each jaw; canines sometimes present. Eye large, well forward, without adipose eyelid. Preorbital
narrow. Opercles thin and membranaceous. Gillrakers long and slender. Branchiostegals slender,
7 to 14 in number. Gill-membranes separate or joined, free from the isthmus. Pseudobranchiae
present. No lateral line. Belly rounded or weakly serrate. Fins various; dorsal usually short and
median; no adipose fin; caudal forked.
Small, carnivorous shore fishes, usually swimming in large schools on sandy shores; abundant in
all warm seas, occasionally entering rivers. Only one of the American genera known from Porto Rico.
a. Teeth in jaws equally small, if present; no canines Stolephorus, 27
act. Teeth in jaws unequal, some of them enlarged and canine-like Lycengraulis
Genus 27. STOLEPHORUS Lacepede. Silvery Anchovies.
Body oblong, compressed, covered with rather large, thin, deciduous scales. Belly rounded, or
weakly compressed. Snout conical, compressed, projecting beyond the very large mouth. Maxillary
narrow, little movable, usually formed of three pieces extending backward far behind eye to base of
mandible or beyond, not beyond gill-opening. Premaxillaries very small. Teeth small, subequal,
present at all ages, usually on jaws, vomer, palatines, and pterygoids. Anal fin moderate, free from
caudal (its rays 12 to 40). No pectoral filaments. Dorsal inserted about midway of body, posterior to
ventrals. Pectorals and ventrals each with a large axillary scale. Adipose eyelid obsolete. Vertebrae
about 40 (40 to 42) in species examined. Flesh rather pale and dry, more or less translucent; bonesfirm.
Pseudobranchiae present. Branchiostegals 9 to 14. Gillrakers long and slender. Gill-membranes
separate, free from the narrow isthmus.
Species about 50; small, carnivorous shore fishes, swimming in large schools on sandy shores of
all warm seas, occasionally entering rivers; usually marked by a very broad, distinct, silvery band.
a. Anal rays 12 to 14; body very slender, depth 6 in length; no distinct lateral band miarchus
na. Anal rays 15 to 17; body slender, compressed, depth 5 to G in length.
b. Maxillary short, not quite reachingmargin of preopercle; lateral band well defined, three-fourths eye. perfasriatus, 34
bb. Maxillary of moderate length, reaching beyond preopercle nearly to gill-opening.
c. Side with a well-defined lateral silvery band; belly not serrulate.
(1. Eye 4 in head, as long as snout; scales caducous cubanus
,
35
dd. Eye 3.33 in head, longer than snout; axillary sheaths very large ." perthecatus
aaa. Anal rays 19 to 24.
e. Side with a distinct silvery lateral band, with well-defined edges.
/. Maxillary long, reaching past root of mandible, nearly or quite to gill-opening; snout projecting considerably
beyond lower jaw.
g. Body moderately elongate, depth 4 to 4.75 in length of body.
h. Silvery lateral band very sharply defined, as broad as eye or slightly narrower, not much narrowed anteriorly;
eye large, 3.5 in head; belly serrulate; A. 20; gillrakers two-thirds eye brownii
,
36
gg. Body more elongate, depth about 5.25 in length of body; gillrakers as long as eye. A. 23 or 24; eye 4.4 in
head chcerostomus, 37
ff. Maxillary short, not reaching root of mandible; eye small, not longer than snout, 4 in head; silvery stripe rather
diffuse, half broader than eye; body little compressed, approaching Engraulis mordax in form argyrophanus
ee. Side without distinct silvery band, or with a faint diffuse streak.
i. Opercle short, distance from lower posterior angle of cheek to gill-opening much less than from same point forward
to middle of eye; snout bluntish, not produced.
j. Dorsal rays 12 to 14.
k. Anal rays 18 to 20; depth 6.9 lyolepis, 38
kk. Anal rays 23; depth 3.3 , garment i, 39
jj. Dorsal rays 15 or 16; anal 23 or 24.
l. Depth 3.3; snout much projecting gilberti,iO
aaaa. Anal rays about 30 (25 to 36)
.
m. Silvery lateral band diffuse or obsolete; body much compressed; eye 3 to 3.5 in head.
n. Gillrakers shorter than eye; lateral band narrow.
o. Belly slightly serrulate; gillrakers two-thirds eye; scales caducous; anal rays 25 or 26 milchilli
nn. Gillrakers long and slender, longer than eye; belly trenchant, not serrate; scales 40; lateral band broad and diffuse
or obsolete; snout much projecting.
p. Snout moderately piointed; minute teeth in both jaws; lateral band diffuse clupeoides
aaaaa. Anal fin extremely long, its rays 37 or 38. Lateral band ill defined or obsolete; snout pointed, much projecting;
insertion of dorsal nearer snout than base of caudal; subopercle with a flat triangular prominence spini/er
ll. Depth 4.3; snout little projecting poeyi
pp. Snout pointed; minute teeth in upper jaw only; lateral band obsolete productus, 41
88 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
34. Stolephorus perfasciatus (Poey).
Head 4; depth 6; eye 3.7; snout 4.4; maxillary 1.5; mandible 1.5; interorbital 4.2; D. 12 to 15;
A. 14 to 16; scales about 40,-7. Body very slender, the back wide, t he belly compressed to a rather
trenchant keel with weak serrulations; snout shorter than eye, pointed, and considerably projecting;
top of head with a slight median ridge; maxillary rounded at end, shorter than in the other species,
reaching not quite to edge of preopercle; front of anal under last rays of dorsal.
Color much as in S. broumii, the lateral band nearly as wide as eye, in spirits its upper edge bor-
dered with dark.
Florida Keys to Cuba, Porto Rico, and Jamaica; common; 15 specimens, 2.75 to 4 inches long,
from Aguadilla.
Engraulis perfasciatus Poey, Memorias, II, 313, 1861, Cuba.
Stolephorus perfasciatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 141, 1896.
35. Stolephorus cubanus (Poey).
Head 5 in length, with caudal; depth 6.66; eye 4; D. 14; A. 17. Allied to S. broumii, but with
anal shorter. Body slender, compressed. Eye as long as snout. Maxillary with teeth, its tip extend-
ing beyond opercular border. Dorsal beginning midway between front of caudal and posterior edge of
eye; pectoral not quite reaching ventral. Scales caducous. A silvery band one-fourth depth of body.
Length 2.75 inches. Cuba and Porto Rico. Not seen by us; included on authority of Poey and Stahl.
Engraulis cubanus Poey, Synopsis, 420, 1868, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 344, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 80 and 166, 1883.
Stolephorus cubanus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 442, 1896.
36. Stolephorus brownii (Gmelin) . Striped Anchovy; Manjua.
Head 3.7; depth 4.9; eye 3.5; snout 4.6; maxillary 1.1; mandible 1.4; interorbital 4.3; D. 13 to
15; A. 20 to 23; pectoral 2; ventral 2.8; caudal 1.6; scales 38,-7. Body slender but little compressed,
not elevated, the dorsal outline nearly straight, the belly compressed to a not very trenchant edge;
scales deciduous; snout much projecting, shorter than eye, maxillary reaching nearly to gill-opening;
teeth long and slender, on both maxillary and lower jaw; dorsal and anal with a low basal sheath;
front of dorsal nearer base of caudal than snout.
Translucent in life, with a very distinct and well-defined silvery lateral band, usually narrower
than eye; on the caudal peduncle just before the end of the band it is slightly narrower than in the
rest of its course.
Cape Cod to Brazil. The most abundant of the American anchovies; abundant in Porto Rico;
33 examples, from Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Hucares, Isabel Segunda, and Fajardo.
Piquitinga, Marcgrave, Hist. Bras., 159, 1648, Brazil.
Menidia, Browne, Hist. Jamaica, 441, 1756, Jamaica.
Atherina brownii Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1397, 1788, Jamaica; after Browne.
Esox epsetus Bonnaterre, Tabl. Ichth., 175, 1788, Jamaica; after Browne.
Engraulis lemniscatus Cuvier, Rogue Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 323, 1829, Brazil; after Piquitinga of Maregrave.
Engraulis tricolor Agassiz, Pise. Brasil., 51, 1829, Bahia; Parti.
Engraulis piquitinga Agassiz, Pise. Brasil., pi. 23, fig. 1, 1829, Bahia; Pari; same type as tricolor.
Argentina menidia Gronow, Cat., 141, 1854, Jamaica; after Browne.
Stolephorus liiulcus Goode & Bean, Proe. U. S. N. M. 1879 (March 25, 1880), 343, Clearwater Harbor, Fla.
Stolephorus brownii, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 443, 1896.
37. Stolephorus chcerostomus (Goode). Hog-moutli Fry.
Head 3.5; depth 5.3; eye 4.6; snout 4.6; D. 13; A. 23; scales 38. Snout projecting much beyond
lower jaw, which just passes vertical from front of eye; eye as long as snout. Maxillary tapering,
reaching gill-opening. Gillrakers 10
-f- 25, as long as eye. Dorsal inserted before middle of body; anal
under middle of body; pectoral reaching front of ventrals; scales large.
Brownish, with a lateral silvery band, as broad as eye.
This species reaches a length of 2.75 inches. Heretofore known only from Hamilton Harbor,
Bermuda Islands. Apparently common about Porto Rico, specimens having been obtained by us at
Hucares, Puerto Real, and Fajardo.
Engraulis chcerostomus Goode, Amer. Jour. Sci. Arts, August, 1874, 125, Bermudas.
Stolephorus chcerostomus, Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 444, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 89
38. Stolephorus lyolepis Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 4.3; depth 6.9; eye 4.6; snout 4.2; maxillary 1.4; mandible 1.4; interorbital 4.4; D. 12 to 14;
A. 18 to 20. Body slender and compressed, the dorsal and ventral outlines nearly alike, little arched;
caudal peduncle gently tapering; no seme evident; snout not greatly produced; maxillary with free end
rounded, reaching beyond root of mandible to edge of preopercle, armed with line teeth; lower jaw with
minute teeth, smaller than those of maxillary; anal inserted under last dorsal ray; scales deciduous.
Color in spirits: Flesh-color, without silvery band, a lateral longitudinal row of small black pigment
dots, which are stellate under a lens, usually more numerous posteriorly ; a single row of several larger,
circular black spots across opercle, and a number scattered on top of head; a row of black spots at base of
anal and a few small black blotches about base of caudal rays; peritoneum with rows of black dots, these
showing faintly through the flesh on the side near ventral outline between pectoral and ventral.
This species is related to S. curtus and S. poeyi, both Pacific coast species, from each of which it
differs apparently in the fewer anal rays. Thirty-seven specimens of nearly uniform size were collected
atCulebra, February 10, of which the type (No. 49528, U. S. N. M.) is 1.5 inches long.
Fig. 13.—Stolephorus lyolepis.
Fig. 14.—Stolephorus garmani.
39. Stolephorus garmani Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3.2; depth 3.3; eye 3.5; snout 5.5; maxillary 1.7; mandible 1.7; interorbital 5; I>. 14; A. 23;
pectoral 2; ventral 3.5; caudal 1.3; scales 42,-9.
Body comparatively deep and strongly compressed; belly not strongly trenchant, without
serrulations; snout thick, much projecting; maxillary reaching nearly to root of mandible, very finely
and weakly serrate; eye large; tip of lower jaw reaching vertical from front of eye; distance from
lower posterior angle of cheek to vertical from posterior margin of opercle much less than from same
point to eye; dorsal inserted far in advance of anal, just behind insertion of ventrals, midway between
anterior edge of pupil and base of caudal.
Color in spirits: Back dark to near the median line, below this somewhat reddish; rest of body
90 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
below a line from shoulder to upper base of caudal silvery; some golden on snout and behind eye; no
lateral band.
This species has a general resemblance to Stolepliorus produclus, but is unquestionably distinct
from it; the anal is much shorter and inserted farther back, the body is deeper, the eye larger, and
the snout longer. It is very close to Stolepliorus gilberti, differing chiefly in the larger eye, in the color
of back, and in the somewhat less sharply compressed belly. One specimen, the type (No. 49360, U. S.
N. M.), 4.5 inches long, collected at Puerto Real, January 27, 1899.
Stolepliorus garmani Evermann & Marsh, Report U. S. F. C. 1899 (December 19, 1899), 352, Puerto Real, Porto Rico.
40. Stolephorus gilberti Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3.25; depth 3.4; eye 4; snout 6; maxillary 1.7; mandible 1.7; interorbital 4.9; D. 15; A. 23;
pectoral 2.1; ventral 3.5; caudal 1.3; scales 42-9.
Body comparatively deep and strongly compressed, belly trenchant, without serrations; snout
thick, much projecting; maxillary reaching nearly to root of mandible, scarcely serrate; eye moderate;
tip of lower jaw reaching vertical from front of eye; distance from lower posterior angle of cheek to
vertical from posterior margin of opercle much less than from same point to eye; dorsal inserted far
in advance of anal, just behind insertion of ventrals, midway between anterior edge of eye and base
of caudal.
Color in spirits: Back light-olivaceous with dark punctulations; rest of body below a line from
shoulder to upper base of caudal, silvery; faint traces of golden behind eye; no lateral band.
This species is very close to Stolephorus garmani, differing chiefly in the much smaller eye, the
more uniform color of the back, the somewhat more sharply compressed belly, and the more nearly
entire maxillary. One specimen, the type (No. 49359, U. S. N. M. ), 4.5 inches long, collected at Palo
Seco, near San Juan, January 13, 1899, associated with S. producing, with which species both S. gilberti
and S. garmani Evermann A Marsh are allied.
Stolephorus gilberti Evermann & Marsh, Report U. S. F. C. 1899 (December 19), 352, Palo Seco, Porto Rico.
41. Stolephorus productus (Poey) . Hecliudo; Grubber Broad-head.
Head 3.6; depth 3.7; eye 3.9; snout 7; maxillary 1.3; mandible 1.4; interorbital 4.6; D. 13; A.
31 to 33; pectoral 1.75; ventral 3.3; caudal 1.1; scales 43-8.
Body elongate, not elevated, strongly compressed, belly not rounded; head small, broadest above,
the pointed snout projecting beyond mouth; eye large, much greater than length of snout, placed high
and well forward; mouth very wide, maxillary very long and thin, reaching to or beyond root of
mandible nearly to gill-opening, ending in a point; dentition very weak, edge of maxillary being
minutely serrate, no teeth in lower jaw; fins small, pectoral inserted under gill-opening, ventral very
small, anal long and low, caudal deeply forked; dorsal and anal with a basal sheath of scales; no
lateral line; scales large, somewhat deciduous.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 91
Silvery on sides, the back darker, no lateral band.
Known only from Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico. One of the larger anchovies; rather common;
16 specimens of about 6 inches, from Palo Seco and Ponce.
Engraulis productus Poey, Repertorio, I, 380, 1866, Cuba.
Stolephorus productus, Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 447, 1896.
Family XIX. SYNODONTID^®. The Lizard-fishes.
Body oblong or elongate, little compressed, covered with cycloid scales, rarely naked. Mouth
very wide, the entire margin of the upper jaw formed by the long and slender premaxillaries, closely
adherent to which are the slender maxillaries, the latter mostly rudimental or obsolete, never widened
at tip. Teeth mostly cardiform on both jaws, tongue, and palatines; canines rarely present; large
teeth usually depressible. No barbels. Opercular bones usually thin, but complete. Gill-membranes
separate, free from the isthmus. Branchiostegals usually numerous. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-
rakers tubercular or obsolete. Lateral line present. Adipose fin present, rarely obsolete; dorsal fin
short, of soft rays only; pectorals and ventrals present; anal fin moderate or long; caudal forked.
Skeleton rather well ossified. Air-bladder small or wanting. Intestinal canal short. Sides some-
times with phosphorescent spots or photophores. Eggs inclosed in the sacs of the ovary and extruded
through an oviduct.
Genera about 10; species about 40, mostly inhabiting shore waters, some of them descending to
the depths.
• a. Scales present, more or less adherent.
b. Teeth of premaxillary simple, compressed, not barbed, in one or two rows; a broad band of similar teeth on palate,
e. Vent about midway between base of caudal and axil of pectoral; head short, blunt, compressed.
Trachinocephalus, 28
cc. Vent much nearer base of caudal than axil of pectoral; head depressed, with flat triangular snout ... Synodus, 29
bb. Teeth of premaxillary in a very broad band, curved, unequal, and barbed at the end; a similar band on palatines.
Bathysaurus
an. Scales very caducous or wanting; teeth in narrow bands; vent posterior Bath yi.aco
Genus 28. TRACHINOCEPHALUS Gill.
This genus is closely related to Synodus, from which it differs chiefly in form and in the relative
development of the fins. Body stout, head short, blunt, and compressed. Vent well formed, about
midway between base of caudal and axil of pectoral, under tip of last dorsal ray. Teeth as in Synodus,
but slender, smaller, and closely set. Lower jaw projecting.
Species few; shore fishes, widely diffused in tropical seas.
42. Trachinocephalus myops (Forster). Ground Spearing; Lagarto.
Head 3.4; depth 5; eye 6.4; maxillary 1.8; mandible 1.5; interorbital 10; D. 12; A. 14; pectoral 2.6;
ventral 1.1; caudal 1.6; scales 4-58-7. Vertebrae 58; caeca 25. Snout very short, shorter than eye
lower jaw very slightly projecting; top of head scaleless, very rough; interorbital space with an abrupt
longitudinal depression. Pectoral very short, ventrals long, reaching vent.
Color in spirits: Very light brown; 3 or 4 rather faint longitudinal lines above lateral line, these
demarcating color stripes in life; traces of longitudinal dark lines below lateral line; back with 6 or 8
obscure dark vertical bars, barely crossing lateral line; an oblong dark-brown scapular blotch
;
a dark-
brown band from eye across lower jaw; fins nearly plain.
One specimen, 7 inches long, from San Geronimo, collected by Mr. Geo. M. Gray.
Salmo myops Forster MS., Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 421, 1801, St. Helena.
Osmerus lemniscatus LacOpOde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 236, 1803, Martinique; after Plunder.
Saurus truncatus Agassiz, Pise. Brasil., 82, 1829, Brazil.
f Salmo trachinus Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Poissons, 231, 1842, Japan; the East Indian, Chinese, and Japanese
form, Trachinocephalus limbatus, is little if at all different from T. myops.
Saurus brevircslris Poey, Memorias, II, 305, 1861, Cuba; erroneously stated to have 10 rays.
Trachinocephalus myops, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 533, 1896.
92 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 29. SYNODUS (Gronow) Bloch & Schneider.
First superior pharyngeals cartilaginous; second without teeth; third and fourth separate, with
teeth
;
lower pharyngeals separate. Body elongate, subterete. Head depressed, snout triangular, rather
pointed. Interorbital region transversely concave. Mouth very wide; premaxillaries not protractile,
very long and strong, more than half length of head; maxillaries closely connected with them, very
small or obsolete; premaxillaries with one or two series of large, compressed, knife-shaped teeth, the
inner and larger depressible; palatine teeth similar, smaller, in a single broad band; lower jaw with a
band of rather large teeth, the inner and larger teeth depressible; a patch of strong depressible teeth
on tongue in front, and a long row along hyoid bone; jaws nearly equal in front. Eye rather large,
anterior; supraorbital forming a projection above eye. Pseudobranchiae well developed. Gillrakers
very small, spine-like. Gill-membranes slightly connected. Top of head naked; cheek and opercles
scaled like body; body covered with rather small, adherent, cycloid scales; lateral line present; no
luminous spots. Dorsal tin short, rather anterior; pectoral moderate, inserted high; ventrals anterior,
not far behind pectoral, large, inner rays longer than outer; anal short; caudal narrow, forked. Vent
posterior, much nearer base of caudal than axil of pectorals. Branchiostoga's 12 to 16. Stomach with
a long, blind sac and many pyloric caeca. Skeleton rather firm.
Voracious fishes of moderate size, inhabiting sandy bottoms at no great depth, in most warm seas.
Species numerous; two known from Porto Rico.
o. Scales large, 43 to 50 in lateral line, which has a blunt keel posteriorly.
b. Tips of first rays of dorsal not reaching tips of last rays when depressed; snout short, broad; shoulder-girdle with
a large black blotch, anal rays 10 or 11; scales 4-48-6 intermedins, 43
bb. Tips of first rays of dorsal reaching tips of last rays when depressed.
c. Shoulder-girdle with the black spot very small or wanting; snout rather pointed, 3.75 in head; ventrals 1.25 in head;
anal rays 10 to 12 '. poeyi
aa. Scales small, 58 to 68 in lateral line.
d. Anal fin very short, its rays 8 only; pectoral fin short.
e. Scales moderate, 58 in lateral line; snout 4 in head; shoulder-girdle slightly dusky; dorsal mottled synodus
dd. Anal fin moderate, its rays 10 to 13; shoulder-girdle chiefly yellowish.
/. Snout very broad, broader than long; about 10 scales in a cross series from dorsal to ventral; jaws subequal; scales
4-60 to 64-5; tail with a slight keel saurus
ff. Snout not broader than long; more than 10 scales in a cross series from dorsal to ventral; lower jaw included; tail
not keeled.
g. About. 4 rows of scales (6 counting obliquely) between lateral line and adipose fin; scales on cheek in 4 to 7 rows.
h. Head vermiculate above, its length 4 to 4.25 in body; 7 rows of scales on cheek fcetens, 44
43. Synodus intermedius (Agassiz). Sand Diver.
Head 3.8; depth 7; eye 7; snout 3.8; premaxillary 1.6; mandible 1.4; interorbital 5.8; D. 11; A. 11;
pectoral 2.1; ventral 1.1; caudal 1.7; scales 5-49-6. Body elongate, fusiform, slightly depressed, a slight
keel on caudal peduncle; head rather blunt and heavy; scales behind eye, with tubes or muciferous
canals; tips of first dorsal rays not reaching tips of last rays when depressed. Easily distinguishable
from S. fcetens by the less slender body, heavier head, larger scales, and color markings.
Color in spirits: Grayish, paler below, each row of scales with a pale longitudinal stripe, plainest
on sides; about eight faint dark vertical bars, terminating at middle of side, a dark blotch between
their ventral ends, plainest in the young; pectoral, caudal, and dorsal barred; shoulder-girdle with a
black blotch near angle of opercle, which covers it.
This species is generally common and ranges from southern Florida to Brazil. It is apparently
the most abundant species of Synodus in Porto Rico, but of little value as food. Five examples, from
7 to 12 inches in length, were collected at Puerto Real, Boqueron, and Culebra.
Saurus intermedins Agassiz, in Spix, Piscium Brasil., 81, pi. XLIV, 1829, Brazil.
Saurus anolis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XXII, 483, 1849, Bahia; Martinique.
Synodus intermedius, Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 535, 1896.
44. Synodus foetens (Linnaeus). Lizard-fish; Galliwasp; Lagarto; Soap-fish.
Head 4; depth 8; eye 8; snout 3.4; premaxillary 1.6; mandible 1.4; interorbital 5.5; D. 10; A. 12;
pectorals 2.1; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.8; scales 6-60-7.
Body very slender, the caudal peduncle without trace of keel; interorbital space with radiating
ridges, plainest in adult; opercles with 5 rows of scales, cheek with- 7 rows.
THE FISHFS OF PORTO RICO. 93
Color in spirits: Grayish, obscurely mottled with darker on back, plain white below; no distinct
longitudinal lines in adult; the young have the back more distinctly mottled, sometimes with regular
bars, with diffuse regular blotches along lateral line and with more or less distinct longitudinal stripes;
tins plain.
Three examples, 5.5 to 14 inches in length, from Puerto Real, Boqueron, and Isabel Segunda, and
two young from Fish Hawk station 6063 in Mayaguez Harbor, in 75 fathoms.
Salmo fallens Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 613, 1766, South Carolina.
Osmcrus albidus Lac6p6de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 229, 1803, Carolina; after Linnaeus.
Coregonus ruber Lac6pede, Hist. Nat. Toiss., V,263, 1803, Martinique; after Plunder.
Esox salmoneus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., I, 1815, 442, New York.
Saurus longirostris Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Brasil., pi. 43, 1829, Brazil.
Saurus mexicanus Cuvier, R6gne Animal, ed. II, vol. 2, 314, 1829, Mexico.
Saurus spixianus Poey, Memorias, II, 304, 1861, Cuba.
Synodus fastens, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 538, 1896.
Fig. 16 .—Synodus foelens.
Family XX. AULOPIDtE.
Allied to the Synodonlidx, but with the maxillary separate, well developed, and dilated behind.
Hypocoracoids extended downward, as in many spiny-rayed fishes. Gil lrakers mostly long and slender,
needle-shaped. Eyes normal, large or small. No luminous spots; jaws without fang-like teeth.
Dorsal fin moderate, nearly median in position; body elongate. Pectorals present, normal in form
and position; adipose fin normally present. Pseudobranchiae present.
Fishes of moderate depths, chiefly Atlantic, including, as here understood, about six species.
Genus 30. CHLOROPHTHALMUS Bonaparte.
Head elongate, body subterete, covered with moderate-sized, adherent, pectinate, or ctenoid
scales arranged in straight, parallel, oblique lines. Mouth rather large, maxillary well developed,
dilated behind, reaching to beyond front of orbit; lower jaw projecting. Teeth very small, sharp on
jaws, vomer, and palatines, usually minute teeth on tongue. Eye very large. Dorsal short, inserted
before middle of length of body; adipose fin small; anal short; caudal forked; pectorals and ventrals
well developed, ventrals inserted under the dorsal and not far behind pectorals, none of the rays
forming exserted filaments. Gill-openings wide. Branchiostegals 10. Pseudobranchise well developed.
Gillrakers needle-shaped, rather numerous.
Color, silvery, with darker markings.
Deep-sea fishes, resembling smelt. Of four known species, only one is from Porto Rico.
a. Eye 2 in head; scales 60 to 63 agassizii
aa. Eye 3 in head; scales 45 to 52.
b. Dorsal rays 11; depth 6.25 in length chalybcius
,
44
bb. Dorsal rays 8; depth 5.5 in length truculentus
45. Chlorophthalmus chalybeius (Goode).
Head 3; depth 6; eye 2.5; snout 3.5; interorbital 7; maxillary 2; mandible 1.8; D. 9; A. 6; scales
51; pectoral 1.5; ventrals 1.6; height of dorsal 1.4; of anal 2.5; length of caudal lobes 1.4; least depth
of caudal peduncle about half that, of body.
Body terete; head rather large; mouth large; maxillary long, broad at tip, reaching front of pupil;
lower jaw somewhat projecting; eye very large; minute teeth on jaws, vomer, palatines, and tongue;
94 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
gillrakers long and slender; opercular flap long, reaching base of pectoral. Scales large, arranged in
regular, oblique, transverse rows, overlapping in such a manner as to resemble plates, most of the
scales apparently cycloid, but those of lateral line pectinate. Origin of caudal slightly nearer tip of
snout than adipose fin and in front of base of ventrals; adipose fin over middle of anal whose distance
from snout is three-fourths length of body; pectoral long, pointed, its tip not reaching tips of ventrals;
ventrals long; anal opening between ventrals and near their base.
Color in alcohol : Pale; back and sides crossed by about 10 rather broad dark-brown bars, usually
interrupted on the side, the broadest being just back of dorsal; a broad one crossing front of dorsal, and
a narrow one at its last rays; a large quadrangular dark blotch on side above and anterior to anal fin;
base of caudal dark; cheek, opercles, and top of head with some dark; snout pale; lower part of side,
especially between pectoral and ventral, with line black specks; a few above pectoral; breast and
region between ventrals with numerous shining black specks; anal black; scales of belly with rows of
similar black specks; bases of anal and ventrals similarly marked; inner ventral rays black; lower
part of anterior dorsal rays black; base of caudal with numerous dark specks.
The single specimen (2.5 inches long) which we have agrees fairly well with the type with which
we have compared it. The lower jaw, however, is less projecting in our specimen and the dorsal rays
are one fewer. The known specimens of this interesting species have been taken as follows:
Fish Hawk
Station.
U.S. Nat.
Mus. No. Lat. N. Long. W. Depth.
Albatross
Station.
U.S. Nat.
Mus. No. Lat. N. Long. W. Depth.
876)
877 >
878]
1043
1038
1108
6070
|
26092
28995
28976
31644
o t n
Off Bloc
3S 39 00
39 58 00
40 02 00
Mayague
0 / //
; Island.
73 11 00
70 06 00
70 37 30
/, Harbor.
Fms.
126
130
146
101
220
2420
2424
2425
2536
2537
43829
43830
43831
(13833
143834
43835
o t n
37 03 20
36 41 37
36 20 24
|
39 56 15
’
39 56 45
O ! //
74 31 40
74 42 15
74 46 30
70 47 30
70 50 30
Fms.
101
85
119
157
156
It will be observed that all the specimens previously taken were obtained in the Gulf Stream
southeast of Rhode Island, in depths ranging from 85 to 157 fathoms. The specimen obtained by us in
Mavaguez Harbor was taken from rocky bottom in the beam trawl and at the greatest depth yet
known for the species.
Hyphalonedrus chalybeius Goode, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1880 (Feb. 16, 1881), 484, Gulf Stream, off Block Island.
Chlorophthalmus chalybeius, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 542, 1896.
Family XXI. PtECILIIILF. The Killi-fishes.
Body oblong or moderately elongate, compressed behind, depressed forward, covered with rather
large cycloid scales, which are adherent and regularly arranged. Lateral line wanting or represented
by a few imperfect pores. Head scaly, at least above. Mouth terminal, small, the lower jaw usually
projecting; margin of the upper jaw formed by the premaxillaries only; premaxi llaries strong,
extremely protractile. Teeth incisor-like or villiform, sometimes present on vomer, but usually in
jaws only; lower pharyngeals separate, with cardiform or rarely molar teeth; third upper pharyngeal
enlarged, fourth wanting or united to third. Gill-membranes somewhat connected, free from isthmus;
gillrakers very short, thick. Branchiostegals 4 to 6. Pseudobranchise none. Dorsal fin single,
inserted posteriorly, of soft rays only, rarely with a single spine or a rudimentary spinous dorsal;
caudal fin not forked; ventral fins abdominal, rarely wanting; pectoral fins inserted low; no adipose
fin. Stomach siphonal without pyloric appendages. Air-bladder simple, often wanting. Basis cranii
simple [fide Cope). Sexes usually unlike, the fins being largest in the males, but in some species the
females are much larger in size. Many of the species are ovoviviparous or viviparous, the sexes very
unlike, anal fin of male being developed as an intromittent organ, the young well developed at birth.
A large family of brackish or fresh-water fishes in southern Europe, Asia, Africa, and America,
some of them occurring in bays and arms of the sea. They are mostly of small size, and the species are
very difficult of determination. Only two species known from Porto Rico. This is easily understood
when it is remembered that there is so little brackish water about this island.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 95
a. Intestinal canal comparatively short, little convoluted; teeth little movable; bones of the dentary firmly con-
nected; lower jaw strong and usually projecting beyond upper; species chiefly carnivorous.
b. Anal fin of male similar to that of female and not modified into an intromittent organ. Species oviparous.
c. Teeth all pointed, none of them compressed or bicuspid or tricuspid.
Fundulin,®:
d. Teeth in vllliform bands or at least in more than one series.
e. Air-bladder well developed (in all species examined); no caudal ocellus.
/. Gill-openings not restricted above, the opercular angle free from shoulder-girdle; body oblong; dorsal various in
size and insertion Fundulus, 31
ff. Gill-openings restricted, the opercle from upper root of pectoral upward being adnate to shoulder-girdle, body
short and deep Adinia
ee. Air-bladder wanting; a black ocellus at root of caudal, at least in males Rivuliis
dd. Teeth arranged in a single series; dorsal inserted in advance of anal; mouth oblique.
g. Dorsal and anal fins short, each of 9 to 13 rays Lucania
gg. Dorsal and anal fins very long, each of more than 20 rays Girardinichthys
Cyprinodontin/E:
cc. Teeth incisor-like, notched, bicuspid or tricuspid.
h. Ventral fins well developed (occasionally lost through atrophy); gill-openings restricted; opercle adnate above to
the shoulder-girdle.
i. Incisors bicuspid, with a band of villiform teeth behind them; body rather deep, vertical fins moderately
developed Characodon
ii. Incisors tricuspid, in one row, with no villiform teeth behind them; body short and deep, compressed.
j. Dorsal fin- short, of 10 to 12 rays, first ray slender and rudimentary Cyprinodon
jj. Dorsal fin very long, of 16 to 18 rays, first ray developed as a stout, grooved spine Jordanella
bb. Anal fin in the males placed well forward and modified into a sword-shaped intromittent organ teeth all pointed,
arranged in bands. Species viviparous or ovoviviparous, the young of large size at birth.
GAMBUSUNi®:
k. Eye normal, pupil not divided by a partition; dorsal inserted more or less behind front of anal.
l. Jaws not produced into a beak, lower jaw prominent, longer than upper; male fish much smaller than female.
m. Dorsal fin long, of 14 to 16 rays; anal short Pseudoxiphophorus
mm. Dorsal fin short, of 6 to 10 rays; anal short Gambusia
U. Jaws produced into a moderate beak, much as in Labidesthes; dorsal and anal short Belonesox
Anablepin.®:
- kk. Eye divided into two portions by a horizontal cross partition; vertical fins short; body elongate Anableps
aa. Intestinal canal elongate, with numerous convolutions; dentary bones loosely joined; teeth movable; species
chiefly mud-eating.
Goodeina::
n. Teeth incisor-like, all tricuspid, in one series, with a series of villiform teeth behind them; sexual characters unknown,
the sexes probably alike; lower jaw projecting.
o. Fins small; scales large; form oblong Goodea
Pceciliina::
nn. Teeth all pointed; anal fin in male advanced and modified into an intromittent organ; lower jaw short and weak.
Species ovoviviparous.
p. Teeth in a single series; dorsal and anal both short; scales large.
q. Dorsal fin inserted in advance of anal Platypcecilus
qq. Dorsal fin inserted more or less behind front of anal Heterandria
pp. Teeth in more than one series.
r. Dorsal inserted more or less behind anal; both fins very small Lebistes
rr. Dorsal inserted over or in advance of anal, its rays much elevated in male.
s. Dorsal fin short, of fewer than 12 rays.
t. Teeth of inner series in both jaws trifid Acropcecilia
It. Teeth of inner series in both jaws entire Pcecilia, 32
ss. Dorsal fin long, of 12 to 16 rays.
u. Caudal fin normal, alike in both sexes, or with the lower angle merely sharp in the male Mollienisia
uu. Caudal fin in males with its lower lobe much produced and sword-shaped, in adult as long as the rest of the
body Xiphophorus
Genus 31. FUNDULUS Lacepede. Killi-fishes.
Body rather elongate, little elevated, compressed behind. Mouth moderate, lower jaw projecting.
Jaws each with two or -more series of pointed teeth, usually forming a narrow band. Bones of the
mandible firmly united. Scales moderate. Hill-opening not restricted above, opercle with its margin
not adnate to shoulder-girdle. Preopercle, preorbital, and mandible with mucous pores. Dorsal and
anal fins similar, small or rather large, dorsal inserted either in front of, above, or behind front of
anal; ventrals well developed. Air-bladder present. Sexes differing in color, size, and development
96 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
of fins, anal fin in the male normal. Intestinal canal short. First superior pharyngeal without teeth,
second with teeth; third and fourth coossified, with teeth.
Species very numerous, mostly American, inhabiting fresh waters and arms of the sea. They are
the largest in size of the cyprinodonts, and some of them are very brightly colored. They are oviparous
and feed chiefly on animals. Some of them are. bottom fishes, burying themselves in the mud of
estuaries; others swim freely in river channels and bays; still others are “top minnows,” surface
swimmers, feeding on floating insects in swamps and streams.
a. Species with dorsal fin moderate or rather large, of It to IV rays, its insertion above or usually in front of inser-
tion of first ray of anal; scales large or small. Free-swimming species, not feeding at the surface, some of
them often burying themselves in the mud of bottoms in shallow water.
b. Dorsal fin inserted before origin of anal; branehiostegals 5 or 6.
Funbui.us:
c. Scales large, 31 to 38 in a lengthwise series.
d. Scales in lateral line 31 to 34, 10 to 12 in a cross series; body rather elongate, depth 4 to 4.5 in length; dorsal rays
usually 12.
e. Body without crossbands; each scale above, and especially posteriorly, with a vertical purplish spot in the center;
dorsal with series of blackish dots; anal rays 13 punctalus
ee. Body with crossbands light or dark, probably in both sexes; anal rays 9 to 11.
/. Snout shortish, shorter than eye; a black spot on back before dorsal; head bluntish, 3.5 in length pallidas
//. Snout very long, 1.5 times length of eye in adult; no black spot before dorsal; male with an ocellated dorsal spot;
head pointed and elongate, 3.33 in body; branehiostegals 6 similis
dd. Scales in lateral line 35 to 38.
g. Anal rays 10 to 12.
h. Female with two or three black horizontal stripes; male with about 12 dark crossbars and a dorsal ocellus; head
long; 3.75 in length; branehiostegals 6 majalis
hli. Female plain or with dark crossbands only; no black horizontal stripes.
i. Dorsal rays 10 or 11.
j. Color greenish; both sexes usually with dusky or silvery crossbars and pearly spots, at least on the fins of the male;
dorsal sometimes with an ocellus; scales 35 or 36.
k. Form robust, the depth 3.66 in length; head 3.66; dorsal ocellus faint or wanting; males with many pearly spots;
females nearly plain hcteroclitus
kk. Form rather slender, the depth 4 in length; head 3.25; dorsal ocellus on female very conspicuous; pearly spots fewer;
female banded or spotted ocellaris
jj. Color greenish; in spirits without bands or spots; body deep; tail slender; fins small fonticola, 46
it. Dorsal rays 12 to 14; olivaceous, with about 15 dark crossbands bermudx
gg. Anal rays 16 or 17; dorsal rays 13 or 14; upper lip thick; scales 38-15 or 16.
l. Form robust, the depth in adult about 3 in length; color uniform pale-brown; fins unspotted robusms
ll. Form rather slender, the depth 4.5 in length; color uniform-brown, or slightly mottled on tail; fins unspotted; the
anal of male black at base, yellow distally labialis
cc. Scales comparatively small, 44 to 48 in lateral line; dorsal fin of 13 to 15 rays; anal rays 11 to 14 adinia
bb. Dorsal fin inserted over or slightly behind front of anal fin; branehiostegals 4 or 5; bright-colored species with
orange or brown spots, inhabiting mountain springs and brooks; scales about 35, 24 before dorsal; body with
about 15 well-marked black crossbands, as in Fundulus similis or F. cingulatus, between which this species seems
to find its place; fins plain. D. 9 or 10; A. 9 funduloides
Zygonectes:
aa. Species with dorsal fin small, of 7 to 11 rays, its insertion distinctly behind front of anal fin; small species with
large scales (29 to 40) ; surface swimmers, “top minnows,” seeking insects at the surface of water.
to. Anal rays 14; dorsal rays 8; scales 31-8; depth 5 in length; olive, the body plain; dorsal and anal with dark cross-
bands; base of caudal with round pale spots dovii
mm. Anal rays 8 to 13.
n. General coloration olivaceous, either plain or with pearly or orange spots paler than ground-color, or blackish spots
not forming distinct series; no sharply defined black crossbars or longitudinal black stripes.
o.- Anal rays 12 or 13; body slender, depth 4 to 5 in length jenkinsi
oo. Anal rays 8 to 11; scales rather large, about 33 to 35-10; depth about 4 in length; anal rays 8 to 11; head 3.25 to 3.5
in length pulvereus
nn. General coloration olivaceous, with a single black lateral stripe from head to tail ; body stout, depth 3.33 in length;
sides silvery, with black lateral shade above silvery part. D. 11; A. 11; scales 31-10 melapleurus
46. Fundulus fonticola Cuvier & Valenciennes.
D. 11; A. 12; B. 5; scales 37. Body plump, with long caudal peduncle. Head broad, little
depressed; tail slenderer and body deeper than in Fundulus heteroclitus; dorsal inserted in front of
anal; dorsal and caudal small and rounded, anal high and pointed, paired fins short. Teeth in broad
bands, outer little enlarged. Uniform green, apparently without spots or band in spirits. (Color
entirely lost in the original type.) Length 2 inches.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 97
Known only from mountain springs in Porto Rico; here described from the original type, the
only known example, as the other specimens possessed by Cuvier & Valenciennes belong to a species
of Gcimbusia. This species was not obtained by us, but is recorded from Porto Rico by Poey.
Fundulus fonticola Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XVIII, 198, 1846, Porto Rico; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia,
342, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 643, 1896.
Genus 32. PCECILIA Bloch & Schneider.
Body oblong, often rather deep; mouth small, transverse, with weak jaws; teeth small, in narrow
bands, the outer series in each jaw being usually enlarged, curved, movable, and with brown tips;
lower jaw not prominent, bones movable. Scales large. Dorsal fin rather small, of 7 to 11 rays; anal
fin short, in female nearly opposite dorsal, in males advanced and modified into a sword-shaped intro-
mittent organ. Vertebra; about 28. Intestine long.
Numerous species, mud-eating and viviparous, inhabiting the West Indies, Mexico, and South
America. The genus differs from Mollienisia only in the smaller size of the dorsal, which usually has
9 or 10 rays and is nearly opposite the anal in the female, but behind it in the male.
. Scales very large, 23 to 25 in a lengthwise series; coloration plain; dorsal and anal dotted.
. Dorsal rays 7; anal rays 8; coloration plain, fins dotted vivipara, 47
bb. Dorsal rays 9; anal rays 8 giUi
aa. Scales moderate, 28 to 32 in a lengthwise series.
c. Base of caudal with a black ocellus pavonina
cc. Base of caudal without distinct black ocellus.
d. Dorsal and anal each with 10 or 11 rays; scales 30 to 32,-10; depth 3 to 3.33 in length; side with two rows of black
dots vittata
dd. Dorsal with 7 to 11 rays; anal rays 6 to 9.
e. Body rather robust, depth in adult more than one-fourth length mexicana;
thermalis; chisoyensis; pelenensis; sphenops; dovii; boucardi; vandepolli; dominicensis; melanogaster; spilurus
ee. Body rather elongate, depth in adult not more than one-fourth length elongata
47. Poecilia vivipara (Bloch & Schneider).
Head 3.6; depth 3.5; eye 3.5; snout 4.2; interorbital 1.8; D. 7; A. 8; scales 25,-8.
Body stout, compressed posteriorly; head depressed, flat; mouth small, jaws weak, lower pro-
jecting; teeth small, in a narrow band in each jaw, outer series greatly enlarged, curved, movable, tips
brown, those of inner series of short, blunt papillae; greatest width of body at pectorals about 1.2 in
head; caudal peduncle greatly compressed 7 or 8 times in its least depth; origin of dorsal fin in female
somewhat posterior to that of anal, a little nearer snout than tips of caudal fin; dorsal and anal fins
small, the rays short; pectorals and ventrals short; scales large; intestinal canal long and convoluted.
Color, olivaceous, paler below; borders of scales brownish; a dark bar across anterior part of
opercle, meeting its fellow below; dorsal fin with a broad black bar, plainest on posterior rays, some-
times not evident on anterior rays; caudal with many fine dark specks, faint traces of two dark crossbars;
an irregular black blotch on base of upper caudal rays and a similar one on lower, these sometimes
indistinct. The males differ somewhat from the females in color. The black at the base of the caudal
is more distinct, and the body is crossed by some 10 or 12 indistinct brownish bars.
The male also differs from the female in having the anterior rays of the anal modified into a long,
somewhat curved intromittent organ, the length of which is usually about equal to length of head; the
anal is situated much farther forward, its origin being nearer tip of snout than base of caudal; the
ventrals are also much lengthened, about 1.3 in head.
This little fish has been recorded from Brazil, Guiana, and Martinique. It was found near Ponce
and Fajardo and at Arroyo and Hucares. At the latter place 422 specimens were obtained February
14 in a small brackish-water lagoon, where it was associated with Dormitalor maculatus and the young of
Tarpon atlanticus. They most frequented the shallow water along the edges of the lagoon, where they
swarmed in great numbers and were easily caught in a small hand-net. Of the 422 examined only 34
were males. The largest females are about 2 inches in total length, the males about 1.44 inches. At
Fajardo 71 were taken, of which only one was a male. These were evidently adults, some being 3
inches long and most of them over 2 inches. Some of the females contained well-developed young.
Poecilia vivipara Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Iehth., 452, pi. 86, fig. 2, 1801, Surinam; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 691, 1896.
Poecilia surinamensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Humboldt, Observ. Zool., II, 158, 1817, Surinam.
Poecilia schneideri Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XVIII, 135, 1846, Surinam,
F. C. B. 1900—7
98 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Family XXI 1. ESOCIIM:. The Needle-fishes.
Body elongate, very slender, compressed or not, covered with small thin scales. Lateral line
very low, running as a fold alongside of belly. Both jaws produced in a beak, the lower jaw the
longer, very much the longer in the young, which resemble Hemiramphus
;
maxillaries grown fast to
premaxillaries; each jaw with a hand of small, sharp teeth, besides a series of longer, wide-set, sharp,
conical teeth. No linlets. Dorsal fin opposite anal, both tins rather long. Air-bladder present.
Lower pharyngeals united to form a long, slender, narrow plate, with flat surface, covered with small,
pointed teeth; upper pharyngeals distinct, the third pair little enlarged, each with some 15 moderate,
unequal pointed teeth ( Tylosurus marinus); fourth pair well developed, with similar teeth, but without
anterior processes. Vertebrae numerous, with zygapophyses. Ovary single.
Voracious, carnivorous fishes, bearing a superficial resemblance to the gar pikes; found in all
warm seas, sometimes entering rivers.
This family contains 4 genera, only 2 of which (Tylosurus and Athlennes) are found in our waters,
and only the first is represented in Porto Rico; the species are about 50, the majority of them American.
Their habits are ordinarily much like those of the pike, but when startled they swim along the surface
with extraordinary rapidity, often leaping above the water for short distances. When thus leaping
the large species of the tropics are sources of danger to incautious fishermen, sometimes piercing the
naked abdomen of the savages. Most of them are good food-fishes, but the green color of the bones
of the larger species often causes them to be avoided, for no good reason.
a. Gillrakers none; no teeth on vomer: dorsal and anal elevated In front; caudal fin lunate.
b. Body subterete or slightly compressed, its breadth more than two-thirds its greatest depth Tylosurus, 33
bb. Body much compressed, its breadth not half its greatest depth... Athlennes
Genus 33. TYLOSURUS Cocco. The Hound-fishes.
B< >dy elongate, very slender, not much compressed. Both jaws prolonged into a beak, lower jaw
somewhat the longer, much the longer in young fishes, the very young resembling Hemiramplms.
Each jaw armed with a band of small, sharp teeth, beside which is a series of longer, wide-set, sharp,
conical, unequal teeth; no teeth on vomer or palatines. Scales small, thin; lateral line running along
the side of the belly, becoming median on the tail. No finlets. Dorsal fin more or less elevated
anteriorly; caudal fin short, unequally lunated or forked; pectorals moderate; ventrals small, inserted
behind the middle of the body. Gillrakers obsolete. Bones usually more or less green.
This genus contains numerous species of comparatively large size. Voracious fishes, chiefly Amer-
ican, one species crossing to Europe, some of them entering rivers.
a. Mouth capable of being nearly or quite closed, upper jaw not conspicuously arched at base.
b. Caudal peduncle compressed, deeper than broad, without trace of keel along the lateral line; no fold of skin across
preoperele; caudal subtruncate, the lower lobe somewhat produced; sides with a bluish-silvery band; species
of small size, with scales and bones not green.
c. Scales comparatively large, about 85 before the dorsal fin, and about 7 or 8 rows on the cheek; body robust, depth
about 5 in head; coloration pale, dorsal and caudal brick-red in life; lateral stripe narrow for its entire length:
no scapular blotch notatus
cc. Scales small, 140 to 150 before dorsal fin, about 12 rows on the cheek; body slender; ventrals inserted at a point
nearer cheeks than base of caudal; fins without red; lateral stripe broadened below dorsal fin.
d. Body very slender, depth 7 in head, which is 2.83 in body; eye moderate, 2.33 to 2.75 in postorbital part of head; no
distinct notch in the temporal ridge; maxillary not entirely concealed by preorbital. D. I, 15; A. 1 , 17; scales
in lateral line 225 . limucu, 48
dd. Body less slender, depth 6 in head, which is 2.9 in body; eye large, 2.2 in postorbital part of head; a distinct notch
on temporal ridge close behind eye; maxillary almost entirely concealed by the preorbital. D. I, 15; A. I, 17;
scales in lateral line 200 euryops
bb. Caudal peduncle very much depressed, wider than deep, but without trace of keel. Head 2.66 in length; eye 2.5 in
postorbital part of head; maxillary nearly concealed by preorbital; body subterete; snout very nearly twice
length of rest of head; brownish above, silvery below, a bluish lateral stripe edged below with black and
yellowish; scales not very small. D. 16; A. 17 diplotxnia
bbb. Caudal peduncle more or less depressed, or at least with a more or less developed dermal keel along the lateral
line; scales and bones more or less green.
e. Dorsal and anal fins short, each of 14 to 18 rays, anal larger than dorsal and beginning farther forward; last rays
of dorsal and anal low; jaws slender, about twice as long as rest of head; no fold of skin across preoperele.
f. Eye very small, 4 to 6 in postorbital part of head; caudal keel sharp, color black; body and tail much depressed,
microps
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 99
ff. Eye moderate, 2 to 3.25 in postorbital part of head.
g. Caudal fin forked; caudal keel sharp, broad, and conspicuous; top of head flat, striated, without median groove;
case of upper jaw much depressed; maxillary entirely hidden by preorbital; teeth very small; ventral fin mid-
way between eye and caudal; scales not very small. D. I, 13; A. i, 18 ardeola, 49
gg. Caudal fin unequally lunate, the emargination not deep, the lower rays moderately produced; scales very small;
sides with a silvery lateral stripe; caudal keel not very conspicuous, not black; top of head with median groove;
maxillary not entirely concealed by preorbital; ventral inserted midway between preopercle and base of
caudal. Species of moderate size, with the scales and bones more or less green.
h. Eye moderate, 2.5 in postorbital part of head; pectorals not black posteriorly. D. I, 15; A. I, 17; lateral line 300; a
dark bar on opercle marinus
hh. Eye small, 3.25 in postorbital part of head. D. 13 or 14; A. 15 or 16; pectoral pale almeida
ee. Dorsal and anal fins long, each of 17 to 25 rays, last rays of dorsal fin more or less elevated in the young, becoming
lower in adult; caudal keel rather strong, black; one or more folds of skin across edge of preopercle; caudal
fin deeply emarginate or unequally forked. Ventrals inserted midway between base of caudal and middle of
eye. Species of large size, with scales and bones green; no distinct lateral stripe.
i. Beak short and very strong, its length 1.5 to 1.33 times length of rest of head; body comparatively robust, depth more
than one-fifth length of head.
j. Dorsal fin long, its rays 1,21 to 1,24; anal rays 1 , 22 to 1,24; insertion of dorsal almost opposite that of anal; snout
longer, 1.66 to 1.83 length of rest of head; lateral line about 350 raphidoma, 50
jj. Allied to T. raphidoma, but insufficiently characterized galealus
ii. Beak strong, but more elongate, about twice length of rest of head; dorsal beginning behind front of anal; greatest
depth of body about two-thirds length of pectoral. D. 1
, 23; A. 1 , 21; lateral line 380; no lateral stripe acus
aa. Mouth not closing completely, upper jaw arched at base; lobes of dorsal and anal low, the last rays elevated; eye
very large, 2.1 in head; scales small, green. D. 24; A. 22; a bluish lateral band caribbxus
48. Tylosurus timucu (Walbaum). “ Agujon.”
Head 2.75; depth 7; eye moderate 2.33 to 2. 75 in postorbital part of head; scales small, 225, about
150 before dorsal: D. 15; A. 17. Body very slender, subterete; caudal peduncle not keeled; ventrals
inserted nearer cheeks than base of caudal. No distinct temporal notch; maxillary not entirely
concealed. Scales and bones not green. Greenish; a silvery-bluish lateral band, widened below
dorsal; no scapular spot. Length 1J feet. Florida Keys to Brazil; not rare.
Found by us at San Juan. Palo Seco, and Hucares, and doubtless occurring everywhere about the
island. By the natives all the species of Tylosurus are known as “agujon.”
Timucu or Peixe agulha, Marcgrave, Pise. Brasil., 168, 1648, Brazil.
Esox timucu Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, III, 295, 1792, Brazil; after Marcgrave.
Betone subtruncata Poey, Memorias, II, 295, 1861, Havana.
Belonc depressa, Poey, Memorias, II, 296, 1861, Havana.
Tylosurus sagitta Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884, 25, Key West.
Tylosurus timucu, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 711, 1896.
49. Tylosurus ardeola (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . “ Agujon.”
Head 3.75; depth 8 in head; eye 7; lower jaw from eye 4 in eye (upper jaw broken in our
specimen); interorbital equal to eye; I). 13; A. 17. Body very slender; head broad and flat, much
broader than in a specimen of T. timucu of same size; upper jaw depressed; preorbital completely cov-
ering maxillary; teeth small and weak; no fold of skin on opercle; caudal peduncle depressed, with
a strong sharp keel; scales moderate, about 150 before dorsal; origin of dorsal decidedly behind that
of anal; caudal unequally lunate, lower lobe the longer; ventrals midway between eye and caudal.
Our collection contains a specimen of Tylosurus, 13 inches long, obtained at Isabel Segunda, which
we are not able to identify with certainty. It is much emaciated and starved in appearance, with
very short jaws, which have probably been broken. It seems to agree with the brief description
given by Cuvier & Valenciennes of their Belone ardeola and also of their B. cigonella, the type of which
came from Porto Rico.
Belone ardeola Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XVIII, 425, 1846, Martinique.
Belone cigonella Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss.', XVIII, 436, 1846, Porto Rico; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 337, 1881.
Tylosurus ardeola, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 713, 1896.
50. Tylosurus raphidoma (Ranzani). “Agujon”; Hound-fish.
D. 21 to 24; A. 22 to 24; scales 350. Caudal keel rather strong, black; one or more folds of skin
across edge of preopercle. Body robust, little compressed, its greatest breadth a little more than two-
thirds greatest depth; caudal peduncle slightly depressed, a little broader than deep, with a slight
black dermal keel. Head broad, interorbital space nearly two-thirds length of postorbital part of
100 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
head, with a broad, shallow, nearly naked median groove, which is wider behind and forks at nape.
Supraorbital bones with radiating strise. Jaw's unusually short, stiff, strong, rapidly tapering forward;
large teeth of jaws very strong, knife-shaped. Upper jaw from eye about 1.75 times as long as the
rest of head. Eye large, 7 in snout, 2.66 in postorbital part of head, and 1.8 in interorbital width.
Maxillary entirely covered by preorbital. Cheek densely scaled; opercle mostly naked except along
the anterior margin. Scales of body minute, especially above. Dorsal fin low posteriorly, height of
its anterior lobe equaling that of anal, or length of postorbital part of head, its longest ray two-fifths
the base of fin; last rays of dorsal and anal much elevated in young; caudal lunate, its lower lobe
nearly half longer than upper; middle rays about as long as eye. Yentrals inserted midway between
base of caudal and middle of eye, their length a little less than that, of pectoral and equal to post-
orbital part of head; insertion of anal opposite that of dorsal.
Green, silvery below; no lateral stripe; pectoral and dorsal blackish; scales and bones green.
This species reaches a length of 3 to 5 feet, and is generally abundant in the West Indies from the
Florida Keys to Brazil, the young occasionally reaching northward, having been reported by Dr. Bean
from Ocean City, N. J. It is the most common species of the genus in Porto Rico, having been obtained
at San Juan, Mayaguez, Ensenada del Boqueron, Isabel Segunda, and Culebra. It is a vigorous fish and
sometimes dangerous in its leaps from the water.
Belone raphidoma Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Nat. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 359, pi. 37, fig. 1, Brazil.
Belone gerania Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XVIII, 437, 1846, Martinique.
Belone crassa Poey, Memorias, II, 291, 1861, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riqueiia, 337, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 166, 1883.
Belone melanochira Poey, Memorias, II, 294, 1861, Havana.
Tylosurus gladius Bean, Proc. U.S.N.M. 1882, 239 and 430, Pensacola.
Tylosurus raphidoma, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 715, 1896.
Family XXI 1 1. HEMIRAMPHID^E. The Balaos.
Body elongate, more or less compressed, covered with large cycloid scales; upper jaw short,
lower jaw various, sometimes much produced, the toothed portion at base fitting against the toothed
premaxi llaries; teeth equal, mostly small and tricuspid; maxillaries anchylosed to premaxi llaries.
Gillrakers long. Caudal fin rounded, or forked; if forked, the lower lobe the longer. Anal fin modi-
fied in the viviparous species (Zenarchopterus)
,
unmodified in the others and usually similar to dorsal;
no finlets; air-bladder large, sometimes cellular. Third upper pharyngeal on each side much enlarged,
solidly united with its fellow to form an oval plate, with slightly convex surface and covered with
blunt tricuspid teeth; this is about as large as the united lower pharyngeals and fits into the cavity of
the latter; fourth upper pharyngeal wanting or grown fast to third
;
lower pharyngeal large, thick,
triangular, with concave surface. Vertebrse about 50. (Characters verified in Hemiramphus hrowni,
Hyporamphus roberti, and Chriodorus atherinoides
.
)
Herbivorous fishes of warm seas; mostly shore species; a few pelagic. They feed chiefly on green
algae, and, like the related forms, swim at the surface, occasionally leaping into the air. Size rather
small, about a foot in length.
a. Lower jaw bluntish, not at all produced; teeth rather large; the pectorals and ventrals moderate; shore
fishes Chriodorus
aa. Lower jaw acute, longer than upper, or more or less produced; teeth small; species oviparous, anal fin in the male
not modified, caudal fin unequally lunate.
b. Lower jaw produced in a long pointed beak, usually longer than rest of head.
c. Body moderately compressed; pectoral moderate; shore fishes.
d. Air-bladder simple; sides of body more or less convex; ventrals inserted anteriorly, far in advance of
dorsal Hyporhamphus, 34
dd. Air-bladder cellular; sides of body nearly vertical and parallel; ventrals inserted posteriorly, not far before
dorsal Hemiramphus, 35
cc. Body very slender and compressed, more or less band-like; pectoral fins very long, ventral very short, inserted
posteriorly; pelagic species Euleptorhamphus
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 101
Genus 34. HYPORHAMPHUS Gill. The Half-beaks.
Body elongate, moderately compressed, sides of body not vertical, but more or less convex; the
dorsal outline parallel with that of belly. Upper jaw short; lower jaw prolonged into a slender beak,
bordered with membrane; the beak shorter in the young; premaxillaries forming a triangular plate,
the teeth of which fit. against the toothed portion of mandible; maxillaries joined to premaxillaries.
Teeth feeble, mostly tricuspid. Gillrakers rather long. Head covered above with large, shield-like
scales. Scales large, deciduous. No finlets; caudal more or less forked, lower lobe the longer; dorsal
and anal similar, opposite each other, not modified in male; last ray of dorsal usually short; vent.rals
small, inserted well forward, nearly midway between opercle and base of caudal. Air-bladder large,
simple, not cellular. Young with lower jaw short. Side in our species with a distinct silvery band,
as in Atherina. Oviparous.
Species numerous in all warm seas, going in large schools, but usually remaining near the shore,
feeding chiefly on green algee.
a. Length of mandible from tip of upper jaw less than rest of head in adult (longer in young) ; body rather stout;
D. 15; A. 16 unifasciatus, 51
an. Length of mandible from tip of upper jaw not less than rest of head, at all ages, much greater in adult; body
more slender. D. 14; A. 15 roberti
51. Hyporhamphus unifasciatus (Ranzani). “Balaju Escribano.
Head 4.6; depth 6.8; eye 4; snout 2.8; maxillary 3.2; mandible 3; interorbital 3.6; D. 14 or 15;
A. 14 to 16; pectoral 1.6; ventral 3.2; lower lobe of caudal 1.1; scales 52.
Body elongate, not greatly compressed, sides not parallel, back wider than belly; lower jaw
produced into a long beak which, from tip of upper jaw, is shorter than rest of head, this character
separating the species from H. roberti
,
in which at all ages the mandible from tip of upper jaw is at
least as long as head and in adults much longer; dorsal and anal fins completely scaled, the anterior
rays produced but not falcate; lower lobe of caudal the longer; lateral line running very low, close to
ventral fin, demarcating side from belly.
Color in life: Back pale-olive or greenish; scales with dark punctulations forming a streak near
border; 3 narrow distinct black lines along middle of back from occiput to dorsal fin, the median one
faintest; dorsal and anal pale, dusky-tipped; caudal pale, dark-edged; fleshy tip of beak red; a distinct
silvery lateral band, about as wide as eye, from upper part of base of pectoral to base of caudal.
The balyhoo is very common in the West Indies, ranging from Key West to Rio de Janeiro, and
is considerably used for food; it often leaps from the water and swims in schools, skimming along the
surface, 43 examples, 4 to 10j inches, from San Antonio Bridge, San Juan market, Boqueron, Ponce,
Hucares, and Isabel Segunda.
Hemirliamphus unifasciatus Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sci. Bonon., V, 1842, 326, Brazil.
? Hemirhamphus picarti Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss. , XIX, 25, 1846, Algiers.
Hemirhamphus richardi Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX, 26, 1846, Antilles; Cayenne; Bahia.; Rio de Janeiro
Hyporamphus tricuspidatus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1859, 131, Barbados.
Hemirhamphus fasdatus Poey, Memorias, II, 299, 1861, Cuba; not of Bleeker.
Hemirhamphus poeyi Gunther, Cat., VI, 262, 1866, Cuba; after Poey.
Hyporhamphus unifasciatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 720, 1896.
Genus 35. HEMIRAMPHUS Cuvier. The Balaos
Body more robust than in Hyporhamphus and different in form, the sides of body being compressed
and nearly vertical and parallel. Head and jaws as in Hyporhamphus. Dorsal longer than anal fin and
inserted farther forward, its last ray more or less produced in American species. Ventral fins small and
inserted well backward, much nearer base of caudal than gill-opening. Air-bladder cellular with many
102 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
partitions (in II. browni). Species probably numerous, but most of them have not been examined as
to the characters which separate this genus from Hyporhamphus.
a. Upper lobe of pectoral orange in life; length of pectoral scarcely greater than depth of body. D. 14; A. 12; scales
53 brasiliensis , 52
«a. Upper lobe of caudal dull-bluish in life; scales rather smaller; length of pectoral one-fifth greater than depth of
body balao
52. Hemirhamphus brasiliensis (Linnaeus). “Balaju” ; Balao; Escribano.
Head 4.2; depth 6.2; eye 3.8; snout 2.9; maxillary 3.6; mandible 3; interorbital 3.9; D. 13 or 14;
A. 12 or 13; pectoral 1.5; ventral 3.1; lower lobe of caudal 1.1; scales 53.
Body much elongate, evenly compressed, the sides parallel, so that a cross section of the body is
nearly rectangular; mandible produced into a very long beak, longer than head, and ending in a fleshy
tip; upper jaw not produced. Lower lobe of caudal the longer.
Color in life: Back uniform dark-greenish, the scales very slightly paler on edges; top of head like
back; upper lobe of caudal yellow, lower olivaceous, the inner edge of both lobes dark; green color of
the back ceasing abruptly at level of middle of base of caudal and upper edge of base of pectoral; sides
and under parts silvery white. The yellow on caudal and the orange on tip of beak are color markings
that distinguish it from Hyporhamphus unifasdatus or roberti.
Very common; edible; its distribution and habits similar to Hyporhamphus; 14 specimens, 9 to 14
inches, from San Antonio Bridge, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Boqueron, and Fajardo; 2 from SanGeronimo.
Pig. 19.
—
Ilemirhamphus brasiliensis.
Esox maxilla inferiore producla, Browne, Hist. Jamaica, 143, 1756, Jamaica.
Esox brasiliensis Linnaius, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 314, 1758, Jamaica; after Browne.
Hemirhamphus marginatus Le Sueur, Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., II, 1823, 135, Lesser Antilles; not of ForskS.1.
Hemirhamphus browni Cuvier & Valenciennes, XIX, 13, 1846, Guadaloupe.; Martinique.
Ilemirhamphus pleii Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX, 19, 1846, Martinique; Santo Domingo.
Macrognathus brevirostris Gronow, Cat., 148, 1854, Jamaica; after Browne.
Ilemirhamphus filamentosus Poey, Mem., II, 297, 1861, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 337, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 166,1883.
Ilemirhamphus brasiliensis
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 722, 1896.
Family XXIV. EXOCtETID/E. The Flying-fishes.
Body oblong or elongate, covered with cycloid scales, which are rather deciduous. Lateral line
running very low, along side of belly. Head more or less scaly, with vertical sides. Mouth moderate,
terminal, the jaws not prolonged into a beak. Premaxillaries not protractile, hinged at base mesially;
margin of upper jaw chiefly formed by premaxillaries, the short maxillaries entering the lateral margin;
maxillary free from premaxillary, its edge slipping under front of preorbital. Dentition various, teeth
small and weak. Dorsal fin without spines, inserted on posterior part of body, opposite anal and
more or less similar to it; ventrals abdominal, of several soft rays, inserted posteriorly; pectoral fin
inserted high, used as an organ of flight; shoulder-girdle and pectoral muscles very strong; caudal fin
forked, lower lobe the longer. No finlets. Vent close in front of the anal. Nostrils large, double,
near eye. Lower pharyngeals enlarged and fully united, forming a large, transversely concave plate,
covered with large, close-set, blunt, tricuspid teeth; third upper pharyngeal greatly enlarged, not united
with its fellow, both covered with large, blunt, tricuspid teeth; fourth superior pharyngeal wanting in
adult (probably coossified with the third)
;
(these characters verified on Exocoetus californicus) ; vertebrae
without zygapophyses. Gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus. Pseudobranchiae hidden,
glandular. Gillrakers various. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Air-bladder very large, not cellular, so
far as known, and extending far backward among haemapophyses of the caudal vertebrae. Vertebrae
about 50. Intestinal canal simple, without caeca.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 10b
Carnivorous or herbivorous fishes; 4 genera and about 65 species, abounding in all warm seas,
mostly pelagic, swimming near the surface, and skipping or sailing through the air, sometimes for
considerable distances.
a. Roof of mouth (vomer, palatines, pterygoids) and tongue provided with teeth, body not angular in outline (ellip-
tical in cross section); pectoral fins moderate, not reaching beyond middle of dorsal fin, ventrals rather long,
inserted behind middle of body; dorsal fin elevated; anal long, its base scarcely shorter than that of dorsal.
Parbxocostus, 36
aa. Roof of mouth and tongue with fewer teeth or none (vomer and palatines toothed or not); body angular in outline
(a cross section subquadrate); pectoral fins very long, their tips usually reaching nearly to base of caudal,
lower jaw little prominent; snout short.
b. Ventral fins inserted anteriorly, much nearer tip of snout than base of caudal, not used as organs of flight, their
tips not reaching nearly to front of dorsal; anal fin long, its base nearly equal to that of dorsal Exoccetus
bh. Ventral fins inserted posteriorly, usually nearer base of caudal than tip of snout, used as organs of flight, their tips
reaching past middle of base of anal.
c. Anal fin long, its base a little less than that of dorsal, its origin nearly opposite that of dorsal Exonautes
cc. Anal fin short, its base one-half to two-thirds that of dorsal, its origin behind that of dorsal CYPSiLUP.usr 37
Genus 36. PAREXOCCETUS Bleeker.
Body moderately elongate, elliptical in cross section. Snout short; lower jaw not produced. Roof
of mouth (vomer, palatines, and pterygoids) fully provided with teeth; pectoral fins moderate, not
reaching beyond middle of dorsal; ventrals long, inserted behind middle of body; anal fin about as
long as dorsal; dorsal high.
Small flying-fishes of tropical coasts, widely distributed.
53. Parexocoetus mesogaster (Bloch). Volador; Flying-fish.
Head 4.4 in length of body; depth 5; D. 12; A. 13; about 38 scales in lateral line, 5 rows of
scales between lateral line and dorsal fin. Body elongate, compressed (not angulated), rather deep;
width of body at base of pectorals 2 in head; head narrow, compressed, almost trenchant below; inter-
orbital area flattish, about as wide as eye, 3 in head. Snout short, rather pointed, its length 4.25 in
head; teeth on tongue and palatines; gillrakers numerous, long and slender; pectoral fins of moderate
length, their length 1.66 to 2 in length of body, their tips reaching middle of base of dorsal fin; second
ray of pectoral divided; dorsal fin very high, its longest rays about 0.16 longer than head; base of
dorsal about 1.14 in length of head; tips of anterior rays of dorsal reaching beyond tips of posterior
rays when fin is deflexed, almost to base of caudal fin; ventrals rather short, 4.75 in length of body,
their tips reaching slightly past origin of anal fin; origin of ventrals midway between pupil and last
caudal vertebra; anal fin opposite dorsal; lower lobe of caudal rather short, slightly longer than head.
Color, blue above, silvery below, pectoral (dusky in the young) becoming nearly white in the
adult; color of ventrals very similar to pectoral, the duskiness in the young formed of fine blaekish
dots; upper half of anterior rays of dorsal fin black; anal fin with few small black dots, more numerous
in the young; caudal dusky-reddish.
This species reaches a length of 7 inches. It is common in the tropical seas of both the East
Indies and West Indies, and in the Hawaiian Islands. It ranges north in the Gulf Stream to Rhode
Island and is the most common flying-fish of the Carolina region. The young often has one or two
fleshy barbels on the tip of the low'er jaw, these being fragile and easily destroyed.
During the voyage of the Fish Hawk to Porto Rico and return to Norfolk, flying-fish were seen
nearly every day and were particularly abundant between Savannah and the Bahamas, in the Wind-
ward and Mona passages, and along the north coasts of Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Porto Rico.
Scarcely a day passed when schools of twenty to a hundred or more did not follow along abreast of the
ship. They were more numerous on bright days when there was considerable wind and the sea was
somewhat rough. Apparently two or more species were seen, though the vast majority probably
belonge to this species which seems to come nearer to shore than any other. A specimen 5.5 inches
long flew aboard the ship at Aguadilla January 18.
E.ioctrAu mesogaster Bloch, Ichthyolgia, pi. 399, 1795, Martinique; on a poor drawing by Plunder.
Exoccetus orbignianus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIX, 131, 1846, Montevideo, based on a drawing.
Exoccetus hillianus Gosse, Nat. Sojourn, in Jamaica, II, pi. 1, fig. 1, 1851, Jamaica.
Exoccetus gryllus Klunzinger, Pische des Rothen Meeres, 586. 1870, Red Sea.
Parexocoetus mesogaster Jordan & Evermann 1. e., 728, 1896.
104 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 37. CYPSILURUS Swainson.
Body elongate, broad above, somewhat compressed; head short, blunt, narrowed below; mouth
small; jaws very short, about equal; chin without barbel; maxillaries not joined to premaxillaries;
teeth very feeble or wanting; eyes large; gillrakers moderate; scales large, deciduous; no finlets;
dorsal fin short, opposite anal; caudal widely forked, lower lobe the longer; pectoral fins very long,
reaching past beginning of anal and serving as organs of flight, their great size enabling these fishes
to sustain themselves in the air for some time; ventral fins large, posteriorly inserted, also used as
organs of flight; air-bladder very large; no pyloric caeca.
Species numerous, in all warm seas, living mostly in the open water and swimming in large schools;
largely cosmopolitan, and any of the forms may be expected to be found within our limits.
a. Second ray of pectoral divided (first simple); third and fourth rays longest.
b. Ventral fins inserted about midway between pupil and last caudal vertebra.
c. Dorsal and anal fins without black markings; ventrals pale.
cl. Base of anal 1.66 in base of dorsal; pectoral 1.44 in length, reaching last ray of dorsal; ventrals 2.75 in body, reach-
ing last ray of anal heterurus
dd. Base of anal 2 in base of dorsal; pectoral 1.40 in length of body, the tip reaching end of dorsal fin; length of
ventrals 2.89 in body, their tips nearly reaching last ray of anal lutkeni
cc. Dorsal and anal fins marked with black; dorsal with one or more dark blotches; anal with a black spot on tips of
third to sixth rays; ventrals black, with pale edgings and a white spot near base furcatus
bb. Ventral fin inserted midway between posterior margin of preopercle and last caudal vertebra.
e. Pectoral with posterior half rather abruptly black; anal white nigricans
ee. Pectoral unicolor or nearly so, not abruptly black posteriorly.
/. Dorsal fin slightly dusky, but without distinct markings; other fins faintly shaded, but without distinct black
markings; pectoral reaching base of last anal ray; ventrals almost as far. D. 13; A. 10 lineaUis
ff. Dorsal fin with a round, black blotch as large as eye on tips of middle rays; other fins all pale; pectoral reaching
beyond tips of dorsal and anal. D. 12; A. 11 cyanopterus
bbb. Ventral fins inserted at. a point midway between middle of opercle and last caudal vertebra (or between tip of
snout and tip of upper lobe of caudal ) bahiensis, 54
aa. Second ray of pectoral simple (like the first); third ray divided.
j Snout more obtusely descending than in any other species, its length 4.5 in head gibbifrons
54. Cypsilurus bahiensis (Ranzani). Volador.
Head 4; depth 5; eye 3.1; snout 4.25; interobital 3; D. 13; A. 9; scales about 50.
Body quadrate, stout, its width about two-thirds its depth; mouth small, snout short; eye large;
top of head flat; pectoral very long, reaching last rays of dorsal and anal, second ray divided, third
and fourth longest; ventrals long, longer than head, reaching nearly as far as tip of pectoral, their
origin midway between last, caudal vertebra and middle of opercle; dorsal considerably in front of
anal, its base nearly double that of anal; caudal widely forked, lower lobe the longer.
'Color, bluish, silvery above, silvery on sides, white below; side of head silvery; pectoral nearly
uniform dusky, paler at base, and bluish-silvery outside; ventrals and anal pale; dorsal pale; caudal
somewhat dusky.
Found in tropical seas, north to Cuba, and said to be one of the commonest species; reaches a
length of 8 inches. One specimen flew aboard the ship off Mayaguez, January 20.
Exoccetus bahiensis Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 362, pi. 38, Bahia.
Exoccetus vermiculatus Poey, Memorias, II, 300, 1861, Cuba.
Exoccetus spilonopterus Bleeker, “Nederl. Tydschr. Dierk., Ill, 1863, 113,” Sumatra.
? Exoccetus parrse Poey, Synopsis, 385, 1868, Cuba; description insufficient; taken from an old drawing.
Exoccetus bahiensis, Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 739, 1896.
Cypsilurus bahiensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2836, 1898.
Family XXV. AULOSTOMIDAi. The Trumpet-fishes.
Body compressed, elongate, covered with small ctenoid scales. Lateral line continuous. Head
long; mouth small, at end of a long, compressed tube. Lower jaw prominent, with a barbel at sym-
physis. Premaxillaries feeble, not protractile; maxillary broad, triangular, with a supplemental bone.
Teeth minute, in bands on lower jaw and vomer. Branchiostegals 4; gills 4, a slit behind fourth.
Pseudobranchiae well developed. Gillrakers obsolete. Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus.
Air-bladder large. Spinous dorsal present, of 8 to 12 very slender free spines; the soft dorsal and
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 105
anal rather long, similar, posterior, with 23 to 28 rays each; caudal small, rhombic, the middle rays
longest but not produced into a filament; ventrals abdominal, of 6 rays, all articulated
;
pectorals broad
,
'
rounded, the space in front of them scaly. First four vertebrae elongated. Two pyloric caeca.
A single genus with two species, found in tropical seas.
Genus 38. AUL0ST0MUS Lacepede.
Characters of this genus included with those of the family.
a. Base of soft dorsal and anal not black; each fin with a black band parallel with Its base.
b. Eye 2 to 2.5 in postorbital part of head; ground-color reddish; silvery lateral streaks, not all below lateral line.
maculatus
,
55
bb. Eye 3.5 in postorbital part of head; ground-color brown; lateral silvery streaks all below lateral line cinereus
55. Aulostomus maculatus Valenciennes. Trumpet-fish; “ Trompetero."
Head 3; eye 2 to 2.5 in postorbital part of head; D. x-23; A. 25; V. 6. Lower jaw prominent,
keeled, with a small barbel at symphysis; premaxillary slender, maxillary broad; triangular patches
of minute teeth on lower jaw, vomer, palatines, gill-arches, and pharyngeals. Intestinal canal short;
two pyloric caeca.
Color, olivaceous, with one or two series of brown or blue dots along each side of the back; another
irregular series from the preoperculum along each side of the belly to anal fin
;
three or four silvery lines
on each side of abdomen, replaced on head by irregular oblique streaks; anterior part of dorsal and anal
with a horizontal black band, parallel with base of fin but remote from it; caudal fin with usually two
round black spots; ventral fins plain, spotted. (Gunther.)
Found in the Caribbean Sea, north to southern Florida; rather common southward; apparently
not common about Porto Rico, as only one small specimen was obtained. This was seined in Boqueron
Bay January 26.
Aulostoma maculatum Valenciennes, in Cuvier’s Hist. Poissons, pi. 92, fig. 2, about 1845.
Aulostoma coloratum Muller & Troschel, in Schomburgk’s Hist. Barbados, 673, 1848, Barbados.
Aulostomus uiaculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 754, 1896.
Family XXVI. FISTULARIID2E. The Cornet-fishes.
Body extremely elongate, much depressed, broader than deep. Scaleless, but having bony
plates present on various parts of body, mostly covered by skin. Head very long, anterior bones of
skull much produced, forming a long tube, which terminates in the narrow mouth; this tube formed by
symplectic, proethmoid, metapterygoid, mesopterygoid, quadrate, palatines, vomer, and mesethmoid.
Both jaws, and usually vomer and palatines also, with minute teeth; membrane uniting bones of tube
below very lax, so that tube is capable of much dilation. Post-temporal coossified with the cranium.
Branchiostegals 5 to 7; gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus.
Gillrakers obsolete. Basibranchial elements wanting. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-bladder large.
Spinous dorsal entirely absent; soft dorsal short, posterior, somewhat elevated; anal fin opposite it,
and similar; caudal fin forked, middle rays produced into a long filament; pectoral small, with a
broad base, preceded by a smooth area as in the Gasterosteidx
;
pectoral ossicles 3; interclavicles greatly
lengthened; supraclavicles very small; ventral fins very small, wide apart, abdominal (through partial
atrophy of the girdle, by which they lose connection with the interclavicles), far in advance of the
dorsal, composed of 6 soft rays. Pyloric caeca few; intestine short. Vertebrae very numerous
(4
-f- 44 to 49 + 28 to 33), the first four very long.
Fishes of tropical seas, related to the sticklebacks in structure, but with prolonged snout and
different ventral fins. A single genus, with three species.
106 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 39. FISTULARIA Linnaeus. Trumpet-fishes.
Characters of the genus includeil above "with those of the family.
a. Upper lateral edges of snout with few serrations or none; body with blue spots tabacaria, 56
aa. Upper lateral edges of snout sharply serrated; body with few blue spots or none petimba
56. Fistularia tabacaria i Linnaeus) . Trumpet-fish; Trompetero.
Head 2.8; mandible about 4 in snout; snout 3.75 in length of body. D. 14; A. 13. Mouth
slightly oblique, lower jaw the longer, overlapping upper; snout much prolonged, tapering but little
forward, its edges with fine serrations or none. Margin of orbit with sharp compressed points in
front and behind. Reddish-brown above, variegated with numerous large, unequal, oblong, pale-blue
spots on sides and back, arranged in series.
West Indies and the neighboring seas, generally common; occasional northward to Carolina and
Florida, or even to Massachusetts. Reaches a length of 6 feet. One specimen obtained by Mr. Gray
at San Geronimo; reported from Porto Rico by Poey and Stahl.
Petimbuaba, Marcgrave, Hist. Brazil, 148, 1648, Brasil.
Fistularia tabacaria, Iinneeus, Syst. Nat., X, 312, 1758, America; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 757, 1896.
Fistularia neoboracensis Mitehill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., 1, 1815, 437, New York.
Aulostome marcgravii Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Arntir. Sud, 30, 1850, Bahia; Rio Janeiro.
FlagcUaria fistularis Gronow, Cat. Fishes, ed. Gray, 146, 1854, American Ocean.
Solenostomus scrratus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Rlquena, 337,1881.
Solenostomus tabacarius, Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 165, 1883.
Family XXVII. SYNG.NATHID.lv. The Pipe-fishes.
Body elongate, usually slender, covered with bony plates which are firmly connected, forming a
bony carapace. Head slender, snout long, tube-like, bearing short toothless jaws at end. Gill-openings
reduced to a small aperture behind the upper part of the opercle. Tail long, prehensile or not,
usually provided with a small caudal fin. Male fishes with an egg pouch, usually placed on under
side of tail, sometimes on abdomen, commonly formed of two folds of skin which meet on median line.
The eggs are received into this pouch and retained until some time after hatching, when the pouch
opens, permitting the young to escape. Dorsal fin single, nearly median, of soft rays only; pectorals
small, or wanting; ventrals none; anal fin minute, usually present.
a. Tail not prehensile, usually with a caudal fin; axis of head usually in line with axis of body.
b. Top of head with a slight carination, or none.
Syngnathinte;
c. Pectoral fins present; caudal present.
it. Male with egg pouch under tail, formed by lateral membranes which become connected along middle, forming a
closed pouch.
e. Dorsal fin inserted over or just before vent Siphostoma, 40
dd. Male with egg pouch on abdomen; ridges of body prominent and distinct; caudal fin moderate.
.
. Dory'rhamphus
cc. Pectoral fins wanting; caudal wanting or rudimentary; male with ova attached to abdomen, without closed pouch;
no adipose fin.
/. Back without peculiar tube Syngnathus
ff. Back with a peculiar tube inclosed by the scutes, and extending for a distance before dorsal fin Osphyolax
bb. Top of head strongly carinated... Cory'throichthys, 41
IIippocampina;:
aa. Tail prehensile; caudal fin small; head shaped like that of a horse, placed at a large angle with axis of body; egg
pouch at base of tail.
g. Body compressed; occiput with a narrow bony crest, surmounted by a coronet; shields with tubercles or spines.
Hippocampus, 42
Genus 40. SIPHOSTOMA Rafinesque. The Pipe-fishes.
Body elongate, very slender, 6 or 7-angled, not compressed, tapering into a very long tail; dorsal
keels of the trunk not continuous with those of tail. Head slender, tapering into a long, tube-like
subterete snout, which bears the very short, toothless jaws at end. Humeral bones firmly united with
“breast ling.” Body covered with a series of bony, keeled, radiated plates, arranged in linear series.
Dorsal fin distinct, rather short, inserted before or opposite th.e vent, which is near middle of body;
caudal fin present, rather small; anal fin minute, close behind vent; pectorals developed, short and
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 107
rather broad. Male Ashes with an egg pouch along under side of tail, formed by two cutaneous folds,
and splitting lengthwise to release the young fishes.
Species very numerous, inhabiting all warm seas; abounding in bays among the seaweeds and
entering rivers. The females in most species are deeper than the males, with more robust trunk,
longer snout, and a more distinct ventral keel.
a. Top of head with a slight carination or none; snout keeled or not; operele without prominent ridge; base of dorsal
not elevated.
b. Dorsal moderate or long, its first ray in advance of vent; snout moderate or long; angles of body generally
prominent.
c. Dorsal covering 1 or 2 body rings.
d. Dorsal covering about 6 or 7 caudal rings, rarely fewer.
e. Caudal rings 36 to 41 fistulatum
ee. Caudal rings 31 to 34.
/. Dorsal 29 to 32, on 2+6 rings mackayi, 57
ff. Dorsal 27, on 1+7 rings, rarely on 2+6 floridx , 58
eee. Caudal rings 24; body rings 19; dorsal rays 30, on 1+6 rings; snout long; body slender poeyi
dd. Dorsal covering 4 or 5 caudal rings,
fir. Dorsal rays 24 to 32.
h. Dorsal rays 29 to 32, on 1 + 9 rings; rings 17 + 35; snout 2 in head, head with keel pelagicum
hh. Dorsal rays 26 to 28, on 1.5 + 5 rings; rings 16 + 34; snout short, 2 in head; head with slight keel rousscau
hhh. Dorsal rays 23 to 25, on about 1 + 4 rings; rings usually 16 + 33; snout short, 2 in head clucens, 59
firfir. Dorsal very short, 18 rays, on 1 + 5 rings; rings 17 + 32; snout short jonesi, 60
ddd. Dorsal very short, covering 3 caudal rings and 1.5 body rings, its rays 20 to 23; rings 17 + 27; snout very short; head
keeled above brachycephalnm
ec. Dorsal covering 3 body and 4 to 6 caudal rings.
i. Kings 16 to 18 + 29 to 33.
j. Snout rather short, not half length of head; dorsal fin very high; rings 18 + 33; dorsal 35, on 5 + 4 rings; belly in
female with a black keel; sides with narrow vertical silvery streaks; dorsal spotted affine
jj. Snout rather long, more than half head.
ii. Rings 20 to 21 + 36 to 38; dorsal 32 to 37, on 3 + 5 rings; belly flat or slightly concave; snout moderate louisianse
iii. Rings 16 to 20 + 36 to 40; dorsal 36 to 40, on 5 + 4 or 4 + 5 rings fuscum
lb. Dorsal fin very short, its first ray not in advance of vent; rings 15 + 37 to 39; snout very short, less than two-fifths
head; angles of body little marked, the form subterete crinigerum
57. Siphostoma mackayi Swain & Meek.
Head 5.66 to 6.25 in total length. D. 29 to 32; rings 184-33 to 36. Snout compressed, 1.75
to 2 in head, its median line with a slight keel above and below, with smaller keels on each side;
operele not keeled. Dorsal somewhat higher than width of a body ring, its base about 1.33 in length
of head, covering 24-6 rings. Pectoral higher than length of base; tail about 1.83 in total length of
fish; body deep, its greatest depth in adult females equaling width of four body rings.
Color in spirits: Grayish or dark olive; males with about 14 dark-gray crossbars on side, broader
than interspaces; body usually more or less spotted with small white spots; dorsal pale, usually dotted
over with darker; caudal dusky, generally spotted with white; operele usually with white bars.
Gulf of Mexico and West Indies; known from the Snapper Banks off Pensacola, Key West, and
Cozumel, Yucatan; rather common. One specimen, a female, 7 inches long, taken at Mayaguez,
January 19.
Siphostoma mackayi Swain & Meek, Proc. U.S. N. M. 1884, 239, Key West; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 766, 1896.
58. Siphostoma lioridae Jordan <k Gilbert.
Head 6 to 6.5 in total length. D. 27 ; rings 17 to 18 -f- 31 to 32. Snout rather short, about 1.66
in head; median line well keeled above and below, the ridge on both sides of median ridges above and
below not so conspicuous. Occiput and operele little keeled. Dorsal shorter than head, covering
1 4~ 6 to 7 rings, its height 5 times in base; caudal fin 2.5 in base of dorsal; pectoral slightly higher than
length of base; tail longer than trunk, 1.83 in total length, caudal pouch covering about 18 rings.
Color in life: Dark green; side with gray specks and without dark band; tail with faint darker
bars, broader than interspaces; sides of tail especially mesially, with many rough and oblong pale
spots; snout mottled, especially on side; lower part of the operele nearly plain; dorsal translucent,
yellowish at base; caudal yellow, dusky at tip; anal plain.
Found on sandy shores from North Carolina to Texas (Beaufort, N. C., Corpus Christi, Tex.);
rather common. Three specimens seined in Ensenada del Boqueron, January 26.
Siphostoma floridx Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1882, 263, Pensacola, Fla.; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 766, 1896.
108 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
59. Siphostoma elucens (Poey).
Head 7 in total length; depth 3.6 in head; snout 1.9 in head; body rings 17; caudal rings 32.
D. 23, on 1 + 4 rings. Body rather stout; snout moderate; keels rather strong; pouch of male covering
about 17 rings.
Color grayish-brown, back and sides more or less mottled with lighter and darker; lower half of
snout with alternate bars of white and brown.
Known only from Havana and Porto Rico; one specimen, a male, 6 inches long, with pouch tilled
with eggs, obtained at San Antonio Bridge, January 12.
Syngnathus elucens Poey, Synopsis, 443, 1867, Havana.
? Syngnathus flavirostris Poey, Enumeratio, 178, 1875, Havana.
? Syngnathus picturatus Poey, Enumeratio, 178, 1875, Havana.
? Syngnathus linea Poey, Enumeratio, 178, 1875, Havana.
? Syngnathus marmoreus Poey, Enumeratio, 178, 1875, Havana.
? Syngnathus ascendens Poey, Enumeratio, 179, 1875, Havana.
Siphostoma elucens, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 768, 1896.
60. Siphostoma jonesi (Gunther).
Rings 17 + 32. Dorsal 18, on 1 + 5rings. Head and snout short, the latter somewhat bent upward,
shorter than the postorbital portion of the head, keeled above, but without spines in the median line.
Interorbital space concave, crown and occiput with a median keel. Keels of body sharp but not spiny;
lateral keel of the trunk passing into lower keel of tail; a ridge running across opercle but not reaching
its end; tail twice as long as trunk without head; caudal very short.
Color: Blackish-brown; upper half of trunk with 3, upper half of tail with 7, equidistant white
crossbands.
Bermudas and Porto Rico. Two small males, 2.75 and 3.50 inches long, respectively, dredged at
station 6085, between Vieques and Culebra islands, in 14 fathoms, February 6. The larger has the
pouch well filled with eggs and the other has a few eggs.
Syngnathus jonesi Gunther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., series 4, XIV, 8, 1874, Bermudas.
Siphostoma jonesi, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 768, 1896.
Fig. 21.— Corythroichthys cayorum.
Genus 41. CORYTHROICHTHYS Kaup.
This genus differs from Siphostoma in the strong keel on top of head, the strong opercular ridges,
the short, stout body with prominent angles, and the very short snout. Three species known.
a. Top of head strongly carinated, keel usually extending from interorbital space to first body ring; body stout,
usually with sharp angles and variegated coloration; head in line with axis of body; opercle with a prominent
ridge.
h. Caudal rings about 30; dorsal rays 23 to 27, snout short.
r. Rings 18 + 30; dorsal rays 23, on 1 + 4 rings; snout 2.4 in head, its color white; body with 12 irregular brown cross-
bands, and white markings albirostre
hh. Caudal rings 25, body rings 20; dorsal rays 40, on 3 + 7 rings; snout long, more than half head; form of body unde-
scribed cayennense
bbb. Caudal rings 26, body rings 17; dorsal rays 21, on 1.5 + 3.5 rings; snout very short, 3.2 in head cayorum, 61
61. Corythroichthys cayorum Evermann & Kendall.
Head 8.6; depth 12.6; snout 3.2 in head; eye 4.33; D. 21 rays, on 1 .5+ 3.5 rings; A. 3, on first caudal
ring; C. 10; P. 10. Rings 17 + 26=43. Body short and stout; head short, snout very short; tail but
little longer than head and trunk. Cranial ridges strong; a high, sharp keel on snout; occipital keel
very high, its edges convex, notched near middle, not continuous with keel on snout; a strong supra-
ocular ridge, beginning opposite posterior end of nasal keel and continuing backward, with one hiatus
upon upper edge of opercle; just below this on opercle another longer but scarcely stronger ridge;
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 109
another short ridge on anterior part of operole at level of lower part of eye; opercles very convex, as
if swollen outward; keels on body and tail all strong, the two lateral keels on body terminating on third
caudal ring; the two lateral keels on tail beginning on last body ring, thus overlapping body keels;
median keel on side well developed, terminating on sixteenth body ring; ventral keels strong;
abdominal keel very strong. Egg-sac on first 18 caudal rings.
Color, yellowish-brown, with darker punctulations; tip of snout white; cheek, throat, and under
parts of snout white, crossed by about 7 or 8 irregular brownish bars extending downward and back-
ward; opercles brown; fins pale.
This species is related to C. albirostre, of Heckel, differing from it chiefly in the shorter snout,
smaller dorsal, and fewer rings. It is known only from Key West and Porto Rico. A fine female, 4
inches long, was seined on Cayo Jancudo, at Fajardo, February 17.
Corythroichthys cayorum Evermann & Kendall, Bull. U. S. P. C. 1897 (Peb. 7, 1898)
,
128, pi. 7, fig. 7, near Crawfish Bar,
Key West, Fla.; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 2838,1898.
Genus 42. HIPPOCAMPUS Rafinesque. The Sea-horses.
Body strongly compressed, belly gibbous, tapering abruptly to a long, quadrangular, prehensile
tail. Head with a distinct curved neck placed nearly at a right angle with direction of the body,
surmounted by a compressed occipital crest, on top of which is an angular, star-shaped coronet
;
top and
sides of head with spines. Physiognomy remarkably horse-like, like that of a conventional “knight”
at chess. Body and tail covered with bony plates, forming rings, those on body each with 6 spines or
tubercles, those of tail with 4. Pectoral fins present, short and broad; anal minute, usually present;
dorsal fin moderate, opposite the vent. Egg-pouch in male a sac at base of tail, terminating near vent.
Species numerous in all warm seas. They attach themselves by their tails to seaweed and other
floating substances, and are often carried to great distances by currents.
a. Dorsal fin large, with 19 rays; rings 11 + 32 to 35; depth of body equals length of head; snout 2.33 in head; dorsal fin
on 3.5 -|- 0 rings; body mottled, not dotted hudsonius
aa. Dorsal fin smaller, with 16 to 18 rays.
b. Dorsal fin with 17 or 18 rays, on 1 caudal ring; snout short, less than half length of head; light-blue spots on head
and snout; head usually without filaments; size large punctulatus, 62
bb. Dorsal fin with 16 rays, on 4 + 0 rings; rings 12 + 31; snout longer than postocular distance; body unspotted; size
moderate stylifer
aaa. Dorsal fin very small, with 12 rays, on 2 + 1 rings; rings 11 + 30; snout very short; body without white spots., zosterse
62. Hippocampus punctulatus Guichenot. Sea-horse; Cabalito de Mar.
I). 18, covering 21 -| 1 rings; rings 1 2
-f- 30. Snout short, about 2.6 in head, or slightly shorter
than postorbital part of head; eye 2 in snout; supraorbital spines divergent, each with a minute spine
in front; coronet high, about 1.5 in snout; no filament on coronet, and only a few very short ones any-
where on head, none on body; spines of body strong, but blunt.
Color, dark-brown, fins pale; head with numerous minute white specks; body and tail with a
few similar specks.
Found in the tropical parts of the Atlantic; common in the West Indies, Brazil, and western
Africa, reaching occasionally northward in the Gulf Stream as far as Beaufort, N. C. (Jenkins. ) One
specimen, about 3 inches long, seined at Ponce, January 30.
Hippocampus punctulatus Guichenot, in Sagra’s Cuba, Poiss., 174, pi. 5, fig. 2, 1860, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena.
347,1881; Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 165, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 777, 1896.
Hippocampus marginalis Keckel, in Kaup’s Lophobr., 15, 1856, Mexico.
Hippocampusfascicularis Heckel, in Kaup’s Lophobr., 15, 1856, Mexico.
Hippocampus longirostris Heckel, in Kaup’s Lophobr., 12, 1856; not of Cuvier.
Hippocampus gvttulatus Gunther, Cat., VIII, 202, 1870; probably not of Cuvier.
? Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., Ill, 82, East Indies.
Family XXV III. ATHERINIDyE. The Silversides.
Body rather elongate, somewhat covered with scales of moderate or small size, which are usually,
but not always, cycloid. No lateral line; some scales often with rudimentary mucous tubes. Cleft of
the mouth moderate. Teeth small, on jaws and sometimes on vomer and palatines, rarely wanting.
Premaxillaries protractile or not. Opercular bones without spines or serrature. Gill-openings wide,
110 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
the gill-membranes not connected, free from isthmus; gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Pseudobranchiae
present; gillrakers usually long and slender. Branchiostegals 5 or 6. Dorsal fins 2, well separated,
the first of 3 to 8 slender flexible spines, second of soft rays; anal with a weak spine similar to soft
dorsal, but usually larger; ventral fins small, abdominal, not far back, 1 small spine and 5 soft rays;
pectorals moderate, inserted high. Air-bladder present. No pyloric caeca. Vertebrae numerous,
usually about 23 + 23= 46; third and fourth superior pharyngeals coossified, with teeth.
This family comprises about 15 genera and 60 species of carnivorous fishes, mostly of small size,
living in great schools near shore in temperate and tropical seas; a few species in fresh water; all the
species have a silvery band along side; this is sometimes underlaid by black pigment. All which are
large enough are highly valued as food; hence the common name of “fishes of the king” (pescadosdel
rev, or pesce re, or peixe rey).
a. Premaxillary narrow posteriorly, its edge nearly straight. Body little compressed, belly rounded; pectorals short;
scales cycloid; vomer with teeth; first dorsal with 5 to 9 spines, inserted in front of the rather short anal;
mouth short , Atherina, 4
aa. Premaxillary broad posteriorly, its edge strongly curved.
6. Lower jaw strong, projecting beyond upper.
c. Scales small, rough, in 70 series; teeth well developed; vomer usually with a few teeth; jaws long Lethostole
cc. Scales large, smooth, in 38 to 50 series Chirostoma
66. Lower jaw moderate, its tip included; vomer without teeth.
d. Scales laciniate; dorsal and anal scaly Kirtlandia
dd. Scales cycloid; soft dorsal and anal mostly without scales Menidia
Genus 43. ATHERINA (Artedi) Linnaeus.
Body oblong, compressed. Mouth large, terminal, oblique; jaws about equal, their edges nearly
straight; maxillary extending to front of eye. Premaxillaries narrow posteriorly, strongly protractile.
Villiform teeth in bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines. Species numerous, mostly European.
. Anal fin rather short, of 10 to 16 rays.
. Scales large, 36 to 40; first dorsal with 5 or 6 spines.
c. Head very broad, interorbital width about equal to the large eye, which is about 2.33 in head. Scales 36 to 41.
d. Anal rays I, 12, or I, 13; head about 4 in length stipes, 63
dd. Anal rays i, 10 or 11; head 3.5 to 3.66 in length laticeps, 64
cc. Head narrow and pointed, the large eye much greater than interorbital width; body slender and weak, depth 6 in
length; anal I, 12; scales 38 to 41 arsea, 65
66. Scales small, 45 to 52; body very slender; first dorsal long, with 7 or 8 spines.
e. Anal rays I, 11; eye 3 in head; scales 45 harringtonensis
ee. Anal rays I, 15; eye 2.5 in head; scales 52 Carolina
aa. Anal fin longer, of about 20 rays; dorsal rays v-i, 15 microps
63. Atherina stipes (Muller & Troschel)
.
Head 4; depth 5.3; eye 2.5; snout 4; maxillary 2.7; mandible 2.3; interorbital 3; D. v-i, 9;
A. i, 12 or 13; pectoral 1.6; ventral 2.3; caudal 1.2; scales 41.
Close to A. laticeps, but with top of head narrower and more pointed, eye smaller, lateral band
much wider, about 4.5 in head, equal to length of snout. Known only from the Barbados and Porto
Rico; apparently rare, only two specimens collected, about 2.5 inches long, these being taken with the
abundant A. laticeps at Culebra.
Atherina stipes Muller & Troschel. in Schomburgk, Hist. Barb., 671, 1848, Barbados; .Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 790, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. Ill
64 . Atherina laticeps Poey. Cabezole.
Head 3.5; depth 4.8; eye 2.3; snout 4; maxillary 2.1; mandible 2; interorbital 2.4; D. v-i, 9; A. i.
10 or 11; pectoral 1.5; ventral 2; caudal 1.2; scales 38. Body elongate, somewhat compressed, espe-
cially posteriorly, very heavy forward; head very large, flat above, interorbital space very broad, equal
to eye, which is very large; snout very short, wide and blunt; mouth wide, very oblique; maxillary
narrow, reaching beyond front of eye; lower jaw the shorter; jaws, vomer, and palatines with villiform
bands of very short teeth; spinous dorsal of extremely slender flexible spines; scales large, with a
glazed or enamel-like appearance, as if highly polished, in alcoholic specimens when dry.
Color in life: Translucent green, silvery below with a well-defined silvery lateral band, below
which is a series of dots along side; back with dark dots forming streaks along rows of scales; snout
above with black dots; fins pale, nearly plain; a dusky shade at base of caudal. (Jordan & Evermann.)
Caribbean Sea, north to western Florida. A small and very common species; 290 examples, 1.5
to 3 inches in length, from Ponce and Culebra.
Atherina laticeps Poey, Memorias, II, 265, 1861, Havana; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 790, 1896.
65 . Atherina areea Jordan & Gilbert.
Head 4.5; depth 6; eye 2.6; snout 4; maxillary 2.7; mandible 2.3; interorbital 3.1; D. vi-i, 9;
A. i, 12; pectoral 1.5; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.4; scales 41. Body more slender and head smaller and
more pointed than in A. laticeps or A. stipes; maxillary scarcely reaching front of orbit.
Color of A. stipes, belly dusky behind vent; base of anal dusky, the color continued along caudal
peduncle in a series of black dots; no black dots on sides.
Gulf of Mexico to Key West and Cozumel. Uncommon in Porto Rico; only four specimens, 2.5
inches in length, taken with A. laticeps, at Culebra.
Atherina arsea Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884, 27, Key West; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 790, 1896.
Family XXIX. MUGILIDyF. The Mullets.
Body oblong, more or less compressed, covered with rather large cycloid scales; no lateral line,
but the furrows often deepened on middle of each scale so as to form lateral streaks. Mouth small,
jaws with small teeth, or none, teeth various in form; premaxillaries protractile. Gill-openings wide,
membranes separate, free from isthmus. Branchiostegals 5 or 6. Gillrakers long and slender. Gills 4,
a slit behind fourth. Pseudobranchiae large. Two short dorsal fins, well separated, anterior with
4 stiff spines, last one of which is much shorter than the others; second dorsal longer than first, similar
to the anal; anal spines 2 or 3, graduated; ventral fins abdominal, not far back, composed of 1 spine
and 5 rays; caudal forked. Air-bladder large, simple. Intestinal canal long. Peritoneum usually
black. Vertebrae 24.
The family comprises 8 or 10 genera and about 100 species, inhabiting the fresh waters and coasts
of warm regions, feeding on organic matter contained in mud.
“In the genus Mugil, a considerable indigestible portion of the latter is swallowed, and in order
to prevent larger bodies from passing into the stomach, or substances from passing through the gill-
openings, these fishes have the organs of the pharynx modified into a filtering apparatus. They take
in a quantity of sand or mud, and after having worked it for some time between the pharyngeal bones,
they eject the roughest and indigestible portion of it. The upper pharyngeals have a rather irregular
112 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
form; they are slightly arched, the convexity being directed toward the pharyngeal cavity, tapering
anteriorly, and broad posteriorly. They are coated with a thick, soft membrane, which reaches far
beyond the margin of the bone and is studded all over with minute horny cilia. Each branchial arch
is provided with a series of long gillrakers, which are laterally bent downward, each series closely
fitting to the sides of the adjoining arch; they constitute together a sieve admirably adapted to permit
a transit for the water, retaining at the same time every solid substance in the cavity of the pharynx.”
Of the 5 genera occurring in American waters, only 2 are represented in Porto Rico.
MUGILIN.E:
a. Stomach muscular, gizzard-like: teeth slender, usually having the form of cilia; lower jaw angular in front; .species
chiefly marine.
b. Anal spines 3: teeth ciliform, flexible.
c. Orbit with a well-developed adipose eyelid, covering part of iris; cilia in one or few series, slender; cleft of mouth
chiefly anterior Mugil, 44
bb Anal spines 2, first soft ray simple but articulate; teeth distinct, in a few series, scarcely ciliform, often obsolete in
lower jaw; lips thin; no adipose eyelid; preorbital serrate Quekimana
Agonostomin,®:
aa. Stomach not gizzard-like: teeth not ciliform, lower jaw not angular in front; cleft of mouth lateral; fresh-water
species, inhabiting chiefly mountain torrents in the Tropics.
d. Teeth in villiform bands.
e. Anal spines 2; teeth in bands on jaws and vomer; lower jaw without lamelliform folds Agonostomus, 45
dd. Teeth coarse, broad, truncate incisors, with their free edges serrate; smaller teeth on vomer; none on palatines;
head heavy, the blunt, tumid snout overhanging the small, inferior mouth; lower jaw forming a sharp soft
edge Joturus
Genus 44. MUGIL (Artedi) Linnaeus. The Mullets.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed, covered with large scales. Head large, convex, scaled on
sides and above. Mouth small, subinferior, the lower jaw angulated. Jaws with one or a few series
of short, flexible, ciliform teeth; no teeth on vomer or palatines. Eye large, with a large adipose
eyelid, which is little developed in the young. Stomach muscular, like the gizzard of a fowl.
Species very numerous, living on mud and running in great schools along the shores and in
brackish lagoons of all warm regions.
a. Soft dorsal and anal fins almost naked; anal rays in, 8, rarely in, 7; sides with dark longitudinal stripes along
rows of scales; caudal deeply forked, size large.
b. Scales about 33 in longitudinal series: depth about 4.5 in length to base of caudal, teeth very minute; distance from
tip of pectoral to front of dorsal about two-sevenths the length of pectoral; lips rather thin brasiliensis, 66
bb. Scales about 41 in a longitudinal series; depth about 4 in length to base of caudal; teeth close-set, rather small;
distance of tip of pectoral from front of dorsal about two-ninths the length of pectoral cephalus
aa. Soft dorsal and anal fins scaled, sides without dark stripes along rows of scales; caudal less deeply forked; size
smaller.
c Anal rays in, 9. scales 35 to 45 in a longitudinal series.
d. Scales 42 to 45 in longitudinal series: teeth small incilis
dd. Scales 35 to 38 in longitudinal “eries.
c. Pectoral not nearly reaching origin of dorsal, distance from its tip to front of dorsal being in the adult one-sixth
length of pectoral; teeth close-set, rather small, but distinctly visible without a lens; scales 38 or 39 in longi-
tudinal series; dorsal less falcate curema, 67
ee. Pectoral nearly reaching origin of dorsal; scales 35 or 36 in longitudinal series; bare space between dentary bones
small gaimardianus
cc. Anal rays lit, 8: scales very large, about 33 in a longitudinal series: teeth wide-set, larger than in any other species
except selosus
,
about as long as nostril; upper lip thick; pectoral not nearly reaching front of dorsal; size
small trickodon, 68
66. Mugil brasiliensis (Agassiz). “Liza”; Mullet; Lebrancho.
Head 4; depth 5; eye 5.75; snout 4.5; interorbital 2; D. iv-i, 8; A. in, 8; scales 35-12.
Body long and slender, more so than in any other of our species; snout broad, blunt, and evenly
rounded; profile from snout to dorsal fin almost straight; ventral outline somewhat more convex; top
of head nearly flat; upper lip thin; preorbital large, almost covering maxillary; eye hidden in front
and behind by a broad adipose membrane; teeth minute; scales large, about 21 between tip of snout
and origin of spinous dorsal; soft dorsal and anal almost naked, caudal covered with line scales at base;
margin of soft dorsal and anal very concave; caudal deeply forked, the lobes equal, about as long as
head; pectoral moderate, one-sixth in head, not reaching origin of spinous dorsal by a distance greater
than diameter of eye; ventrals slightly shorter than pectoral.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 113
Color, dusky above, silvery below; a dusky streak along each row of scales; scales on side and
opercle with dark punctulations; ventrals pale-yellowish
;
other fins dusky.
Found from Cuba to Patagonia; common throughout the West Indies and along the coast of Brazil,
and very common in Havana market, where it is known as “lebrancho.” It is the most abundant mullet
seen in the markets of Porto Rico, and perhaps the most abundant species of the family about the
island. It is an important food-fish and is held in high esteem. Length, 16 to 18 inches.
Mugil brasiliemis Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 234, pi. 72, 1829, Atlantic Ocean off Brazil; the types in the museum at
Munich; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 335, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 810, 1896.
Mugil liza Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 83, 1836, Brazil, Porto Rico, Maracaibo, Surinam, and Martinique.
Mugil lebranchus Poey, Memorias, II, 260, pi. 18, fig. 3, 1861, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 335, 1881, Stahl, 1. c., 78 and
164, 1883.
67. Mugil curema Cuvier & Valenciennes. “Liza”; “Josect”; While Mullet.
Head 4 to 4.4; depth 3.9 to 4.5; eye 4; snout 3.5; D. iv-i, 8; A. hi, 9; scales 38,-11; interorbital
width 2.6. Body moderately elongate; snout rather narrow and pointed; upper profile curved very
slightly from snout to dorsal fin; ventral outline more convex. Upper lip rather thick; preorbital
narrow, nearly covering maxillary posteriorly; eye with broad adipose membrane in front and behind;
teeth thick-set, small, but distinctly visible to naked eye; scales small, about 23 from origin of dorsal
to tip of snout; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal densely scaled; soft dorsal and anal concave; pectoral
short, not reaching origin of spinous dorsal, longer in young; caudal deeply forked, the lobes nearly
twice length of middle rays.
Color, dark-olive above, with steel-blue reflections, silvery below; no dusky streaks along side; a
rather small dark blotch on base of pectoral; spinous and soft dorsals and pectoral pale, with numerous
small dark punctulations; caudal pale, yellowish at base, margin dark; anal and ventrals yellowish;
side of head with two yellowish blotches.
This species measures a foot or less. Next to M. brasiliensis it is the most abundant mullet
about Porto Rico. Specimens are in the collection from San Juan, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Ensenada del
Boqueron, Arroyo, Fajardo, Vieques, Culebra, and Caguas. It has a very wide range, being found from
Cape Cod to Brazil, and Magdalena Bay to Chile, and is generally common on both coasts of America,
particularly in the Tropics. Its occurrence in fresh water in the Rio Grande at Caguas, some 40 miles
from salt water, is of interest. It is found there in some numbers, and is one of the most important
food-fishes of the region.
Mugil curema jjuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 87, 1836, Brazil, Martinique, and Cuba; Jordan & Evermann,
1. C., 813, 1896.
Mugil petrosus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 89, 1836, Brazil, Surinam, Gulf of Mexico, and Cuba.
68. Mugil trichodon Poey. “Liza” ; Fan-tail Mullet.
Head 4.2; depth 3.6; eye 4; snout 3.5; interorbital width 2.5; D. iv-i, 8; A. nr, 8; scales 33,-11
.
Body robust, depth somewhat greater than in Mugil curema; snout rather narrow and pointed; dorsal
and ventral outlines about equally curved; upper lip thicker than in any other American species;
preorbital narrow, covering little of maxillary; eye covered in front or behind by a broad, adipose
membrane; teeth wide-set, larger than in most other species, about as long as nostril, and plainly
F. C. B. 1900—8
114 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
visible in each jaw; scales large, about 21 between tip of snout and origin of dorsal fin; soft dorsal,
anal, and caudal densely covered with fine scales; soft dorsal and anal concave; pectoral not reaching
origin of dorsal; caudal broad, widely forked; caudal peduncle deep but thin.
Color, dusky-olive above with some bluish reflections, silvery below; no dusky streaks along
rows of scales; a dark blotch on base of pectoral; dorsals and caudal pale, the former with very small
dark punctulations; caudal margined with dark; anal and ventrals yellowish; pectoral pale, finely
punctulate with brown.
This species reaches a length of 6 to 10 inches. It is found from Florida Keys to Brazil, and is
abundant about Key West, but not about Cuba, and does not seem to be common about Porto Rico,
the collection containing a single small specimen obtained at Puerto Real.
Mugil trichodon Poey, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y., XI, 1875, 66, pi. 8, figs. 4 to 8, Cuba; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 816, 1896
Genus 45. AG0N0ST0MUS Bennett. The Dajaos.
Fresh-water mullets, with cleft of mouth extending laterally about to front of eye. Small teeth
in vi Hiform bands in both jaws, and sometimes on vomer. Edge of lower lip rounded, not sharp.
Stomach not gizzard-like. Anal spines usually 2, first soft ray slender and often taken for a spine.
This genus occurs in streams of mountainous regions in tropical countries. The American species
constitute the subgenus Dajaus, characterized by the presence of teeth on the palatines.
a. Interorbital space flat, narrow, 4 in head; head 3.60; depth 4.33 to 4.50; lips thin; scales 40 to 42,-13 percoides
an. Interorbital space convex, broad, 2.66 to 3 in head.
b. Lips thin; body rather deep; maxillary to front of eye ' mnnticola, G9
bb. Lips thick.
c. Maxillary short, barely reaching front of eye, 4 in head; eye 5 in head; head 4.25 in length natnUus
cc. Maxillary long, reaching posterior margin of pupil, 2.5 in head; eye very small, 6.5 in head; head 3.5 in
length microps
Fig. 25 .—Agonostumus niunticola.
69. Agonostomus monticola (Bancroft). “ Dajnn.”
Head 3.5; depth 3.8; eye <>; snout 3.4; maxillary 3; mandible 2.4; interorbital 2.9; D. iv-i, 8; A.
hi, 9; pectoral 1.7; ventral 1.9; caudal 1.2; scales 42,-13.
Body elongate and compressed; back scarcely elevated; head very broad above and slightly
convex; mouth moderate, upper lip broadened in front, maxillary reaching front of eye, lower jaw
included; villiform teeth on each jaw, vomer, and palatines; eye much nearer tip of* snout than edge
of operele; scales large, slightly ctenoid; dorsal fin as in Mugil, spinous dorsal with an appendage of 2
modified scales on each side of its base anteriorly; caudal large, moderately forked.
Color in life; Brownish above, scales very dark-edged on upper three-fifths of side; lower parts
white; top of head dark, cheek and opercles white, with brassy shades; under part of head white;
axil black; a black blotch at base of caudal, becoming faint or disappearing with age; dorsal spines
dark; soft dors x-. brassy at base, pale at tip; pectoral and ventral pale; anal yellowish, pale at tip, a
black olotch near posterior border; caudal darker, yellowish at base; peritoneum black. In spirits
not much different.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 115
This species occurs in the fresh waters of the West Indies and eastern Mexico and is n< >t uncommon.
It is very abundant in the fresh-water streams of Porto Rico, and is much used as food; many were
collected at Caguas in the Rio Loiza and Rio Caguitas and in Rio Bayamon at Bayamon, of all stages
of growth from 1.5 to 11 inches; also common in the large spring at Aguadilla, from which Columbus
is said to have supplied his ships with fresh water November 17, 1493.
Mugil monticola Bancroft, in Griffith’s edition of Cuvier’s Animal Kingdom, Fishes, 367, pi. 36, 1836.
Mugil irretitus Gosse, Nat. Sojourn Jamaica, 84, 1851, Jamaica.
Agonostomus monticola
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 335, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 164, 1883; Jordan & Evermaim, 1. e.,819, 1896.
Dajaus (Agonostomus ) monticola , Stahl, 1. e., 78, 1883.
Family XXX. SPHYR.KX I ICE. The Barracudas.
Body elongate, subterete, covered with small cycloid scales; head very long, pointed, pike-like,
scaly above and on sides; mouth horizontal, large; jaws elongate, the lower considerably projecting;
upper jaw nonprotractile, its border formed by premaxillaries, behind which are the broad maxillaries;
large, sharp teeth of unequal size on both jaws and on palatines, none on vomer; usually a very
strong, sharp canine near tip of lower jaw. Opercular bones without spines or serratures. < lill-openings
wide, gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus; gillrakers very short or obsolete. Branchiostegals
7; gills 4, a slit behind the fourth. Pseudobranc liiae well developed. Air-bladder large, bifurcate
anteriorly; many pyloric caeca. Lateral line well developed, straight. Pectoral (in short, placed in
or below line of axis of body; ventrals i, 5, abdominal, in advance of middle of body; first dorsal over
ventrals, of 5 rather stout spines; second dorsal remote from first dorsal, similar to anal and opposite
to it; caudal fin forked. Vertebrae 24. First superior pharyngeal not present; second, third, and
fourth separate, with teeth; lower pharyngeals separate.
A single genus of about 20 species; carnivorous, pike-like fishes, often of large size, active and
voracious, inhabiting warm seas, many of them highly valued as food.
Genus 45. SPHYRIENA (Artedi) Bloch & Schneider.
Characters of this genus included above.
a. Scales large, 75 to 85 in lateral line; origin of first dorsal behind root of ventrals, over last third or fourth of pectoral;
body compressed; lower jaw with fleshy tip; maxillary reaching past front of orbit; teeth large ... barracuda, 70
aa. Scales moderate, 110 to 130 in lateral line; body subterete or compressed.
b. Pectoral reaching front of spinous dorsal; maxillary reaching front of orbit; origin of spinous dorsal behind root
of ventrals guachanclio, 71
bb. Pectoral not reaching front of first dorsal; maxillary not reaching front of orbit picudilla , 72
aaa. Scales very small, 150 to 170 in lateral line; origin of spinous dorsal well behind tip of pectoral, before the vertical
from root of ventrals; lower jaw with fleshy tip. Body slender, subterete 'spkgrxna
70. Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum) . “ Picuda.”
Head 3.3; deptli 7 (2 in head) ; eye 6:6; snout 2.1; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.6; interorbital 5.1;
D. v-i, 10; A. i, 8; pectoral 2.7; ventral 3.3; caudal 1.3; scales 12-83-11.
Body elongate, slightly compressed, head cuboid back of eyes, snout conic; mouth very large, lower
jaw strongly projecting, with a fleshy tip at symphysis; maxillary reaching past front of eye; teeth on
jaws, premaxillaries, and palatines unequal, very strong, sharp, and compressed; much smaller teeth on
edges of premaxillaries; scales of trunk large, cycloid; smaller scales on cheeks and operdes; dorsal
fins 2, widely separated, origin of first midway between front of eye and origin of soft dorsal; its spines
slender and flexible; soft dorsal and anal similar; caudal well forked, upper lobe slightly the longer
Color in spirits: Dark above, pale below, with silvery bluish reflections; dark longitudinal streaks
along rows of scales above lateral line; young with dark, irregularly shaped blotches on middle of
116 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
side, these often extended as vertical bars, disappearing with age; usually from one to several small,
very dark brown spots, sometimes black, scattered irregularly on side; ventral, anal, and soft dorsal
chiefly black; top of head, upper edge of maxillary, and edge of opercle above, black.
The picuda is common in the West Indies, ranging north to Charleston and the Bermudas, and
south to Brazil. It is a fierce and voracious fish, of good food qualities. Thirteen examples, from 6
to 16 inches in length, were collected at San Juan market, San Antonio Bridge, Mayaguez, Ensenada
del Boqueron, Culebra, Hucares, and Fajardo.
Umbla minor marina
,
the Barracuda, Oatesby, Fishes of Carolina, etc., pi. 1, 1731, Bahamas.
Picuda
,
Parra, Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat. Cuba, 90, pi. 35, fig. 2, 1787, Havana.
Esox barracuda Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, 111,94, 1792, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Sphyrsena becuna Lac^pOde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, pi. 9, fig. 3, 1803, Martinique; from a drawing made by Plumier.
Sphyrsena picuda Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 334, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 76 and 162, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 823, 1896.
Sphyrsena barracuda, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2841, 1898.
71. Sphyraena guachancho Cuvier & Valenciennes. Guachanche; Guachanche Pelon.
Head 3; depth 7; eye 5.4; snout 2.1; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.6; interorbital 7.2; D. v-i, 9;
A. i, 8; pectoral 3; ventral 3.6; caudal 1.6; scales 115.
This species differs from S. barracuda in the much smaller scales, larger eye, longer and more
slender head, and in the absence of color markings. The single specimen in the collection, 9 inches
long, taken at Isabel Segunda, is nearly plain in spirits, save for fine dark longitudinal lines following
the rows of scales above the lateral line. The back is of a faded brown color, the lower jtarts silvery
white everywhere below lateral line; no regular bars or scattered spots.
The guachanche is a common West Indian species ranging north to Pensacola, and occasionally
wandering in the Gulf Stream to Woods Hole. It does not reach as great size as the picuda.
Sphyrxna guachancho Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 342, 1829, Havana; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 824, 1896.
Sphyrsena guntheri Haly, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., XV, 1875, 270, Colon.
72. Sphyrsena picudilla Poey. Picudilla,.
Head 3.16; depth 2.25 in head; eye large, about 5 in head, 1.5 times interorbital space. Ii. v-i, 9;
A. i,9; scales 110. Body rather robust, subterete, covered with scales of moderate size; head rather
large; maxillary rather small, about 2.6 in head, not reaching orbit. Jaw with fleshy tip, bluntly con-
ical. Interorbital area flatfish; median groove shallow, divided by a very indistinct median ridge;
supraocular ridge bony, striate; preocular ridge rather prominent. Premaxillary teeth small, subcon-
ical; dentition as in Sphyrxna borealis, but slightly weaker; position of spinous dorsal, in comparison
with the ventrals, variable; distance from tip of snout to origin of spinous dorsal about 2.1 in body;
pectoral not reaching spinous dorsal; space separating dorsals about 5.5 in body; second dorsal equal
to and somewhat in advance of anal; cheek and opercles scaly; small embedded scales on upper part
of head; scales on body moderate, uniform in size.
Color light-olive, darker above; soft dorsal, anal, and ventral fins yellowish; spinous dorsal and
pectorals darker; upper parts of preopercle and opercle each with a dark spot; top of head and tip of
snout blackish.
S. picudilla is very closely allied to S. borealis. Its eye is, however, much larger (when specimens
similar in size are compared), and the frontal groove is somewhat different. This species is found in
the. West Indies, on the coasts of Cuba, ranging southward to Bahia. It was not seen by us in Porto
Rico, but is included on the authority of Dr. Stahl. Length 18 inches.
Sphyrxna. picudilla Poey, Memorias, II, 162,1860, Havana; Stahl, 1. c.,76 and 162, 1883: Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.,824, 1896.
Family XXXI. POLYNEMIDjE. The Thread-fishes.
Body oblong, compressed, and covered with rather large, loosely inserted, ctenoid scales. Lateral
line continuous, continued on tail, usually forked, with a branch on each lobe. Head entirely scaly;
snout more or less conical, projecting over mouth, which is rather large, inferior, with lateral cleft;
premaxillary protractile, its basal process vertical; maxillary without supplemental bone, extending
much beyond eye, which is anterior, lateral, rather large, with a well-developed, adipose eyelid.
Villiform teeth on jaws, palatines, and sometimes on vomer. Pseudobranchige concealed. Branchi-
THE FISHES OF PORTO RlOO. ll*f
ostegals 7. Gill-membranes separate and free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Two
separate dorsals, somewhat remote from each other, the first of 8 feeble but rather high spines, first
and last spines very short, third longest; second dorsal equal to first in height but base somewhat
longer, of soft rays only. Anal fin either similar to or much longer than soft dorsal; caudal fin rather
long, widely forked. Second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins more or less covered with small scales; first
three or four dorsal spines winged. Ventrals i, 5, abdominal, but not far removed from pectorals; pectoral
fins moderate, placed low, in two parts, the lower and anterior portion of several filiform articulated
appendages, free from each other, used as organs of touch.
In the young the dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins are dusky, the anal and ventral fins white; all
the fins grow darker with age, pectorals usually becoming black, operculum blackish.
Bones of skull with a well-developed muciferous system, as in Scixnidx. Basis cranii double,
with muscular tube; post-temporal bifurcate; hypercoracoid with median foramen; superior pharyn-
geal bones 4. Pectoral actinosts divided; two of them normal, supporting pectoral fin, one longitudinal,
without rays, and one a plate on the coracoid, supporting the pectoral filaments. Stomach csecal, with
a few pyloric appendages. Air-bladder various, sometimes wanting. Vertebrae 10+ 14= 24.
a. Anal fin much longer than soft dorsal, of about 30 rays; vomer without teeth; preoperculum entire; free filaments
of pectoral longer than body Polynemus
aa. Anal fin not much longer than soft dorsal, of about 13 or 14 rays; vomer with teeth; preoperculum serrate; free
filaments of pectoral mostly shorter than body Polydactylus, 47
Genus 47. POLYDACTYLUS Lacepede.
Anal fin not much longer than soft dorsal, of about 13 or 14 rays; vomer with teeth; preoperculum
serrate; free filaments of pectoral mostly shorter than body. Teeth in villiform bands on both jaws,
vomer, palatines, and pterygoids. Preopercle sharply serrated on its posterior margin, its angle with
a scaly flap. Scales rather small, finely ctenoid. First dorsal with 7 or 8 feeble, rather high spines,
first and last short. Soft dorsal and anal fins about equaling each other; pectoral filaments 3 to 9.
Pyloric c-Eeca in great numbers.
This genus is represented by numerous species occurring in the warm seas; but of fourAmerican
species only one is known from Porto Rico.
a. Pectoral filaments 7 virginicus, 73
aa. Pectoral filaments 8 or 9 octonemus
73. Polydactylus virginicus (Linnaeus). “Barbudo” ; Barbu.
Head 3.3; depth 3.25; eye 5; snout 4.8; maxillary 2.2; mandible 2; interorbital 4.2; D. viii-i, 12;
A. in, 13; pectoral 1.25; ventral 2.2; caudal 0.9; scales 7-60-10.
Body oblong, compressed, covered with large, loose, slightly ctenoid scales; the lateral line
complete, nearly straight, bifurcating at base of caudal, the branches continued on tail; head completely
scaled except about eye, which is entirely covered with an adipose eyelid; snout somewhat pig-like,
overhanging the rather large mouth; maxillary reaching far beyond eye; lower jaw included, villiform
teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; preopercle toothed; dorsal fins 2, well separated, the anterior
of weak flexible spines, the first very short, third longest,. 1.5 in head, the rest rapidly diminishing in
length; pectoral with a large sheath of elongated scales above axil and with 7 long filaments, longer
than head, inserted considerably in advance of base of pectoral; caudal deeply forked; all the tins
more or less scaly.
Color in life : Whitish-olive above, dirty white below
;
spinous dorsal dark, soft dorsal and anal pale,
with dark punctulations; pectoral with irregular black blotches, filaments white; ventrals dark, paler on
margins. In spirits; Pale below, darker above; pectoral fin black; opercle with a dusty blotch in young.
The barbudo is an abundant and useful food-fish, found throughout the West Indies and north
to Florida Keys, but not to Virginia. Twenty-three examples of all sizes up to 11 inches in length
were collected at San Juan market, Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Ponce, and Isabel Segunda.
Piracoaba, Marcgrave, Hist. Nat. Brasil., 176, 1648, Brazil.
Polynemus virginicus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 317, 1758, America.
Polynemus mango Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 413, 417, 418, 1803, America; after Linnaeus.
Polydactylus plumierii Lac£p£de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 419, 1803, Martinique; from a drawing by Plunder.
Polynemus americanus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 393, 1829, Santo Domingo and Martinique.
Polynemus oligodon Gunther, Cat., II, 322, 1860, Rio Janeiro.
Trichidion plumieri, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 334, 1881 ; Stahl, l.c., 78 and 164,1883.
Polydactylus virginicus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 829, 1896.
118 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Family XXXI 1. HOLOCENTRID^. The Squirrel-fishes.
Body oblong or ovate, moderately compressed, covered with very strong ctenoid or spinous
scales. Head with large muciferous cavities; eye lateral, very large; preorbital very narrow; mouth
moderate, oblique; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary very large, with supplemental bone; bands
of villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines. Opercular bones and membrane bones of head gener-
ally serrated or spinescent along their edges. Branchiostegals 8. Gill-membranes separate, free from
isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Pseudobranch ire present. Gillrakers moderate; no barbels.
Sides of head scaly. Lateral line present. Dorsal tin very long, deeply divided, with about 11 strong
spines depressible in a scaly groove; anal with 4 spines, the third longest and strongest; ventrais
thoracic, with 1 spine and 7 rays; caudal deeply forked with sharp rudimentary rays or fulcra at base.
Vertebrae about 27. Pyloric caeca 8 to 25. Air-bladder large, sometimes connected with organ of
hearing. General color, red. Young with snout sharp and produced (constituting the nominal genera
Rhynchichihys, Rhamplwberyx, and Rhinoberyx based on peculiarities of immature examples).
There are 4 genera and about 70 species of these gayly colored inhabitants of the tropical seas,
abounding about coral reefs.
a. Preopercle without conspicuous spine at its angle; air-bladder divided by a contraction, anterior part extending
to the otocrane : Myripristis
an. Preopercle with a conspicuous spine.
b. Suborbital arch armed with 3 long spines curved forward; scales undescribed Plectrypops
bb. Suborbital arch simply serrated; scale moderate, 38 to 55.
c. Mouth moderate, its length less than one-half head Holocentrus, 48
cc. Mouth very large, considerably more than one-half head, lower jaw projecting Flammeo
Genus 48. HOLOCENTRUS (Gronow) Scopoli.
Body oblong, moderately compressed, ventral outline nearly straight, back a little elevated, tail
very slender. Head compressed, narrowed forward. Operculum with a strong spine above, below
which the edge is sharply serrated; a strong spine at angle of preopercle. Orbital ring, preorbital,
preopercle, interopercle, subopercle, occiput, and shoulder-girdle with their edges sharply serrate.
Mouth small, terminal, the lower jaw projecting in adult. In the young the snout is much produced.
Maxillary broad, striate, with supplemental bone. Eye excessively large. Scales moderate, closely
imbricated, posterior margin strongly spinous. Lateral line continuous. Dorsal deeply emarginate,
spines usually 11, depressible in a groove; soft dorsal short and high; anal with 4 spines, first and
second quite small, third very long and strong, fourth smaller; caudal widely forked, both lobes with
rudimentary rays spine-like. Ventrais large, i, 7, spine very strong.
The numerous species of this genus are remarkable for the development of sharp spines almost
everywhere on the surface of the body. Of the nine known American species, two occur in Porto Rico.
a. Preopercular* spine long, tapering, acute; third anal spme very long, more than half depth of body.
b. Mouth moderate, lower jaw extending to below first one-third to one-half length of eye.
r. Scales small, 48 to 55 in lateral line; upper lobe of caudal longer than lower, falcate; soft dorsal and anal elevated,
pointed at tip, this character subject to variation ascensiovis, 74
rc. Scales moderate, about 45; depth of body 2.6 in length; membrane of front spines of dorsal black siccifer
rcc. Scales rather large, 38 to 42 in lateral line; caudal lobes nearly or quite equal.
/I. Maxillary extending to below middle of eye.
c. Depth of body greater than length of head coruscus
ec. Depth of body equal to length of head brachypterus
dd. Maxillary extending to below first third of eye; dorsal with black markings vexillarius
,
75
bb. Mouth small, maxillary reaching to below first fourth of eye; upper lobe of caudal longer; cheek with a white
blotch osculus
aa. Preopercular spine short, flatfish, notched at tip; third anal spine short, its length about one-third depth of body;
soft dorsal and anal low, rounded sancti-pauli
74. Holocentrus ascensionis (Osbeck). “ Candil” ; Squirrel-fish.
(Plate 3.)
Head 3.1; depth 3.3; eye 2.8; snout 4; maxillary 2.3; mandible2; interorbital 2 in eye; D. xi, 15;
A. iv, 10; scales 4-48-7, 6 before dorsal; caeca 25; vertebrae 11 16. Body considerably compressed,
* Little dependence can be placed on this key, as several species are imperfectly known and of doubtful validity.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 119
back moderately elevated, ventral line nearly straight; mouth moderate, little oblique, maxillary
reaching middle of eye; caudal peduncle long and slender, least width 2 in its depth. Fins all well
developed, longest dorsal spine about 2 in head; third anal spine very strong, about 2 in head; longest
dorsal rays 1.2 in head; longest anal ray 1.8; pectoral short, 1.6 in head; ventral long, reaching vent,
1.1 in head; caudal well forked, upper lobe the longer, about 1.1 in head; head very rugose; suborbital
coarsely and irregularly dentate; opercle and preopercle strongly dentate, a large sharp spine at angle
of preopercle, its free portion about 1.5 in eye; a broad fiat spine at upper edge of opercle; scales coarse
and strongly ctenoid.
Color in life: Chiefly bright rosy-red, paler below; shining longitudinal streaks along rows of
scales; fins light-red, spinous dorsal largely golden-olive, its edge scarlet; head very red above, a white
bar descending obliquely backward from eye. All these colors fade in alcohol, and the general
color becomes a greenish-white, with steel-colored iridescence.
The candil frequents the rocks and reefs throughout the West Indies and is especially abundant
in Cuba. It is common about Porto Rico, and attracts attention at once by reason of its bright color and
the exceeding sharpness and completeness of its armature. It is reputed “malo” by the native, but is
occasionally found in market. Length 1 to 2 feet. Specimens were obtained at San Juan, Aguadilla,
Puerto Real, Arroyo, Hucares, Isabel Segunda, and San Geronimo.
Perea ascensionis Osbeck, Iter Chinensis, 388, 1771, Ascension Island.
Bodianus pentacanthus Bloch, Ausl. Fische, IV, 40, pi. 225, 1790, Brazil.
Holocentrus sogo Bloch, 1. c., 01, pi. 232, 1790, Africa.
Scixna rubra Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 82, 1801; after Perea marina rubra of Catesby.
Amphiprion matejuelo Bloch & Schneider, 1. c.
,
206, 1801, Cuba; after Matejuelo of Parra.
Bodianusjaguar LacOp&de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 286, 1202, Brazil; after Jaguaraca of Marcgrave.
Holocentrum longipinne Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 185,1829, Martinique, Santo Domingo, Porto
Rico, St. Thomas, and Havana.
? Holocentrus striatus Gronow, Cat. Fishes, ed. Gray, 173, 1854, Antilles; name preoccupied.
? Iiolocentrus rostralus Gronow, 1. c., 173, 1854, near the Equator; young example, not certainly identifiable.
Holocentrum matejuelo
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 322, 1881; Stahl 1. c., 76 and 162, 1883.
Holocentrus ascensionis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 848, 1896.
75. Holocentrus vexillarius Poey.
Head 2.8; depth 2.6; eye 2.7; snout 4.4; maxillary 3; mandible 2.25; interorbital 3.5; D. xi, 13;
A. iv, 9; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.6; caudal 1.5; scales 4-40-7.
Body oblong, back little elevated, anterior profile steep and nearly straight from tip of snout to
above eye, where there is an abrupt angle, rest of profile to nape being low and straight; interorbital
wide, slightly concave; top of head behind eyes with about 9 serrated bony ridges on each side; eye
very large, considerably wider than interorbital space; snout short; maxillary reaching front of eye
(to first third of eye in example 2 inches long); preorbital with a recurved spine in front, retrorse
teeth back of this, finer and more numerous serrations continuing nearly halfway around eye; a pair
of strong equal spines near upper angle of opercle; several much smaller spines above, of which
3 are somewhat enlarged, longest dorsal spines 2.1 in head; anterior rays of dorsal somewhat pro-
duced, 2 in head; scales at base of spinous dorsal with their serrations next the fin enlarged; ventrals
not reaching vent; second anal spine longest and much the strongest, 1.5 in head; caudal well forked;
lobes nearly equal.
Color in spirits: Faded-rosy, 6 narrow longitudinal very dark-purple bands between each 2 rows
of scales on dorsal half of side; below, brown punct illations in same position and scattered more or less
over whole body; axil of pectoral very dark-purple, the color sharply circumscribed; membrane of
spinous dorsal white behind each spine and purple-black in front, except first 2 spines, the membranes
of which are chiefly black; other fins pale.
Two examples, 2 and 4 inches in length, from Ponce and Guanica, are identical with specimens of
Holocentrum riparium from Cuba in the U. S. National Museum. Following Jordan & Evermann, we
include H. riparium in the synonymy of II. vexillarius, though these species may prove to be distinct.
Holocentrum vexillarium Poey, Memorias, IT, 158, 1860, Cuba.
Holocentrum productum Poey, Synopsis, 300, 1868, Matanzas; based on a young individual 3 inches long.
Holocentrum riparium Poey, Enumeratio, 37, 1875, Cuba.
Holocentrus vexillarius, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 852, 1896.
120 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Family XXXIII. MULLM. The Surmullets.
Body elongate, slightly compressed, covered with large scales, which are usually slightly ctenoid;
lateral line continuous, the pores often branched; large scales on head; upper profile of head more
or less parabolic. Mouth small, low, subterminal; teeth mostly small, variously placed; no canines,
incisors, nor molars. Premaxillaries somewhat protractile; maxillaries thin, nearly as broad at base
as at tip, without supplemental bone, partly hidden by broad preorbital. Preopercle entire or slightly
serrate; opercle unarmed, or with a single spine. Eye moderate, placed high; branch iostegails 4;
pseudohranchise present; 2 long unbranched barbels at throat, attached just behind symphysis of lower
jaw. Dorsal fins 2, remote from each other, both short, the first of 6 to 8 rather high spines, which are
depressible in a groove; anal short, similar to soft dorsal, with 1 or 2 small spines; ventrals thoracic, i, 5.
Air-bladder usually present, simple. Vertebrae 9 + 14= 23; stomach siphonal; pyloric caeca about 20.
Species about 40, referable to 5 closely related genera, found in all tropical seas, some species
straying northward. Many of the species are highly valued as food, especially the European Mullus
barbatus and M. surmuletus. The family is a very natural one and not closely related to any other. It
bears some superficial likeness to the Sdsenidse and Cheilodipteridse, but this may not show real affinity.
The singular barbels appear also in Polymixiidx, but in that family the ventral rays are numerous,
as in Berycidx. The small number (4) of the branch iostegals is found both in Mullidse and Polymixiidx.
n. Teeth on lower jaw, vomer, and palatines; upper jaw toothless; bone which forms a downward hook over maxillary
strongly developed; interorbital space flat and wide; opercle without spine Mullus
aa. Teeth on both jaws; vomer and palatines toothless; bone which forms a downward hook over maxillary moder-
ately developed; interorbital space rather narrow; opercle ending in a single spine . . Upeneus, 49
Genus 49. UPENEUS Cuvier. The Goat-fishes.
Body oblong, compressed; mouth moderate, nearly horizontal, low, jaws subequal; eye large
high, posterior; opercle short, deep, with posterior spine; both jaws with rather strong, unequal teeth,
in one or two series in each jaw; no teeth on vomer or palatines; lips well developed; bone which
forms a hook over the maxillary less developed than in Mullus; interorbital space concave and narrow;
opercle ending in one spine; barbels nearly as long as head; scales very large, somewhat ctenoid;
lateral line continuous, its tubes ramifying on each scale; head covered with large scales; first dorsal
with about 7 spines; anal with 2, the first very short; caudal fin forked.
Species numerous in the tropical seas; two known from Porto Rico.
a. Teeth in both jaws uniserial (or irregularly biserial above); all teeth coarse and distinct; eye 4 in head; barbels
1.33 in head. Scales 31; depth 4 in length; side with three black blotches maculatus, 78
aa. Teeth of both jaws biserial, at least in front.
b. Dorsals and caudal with dark crossbands parvus
,
77
bb. Dorsals and caudal plain-yellow marUnicus,1&
76. Upeneus maculatus (Bloch). “ Salmonete” ; Red Goat-fish.
(Plate 4.)
Head 3.2; depth 3.7; eye 4 to 5; snout 1.8; maxillary 3.2; mandible 2.4; interorbital 3.7; preorbital
3.33; D. viii-i, 8; A. ii, 7; pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.3; scales 3-30-5.
Body elongate, little compressed, tapering posteriorly to the long and slender caudal peduncle;
anterior profile strongly arched, with an elevation in front of eye; snout very long; eye small, high and
posterior; mouth small, maxillary not nearly reaching eye; teeth strong, uniserial, bluntly pointed,
some of those in front of upper jaw bent variously sidewise and forward; throat with two long barbels
reaching to preopercular margin or beyond. Scales large, very finely ctenoid. Dorsal fins 2, well
separated, the spines slender and flexible; caudal deeply forked, lobes equal or upper very slightly
the longer.
Color; In life, everywhere above red, merging into light-yellow on sides, becoming pale-greenish
below; bluish oblique streaks and bars on head; several longitudinal rows of light-blue round spots,
much smaller than pupil, on sides, the two rows above lateral line plainest; about four diffuse blotches
of darker red than the surrounding ground-color on sides, the first just under and partly on anterior
end of lateral line, second under first dorsal, third under front of second dorsal, fourth just behind
second dorsal, all on or near lateral line; there may be an additional faint one on peduncle; spinous
dorsal light-red near base, yellowish outwardly; soft dorsal mostly pale-bluish, especially near edge,
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 121
with some light-yellow on membrane and red on middle of rays; pectoral chiefly yellow, with red on
rays; ventral pale-blue with streaks of red and yellow on first rays; anal pale-reddish, nearly pale;
caudal pale-blue, lower base yellow, upper reddish and yellow; barbels pink near base, yellow out-
wardly
;
lips and throat pinkish. In spirits the specimens become pale below and on sides, dark above,
the bright colors fading quickly; the red blotches along lateral line become dark, sometimes entirely
fading. In young individuals some color occasionally persists in spirits, becoming pink.
This species is found at Key West and the Tortugas, through the West Indies to Brazil; in the
West Indies it is known from Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Martinique. It occurs in abundance in
Porto Rico, where it is extensively used as food and considerably esteemed. Tt is one of the most
common species that one sees carried about the streets by the local fishermen. Fifty-one individuals,
from 2.25 to 9.5 inches long, collected at nearly every collecting station; also from San Geronimo.
Mullus maculatus Bloch, Ichthyologia, 348, 1793, Brazil.
Upeneus punetatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 482, 1829, Martinique.
Upeneus maculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.,858, 1896.
77. Upeneus parvus Poey.
D. vii-i, 8; A. n, 6; scales 2.5-40-6. Snout short and decurved; maxillary reaching front of eye;
barbels reaching angle of preopercle, on jaws only. Teeth conical, very small, on anterior part of jaws
in two series; lateral teeth in a single series; all of the teeth obtusely conic and distinct from each other.
Vermilion above, fading into white below; a yellow longitudinal band along side, with similar narrower
streaks below; ventrals and anal yellow; other fins whitish, with dusky crossbands, 3 on first dorsal,
2 on second, and 5 on each caudal lobe. Known only from the type, which was obtained by Poey in
Cuba, and from a specimen recorded from Porto Rico by Dr. Stahl.
Upeneus parvus Poey, Memorias, I, 226, 1851, Cuba.
Upeneoides parvus Stahl, 1. c., 76 and 162, 1888.
78. Upeneus martinicus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Yellow Goat-fish; Salmonete Amarilla.
(Plate 6.)
Head 3.3; depth 4; eye 3.45; snout 2.35; maxillary 3.1; mandible 2.6; interorbital 3.15; preorbital
6; D. viii-i, 8; A. ii, 6; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.1; scales 2-37-6. Resembling U. maculatus in
form, but with slightly larger eye, smaller scales, and weaker dentition arranged in more than one series.
Color in life: Body with shades of pale-blue and pink or pale-red, the latter chiefly above, the
blue below; a straight yellow band from eye to base of upper caudal rays; a black vertical bar at base
of caudal; head with yellow streaks and reddish patches; pectorals red, ventrals, anal, and caudal
reddish near base, outer part yellow; dorsals yellow, plainest near tips. In spirits the colors fade,
becoming dark above, pale below, fins all pale.
This species reaches the length of a foot. It is found in the West Indies north to Florida, and is
known from Key West, Jamaica, Cuba, Martinique, and Porto Rico, but is less abundant in Porto
Rico than U. maculatus. One example, 6.5 inches long, obtained at Palo Seco.
Upeneus martinicus Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 483, 1829, Martinique; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 859, 1896.
Upeneus balteatus Cuvier &Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 484, 1829, Cuba; . oung.
Upeneus flavovittatus Poey, Memorias, I, 224, 1851, Cuba; adult.
Family XXXIV. SCOMBRIDdi. The Mackerels.
Body elongate fusiform, not much compressed, covered with minute cycloid scales; scales ante-
riorly sometimes forming a corselet. Lateral line present, its course undulate. Head subconic, pointed
anteriorly. Mouth rather large, with lateral cleft; premaxillaries not protractile; maxillary without
supplemental bone; jaws with sharp teeth, large or small. Vomer and palatines toothed or not.
Preopercle entire; opercle unarmed. In the very young the preopercle is armed with radiating spines,
which are later absorbed and lost. Gill-openings very wide, membranes not united, free from isthmus.
Gillrakers usually long. Pseudo branchiae present, large. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Branehios-
tegals 7. Dorsal fins 2, the first of rather weak spines, depressible in a groove, second similar to
the anal; elevated anterior lobe always distinct; anal spines weak; last rays of dorsal and anal detached
and separate, forming in each case a series of finlets; caudal peduncle extremely slender, keeled, caudal
lobes abruptly diverging, falcate, fin adapted for rapid motion; ventral fins well developed, thoracic, i, 5.
122 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Vertebrae in greater number than in the Carangidse, the number ranging from 31 to 66. First upper
pharyngeal present, without teeth; second with teeth; third and fourth coossified, with teeth; lower
pharyngeals separate. Stomach sac-shaped. Pyloric caeca numerous. Air-bladder small, sometimes
absent. Coloration metallic, often brilliant, the prevailing shade steel-blue.
The Scombridx comprise about 12 genera and 60 species; of the 8 American genera only 2 are
represented in Porto Rican waters. These fishes are inhabitants of the high seas, all having a wide
range, and many of them being cosmopolitan. Most of them are valued as food-fishes, the flesh being
firm and oily, but sometimes coarse.
<i. Dorsal spines 10 to 16; gills normal, the lamin® not forming a network; teeth entire.
b. Body scaleless, excepting about lateral line and corselet; abdominal vertebrae with their lower foramina enlarged
and a portion between vertebrae proper and haemapophyses developed in form of a network or trellis,
r. Dorsals well separated, interspace more than half head; corselet well developed; teeth small, some present on
vomer, none on palatines; gillrakerslong, slender, and numerous; pectorals rather high; vertebrae 39. Auxis, 50
cc. Dorsals contiguous, interspace more than 5 in head; palatine teeth villiform; pectorals low.
d. Vomer toothless; dorsal spines 15 or 16; vertebrae 38 Gymnosarda
lib. Body wholly covered with small scales, those on corselet and lateral line sometimes larger; dorsal spines 14 to 26;
vertebrae normally formed, not as in Auxis and Gymnosarda.
c. Teeth of jaws slender, subconical, little, if at all, compressed; gillrakers numerous; corselet distinct; pectoral
inserted low.
/. Vomer and palatines with villiform or sand-like teeth; body robust, not compressed; vertebrae 39 to 41.
g. Pectoral short, not reaching much beyond tip of the moderate ventral; size enormous Thonnus
gg. Pectoral very long, ribbon-shaped, reaching much beyond front of anal; size moderate Germo
J'f. Vomer toothless; palatines with a single row of rtither strong, conical teeth; body elongate, slightly compressed;
vertebrae 50 to 54 Sarda
ce. Teeth of jaws strong, subtriangular or knife-like, more or less compressed; villiform teeth on vomer and palatines;
gillrakers comparatively few; corselet obscure; pectorals inserted near level of eye; dorsal'spines 14 to 18;
body elongate, compressed; head short; snout short; vertebree 45 Scomberomorus, 51
Acanthocybiinie:
aa. Dorsal spines about 25; gills with laminse forming a network, as in Xiphias-, teeth large, compressed, serrated.
h. Dorsal spines 24 to 26; body elongate, fusiform; snout long; vertebrae 32 + 34 = 66 Acanthocybium
Genus 50. AUXIS Cuvier. The Frigate Mackerels.
Body oblong, plump, mostly naked posteriorly, anteriorly covered with small scales, those of
pectoral region enlarged, forming a corselet. Snout very short, conical, scarcely compressed. Mouth
rather small, jaws equal. Teeth very small, mostly in a single series, on jaws and vomer only. Tail very
slender, depressed, with a rather large keel on each side. First dorsal short, separated from second by a
considerable interspace. Second dorsal and anal small, each with 7 or 8 finlets. Pectorals and
ventrals small. No air-bladder. Branchiostegals 7. Pyloric caeca dendritical. Gillrakers very long
and slender, numerous. Vertebrae 39 in number, peculiarly modified, essentially as in Gymnosarda.
One pelagic species, widely distributed.
79. Auxis thazard (Lacepede). “Albacora” ; Frigate Mackerel.
Head 3.8; depth 4.4; eye 6; snout 3.7; mandible 2.2; interorbital 3.2; D. x-12-vm; A. 13-vn;
pectoral 1.8; ventral 2.25; caudal 1.4.
Body elongate, robust, scaleless, save for a corselet of moderate and very small scales about
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 123
anterior part of trunk and along lateral line; caudal peduncle long and slender, with lateral keel;
weak conical teeth in jaws only; first dorsal of flexible spines, the first three elevated, the rest
graduated to last, which is very short; soft dorsal and anal small, somewhat falcate, followed by
detached iinlets; caudal widely forked.
Color in spirits: Bluish above, very deep purple, almost black, on upper part of head; oblique dark
bars and stripes, somewhat as in Scomber, on sides of back; silvery white below; several large, regular,
dark blotches, not sharply circumscribed, on the lower part of side of trunk anteriorly; pectoral and
ventral purple, black on inner side, on outer side pectoral paler, ventral white.
This species is found in all warm seas, occasionally northward to Cape Cod. It is very erratic in
its movements, swimming in large schools. It rarely reaches the coasts of the United States, but
occasionally comes in immense numbers. It is a poor fish, of little value as food. It is probably not
rare about Porto Rico; examples were seen at Arecibo, where one 15 inches long was obtained.
Scomber thazard Lac6pMe, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 9, 1802, between 6° and 7° S. lat., off coast of New Guinea.
Scomber rochei Risso, Ichth. Nice, 165, 1810, Nice.
Scomber bisus Rafinesque, Caratteri, etc., 45, 1810, Palermo.
Thynnus rocheanus Risso, Eur. M<Srid., Ill, 417, 1827, Nice.
Auxis vulgaris Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 139, 1831, Mediterranean.
Auxis tapeinosoma Bleeker, Fauna Japon., 408, 1854, Japan.
Auxis thynnoides Bleeker, Ternate, V, 301, 1855, Ternate.
Auxis thazard
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 867, 1896.
Genus 51. SCOMBEROMORUS Lacepede.
Body elongate, wholly covered with rudimentary scales, which do not form a distinct corselet.
Head pointed, comparatively short and small. Mouth wide, the strong teeth in the jaws more or less
compressed or knife-shaped; villiform or sand-like teeth on the vomer and palatines; maxillary
not concealed by preorbital. Gillrakers few. Caudal peduncle with a single keel. Spinous dorsal
low, of 14 to 18 feeble spines. Soft dorsal and anal short, similar, somewhat elevated and falcate,
each followed by 7 to 10 finlets; ventrals small; pectorals moderate, near level of eye. Air-bladder
present. Vertebrae normally formed, 45 in number.
Fishes of the high seas; graceful in form and beautiful in color, and among the best of food-
fishes.
a. Soft dorsal inserted in advance of anal
aa. Soft dorsal inserted over anal.
b. Body deep, the depth about 5 in length; teeth about 40 in each jaw
66. Body more slender, the depth about 6 in length
80. Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill). “ Carita Spanish Mackerel.
(Plate 6.)
Head 4.5; depth 4.5; D. xvii-18-ix; A. ii-17-ix; maxillary 1.8 in head; eye 4.75; pectoral 1.75;
ventral 4.5; dorsal and anal lobes subequal, 2. Body elongate, its dorsal and ventral outlines equal;
profile straight from snout to dorsal; head small and pointed; mouth large, oblique, jaws equal; max-
illary reaching posterior margin of orbit; teeth large, compressed, and sharp, their formula being 24-24
to 32-32; gillrakers 2 + 11. Soft dorsal inserted in advance of anal a distance about equal to diameter
of eye; lateral line undulating, with about 175 qiores.
Color silvery, bluish above; sides with many elliptical spots of dull orange-color, two rows of
these spots below lateral line and one row above; spinous dorsal white at base, black above; soft
dorsal tinged with yellowish, its margins black; anal white; posterior side of pectoral black, anterior
side yellowish with black borders; caudal blackish.
This species is found on both coasts of North America, appearing in large but very irregular
schools in the Gulf of Mexico and along the Carolina coast; ranging north in the fall as far as Cape
Ann, and south to Brazil. It is rare or unknown in Cuba, but is known from Jamaica and Porto Rico.
It reaches a weight of 8 or 9 pounds and is one of the very best food-fishes in the United States.
Scomber maculatus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Philos. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 426, New York.
Scomberomorus maculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 874, 1896.
maculatus, 80
... regalis, 81
. . . cavalla, 82
124 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
81. Scomberomorus regalis (Bloch). Sierra; Pintado.
Head 4.25; depth 5.2; eye 5.8; snout 2.5; maxillary 1.8; mandible 1.6; interorbital 3.5; D. xvm-
14-ix; A. xi-15-viii; pectoral 1.9; ventral 4.2; caudal 1 1. Lateral line descending gradually from
opposite last dorsal spines to caudal peduncle, slightly undulate; maxillary reaching posterior border
of orbit.
Color in spirits: Silvery below, dark-blue above; side with a blackish longitudinal band from
base of pectoral nearly to base of caudal, crossing lateral line under soft dorsal, somewhat interrupted
posteriorly; below this a row of oblong dark spots forming an interrupted band; a few other faint
spots at border of dark color of back; anterior portion of spinous dorsal black.
Cape Cod to Brazil; not very common on our south Atlantic coast, but abundant about Cuba;
known also from Jamaica, Martinique, and Porto Rico. One 16 inches long from Puerto Real, and
others seen.
Scomberomorus regalis Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 333, 1795, Martinique; after a drawing by Plunder.
Scomberomorusplumieri LacdpSde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 292, 1806, Martinique; after Aubriet’s copy of drawing by Plunder.
Cybium acervum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist Nat. Poiss., VIII, 186, 1831, Cuba.
Cybium regale, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riqucna, 331, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Scomberomorus regalis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 875, 1896.
82. Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . King-fish Cero; Ca,valla; Sierra..
Head5; depth 6; eye large; 2 in snout. D. xv-i, 15-vm; A. ii, 15-viii. Mouth large, maxillary
reaching to below eye. Lateral line descending abruptly below second dorsal. Teeth triangular,
strongly compressed, about 30 on each jaw. Pectoral 5 in body. Gillrakers very short; less than
one-third diameter of eye, about 8 below angle.
Adult iron-gray, nearly or quite immaculate; young with sides of body marked with darker
yellowish spots; spinous dorsal without black blotch anteriorly.
Found in the tropical Atlantic, in the open seas, coining in immense numbers to Florida Keys
and Charleston, ranging north to Cape Cod and south to Africa and Brazil; very common on our
south Atlantic coast, especially among the Florida Keys, the catch at Key West very large. One of
the best food-fishes of the Florida coast. Its flesh is firm and of excellent flavor. It usually appears
in large numbers from November until April, when it is caught by trolling. The usual weight is
about 10 pounds, sometimes reaching 50 pounds. The largest of which there is any record dressed 52
pounds, and 40 pounds is not an unusual weight. Said to school at spawning time, which is believed
to be late in the winter.
According to Mr. William H. Abbott, who studied the fisheries in 1891, the average weight of
king-fish, as caught by the fishermen of Key West, is about 6 pounds. The larger, weighing from 15
pounds upward, are never as abundant as those weighing under 15. When the fisherman desires to
catch large king-fish, he directs his course to the inshore grounds, lying in about 3 fathoms of water
and from 1.5 to 3 miles from shore, where the water is muddy; and when small ones are desired, the
fishing is done farther offshore along the edge of the Gulf Stream, where the water is much clearer.
They are almost invariably found in two separate schools. The Florida spawning-grounds of the
king- fish are “down the bay.” The first of the winter a great many of the fish have large roes, but it
is very seldom that one is taken that has a roe fully matured. If the weather has been very cold in the
bay early in the fall, the king-fish will leave before they have spawned, and it is during such seasons
that fish containing ripe spawn are most frequently taken.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 125
On the coast of southern Florida, especially off Indian River, Biscayne Bay, and Key West,
there is no fish, excepting possibly the tarpon, which affords more sport for the angler than the
king-fish, nor is there any to whose season the angler and the commercial fishermen look forward
with greater interest and anticipation of pleasure and profit.
Though not obtained by. us in Forto Rico it doubtless occurs there, and we include it on the
authority of Poev.
Cybiam cavalla Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. 2, IX, 200, 1829, Brazil.
Cybimnimmaculatum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 191, 1831; no locality given.
Cybiam caballa, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 331, 1881.
Scomberomorus cavalla, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 876, 1896.
Family XXXV. TRICHIURIIME. The Cutlas-tishes.
Body extremely elongate, band-shaped, naked, tapering to a point, the ventral fins imperfect or
wanting, and the spinous and soft parts of the dorsal fin not differentiated. Mouth wide, jaws armed
with strong unequal teeth. Premaxillaries not protractile. Pseudobranchiae present. Gills 4, a slit
behind fourth; gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus; lateral line present. Dorsal fin very long,
low, usually continuous, rays all similar. Caudal fin absent
;
anal fin long and low, scarcely rising above
surface of skin. Ventrals thoracic, rudimentary (.Eupleurbgraminus ) or wanting. Vertebrae in greatly
increased number, about 160. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca numerous.
Surface fishes of the tropical seas, comprising 2 genera and about (i species; very close to the
Lepidopidte and G&mpylidie, differing from the former chiefly in the absence of a caudal fin, the last stage
in the progressive reduction of parts seen in these groups.
Genus 52. TRICHIURUS Linnaeus. The Hair-tails.
Body extremely elongate, band-like, tail very slender, tapering to a fine point, without caudal
fin. Head long, with very wide mouth, jaws armed with unequal and very strong teeth; upper jaw
with about four long, strongly compressed barbed teeth; teeth on palatines, none on vomer. Lower jaw
the longer, preorbital covering cleft of mouth posteriorly. Dorsal fin single, low, occupying whole of
back, spines not distinguishable from soft rays; anal very long, its base more than half length of body;
composed of detached spines, which are very short, nearly hidden in skin, anterior directed backward,
posterior foward; ventral fins wanting; pectorals small. No scales. Lateral line decurved, concurrent
with belly. Vertebra; 39 + 120; ribs excessively frail. Color, silvery.
Voracious fishes of the high seas; reaching a considerable size.
83. Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus. “Machete'’ ; Cutlas-fish; Scabbard-fish; Silver-fish; Sable; Savola.
Head 8; depth 15.5; eye 6.3 (2.1 in snout); snout 2.8; mandible 1.8; interorbital 6.8; D. about
135; A. about 100. Body scaleless, greatly elongate and compressed, band-like, tail tapering to a line
point, without caudal fin; jaws armed with very strong long teeth, larger ones of upper jaw barbed;
lower jaw pointed; projecting preorbital with radiating striae; dorsal fin as long as back; anal fin of
very short embedded spines, anterior directed backward, posterior forward; ventrals wanting. Color,
bright silvery.
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.126
Found in warm seas, chiefly of the western Atlantic, north to Massachusetts; occasionally in
Lower California (Streets); common in the West Indies, swimming near the surface, where it becomes
easily benumbed with cold. It is probably not rare about Porto Rico. Two examples, 25 and 15
inches in length, were collected at Palo Seco and Mayaguez.
Tnchiurus lepturus Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. X, 246, 1758, America; after Lepturus of Artedi; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 889, 1896.
Lepturus lepturus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 333, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 162, 1883.
Family XXXVI. CARANG1D7E. The Pampanos or Pompanos.
Body more or less compressed and often elevated, sometimes naked, or more usually covered with
small, thin, cycloid scales. Head compressed, occipital keel prominent, usually trenchant. Mouth of
varying size, dentition various, teeth generally small
;
premaxillaries usually protractile; maxillary with
or without a supplemental bone; preopercle usually entire in adult, in the very young armed with three
or more spines. Lateral line complete, anteriorly arched, posterior part straight, sometimes armed
with bony plates. Dorsal tins more or less separated, the spinous part rather weak, the spines usually
depressible in a groove; anal fin long, similar to soft dorsal, always preceded by two stiff spines,
usually separate, but in young often more or less connected with fin or with each other, these sometimes
disappear with old age, and sometimes the spinous dorsal also vanishes; often a procumbent spine before
dorsal fin; ventral fins thoracic, well developed, i, 5; caudal peduncle very slender, fin widely forked;
pectoral fins narrow. Gill-openings very wide, membranes usually not united, free from isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind last. Gillrakers usually long. Branchiostegals commonly 7. Air-bladder pres-
ent, often bifurcate behind. Pseudobranchise large, present in all our genera, sometimes disappearing
with age. (Esophagus unarmed. Pyloric caeca generally numerous. Vertebrae fewer than in the
Scombritlic, usually 10 + 14= 24 in number. First superior pharyngeal without teeth; second, third,
and fourth separate, with teeth; lower pharyngeals separate.
Coloration generally metallic and silvery or golden.
The Carangidx include 29 genera and about 200 species, abounding in warm seas, often moving
northward in summer, like the Scombridse. They swim swiftly, often with the dorsal fin above the
surface of the water. Most of the species are widely distributed, and nearly all are valued as food.
SCOMBROIDINJE:
'a. Premaxillaries not protractile (except in very young). Pectoral fins short, rounded; soft dorsal similar to anal, each
much longer than abdomen; lateral line unarmed.
b. Maxillary without supplemental bone; no pterygoid teeth; scales linear, embedded Oligoplites, 53
aa. Premaxillaries protractile.
Seriolin*;
r. Anal fin much shorter than soft dorsal, its base not longer than abdomen; pectoral tin short, not falcate; maxillary
with a distinct supplemental bone.
d. Dorsal spines low and weak.
c. Dorsal and anal fins without iinlets.
/. Membrane of dorsal spines disappearing with age Naucrates
ff. Membrane of dorsal spines persistent Seriola,54
ee. Dorsal and anal fins each with a detached two-rayed finlet Elagatis
re. Anal fin about as long as soft dorsal, its base longer than abdomen.
g. Maxillary with a supplemental bone; lateral line arched anteriorly, usually armed posteriorly; pectoral long,
falcate.
Carangin.®:
h. Dorsal outline more strongly curved than ventral outline.
i. Dorsal and anal each with a single detached finlet; body slender Decapterus, 55
ii. Dorsal and anal without finlets.
j. Lateral line with well-developed' scutes for its entire length; body elongate Trachurus
jj. Lateral line with scutes on its straight posterior portion only (these sometimes very few and small, especially in
those species with body much compressed)
.
k. Shoulder-girdle with deep cross-furrow at its junction with isthmus, above which is a fleshy projection; body
elongate Trachurops, 56
kk. Shoulder-girdle normal, its surface even; body deeper.
l. Body oblong or more or less elevated, not as below.
m. Teeth of jaws in few series or in one series, unequal, or at least not forming villiform bands, outer series above
usually enlarged, lower teeth Usually uniserial.
n. Maxillary very narrow, its greatest width scarcely one-fourth eye; head small, lateral line strongly arched in
front; teeth uniserial, those on palatines and vomer minute or obsolete Hemicaranx
im. Maxillary broad; head rather large; vomer and palatines with teeth Caranx, 57
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 127
mm. Teeth of jaws equally small or wanting, forming villiform bands if present; maxillary broad; body compressed;
spinous dorsal weak, usually disappearing with age.
o. Soft dorsal lobe very high, filamentous Alectis
oo. Soft dorsal lobe low Hynnis
ll. Body broad-ovate, very strongly compressed, its outlines everywhere trenchant, anterior profile nearly vertical;
scutes almost obsolete ' Vomer, 58
jjj. Lateral line without any scutes; body short and elevated, strongly compressed Selene, 59
t'KLOROSCOMBRINJE :
hh. Dorsal outline less strongly curved than ventral; body much compressed, its outlines everywhere trenchant; arma-
ture of lateral line obsolete, or nearly so Chloroscombrus, 60
rRACHINOTINJS
:
gg. Maxillary without supplemental bone; anal fin similar to soft dorsal, its base much longer than abdomen; tail
unarmed; pectoral short, not falcate.
p. Forehead convex; teeth small or deciduous Trachinotus, (il
Genus 53. OLIGOPLITES Gill. Leather-jackets.
Body compressed, oblong or lanceolate. Caudal peduncle slender, not keeled. Head short,
compressed, acute. Occipital keel sharp. Mouth rather large, with small sharp teeth in bauds on jaws,
tongue, vomer, and palatines, none on pterygoids. Jaws about equal, upper not protractile, except
in very young, in which it is movable as in other Carangidx; maxillary very narrow, without distinct
supplemental bone. Gillrakers rather long. Scales small, linear, and extremely narrow, embedded in
skin at different angles. Lateral line unarmed. Dorsal spines rather strong, 3 to 5 in number, nearly
free in adult; second dorsal very long, its posterior rays pencillated and nearly or quite disconnected,
forming finlets; anal rather longer than soft dorsal, much longer than abdomen, its last rays forming
similar finlets; anal spines strong; ventral fins depressible in a groove; pectoral fins very short.
Species few, occurring in the tropical seas of America.
a. Maxillary not reaching posterior border of eye; lowest infraorbital bone usually narrower than one above it.
saurus
,
S4
aa. Maxillary reaching beyond posterior border of eye; lowest infraorbital bone usually broader than one next above it.
saliens
84. Oligoplites saurus (Bloch & Schneider). “ Zapatero” ; Quiebra; Runner; Leather-jack.
(Plate 7.)
Head 4.8; depth 3.75; eye 3.6; snout 3.25; maxillary 1.9; mandible 1.7; interorbital 3; D. v-i,
20; A. ii-i-, 20; pectoral 1.7; ventral 1.9; caudal 1.
Body elongate, lanceolate, and much compressed; back gently elevated; caudal peduncle very
slender, somewhat higher than thick; head small and pointed; anterior profile slightly concave in
occipital region; mouth wide, maxillary reaching nearly to posterior "border of eye, jaws subequal or
lower very slightly projecting; villiform teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue; bands of larger teeth
in jaws; head naked, body covered with very narrow, linear, embedded scales, placed at various angles,
making a tough leathery integument; fins small, dorsal spines nearly free, soft dorsal and anal long
and low, anterior rays somewhat elevated, others expanded and nearly disconnected from each other,
forming finlets, as in the mackerel; ventrals depressible in a groove; caudal widely forked.
Color, blue above, silvery below, the demarcation fairly abrupt, corresponding with a line from
anterior end of lateral line to base of upper caudal lobe; fins yellow.
The zapatero inhabits both coasts of tropical America, extends north to New York and Lower
California, and is very common in the West Indies and along the coast of Florida. It is a very
graceful and handsome species, very common, often leaping from the water. It is not much valued
as food, being dry and bony. Forty-two, from 2.25 to 10.5 inches in length, were taken at Palo Seco,
Mayaguez, Ponce, Hucares, and Fajardo; one at San Geronimo.
Scomber saurus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 321, 1801, Jamaica.
Centronotus arc/cnteus Laedpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 316, 1802, Equatorial America.
IAchia quiebra Quoy & Gaimard, Voyage Freycinet, Zool., 365, 1824, Equatorial America.
Chorinemus saltans Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 393, 1831 , Martinique, Brazil, and Santo Domingo.
Ologop/ltcs inornatus Gill, Proe. Ac. Nat. Sei. Phila. 1863, 166, Panama.
Oligoplites occidentalism Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 332, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Oligoplites saurus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 898, 1896.
128 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 54. SERIOLA Cuvier. The Amber-fishes.
Body oblong, moderately compressed, not elevated. Occiput and breast not trenchant. Head
usually more or less conical, not very blunt. Mouth comparatively large, with broad bands of
villiform teeth on both jaws, tongue, vomer, and palatines; abroad, strong, supplemental maxillary
bone; premaxillaries protractile. Scales small; lateral line scarcely arched, forming a keel on caudal
peduncle, not armed with bony plates; sides of head with small scales. First dorsal with about 7 low
spines, connected by membrane; second dorsal very long, elevated in front; anal similar to soft dorsal
but not nearly so long, shorter than abdomen, preceded by 2 very small free spines, which disappear
in old fishes; no iinlets; ventral fins very long; pectoral short and broad. Gillrakers moderate.
Species of moderate or large size, often gracefully colored; most of them valued as food-fishes.
Seriola:
a. Head longer than deep, profile not very steep. Dorsal and anal fins not falcate, height of their lobes less than half
depth of body. Dorsal rays 30 to 38; species of large size, elongate, with 5 or 6 broad, dark crossbars when
young, these becoming obsolete with age; a yellow lateral band; nuchal bar pale.
b. Dorsal rays 36 to 38; dark bands on young very broad zonata
bb. Dorsal rays 30 to 3*1. Mouth rather large, maxillary reaching middle of pupil; dark bands on young broad.
c. Body slender, depth 3.5 to 3.75 in length lalandi
cc. Body deeper, depth 3 in length dumerili
Zonichthys:
aa. Head deeper than long, anterior profile steep; no yellow longitudinal band; size small.
d. Dorsal not falcate, its soft rays 32; young with about 12 narrow dark crossbars fasciata
dd. Dorsal and anal falcate, their anterior lobes more than half depth of body; head deeper than long; body deep;
dorsal rays 27 to 30.
e. Nuchal band dark-brown or black rivoliana
cc. Nuchal band pale-yellowish falcata, 85
85. Seriola falcata Cuvier & Valenciennes. Madregal; Rock Salmon.
Head 3.8 (4.6 in total)
;
depth 3.4 (4 in total). D. vii-i, 29; A. ii-i, 21. Caeca 30. Body rather
deep and compressed. Head somewhat longer than deep, not conical. Snout 2.75 in head; maxillary
reaching front of pupil, 3.5 in head, its tip broad; eye large, 5.25 in head, 1.75 in snout. Occiput
somewhat carinated. Interorbital space wide, convex. Caudal keel little developed. Dorsal high,
somewhat falcate, its anterior lobe 1.4 in head, 2.33 in base of fin; pectoral 2 in head; ventrals 1.6;
anal lobe 1.75; anal spines small.
Life coloration as follows’. Grayish above, paler but hardly silvery below; fins blackish, pectoral
pale; caudal not at all yellow; eye white; lining of opercle pale; a very obscure olivaceous band from
eye to front of dorsal, scarcely visible in fresh specimens; preorbital and preopercle shaded with olive.
Found in the West Indies, north to Florida and the Carolinas. Not seen by us in Porto Rico,
but included on the authority of Valenciennes and Poey.
Seriola falcata Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 210, pi. 515, 1833, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and Mexico; Poey,
Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 332, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 905, 1896.
Seriola dubia Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., VII, 1839, 81, Madeira.
Seriola declivis Poey, Memorias, II, 230, 1860, Havana.
Seriola ligulata Poey, Memorias, II, 231, 1860, Cuba.
Genus 55. DECAPTERTJS Bleeker. The Mackerel Scads.
Body elongate, little compressed, almost perfectly fusiform. Head short, pointed. Mouth rather
small; jaws about equal, the dentition feeble; maxillary rather broad, with a supplementary bone.
Premaxillaries protractile. Scales moderate, enlarged for the whole length of lateral line, but spinous
and bony posteriorly only; second dorsal and anal each with a single detached finlet; free anal spines
very strong; first dorsal well developed, persistent; pectoral comparatively short. Abdomen rather
shorter than anal fin. Gillrakers long and slender.
Species numerous; only one known to occur in Porto Rico.
a. Shields of lateral line numerous, 40 to 50 in number punctatus, 86
aa. Shields of lateral line few, 20 to 30 in number.
b. Teeth minute on both jaws, vomer, palatines, and tongue; shields 22 to 28; depth 5 in length sanctse-helenx
bb. Teeth obsolete; caudal keel of 25 shields; depth 5.75 in length macarellus
THE FISHES OF POKTO RICO. 129
86. Decapterus punctatus (Agassiz) . Scad; Round Robin; Cigar-fish; Quia-quia.
(Plate 8.)
Head 4; depth 5.6; eye 3.3; snout 3; maxillary 3; mandible 2.3; interorbital 3.5; D. viii-i, 30—
j
;
A. ix—i, 27-i ; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2.1; caudal 1.7; scutes 39.
Body elongate, fusiform, scarcely compressed at all; caudal peduncle very short and slender;
head small and pointed; jaws subequal, maxillary reaching front of eye; teeth of jaws weak, uniserial;
adipose eyelid as in T. crumenophthalmus, but not covering so much of eye; lateral line scarcely arched,
posterior portion with large rather sharply armed scutes, anterior with a series of ordinary scales
which are not as easily deciduous as others. Shoulder-girdle with a small papilla of the integument
(seen by raising gill-covers)
,
somewhat similar to that in T. crumenophthalmus
,
but much smaller and
higher in position. This species resembles the latter, but is readily recognized by the presence of the
single detached finlet at end of soft dorsal and anal fins.
Color, bluish above, silvery below, with a dark opercular spot, its edge extending upon shoulder.
The scad ranges from Cape Cod to Brazil, but is only occasional northward. It is common on
the coasts of Florida and in the West Indies. Nine examples collected, three of them each about 61
inches in length, taken in the seine by native fishermen at Aguadilla, where, with T. crumenophthalmus
,
it was the principal part of the catch; the other six are the young, about 2 inches in length, taken
in 220 fathoms, 9 miles from Mayaguez, by the beam-trawl. The species is commonly used as food.
Caranx punctatus Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Bras., 108, 1829, Brazil.
Caranx suareus Risso in Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 33, 1833, Mediterranean.
Dccapterus punctatus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 907, 1890.
Genus 56. TRACHUROPS Gill.
This genus is close to Caranx, differing in the more elongate form and especially in the structure
of the shoulder-girdle, which has a deep cross-furrow at its junction with the isthmus, with a fleshy
projection above the furrow. Species few, found in all warm seas.
87. Trachurops crumenophthalmus (Bloch). Goggler; Big-eyed Scad; Goggle-eye Jack; Chicharro.
Head 3.2; depth 3.8; eye 3.2; snout 2.9; maxillary 2.5; mandible 2; interorbital 4.4; D. viii-i, 25
or 26; A. ii-i, 22; pectoral 1.2; ventral 2.1; scutes 35.
Body elongate; but little compressed; back not elevated; dorsal outline little curved; caudal
peduncle subcylindrical, very slender and short; head rather large and pointed; mouth large, lower
jaw projecting; teeth on vomer, palatines, tongue, and jaws all weak, uniserial on jaws; maxillary
reaching about to front of pupil; eye very large, with an adipose eyelid covering two-thirds of eye,
leaving a vertical elliptical area exposed opposite pupil; lateral line slightly arched anteriorly, covered
posteriorly with large weak scutes, their spines not strong nor sharp; pectoral falcate; ventral small;
soft dorsal and anal long and low, their anterior rays somewhat elevated; caudal widely forked. Just
above junction of isthmus with shoulder-girdle is a large fleshy nipple-like projection.
F. C. B. 1900—9
130 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color, bluish above, silvery below; a faint dark opercular blotch; no striking colors.
This species reaches a length of 2 feet, and is found on both coasts of tropical America and in
tropical seas generally. Common about Porto Rico; 38 examples, from 4 to 9 inches, collected at Palo
Seco, Aguadilla, and Culebra; one from San Geronimo.
Scomber crumenophthalmus Bloch, Ichthyologia, pi. 343, 1793, Acara in Guinea.
Scomber plumieri Bloch, Ichthyologia, pi. 344, 1793, Antilles.
Scomber balantiophthalmus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 29, 1801, Guinea.
Caranx macrophthalmus Agassiz in Spix, Pise. Bras., 107, 1829, Brazil.
Trachurops brachychirus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 261, Cape San Lucas.
Trachurops crumenophthalmus
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Rlquena, 331, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 911, 1896.
Trachurops plumieri, Stahl, l.c.,77 and 163,1883.
Genus 57. CARANX Lacepede. The Crevalles.
Body ovate or oblong, compressed; back sometimes considerably elevated, sometimes little
arched. Head moderate or rather large, more or less compressed. Mouth moderate or large, oblique;
maxillary broad, with a well-developed supplemental bone, extending to below eye. Premaxillaries
protractile. Teeth developed in one or few series, unequal, or at least not in villiform bands. Villiform
teeth usually present on vomer, palatines, and tongue, wanting or deciduous in some species. Gillrakers
long. Eye large, with adipose eyelid. Dorsal spines rather low, connected; second dorsal long, usually
elevated in front, both fins depressible in a groove. Anal fin similar to second dorsal and nearly as
long, preceded by two rather strong spines, its base longer than abdomen. Caudal fin strongly forked,
peduncle very slender. Ventral fins moderate; pectorals falcate; no finlets. Scales present, mostly
very small. Lateral line with its posterior portion armed with strong bony plates, which grow larger
on tail, each plate armed with a spine; a short dorsal branch of lateral line usually present. Preopercle
entire in adult, serrate in young, usually with a membranous border.
Species very numerous, in all warm seas, most of them valued for food.
a. Teeth on vomer and palatines persistent.
b. Soft dorsal and anal low, not much elevated in front, little if at all falcate; teeth in jaws in one or few series, with
no canines.
c. Body slender, depth about 3.5 in length; color dark, chiefly bluish ruber, 88
cc. Body deeper, depth about 2.8 in length; color pale, mostly golden ; bartholomxi, 89
bb. Soft dorsal and anal much elevated in front and more or less falcate; upper teeth in a band, outer enlarged; lower
teeth in one series; dorsal sheath of scales not greatly developed; soft dorsal and anal both rather short.
d. Breast naked, except a small rhombic area before ventrals; two small canines in front of lower jaw; body robust,
compressed.
e. Opercular spot large; adult with a black spot on pectoral; pectoral 3 in length hippos, 90
dd. Breast entirely covered with small scales.
/. Body subfusiform, depth less than one-third the length; breast scaly; teeth of outer series small, not canine-like; a
black opercular spot; no spot on pectoral; arch of lateral line about half straight part crysos, 91
ff. Body oblong-ovate, depth more than one-third length; outer teeth rather strong, lower teeth not canine-like.
g. General color silvery; vertical fins not all black latus, 92
gg. General color brassy or blackish; vertical fins black; lower teeth not canine-like lugubris
Uraspis:
aa. Teeth on vomer and palatines wanting or deciduous; teeth in jaw subequal, bluntish, in one or two rows; lateral
line not strongly arched; soft dorsal and anal low; shields rather few.
h. Body deep, compressed, back and belly arched; shields 24 to 30; second dorsal I, 26; anal I, 22; opercular spot
present guara
88. Caranx ruber (Bloch). Cibi Mancho; Carbonero.
Head 3.5; depth 3.5; eye 5.4; snout 2.6; maxillary 2.6; mandible 2.25; interorbital 3; preorbital
9; D. viii-i, 26; A. ii-i, 23; pectoral 1; ventral 2.8; caudal 1.1; scutes about 30.
Body elongate, back scarcely elevated, caudal peduncle slender, much wider than deep, scutes
forming a very strong keel; head pointed, symmetrical; maxillary nearly or quite reaching front of
eye; teeth on vomer, palatines, tongue, and jaws, in villiform bands; no enlarged teeth; arch of lateral
line moderate, somewhat shorter than straight part, which is about 2.5 in body; pectoral falcate, with
very slender tip, reaching anal; anterior rays of soft dorsal and anal somewhat produced, those of
dorsal 2.3 in head, of anal 2.7; caudal widely forked.
Color in spirits: Bluish above, pale on sides and below; parts of head with golden wash; lower
lobe of caudal with a wide dusky lengthwise bar; dorsal somewhat dusky, other fins nearly pale.
West Indies. Four specimens, 6.5 to 14 inches in length, from Mayaguez, Ponce, and Culebra,
taken in the seine. One of 5 inches from San Geronimo we refer with some doubt to this species.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 131
Scomber ruber Bloch, Iclithyologia, pi. 342, 1793, St. Croix.
Caranx blochii Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 69, 1833, St. Croix.
Caranx iridinus Poey, Memorias, II, 226, 1860, Cuba.
Caranxruber, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 919, 1896.
89. Caranx bartholomsei (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . Yellow Jack; Cibi Amarillo.
Head 3.3; depth 2.8; eye 4.8; snout 2.8; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2.1; interorbital 3; preorbital 8;
D. viii-i, 26; A. n-i, 22; pectoral 1; ventral 2.6; caudal 1.1; about 30 scutes. Close to C. ruber, but
the body not so slender, and straight portion of lateral line longer, nearly as long as curved part, 2.8
in body; maxillary reaching past front of eye.
Bluish above, a golden wash everywhere.
West Indies, north to Florida and the Carolinas; common in Cuba, but not very common in Porto
Rico. One specimen, 9.5 inches long, from San Juan market.
Caranx bartholomsei Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 100, 1833, St. Bartholomew; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 919, 1896.
Caranx cibi Poey, Memorias, II, 224, 1860, Cuba.
Caranx beani Jordan, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1880, 486, Beaufort, N. C.
90. Caranx hippos (Linnseus). OrevalU; Toro; Horse Crevalle; Cavally; Jack; Jiguagua.
Head 3; depth 2.5; eye 3.8; snout 3.4; maxillary 2.3; mandible 2; interorbital 3.7; D. viii-i, 20;
A. ii— i, 17; pectoral 1; ventral 2.3; caudal 1.1; scutes about 30.
Body not greatly elongate, anterior profile very strongly arched, approximating vertical from
front of eye to tip of snout in adult; mouth nearly horizontal, low; maxillary reaching posterior border
of eye in adult, middle of eye in 5-inch individuals; teeth of upper jaw in a villiform band, with an
outer row of considerably enlarged teeth, rather wide-set; one row of teeth in lower jaw, a pair of
canines at symphysis; lateral line with a rather strong arch, shorter than straight part; breast naked,
except a patch in front of ventrals. A large, very distinct jet-black spot on opercle; a fainter black
spot on lower rays of pectoral, often wanting in young; axil of pectoral black; lobe of soft dorsal and
upper surface of caudal peduncle dusky.
The most, strongly marked of the species of Caranx, known at once from the strong arch of the
head, the naked breast, and the opercular and pectoral spots. The collection contains only the young,
2.75 to 5.5 inches long, from Palo Seco. It does not appear to be common in Porto Rico, though it is
of wide distribution, being found in all warm seas and generally abundant. It occurs on both coasts
of tropical America and ranges as far north as Cape Cod and the Gulf of California. It bites voraciously
and affords much sport to the angler, who takes it by trolling. It is taken at Key West both by
trolling and by bottom fishing. It is very ravenous, swimming with great swiftness, and preying upon
smaller fishes. It is said to attain a weight of 20 pounds, but those caught in Indian River, Florida,
do not average over 3 pounds. As a food-fish it does not occupy a high rank. It was not seen in any
of the Porto Rican markets, which, however, was probably due to its scarcity at that particular season.
132 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Scomber hippos Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 494, 1766, Charleston, S. C.
Scomber carangus Bloch, Iehth.
,
pi. 340, 1793, Antilles.
Caranx erylhrurus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 68, 1802, South Carolina.
Caranx carangua LaeOpOde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 59 and 74, 1802, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Caranx daubentonii LacOpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 72, 1802, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Caranx xanthopigus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 109, 1833, Isle de France.
Caranx ekala Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 117, 1833, Vizagapatam.
Caranx antillarum Bennett, Whaling Voyage, II, 282, 1840, West Indies.
Caranx defensor De Kay, New York Fauna; Fishes, 120, 1842, New York.
Carangus csculenlus Girard, U. S. Mex. Bound. Surv., 23, pi. 11, figs. 1-3, 1859, Brazos Santiago, Texas.
Caranx caninus Gunther, Fishes Centr. Amer., 432, 1869, Panama.
Caranx hippos, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 920, 1896.
91. Caranx crysos (Mitchill). “ Cojinuda” ; Hard-tail ; Runner; Jurel; Yellow Mackerel; Crevalle.
(Plate 9.)
Head 3.5; depth 3.2; eye 5.6; snout 3; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2.1; interorbital 3; preorbital 11;
D. vm-i, 24; A. ii-i, 20; pectoral 0.8; ventral 2.3; caudal 0.95; about 45 scutes.
Body elongate, slightly elevated, not greatly compressed; maxillary reaching front of pupil or
middle of eye; teeth in jaws conical and sharp, not very close-set, in one series in lower jaw, in two
in upper, inner series of smaller teeth; no canines; lateral line more strongly arched anteriorly than
in C. ruber or C. bartliolomxi, arch rather more than half straight part; pectoral long and falcate, reaching
anal or slightly beyond; anterior rays of soft dorsal and anal elevated and falcate. A distinct black
blotch on opercle.
This species is found from Cape Cod to Brazil, is generally abundant, and is common farther to
the north than any other of the species of Caranx. It is an important and well-known food-fish, fairly
common. In Porto Rico only two specimens were collected, one 10.5 inches long from San Antonio
Bridge, and one 17.5 inches long, which was taken on the hook at Isabel Segunda, displaying good
game qualities. This is one of the best game-fishes of Porto Rico and can be taken by either still-
fishing or trolling.
Scomber crysos Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 424, New York.
Caranx pisquetus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist, Nat. Poiss., IX, 97, 1833, Santo Domingo, Cuba, and Brazil.
Trachurus squamosus Gronow, Cat. Fishes, ed. Gray, 125, 1854, Carolina.
Parairactus chrysos, Stahl, ). c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Caranx crysos, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 921, 1896.
92. Caranx latus Agassiz. “Jurel”; Xurel; Horse-eye Jack.
Head 3.35; depth 2.7; eye 4; snout 3.5; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.8; interorbital 3.2; D. vm-i,
22; A. ii— i, 18; pectoral 0.95; ventral 2.1; caudal 1.1; about 35 scutes. Form of C. hippos, but with
anterior profile not quite so strongly arched, breast scaled; axillary and pectoral spots absent; opercular
spot not so large nor distinct, scutes somewhat greater in number; adipose eyelid moderately devel-
oped; maxillary reaching past middle of eye.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 133
Lobe of dorsal dusky, that of anal golden; the young with 4 or 5 dark vertical bars and a faint
opercular spot, these sometimes absent; opercular sj)ot is larger, deeper in color,, and more persistent
in young of C. hippos, and usually serves to separate readily small individuals of the two species.
C. latus is a very widely distributed species, occurring in all tropical seas, and very abundant in
the West Indies, and by far the commonest species of Caranx in Porto Rico. The collection contains
137 specimens, varying in size from 3 to 9.5 inches. The poisonous character sometimes attributed
to its flesh evidently does not attach to it in Porto Rico, where it may be found for sale in the markets.
Our specimens were collected at Palo Seco, San Antonio Bridge, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Culebra, Isabel
Segunda, and Fajardo. Mr. Gray took two at San Geronimo.
Caranx lalus Agassiz, Pise. Bras., 105, 1829, Brazil; Jordan & Evermann, 1. o., 923, 1896.
Caranx lepturus Agassiz, Pise. Bras., 106, 1829, Brazil.
Scomber heberi Bennett, Fishes Ceylon, pi. 26, 1830, Ceylon.
Caranx fallax Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 95, 1833, Antilles: Brazil.
Caranx sen Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 105, 1833, Pondicherry.
Caranxforsleri Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 107, 1833, East Indies.
Caranx peroni Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 112, 1833, East Indies.
Caranx lessoni Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist.’Nat. Poiss., IX, 113, 1833, Malabar.
Caranx belengeri Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 116, 1833, Malabar.
Caranx paraspisles Richardson, Voyage Erebus and Terror, 136, 1844, Port Essington.
Caranx ricliardi Holbrook, Ichth. South Carolina, 96, pi. 13, fig. 1,1860, South Carolina.
Caranx aureus Poey, Enumeratio, 76,1875, Cuba.
Carangusfallax, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 331,1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163,1883.
Genus 58. VOMER Cuvier & Valenciennes.
This genus is closely allied to Caranx, from which it differs only in its distortion of form, and in
its weak teeth and very low fins. Body broad-ovate, very strongly compressed, all the outlines sharply
trenchant. Head very gibbous above eyes, its anterior profile vertical; lateral line strongly arched,
its posterior portion with very weak shields. Scales minute, rudimentary; the soft dorsal and anal
extremely low, not falcate. Young much deeper in form than adult, all the fins higher, resembling
Selene. Found in the warm seas.
a. Soft dorsal with about 25 rays; depth in adult less than half length dorsalis
aa. Soft dorsal with 21 or 22 rays.
b. Depth in adult about half length setipinnis
bb. Depth in adult much more than half length gabonensis, 93
93. Vomer gabonensis Guichenot. “ Corcobado.”
Head 2.75; depth 1.5; eye 3.8; snout 2.2; maxillary 2.5; mandible 2.2; interorbital 4.2; preor-
bital 2.6; D. viii-i, 22; A. i, 18; pectoral 1; caudal 1.1; scales minute. *
Body ovate, scarcely longer than deep, very greatly compressed; occipital region greatly elevated,
making height of body greatest above eye; anterior profile nearly vertical from occiput to eye,
134 BULLETIN 01<’ THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
opposite which it becomes concave; snout protruding; mouth oblique, maxillary extending opposite
nostrils, not reaching front of eye; lower jaw entering profile; a single row of numerous weak teeth in
each jaw
;
preorbital very broad
;
spinous dorsal weak, first four spines comparatively long, second about
half diameter of eye, very slender, weak, and flexible, next four much shorter, stiff, pungent, and par-
tially embedded; soft dorsal long and low, anterior rays somewhat elevated, not falcate; anal similar
to soft dorsal, its rays somewhat more widely set, first one or two a little elevated; pectoral falcate, as
long as head, reaching past middle of anal; ventrals minute, caudal peduncle short and very slender,
the fin widely forked, its lobes equal; head and upper parts of body naked, minute persistent scales
below; lateral line with minute rudimentary scutes on its straight portion, anterior part strongly
arched, its chord a little shorter than straight part.
Tig. 34 .—Selene vomer. Young.
Color in life: Rich silvery with an iridescence of steel-blue above and of pink below, with a light
golden wash on lower parts.
This species seems to be the common Vomer of Porto Rico and distinct from U. setipinnis, which
does not appear in our collection. It may be separated from the latter form by the much deeper body,
larger eye, greater elevation of occipital region, and more nearly vertical anterior profile. The young
of the two species resemble each other more closely. At a length of about 4 inches the difference
between them in relation of depth to length becomes apparent, but before that size is attained U. gabon-
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 135
Fig. 35 .—Selene vomer. Adult.
94. Selene vomer (Linnaeus). Moon-fish; Jorohado; Look-down.
Head 3; long dorsal rays 2; pectoral 2.75; long anal rays 2.66; depth 1.5, the young much deeper.
D. vii—i, 23; A. ii-i, 18. Anterior profile from tip of snout to occiput almost perfectly straight in
adult. Diameter of eye, length of opercle, and distance from eye to profile about equal; eye 2 in
maxillary, 2.5 in preorbital; mandibles very deep, dentary bones thin, approximate; one or two of the
dorsal spines greatly elongate and filamentous in young, short in adult; ventrals variable in length,
usually about as long as the eye in the adult, variously elongate in partly grown specimens.
ms'is may be distinguished by its larger eye, at least in some individuals of 2 or 3 inches in length.
The ventral outline of Y. seli.pinnis is somewhat more strongly curved than in 1'. (jabonensis, while in the
adult the reverse is true. The young of l r. (jabonensis has the caudal lobes more slender and somewhat
longer than in the corresponding size of the other species, but this difference disappears in the adult.
The species reaches a weight of a pound or more, is abundant and much used as food, being hawked
about the streets upon strings attached to a stick, which is carried over the shoulders.
The corcobado is known from Africa and the West Indies. We collected 32 examples, 2.5 to 8
inches long, from San Juan market, Palo Seco, Arecibo, Aguadilla, Arroyo, and Isabel Segunda.
Argyreiosus setipinnis var., Gunther, Cat., II, 459, 1860, Fernando Po, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, and Bahia.
Vomer gabonensis Guichenot, Ann. Soc. Linn. Maine et Loire, 42, 1865, Gaboon; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.934, 1896.
Genus 59. SELENE Lace'pede. The Moon-fishes.
Body very closely compressed and much elevated; profile very oblique or nearly vertical; edges
of body everywhere trenchant, especially anteriorly. Head short and very deep, opercle very short,
and preorbital extremely deep; an abrupt angle at occipital region. Mouth rather small; premax il-
laries protractile, fitting into a notch between the bases of maxillaries; maxillaries broad, each with
supplemental bone. Tongue narrow, free. Teeth minute, on jaws, tongue, vomer, and palatines.
Gillrakers long and slender. Spines of fins usually weak, more or less filamentous in young; free anal
spines immovable, sometimes obsolete in the adult. Soft fins falcate, much elevated. No finlets.
Head naked. Scales minute. Lateral line wholly unarmed. Coloration silvery.
Found in the tropical seas. Notwithstanding its extraordinary form this genus differs in no
important regard from Caranx.
136 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color, uniform silvery in adult.
Our observations of this species tend to confirm the correctness of Dr. Liitken’s views (Spolia
Atlantica, 139) as to the transformations incident to its growth.
A species of tropical America, occurring on both coasts, from Cape Cod to Brazil, and from Lower
California to Peru. Very common southward on sandy shores, both in the Atlantic and Pacific. No
specimens were obtained by us, but we include it on the authority of Poey and Stahl. It attains a
weight of about 2 pounds and is a delicious pan-fish.
Zeus vomer Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. X, 1758, 266, America; after Zeus caucla bifurca of Linnaeus, Mus. Adolph-Fred., I, 66.
Zeus gallus Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. X, 1758, 267, America; after Zeus cauda bifurca of Artedi; confused with Alectis ciliaris.
Zeus capillaris Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc., 1, 1815, 383 (young), New York.
Zeus rostratus Mitchill, 1. c., 384, New York (young).
Zeus geometricus Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 245 (adult), New York.
Argyriosus triacanthus Swainson, Nat. Hist. Class’n Fish., 250, 1839, Brazil; after Spix A Agassiz, pi. 58 (young).
Argyriosus mauricei Swainson, 1. c., 408, Brazil (adult).
Argyriosus mitchilli De Kay, N. Y. Fauna: Fishes, 126, 1842 (young), New York.
Argyriosus brevoorti Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 83, Panama (young).
Argyriosus pacificus Lockington, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1876, 84, Lower California; adult.
Selene argentea, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 332, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 164, 1883.
Selene vomer, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 936, 1896.
Genus 60. CHLOROSCOMBRUS Girard. The Casabes.
Body oblong-ovate, closely compressed, but not elevated, the abdomen prominent anteriorly, its
curve much greater than curve of back. Occiput and thoracic region trenchant. Caudal peduncle
very narrow, fin widely forked. Scales small, smooth. Lateral line arched in front, unarmed, or with a
few small plates. Head nearly naked. Preorbital low. Mouth rather small, oblique, lower jaw scarcely
projecting; upper jaw protractile; maxillary broad, emarginate behind, with large supplemental bone.
Jaws, vomer, and palatines with feeble teeth, mostly in a single series. First dorsal of feeble spines,
connected by membrane; second dorsal and anal long and low, similar, much longer than the short
abdomen. No finlets. Anal spines strong. Ventrals small; pectoral falcate. Gillrakers long.
An American genus, of small size, and little valued as food.
95. Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Linnfeus) . Casabe; Bumper.
Head 3.75; depth 2.33; eye very large, longer than snout, about 3 in head; D. viii-i, 26; A. ii-i, 26.
Head rather deeper than long; opercles very short; snout short. Mouth very oblique; maxillary reaching
anterior margin of eye. Chord of curved part of lateral line scarcely longer than head, 1.66 to 1.75 times
in length of straight part. Lateral line wholly unarmed. Caudal peduncle longer than deep, its diameter
less than that of eye; ventrals very small, fitting into a groove in which the vent is situated; pectoral
long, falcate, one-third the length.
Greenish above, sides and below golden; a jet-black spot on caudal peduncle above; dark open
cular and axillary spots; inside of mouth black; fins not bordered nor tipped with black.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 137
This species ranges from Cape Cod to Brazil; it is very common on our south Atlantic coast and
in Cuba, but is not valued as food, the flesh being thin and dry, the bones large. It is apparently not
common in Porto Rico, specimens being obtained by us only at Mayaguez and Isabel Segimda.
Scomber chrysurus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., XII, 494, 17GG, Charleston, South Carolina.
Scomber chluris Bloch, Iehthyologia, pi. 339, 1793.
Micropteryx cosmopolite, Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Bras., 104, 1829, Brazil.
Scomber latus Gronow, Catalogue Fishes, ed. Gray, 127, 1854, Carolina.
Chloroscombrus caribbxus Girard, Mex. Bound. Surv.,Zool., 21, pi. 9, fig. 6, 1859, St. Joseph Island, Texas.
C'Moroscombrus chrysurus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 332, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 77 and 103; 1883; Jordan &Evermann, l.o.,
938, 1896.
Genus 61. TRACHINOTUS Lacepede. The Pampanos or Pompanos.
Body compressed, moderately elevated, general outline ovate. Caudal peduncle short and rather
slender. Abdomen not trenchant, shorter than anal fin. Head moderately compressed, very blunt,
snout abruptly truncate. Mouth nearly horizontal, the maxillary reaching middle of eye; premaxil-
laries protractile; maxillary without distinct supplemental bone. Jaws, vomer, and palatines with
bands of villiform teeth, which are deciduous with age. Preopercle entire in adult. Gillrakers short.
Gill-membranes considerably united. Spinous dorsal represented by six rather low spines, which are
connected by membrane in young, but are free in adult. In old examples the spines appear small on
account of encroachments of flesh, and ultimately often disappear. Second dorsal long, elevated in
front; anal opposite to it and similar in form and size; two stout, nearly free spines in front of anal, and one
connected with the fin, these often disappearing with age. Scales small, smooth. Lateral line unarmed,
little arched; no caudal keel.
‘
‘When extremely young the preoperculum is armed at the angle with three large spines, and smaller
ones above and below. The spinous dorsal is developed as a perfect fin, and teeth are present on the
jaws and palatine arch. In this stage the species has never been described by previous naturalists, and
consequently has received no name, as the corresponding stage of Naucrates ( Nauclerus
)
has. At an
early period the preopercular spines are absorbed into the substance of the preoperculum and disappear.
The spinous dorsal and the teeth are still retained. In this condition it remains for some time, the
spinous dorsal, however, gradually losing its relative size, while the soft vertical fins increase. In this
stage the species belongs to the nominal genus Doliodon of Girard. At a later period the membrane con-
necting the dorsal spines has become obsolete, and the species then represents the genus Trackinotus, as
understood by Cuvier & Valenciennes and others. Finally, in old age, the teeth of the jaws, palate, and
pharyngeal bones have fallen out, and the lobes of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins attain their greatest
extension and become pointed. This final stage has been made known by Holbrook under the new
generic name of Bothrolmmus'” (Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 440). The pseudobranchise also
disappear in old individuals.
Some species of Trachinotus (carolinus
,
etc. ) are among the most highly valued of our food-fishes.
a. Dorsal with 19 or 20 soft rays; anal with 17 to 19 soft rays.
b. Body very much compressed; sides with narrow black crossbars; lobes of vertical fins elongate, reaching past
middle of caudal fin in adult glaucus, 96
bb. Body moderately compressed; sides without narrow black crossbars; lobes of vertical fins shorter, rarely reaching
base of caudal; lobes of dorsal and anal usually blackish.
c. Body broad-ovate; back arched; greatest depth at all ages nearly two-thirds length of body; profile from nostril
to dorsal everywhere nearly evenly convex; axil without black spot falcatus, 97
cc. Body oblong, the profile not strongly arched; depth in young and old 2 to 2.6 in length of body; dorsal lobes
low goodci
an. Dorsal with 25 to 27 soft rays; anal with 22 to 26 soft rays; body oblong, rather robust; greatest thickness 3 in greatest
depth of body; depth less than half length; lobes of vertical fins short, not black: sides without dark crossbars.
<1. Dorsal with 25 soft rays; anal with 22 soft rays; profile from snout to procumbent spine evenly convex.
e. Body very deep, depth about half length argenteus
ce. Body moderately deep, depth about 2.5 in length Carolinus, 98
(Id. Dorsal with 27 soft rays; anal with 26 cayennensis
96. Trachinotus glaucus (Bloch). Gaff-lopsail; Pompano; Palometa.
Head 4; depth 2; eye 3.6. D. vi-i, 19; A. ii-i, 18; pyloric cseca 13. Body elliptical, much
compressed; snout blunt, subtruncate, vertical from mouth to horizontal from upper edge of the eye;
profile from supraorbital to front of dorsal fin convex. Mouth nearly horizontal; maxillary nearly
138 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
reaching vertical from middle of eye, its length 3 in head; jaws without teeth in adult; dorsal spines
separate in adult; dorsal and anal fins falcate, anterior soft rays reaching middle of caudal fin; dorsal
lobe 1.5, anal 1.75 in length of body; ventrals reaching four-fifths distance to vent, their length 2.4 in
head; caudal very deeply forked, its lobes nearly half length of body.
Color, bluish above, golden below; lobes of dorsal and anal very dark; rest of tins pale, with
bluish edges; caudal bluish; pectorals golden and bluish; ventrals whitish. Body crossed by four
black vertical bands, first under procumbent spine, second under third dorsal spine, third and fourth
under soft dorsal; a black spot representing a fifth band on lateral line between last rays of dorsal and
anal, this sometimes obsolete; the position of the bands appearing to be subject to slight variation.
Young individuals, 2 inches in total length, may be described as follows: Head 2.9; depth 2.6;
eye 4; dorsal profile and general form as in adult; anterior dorsal and anal rays not produced; caudal
less deeply forked. Color, bright-silvery, merging into metallic-bluish on back and yellowish on lower
sides and belly; the four dark vertical bars very faint, but usually distinguishable with a lens, even in
very small specimens; the first of these very short and under procumbent spine, second longer and
under fourth spine, third and fourth under soft dorsal; the dark spot on posterior part of lateral line
usually not evident; anterior rays of dorsal and anal and outer rays of caudal black.
Comparing young examples in our collection from Porto Rico with specimens of similar size from
Woods Hole which have been identified as the young of T. gooclei
,
it is found that they are difficult to
distinguish. Thegeneral form, proportional measurements, fins, and general coloration are very much
alike, but the black vertical bars are apparently not present on the Woods Hole specimens.
Fig. 37.— Trachinotus glaucus.
This species attains a length of a foot or more and is a handsome fish, though not highly esteemed
as food. In Porto Rico, however, it is handled by the fishermen and seems to rank with the species
of Caranx in food value. It is found in tropical America from Virginia to the Caribbean Sea; generally
common from the Carolinas to Florida and in Porto Rico. Our collection contains examples from
Mayagucz, Aguadilla, Ponce, and Isabel Segunda. Mr. Gray’s collection has two from San Geronimo.
Chseiodon glaucus Bloch, Ichthyologia, pi. 210, 1787, Martinque; on a drawing by Plumier.
Trachynotus glaucus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 333, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 104, 1883.
Tracldnotus glaucus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 940, 1890.
97. Trachinotus falcatus (Linnaeus). Round Pompano; Palomela; Permit.
Head 3.6; depth 1.6; eye 3.9; snout 3.6; maxillary 3; mandible 2.4; interorbital 2.25; D. vi-i,
19; A. n-i, 17; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2.7; caudal 0.8; scales very numerous.
Body ovate, compressed, back greatly elevated; profile of snout nearly vertical; mouth small,
maxillary reaching nearly or quite to middle of eye; teeth deciduous, in villiform bands in younger
individuals; anterior ray of dorsal and anal much produced, that of dorsal reaching beyond posterior
end of fin, 2.5 in body; that of anal shorter, 3.3 in body; ventrals very small, reaching vent; caudal
widely forked, the lobes long.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 139
Color in life: Upper parts bluish-silvery, lower parts silvery; produced dorsal rays black out-
wardly, anal spines and produced rays reddish-orange, rays blackish at tips; inner edge of caudal lobes
lemon, outer margin blackish; ventrals reddish.
T. falcatus is known at once from the other species of the genus by the form of the body and the
elevation of dorsal and anal rays, which are longer than in any other of our Atlantic species except
T. glaucus. Its range is from Cape Cod to Porto Rico and Brazil, common southward, apparently only
the young occurring in the Gulf Stream as far north as Woods Hole. It does not seem to be at all
common in the Indian River, Florida, though it occurs in some numbers, especially in the southern
part of that region. It is not well known to the fishermen, only a few of whom had any name for it.
These called it “permit,” probably confusing it with the much larger species, T. goodei. It is regarded
as a fair food-fish. The majority of the specimens seen in the Indian River weighed less than a pound
each, and the largest about 3 pounds. In Porto Rico it is held in considerable esteem, ranking perhaps
with most other species of the family. It appears to be abundant, as specimens were obtained by us
at San Juan market, and at San Antonio Bridge, Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Boqueron, Ponce,
Arroyo, Hucares, and Isabel Segunda. It appeared to be common in most of the markets. Our
Porto Rican specimens range from 1.4 to 7 inches in length.
Ldbrusfalcatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 284, 1758, America.
Chsdodon rhomboides Bloch, Ichthyologia, pi. 209, 1787, Martinique; on a drawing by Plunder.
Trachinotusfuscus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 410, 1831, Brazil.
Trachinotus spinosus De Kay, N. Y. Fauna: Fishes, 117, pi. 19, fig. 53, 1842, New York Harbor.
Trachynotus ovatus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 333, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 164, 1883.
Trachinotus falcatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 941, 1896.
Fig. 38.— Trach inotusfalcatus.
98. Trachinotus carolinus (Linnaeus). Common Pompano.
( Plate 10.)
Head 3.5; depth 2.33; eye 4.1; snout 3.7; maxillary 2.8; mandible 2.4; interorbital 2.7; D. vi-i,
24; A. ii—i, 22; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2.2; caudal 9; scales very numerous. Body oblong, compressed,
moderately elevated; caudal peduncle short, slender, and much compressed; mouth small, horizontal,
jaws equal, maxillary reaching the middle of eye, the teeth in jaws in villiform bands in the young,
finally deciduous; a procumbent spine before dorsal; spinous dorsal short and low, spines connected
by membrane in young, becoming embedded in the flesh with age, membrane disappearing; anterior
rays of soft dorsal and anal elevated and falcate, 1.4 in head in young of 5 inches.
Color, bluish above, silvery below with golden tinge; pectoral and anal light-orange, shaded with
bluish; anterior lobe of soft dorsal dusky in young.
Found on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of United States, ranging north on sandy shores as
far as Cape Cod; said to be rare or accidental in West Indies and Brazil, though we found the young,
from 2.5 to 5 inches long, in considerable numbers at Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Ponce, and Isabel Segunda.
The pompano is perhaps the most delicious of all food-fishes. The richness, firmness, and delicacy
140 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
of flavor of its flesh render it superior not only to all other members of the family to which it belongs,
but to any other fish. On the east and west coasts of Florida and about Key West it is held in the
highest esteem and is most assiduously sought by the commercial fishermen, to whom it brings the
highest price. It reaches a maximum length of nearly 2 feet and a weight of 6 or 8 pounds. The
average weight of those taken in Indian River, Florida, probably does not now exceed 2 pounds,
though before commercial fishing on that coast was so vigorously prosecuted the average weight
was much greater; one was seen 21.5 inches long, weighing 4.5 pounds. At Key West the average
weight is said to be about 1.5 pounds and the maximum 5 pounds.
The habits of this important fish have never been carefully studied, and its life-history therefore
is not well known. It occurs in the Indian River throughout the year, but is said to be most abundant
in the winter months. The best fishing is from January to early April. It is probably common in the
summer months, but is not fished for then. It is most abundant about the inlets, playing in and out
with the tides. It runs in bunches or schools and is easily influenced by changes in temperature,
seeming to prefer rather warm water, and continued cold weather causes them to leave the river
temporarily. At Key West the pompano is found only in the winter when the cold weather drives
it south. It is fished for there with hook and line, while in Indian River nets are used.
The food of this fish seems to consist very largely of small bivalve shells and small crustaceans.
They feed extensively about the inlets, in the surf outside, and are often seen feeding near shore.
They are said to have the habit of digging in the mud or sand, which is probably done in their search
for food. Not much definite information could be obtained concerning the abundance or the habits of
the pompano in Porto Rico. The species was not found in any of the markets of the island nor were
any large individuals seen. Our examples are smaller than any we have seen from Florida, but are
about the size of those usually observed at Woods Hole in August and September, and from which
they do not seem to differ.
The Porto Rican fishermen seem to recognize the species as an important food-fish, but not as
being at any time abundant. The shore of the island is, in most places, unfavorable to this fish and
it is probably not found in considerable numbers except on the more sandy, protected portions.
Gasterosleus carolinus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 490, 1766, Carolina.
? Trachynotus argenteus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 410,1831, New York and Rio Janeiro.
Trachynotus cupreus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 414, 1831, Martinique.
Trachynotus pampanus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VIII, 415, 1831, Brazil and Charleston, S. C.
Trachinotus carolinus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 944, 1896.
Family XXXVII. STR0MATEIDA2. The Fiatolas.
Body compressed and more or less elevated, covered with small or minute cycloid scales. Profile
anteriorly blunt and rounded. Mouth small. Premaxillaries not protractile. Dentition feeble; no
teeth on vomer or palatines; pharyngeals little developed; oesophagus armed with numerous horny,
barbed, or hooked teeth. Opercular bones smooth, not serrate. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Gill-
membranes either separate and free from (Stromateinx) or broadly joined to isthmus (Stromaleoidinx )
,
restricting gill-openings to sides, as in Chsetodipterus. Gillrakers rather long. Pseudobranchite present.
Cheeks scaly. Preopercle entire or serrate. Lateral line well developed. Dorsal fin single, long,
with the spines few or weak, often obsolete; anal fin long, similar to soft dorsal, usually with 3 small
spines, which are often depressible in a fold of skin; ventrals thoracic, i, 5 in the young, but reduced
or altogether wanting in the adult; caudal fin well forked. Usually no air-bladder. Pyloric caeca
commonly numerous. Vertebrae 30 to 36.
a. Dorsal and anal fins very high in front, anterior lobe falcate: body suborbicular Peprilus, 62
aa. Dorsal and anal fins moderately elevated in front, anterior lobe scarcely falcate; side with a series of large, wide-set.
pores above lateral line Pokonotus
Genus 62. PEPRILUS* Cuvier. The Butter-fishes.
Body ovate or suborbicular, strongly compressed, tapering into a.slender caudal peduncle, which
is not keeled or shielded. Head short, compressed, profile obtuse. Mouth small, terminal, jaws
subequal. Premaxillaries not protractile. Jaws each with single series of weak teeth. Scales very
*The name Rhombus LacdpOde (1800)
,
which has long been in use for this genus, is preoccupied by Rhombus Humph-
reys (1797), a genus of mollusks. The next available name is Peprilus of Cuvier (1817).
THE EISHES OE PORTO RICO. 141
small, cycloid, silvery, loosely inserted, extending on vertical fins. Opercular bones entire. Gill-
membranes separate, free from isthmus; gillrakers moderate. Lateral line continuous, concurrent
with back. Dorsal fin long, more or less elevated in front, preceded by a few indistinct spines;
usually one or more procumbent spines in front of dorsal and anal, each of these with a free point both
anteriorly and posteriorly; anal fin similar to dorsal, or shorter, usually with three small spines;
ventral fins wanting; a single small, sharp spine, attached to pubic bone, occupying the place of the
ventrals; peetorals long and narrow; caudal widely forked.
There are but few species of this genus, mostly American. Peprilus differs from Slrornateus chiefly
in the prominence of the pelvic bone, which projects in a lamina beyond the skin. Species of Stromateus
occur in Europe and South America, but none within our limits.
Only one of the two recognized species is known from Porto Rico.
a. Dorsal rays m, 43 paru, 99
aa. Dorsal rays about m, 39 xanthurus
Fig. 39.—Peprilus paru.
99. Peprilus paru (Linnaeus). “Pcilometa”; Ilarvest-fisli; Puppy-fish.
Head 3.6; depth 1.5; eye 3; snout 4.7; maxillary 3.5; mandible 3; interorbital 2.5; D. in, 42;
A. ii, 39; pectoral and caudal 2.5 in body; scales about 90.
Body nearly circular in outline, strongly compressed, with a very short and slender caudal
peduncle; head small, not at all pointed, its anterior outline scarcely breaking the nearly even curve
from above and below; mouth very small, oblicpie, lower jaw not projecting, maxillary reaching front
of eye; teeth in jaws small and weak, uniserial; lateral line unarmed; dorsal and anal fins falcate,
their anterior rays much produced, those of anal reaching base of caudal or beyond, those of dorsal
shorter, reaching middle of fin when depressed; caudal lobes long, equal, the tin well forked; ventrals
wanting, a small spine similar to anal spines in their place; scales somewhat deciduous.
Color in life: Pale-blue above, silvery on sides and below, rich bluish or purplish iridescence
everywhere; inside of mouth and tongue inky-black, the jaws pale.
Atlantic coast of United States from Massachusetts south to Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Brazil.
142 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
This species reaches a length of 6 to 8 inches, a weight of a half pound or more, and is a highly
valued pan-fish, particularly common along our south Atlantic coast. It is apparently not common in
Porto Rico, as only two specimens were obtained, 6.5 and 7.5 inches long, respectively, from the San
Juan market.
Pane Brasiliense congener, Sloane, Hist. Jamaica, 285, 1727, Jamaica,
Stromateuspa.ru Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 248, 1758, Jamaica; based on Sloane.
Cheetodon alepidotus LinnEeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 460, 1766, Charleston.
Sternoptyx gardenii Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 494, 1801, Charleston; after Linnaeus.
Stromateus longipinnis Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Philos. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 366, New York.
Rhombus paru, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 966, 1896.
Peprilus paru, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 3197, 1900.
Family XXXVIII. CHEILODIPTERID^E. The Cardinal-fishes.
Body oblong or elongate, sometimes compressed and elevated, covered with rather large scales,
which are striated and ctenoid or sometimes cycloid; cheeks scaly; lateral line continuous; cleft of
the mouth wide, oblique; villiform teeth on jaws and vomer, and sometimes on palatines; canines
sometimes present (teeth wanting in Brephostoma) ; preopercle with a double ridge, its edge entire
or slightly serrated
;
opercular spine little developed; lower pharyngeals separate, with sharp teeth;
pseudobranchiae present; branchiostegals 6 or 7. Dorsal fins well separated, the first with 6 to 9 rather
strong spines; no dorsal sheath or furrow; anal fin short, usually with 2 spines, sometimes with 3 or 4;
ventral fins thoracic, i, 5, without axillary scale.
Small fishes of the tropics, especially abundant in the East Indies, some of them in fresh water,
most of them in rather deep waters. Color often bright-red. Genera about 15; species about 130.
CHEILODIPTEKINa::
a. Body oblong, not greatly compressed nor greatly elongate; anal spines 2, rarely 3; teeth present in jaws at least.
b. Anal fin with two spines; soft rays usually 8 or 9.
c. Canines none; teeth all villiform; lateral line normal.
d. Palatines with teeth.
e. Scales large, 20 to 30 in lateral line.
/. Preopercle with its posterior edge distinctly serrate, at least in young Apogon, 63
ff. Preopercle with its ridges entire at all ages Apogonichthys, 64
ee. Scales small, 40 to 45 in lateral line.. Glossamia
dd. Palatines toothless; teeth moderate; eye very large; body elongate; scales rather small; preopercle entire or
nearly so Epigonus
cc. Canines present in jaws. Dorsal spines 6; opercle unarmed; anal spines 2 Cheilodipterus
66. Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays; no teeth on vomer or palatines; no canines; caudal rounded; opercles
entire; body moderately elongate Amiichthys
Scombropiile.
aa. Body elongate, the form approaching that of the barracuda (Sphyrsena) ; mouth large; anal spines 3 or 4.
g. Teeth subequal, without distinct canines; preopercle serrate. D vil-l, 10; A. m, 7; scales small, about 60.
Sphyr^nops
gg. Teeth unequal, jaws with long canines; preopercle entire or nearly so.
h. Second dorsal and anal long, each of 12 to 14 soft rays; soft parts of vertical fins scaly; scales rather small, 45 to 50.
Scombrops
hh. Second dorsal and anal short, each with 7 to 9 soft rays; vertical fins scarcely scaly; scales large, about 30.
Hypoclydonia
Genus 63. AP0G0N Lacepede. Kings of the Mullets.
Body oblong / compressed, covered with large ctenoid scales. Lateral line continuous, with 20 to
30 scales. Head large; mouth tvide, oblique, maxillary extending to below middle of large eye;
villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; no canine teeth; preopercle with a double ridge, the
edge somewhat serrate, at least in the young, becoming entire with age in some species; opercle with
spine behind. Gillrakers rather long. Dorsal spines 6 or 7, strong; second dorsal remote, short; anal
with 2 spines and 8 or 9 soft rays, second much the longer, soft part similar to soft dorsal; pectorals
and ventrals moderate; vertebrae 11 -)- 14 = 25. Warm seas; the species numerous.
. Base of caudal with a distinct round blackish blotch (rarely wanting).
. Base of soft dorsal without blackish saddle-like blotch.
c. Opercle without dark spot; cheek without evident dark dots; soft dorsal much higher than spinous; scales
28 to 30 imberbis
aa. Base of caudal without blackish blotch.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 143
cl. Soft dorsal with a round black blotch below it and a similar one on caudal peduncle above; scales 26... maculatus
clcl. Soft dorsal and caudal peduncle without round black spots.
e. Body with few black specks or none; a blackish bar between last rays of soft dorsal and anal; another on caudal
peduncle binolatus
ee. Body covered everywhere with blackish dots, like fly-specks; no other distinct markings; scales 25.. pigmentarius
aaa. A broad saddle-like dark blotch on caudal peduncle; scales 2V scllicaucla
,
100
v
100. Apog'on sellicauda Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 2.6; depth 3; eye 2.7; snout4.75; maxillary 2; mandible 2.2; interorbital 4; D. vi-i, 9; A. n,
7; scales 2-27-10. Body rather short; head large; caudal peduncle long, deep, and compressed; mouth
large, little oblique, maxillary reaching past pupil; eye very large; preopercle finely serrate; scales large,
.finely ctenoid; lateral line complete, following curve of back. Fins moderate; second and third dorsal
spines longest; first anal spine very short, second about equal to eye; pectoral long, 1.65 in head.
Color in life: Rich scarlet, nearly uniform; a jet-black spot as large as pupil on opercle and
another of same size on side between lateral line and base of soft dorsal; a dark blotch from opercular
spot to eye, beneath which are a few brownish specks; axil of pectoral somewhat dusky; top of head
and snout with small black specks; caudal peduncle with abroad saddle-like dusky area close to base
of caudal fin; a few small dark specks on dorsal, anal, and caudal fins.
In alcohol, the color fades to pale yellowish-white, the black spots and specks persisting.
Fig. 40 .—Apogon sellicauda.
This interesting species is evidently close to A. maculatus
,
but differs in its much larger eye and
in coloration. In four specimens of A. maculatus examined the eye was 3.25, 3.3, 3.5, and 3.5 in head,
respectively. A specimen of the same size as the type of the present species has the eye 3.5 as against
2.7 in said type. The coloration is also very different. In A. maculatus there is a definite lateral
black spot about the size of the pupil on the upper posterior part of the caudal peduncle; the opercle
and postocular region in some specimens have a few minute dark specks sometimes forming an obscure
opercular blotch; and the tips of the anterior dorsal and anal rays and the outer caudal rays are quite
black. In A. sellicauda, instead of the definite black spot on the caudal peduncle, there is a broad
dark saddle-like area completely surrounding the peduncle except, possibly, at the under edge; there
is a definite black spot nearly as large as that under soft dorsal, on the middle part of the opercle, and
from this a broad dark band runs forward to the eye. The tips of the caudal lobes and of the anal and
soft dorsal are broken in the type, but they do not seem to have been black, as in A. maculatus.
This species is based upon a single specimen, 1.63 inches long, obtained February 11, 1899, on a
coral reef at Culebra Island. Type No. 49529 U. S.,N. M. (sella, saddle; cauda, tail.)
144 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 64. APOGONICHTHYS Bleeker.
This genus differs from Apogon only in having the preoperele entire at all ages; scales very large
(20 to 26) and cycloid. Small species, similar in habit to those of Apogon, found in the tropical seas.
The genus is scarcely distinct from Apogon.
a. Scales in lateral line 21 to 23; body with many dark points.
b. Venturis short, not reaching; vent; dorsal rays vi-i, 9 alutus, 101
hi). Ventrals long, extending beyond anal; dorsal rays vii-i, 9 stellahis
aa. Scales in lateral line 30; ventrals long, reaching beyond front of anal; body everywhere with black specks; dorsal
Vi-i, 9 puncticulatus
101. Apogonichthys alutus (Jordan & Gilbert).
Head 2.4; depth 2.75; eye 3; snout 4.75; maxillary 2; mandible 1.8; interorbital 4; D. vi-i, 9;
A. ii, 9; scales 1-22-7. Body short and deep; head compressed, short and high, its height at occiput
six-sevenths its length; snout short and blunt, less than interorbital width, about half diameter of
orbit; mouth very oblique, maxillary reaching beyond pupil, but not to posterior margin of orbit;
length of maxillary 1.75 in head; teeth in narrow villiform bands in each jaw, those on vomer and
palatines minute; eye of moderate size, 2.8 in head; orbital rim elevated above and behind; interorbital
width 3.33 in head, with a low median longitudinal ridge; both ridges of preoperele entire; opercle
without spine; gillrakers slender, longest rather more than half diameter of orbit, 8 or 9 on anterior
branch of outer arch. First dorsal low, of 6 rather weak spines, its base two-fifths length of head, and
equal to greatest height of fin; second dorsal high, longest ray 1.5 in head. Anal similar to second
dorsal; second anal spine half length of longest ray, which is contained 1.75 in head; caudal 1.33;
ventrals not reaching vent, 1.66, and pectorals 1.75 in length of head.
Color, rusty-red, with silvery luster; sides of head little reddish; body and fins everywhere
much soiled and freckled with dark points; first dorsal blackish, thickly punctate; second dorsal,
anal, and caudal yellow, smutty, with dark points, posterior half of the caudal more dusky; ventrals
smutty-yellow; pectorals colorless.
Found on the Snapper Banks off Pensacola and Tampa and at Porto Rico, where one specimen 2
inches long was seined in Guanica Bay January 28. Until now the only specimens known had been
obtained from the stomachs of red snappers, Neomtenis aya, which probably all came from depths of 20
to 50 fathoms. The finding of this species in shallow water near the shore is therefore an interesting
addition to our knowledge of its habits.
Apogon alutus Jordan & Gilbert, Proe. U. S. N. M. 1882, 279, Snapper Banks oft west coast of Florida.
Apogonichthys alutus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1110, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO 1UCO. 145
Family XXXIX. CENTROPOMIDtE. The Robalos.
This family is defined thus by Professor Gill (Proc. U. S. N. M. 1882, 484)
:
“Typical acanthopterygians with the postorbital portion of the skull longer than theoculo-rostral;
the parietals behind the constriction continuous with the epiotics and transverse lam hue arising from
the supraoccipital crest, the three together forming a well differentiated posterior oblong pentagonal or
hastiform area; the re-entering parietal sinus, with its anterior margin, produced forward nearest the
opisthotics; the exoccipitals well developed and contiguous above the foramen magnum; the vertebras
in typical number (10+ 14) and longish; the anterior two partly coossified and the first with selliform
apophyses extending backward and embracing the second vertebra; the vertebra? mostly with fovea? or
pits for the ribs and only with developed parapophyses for the posterior (6 to 10) pairs of ribs; the
second neural spine suberect, and with laminiform extensions, which embrace the first; neurapophyses
and neural spines of other vertebra? depressed at their bases continuous with the zygapophyses in
front, and slightly curved upward at their tips; the haemal spines resembling the neural.”
Subocular laminae produced behind in a pointed process. External characters are the elongate
body, with elevated back, straight abdomen, and angulated base of anal. Scales ctenoid, varying in
size, lateral line conspicuous, extending on caudal tin, the tubes straight, confined to basal half of scale.
Head depressed, pike-like, lower jaw projecting; villiform teeth, in bands, on jaws, vomer, and palatines;
tongue smooth. Maxillary broad, truncate behind, with a strong supplemental bone. Pseudobranchiae
present, small. Preopercle with a double ridge, posterior margin strongly serrated, with larger spines
at angle; preorbital and suprascapula serrated, opercle without true spines. Gillrakers long. Dorsal
fins well separated, first with 8 spines, first and second short, third and fourth longest; anal with 3
spines, second strong, third long and slender, these fins moving in scaly sheaths. Caudal forked.
Ventrals large, i, 5, inserted well behind pectorals, a scaly process at their base; pectorals narrow and
rather pointed, upper rays longer than lower. Branchiostegals 7. Air-bladder well developed, simple,
or with appendages anteriorly.
This family comprises about 15 species, all American and referred to one genus. They are game-
fishes, excellent as food.
Genus 65. CENTROPOMUS Lacepede. The Robalos.
The characters of this genus are included in the above.
In American waters this genus contains 14 species, as recognized by Jordan & Evermann, only 2 of
which are known from Porto Rico. All the species are of some value as food-fishes and some of them
reach a large size. They occur on both coasts of tropical America and are fishes of shallow or moderate
depths, two or three of them even ascending fresh-water streams for considerable distances.
a. Preorbltal entire or very faintly serrated; spines of fins moderate, none more than half head; lateral line black,
with about 70 scales (pores); caudal fin short; air-bladder usually with recurved appendages at its anterior
end; anal with 6 soft rays, the last cleft to base. Size large.
b. Appendages to air-bladder short, shorter than eye; second anal spine projecting beyond third unclecimalis, 102
ad. Preorbital with well-developed retrorse teeth, especially posteriorly; air-bladder without appendages; spines
longer. Size comparatively small.
c. Lateral line in a narrow black streak.
d. Scales moderate or large, 50 to 60 in lateral line; second anal spine very strong; ventrals more or less dusky, usually
broadly tipped with black; anal rays in, 7, second spine a little shorter than third.
e. Scales in lateral line 57 to 60 ; second anal spine very long, 1.25 to 1.60 in head ; depth of body 3.66 in
length pedimactila
re. Scales in lateral line 51 or 52; second anal spine 1.66 in head. Body more slender, the depth 3.75 in length. . cuvicri
dd. Scales small, about 70 in lateral line; ventrals pale; second anal spine strong, equal to depth of body; anal rays
in, 6 mexicanns
cc. Lateral line pale, not in a dark stripe; ventral fins yellowish, without black tip.
/. Scales very small, about 80; sides of body parallel with each other; second anal spine longer than third, equal to
depth of body; anal rays nr, 7 parallelus, 103
ff. Scales small, 65; second anal spine very long, about equal to depth of body; third anal spine same length; angle
of preopercle with about 6 long, comb-like teeth; anal rays .in, 7 pectinatus
///. Scales large, 19 to 53 in lateral line; eye moderate, about 6 in head; anal rays in, 6.
g. Body moderately elongate, the depth 3.25 to 3.66 in length.
A. Scales before dorsal small, 16 to 18 in number; maxillary reaching past front of pupil. Third dorsal spine half
head; scales 51 armdtus
hh. Scales before dorsal not crowded, 10 to 14 in number; maxillary barely reaching front of pupil; third dorsal spine
less than half head; scales 7-53-11 affinis
gg. Body more elongate, depth 4 in length; the second anal spine excessively long, 1.4 times depth of the body;
scales 53 ensiferua
F. C. B. 1900—10
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.146
102. Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch). “Robalo”; Snook.
Head 3; depth 4.25; eye 7.75; snout 3.5; maxillary 2.5, reaching past middle of eye; interorbital
equal to eye; D. vn or vin-i, 10; A. in, 6; scales 9-75-12, about 18 before dorsal; gillrakers 4 4-9.
Body stout, not much compressed; head long and pointed; mouth large; lower jaw strongly projecting;
preorbital faintly or not at all serrate; preopercle and interopercle serrate; subbpercular flap broad;
cranial ridges prominent; caudal peduncle stout, its least width 2.5 in its least depths; tins moderate;
first and second dorsal spines very short, first sometimes absent, third about 2 in head; first- anal spine
very short, second very strong, about 2.6 in head, usually a little longer than third, which is more
slender; pectorals long, about 2 in head; ventrals long, slightly greater than the pectoral; scales mod-
erate, closely imbricated, rather firm.
Color in life: Irregularly iridescent-green above; top of head grayish, cheeks silvery, with golden
wash; lower jaw flesh-color, with some blue; lateral line darkest posteriorly; side silvery, with light
purple iridescence; under parts white; tins all pale, ventrals darker at tips, caudal dark-edged.
Color in spirits: Greenish-olive, sides dull-silvery, lighter below; fins all pale except dorsals,
which are dark; lateral line black.
A common food-fish in Porto Rico, where it reaches a length of 2 or 3 feet or more. Specimens
were obtained at San Juan, Ponce, Palo Seeo, Mayaguez, and Arroyo.
Scicena undecimalis Bloch, Ichth., VI, 00, pi. 303, 1792, Jamaica.
Centropomus umleciinradiatus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 268, 1802, Jamaica; after Bloch.
Perea loubiita Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 397, 1802, Cayenne.
Sphjfrseiia aureoviridis Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V. 324, 1803, Martinique.
Centropomus appendiculatus Poey, Memorias, II, 119, I860. Havana and Cienfuegos.
Centropomus undecimalis, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 321, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 76 and 162,1883; Jordan & Evermann,
1. c., 1118, 1896.
103. Centropomus parallelus Poey. “ Robalo.”
Head 2.7; depth 3.33; eye 5.7; snout 3.4; maxillary 2.4, reaching past middle of eye; mandible
1.6; interorbital 7, less than eye; D. viii-i, 10; A. m, 7; scales 12-80-14. Back considerably elevated,
making body deeper and anterior profile more steep than in C. undecimalis. It. differs also from that
species in the much less projecting lower jaw, stronger serrations of preorbital and preopercle, smaller
scales, and color of the lateral line, which is pale instead of black.
Our specimens differ slightly from Poey’s description of C. parallelus: Second anal spine but two-
thirds depth of body, third very nearly as long as second; otherwise identical with it.
Color, silvery in life, inclining to brassy-olive on back; in spirits, faint longitudinal streaks, pale
below but brownish on back, traverse the rows of scales.
This is a small species, rarely exceeding a foot in length, found about Cuba, Santo Domingo, Porto
Rico, and at Pernambuco. It enters rivers and lakes and may be found at long distances from salt
water. In Porto Rico it ascends the larger streams well toward the interior of the island. Numerous
examples from the Rio Luiza were seen hawked about the streets of Caguas. One from this place is a
foot in length. < '. nudeciinu/is also enters the rivers but does not ascend so far as does this one. Each
species possesses some game qualities and both are sought by the local anglers. The best fishing is
said to be in the lower portions of theRiode la Plata, Manati, and the Rio Grande de Arecibo.
Centropomus paratttlus Poey, Memorias, II, 120, 1860, Havana and Cienfuegos; Jordan it Evermann, 1. c., 1122, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 147
Family XL. SERRANIDiE. The Sea Basses.
Body oblong, more or less compressed, covered with adherent scales of moderate or small size,
which are usually but not always ctenoid; dorsal and ventral outlines usually nut perfectly correspond-
ing. Mouth moderate or large, not very oblique, the premaxillary protractile, and broad maxillary
usually not slipping for its whole length into a sheath formed by preorbital, which is usually narrow.
Supplemental maxillary present or absent. Teeth all conical or pointed, in bands, present on jaws,
vomer, and palatines. Gillrakers long or short, usually stiff, armed with teeth. Gills 4, a long slit
behind fourth. Pseudobranchhe present, large. Lower pharvngeals rather narrow, with pointed
teeth, separate (except in Centrogenys ) . Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus. Branchioste-
gals normally 7 (occasionally 6). Cheeks and opercles always scaly; preopercle with its margin more
or less serrate, rarely entire; operele usually ending in one or two flat spine-like points. Nostrils
double. Lateral line single, not extending on caudal fin. Skull without cranial spines and usually
without well-developed cavernous structure. No suborbital stay. Post-temporal normal. Second
suborbital with an internal lamina supporting globe of eye; entopterygoid present; all or most of the
ribs inserted on transverse processes when these are developed; anterior vertebrae without transverse
processes. Dorsal spines usually stiff, 2 to 15 in number; soft dorsal with 10 to 30 rays; anal fin rather
short, its soft rays 7 to 12, its spines, if present, always 3, in certain genera ( Grammtdhuv, JRi/pticinic)
altogether wanting. Ventrals thoracic, usually i, 5 (i, 4, in Plesiopirue), normally developed, without
distinct axillary scale. Pectoral well developed, with narrow base, rays branched. Caudal peduncle
stout, the fin variously formed. Vertebrae typically 10+ 14=24, number sometimes increased, never
more than 35. Air-bladder present, usually small, and adherent to wall of abdomen. Stomach
csecal, with few or many pyloric appendages; intestines short, as is usual in carnivorous fishes.
The Serranidx include 60 to 70 genera and about 400 species; carnivorous fishes, chiefly marine, and
found in all warm seas; several genera found in fresh waters, comprising most of the family of Percidx, as
understood by Gunther and others, exclusive of those with imperfect pseudobranchise, those with one
or two anal spines, those with the number of vertebrae increased, those in which the whole length of
maxillary slips under preorbital, and those with anal fin many-rayed, and cranium shortened behind.
«. Anal spines 3, well developed. Dorsal fin single, sometimes deeply divided.
6. Maxillary with a distinct supplemental bone (rarely obscured by the skin); dorsal usually divided or deeply notched
c. Inner teeth of jaws not depressible nor hinged.
LlOPROPOMINsE:
i d. Soft dorsal longer than spinous part; dorsal deeply divided, spines 0 to 9 in number; preopercle entire; vertebra
10 + 14 = 24; lateral line arched anteriorly.
e. Dorsal spines 9; caudal lunate Liopropoma
ce. Dorsal spines 6; caudal truncate .....' Chorististium
PoLYPRIONINiE:
dd. Soft dorsal shorter than spinous part; vertebra more than 24 (25 to 36); head without rugose dermal ossifications.
Teeth all villiform, without canines; soft dorsal with 10 to 12 rays. Head armed with rough spinigerous crests,
there being spinous projections above the eyes and a rough, bony ridge on operele, with others on post-temporal
;
dorsal fin low, continuous; tongue with teeth; dorsal spines 11 or 12; soft dorsal scaly; caudal rounded; ventral
not inserted before axil of pectoral; pyloric caeca numerous (about 70); vertebra 27 Polyprion
Epinephelinle:
ce. Inner teeth of jaws depressible or hinged; canine teeth more or less distinct, in front of each jaw; scales small,
firm, the top of head more or less scaly; lateral line running low (except in Gonioplectrus. etc.); supraoccipital
crest usually more or less encroaching on the top of the skull, so as to leave no distinct smooth area at vertex
(except in Variola); temporal crests usually distinct; gillrakers various, generally small and short. Dorsal
rays vin to xiv, 12 to 20, number of spines usually not 10; anal rays nr, 7 to iii, 12; ventral fins inserted
more or less behind axil of pectoral; head unarmed, except for opercular spines and serra on preopercle; soft
dorsal scaly; scales of lateral line usually triangular and cycloid; vertebrae almost always 10 + 14 = 24, rarely
26 or 27. Chiefly shore fishes, often of large size; all of them, so far as known, bisexual.
/. Pectoral unsymmetrical
,
its upper rays longest; dorsal spines 8; plectroid spine on preopercle single, very strong;
a strong canine on middle of side of lower jaw; operele with a long, knife-shaped spine; body rather deep:
lateral line running high; jaws naked; scales small, firm, and rough; caudal rounded; soft dorsal rather short,
of 12 or 13 rays Gonioplectri s
ff. Pectoral rounded, symmetrical, its middle rays longest; canines usually distinct, in front of one or both jaws.
g. Frontals with a transverse ridge on posterior part in front of supraoccipital connecting the parietal crests; frontal
bones without processes or longitudinal ridges on upper surface; dorsal spines always 9. Posterior process of
premaxillary extending to between frontals; mandible without curved canines on its sides; caudal notforked;
scales ctenoid Petrometopon, 66
yy. Frontals without transverse ridge.
h. Dorsal spines 9; soft dorsal of moderate length and height, its rays 13 to 15; anal rays in, 7 or 8; skull and head
essentiallvas in Epinrp/ulm. snout not very short, frontal region flat or convex, supraoccipital- crest continued
forward over it; lateral crest short, low and diverging; mouth and teeth as in Epiia pliclur BpniANrx, 67
148 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
hli. Dorsal spines 11 (rarely 10, never 9).
i. Parietal crests not produced forward on frontals; frontals with process or knob on each side, behind interorbital
area; premaxillary processes fitting into a cavity at anterior extremity of frontals, or into an emargination
of these bones; anal rays III, 8, or in, 9.
j. Scales of the lateral line normal, marked by radiating ridges.
k. Cranium narrow above interorbital space, deeply concave; occipital crest meeting interorbital region.
Epinephelus, 68
kk. Cranium very broad and flat above; interorbital little concave, occipital crest disappearing before reaching inter-
orbital region Garrupa
jj. Scales of lateral line each with 4 to 6 strong radiating ridges; cranium short, extremely broad, and depressed
between eyes; anterior profile of head a little concave; dorsal spines low; dorsal rays xi, 16 Promicjrops
//. Parietal crests produced forward on frontals.
l. Frontals with a process or knob on each side behind interorbital area; premaxillaries fitting into a cavity at
anterior extremity of frontals; anal rays hi, 8, rarely m, 9.
in. Preopercle with a single antrorse hook or spine near angle; supraoccipital and parietal crests not extending to
between orbits; scales ctenoid Alphestes, 69
mm. Preopercle without antrorse spine; supraoccipital and parietal crests extending to between orbits; scales smooth.
Permatolepis
U. Frontals without processes on upper surface; parietal crests extending to between orbits; premaxillary pro-
cesses not extending to frontals. Anal fin elongate, its rays in, 11, or in, 12 (very rarely m, 9 or in, 10)
caudal fin lunate or truncate; dorsal rays XI, 16 to 18 Mycteroperca, 70
bb. Maxillary without supplemental bone; canine teeth, if present, usually developed on side of lower jaw as well as
in front; no depressible teeth; scalesmostly ctenoid, including those of lateral line; tubes of lateral line straight
or with an ascending tubule, covering most of length of scale. Temporal crests on cranium almost obsolete.
Serranin;e:
n. Gillrakers comparatively short and wide apart; lateral line not running close to back (except in Serranus); dorsal
rays x, 11 to 15; anal rays usually hi, 7; supraoccipital crest not extending far forward on top of skull, a more
or less distinct convex smooth area being left on vertex between supraoccipital and interorbital area; mouth
not very oblique; vertebras about 10 -(- 14=24. Chiefly shore fishes of olivaceous colors.
o. Ventral fins inserted below, or more or less behind, axil of pectoral; branchiostegals 7.
p. Dorsal without long filamentous spines, not more than one of its spines specially produced. Body short and deep,
with elevated back, depth more than two-fifths length, usually nearly half; preopercle with a few antrorse seme
on its lower limb; top of supraoccipital crest very high, about as long as smooth area on vertex of cranium, which
is well developed, as in Serranus and Prionodes. Top of head naked; dorsal rays usually x, 14. . Hypoplectrus
oo. Ventral fins anterior, inserted more or less in advance of axil of pectoral, well separated; upper half of pectoral fin
. usually vertically truncate.
q. Smooth area on top of cranium very short and small; the long supraoccipital crest encroaching on posterior border
of cranium so that the latter in profile is not nearly vertical along occipital region. Caudal fin not lunate,
rounded, or ending in 3 points, middle rays produced like outer ones Centroprist.es
qq. Smooth area on top of cranium very large, longer than the supraoccipital crest, which is low and short; posterior
border of cranium at occipital region nearly vertical in profile. Caudal fin lunate or truncate.
r. Branchiostegals 7; caudal fin forked or lunate; none of dorsal spines elongate.
s. Preopercle with numerous strong diverging spines at its angle, these spines diverging from one or two centers;
preorbital broader than maxillary, which is widest near its middle; scales rather large Diplectrum, 71
s.v. Preopercle simply and rather finely serrate; preorbital narrow Prionodes, 72
it. Branchiostegals 6; caudal fin truncate Dules, 73
mi. Gillrakers (in American species) very long, slender, and close-set; lateral line running close to back; supraoccipital
crest high; occiput with a short convex smooth area; canines strong; no depressible teeth; preorbital narrow;
maxillary without supplemental bone or with a rudiment only.
Anthiin.*:
t. Lateral line complete and continuous, extending to base of caudal; ventral rays I, 5; dorsal rays ix to xii, 9 to 20;
anal rays m, 7 to 10; pectoral rays branched; snout short, mostly convex in profile. Fishes of rather deep
waters, chiefly bright-red in life.
it. Dorsal spines 9, all low; soft rays about 19. Caudal fin deeply forked, lobes produced; scales small, ctenoiu; ventrals
long, inserted behind axil of pectoral; maxillary scaly; frontal region flattish, supraoccipital crest very
prominent Paranthias
mu. Dorsal spines 10 or more; scales not very small; preopercle angular, with salient teeth at its angle; one or more
dorsal spines sometimes filamentous; ventral fins long.
r. Maxillary and frontal region naked; tongue mostly toothless; caudal fin lunate; parietals weak; posterior process
of premaxillary reaching frontals. Ventrals inserted behind axil of pectoral; scales 50 to 60 Hemianthias
vv. Maxillary scaly; top of head scaled to snout.
iv. Pterygoids toothless; tongue with few teeth or none; caudal forked Anthias
ww. Pterygoids with a large patch of teeth; tongue toothed; parietal crest strong, extending to above eye; posterior
processes of premaxillary not reaching frontals; caudal truncate, with outer rays much produced. Ocyanthias
It. Lateral line interrupted, running close to back, beginning again on caudal peduncle.
Gramminje:
x. Ventral rays i, 5; preopercle serrate; caudal convex; scales rather large, somewhat ctenoid; dorsa l spines 12, Gramma
It ypticin.e:
aa. Anal spines wanting; dorsal spines 2 to 4 only; preorbital narrow; no canine teeth; scales small, smooth, embedded.
Rypticus, 74
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 149
Genus 66. PETROMETOPON Gill. Enjambres.
Frontal bones with an anterior groove or excavation for reception of posterior processes of the
premaxillaries, without processes on upper surface; a curved or angular ridge across posterior portion
of frontals in front of supraoccipital, connecting parietal crests; supraoccipital and parietal crests not
produced forward. Dorsal spines 9; anal rays mostly hi, 8; scales ctenoid; otherwise essentially as
in Epinephelus.
Species rather few, mostly of small size, distinguished from Bodianus chiefly by the peculiarities
of the frontal bones, the above account being taken from Boulenger, Cat., i, 175.
104. Petrometopon cruentatus (Lacepede) . “ Cabrilla” ; Enjambre; Coney; Red Hind.
Head 2.5; depth 2.8; eye 5.5; snout4; maxillary 2; mandible 1.6; interorbital 6.7; preorbital 11;
D. ix, 14; A. in, 8; pectoral 1.7; ventral 2.1; caudal 1.7; scales about 12-85 to 95-30.
Body not greatly elongate, somewhat compressed; caudal peduncle short; head moderate,
pointed; mouth large, the large maxillary reaching beyond eye, lower jaw moderately projecting; teeth
much as in Epinephelus, depressible teeth long and slender; outer row on sides of upper jaw enlarged
but not depressible; canines in front of both jaws, the upper somewhat larger; preopercle convex,
with very minute serrations; opercle ending in 3 flat, exposed spines, opercular flap thin and rounded
or obtusely pointed. Scales ctenoid. Dorsal tin continuous, with a slight emargination; spines slender
and sharp; caudal rounded or almost double-truncate; pectoral reaching considerably beyond tip of
ventrals, which do not reach vent.
Color in life, reddish-gray with red spots nearly everywhere. Our single specimen, in spirits, is
a rather dark brown, the spots appearing brown posteriorly and pale forward, largest and plainest on
head; on anterior part of body they have faded almost entirely
;
the four larger very black spots along
base of dorsal are still visible; fins spotted and barred; caudal edged with a moderate band of dark,
outside of which is a very narrow pale edging.
This fish ranges from Florida and West Indies to Brazil; is common about Jamaica and Cuba,
and not uncommon on the reefs about Key West, where it is called “coney.” A handsome species of
considerable importance as a food-fish; length about a foot. One specimen, 8.5 inches, from Isabel
Segunda, obtained from the local fishermen.
Sparus cruentatus Lac6p6de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 157, pi. 4, fig. 1, 1803, Martinique; on a copy of a drawing by Plumier.
Serranus apiarius Poey, Memorias, II, 143, 1860, Havana.
Petrometopon cruentatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.
,
1141, 1896.
Genus 67. BODIANUS Bloch.
This genus is close to Epinephelus, from which it is separated mainly by the presence of 9 spines
iii dorsal fin instead of 11. In character of cranium the two genera differ little, the skull above having
its bones thin and smooth, the angular ridge on posterior part of frontals being wanting, and parietal
and supraoccipital crests not extending on frontals.
Species rather numerous in warm seas, of small size and bright color. Of seven American species
and subspecies of Bodianus recognized by Jordan & Evermann two were obtained in Porto Rico.
Bodianus:
a. Scales ctenoid; none of dorsal spines elevated.
b. Caudal fin not lunate; head and body with few or many small, blue, dark-edged spots.
c. Caudal fin rounded, the middle rays longest; snout with 1 or 2 blue stripes; back of tail without conspicuous black
blotch; scales small; lateral line about 115 txniops
cc. Caudal fin truncate, middle and outer rays about equal; snout without stripes; back of tail with 2 black spots; lower
jaw with a black spot at tip; scales moderate; lateral line about 90.
d. Ground-color lemon-yellow; blue spots few fulvus
dd. Ground-color bright scarlet ruber, 105
ddd. Ground-color brown punctatus, 106
Menephokus:
bb. Caudal fin lunate, with prominent angles; body covered with blue spots.
c. Body rather deep; preopercle evenly convex, without salient angle; mouth small, lower jaw much projecting;
gillrakers slender, long, about x 4- 20; color carmine, head, back, and sides more or less covered with blue,
dark-edged points; caudal tips black; some dark spots on maxillary and about eye; no black blotch on caudal
peduncle or on tip of lower jaw dubius
ee. Body more slender, depth 4 in total length; eye 5. 5 in head punctiferus
1 50 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
105. Bodianus ruber (Bloch & Schneider). “Fttin”; Bed Guativere; Ouatilihi.
Head2.fi; depth 3; eye 5.3; snout 3.8; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.7; interorbital 6; preorbital 9;
D. ix, 15; A. m,9; pectoral 3.6; ventral 2.1; caudal 1.7; scales about 12-90 to 1 10-32.
Body elongate, not greatly compressed; mouth moderate; maxillary not extending beyond eye in
our specimens; lower jaw projecting; teeth about as in Petromelopon cruentalus, depressible teeth smaller;
preopercle with weak serrations, its outline convex, with a very slight emargination; opercle with three
large, flat exposed spines, and a pointed opercular flap. Scales ctenoid. Dorsal spines slender and
sharp, of nearly equal length, save the first and second, which are shorter; caudal truncate; second
anal spine somewhat stronger than third, about 3.5 in head; pectoral pointed, reaching far past tip of
ventral, 1.7 in head; ventral not reaching vent, 2.1 in head.
Color in life: Body and head rich rosy-red, darkest above, palest on bell}'; hack and sides to
lower level of pectoral, as well as head, with numerous small round blue spots, those on head largest;
head with a few similar black or darkish spots; dorsal and anal fins blood -red, with black edge; caudal
pale-red; pectoral orange-red; ventrals blood-red, with slight hlack border; insideof mouth flesh-color;
two large black spots on tip of lower jaw and two similar black spots on dorsal side of caudal peduncle,
in spirits the color is pale-yellowish, in some specimens brownish-grav; t lie spots mostly remain blue,
but some change to gray and brown; caudal dusky, edged with two narrow hands, the inner dark,
outer pale, these faded in some specimens.
Two specimens, 8 to 9 inches long, from Arroyo, February 4; called “ fino” by the local fishermen.
This good food-fish is fairly common throughout the West Indies to Brazil; usually in moderate depths.
Carauna, Marcgravc, Hist. Brasil., 147, 1648, Brazil.
Guativere, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., pi. 5, fig. 1, 1787, Cuba.
Gymnocephalus ruber Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 346, pi. 67, 1801, Brazil; on Carauna of Marcgrave.
Sen-anus ouatalibi Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., 71, 381, 1828, Havana.
Sen-anus carauna Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 384, 1828, Brazil.
Bodianus fulcus ruber , Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1145, 1896.
106. Bodianus punctatus ( Linnaeus). Nigger-fish; Black Guativere.
Not differing materially from the preceding, except in color. Color in life, brownish or blackish-
olive; spots everywhere on sides and head, dark-blue with light-blue centers; dorsal fin dusky-olive,
edged with darker, a few spots on its base; soft dorsal margined with whitish; caudal dusky-olive;
anal and ventrals violaceous-black; pectorals olivaceous; the spots in spirits become brown, with gray
centers. Length 8.5 to 12 inches.
This species is common in the West Indies, north to Florida. One specimen from Puerto Real
and three from San Geronimo. B. ruber and B. punctatus have usually been regarded as subspecies of
B. fulvus, but until the fact of intergradation is established it is best to treat them as distinct species.
Perea marina puncticulata, Catesby, Hist. Carolinas, etc., pi. 7,1743, Bahamas.
Perea punctata Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., X, 1758, 293, Bahamas; based on Catesby.
Perea punetulala G met in, Syst. Nat., 1315, 1788, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Enneaeenlrus punctulatus Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riqnena, 319, 1881; Stahl, 1. c.,162, 1883.
Bodianus fulvus punctatus, Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 1146, 1896.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 151
Genus 68. EPINEPHELUS Bloch. The Groupers.
Body stout, compressed, covered with small ctenoid scales, which are often somewhat embedded
in the skin; scales of lateral line triangular, cycloid; soft parts of vertical fins generally more or less
scaly. Cranium narrow above. Parietal crests not produced on frontals, which are without transverse
ridge posteriorly; frontals with a process or knob on each side behind interorbital area; premaxillary
processes fitting into a notch or cavity on anterior end of frontals. Preopercle moderately serrate
behind, its lower limb entire, without distinct antrorse spine; opercle with two strong spines. Nostrils
well separated. Mouth large; maxillary large with a well-developed supplemental bone, its surface
usually with small scales. Canine teeth few, large in front of jaws; enlarged teeth of inner series
of each jaw depressible. Gillrakers short and rather few. Dorsal spines usually 11, rarely 10, not
filamentous, last ones somewhat shorter than middle ones. Anal spines 3, second usually the largest;
number of soft rays 7 to 9. Caudal fin rounded or lunate. Pyloric caeca few (usually 10-20) . Pectoral
rounded, shortish, nearly symmetrical, of 15 to 20 rays. Ventrals moderate, inserted below pectorals,
close together, each with a strong spine.
Species very numerous, most of them of large size, abounding in all tropical seas, where they are
valuable food-fishes. This is the largest and most important genus of the Serranidse, and its species
are most widely distributed.
I. Schistorus:
Nostrils unequal, posterior much the larger, three times diameter of the anterior; preopercle with two or three small
irregular teeth below its angle; pyloric cseca in increased number; head large.
a. Second and third anal spines about equal in length; color brownish, with about 8 darker crossbands; dark bands
radiating from eye; a dark mustache above maxillary; a dark blotch on back of caudal peduncle., mystacinus
II. Epinephelus:
Nostrils subequal, posterior scarcely larger than anterior; pyloric caeca in moderate number.
b. Second dorsal spine short, lower than third or fourth, tin not much notched; caudal rounded more or less; lower
opercular spine inserted farther back than upper. Lateral teeth of lower jaw in more than two rows, at least
in adult. Interorbital space of moderate width, its breadth more than half diameter of eye and 7 to 10 times
in length of head. Dorsal spines 11; preopercle without distinct spinules on its lower limb.
c. Maxillary naked.
d. Lower jaw strongly projecting.
c. Body and head covered with red or orange spots (dusky in spirits and always darker than the ground-color);
vertical fins without dark edge, their bases spotted like the body; body with large pale spots besides the
orange spots; the young with large black blotches at base of dorsal; angle of preopercle not salient; form
robust. adscensionis, 107
ee. Body and head reddish-brown, adult nearly plain, young with darker spots; vertical fins broadly edged with dark
brown. Body robust, depth 3 in length. D. xi, 15 or 16. Caudal fin convex behind; maxillary naked; dorsal
spines low, subequal; interorbital moderate, 6.5 in head; preopercle with strong teeth at its angle, lower limb
entire guaza
cc. Maxillary more or less scaly.
/. Preopercle with a more or less distinct salient angle, which is armed with teeth (these teeth occasionally undevel-
oped in E. striatus, which species may be known by presence of black points around eyes).
g. Body without orange or dark-brown spots; spots (if any) brownish or pearly, diffuse or irregular; vertical fins
without broad black margin.
h. Caudal peduncle without black, saddle-like blotch above. Caudal fin truncate or emarginate when spread open,
not convex behind; maxillary usually more or less scaly; vertical fins without broad edging of black; dorsal
fin, or a part of it, distinctly edged with bright yellow; color of body uniform reddish-brown, a clear blue
streak from eye to angle of preorbital; a faint dark mustache; no black spots anywhere; whole dorsal with a
bright-yellow edging; anal and caudal without pale edging; caudal slightly lunate; maxillary scaly; dorsal
rays xi, 14; lower jaw strongly projecting (as in Epinephelus nivealns
,
with which this species seems to agree
very closely in all respects except color) JlavoUmbatus
hh. Caudal peduncle with a large quadrate saddle-like black blotch above (sometimes wanting in E. niveatus, especially
in the young).
i. Eye not surrounded by dark points; sides brown, marked with large blotches of steel-blue, these more or less
regularly arranged and not distinct on breast; no dark crossbars; lower jaw strongly projecting; caudal fin
subtruncate, its angles rather acute; pyloric cseca rather numerous nivealns
ii. Eye surrounded by conspicuous dark-brown points; body with irregular dark crossbars; angle of preopercle little
salient; third dorsal spine highest, 2.5 in head; scales moderate, about 100; caudal rounded; lower jaw little
projecting; vertical fins in life broadly edged with yellow striatus, 108
gg. Body covered with small dark-orange or brown spots; lower jaw not prominent; interorbital space very narrow
not half diameter of eye. Vertical fins broadly edged with blue-black, their bases unspotted; body without
pale spots, the orange spots rather small; body rather slender; size small gutlatus, 109
ff. Preopercle without salient angle; body, head, and fins dark reddish-brown, profusely covered with small pearly-
white stellate spots, body robust; lower jaw projecting; caudal subtruncate, with sharp angles, drunvmond-hayi
V). Second dorsal spine elevated, not lower than third or fourth; caudal fin lunate; preopercular angle little salient,
without enlarged teeth; interorbital width 7 in head morio, 110
152 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
107 . Epinephelus adscensionis (Osbeck). Rock-hind; Cabra Mora.
(Plate 11.)
Head 2.4; depth 3.2; eye 6; snout 4.3; maxillary 2.3; mandible 2; interorbital 6.7; preorbital
10; D. xi, 17; A. nr, 8; pectoral 2; ventral 2.5; caudal 2; scales about 100. Body oblong, robust,
somewhat compressed posteriorly; head large, pointed; mouth large, maxillary reaching posterior
border of eye, lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth in broad bands, canines in front of lower jaw
smaller than those of upper; preopercular margin rounded, with a slight emargination, finely serrate;
gillrakers short and thick, 9 + 18; middle opercular spine strong and prominent, lower much smaller
and upper not evident without dissection
;
scales ctenoid
;
fins rather large, dorsal continuous, with a very
shallow notch, spines strong; pectoral broad, middle rays longest, reaching beyond tips of ventrals,
equal in length to caudal; ventrals not reaching vent; caudal truncate or gently rounded in younger,
adult with margin wavy, due to extension of middle branches of the much-branched rays.
Color in life: Olivaceous-gray, with darker clouds; everywhere covered with round orange-brown
or reddish spots, largest and reddest on breast, their centers more orange, borders brown; some
scattered whitish blotches; five roundish, ill-defined black blotches along side of back, those under
dorsal fin extending upon it and disappearing with age; mouth pale within, roof with red spots; dorsal
and anal spotted similarly to body, without dark edge, edge of anal red on anterior rays; ventrals with
orange spots; basal half of pectoral colored similarly to dorsal and anal, outer part plain; caudal plain
olive with both pale and colored spots at base. In spirits the orange-brown spots become dull-brown.
This fish is widely distributed throughout the western Atlantic from southern Florida to Brazil and
is also known from Ascension and St. Helena islands and Cape of Good Hope. At Key West it is
very common about rocky elevations in moderately deep water, and is one of the most important food-
fishes, reaching a length of 2 feet or more and a weight of 15 or 16 pounds, though the average weight of
those brought to Key West does not exceed 2 or 3 pounds. It is caught with hook and line, will take
any kind of bait, and exhibits good game qualities. In Porto Rico it is probably common, though we
took only two specimens, 10 and 15 inches long, from Ponce and Isabel Segunda.
The rock-hind is one of the most beautiful of our tropical fishes, whether we consider the richness
of its colors or the trinmess of its form. It bears a strong general resemblance to the red-hind, but its
spots are less thickly placed and are larger on some parts of the body.
Perea tola maculis Seba, Thesaurus, III, tab. 27.
Trachinus adscensionis Osbeck, Iter Chin., etc., 1757, English edition, 90, 1771, Ascension Island.
Trachinus pundatus Bonnaterre, Tableau Encycl. Method., 1788, 10; after Osbeck.
Perea stellio Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, 349, 1792; after Seba.
Perea maculata Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 313, 1792, Martinique.
Trachinus osbeck Lac6pede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 364, 1800, Ascension Island; after Osbeck.
Spams atlanticus LacOpOde, 1. c., IV, 158, pi. 5, fig. 1, 1803, Martinique; on a copy of a drawing by Plumier.
Serranus nigriculus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 375, 1828, Martinique.
Sen-anus pixanga Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 383, 1828, Brazil; after Marcgrave.
Serranus aspersus Jenyns, Voyage of Beagle, Fishes, 6, 1842, Porto Praya, St. Jago, of the Cape Verde Islands.
Serranus impetiginosus Muller & Troschel, Schomburgk’s Hist. Barb., 065, 1848, Barbados.
Serranus varius Boeourt, Ann. Sci. Nat. (5) , X, 1868, 222, Gulf coast of Mexico.
Epinephelus pundatus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 319, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 76 and 162, 1883.
Epinephelus adscensionis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1152, 1896.
108 . Epinephelus striatus (Bloch). “ Cherna,” ; Nassau Grouper; Hamlet; Cherna Criolla.
(Plate 12.)
Head 2.5; depth 3; eye 5.5; snout 4.2; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.8; interorbital 7; preorbital
10; D. xi, 17; A. in, 8; pectoral 1.8; ventral 2.1; caudal 1.8; scales about 110.
Body rather elongate, of moderate depth, dorsal outline regularly arched, back somewhat com-
pressed; head pointed; mouth rather large, maxillary reaching posterior border of orbit, jaws nearly
equal, or lower slightly projecting; teeth in jaws in bands with enlarged patches in front, a pair of
canines in front of each jaw, lower pair the smaller; inner teeth of bands enlarged and depressible;
preopercle with fine serrations, these enlarged near the angle; opercle ending in 3 flat spines, middle
one strongest, upper one scarcely evident; a membranous opercular flap; gillrakers 8+15, counting
rudiments; dorsal spines strong, fleshy prolongations of the membrane extending beyond their tips;
soft dorsal higher than spinous portion; anal short, high, and rounded; caudal rounded; pectoral
large, reaching tips of ventrals, middle rays longest; soft dorsal and anal little scaly; scales of body
small, firm and strongly ctenoid.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 153
Color in life: Pale-gray, paler below, side with five or six broad, brown, vertical bars, irregular in
shape, the color darker above, extending upon dorsal fin
;
lower parts of these bars broken by pale blotches
and cloudings; a band of same color from snout through eye to dorsal, where it joins its fellow; a
narrow median band from snout backward, bifurcating opposite eye, the parallel branches extending
to occiput and ceasing abruptly without joining the other band; a quadrate jet-black spot on upper
surface of caudal peduncle; some obscure dark bars from eye downward and backward; numerous black
points variously placed around and about eye; a narrow brown (in spirits) streak on edge of preorbital,
overlapped by maxillary; lower part of side and under parts with whitish spots; dorsal yellow-edged;
anal and caudal tipped with orange-yellow; ventrals blackish, tipped with faint yellow; pectorals light-
orange or brownish, their bases dusky. The alcoholic specimens have the colors faded variously, some
are nearly pale, some nearly uniform brown, and some retain the vertical bars; the square blotch on
peduncle and the black points around eye persist in all cases and distinguish this well-marked species
from its allies.
This excellent food-fish is found from the Florida Keys southward among the West Indies to
Brazil; common about Porto Rico, numerous specimens obtained at San Antonio Bridge, Puerto Real,
Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, and in the San Juan market; one from San Geronimo. A common
and very important food-fish, reaching a weight of 50 pounds or more. The average weight of those
brought to the Key West market is less than 10 pounds, while those seen in Porto Rico were still
smaller. This grouper is taken with hook and line both about Porto Rico and Key West. It is said
to be found at the latter place throughout the year.
Cherna, Parra, Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., 1787, 50, lam. 24, Havana.
Anthias striatus Bloch, Ichthyologia, IX, 109, 1792, Martinique.
Anthias cherna Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 310, 1801, Cuba.
Spams clirysomelanurus LaciSpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 160, 1803, Martinique.
Epinephelus striatus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riq., 319, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 76 and 162, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1157, 1896.
109. Epinephelus guttatus (Linnaeus). “ Mero Guajiro” ; Cabrilla; Red-hind.
(Plate 13.)
Head 2.5; depth 3.2; eye 4.3; snout 4.3; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.9; interorbital 7.8; preorbital
11; D. xi, 16; A. iii, 8; pectoral 1.9; ventral 2.25; caudal 2; scales about 20-100 to 120-x.
Body elongate, somewhat compressed, not so heavy forward as in E. adscensimh; head pointed,
mouth moderate, maxillary (which is finely scaled) reaching about to posterior border of eye, falling
short in young; jaws subequal, lower barely projecting; canines of upper jaw the larger; interorbital
space narrow, little more than half eye; preopercle finely serrate, more strongly at angle; a shallow
emargination above angle; gillrakers not long, about 17 below angle, counting rudiments; scales
ctenoid. Dorsal fin continuous, with a shallow emargination; caudal gently rounded.
Color: In life light yellowish-olive above, whitish or reddish below; three broad, oblique, obscure
bands of olive running upward and backward on side; body everywhere with vivid scarlet spots, those
above a little darker, those below sometimes with darker centers; some scarlet inside of mouth; soft
parts of vertical fins olivaceous and reddish, broadly edged with black, especially dorsal
;
caudal palest;
each with a very narrow white edge; pectoral light-yellow or reddish-orange, with scarlet spots;
ventrals red, blackish at tips; inside of mouth red. Another specimen 10 inches long, from Arroyo,
showed the following: Body dirty or yellowish-white, profusely covered with round brick-red spots
about size of pupil, these darkest above and rosiest red below; these spots somewhat regularly in rows and
covering head, lips, and lower jaw; inside of mouth red on sides; tongue white; dorsal olivaceous, with
darker and paler areas, edge of membrane at tips of spines rich yellow, elsewhere black-edged; soft dorsal
with broad black border narrowly edged with white; anal with six or eight red spots near base beyond
which the fin is mottled, then dark like the soft dorsal; pectoral pale-red; ventral with a few pale-red
spots, fin purplish-black at tip. In spirits, the oblique bands fade and the scarlet spots become brown.
This species resembles, at least in preserved specimens, E. adscensionis, from which it may be
distinguished by the scales of maxillary and the broad black edgings of vertical fins. Its range is from
the Carolinas southward through the Bahamas and West Indies to Brazil; it is known from Charleston,
the Bahamas, Key West, the Bermudas, Havana, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Martinique. It was obtained
by us at Aguadilla, Puerto Real, Arroyo, Isabel Segunda, and Culebra, and by Mr. Gray at San Geronimo.
This is one of the smallest of the groupers, rarely attaining a greater length than 18 inches; it is,
however, an important food-fish, and in the Havana market is one of the most abundant species. It
154 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
is also common at Key West. It is taken by the line fishermen at moderate depths near the coral reefs,
and displays good game qualities. Anglers going to Key West or Porto Rico will find the red-hind
one of the most beautiful and interesting of the game fishes.
Until recently this species was identified as E. maculosus (Cuvier & Valenciennes), but Dr. Giin-
lher, in a paper received since the colored plates of this report were printed, shows that the red-hind
is evidently the Perea guttata of Linnaeus. The name on plate 13 should therefore be Epmeplielv.<
guttatus (Linnaeus).
Cngupuguacii brazil, the Hind, Catesby. Nnt. Hist. Carolina, etc., pi. 1 1 , 1743, Bahamas.
Cabrilla, Parra, Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1787, Havana.
Perea guttata Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 292, 1758, Brazil ?
Serranus catus Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c., II, 373,1828, Martinique.
Serranus arara Cuvier <& Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 377, 1828, Havana.
? Serranus anguslifrons Steindachner, Verb. Ges. Wien, XIV, 18I14, 230, pi. VI I . tig. 213, Cuba.
Epineplielus cubanus Poey
,
Repertorio, 1 , 202, 1S67, Cuba.
Epineplielus maeulosus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1158, 1890, and 3197, 1900.
Epineplielus guttatus,.)ordan & Evermann, l.e., 3197, 1900.
110. Epineplielus morio (Cuvier & Valenciennes).
“ Cherna”
;
“ Mero” ; Cherna Americana; Cherna de Vivera; Negre; lied Grouper; Jaboncillo.
(Plate 14.)
Head 2.5; depth 2.7; eye 5.5; snout 4; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.8; interorbital 7; preorbital 9;
D. xi, 16; A. iii, 9; pectoral 2; ventral 2.1; caudal 1.7; scales 20-130 to 140-60.
Body deeper than in the other species of Epineplielus, and more compressed; head large, pointed,
with a large mouth and projecting lower jaw; maxillary reaching past eye; 2 pairs of canines in front
of each jaw, lower pair the smaller; preopercle finely serrate, teeth at the angle enlarged, a slight
emargination above; dorsal fin with a moderate notch, the spines rather slender, but stiff and sharp,
first less than half length of second, which is the longest, 2.5 in head; middle rays of soft dorsal
highest; caudal lunate, upper rays produced slightly beyond lower; pectoral reaching beyond tip of
ventral, latter not reaching vent.
Color in life: Olive-gray or olive-brown, clouded with pale-olive; lower part of head and breast
usually salmon-color, with some red shades; irregular blotches of grayish-white over body; preorbita!
and adjacent regions with round points of dark orange-brown, becoming brown in spirits; inside of
mouth posteriorly bright-orange; iris golden; vertical fins like body, soft parts with a broad edge of
blue-black and narrow pale border; spinous dorsal black-edged; ventrals dusky; pectorals light-olive.
In spirits, uniform light-brown with pale blotches. With age this species becomes more and more of
a flesh red, especially below and on mouth, and the pale spots and blotches become less distinct.
An easily recognizable species, separated from all the others by the elevation of second dorsal
spine. Found on the Atlantic coast of America from Virginia to Rio Janiero, and probably common
about Porto Rico. Two fine specimens, each about a foot in length, obtained at Puerto Real and
Isabel Segunda, where others were seen.
This is a very handsome fish, bearing some resemblance to the Nassau grouper, but the warm
browns on the head and side are richer, while the general appearance is somewhat coarser. It is one
of the largest and most important food-fishes of our tropical waters. It reaches a length of 2 to 3 feet
and a weight of 20 to 25 pounds, or sometimes even 40 pounds. It is very abundant on the west coast
of Florida in company with the red snapper. It is most abundant on the south Florida coast and is
found throughout the year on the “grounds” at sea, and in the summer in some of the bays. It
probably spawns in early spring in both places. Silas Stearns says the young are often seen in Pensacola
Bay, where in June he obtained examples about an inch long. The red grouper is more of a bottom
fish than the red snapper. It swims more slowly and seldom rises to the surface. It is very voracious,
consuming enormous quantities of crustaceans and small fish. Large crabs in almost perfect condition
are often found in their stomachs. On the “ Snapper Banks” off the west coast of Florida it is caught
by the red-snapper fishermen and in the same way, which is with hook and line, a piece of bone-fish
or other fish being used as bait. It does not rank high as a game fish, its movements being slow, and
when hooked it is hauled up almost as a dead weight. It will take almost any kind of bait. When
red snappers were more abundant the red grouper did not find a ready sale in the Northern markets,
though it has always been in good demand at Key West and Havana. The maximum weight of those
taken at Key West now probably does not exceed 25 pounds and the average is only 8 to 15 pounds.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 15.5
The red grouper is very tenacious of life, and will live several hours after being taken from the
water, even though exposed to considerable heat. This is doubtless one reason why the Key West
fishing fleet has preferred groupers for transportation to Cuba, since they are obliged to go a long way
to market and through warm water, and the grouper bears the crowding and chafing in the wells of
the smacks better than other species.
On the Florida coast this fish is known as the red grouper, or grouper, while in Cuba and Porto
Rico it, together with one or two other groupers, is called cherna, cherna de vivera, or jaboneillo.
Sen-anus murio Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,11,285, 1828, New York and Santo Domingo.
Serranus erythrogastcr De Kay, New York Fauna: Fishes, 21, pi. 19, 1812, Florida.
Sen-aims remotus Poey, Memorias, II, 140, 1800, Havana.
Epinephelvs moria, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 319, 1881: Stall 1, 1. c., 70 and 162, 1888; Jordan & livermunu, ].<•., 1160, 1896.
Genus 69. ALPHESTES Bloch & Schneider.
The genus Alphestes contains two species of small fishes which differ from Epineplielus proper in
the presence of a strong antrorse spine pn lower limb of preopercle. Frontal bones with an anterior
excavation for reception of posterior processes of premaxillaries, a process or knob on each side of skull
behind interorbital area; supraoccipital and parietal crests produced on frontals, but not extending to.
between orbits. Dorsal rays xi, 17 to 20; A. in, 9. Only one of the two species known in Porto Rico.
111. Alphestes chloropterus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “Cherna”; Guasela.
Head 2.6; depth 2.7; eye 4.6; snout 6; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2; interorbital 6.8; D. xi, 18; A.
in, 9; pectoral 1.7; ventral 2; caudal 1.6; scales 12-75 to 85-32.
Body ovate and compressed, caudal peduncle short; head small and pointed, anterior profile
depressed in occipital region
;
eye large, its diameter greater than length of short snout; mouth oblique,
maxillary reaching posterior border of orbit or beyond; teeth conical and sharp, some of them
depressible, in patches on front of jaws, in more than one row on sides; 2 pairs of weak canines on
front of upper jaw; lower jaw slightly projecting; preopercle strongly convex, angle rounded, and
with a strong, rather flat spine, pointing downward and curved slightly forward; above this are fine
serrations along entire upper limb, decreasing in size upward; opercle with 3 flat spines, middle one
strongest, upper and lower nearly concealed by scales; scales covering head and body, reduced in
size at nape, occiput, and everywhere on head save operc.les, where they are rather larger than on
body; scales all cycloid save a distinctly ctenoid patch under or above pectoral; gillrakers short, about
15 below angle; dorsal fin continuous, with a shallow notch, spines strong and pungent, fourth and
fifth highest, 2.5 in head; soft dorsal as high as spinous, about the fourteenth ray longest, 2.25 in head,
fin pointed posteriorly, rounded in young; anal high, second spine strongest and about equal to third,
2.7 in head; caudal rounded; pectoral and ventral subequal, not reaching vent; in a small individual
(4 inches) the pectoral reaches past ventral, which just reaches vent.
156 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Body yellowish-brown, paler below, upper part of side with about 7 longitudinal
stripes of dark brown from head to tail, these becoming rows of round orange spots below; 6 dark,
inconspicuous, vertical body bars; head with many smaller orange-brown spots; lower part of head and
breast with pale-bluish spots; fins brownish; soft dorsal with oblique bars of black; spinous dorsal olive,
blotched with brown
;
ventral olive, edged with darker; other fins obscurely barred
;
inside of mouth pale.
Found in the West Indies, Cuba to Brazil; also recorded from Africa and the Falkland Islands; not
known from Florida; apparently not uncommon about Porto Rico. Two females, 7.5 and 9.5 inches
long, respectively, and each with well-developed roe, were obtained in the San Juan market January 17.
Another specimen, 4 inches long, was gotten at Mayaguez. The species reaches a length of a foot or
more and is a food-fish of importance. The only local name heard for it was “eherna.”
Plectropoma chloroptcrum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 398, 1828, Santo Domingo and Martinique.
Plectropoma monacanthus Muller & Troschel, in Schomburgk’s Hist. Barbados, 065, 1817, Barbados.
Alphestes afer, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1101, 1896.
Genus 70. MYCTEROPERCA Gill.
Cranium broad and transversely concave between eyes, its lateral crests very strong, nearly
parallel with supraoccipital crest and extending much farther forward than latter, joining supraocular
crest above eye, supraoccipital crest not extending on frontals; frontal bones without anterior concavity
or notch for reception of premaxillaries, without processes on the upper surface; lower jaw strongly
projecting; anal fin elongate, with 11 or 12 (in one species 9 or 10) soft rays; caudal lunate; spines of
fins slender, none of them much elevated; scales small, mostly cycloid, those on lateral line simple;
pyloric caeca few; gillrakers various; nostrils small, and subequal or with posterior enlarged. Other-
wise essentially as in Epinephelm, from which genus Mycteroperca is well separated by the structure of
the skull, and superficially by longer anal, larger mouth, and more elongate body.
Large, handsome fishes of the Tropics, mostly American, including some of the most valuable
food-fishes in the Gulf of California and at least six of the valuable species of the Florida coast. Of
the 20 or more American species only 2 are thus far known from Porto Rico. All are excellent for
food, and those found where fisheries have become established are much sought.
a. Nostrils subequal, well separated; scales on head cycloid.
h. Gillrakers comparatively few and short, 8 to 20 below angle of arch.
Trisotropis:
c. Anal rays in, 11 or in, 12, the fin long.
d. Anal fin not angulated, its outline more or less evenly rounded in adult as well as in young; soft parts of vertical
fins edged with black in life.
e. Angle of preopercle not salient, its teeth scarcely enlarged; gillrakers x + 8 to 10.
/. Gillrakers very few and short, x + 8 developed (besides some rudiments); general color pale, bright red or grayish,
with roundish spots or blotches of black or red darker than the ground-color; the blacker blotches along mid-
dle of sides.much larger and quadrate in young; red always present somewhere in life (fading in spirits); pec-
torals blackish, in the adult broadly tipped with orange-yellow; scales rather small (about 125), caudal lunate.
g. General color gray, with red and black markings ; venenosa
gg. General color scarlet, with red and black markings apua
ff. Gillrakers rather slender, about x + 10 (besides several rudiments) ; caudal subtruncate; nostrils small.
h. Scales not very small (about 110); color dark olive-green; sides of head and body with rivulations of dark-bluish
around roundish dark-bronze spots, large or small (these markings subject to considerable variation, fading in
spirits); sides with darker quadrate areas.
i. Dark blotches on body rather large, often quadrate bonaci, 112
it. Dark spots on body very small, close-set, of a deep-bronze orange xanthosticta
ce. Angle of preopercle more or less salient, its teeth somewhat enlarged; gillrakers more numerous, x + 12 to 14.
j. Scales not very small (about 110); upper part of body dark-brown, lower half abruptly paler; a pale ring around
caudal peduncle, behind which is a squarish dark blotch, smaller than eye, at base of upper rays of caudal;
caudal deeply lunate; teeth strong dimidiata
Parepinephelus :
bb. Gillrakers close-set, very long and slender, 25 to 35 below angle of arch.
k. Caudal fin lunate, its angles more or less produced in adult, fin subtruncate in young; anal fin more or less angulate
in adult, rounded in young; soft dorsal somewhat angular; scales rather large (lateral line 95); body rather
deep, snout sharp; preopercle with a salient angle which is armed with larger teeth ; dorsal spines low; gillrakers
close-set, x + 30, longest 7.5 in head; ventrals not reaching to vent; color olive-gray, with darker reticulations
around pale spots; fins not much darker on their edges; a dark mustache along maxillary; adult examples
nearly uniform brown; not known to be red rubra
aa. Nostrils very close together, posterior decidedly larger than anterior, and with a more or less distinct horizontal
cross-septum within; scales on head cycloid.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO 157
Mycteroperca:
l. Gillrakers moderate, fewer in number, 6 to 18 below angle of arch.
m. Second dorsal spine low, shorter than third, the third and fourth highest.
v. Margin of anal fin posteriorly concave, its middle rays much exserted.
o. Gillrakers rather numerous, 17 to 20 below angle of arch.
p. Outer rays of caudal much produced, more than two-thirds length of head; preopercle with salient angle;
canine teeth strong; scales small (140); gillrakers about 4 + 20. Color brownish, with small darker spots; ver-
tical fins broadly edged with blackish.
i]. Upper canines directed strongly forward, lower backward; coloration obscure falcata
qq. Upper canines nearly vertical; coloration paler and brighter phenax
mi. Margin of anal tin not concave posteriorly, outline of fin rounded or slightly angular.
r. Gillrakers rather few, x + 12; body without dark crossbars, covered with grayish reticulations around small round
spots, these not evident on head; anal fin rounded; preopercle with a salient angle; form rather robust; anal
fin not angulate.
s. Scales very small, about 20-140-37; caudal not deeply lunate; eye small bowersi
,
113
ss. Scales larger, about 90 to 100 in lateral line; caudal deeply lunate; eye larger calliura
rr. Gillrakers very few, short, and thick, about x + 6; body olive or (var. Camelopardalis) bright red, with light and
dark crossbars, these often becoming obsolete with age; head usually with distinct reticulations around yel-
lowish spots; anal fin with angular margin, subtruncate posteriorly; preopercle without salient angle; scales
rather small (lateral line 133) ; form rather robust.
t. Ground-color dark-olive tigris
It. Ground-color bright-red Camelopardalis
112. Mycteroperca bonaci (Poey). Aguaji; Bonaci Acara; Black Grouper.
Plead 2.75; depth 3.25; eye moderate, 6 in head (young); D. xi, 16 to 18; A. in, 11 or 12;
scales 18-120 to 125-50, pores 70 to 85. Body comparatively slender, a little more robust than in M.
rnicrolepis, its breadth 2.33 in its depth; head moderate, rather pointed, its anterior profile little curved;
mouth rather large, maxillary reaching slightly beyond eye, 2.2 in head (in young), proportionately
longer in adult; maxillary with cycloid scales. Teeth in rather narrow bands; two rather strong
canines directed little forward in front of each' jaw. Interorbital space slightly convex, its width 6 in
head. Preopercle forming a regular curve without salient angle, emargination near angle very slight.
Nostrils small, roundish, subequal; not very close together, Gillrakers few and long, 10 to 12, besides
rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. Scales rather small, chiefly cycloid; dorsal spines compara-
tively slender and weak, outline of tin gently convex; tenth spine about as long as second; third and
fourth spines longest, 3.33 in head; caudal fin truncate when spread open, its outer rays a very little
produced, 1.6 in head; anal rather high and rounded, its longest rays 2.25 in head; pectoral reaching
slightly beyond tips of ventrals, 1.7 in head. Ventrals short, not reaching vent. Pyloric cseca 15.
Color in life: Deep orange-brown, more olive on back, clouded above by paler or grayish; sides
and belly marked everywhere by reticulations of pearly gray, which surround roundish or oblong
spots of ground-color, pale streaks being largely horizontal on sides; sides of head similarly marked,
the spots smaller, bronze-brown, reticulations decidedly bluish; 6 or 7 spots in a straight line, between
eye and preopercle, having nearly the diameter of the pupil; spots on body mostly covering 4 to 6
scales, all of them larger than a scale; dorsal olive-brown, somewhat mottled; caudal similar to dorsal,
narrowly edged with whitish; anal similar with 2 or 3 rows of bluish spots, its tip blackish, with a
narrow whitish edge; pectorals olive-brown, plain; ventrals blackish, rays bluish. Mouth not green,
lips olive, barred with bluish; iris reddish. Here described from a specimen 11.5 inches long, from
Key West. A large specimen, about 2.5 feet in length, seen at Key West, retained the same general
coloration, the bronze spots and rivulations being distinct and not smaller than in young.
In spirits the orange-brown of the body is replaced by dark-brown, and the blue reticulations of
the head by gray; all the markings become more faint.
This fish ranges from Florida to Brazil. It is common at Key West, where it is called black grouper.
Probably not uncommon about Porto Rico, though seen by us only at Puerto Real. It is one of the
important food-fishes of Key West and is probably held in equal esteem in Porto Rico. It reaches a
length of 2 to 3 feet and a weight of 50 pounds. The larger individuals are caught with the hook, but
the young are often seined along the shore.
Serranus bonaci Poey, Memorials, II, 129, 1860, Cuba.
Serranus brunneus Poey, Memorias, II, 131, 1860, Havana.
Seiranns dccimalis Poey, Memorias, II, 138,1860, Cuba.
Serranus cyclopomalus Poey, Memorias, II, 353, 1861, Cuba.
Serranus latcpicius Poey, Memorias, 11,353, 1861, Cuba.
Trisotropis aguaji Poey, Repertorio, 229, 1868, Havana.
Mycteroperca bonaci, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1174, 1896.
158 BULLETIN OF THE UNTIED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
113. Mycteroperca bowersi Evennann & Marsh, new species.
“Rock-hind” ; “Rock-fish”
;
“ Mero Cabrilla.”
Head 2.8 measured from tip of upper jaw; depth 3.4; eye 7.5; snout 3.7; maxillary 2.1; mandible
1.7; interorbital 4.6; preorbital 8.4; scales about 20-140-37; D. xi, 16; A. in, 11; P. 17; gillrakers x+10.
Body rather long, compressed, the dorsal and ventral outlines each gently and regularly arched;
head long and pointed, the greatest width 2.25 in its length; snout long; mouth large, lower jaw strongly
projecting and entering in profile of snout; maxillary reaching far beyond the orbit; supplemental
maxillary bone evident
;
eye small, high up; preopercle very finely serrate, slightly concave at its angle;
opercle ending in a long flat point upon base of which is a broad, flat spine; nostrils close together,
posterior much the larger, with an anterior horizontal cross-partition at base. Fins rather low; origin
of dorsal over end of opercular flap; first, dorsal spine short, equal to diameter of orbit; second spine
somewhat exceeding twice length of first; third, fourth, and fifth spines longest, subequal, about a third
longer than second, or 3.35 in head; soft dorsal rounded, its longest rays about 3 in head; caudal slightly
lunate, outer rays 1.7 in head; anal rounded, spines slender and weak
,
longest (third) 2.6 in head,
longest ray 2.6; pectoral rounded, middle rays longest, 2.2 in head; ventral 2.4. Scales small, thin,
and cycloid, those on head and nape very small and embedded.
Color in life: Body dark reddish-brown, covered with many small, round, blood-red spots, these
also on head, lower jaw, and base of pectoral and anal, especially numerous on anal, and a few on
spinous dorsal; soft dorsal mottled with white and black, bordered with a very narrow white edge
inside of which is a broad black band; tip of caudal narrowly white, then a broad black band, rest of
tin mottled with white and black; anal similar to soft dorsal, but with more red spots; pectoral crossed
by two broad dark bars, outer end of tin yellow; inside of mouth pale red. In alcohol the general
color becomes dark-grayish, paler below; red spots'changing to black or dark-brown.
Judging from descriptions this species appears to be related to M. caUiunt Poey, hut differs in a
number of important particulars, among which are the smaller scales, smaller eye, and very different
coloration. According to Poey, 47. cctllmra, in life, was dark brownish-olive; with rounded yellowish
spots; fins dark-brown, darker on edges of vertical fins; eight narrow, dusky crossbands on body; caudal
with a beautiful green crossband; pectoral yellowish toward the center, the posterior margin green.
Only a single specimen (type No. 49530, U.S.N.M.) of this important species was obtained. This is
21.5 inches long and was purchased from a Tortola fisherman at Culehra Island, February 10. It was
called by him “rock-hind,” “rock-fish,” or “mero cabrilla,” and was caught, along with the tangs,
angel-fish, and other species, in a fish-trap of the style in common use about Culehra Island. Though
no others were seen, the species seems to lie well known to the fishermen about Culehra and Vieques
islands, and is held in high esteem as a valuable food-fish.
We name this species for the Hon. < ienrge M. Bowers, U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 15 V)
Genus 71. DIPLECTBUM Holbrook. The Squirrel-fishes.
This genus is very close to Prionodes, from which it differs chiefly in the armature of preopercle,
which is provided in adult with one or two clusters of strong, straight, divergent spines. Smooth area
on top of head, as in iSerranus, large, extending backward to a line connecting borders of preopercle;
supraoccipital and parietal crests very short; preorbital broad; maxillary widest before, its tip; profile of
snout rounded; pectoral unsymmetrically rounded, its upper rays longest; ventral s inserted somewhat
before axil of pectoral; dorsal spines slender, none of them much elevated; soft dorsal short, rays x, 12;
anal rays in, 7; caudal lunate.
Species of small size and bright colors, all American; only one species known from Porto Rico,
but l>. formosum also doubtless occurs there.
Halipehca:
ii. Preopercle with a single center of divergence of the spinules about its angle (in adult as well as in young)
.
b. Gillrakers moderate, about 10 below angle of arch; spines on produced portion of preopercle numerous, 8 to 20 in
number; outline of spinous dorsal fin somewhat convex, so that the fin is more deeply notched than in Diplectrum
formosum; jaws equal; vertex naked; opercle black within.
c. Scales on cheek small and regularly placed, in about 10 rows; 22 scales before dorsal radiate, 111
Diplectrcm:
aa. Preopercle with 2 clusters of divergent spines, one at angle, other higher (the 2 fascicles well separated in adult,
but smaller and coalescent in young).
d. Head and body marked with many, interrupted blue lines; preorbital broad, more than twice width of maxillary;
lower half of preopercle with strong, straight spines diverging from two centers; gillrakers short and small,
x+14; 11 rows of scales on cheek; caudal deeply lunate, upper lobe the longer, sometimes ending in a long
filament. Color brownish, silvery below; side with 7 or 8 longitudinal deep-blue lines and about as many dark
crossbars, last bar forming a large black blotch at upper base of caudal; young with 2 broad, dusky longi-
tudinal stripes, which become interrupted with age; 3 or 4 distinct blue stripeson sides of top of head; 2 across
preorbital, the lower forked; fins with narrow, wavy bars of blue and pale yellow formosum
114. Diplectrum radiale (Quoy & Gaimard). A r/uavina.
Head 2.8; depth 8.8; eye 3.75; snout 3.8; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.9; interorbital 4.6; preorbital
9; D. x, 12; A. in, 7; pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.35; scales 7-70-18.
Body elongate, dorsal and ventral outlines nearly alike save fora depression at nape; head pointed,
a large, smooth round area above, behind eyes; lower jaw barely projecting; teeth chiefly in one row
on sides of jaws, in small patches in front; maxillary reaching posterior edge of pupil; eye large,
placed high in head; about 9 rows of regularly placed scales on cheek; preopercle with a strongly
salient angle composed of radiating spines; opercle with 7 or 8 rows of scales. Dorsal fin continuous,
slightly notched, spines slender and very sharp; caudal lunate, upper lobe very slightly produced.
Scales strongly ctenoid.
Color in spirits: Olive, paler below; many faint vertical dark bars wider than interspaces, plainest
at middle of sides; 2 faint longitudinal dark bands, first from shoulder to soft dorsal, other from nearly
same origin to base of caudal, where it forms a faint dark spot; some faint, pale streaks on preorbital and
cheek. In life, the soft dorsal has blue spots encircled by darker blue rings; caudal barred with similar
spots; body light-brown above, yellowish below, sides salmon-color, head and fins with red shadings.
Found on both coasts of tropical America, north to Havana and Guaymas; very common on the
coast of Brazil and in the ( lulf of California, usually in shallow bays; apparently not common in Porto
Rico, where one young individual, 5 irfehes in length, was collected at Mayaguez.
Serranus radialis Quoy & Gaimard, Voyage Uranie, 310, 1824, Rio Janeiro.
Serranus birittatus Cuvier Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 241, 1828, Martinique.
Ceniropristes ayresi Steindacliner, Ichth. Notizen, VII, 1, pi. 1, fig. 1, 1868, Santos, Brazil.
Diplectrum radiale, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c„ 1204, 1896.
Genus 72. PRIONODES Jenyns. Serranos.
Body oblong, moderately compressed, covered with moderate-sized ctenoid scales. Lateral line
normal in direction, not running close to back. Cranium above with a very large convex smooth area,
which is longer than the low supraorbital crest; supraoccipital and parietal crests short, extending to
a line connecting borders of preopercle; posterior outline of cranium nearly vertical in profile; mouth
large, maxillary' not scaly and without supplemental bone; canines small, lateral; no depressible teeth
in jaws; teeth always present on vomer and palatines. Gillrakers usually few. Branchiostegals 7.
Dorsal with 10 rather slender spines either subequal or one of them much produced, the tin not
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.160
deeply notched, the soft portion short, of 11 to 13 rays, and nearly or quite destitute of scales; anal
short, with slender spines; caudal lunate or truncate. Ventrals not very close together, inserted
somewhat in advance of pectorals, as in Centropristes and Diplectrum. Vertebree 10 + 14= 24/
Species of small size, probably all American, closely allied to the Old World genus Serranus, from
which they are distinguished by the short, naked, soft dorsal, the anterior insertion of ventrals, and
the smaller teeth. Of the 11 known American species only one has been found in Porto Rico. At
least two other species (P. phcebe and P. tabacarius) probably occur there.
Prionodes:
a. Scales large, 42 to 55 in the lateral line.
b. Scales on cheek very large, in about 5 series; dorsal spines not quite equal, fourth longest, about twice length of
ninth.
c. Teeth unusually strong, 3 or 4 on each side in upper jaw as large as largest lateral teeth; jaws equal; preorbital
extremely narrow, not one-third width of pupil; preopercle very sharply serrate; gillrakers short, slender,
x + 10; caudal forked. Color plain-olivaceous; fins all pale; sides with about 6 faint dark crossbands, more or
less confluent along lateral line : fusculus
bb. Scales on cheek moderate, in about 8 series; body oblong, heavy anteriorly; dorsal outline a little elevated, profile
almost straight; lower jaw not projecting; canines small; mouth large; preorbital narrow; dorsal fin not
notched.
d. Eye large, equal to snout; gillrakers short, x + 10; caudal deeply lunate; pectoral long. Color light-brownish,
with lighter blotches and faint dusky bars; a very conspicuous, sharply defined, vertical white bar extending
upward on each side from just before vent; fins pale jrficebe
dd. Eye very large, greater than snout; gillrakers short, x + 6; caudal truncate. Color, upper parts scarlet, lower
parts bluish-white; a yellow lateral band, under which are 4 quadrate black blotches baldwini
,
115
Mentiperca:
aa. Scales small, lateral line with 00 to 75 in its course.
e. Lower jaw not very strongly projecting.
/. Body covered with irregular, inky-black spots and bands. Body long and low, head low and sharp, lower jaw pro-
jecting; scales on cheek in 10 or 12 rows; teeth small; gillrakers very short, x +7; dorsal low, not notched;
caudal forked. Color brownish above, sides yellowish, everywhere above, below, and on fins covered with
irregular inky-black spots, blotches, and bands, latter meeting around belly; pectorals and anal plain; a broad
ring around base of caudal, and many irregular spots around bases of ventrals and pectorals; numerous black
spots on dorsals and caudal, one of those on front of spinous dorsal very conspicuous tigrinus
ff. Body not covered with conspicuous inky-black spots and bands.
g. Back with 3 or more large, conspicuous blotches of yellowish-white. Body more elongate than in related species;
lower jaw slightly projecting; scales on cheek in 11 series; dorsal spines low, fifth the longest, 2.25 in head;
caudal strongly lunate; pectoral and ventrals short. Color brownish-red above, with areas of light yellow on
sidesof back; one before dorsal; a large one and a small one below spinous dorsal; a large one below last rays
of soft dorsal; one on back of tail; top of head with 2 pale cross-shades, one before, one behind eyes; lower
fins light-orange; caudal red, with 2 conspicuous longitudinal stripes of blackish-red; dorsal red-shaded, a
maroon blotch on each part of it extending upward from a similar blotch on back tabacarius
gg. Back without conspicuous blotches of yellowish-white.
h. Coloration nearly uniform; body elongate; snout short and thick; caudal slightly lunate. Color brownish-yellow
on back, orange on sides, and brighter or red on belly; no spots nor bands; upper part of head bluish, fins gray;
caudal bordered above and below with brown flavescens
ec. Lower jaw very strongly projecting; body elongate, moderately compressed; scales small, about 70; snout sharp,
much longer than the large eye; preopercle finely denticulated; top of head with vertex naked; caudal deeply
forked; skull depressed, with a single crest; dorsal spines moderate, third highest.
i. Color clear brown with larger darker spots or bars on sides; fins pale, more or less tinged with orange, luciopercanus
115. Prionodes baldwini Evermann & Marsh.
(Plate 15.)
Head 2.5; depth 3.2; eye 4; snout 4.6; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2; interorbital 7; D. x, 12; A.
hi, 7; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.7; scales 4-42-12.
Body elongate, moderately compressed, not elevated, covered with ctenoid scales; dorsal and
ventral outlines alike; head moderate, pointed, naked above and below; eye large, greater than length
of snout, high in position; mouth terminal, slightly oblique, maxillary reaching middle of eye or
somewhat beyond; gillrakers short, 6 developed on lower limb; teeth small, conical, and sharp, on
vomer and palatines and in several series in each jaw, with weak canines in front and a few canine-like
teeth on middle of side of lower jaw; cheek with about 7 rows of scales; preopercle finely serrate;
opercle ending in 3 sharp, flat spines, middle one largest, a membranous pointed flap projecting beyond;
fins all naked, dorsal continuous, with a slight emargination; spines slender and pungent, first 4 or 5
graduated, rest subequal, 3.2 in head, lower than soft rays which are contained about 2.5 in head; anal
fin short, second spine longest and strongest, 3 in head, soft part high, fifth or sixth ray longest,
THE EISHES OF PORTO RICO. 161
reaching almost to front of anal, 2 in head; ventral with second ray produced, reaching vent; caudal
truncate, or with middle rays very slightly shorter, making the margin slightly concave.
Color in life: Dorsal half of head and trunk and ail of caudal peduncle scarlet, ventral portion
pale-blue, almost white; a yellow longitudinal band, nearly as wide as pupil, from preopercular margin
straight across opercle and along body to lateral line under last dorsal rays; 4 quadrate or oblong
black blotches just under this band, the first about under middle of spinous dorsal, second under last
spines, third under first rays, fourth under last rays; from each of the first three of these blotches a
square, well-defined yellow shade extends downward to belly or base of anal, a similar one from base
of pectoral to ventral; 4 smaller black blotches at base of caudal, 2 others, somewhat larger than the
last, just in front of them on caudal peduncle; a row of 9 round black dots on each side at base of
dorsal fin, first one smallest, opposite membrane of first spine, the other 8 separated somewhat obscurely
into pairs, the first pair under middle spines, second under last spines, third under first rays, fourth
under last rays; 2 or 3 very small black dots on upper edge of caudal peduncle; 2 or 3 more in front of
dorsal on median line, each accompanied by a similar one on either side; in some specimens a few
scattering ones on top of head behind eyes, sometimes regularly arranged; a few dark-brown spots
behind eye; various dark markings on side of head, without very definite pattern, but usually 2 oblique
stripes on cheek, a heavy black blotch on interopercle and 2 on ramus of mandible, which, with their
fellows of the other side, make distinct crossbars on lower side of head, usually extending across
maxillary; chin and lower part of opercle with dark spots; lateral line white, with a few broken spots,
comparatively faint, just below it; iris red, with an inner ring of white surrounding pupil; spinous
dorsal pale, edge of membrane black, this color bordered below with faint yellow; soft dorsal pale,
spotted throughout with light-orange, with a marginal band of same, outside of which is a very narrow
pale-blue edge; ventral very pale-blue, produced ray somewhat yellow; anal pale-blue with some light
orange on last rays; pectoral and caudal uniform pale-reddish, unmarked.
In spirits, all the red and yellow markings disappear, the dark persists, and additional markings
are brought out as follows: Along anterior and upper part of the trunk and crossing the lateral line
are dark-brown vertical bars, diffuse and running together, or separated and broken into round or
quadrate blotches; in the middle part of the course of yellow longitudinal band appears a row of very
small black points; spots on soft dorsal dusky; dark mottlings on caudal; upper and lower base of
pectoral, and sometimes axil, dusky.
A beautiful and strongly marked species; 2 specimens dredged and 33 others, ranging in size
from 0.55 to 2 inches, caught in the tangle, off Culebra and Vieques islands, on coral bottom, in depths
of 15 and 16 fathoms. Known only from Porto Rico.
This interesting species was “named for Mr. Albertus H. Baldwin, the artist of the expedition,
in recognition of his excellent drawings and paintings of American fishes.”
Prionodes baldwini Evermann & Marsh, Report U. S. F. C. for 1899 (December 19) , 353, Fish Hawk station 6093, off Culebra
Island, 5.25 miles southwest of Culebritas Light-House, February 8, 1899, in 15 fathoms.
Genus 73. DULES Cuvier.
This genus is close to Prionodes, differing in having but 6 branchiostegals and in the truncate form
of the caudal fin. In D. auriga the third dorsal spine is prolonged in a whip-like spine. There are 3
known species of the genus, the one described below and D. subligarius, which occurs on the South
Atlantic coast of the United States, and I), auriga, from the coasts of Brazil and Uruguay.
a. Third dorsal spine not longer than fourth, 3 in head; second anal spine considerably longer than third, about 2.25
in head; lower jaw little projecting; gillrakers short and few, 6 or 8 in number; jaws scaleless; soft dorsal with
small scales; pectoral long, reaching anal. Color brown, with darker cross-shades; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal
fins checkered with blackish on a white ground; a broad white area or bar before anal fin.
b. Dorsal rays x, 13; head small, acuminate; pectoral fin finely barred with black and whitish, precisely like caudal
fin; a very conspicuous inky-black blotch on front of soft dorsal (at least in the young), this being a
continuation of one of the bars on body; a black ring about tail at base of caudal, before which are 6 or 7 dark
bars, becoming progressively broader and fainter forward; lower parts of head with a conspicuous network of
dark streaks subligarius
bb. Dorsal rays x, 12; head less slender; pectoral red; inky blotch on soft dorsal small or obsolete; dusky bars on body
distinct dispilurus, 116
aa. Third dorsal spine in adult male greatly elevated, reaching past middle of soft dorsal, its length quite variable;
second anal spine as long as third, 2.83 in head; lower jaw prominent; gillrakers 10 to 12 below arch; pectoral
shorter than head; brownish lower parts with light and dark shades; fins clouded. .... auriga
F. C. B. 1900—11
162 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
116. Dules dispilurus (Gunther).
Head 2.4; depth 2.75; eye 4.2; snout 4.2; maxillary 2.3; mandible 1.9; interorbital 7; D. x, 12;
A. in, 7; pectoral 1.35; ventral 1.6; caudal 2; scales 5-44-12.
Body oblong, of moderate depth, considerably compressed; mouth large, slightly oblique, max-
illary reaching center of large eye or beyond; teeth in villiform bands in each jaw, in lower becoming
uniserial posteriorly; a few enlarged teeth in outer row of both jaws; vomer and palatines with
narrow bands of villiform teeth, some of them enlarged
;
jaws subequal; preopercle evenly rounded,
finely serrate above; opercle with 3 pungent spines, middle one longest; scales rather large, ctenoid;
caudal lin truncate; second anal spine longest and more or less curved.
Color in spirits: Brownish, some specimens more olive; 5 or 6 crossbands of darker color on
body, not very distinct, these extending on dorsal fin, where they are quite black and sharply defined
—
1 on front of spinous dorsal, 1 on last spines, and 1 on first dorsal rays at height of last dorsal spines,
the bar from this one extending to about lateral line only; another at base of last dorsal rays. Between
these inky-black blotches are much smaller spots not parts of the body bars; caudal peduncle with 1
or 2 vertical bars; an oval black spot, smaller than pupil, at base of upper caudal rays, and 1 at
base of lower, with fainter markings between; caudal and anal mottled, ventrals dark, pectoral pale
(red in life); many (about 15) longitudinal brownish or olive lines on body, formed of color on upper
and lower edges of scales, rather wider than interspaces, and giving the fish its general color; a faint,
wider, dark streak from occiput to upper edge of eye, and 1 from shoulder through eye to tip of snout,
A creamy quadrate blotch from belly, in front of vent, extending upward about halfway to lateral
line, its posterior border more sharply defined than anterior.
A strongly marked species heretofore known only from Trinidad and Jamaica. Five examples,
one about 1.75 inches, the others 2.75. The smaller one was taken with the tangle, off Point Melones,
in 7 fathoms; one of the others in the beam trawl, 9 miles from Mayaguez, in 220 fathoms, on rocky
bottom; the others were seined at Mayaguez.
Centropristis dispilurus Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud., 1867, 99, Trinidad.
Dules dispilurus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1219, 1896.
Genus 74. RYPTICTJS Cuvier. The Soap-fishes.
Body oblong, compressed, covered with very small, smooth, embedded scales. Lateral line
normal, head scaly. Mouth rather large, oblique, lower jaw the longer; maxillary with a supple-
mental bone, as in Epinephelus, with which this genus agrees in general osteology; smooth area on top
of cranium very large, transversely convex, much longer than supraoccipital crest; interorbital area
very narrow; parietal and supraoccipital bones short, with feeble crests, which do not extend on
frontals; premaxillaries reaching frontals, which have a fossa in front; teeth all villiform, in bands
on jaws, vomer, and palatines; preopercle crescent-shaped, without angle or serratures, but provided
with 2 or 3 spinous hooks on the posterior margin; opercle with 2 or 3 spines; gillrakers short;
branch iostegals 7. Dorsal fins separate, the first of 2 or 3 (rarely 4) small spines, second of many
(about 25) soft rays; anal long, rounded, of soft rays only; caudal rounded; pectoral rounded, nearly
symmetrical, of 17 rays; ventrals small, i, 5, inserted slightly before pectorals, the spine short and
strong. Vertebrae 10 -)- 14= 24. Skeleton generally similar to that of Epinephelus.
Species about 8, all from the seas of tropical America.
Rypticus:
a. Dorsal spines 2 or 3 (rarely 4)
.
b. Preopercle with two spines only, lower scarcely the longer.
c. Opercular spines 3, all well developed.
d. Color not red, chiefly olivaceous; dorsal fins distinctly connected by membrane.
e. Eye not longer than snout; pores in lateral line 85 to 90 saponaceus, 117
ee. Eye longer than snout; pores in lateral line 67; brownish, with blackish spots and dots arcnatus
cc. Opercular spines 2, small, uppermost the smaller coriaceus, 118
Promicropterus:
bb. Preopercle with 3 spines bistrispinus, 119
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 163
117. Rypticus saponaceus (Bloch <& Schneider) . Soap-fish.
Head 3 to 3.33 in length; depth 2.6 to 3.25; ]>. nr, 23 to 25; A. 16 or 17; scales 85 to 90 (pores).
Body comparatively deep, young more slender; back elevated, snout rather pointed; lower jaw much
projecting; anterior profile before eye little concave; eye 4.5 to 5 in head; maxillary reaching posterior
edge of eye, 2.12 in head; preopercle with 2 straight spines behind; opercle with 3 spines, middle one
largest and nearer upper than lower; first and second dorsal spines subequal, third smallest; dorsals
slightly connected, ventrals very small, not half longer than eye; pectoral rounded; gillrakers very
small and short, about 8 developed. Color dusky-brown, fins marked with blackish and usually with
a narrow pale edge; sides generally with irregular pale spots; back and head usually immaculate.
West Indies, Pensacola to West Africa and Brazil; generally common. The best known and most
widely distributed of the soap-fishes. Though not obtained by us in Porto Rico, we include it on the
authority of Poey.
Jaboncillo, Parra, Dif. Piezas Hist. Nat., 51, pi. '14, fig. 2, 1787, Havana.
Anthias saponaceus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth.
,
310, 1801, Havana; after Parra.
Rhypticus microps Castlenau, Anim. Nouv. et Rares, 6,1855, Bahia; after Perea microps Broussonet, a MS. name/
Rhypticus saponarius, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 322, 1881; Stahl, 1. c.,76 and 162,1883.
Rypticus saponaceus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1232, 1896.
Fig. 46 .—Rypticus bistrisjnnus.
118. Rypticus coriaceus (Cope) . Black Soap-fish.
Head 3.3; depth 3.5; eye 5; snout 5.8; maxillary 2.4; mandible 1.7; interorbital 11.5; scales 19-
125-32; P. in-25; A. 15; pectoral 1.5 in head; ventral 2.8; caudal 1.3.
Body rather elongate, compressed, back little elevated; head pointed, snout small, pointed;
mouth large, somewhat oblique, maxillary reaching beyond orbit, its fore end very broad, triangular;
lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth rather strong; interorbital narrow; preopercular spines 2, the
lower the larger; opercle with 2 obscure spines, partly covered with skin, the lower the stronger;
caudal peduncle compressed, deep, least depth 2 in head, its least width about 6 in its depth. Scales
small, more or less embedded, especially on nape and cheeks. Fins all rather large; dorsal well
separated, spines short; last dorsal rays about 2 in head; last anal rays about 2.75 in head; caudal
rounded, its middle rays about 1.5 in head; pectoral broadly rounded; ventrals short, 2 times eye.
Color, plain brown, darkest on back; under parts paler; a broad white line from tip of lower lip
to occiput; vertical fins dark, edges black; pectoral with some dark; ventrals pale.
Two specimens obtained, one 4.75 inches long, at Mayaguez, and one 5.5 inches long at Hucares.
This West Indian species has hitherto been known only from St. Martins and Jamaica.
Eleutheractis coriaceus Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc, 1870, 467, St. Martins.
Rypticus coriaceus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1235, 1896.
119. Rypticus bistrispinus (Mitcliill).
Head 3; depth 3.6; eye 4.5; snout 4.75; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.8; interorbital 7; T>. ii, 26;
A 15. Body rather slender, depth considerably less than length of head; head compressed, snout
pointed; mouth large, lower jaw strongly projecting, maxillary reaching posterior border of orbit, its
exposed portion broadly triangular; interorbital very narrow; 3 strong, distinct, preopercular spines,
nearly uniform in size, middle one sometimes slightly the largest; opercle with 3 flat, spines, middle
164 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
one largest; opercle ending in along flap; scales very minute, cycloid; entire head scaled; lateral line
complete, arched above pectoral; dorsal fin continuous, spinous portion continuous with soft rays;
second dorsal spine longer than first, about equal to diameter of orbit; last dorsal rays longest, about
2.5 in head; anal resembling last portion of dorsal, its longest ray 2.5 in head; pectoral broad and
rounded, its length 1.9 in head; ventrals short, scarcely greater than orbit; caudal rounded.
Color in alcohol: Rich brownish or olivaceous above, paler below; upper half of head to level
of lower part of eye dark-brown; lower half of head -pale-yellowish, usually with scattered minute
brown specks; tip of lower jaw brown; pale median line from tip of snout to nuchal region, growing less
distinct posteriorly; whole body, and usually most of head, covered profusely with small rich brown
spots, largest above pectoral ; under jaw, throat, and breast often immaculate; fins usually unspotted.
South Atlantic coast of the United States and West Indies, usually in rather deep water; known
from off Charleston, the Bahamas, Key West, Pensacola, Cuba, and Porto Rico, and occasionally taken
off Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen specimens obtained by the Porto Rico expedition from the
vicinity of Culebra Island, some dredged in 12 to 15 fathoms, others found in shallow water about the
coral reefs; length about 3 inches. These specimens agree fully with Mitchill’s original description of
this species and with the type of R. pituitosus Goode & Bean.
Bodianus bistrispinus Mitchill, Amer. Month. Mag. and Crit. Rev., II, Feb., 1818, 247, deep water in Bahama Straits.
Rhypticus maculatus Ho]brook, Ichth. S. Carolina., ed. 1, 39, 1856, and ed. 2, 42, 1860, Cape Romain, South Carolina.
Rhypticus pituitosus Goode & Bean, Proe. U. S. N. M. 1879, 341, Key West, Florida.
Rypticus bistrispinus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1233, 1896
Family XLI I. L0B0TID/E. The Triple-tails.
This family is thus defined by Dr. Gill :
“Percoidea with an oblong, compressed body, equally developed above and below; a short snout
and anterior eyes; edentulous palate; dorsal and anal with the soft portions equal and opposite, the
former preceded by a much larger spinous portion, the latter with 3 spines; vertebrae 24, 12 abdom-
inal and 12 caudal, the fifth to eleventh with short but gradually lengthening parapophyses projecting
sideways and behind downward, and the twelfth with the parapophyses elongated, converging at
their extremities and fitting into a groove of the first haemal spine, the costiferous pits excavated
obliquely in the developed parapophyses, and gradually ascending forward on the vertebrae, and finally
on the neurapophyses; the skull with its frontal portion broad, expanded forward and outward, and
entering into the posterior borders of the orbits, which are advanced far forward; the postfrontals
elongated forward and underlying the frontals; ethmoid short, decurved, and expanded sideways.”
This family contains a single species, a large fish closely allied to the Serranidx, but lacking
vomerine and palatine teeth, and with the fore part of the head very short. Its relations are decidedly
with the Serranidx and not with the Hxmulidx, with which group, however, it agrees in the absence of
teeth on the palate.
Genus 75. LOBOTES Cuvier.
Body oblong, compressed, and elevated, covered with moderate-sized, weakly ctenoid scales;
profile of head concave, snout prominent; mouth moderate, oblique, with thick lips; upper jaw very
protractile, the lower longer; maxillary without supplemental bone; jaws with narrow bands of villi-
form teeth, in front of which is a row of larger conical teeth directed backward; no teeth on vomer or
palatines; preorbital narrower than eye; preopercle strongly serrate. Branchiostegals 6. Dorsal fin
continuous, with 12 spines, which may be depressed into a shallow groove; soft rays of dorsal and anal
fins elevated; anal spines graduated; bases of soft dorsal and anal thickened and scaly; caudal rounded.
Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca 3.
120. Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch). “ Sama” ; Flasher; Triple-tail; Dorrneur.
Head 2.8; depth 2; eye 6.5; snout 4.1; maxillary 2.8; mandible 1.9; interorbital 3.5; D. xi, i,
15; A. hi, 11; pectoral 1.7; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.4; scales 5-48-15.
Resembling the serranoid genus Alphestes in form, but without teeth on vomer or palatines; scales
large, firm, and ctenoid; anterior profile with a strong concavity at occiput; eye small; mouth small,
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 165
lower jaw projecting; teeth in a narrow villiform band in each jaw, with a single outer row of enlarged
conical teeth; preopercle with a few strong spines, those at angle greatly enlarged; soft dorsal and anal
high, nearly as large as caudal, the 3 fins suggesting a 3-lobed tail, whence the name “triple-tail.”
Color in life: Body greenish, grayish, and yellowish, more or less mottled; fins mottled-grayish;
soft dorsal and anal black-edged, caudal with yellowish margin, black inside; ventral pale, with black
blotches; branchiostegals pale, with irregular black lines; our smaller specimen creamy-yellow, overlaid
with dark-brown.
A fish of rather sluggish habits, found in most warm seas; north on our coast to Cape Cod;
probably not uncommon about Porto Rico; not recorded from Key West, though known from the St.
Johns and Indian rivers, Pensacola and Tampa. It is said to reach a length of 3 feet and a weight
of 50 pounds, and is regarded as a very good food-fish. The collection contains two young examples,
6.5 and 8 inches in length. The smaller was taken by the seine at the mouth of the Rio Bayamon at
Palo Seco, in water very nearly fresh; the other was seined in San Juan Harbor between Palo Seco
and Catano.
Holocentrus surinamensis Bloch, Ichth., pi. 243, 1V90, Surinam.
Bodianus triurus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., 1, 1815, 418, Powles Hook, New Jersey.
Lobotes crate Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 322, 1830, Pondicherry.
Lobotesfarkharii Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 324, 1830, Malacca; on a drawing by Major Farkhar.
Lobotes somnolentus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 324, 1830, Santo Domingo.
Lobotes auctorum Gunther, Cat., 1, 338, 1859, Cuba; Calcutta; China.
Lobotes surinamensis, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riq., 329, 1881; Stahl, l.c., 77 and 103,1883; Jordan & Evermann,!. c., 1235, 1896.
Fig. 47.
—
Lobotes surinamensis.
Family XLIII. PRIACANTHID/E. The Catalufas.
Body oblong or ovate, compressed, covered with small, firm, rough scales; all parts of body and
head, even the snout and maxillaries, being densely scaly, each scale with a more or less developed
plate on its posterior border, most developed in the young. Head deep. Mouth large, very oblique,
lower jaw prominent. Villiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines, none on tongue. Premax-
illaries protractile. Maxillary broad, without supplemental bone, not slipping under the very narrow
preorbital, which is usually serrate; no suborbital stay Eye very large, forming about one-half length
of side of head. Posterior nostril long, slit-like, close to eye. Preopercle more or less serrated,
one or more strong spines at its angle; operculum very short, ending in two or three points behind;
no barbels. Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus. Pseudobranchise very large, extending
along whole length of opercle. Postorbital part of head very short, opercle small. Gills 4, a slit
behind the fourth. Gillrakers long. Branchiostegals 6. Lateral line continuous, not extending on
166 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
caudal. Dorsal fin continuous, x, 9 to 15, spines depressible in a groove; anal rays in, 9 to 15, soft
part long, similar to soft dorsal, spines strong; ventrals very large, thoracic, i, 5, close together, in
advance of base of pectoral, joined to belly by a membrane which incloses a groove; no axillary process;
spine strong; pectoral small, pointed, not symmetrical, of 19 or 20 rays, upper longest; caudal fin
truncate or lunate. Spines of fins generally rough, with small seme. Air-bladder large. Pyloric
cseca few. Vertebrae in reduced number, 9 or 10 -j- 13= 22 or 23, first vertebrae being very small or
absent; transverse process beginning on seventh (sixth) vertebra, last two precaudal bridged across;
ribs attached to transverse processes; epipleurals absent on last three precaudal vertebrae. Supra-
occipital crest very low, continued forward to over front of orbit, where it is joined by parietal crests;
processes of premaxillaries moderate.
Carnivorous fishes of the tropical seas, chiefly in deep waters; mostly rose-colored in life.
a. Scales very small, 80 to 100 in lateral line; body oblong, its depth not half its length; preopercle with a flat spine;
dorsal and anal each with 12 to 15 soft rays Priacanthus, 76
aa. Scales large and very rough, 35 to 50 in lateral line; body ovate, its depth more than half its length; preopercle
without spines; dorsal and anal each with 9 to 11 soft rays Pseudopriacanthus
Genus 76. PRIACANTHUS Cuvier.
Scales very small, 80 to 100 in lateral line; body oblong, more than twice as long as deep; pre-
opercle with a spine at angle; interorbital area externally transversely convex, cranium itself trans-
versely concave, elevation being formed of flesh; a conspicuous foramen in interorbital area; lateral
line extending upward and backward from upper angle of gill-opening toward second dorsal spine,
below which it changes its course, following outline of back to end of dorsal fin, thence direct to middle
of caudal; anal fin rather long, its rays about hi, 14; dorsal rays about x, 13.
Species rather numerous, in the tropical seas.
a. Preopercular spine obsolete or nearly so; depth about equal to length of head; dorsal unspotted; dorsal rays x, 14;
anal in, 15 arenatus, 121
aa. Preopercular spine well developed; depth of body greater than length of head; dorsal spotted; dorsal rays x, 12 or
x, 13, anal m, 13 or 14 cruentatus, 122
121. Priacanthus arenatus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . “ Toro “Comico”; Catalufa.
(Plate 16.)
Head 3.25; depth 2.8; eye 2.7; snout 3; maxillary 2; mandible 1.6; interorbital 4.6; D. x, 14,
rarely 13; A. in, 15, rarely 16; pectoral 1.9; ventral 1.1; caudal 1.2; scales about 94.
Body oblong-ovate, compressed, covered with small, very firm, and slightly ctenoid scales; head
almost entirely scaled; eye very large; mouth extremely oblique; lower jaw strong and prominent;
maxillary very broad posteriorly, reaching slightly beyond front of eye; opercle and angle of pre-
opercle each with a weak fiat spine; dorsal spines slightly roughened; caudal slightly lunate.
Color in life: Body and fins nearly everywhere bright-red, ventrals and caudal deepest; base of
pectoral yellow; ventral spine pale-blue, rays black-tipped, most of membrane dusky; soft dorsal and
anal with a few small dusky spots, and faintly edged with dark; caudal distinctly dark-edged; upper
edge of caudal peduncle dusky; a series of about 12 indistinct dark round blotches along and just above
lateral line; inside of mouth red behind; iris chiefly bright-red, a narrow yellow circle about pupil.
This fish occurs in the tropical Atlantic south to Brazil, occasionally northward in the Gulf Stream
to Newport and Woods Hole; also known from Jamaica, Key West, and Madeira; probably common
about Porto Rico. Our collection contains six examples, 6 to 12 inches long, from Aguadilla, Mayaguez,
and Arroyo. It does not usually exceed a foot or 15 inches in length, but is a food-fish of some
importance. Its flesh is firm and flaky and of good flavor. Nothing is known as to its game qualities.
The brilliant red color and large eye make this a very striking fish.
Catalufa
,
Parra, Dif. Piezas Hist. Nat., pi. 20, 1787, Havana.
Priacanthus arenatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 97, 1829, Brazil and Atlantic; Jordan & Everniann,
l.c., 1237, 1896.
Priacanthus fulgens Lowe, Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond., II, 1839, 174, Madeira.
Priacanthus catalufa Poey, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 182, Havana.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 167
122. Priacanthus cruentatus (Lacepede). “Ojon”; Catalufa; “Ojudo”; Big-eye.
Head 3; depth 2.5; eye 2.6; snout 3.2; maxillary 2; mandible 1.6; interorbital 3.7; D. x, 13;
A. hi, 14; pectoral 1.8; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.2; scales about DO. Body deeper than in P. arenatus, and
preopercular spine stronger, curved, and serrate.
Color in life: Body silvery, washed with rosy; back with five or six rosy, saddle-like blotches
extending on sides to below lateral line; under parts rosy; vertical fins with pale bases, brighter out-
wardly; caudal black-edged; pectoral and ventral rosy, ventral black-tipped.
This fish ranges from the West Indies to St. Helena and the Canaries, and is known from Cuba,
Jamaica, and Porto Rico, but not yet recorded from the United States. Probably not common in
Porto Rico. Our collection contains but a single specimen, 8 inches long, obtained in the San Juan
market, though others were seen. It reaches a length of a foot or more, and is a good food-fish,
common in the Havana market.
Labrus cruentatus Lactip^de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., III. 522, 1800, Martinique.
Priacanthus cepedianus Desmarest, Prem. Dee. Ichthy., 9, pi. 1 , 1823, Havana; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 322, 1881
Stahl, 1. c„ 76 and 162, 1883.
Priacanthus cruentatus, Stahl, 1. c., 76 and 102, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1238, 1896.
Family XLIV LUTlANlDdi. The Snappers.
Body oblong or more or less elevated, covered with moderate-sized adherent scales, which are
more or less strongly ctenoid or almost cycloid. Lateral line well developed, concurrent with back,
not extending on caudal fin. Head large, crests on skull usually largely developed. No suborbital
stay; mouth moderate or large, usually terminal, low, and horizontal. Premax diaries moderately
protractile, their spines not extending to occiput; maxillary long, without supplemental bone, for
most of its length slipping under edge of preorbital, which forms a more or less distinct sheath, its
form essentially as in the Serranidse; teeth various, unequal, and sharp, never incisor-like, some of
them sometimes molar; vomer and palatines usually with villiform teeth, these sometimes molar,
sometimes very small, sometimes wanting; lower pharyngeals separate; gills 4, a slit behind fourth;
pseudobranchiae large; gillrakers moderate or long, slender; gill-membranes separate, free from isth-
mus. Preopercle serrate or entire; opercles without spines; sides of head usually scaly. Dorsal fin
single, continuous, or deeply notched, sometimes divided into two fins, spines usually strong, depressible
in a groove, heteracanthous, that is, alternating, one stronger on right side, other on left; spines 10
to 12 in number. Anal fin similar to soft dorsal and with 3 spines; ventral fins thoracic, the rays i, 5,
with a more or less distinct scale-like appendage at base; caudal fin usually more or less concave
behind. Air-bladder present, usually simple. Intestinal canal short. Pyloric caeca few. Vertebrae
usually 10
-f- 14= 24. No distinct tubercles from cranium for articulation of epipharyngeal bones;
enlarged apophyses for articulation of palatine and preorbital bones; anterior 4 vertebra; without
parapophyses.
The Lutianidse comprise about 20 genera and some 250 species, chiefly inhabiting shores of warm
regions, all active, carnivorous, and voracious, and all valued as food. The group is closely related to
the Serranidse on the one hand and to the Ihemulidse on the other.
HOPI.OPAGRIN.E
:
a. Vomer with teeth.
b. Nostrils near together, placed just before eye, anterior not tubular; vomerine teeth villiform, the patch A. A. or
O-shaped; teeth in jaws all acute; no incisors or molars.
c. Palatines with teeth; teeth in jaws strong, more or less unequal.
LUTIANIN.E:
d. Interorbital area not flat nor separated from occipital region, median and lateral crests procurrent on it, and
frontal narrowed forward, dorsal fin continuous, spines not separated by a notch from soft rays.
e. Prefontals with articular facets arising from diverging V-shaped ridges; basi-sphenoid with an anterior lobiform
extension; soft dorsal and anal scaly; dorsal spines 10 or 11 (in American species) ; tongue with teeth (at least
in adult examples).
/. Fronto-occipital crest ceasing anteriorly far from front of frontal; prefrontal with posterior areas impressed, long,
and cribriform; no pterygoid teeth; caudal fin lunate or forked; gillrakers rather few, shortish.
g. Top of head naked; an oblique band of scales on each side of nape; parietal crest not confluent with fronto-occip-
ital crest, either fading away anteriorly or running into ocular rim; preopercle with a shallow notch or
emargination only Neom^nis, 77
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.168
ff. Fronto-occipital crest continued forward along top of head to nearly opposite nostrils; prefrontals with posterior
area short, excavated above and in front.
h. Gillrakers long and numerous, about 25; anal rather high, its rays in, 9; pterygoid teeth present (in the adult) in
a narrow band; caudal fin very deeply forked Ocyurus, 78
ee. Prefrontals with articular facets developed from simple tubercles and not V-shaped; basi-sphenoid not lobigerous;
canines small; soft rays of dorsal 10 or 11.
i. Prefrontals with posterior areas cribriform; pterygoids with a broad patch of teeth (in adult); hyoid bones and
tongue with teeth; canines very small or obsolete; dorsal spines 12 (or 13) ; soft dorsal and anal somewhat
scaled; top of head scaled to before middle of eye; gillrakers numerous Rhomboplites, 79
ii. Prefrontals with posterior areas solid and somewhat tumid; pterygoids, hyoid bone, and tongue toothless; dorsal
spines 10; soft dorsal and anal scaleless Apsilus
Etelin.e:
dd. Interorbital area flat, separated by a transverse line of demarcation from occipital, by which median as well as
lateral crests are limited; frontals wide in front; tongue and pterygoids toothless; soft rays of dorsal 10 or 11.
i. Dorsal fin continuous; frontals not cavernous; supraorbital margin crenate; pterotic region much swollen outward
and with bones thin and jjolished; preorbital moderate; frontals behind with funnel-shaped foramina; soft
dorsal and anal scaleless; last rays of dorsal and anal produced Aprion
jj. Dorsal nearly or quite divided into two fins by a deep notch; eye very large; preorbital very narrow.
k. Frontals not cavernous, simply normally perforate; supraorbital margins crenate; prefrontals behind, with funnel-
shaped foramina; head naked above and on snout; soft dorsal and anal naked; peritoneum and lining of gill-
cavity pale; caudal deeply forked; color crimson Etelis, 80
JfcJfc. Frontals cavernous (like those of Scitenoids), with longitudinal, osseous bars, leaving interspaces in front of
transverse ridge and on each side near front; supraorbital margins smooth; prefrontals behind with simple
foramina for olfactory nerves; head scaly above and on jaws and snout; soft dorsal and anal scaly at base; peri-
toneum and lining of gill-cavity black; caudal lunate. Deep-water species, blackish-purple in color... Verilus
Denticinje:
aa. Vomer and palatines toothless; one or both jaws with strong canines; no molars; preopercle entire; dorsal
continuous.
1. Dorsal spines 10; scales large", 50 in lateral line, those on cheek in 3 rows; mouth moderate, jaws subequal; fins
usually with filaments Nemipterus
Genus 77. NE0M7ENIS Girard. Snappers.
Body oblong, compressed, back somewhat elevated; headlong, naked above, except for a broad
oblique band of scales at nape; nostrils normally close together, neither with a tube; mouth large, jaws
with bands of villiform teeth, besides which is usually an outer series of larger teeth in each jaw, and
2 to 4 stronger teeth or canines in front of upper jaw; vomer with villiform teeth; villiform teeth on
palatines; usually one or more patches of teeth on tongue in the adult; no molar teeth; no teeth on
pterygoids; preopercle without notch or with a shallow' emargination; posterior limb of preopercle
iinely serrate; gillrakers rather few, shortish; soft rays of dorsal and anal scaly at base; dorsal spines
10 (rarely 11), continuous with soft rays; caudal lunate or forked; anal rays 7 to 9. Interorbital area
not flat nor separated from occipital region, median and lateral crests procurrent on it, and frontal
narrowed forward; fronto-occipital crest ceasing anteriorly far from front of frontal, usually behind
eye; prefrontal with posterior areas impressed, long and cribriform; parietal crest not confluent with
orbital rim, but nearly or quite joined anteriorly to fronto-occipital crest (in species examined);
prefrontals with articular facets arising from diverging V-shaped ridges; basisphenoid with an anterior
lobiform extension. Vertebrae 10 -)- 14 = 24.
We follow Jordan & Evermann in separating the American pargos or snappers from the Old World
genus Lutianus on the following characters, distinctive so far as known: Parietal crest usually confluent
anteriorly with orbital rim, never joined anteriorly to fronto-occipital crest; top of head naked; a more
or less isolated band of scales extending obliquely on each side of nape; notch on preopercle for recep-
tion of knob of interopercle shallow and broad, sometimes obsolete, otherwise essentially as in Lutianus.
Species very numerous, American; active predatory fishes, highly valued as food.
Among the food-fishes of Key West and the West Indies no fewer than 15 species belong to this
genus, while on our Pacific coast are at least 5 more species, and all of them are excellent for food.
Most of the species reach a good size and are objects of important fisheries.
. Soft dorsal normally with 14 rays, rarely with 13.
. Anal fin rounded, its middle rays less than half length of head; no black lateral spot.
c. Developed gillrakers 7 to 9, usually with few rudiments, if any; preorbital deep; caudal lunate. Shallow-water
species, olivaceous in color, more or less marked by crossbands when young, often with a blue streak along
preorbital.
d. Vomerine teeth forming a A or /t\ shaped patch, backward prolongation on median line very short or wanting;
scales above lateral line in oblique series, which are not throughout parallel with it; body comparatively
elongate, depth 3 to 3.5 in length, upper and lower canines very strong, lower considerably stronger than in
other species; mouth very large, vertical fins dusky, size very large.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 169
e. Maxillary 2.29 in head; preorbital 4.75 in head; maxillary reaching past middle of eye, about 2.33 in head; usually a
black spot or shade at base of pectoral; head 2.75; depth 3; D.x,14; A.iii, 8; scales 7-50-12 eyanopterus, 123
del. Vomerine teeth forming an anchor-shaped patch, with a distinct backward prolongation on median line; second
anal spine little, if any, shorter than third; upper canines strong, lower moderate or small.
/. Scales above lateral line arranged in series which are not throughout parallel with lateral line, being oblique and
irregular, at least below second dorsal.
g. Body comparatively elongate, depth 2.75 to 3 in length; mouth large, maxillary 2.5 in head; scales 7 in an oblique
series between dorsal and lateral line; pectoral short, not two-thirds length of head; soft dorsal, anal, and
caudal blackish, tinged with wine-color, always becoming dusky in spirits griseus, 124
gg. Body comparatively deep, depth about 2.5 in length; snout long and pointed ; mouth rather small, maxillary about
3 in head; pectoral long, more than two-thirds length of head; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal orange or yellow,
becoming pale in spirits.
h. Scales moderate, about 9 in an oblique series from first dorsal to lateral line, about 55 vertical series above lateral
line between gill-opening and base of caudal; lateral line with more than 45 pores; a whitish area below eye;
blue streak along suborbital region usually not disappearing with age; scales 8-56-15 jocu, 125
hh. Scales unusually large, 5 or 6 in an oblique series from first dorsal to lateral line, about 45 vertical series above lateral
line between gill-opening and base of caudal; lateral line with fewer than 40 pores; blue streak on suborbital
region not permanent; scales 6-44-13 apodns, 126
cc. Developed gillrakers more numerous, about 10, with several rudiments before them (in N. buccanetta; not examined
in N. lutjanoides)
.
i. Caudal deeply forked; mouth small, maxillary reaching posterior nostril; preopercle slightly notched, little
serrate; canines strong; tongue with teeth; soft dorsal and anal rounded; pectoral pointed, 4.5 in total length.
Color brownish-green, with 6 brown crossbands; a broad greenish stripe from opercle to base of caudal. D. x,
14; A. in, 8 lutjanoides
ii. Caudal moderately forked; mouth large, maxillary reaching anterior edge of eye, 2.6 in head; preopercle serrate,
serrae strong on angle; canines medium; vomerine teeth in an anchor-shaped patch; eye large; the base and
axil of pectoral with a jetrblack blotch; scales moderate, about 8 oblique series from the lateral line to first
dorsal spine, about 63 vertical rows above lateral line; second anal- spine long, about 2.66 in head. Color
crimson; caudal peduncle and caudal fin largely yellow; iris orange-red; no lateral blotch, Head 2.5; depth
2.8; D. x, 14; A. hi, 8; scales 8-63-15 buccanetta
bb. Anal fin angulated, its median rays produced, longest in adult, at least half head; body rather robust; upper canines
rather long; lower small. Color more or less red, young with a black lateral blotch.
j. Scales above lateral line arranged in series, which are not throughout parallel with it; side with a black blotch,
which usually disappears with age; anal fin bright red.
Teeth on vomer in an anchor-shaped patch, with a median backward prolongation; lingual teeth well developed;
maxillary reaching edge of pupil, 2.5 in head; caudal edged with black.
I. Iris golden-yellow in life. Scales rather small, 9-72-10, about 50 pores in lateral line; body rather slender, depth 2.5
in length; second anal spine about 3.5 in head; gillrakers 9 below angle; eye large, 4.75 in head in adult;
preorbital 5.75 in head. Color bright rose-red, with golden streaks vivanus, 127
II. Iris rose-red. Scales rather large, 8-60-14; body robust, depth 2.6 in length; second anal spine about 4 in head;
gillrakers about 8 below angle. Color rose-red, nearly uniform; size large aya, 128
kk. Teeth in vomer in a A-shaped patch, without distinct prolongation on median line; lingual teeth very few or none;
maxillary reaching edge of eye, 2.7 in head analis, 129
an. Soft dorsal with 12 rays (rarely 13); body oblong, the back not greatly elevated; upper canines moderate, lower
small or obsolete; scales above lateral line in very oblique series; anal fin low, its outline rounded.
m. Mouth moderate; maxillary 2.6 to 2.75 in head.
n. Caudal not deeply forked; gillrakers rather few (8 or 9 besides rudiments).
o. Pectoral short, 1.66 in head; teeth on vomer in an anchor-shaped patch. Color olivaceous, no black lateral blotch;
lower jaw included. Head 2.75; depth 3; D. x, 12; A. in, 8; scales 8-51-x. (Hybrid, griseus + synagris?).
brachyptcrus
oo. Pectoral long, more than two-thirds length of head; color chiefly red; a large black lateral blotch; lower jaw
slightly projecting.
p. Vomer with teeth in a A or /K shaped patch, the prolongation on median line short.
q. Eye large, 4.75 in head; back greatly elevated; pectoral long, 1.25 in head megalophthalmus, 130
qq. Eye smaller, 5 in head; back less elevated; pectoral shorter, 1.5 in head synagris, VAX
nn. Caudal deeply forked; gillrakers rather numerous, about 10 on lower part of anterior arch; teeth on vomer in an
anchor-shaped patch; body rather elongate, compressed; lower jaw projecting or not; eye small; scales small;
lateral line with about 50 pores; anal spines graduated. Color reddish, with horizontal yellow streaks; no black
lateral blotch. Head 3; depth 3; D. x, 13; A. in, 9; scales 9-53-15 ambiguus
mm. Mouth large; maxillary 2.4 in head; teeth on vomer in an anchor-shaped patch mahogoni, 132
123. Neomgenis eyanopterus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)
. Cubera.
Head 2.75; depth 3; eye rather small, 5.66 in head; D. x, 14; A. hi, 8; scales (6) 7-50-12, 50 pores.
Body elongate, rather robust, back little elevated; profile from snout to nape nearly straight; snout
long, thick, rather acute in profile, 3 in head; interorbital space flattish or gently convex, 6.25 in head;
occipital keel low; preorbital broad, 4.66 in head; mouth very large
;
maxillary reaching middle of eye,
2.33 in head. Canine teeth larger than in any other of the genus, especially those in lower jaw; upper
170 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a series of strong, sharp teeth; 4 canines
in front, 2 of them very long and strong, their length two-thirds diameter of eye; lower jaw with 5 or 6
very strong canine-like teeth on each side, largest little smaller than canines of upper jaw; a few villiform
teeth in front of jaw; tongue with a large oblanceolate patch of teeth, pointed behind, its length about
twice its greatest width; vomer with a A-shaped patch of teeth, usually without backward prolongation
on median line, but sometimes with a short median prolongation (/[\ -shaped)
,
its length always less
than width of patch in front; pterygoid and hyoid bones without teeth. Gillrakers rather short and
thick, about one-third length of diameter of eye, about 8 on lower arch
;
no rudiments. Preopercle with
posterior margin nearly vertical, emargination broad and shallow, the edge finely serrate above, teeth
coarser just above angle, lower limb almost entire. Scales rather large, loosely attached; cheek with
about 8 rows, 1 row on interopercle, 1 row on subopercle, and about 7 on operc-le; temporal region
with about 2 rows of large scales; tubes of lateral line simple; base of soft dorsal and anal scaly. Dorsal
spines rather strong, outline of fin gently convex, fourth spine longest, 3.25 in head; tenth spine, 6 in
head; anal spines strong, second spine stronger, slightly shorter than third, which is 5 in head; caudal
little forked; pectoral about 1.4 in head.
Color, dusky-gray, paler below, belly sometimes tinged with reddish; membranes of dorsal, anal,
and caudal grayish-black, anal and soft dorsal especially blackish; ventrals blackish at tip; pectoral
plain olivaceous, base and inner margin dusky; head dusky above, without markings.
This fish attains a length of 2 to 4 feet; the specimen described (from Cuba) measured 172 inches.
It is found in the West Indies and south to Brazil, and is rather common. It is a large, coarse fish,
regarded as unwholesome by fishermen, but probably without sufficient cause. It is recorded by
Cuvier & Valenciennes and by Poey from Porto Rico; not seen there by us.
Mesoprion cyanopterus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 472, 1828, Brazil.
? Mesoprion pargus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 473, 1828, Porto Rico.
Lutjanus dentalus A. DunnJril, in Vaillant & Bocourt, Miss. Sci. au Mex., 125, 1881, Brazil.
Lutjanus pargus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 320, 1881.
Neomsenis cyanopterus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1254, 1898.
124. Neomsenis griseus (Linnaeus). Gray Snapper; Mangrove Snapper; CabelVerote; “ Pargo Prieto.”
(Plate 17.)
Head 2.75; depth 2.87 to 3.25; D. x, 14; A. in, 8; scales (6) 7-50-12, 47 pores. Body com-
paratively elongate, back not strongly compressed, little elevated; profile almost straight from snout
to nape, thence gently convex. Snout rather pointed, 3 in head. Eye rather small, 4.66 in head.
Interorbital space gently convex, 6 in head; occipital keel little prominent; preorbital rather broad,
5.5 to 6.5 in head. Month large; jaws subequal; maxillary reaching front of pupil, 2.6 in head;
upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series of enlarged teeth;
4 canines in front of upper jaw, 2 of them quite large—one-third diameter of eye; lower jaw with a
very narrow band of villiform teeth in front of jaw only; outside of these a single row of teeth larger
than outer teeth of upper jaw, becoming canine-like in adult; tongue with an oval patch of teeth, its
width about half its length; vomer with an arrow-shaped patch of teeth, with backward prolongation
on median line, its length about twice its width in front. Gillrakers rather short and thick, their
length about one-third diameter of eye, about 8 on lower arch, with no rudimentary ones before them.
Preopercle with its posterior margin nearly vertical, with rather broad and deep emargination; pre-
opercle finely serrate above, teeth coarser at angle. Scales comparatively large, rows in horizontal
series below lateral line, those above running parallel with lateral line until below soft dorsal, where
they become slightly irregular and oblique; 7 rows of scales on cheek; an embedded row on inter-
opercle; 1 row on subopercle, and 7 on opercle; temporal region with about 3 rows of large scales;
top of head, snout, and jaws naked; base of soft dorsal and anal scaly; tubes of lateral line branched.
Dorsal spines rather strong, the outline of fin gently convex; fourth spine longest, 2.5 in head, tenth
spine 4 in head; margin of soft dorsal rounded; ninth and tenth rays longest, 1.33 length of first, and
1.6 last ray, 2.5 in head; caudal emarginate, upper lobe longest, 1.33 length of middle rays, which are
1.75 in head; anal fin high, its margin slightly angulate, middle rays longest, 2 times length of last rav,
2.16 in head, first ray reaching almost to tip of last ray, when the fin is depressed; second anal spine
as long or slightly longer and stronger than third, 3.25 to 4 in head; ventrals 1.75 in head; pectoral
shortish, scarcely reaching vent, 1.57 in head.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 171
Color in life: Very dark green above, middle part of each scale brassy-black, its edge broadly
pearly-whitish; below lateral line the duskiness of middle of scale passes into brassy, and below into
bright coppery, belly and lower parts of head being more or less distinctly bright coppery-red; lower jaw
grayish; no blue stripe below eye, except in very young; top of head blackish-olive; dorsal blackish,
its margin darker and tinged with maroon-red; soft dorsal dusky, anteriorly slightly edged with whitish
;
caudal violaceous or maroon-black; anal wine-color, edged with whitish; pectoral pale flesh-color;
ventrals whitish, faintly marked with reddish. Young with a blackish band from snout through eye
to nape, very distinct in life; a blue streak below eye; spinous dorsal with a dark maroon-colored
band along edge. An example, 10.5 inches long, from the San Juan market, was brownish-red on body;
blue suborbital streak quite distinct and continuous; two blue streaks below and forward from eye, only
one on right side; apparently a deep-water example. Fishes from deep water are much redder than
those taken near shore. In no case is the caudal yellowish or of any pale shade.
The above description chiefly from a specimen 11 inches long from Key West but verified on
specimens from Porto Rico. The variations in proportional measurements are not great.
Found in the West Indies and ranging from New Jersey to Brazil; very common along our South
Atlantic and Gulf coasts, occasionally straying northward as far as New Jersey, being the northernmost
in its range of any member of the genus in the Atlantic; everywhere generally known as gray snapper.
In Florida and the Bahamas, where the coasts are lined by mangrove bushes, among which the young
of this species abound, the name mangrove snapper comes into use. It inhabits water of varying depths,
large specimens being often found near the shore, while others may be taken in waters of considerable
depth in company with Neomsenis aya. These latter individuals are much redder than those found in
shoal water; their general color is paler and the body is a trifle less elongate; such correspond to the
form named Lutjanits steamsi.
All the snappers are game-fishes of considerable importance, and the gray snapper is one of the
best. Its abundance and wide distribution, the ease with which it can be found at all seasons, together
with the readiness and vigor with which it takes the hook and the fairly good fight which it makes,
should cause this fish to be much sought after by anglers who visit our southern and tropical waters.
In Indian River, Florida, the mangrove snapper is regarded as a very good food-fish and is of
considerable commercial importance, its average weight being about 2 pounds, the maximum about
6 or 7 pounds. At Key West, where it is the most abundant of the snappers, it attains a length of 3
feet and a weight of 18 pounds, though the average of those caught is 5 pounds or less. Here it is
usually called gray snapper and is regarded as a warm-water fish, being most plentiful in shallow
water in summer, but retiring to deeper water during winter, and always running in schools; it is said
to spawn in July and August, usually on the shoals, the eggs being nonadhesive and separating from
each other at spawning; it is caught with hook and line, sardines and pilchard being the usual bait.
About Porto Rico this is an important food-fish and is known as “pargo prieto.” Specimens
are in the collection from San Juan market, Puerto Real, Arroyo, and Isabel Segunda, and one from
San Geronimo. It was one of the most common species in the San Juan market and was seen in all
the other markets of the island. The largest seen weighed about 6 pounds.
Tardus pinnis branchialibus carens (mangrove snapper), Catesby, Hist. Carolina.pl. 9, 1743, Bahamas.
Caballerote, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., pi. 25, fig. 1, 1787, Havana.
Babrus griseus Linn*us, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 283, 1758, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Spams tetracanthus Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 279, 1791, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Anthias caballerote Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 310, 1801, Cuba; after Parra.
Bodianus vivanet LacCpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, pi. 4, fig. 3, 1803, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Mesoprion griseus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss. , II, 409, 1828, Santo Domingo; not after Linnaeus.
Lobotes emarginatus Baird & Girard, 9th Smith. Rept. 1855, 332, Beesley Point, N. .1.
Lufjanus steamsi Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1878, 179, Pensacola, Fla.
Neomsenis griseus, Jordan & Evermann, l.e., 1255, 1898.
125 . Neomsenis jocu (Bloch & Schneider). “ Pargo Colorado” ; Dog Snapper; Jocu.
(Plate 18.)
Head 2.57; depth 2.57; eye 4.75; snout 2.6; maxillary 2.57; mandible 5; interorbital 5.5; D. x,
13; A. in, 8; scales 8-50-16, about 45 pores. Body comparatively deep and compressed, back elevated;
profile steep and almost straight from snout to nape, thence little convex; snout rather long and
pointed; eye moderate; interorbital space narrow, gently convex; occipital keel moderate; preorbital
172 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
broad, 4.33 in head; mouth rather large, jaws subequal; maxillary reaching front of orbit; upper jaw
with a narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series of larger teeth; 4 canines in
front of upper jaw, 2 of them very large, almost equaling in length diameter of pupil; low'er jaw with
a narrow villiform band in front only, and a series of larger teeth outside, largest on side of jaw almost
canine-like; tongue with a single large oval patch of teeth, its length more than twice its width; teeth
on vomer forming a broadly arrow-shaped patch with backward prolongation on median line twice
length of width of anterior part. Gillrakers rather short and thick, longest about one-fourth diameter
of eye, about 9 on lower part of arch, with no rudiments in front of them. Preopercle with its posterior
margin slanting obliquely downward and forward, emargination very broad and shallow'; preopercle
finely serrate above, teeth coarser at angle, which is not salient. Scales moderate, smaller than in
N. griseus or N. apodus, in nearly horizontal series below', and obliquely upward and backward above
lateral line; about 7 or 8 rows of scales on cheek; 1 row on interopercle, 1 on subopercle, and 7 on
opercle; about 3 rows of large scales on temporal region; top of head, snout, and jaw's naked; tubes of
lateral line branched; bases of soft dorsal and anal scaly; dorsal spines rather strong, outline of fin
evenly curved, fourth and fifth spines longest, 2.6 in head; tenth spine 4 in head; margin of soft dorsal
convex, middle rays longest, 2.83 in head; caudal little forked, upper lobe longest, 1.4 length of middle
rays, 1.6 in head; margin of anal well rounded, middle rays about twice length of last ray; first ray
reaching nearly to tip of last ray when fin is depressed; pectoral slightly falcate, reaching almost to
front of anal, 1.33 in head; anal spines strong, second rather longest and strongest, not ahvays reaching
past tip of third, 3.4 in head.
Color cf adult in life: Olivaceous above, paler below, much flushed, so that the general hue is
everywhere coppery-red; sides of body with numerous narrow crossbars, rather faint, the light and
dark of about equal width, or the pale narrower; scales of upper parts mesially bronzed; head coppery;
especially above; broad whitish area from eye to angle of mouth, becoming rosy in spirits; an irregular
line of small round.or oblong spots below the eye, from snout to angle of opercle; soft fins all plain
light brick-red, anal somewhat orange, caudal more or less yellowish; spinous dorsal with a light
orange band at base and edge, middle pearly; blue stripe below eye persisting longer than in any of the
other species which possess it. Young, in life: Greenish-olive, head and breast flushed with bright
coppery-red; base cf each scale bright orange-yellow, this color more extensive than dark ground-color,
so that the general hue cf body,, especially below and posteriorly, is rich golden-yellow'; dusky spot
on top of head; temporal region with a dusky shade; an undulating blue stripe below eye from snout to
angle of opercle; a similar fainter streak below it; pectoral pale-red or light-orange; ventrals orange;
other fins rich golden-yellow, front of anal and edge of spinous dorsal rich, clear, bright-orange.
The above description based upon specimens 10 and 12 inches long. The dog snapper bears
some resemblance to the gray snapper, but is not quite so trim a fish, as may be seen by comparing
plates 17 and 18. The body color is similar, but the fins are colored very differently.
This excellent food-fish is known from the West Indies south to Bahia and north to Florida
Keys, occasionally straying north in the Gulf Stream to Woods Hole. It attains a weight of about 20
pounds, though the individuals usually seen are much smaller. At Key West it occurs in greatest
numbers during fall and winter, but is not very common at any time; nor does it seem to be abundant
in Porto Rico. A good many were seen in the market at San Juan where four, from 10 to 15 inches
long, were obtained. Specimens were secured also at Palo Seco and Vieques Island. Our notes make
no mention of it as having been seen elsewhere about the island.
Jocu, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., I, pi. 25, fig. 2, 1787, Cuba.
Anthias jocu Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 310, 1801, Cuba; after Parra.
Mesoprion Ulura Cuvier & Valenciennes Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 467, 1828, Cayenne; St. Thomas.
Neomxnisjocu, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1257, 1898.
126. Neomsenis apodus (Walbaum). 11 Pargo Amarillo,” ; Schoolmaster; Caji.
(Plate 19.)
Head 2.5; depth 2.83; eye 4.33; snout 2.67; maxillary 2.67; interorbital 4.83: preorbital 4.83;
D. x, 14; A. hi, 8; scales 5-42 to 45-13, about 36 pores. Body comparatively deep, moderately
compressed, back considerably elevated; profile almost straight front snout to nape, nuchal region
rather convex; snout unusually long and pointed, its outline before eye a little depressed, its length
2.71 in head; eye moderate, 4.33 in head; interorbital space flattish or gently convex. 5.5 in head;
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 173
mouth large, maxillary reaching front of orbit, 2.6 in head; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform
teeth, outside of which is a single series of larger teeth; 4 canines in front of upper jaw, <ine of them
on each side very large, almost as long as pupil; lower jaw with a narrow villiform band in front only,
and an enlarged series outside, these largest on side of jaw, where some of them are somewhat canine-
like; tongue with a single large oval patch of teeth, its length more than twice its width; teeth on
vomer forming an arrow-shaped patch with backward prolongation on median line, length of which
is twice the width of arrow-patch in front. Gillrakers rather short and thick, longest about one-third
diameter of eye, about 9 on lower part of arch . Preopercle with its posterior margin directed somewhat
obliquely forward, usually very weakly emarginate, finely serrate above, almost entire at angle. Scales
large, decidedly larger than in N. jocu; series below lateral line almost horizontal
;
those above in rows
parallel with lateral line, these becoming more or less irregular posteriorly and extending upward and
backward below soft dorsal; about 7 rows of scales on cheek, 1 row on interopercle, 1 on subopercle,
and 7 on opercle; temporal region with a few large scales in about 2 rows; base of soft dorsal and anal
scaly; tubes of lateral line each with 4 or 5 branches. Dorsal spines strong, outline of fin not greatly
convex, fourth spine longest, 2.66 in head, tenth spine 4 in head; margin of soft dorsal well rounded,
middle rays longest, twice length of last, 2.75 in head; caudal not deeply forked, upper lobe longer,
1.5 length of middle rays, which are 2 in head; margin of anal well rounded, its middle rays twice
length of last, 2.3 in head, first ray reaching about to middle of last when fin is depressed; anal spines
strong, second longer than third, 3.33 in head; ventrals 2 in head; pectoral reaching to front of anal,
1.33 in head.
Color of young in life: Greenish, with about eight very narrow vertical paler bars on body; scales
of lower part of side with central orange spots, forming faint streaks along rows of scales; belly pearly;
head greenish; a blackish streak from snout through eye to nape; a narrow, sharply defined blue
stripe below eye from snout to angle of opercle; no lateral spot; spinous dorsal edged with orange;
ventrals, anal, and caudal pale orange-yellow; pectoral paler. Adult examples differ from the young
in the vertical liars being fainter or obsolete, and in the absence, usually, of blue stripe below eye and
dark stripe on temporal region; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal always yellow, of varying intensity, and
the edge of spinous dorsal orange, not dusky; the whitish area below eye, very constant in N. jocu, is
wanting in N. apodus.
A specimen, 9 inches long, from Arroyo, had the following colors: Upper parts reddish or purplish
and brownish, with some yellow or brassy tints; lower sides and belly purplish-rosy; cheek pale-rosy;
top of head dark-rosy; lower jaw white; fins all rich orange or gamboge-yellow, a triangle at tip of
each dorsal membrane very rich; ventral rays whiter than membranes; side with about 12 faint brassy
lines running backward and somewhat upward; inside of mouth pale.
The schoolmaster is one of the most richly colored of the snappers, and is, withal, a very interest-
ing and attractive fish. It is known from the West Indies, south to Bahia and north to southern
Florida, sometimes straying northward in the Gulf Stream to Woods Hole; known from Indian River
and Key West, but not common at either place. It is one of the most abundant of the snappers
occurring in Porto Rico. Numerous specimens are in the collection from San Juan, Palo Seco, Puerto
Real, Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, Arroyo, Hucares, Vieques, and Culebra. It is evidently one of
the most valued food-fishes of the island. None seen about Porto Rico would exceed a pound in
weight. At Key West it is said to reach a weight of 7 or 8 pounds, though the average of those
caught on the reefs does not exceed 3 pounds, while those caught in the “bay” do not often weigh
more than one-third of a pound. It is said to take the hook readily and with considerable vigor.
? Perea marina pinnis branchialibus carens (Schoolmaster), Catesbv, Hist. Carolina, etc., tab. 41, 1743, Bahamas; figure
very poor, the pectoral fins omitted.
Caxis, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., pi. 8, fig. 2, 1787, Havana.
! Perea apoda (“Forster, Catal. of Anim., MS., 21,” 1774; printed 1844), Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, 351, 1792, Bahamas;
based on the schoolmaster of Catesby.
Spams caxis Bloch & Schneider, Ichthyol., 284, 1801, Havana; after Parra.
Bodianus striatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 335, pi. 65, 1801, West Indies; misprinted albostrialus, p. 237; called
B. fascialus on plate.
Lutjanus acutirostris Desmarest, Prem. D6c. Ichthyol., 12, pi. 3, 1823, Cuba.
Mesoprion cynodon Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 465, 1828, Martinique; Santo Domingo.
Mesoprion linea Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 468, 1828, Cuba; Santo Domingo.
Mesoprion flavescens Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 472, 1828, Martinique,
Neomsenis apodus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1258, 1898.
174 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
127. Neomaenis aya (Bloch). Red Snapper ; Pargo Colorado; Pargo Guachinango ; Acara Aya.
(Plate 20.)
Head 2.6; depth 2.6; D. x, 14; A. hi, 9; scales (7) 8-60-15, pores 46. Body rather deep,
moderately compressed, back well elevated, profile steep, and almost straight from snout to nape.
Snout rather pointed, 2.8 in head; eye moderate, 5.5 in head (larger in young). Interorbital space
angulate or strongly convex, 5 in head; occipital keel strong; preorbital rather broad, 5 in head;
mouth rather large, maxillary reaching front of orbit, 2.5 in head; upper jaw with a narrow band of
villiform teeth, outside of which is a row of larger but comparatively small teeth; 4 canines in front,
2 (sometimes duplicate) of them larger, their length about one-third diameter of eye; lower jaw with
a single row of rather small teeth, usually largest on side of jaw, where some of them are almost
canine-like; within these is a very narrow band of villiform teeth in front of jaw only; tongue with a
broad oval patch of teeth, scarcely twice as broad as long; in front of this patch is a small, irregular
patch; vomer with a broadly arrow-shaped patch, with a rather short backward prolongation on
median line, its length about equaling width of patch in front. Gillrakers moderate, their length
about half diameter of eye, 8 on lower arch. Preopercle with its posterior margin about vertical, its
emargination deep, its edge rather finely serrate above, coarser at angle, dentate on lower border.
Scales rather large, rows horizontal below lateral line, rows above running backward and upward;
6 rows of scales on cheek, 1 on interopercle, 1 on subopercle, and 7 on opercle; bases of soft dorsal
and anal scaly; pores of lateral line branched; temporal region with a broad band of scales, with a
few scattering ones below it; top of head, snout, and jaws naked. Dorsal spines rather strong, outline
of fin moderately convex, fourth and fifth spines longest, 2.8 in head; tenth spine about 4 in. head;
margin of soft dorsal nearly straight, fin pointed behind; middle rays little longer than first ray, 1.5
length of last, 3 in head; caudal lunate, upper lobe scarcely longer than lower, its length 1.4 times
length of middle rays, which are 1.86 in head; margin of anal strongly angulate, middle raj^s reaching
nearly to base of caudal, 2.5 length of last ray, 1.8 in head; first ray reaches about to middle of last
ray when fin is depressed; anal spines strong, second scarcely as long as third, 4 in head; ventrals,
1.8 in head; pectoral reaching to front of anal fin, 1.2 in head.
Color in life: Deep rose-red, paler on throat; bluish streaks along rows of scales, above becoming
fainter and disappearing with age; fins brick-red; dorsal bordered with orange, with narrow blackish
edge; caudal narrowly edged with blackish; eye red; a large blackish blotch above lateral line and below
front rays of soft dorsal in the young, this spot usually disappearing with age; axil of pectoral dusky.
A specimen 21 inches long taken at Aguadilla, and from which plate 20 was made, showed in
life the colors faithfully portrayed by the artist. The following color notes were made upon this
specimen at the time: Back and side down to lateral line rich rosy, scales edged with paler; side below
lateral line and belly pale-rosy; a small black spot just above lateral line below second and third
dorsal rays; dorsal fins pale-rosy on basal half, tips of rays and spines pale-yellowish; caudal red,
lower lobe richest, upper yellowish on outer portion; anal rich-rosy on anterior outer part, rest of
fin paler; ventral rosy; pectoral pale-rosy
;
upper part of head rose-color, side paler; some irregular
blue lines or spots about eye; inside of mouth white. The general color of the Porto Rican red
snappers seems to be a decidedly paler red than that of Florida examples and the black spot on the
side appears to be more persistent. Otherwise the colors are essentially the same.
Found from Long Island to Brazil on rocky banks in rather deep water, especially abundant in
the Gulf of Mexico, off Cape San Bias and about Yucatan, where the most important fisheries are
located; also abundant on the banks off eastern Florida and Georgia. About Porto Rico it is said to be
plentiful, though at the time of our visit it was seen only at Aguadilla, probably because the fishermen
of that place go out toward Mona Island and fish in deep water. It reaches a length of 2 to 3 feet and
a weight of 30 to 40 pounds, though the average weight of those caught on the Florida “Snapper
Banks” is much less. Adams and Kendall give the weight of those examined on the banks from the
Tortugas to the latitude of Charlotte Harbor at 5 to 20 pounds. The largest seen by them was 32
inches long; one 30 inches long weighed 18 pounds.
The red snapper is the most valuable food-fish of the genus in the waters of the United States.
It is the object of the principal fishery of Pensacola, from which point it is shipped fresh to all important
cities in the United States as far north as Boston, Chicago, and Minneapolis and west to Omaha and
Denver. In Florida it is known everywhere as “red snapper,” or to the Spanish-speaking people as
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 175
“pargo Colorado.” In Havana it is known as “pargo guachinango,” or “Mexican snapper,” because
it was brought to that city from the coast of Mexico. In Porto Rico it is called “pargo Colorado.”
The red snapper is strictly carnivorous, feeding upon small fish, crabs, prawns, and mollusks. It
is caught only with hand lines and in 15 to 50 fathoms of water. As the fish are hauled up from these
considerable depths the rapid decrease in external pressure permits the air-bladder to expand and the
stomach is often forced out into the mouth of the fish and the stomach contents thrown out upon the
deck of the smack. Among the material thus ejected may frequently be seen specimens of small fish
or crustaceans still alive and only very slightly injured. In this way have been obtained the types of
several new fishes and good specimens of many rare species. The stomach of the specimen painted for
this report contained one Olivia shell and the partially digested body of a Trachurops crumenophthalmus.
There is considerable sport in catching the red snapper. The line used is the size of an
ordinary chalk-line; at its lower end is a sinker weighing about 3.5 pounds, consisting of a piece of
lead shaped like a frustum of a cone, with the lower end hollowed out and filled with a mixture
of lard and wax, for the purpose of determining the character of the bottom, as some of the sand,
coral, shells, mud, or whatever the bottom is composed of, will stick to the wax and be brought up
with it. On the line a few feet above the lead are attached two short lines, with hooks, not quite
long enough to reach the lead. These hooks are baited with pieces of meat, bone-fish, lady-fish, or
some other species. When a fish strikes, a quick jerk is given to fasten it and then the line is hauled
in hand over hand. The red snapper does not ordinarily make any fight, but comes up as a dead
weight until near the surface of the water, when, getting sight of the boat and fishermen, he becomes
frightened and begins darting to right and left in the most frantic manner. The sport then is very
exciting and, if the snapper be large, assistance may have to be called in order to finish the fight and
lift the fish on deck. It sometimes happens that a fish is gotten on each hook at the same time.
Acara aya Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 167, 168, 1648, Brazil.
Bodianus aya Bloch, Ichthyol., 227, 1790, Brazil; after Marcgrave.
Bodianus ruber Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichthy., 330, 1801, Brazil; based on Marcgrave.
Mesoprion campcclianus Poey, Memorial, II, 149, 1860, Campeche.
Lutjanus blackfordi Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1878, 176, Pensacola.
Neomsenis aya, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1264, 1898.
128. Neomsenis vivanus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . Pargo dr lu Alto; Silk Snapper.
Head 2.75; depth 3; D. x, 14; A. hi, 8; scales (7) 8-72-17, 50 pores. Body rather slender, sub-
elliptical, back not greatly elevated; profile very slightly convex from snout to nape, thence more
arched; snout rather long and pointed, 3 in head; eye rather large, 4 in head; interorbital space slightly
convex, 4.8 in head, occipital keel not very prominent; preorbital rather broad, 5.8 in head; mouth
rather small; jaws subequal; maxillary reaching front of pupil, 2.5 in head; upper jaw with a narrow
band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series of well-developed teeth; 4 moderate canines in
front of jaw, the longest two about half diameter of pupil; lower jaw with a single series of rather large,
unequal teeth, inside of which is a very narrow band of villiform teeth in front of jaw only; tongue with
an oval patch of teeth, about twice as long as broad, in front of which is a roundish patch; no teeth on
hyoid bone; pterygoids toothless; vomer with a broadly arrow-shaped patch of teeth, with a backward
prolongation on median line somewhat longer than width of patch in front. Gillrakers slender,
their length almost equal to half diameter of eye, about 11 developed below angle, in front of these
about 5 rudiments. Preopercle with posterior limb slanting slightly downward and forward, with a
broad and rather shallow emargination, its margin finely serrate above; coarser teeth at angle and on
lower limb; posterior nostril oval. Scales very small, rows running obliquely upward and backward
above lateral line, rows being alm'ost horizontal; 7 rows of scales on cheek, 2 rows on interopercle,
1.5 rows on subopercle, and about 8 on opercle; temporal region with 1 row of large scales, behind
which are smaller ones; top of head, snout, and jaws naked; bases of soft dorsal and anal scaly. Dorsal
spines rather strong, outline of fin rather strongly convex and without deep emargination
;
fourth spine
longest, 2.4 in head; tenth, 3.4 in head; margin of soft dorsal straightish, rounded behind, ninth ray
longest, 1.33 length of first and two times last ray, 2.5 in head; caudal lunate, upper lobe slightly
longer than lower, its length 1.5 times middle rays, which are 2 in head; margin of anal angulate,
middle rays longest, 2 times length of last ray, 1.8 in head; first ray reaching almost to tip of last ray,
when the fin is depressed; ventrals 1.66 in head; pectoral not quite reaching front of anal, 1.2 in
head; second anal spine slightly longer than third, 3.25 in head,
176 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Bright rose-color, paler below, some narrow, undulating, light-golden streaks following
rows of scales above lateral line; iris always bright-yellow (an important color-mark)
;
mouth reddish
within; traces of dark lateral spot in most specimens; dorsal rosy, its base pale, its edge yellow; caudal
rosy, dusky behind, sometimes blood-red at tip; pectoral very pale yellow, ventralsand anal pale rosy,
latter yellowish behind. The bright colors all fade and disappear in spirits. The scales of upper parts,
in spirits, are marked with dark dots, which form streaks along rows of scales.
The above description verified on a specimen 14 inches long from Mayaguez.
West Indies; known from Cuba, St. Kitts, Martinique, and Porto Rico. A handsome species,
rather common in the Havana markets, where it is known as pargo de lo alto. When fresh it may
always be known by the bright-yellow color of the eye, a color which does not entirely fade in spirits.
The silk snapper was not common in the Porto Rican markets during our stay about the island, but
Mr. Oscar Riddle says that it is quite common in the San Juan market at certain times. It is taken in
the line fishery and is one of the most valued species. It is usually fished for in about 60 fathoms
of water, and about a mile off Morro Castle. Five or 6 hooks are fastened with short snoods to a very
tough, strong stick of native wood about 2 feet long, and this is weighted with heavy leads. In the
center is fastened the strong hand-line with which it is lowered and raised. The hooks are usually
baited with pieces of sardina ( Opisthonema ogjinum) or muniama (Xystxma cinereum). While the fish
are being raised to the surface they are very often attacked by sharks. Our collection contains two
specimens, 9.5 and 14 inches long, obtained in the market at Mayaguez.
Mesoprion vivanus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 451, 1828, Martinique.
Mcsoprinn profundus Poey, Memorias, II, 150, 1860, Cuba.
Lutianus torridus Cope, Trans. Am. Philos. Soc. 1S69, 468, St. Kitts.
Luljanus profundus Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 320, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 76 and 162, 1883.
Neomxnis vivanus, Jordan ct Evermann,l. c., 1262, 1898.
129. Neomaenis analis (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . Mullon-fisli; Pargo Cfio/io; Fargo; “Soma.”
(Plate 21.)
Head 2.7; depth 2.9; eye 5.67; snout 2.25; maxillary 2.8; mandible 2.3; interorbital 4.43; preor-
bital 3. 5; D. x, 14; A. nr, 8; scales 10-70-18, about 51 pores. Body rather deep and compressed, back
strongly elevated, profile steep and nearly straight from snout to nape; snout long and pointed; eye
rather small; interorbital space gently convex; occipital keel moderate; preorbital very broad; mouth
moderate, maxillary scarcely reaching front of orbit; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth,
outside of which is a single series of larger but small teeth; 6 rather strong canines in front, 4 of them
larger, about equaling in length half of diameter of pupil; lower jaw with a narrow villiform band in
front only and a series of larger teeth outside; these unequal, largest on side of jaw, some of them
almost canine-like; tongue with a single very small patch of teeth on its middle, this wanting in young
examples; teeth on vomer forming a broadly A-shaped patch, without backward prolongation on median
line. Gillrakers moderate, half length of diameter of eye, about 8 on lower arch, with no rudiments
before them. Preopercle with its posterior margin almost straight, slanting gently downward and
forward, notch broad and very shallow; edge of preopercle rather coarsely serrate, most so at angle;
scales small, rows almost horizontal below lateral line, running backward and upward above; tubes of
lateral lines branched; about 7 rows of scales on cheek; 1 row on interopercle, 1 on subopercle, and
about 9 on operele; temporal region with about 8 rows of scales, which become smaller posteriorly;
bases of soft dorsal and anal scaly. Dorsal spines weak and slender, outline of fin not greatly curved,
fourth spine longest, 2.66 in head, tenth spine 3.33 in head; margin of soft dorsal angulate, ninth ray
longest, twice last and 1.5 times first ray, 2 in head; caudal well forked, upper lobe the longer, 1.6
length of middle rays, which are about 2.16 in head; anal angular, similar to soft dorsal, middle rays
more elevated than in any other species, longest 2.25 length of last, 2 in head; first ray nearly reaching
tip of last when fin is depressed; second and third anal spines rather strong, of equal length, 3.75 in
head; ventrals 1.6 in head; pectoral reaching slightly past origin of anal, 1.3 in head.
Color in life: Dark olive-green above; many of the scales with pale-blue spots, these forming
irregular oblique streaks upward and backward; similar stripes more regular and numerous on caudal
peduncle and above anal. In old fishes these blue spots and streaks disappear; belly white, strongly
tinted with brick-red
;
about 6 narrow, dusky, vertical bars, a little broader than interspaces and not well
defined, between gill-opening and anal; head bronze-olive, darker above; a broad, undulating pearly
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 177
streak from snout below eye to upper edge of gill-opening; a narrow blue streak from eye to nostrils;
iris fiery red; pectoral, caudal, anal, and ventrals brick-red, caudal narrowly margined with black and
little bronzed above; dorsal reddish along the rays and tips of membranes, otherwise yellowish;
distinct lateral blotch just above lateral line and below first soft ray on dorsal, about as large as pupil,
smaller than in other species similarly marked and seldom disappearing with age; axil and bar across
base of pectoral above pale or dusky olive. In spirits the markings become fainter, the lateral blotch
and bluish streaks on head usually persisting.
The above description of color from a specimen 11 inches long taken at Key West; Porto Rican
examples appear to be somewhat more brightly colored. A fine specimen, 14 inches long, taken at
Arroyo February 14, was, in life, pale-rosy, richest on sides, pale below; back olive-green with rosy
wash; bases of scales brownish, edge with a pale-blue crescent; cheek and opercle rosy; an irregular
blue line under eye; some blue in front and behind eye; top of head dark-reddish; chin and belly
nearly white; fins all rosy, dorsal edged with lemon; upper caudal lobe yellowish. A specimen 8
inches long from San Antonio Bridge had side with narrow blue stripes and broader yellowish ones;
cheek with 2 or 3 pale-blue stripes; belly rosy; ventrals and anal rosy; caudal greenish with slight
rosy wash and dark edge; small dark spot under anterior dorsal rays; mouth pale inside.
This species ranges from Pensacola and Key West southward among the West Indies to Brazil,
straying northward in the Gulf Stream to Woods Hole. Apparently one of the most abundant and
important food-fishes of Porto Rico. Our collections contain specimens from San Juan, Mayaguez,
Puerto Real, Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, Arroyo, Hucares, Fajardo, Yieques, and Oulebra.
At Key West this species is called mutton-fish or pargo, and is one of the most important fishes
brought to that market. It is said to reach a'maximum weight of 25 pounds, though examples weigh-
ing more than 15 or 18 pounds are not common. The average weight of those seen at Key West or
in Porto Rico prr bably did not exceed 5 pounds. It is said to be the most important food-fish of
Havana, being always abundant. Its flesh is fairly flavored, though not very delicate, but always
healthful. About Key West it is found on rock bottom in 3 to 9 fathoms, and is caught with hook
and line. They are quite gamy, taking the hook promptly and fighting well. They are found
throughout the year, but are scarcest in July and August, which is their spawning time. They are
said to school at spawning time; the eggs are nonadhesive and the size of a rice grain.
In Porto Rico this species is highly esteemed. It is called “sama” or “pargo criollo.” It is
usually taken in the fish-traps set in 5 to 20 fathoms, though considerable numbers of the smaller
individuals are caught with the haul seines in shallow water along the shore.
Mesoprion analis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 452, 1828, Santo Domingo.
Mesoprion sobra Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 453, 1828, Martinique.
Mesoprion isodon Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 443, 1833, Santo Domingo.
Mesoprion rosaeeus Poey,.Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y., IX, 1870, 317, Cuba.
Imtjanus analis, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 330, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 76 and 162, 1883.
Neomoenis analis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1265, 1898.
130. Neomaenis megalophthalmus Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 2.67; depth 2.9; eye 4.75; snout 2.85; maxillary 2.6; mandible 2.1; interorbital 6.25;
preorbital 4.8; D. x, 12; A. iii, 8; scales 7-64—16, about 57 pores. Body oblong, compressed, back
greatly elevated, anterior profile very steep and nearly straight or slightly concave from tip of snout to
occiput, thence regularly convex to origin of dorsal fin; snout rather long and pointed; mouth large,
maxillary reaching anterior third of pupil; lower jaw somewhat projecting; eye large; edge of
preopercle nearly vertical, notch long and shallow, serrations obscure; teeth on vomer, palatines, and
tongue, those on vomer in an /t\-shaped patch
;
patch on tongue long and narrow, truncate in front,
narrowing behind; a narrow band of villiform teeth on upper jaw and 6 canines in front, one of these
on each side much smaller than others; a row of moderately strong conic teeth in lower jaw; 10 gill-
rakers on lower arm of first arch, longest about 2 in eye; scales moderate, those above lateral line
in very oblique series; 6 rows each on cheek and opercle; temporal region with a broad band of scales
arranged in several series; bases of soft dorsal and anal scaly; caudal well scaled; dorsal spines rather
slender and weak, fourth to seventh longest, about 3.25 in head; second and third anal spines equal in
length, second stronger, about equal to eye; caudal moderately forked, lobes equal, 1.6 in head; pectoral
long, 1.25 in head, reaching origin of anal; ventrals about 2 in head.
F. C. B. 1900—12
178 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Unfortunately, no life-color notes were taken of this species. In alcohol the type is olivaceous
o. grayish on back, with narrow pale-bluish lines following the rows of scales upward and backward;
body below lateral line yellowish-white, with about 3 broad indistinct bluish lines near middle of
side; a large black blotch, somewhat smaller than eye, just above lateral line and below first 4 dorsal
rays, this spot smaller and less conspicuous than in N. synagris) preorbital bluish with traces of 2 narrow
bronze lines running forward and downward from eye; fins all pale-lemon; iris yellow.
This species is related to N. synagris, but appears to differ in the larger eye, the greatly elevated
back, longer pectoral, and in coloration. In N. synagris the upper caudal lobe is usually the longer,
while in this species they are equal.
Type, No. 49531, U. S. N. M., 11.5 inches long, obtained at Puerto Real, Porto Rico, January 25,
1899, by Evermann & Marsh.
Fig. 48 .—Neomxnis megcilophthalmus.
131 . Neomsenis synagris (Linnaeus). “Manchego” ; “Mancheva” ; “Raiado” ; Lane Snapper.
(Plate 22.)
Head 2.65; depth 2.75 to 3; eye 4.5 to 5; snout 2.5 to 2.8; maxillary 2.4 to 2.7; mandible 2 to 2.2;
interorbital 5 to 5.75; preorbital 4.5 to 5; D. x, 12; A. m, 8; scales 7-64 to 68-15, about 50 pores.
Body oblong, compressed, the back moderately elevated, profile almost straight from snout to nape;
occipital keel little prominent; maxillary reaching front of orbit; upper jaw with a narrow band of
villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series of enlarged teeth; 4 (rarely 6) rather small canines
in front, 2 of them larger; lower jaw with villiform band in front only, single row of larger teeth nearly
equal in size, none of them canines; tongue with a single oval patch, its length more than twice its
width; vomer with a \ or shaped patch of teeth, without backward prolongation on median line,
or Avith only a very slight one. Gillrakers rather long, their length slightly more than half diameter
of eye, about 5 + 9, and usually no rudiments before them. Preopercle with its posterior margin
slanting downward and forward, the emargination broad and moderately deep; preopercle rather finely
serrate above, with coarser teeth at angle. Scales rather small, rows almost horizontal below lateral
line, above somewhat undulate, running upward and backward; tubes of lateral line simple; 6 toavs of
scales on the cheek, 1 toav on interopercle, 1 on subopercle, and 6 on opercle; temporal region with a
broad band of scales, arranged in several series; base of soft dorsal and anal scaly; dorsal spines rather
weak and slender, outline of fin gently convex; fourth spine longest, 2.66 in head, tenth spine 3.6 in
head; soft dorsal short, its margin somewhat angiilated, eighth ray longest, twice length of last ray and
1.5 first, 2.4 in head; caudal moderately forked, upper lobe the longer, 1.5 length of middle rays, which
are 2 in head; anal rather high, rounded in outline, its middle rays longest, 1.66 length of last ray, 2.57
in head, first ray reaching middle of last ray Avhen fin is depressed; second anal spine stronger than third
and of equal length, 3.66 in head; ventrals 1.75 in head; pectoral reaching front of anal, 1.25 in head.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 179
Color in life: Rose-colored, silvery-tinged below, slightly olivaceous but not dark above; a large,
round, maroon blotch, larger than eye, just above lateral line and below front of soft dorsal, always
present; series of stripes of deep golden-yellow along sides; 3 on head, upper from snout through eye;
about 10 on body, lower nearly straight and horizontal, upper undulating and irregular, extending
upward and backward; belly white, its sides largely yellowish; lips red; maxillary partly yellow;
tongue yellowish; iris fiery red; caudal deep blood-red; spinous dorsal nearly transparent, with a
marginal and basal band of golden; soft dorsal light-red, edged with golden; ventrals and anal golden;
pectoral pinkish. Young quite green above. Similarly striped Cuban specimens are generally duller,
with yellow stripes decidedly coppery. In spirits, the bright colors fade, only the lateral blotch and
the streaks on the head being persistent.
Two specimens, each 8 inches long, from the market at San Juan showed the following colors:
Bluish-olive on back, becoming paler on side; belly white; narrow irregular bars on back running
upward and backward; side with about 7 broad orange or brassy lines, 1 above lateral line, next 2
running into it, others wholly below it; a large round black blotch, as large as eye, between lateral
line and front of soft dorsal; dorsal edged with red; caudal reddish. Another specimen, 9 inches long,
from San Antonio Bridge was, in life, rich-rosy, with 8 or 9 narrow orange or brassy hues on side, 4
or 5 of which extend on head, fourth from below uniting with fifth just behind opercular flap; dorsal
pale-rosy, margined with lemon; caudal rosy, with a narrow black border; anal white on last rays,
lemon anteriorly; pectoral very pale-rosy; ventrals pale-lemon; lips somewhat rosy.
The lane snapper is found from southern Florida southward to Colon and Brazil, and is usually
abundant throughout its range. On the east coast of Florida it is known from Indian River and
Biscayne Bay, and on the west coast from Pensacola southward. It is abundant among the Florida
Keys, and is known from the Bahamas, Cuba, Maidinique, Jamaica, Santo Domingo, and Porto Rico.
Wherever known it is a food-fish of importance. Its maximum weight is about 4 pounds, though the
average of those brought to the Key West market is not over half a pound. The largest seen in Porto
Rico was 14 inches long and weighed about 2 pounds. Next to Neomxnis apodus, it is the most
abundant snapper in Porto Rico, and was obtained in the markets of San Juan, Mayaguez, and Ponce,
our collections containing specimens from the following localities: San Juan, Mayaguez, Puerto Real,
Ensenada del Boqueron, Fish Hawk station 6070 in Mayaguez Harbor in 220 fathoms, Ponce, Arroyo,
Hucares, Isabel Segunda, and Culebra.
Salpa purpurescens variegata (Lane Snapper) Catesby, Hist. Nat. Carolina, pi. 17, 1743, Bahamas.
Sparus synagris Linnseus, Syst. Nat., X, 280, 1758, Bahamas: after Catesby.
Sparus vermicularis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Iehth., 275, 1801, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Lutjanus aubrieti Desmarest, Prem. Dec. Ichth., 17, pi. 2, 1823, Cuba.
Mesoprion uninotatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 449, 1828, Santo Domingo; Martinique.
Neomxnis synagris, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1270, 1898.
132. Neomaenis mahogoni (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . “Ojanco”; Mahogany Snapper.
Head 2.5; depth 3; eye 3.75; snout 2.8; maxillary 2.3; mandible 1.9; interorbital 6; preorbital
6.5; D. x, 12; A. in, 8; scales 8-63-14, about 50 pores. Body elongate, strongly compressed, back some-
what elevated, profile almost straight or slightly concave from tip of snout to nape, thence gently
convex; snout rather slender and pointed; eye large; interorbital space somewhat convex; mouth large,
maxillary reaching front of pupil; lower jaw strongly projecting; upper jaw with a narrow band of
villiform teeth, outside of Which is a single series of enlarged but comparatively small teeth; 6 canines
on front of upper jaw, 2 of them small; lower jaw with a single series of rather uniform small teeth,
none of them canine-like; tongue with an oblanceolate patch of teeth, tapering behind, its length more
than twice its width; vomer with a broad, arrow-shaped patch of teeth, with backward prolongation
on median line. Gillrakers moderate, about 10 developed on lower limb of arch, and 3 or 4 rudimen-
tary ones; preopercle with its posterior margin almost vertical, broadly and rather deeply emarginate,
very weakly or scarcely serrate above, angle projecting backward and armed with several rather coarse
teeth, lower limb smooth. Scales rather small, those below lateral line somewhat larger, rows above
lateral line running obliquely upward and backward, those below in almost straight horizontal series;
cheek with 6 rows of scales, 1 row on interopercle, 1 on subopercle, and 7 on opercle; temporal region
with a band of small scales, before and behind which is a series of larger ones; top of head, snout, and
jaws naked; bases of soft dorsal and anal scaly. Dorsal spines rather weak and slender, outline of fin
rather strongly convex, fourth spine longest, 2.57 in head; tenth spine 4 in head; margin of soft dorsal
180 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
very gently convex, the first and last rays slightly shorter than rest of fin, median rays 3.33 in head;
caudal not deeply forked, upper lobe little longer than lower, its length 1.4 in middle rays, which are
2.12 in head, margin of anal little rounded, the middle rays 1.66 length of last ray, 3 in head, first ray
reaching almost to tip of last ray when fin is depressed; anal spines small, second as long as third and
stronger, 4.4 in head; ventrals 2.2 in head; pectoral scarcely reaching front of anal, 1.33 in head.
Color in life: Deep brown, silvery below, everywhere shaded with red, especially on head; eye
scarlet; a large blackish blotch on side, chiefly above lateral line and below first rays of soft dorsal;
maxillary yellow on the covered parts; narrow bronze streaks following rows of scales, these streaks
distinct, chiefly above the lateral line; dorsal fin pale, edged with blood-red; caudal deeply red; anal,
ventrals, and pectoral scarlet. Bright colors fade and disappear in spirits, leaving the back dark-gray,
lower parts silvery, more or less flushed with red.
An inhabitant of the West Indies; known from Cuba, Jamaica, Martinique, and Porto Rico; not
known to occur in Florida, but said to be not uncommon in the Havana markets, where it is called
“ojanco,” in allusion to the large eye. It was seen by us only at Ponce, where a single specimen, 9
inches long, was obtained. This species does not reach a large size.
Mesoprion mahogoni Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 447, 1828, Martinique.
Mesoprion ricardi Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 447, 1828, Martinique.
Mesoprion ojanco Poey, Memorias, II, 150, pi. 13, fig. 10, 1860, Cuba.
Lutjanus ojanco, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 321, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 76 and 162, 1883.
Neomaenis mahogoni
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1272, 1898.
Genus 78. OCYURUS Gill. Rabirubias.
This genus is allied to Neomsenis, from which it differs notably in the structure of the skull, espe-
cially in the forward extension of the fronto-occipital crest to the ethmoidal projection; prefrontals
with posterior areas short and excavated above and in front. The single species shows numerous
minor peculiarities, as the peculiar form of body, the large, well-forked caudal fin, and the small head,
as well as an increased number of gillrakers and the presence (in the adult) of pterygoid teeth.
133. Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch). “ Colirubia” ; Rabirubidj Yellow-tail.
(Plate 23.)
Head 3; depth 3; D. x, 13; A. in, 9; scales 7-65-15, 51 pores. Body elliptical, comparatively
elongate, back little elevated; profile straight from tip of snout to nape, thence rather strongly arched;
caudal peduncle long and slender; snout pointed, of a moderate length, 3 in head; eye small, 5 in
head; interorbital space very convex, with sharp median keel, 4 in head; preorbital narrow, its least
width 6.66 in head. Mouth small, oblique, lower jaw projecting; maxillary reaching very slightly
beyond front of orbit, 2.71 in head; upper jaw with narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which
is a single series of larger teeth, 5 or 6 of those in front being somewhat canine-like, but small; lower
jaw with a single series of moderately strong teeth, none of them large enough to be called canines;
tongue with a large, oval patch of teeth, in front of which is a smaller but similar patch; teeth on
vomer forming a broadly arrow-shaped patch, with backward prolongation on median line, which is
nearly twice width of patch; a narrow band of pterygoid teeth behind patch on vomer, this not
evident in young examples. Gillrakers rather long and slender, longest about half diameter of eye,
about 8 + 21, none of them rudimentary. Preopercle with its posterior margin almost vertical, with a
slight but distinct emargination above angle; serrations of the preopercle very feeble, teeth at angle
scarcely enlarged; nostrils well separated, posterior slit-like; scales small, those above the lateral line
arranged in very oblique series, those below in rows nearly horizontal; cheek with 5 or 6 rows of
scales, about 2 rows on interopercle
;
temporal region with 2 or 3 series of large scales, before and
behind which are many small scales; top of head, snout, and jaws naked; bases of soft dorsal and anal
scaly. Dorsal spines rather long and slender, fin not deeply emarginate, fifth spine longest, 2.4 in head;
tenth spine 3.75; soft dorsal and anal similar, their margins nearly straight, last rays slightly shortened,
median rays about 3 in head; caudal fin long, very deeply forked, upper lobe longest, three times as long
as middle rays, which are 2.5 in head; pectoral long and slender, reaching vent, 1.12 in head; ventrals
1.57 in head; anal spines rather weak, the third a third longer than second, 4 in head.
Color in life: Olivaceous above, rather pale, and somewhat violet-tinged; a number of large, irregu-
lar, deep yellow blotches on sides of back; a deep yellow stripe from tip of snout straight through eye
to caudal peduncle, there broadening and including all of tail above lateral line and behind dorsal fin;
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 181
above this a pearly-purplish area; below it a flesh-colored or rosy area or band, 2 scales broad, then a
succession of about 16 narrow streaks alternately flesh-colored and yellow, growing fainter progressively
below; yellow on edges of scales, reddish on their middles; iris fiery-red; lower parts of head flesh-color
with some yellow spots;- maxillary mostly yellow; caudal deep yellow, its edges reddish; dorsal chiefly
yellow; anal faintly yellow; ventrals and pectoral translucent.
In spirits, all markings fade, leaving fins yellowish, upper parts grayish, lower rosy-silvery.
Found from southern Florida to Brazil, generally abundant; known from Biscayne Bay, Key West,
Cuba, Martinique, St. Kitts, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Brazil; at Key West, where it is called “ yellow-
tail” or “ rabirubia,” it is even more abundant than the lane snapper, and is the principal fish served
at the Key West hotels and boarding-houses in the fall. It is said to be plentiful throughout the year
except during the winter, when unusual cold may drive them away. During the warmer weather
they are found at a depth of 2 fathoms or more, usually in about 5 fathoms, and generally about shoals
where there is some mud bottom. The spawning time in Florida is said to be in July, when they
are found about the reefs from Miami to the Tortugas.
In Porto Rico this fish is called “colirubia,” and is an abundant and important food species.
It was seen by us at most of the places visited, and specimens are in the collection from Mayaguez, San
Antonio Bridge, Puerto Real, Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, Arroyo, Hucares, Fajardo, Culebra, and
Isabel Segunda. Mr. Gray’s collection from San Geronimo also contains several.
This species attains a length of about 2 feet and a weight of 3 or 4 pounds or more, and is quite
gamy. The average weight of those seen at Key West was probably not over a pound. Those seen
in Porto Rico were somewhat larger. At Key West they are caught with hook, using sardine bait.
Acara pitamba, Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 155, 1648, Brazil.
Rabirubia
,
Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., pi. 20, fig. 1, 1787, Cuba.
Spams chrysurus Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 262, 1790, Brazil; after Marcgrave.
Anthias rabirubia Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 309, 1801, Cuba; after Parra.
Spams semiluna Lac£p6de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 141, 1803, Martinique; on a copy of a drawing by Plumier.
Mesoprinn aurovittatus Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Brasil., pi. 66, 1829, Brazil.
Ocyurus rijgersmod Cope, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. 1871, 468, St. Kitts.
Ocyurus Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 321, 1881.
Ocyurus chrysurus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1275, 1898.
Genus 79. RHOMBOPLITES Gill.
This genus is closely allied to Neomxnis, but cranial peculiarities and extension of villiform teeth
over pterygoid and hyoid bones well warrant generic separation. Form of vomerine patch of teeth
is also somewhat peculiar. Prefrontals with articular facets developed from simple tubercles and
not V-shaped, posterior areas cribriform; basisphenoid not lobigerous; pterygoid with a broad patch
of teeth (in adult); hyoid bones and tongue with teeth; canines very small or obsolete; dorsal spines
12, soft rays 10 or 11; gillrakers slender and numerous. But one species known.
134. Rhomboplites aurorubens (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Cagon cle lo Alto.
Head 3; depth 3; eye 3.4; snout 3.9; maxillary 2.7; mandible 2.2; interorbital 4; preorbital 8.5;
D. xii, 11; A. hi, 8; scales 8-68-16, about 50 pores. Body elongate, irregularly elliptical, the back
not greatly elevated, highest at nape; profile regularly and strongly con'vex from above eye to spinous
dorsal; snout rather short and bluntish, its upper profile straight and steep; eye very large; inter-
orbital space very convex; preorbital narrow; mouth small, oblique, lower jaw somewhat projecting;
maxillary scaleless, reaching front of orbit; upper jaw with a broad band of villiform teeth, outside
of which is a row of enlarged, but comparatively small teeth; no canines; lower jaw- with one series
somewhat stronger than outer teeth of upper jaw; inside of these is a rather broad villiform band of
teeth in front of jaw only; tongue with a very broad irregularly ovate patch of teeth, its width almost
as great as width of tongue, 1.5 in its length; in front of this patch is a large roundish patch of teeth;
an oblong patch of teeth on hyoid bone; vomer, with a rhomboid (O-shaped) patch of teeth, forming
almost a right angle in front, with a broadly wedge-shaped backward prolongation on median line, its
length about twice its width; palatine band of teeth very wide; pterygoids with a large patch of teeth,
these teeth undeveloped and covered by skin in young examples. Gillrakers numerous, longest about
half diameter of eye, about 6 + 21. Preopercle with posterior margin almost straight and vertical,
slightly emarginate, weakly serrate above, teeth coarser at angle and on lower border; posterior nostril
larger, nearly round.
182 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Scales very small, rows above lateral line running upward and backward, rows below rather
wavy, almost horizontal; temporal region covered with small partially embedded scales, in 4 or 5
rows; cheek with 7 rows of scales; 4 rows on interopercle, 3 rows on subopercle, and 7 on opercle;
snout, preorbital, and jaws naked; top of head scaly to near middle of eye; -soft dorsal and anal with
but few scales at base. Dorsal spines long and slender, fourth spine longest, 2.9 in head, length of
spines thence gradually decreasing to twelfth spine, which is 3.33 in head; margin of soft dorsal truncate,
its rays of subequal length, 4.5 in head; last ray slightly shorter; caudal deeply forked, upper lobe
longer than lower, its length 1.75 times middle rays, which are 2 in head; upper lobe of caudal 1.25
in head; anal similar to soft dorsal, its rays 3.4 in head; second anal spine shorter than third, 5 in
head; ventrals 2 in head; pectoral somewhat falcate, reaching opposite vent, 1.4 in head.
Color in life: Vermilion, paler below; faint brown lines running obliquely forward and downward
from dorsal along rows of scales; side with narrow sinuous streaks of golden-yellow, some of them
longitudinal, others oblique; dorsal rosy, its margin chiefly orange; anal pale at base, rosy at extremity;
pectoral yellowish, ventrals rosy, caudal and iris vermilion; inside of mouth dusky.
The bright colors grow faint or disappear in spirits.
Fig. 49 .—-Rhomboplites aurorubens.
Charleston and Pensacola, south to Brazil; known from Pensacola, the “Snapper Banks,” Cuba,
Martinique, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Brazil. Only a single specimen, 6 inches long,
was obtained in Porto Rico. The species reaches a length of a foot and is a good food-fish.
Centropristis aurorubens Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 45, 1829, Brazil; Martinique; Santo Domingo.
Mesoprion elegans Poey, Memorias, II, 153, 1860, Cuba.
Aprion ariommus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1883, 142, Pensacola; young with pterygoid teeth undeveloped.
Rhomboplites aurorubens, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1277, 1898.
Genus 80. ETELIS Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Body elongate, covered with large scales; eye very large; preorbital very narrow; mouth moderate,
lower jaw projecting; canines in upper jaw only; no teeth on tongue or pterygoids; gillrakers long and
slender. Dorsal fin deeply notched, rather short, its spines 10 in number, its soft rays not scaly;
caudal very deeply forked; head naked above, skull with interorbital area flat, separated from occipital
area by a transverse line, limiting median and lateral crests also; frontals wide in front, not cavernous,
simply normally perforate; supraorbital margins crenate; periotic region little convex and with bones
thick, unpolished; prefrontals behind, with funnel-shaped foramina.
The relationships of this interesting genus have been repeatedly misunderstood, but it belongs
in the Lutianidx and it has no special affinity with Anihias, Perea
,
or Serranus. Its synonymy and
relations have been well discussed by Dr. Gill. In spite of the difference in form of dorsal, its relations
with Aprion are very close. The skulls in the two are almost identical, as has been pointed out by
Gill and by Poey. Two American species are known.
a. Maxillary scaly; depth 3.5 or more in length oculatus, 135
aa. Maxillary naked; depth less than 3 in length aquilonaris
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 183
135. Etelis oculatus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “ Cachucho
Head 3.5; depth 3.8; eye 3.4; snout 3.1; maxillary 2.1 ; mandible 1.7; interorbital 3.8; D. x, 11;
A. in, 8; pectoral 1.1; ventral 1.5; caudal 0.8; scales 5-51-11. Body elongate, fusiform, not greatly
compressed, caudal peduncle rather long and slender; scales large, regular, minutely ctenoid; top of
head above eyes broad and flat, naked, skin somewhat rugose; top of head back of eyes with 2 lateral
patches of scales, separated from those of body by a groove; cheek and opercles scaly, save preopercle,
which is naked, its edge finely toothed; opercle ending in 2 weak, flat spines; eye very large; lower
jaw projecting, maxillary reaching past front of pupil; teeth of up>per jaw in a villiform band with an
outer enlarged row and 1 or 2 pairs of strong forward-pointing canines in front; lower jaw with a row
of conical teeth on sides, villiform ones in front, without distinct canines; vomer with villiform teeth,
palatines with a row of stronger conical ones; ventral accessory scale not well developed; dorsal deeply
notched; caudal scaly, widely forked.
Color: In life, bright-red nearly everywhere; in spirits, pale, the red nowhere persisting.
A handsome, edible species. Length 2 to 3 feet. West Indies to Madeira; not yet known from
Florida; in rather deep water; generally common on rocky bottom.
One specimen, nearly 2 feet long, taken at Mayaguez.
Serranus oculatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., It, 266, 1828, Martinique.
Etelis oculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1282, 1898.
Eig. 50 .—Etelis oculatus.
Family XLV. HJEMULIDiE. The Grunters.
Body oblong, or more or less elevated, covered with moderate-sized, adherent scales, which are
more or less strongly ctenoid or almost cycloid; lateral line well developed, concurrent with back,
usually not extending on caudal fin; head large, crests on skull usually largely developed; no suborbital
stay; mouth large or small, usually terminal, low, and horizontal; premaxillaries protractile, their
spines not greatly produced backward; maxillary without supplemental bone, for most of its length
slipping under edge of preorbital, which forms a more or less distinct sheath; preorbital usually broad;
no barbels; teeth all pointed, none of them forming marked canines; no teeth on vomer, palatines, and
tongue; lower pharyngeals separate, with pointed teeth; gills 4, a large slit behind fourth; pseudo-
branchiae large; gillrakers moderate; gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus; preopercle serrate or
entire; opercle without spines; sides of head usually scaly; dorsal fin single, continuous or deeply
notched, sometimes divided into 2 fins, spines usually strong, depressible in a groove, heteracanthous,
that is, alternating, one stronger on right side, other on left, usually 10 to 12 in number; anal fin similar
to soft dorsal, with 3 spines; ventral fins thoracic, rays i, 5, with a more or less distinct scale-like
appendage at base; caudal fin usually more or less concave behind; air-bladder present, usually simple;
stomach csecal; pyloric caeca few; vertebrae usually 10 + 14=24. Branchiostegals usually 6 or 7.
Cranium with its muciferous system moderately developed or rudimentary. Intestinal canal short.
Carnivorous fishes of the wrarm seas, most of them valued as food. The family includes about 15
genera and nearly 150 species. It is very close to the Luiianidx on the one hand and to the Sparidx on
the other, while some of its members show affinities with some Sdsenidee and Serranidx.
184 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
a. Chin with a central groove behind the symphysis of the lower jaw.
b. Mouth more or less wide, the jaws scarlet posteriorly in life; soft parts of vertical fins densely scaly to their margins.
c. Scales above lateral line arranged in very oblique series, not parallel with the lateral line.
d. Jaws subequal, or the lower included; mouth little oblique; gillrakers comparatively few and short.
e. Dorsal spines 12, rarely 11; scales large; gillrakers few and small (10 to 14 on lower part of anterior arch); frontal
foramen a single or divided slit at the base of the high supraoccipital crest in front.
/. Mouth moderate or large, its cleft more than one-third length of head; back more or less elevated; second anal spine
strong, notably longer than third Hsemulon, 81
ff. Mouth small, its cleft less than one-third length of head; body rather elongate; second anal spine small; back and
sides with longitudinal yellow stripes; teeth weak; gillrakers rather few and small; snout very short, 2.66 in
head; frontal foramina separate and placed some distance in front of the very low supraoccipital crest;
premaxillary spine very short, 4.25 in head Brachygenys
ee. Dorsal spines 13; anal fin low; preorbital low; gillrakers in moderate or rather large numbers, 12 to 18 on lower
part of arch; lower jaw not projecting; mouth little oblique; body comparatively elongate, the depth 2.75 to
3.5 in length; body with longitudinal yellowish stripes; scales rather small; frontal foramina long divided slits
in front of supraoccipital crest; size small Bathystoma, 82
bb. Mouth more or less narrow, not scarlet within; soft fins naked or with scales on their basal parts.
g. Anal fin short, its rays in, 7, to in, 10; dorsal fin more or less emarginate, its spines rather robust.
h. Body ovate, back elevated; depth greater than length of head; outer teeth of upper jaw enlarged; lips thick;
second anal spine strong; soft rays of dorsal and anal scaly at base Anisotremus, 83
hh. Body oblong, depth usually less than length of head; lips not very thick; scales large, those above lateral line in
series mostly parallel with lateral line.
i. Preopercle very sharply serrate, serrae at angle much enlarged, those below angle turned forward; outer teeth in
both jaws considerably enlarged; soft rays of dorsal and anal more or less scaly; second anal spine enlarged.
Conodon, 84
ii. Preopercle finely serrate, serrae at angle scarcely enlarged, those below not antrorse; teeth subequal, or outer in
upper jaw somewhat enlarged; gillrakers very short and weak.
j. Soft part of dorsal and anal with series of small scales on membranes behind each ray; anal spines small or
moderate, second little, if any, longer or stronger than third; body oblong, not elevated; scales above lateral
line parallel with back; dorsal spines 12, soft rays 15 or 16; outer teeth of upper jaw slightly enlarged.
Brachydeuterus, 85
jj. Soft parts of dorsal and anal scaleless, except a low sheath at base; anal spines strong, second much longer and
stronger than third; dorsal spines 12 or 13, the soft rays 11 to 14 Pomadasis, 86
gg. Anal fin long and low, its rays hi, 10, to ill, 13; dorsal fin low, usually not deeply emarginate; anal spines small;
preopercle finely serrate or entire; outer teeth of jaws slightly enlarged; gillrakers moderate, rather slender.
k. Dorsal spines 12 or 13.
l. Seales of body without series of small accessory scales at base; soft dorsal and anal naked or somewhat scaly;
mouth small; temporal crest, which rises from behind eye, very low and inconspicuous, upper edge below
base of high supraoccipital crest, which originates over pupil Orthopristis.
aa. Chin with pores, but with no central groove at symphysis; preopercle finely serrate.
to. Anterior profile concave above eye; snout gibbous; outer teeth in both jaws enlarged and blunt (appearance of
Anisotremus)
;
gillrakers small and slender; anal fin rather long, soft dorsal and anal scaleless.-GENYATREMUS.
Genus 81. HIEMULON Cuvier. The Grunts.
Body oblong, usually more or less elevated; mouth wide, maxillary long and curved, reaching
to below eye, its tip extending to posterior end of preorbital; chin with a central groove behind
symphysis; lower jaw included; gillrakers moderate; no teeth on vomer or palatines; teeth of jaws
conical, outer series stronger, curved; lips and inside of mouth posteriorly commonly bright-red or
scarlet in life; preopercle serrate, with no recurved hooks below; soft part of vertical fins completely
covered with scales; scales above lateral line in series not parallel with it; a marked angle formed
at junction of spinous and soft parts of dorsal; dorsal spines 12 or 11; second anal spine enlarged,
generally larger and longer than third; caudal forked.
There are 12 or 13 species of Hsemulon, all of them American and all important food-fishes.
They are of fair size, the flesh is firm and sweet, and they find a ready sale.
All the species have more or less of orange on inside of mouth, a trait of coloration not found in
Pomadasis. The amount of redness is greatest in those species having the largest mouth. The young
differ in proportion considerably from the adults. Besides the changes usual in other fishes, we may
observe that in Hsemulon the young have the snout proportionately much shorter, so that the maxillary,
although also much shorter in proportion, extends further back in Comparison with the eye. Nearly all
the species have, when young, at least two more or less sharply defined, dark, longitudinal stripes along
the side, one or more along the top of the head, and a dark spot at the base of caudal. These markings
persist longer in some species than in others, but traces of them at least may be found in the young of
nearly all the species of Hsemulon and Pomadasis. In a few species these markings persist during life.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO, 185
a. Scales below lateral line anteriorly not especially enlarged.
b. Scales above lateral line anteriorly not much enlarged.
c. Maxillary 2.33 to 2.75 in head, not reaching center of eye (in adult).
d. Back and sides without yellow or blue stripes; -each scale above with a median blackish spot, these forming
undulating lines (spots rarely obsolete in adult, obscure or wanting in young) : maxillary 2.5 to 2.75 in head.
e. Seales in a vertical row from first dorsal spine to lateral line, 7 or 8 (9 in oblique series)
.
/. Mouth rather small, maxillary scarcely reaching to front of eye; back elevated; preorbital very deep, its least
breadth greater than length of eye in adult, 4.12 to 4.66 in head in young; second anal spine not reaching to tip
of last ray; snout long and pointed, 2.25 to 2.75 in head.
g. Sides without dark bars; head unspotted; dorsal spines graduated; second anal spine, when depressed, reaching
beyond tip of last spine album, 136
ff. Mouth rather large, maxillary reaching front of pupil ; back little elevated; preorbital rather narrow, its least width
5 in head; second anal spine reaching tip of last ray; snout rather long and pointed, 2.33 in head; back and
sides with 4 or 5 black longitudinal streaks, which disappear only in very old examples macrostomum, 137
ee. Scales in a vertical row from first dorsal spine to lateral line, 5 or 6.
h. Series of scales from scapular scale extending backward to front of soft dorsal; snout rather long and pointed;
mouth small; maxillary 2.75 to 3 in head; pectoral fin long, three-fourths length of head; black spots on sides
coalescing in continuous stripes bonariense, 138
hh. Series of scales from scapular scale not extending farther backward than the middle of spinous dorsal; snout
shorter, not very acute; mouth larger, the maxillary about 2.5 in head; premaxillary processes about 3 in
head; dark spots on scales not coalescent.
i. Depth of body about 2.66 in length; pectoral fin short, less than two-thirds length of head; scales above lateral line
scarcely enlarged. Head 3; depth 2.66; scales 6-50-14; D. xir, 17; A. m, 7 parra, 139
dd. Back and sides with distinct horizontal yellow stripes, fading but not disappearing in spirits; no black spots any-
where; maxillary 2.33 in head, reaching front of pupil carbonarium, 140
cc. Maxillary nearly or quite half length of head, reaching center of eye in adult; no black spots or stripes anywhere
in adult (except under angle of preopercle)
.
j.
Back and sides with continuous yellow stripes, which are horizontal and do not everywhere follow the direction
of the rows of scales; ground-color bluish-gray; back with a well-defined blackish area from first dorsal spine
to base of caudal, this color covering most of soft dorsal and middle of caudal lobes; body rather elongate;
snout moderate; second anal spine 2.75 in head. Head 3 melanurum
jj. Back and sides of head and body with continuous blue stripes, horizontal and not everywhere following rows of
scales; ground-color bright-yellow; second anal spine 2.5 in head. Head 2.75 sciurus, 141
bb. Scales above lateral line anteriorly much larger than other scales plumieri, 142
aa. Scales below lateral line anteriorly much enlarged; head, back, and sides with continuous bright-yellow stripes,
those below following direction of scales, and therefore extremely undulating for most part.
.
flavolineatum, 143
136. Heemulon album Cuvier & Valenciennes. “Vieja”; Jallao; Margate-fish; Margaret Grunt.
(Plate 24.)
Head 2.7; depth 2.5; eye 6; snout 2.3; maxillary 2.5; interorbital 4; preorbital 4.4; scales
8-51-16; D. xii, 16; A. iii, 8; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.8. Body comparatively deep, back elevated and
compressed; anterior profile nearly straight, very slightly concave above eye; snout long and pointed
;
maxillary reaching front of eye; lower jaw included; teeth not large, those on sides of lower jaw more
numerous and weaker than in II. sciurus or II. plumieri; interorbital space convex; preopercle finely
serrate above angle; scales moderate, none of them much enlarged, in oblique series above lateral line,
nearly horizontal below; soft fins scaly; dorsal spines moderate, fourth highest, 2.4 in head; caudal
lobes subequal, 1.4 in head; second anal spine stronger and slightly longer than third, 3 in head.
Color in life, of adults: Pearly-white or rich olivaceous, especially above, where a few scales have
very faint, dark spots at their bases; still fainter spots visible along scales of lower part of side;
mouth orange within; lips and a faint blotch on each side of snout light yellow; a dusky shade under
edge of preopercle (much more distinct in young); fins all light olive; soft dorsal somewhat dusky;
head without stripes or spots. Young more distinctly spotted, spots small, round, blackish, each with
a pearly edge; one under each scale of back and sides very distinct when the fish is alive, or after its
scales are removed, but disappearing almost entirely with death. In life, a broad, dusky lateral band
is also present, disappearing with death.
Found from Florida Keys to Brazil; known from Key West, Bahamas, Havana, Jamaica, Porto
Rico, and St. Thomas; specimens obtained by us at Isabel Segunda.
The margate-fish is a common and important species at Key West. It reaches a weight of
8 or 10 pounds, the average being about 4 to 6 pounds. It is found in deep water, most abundantly
on the reefs. It spawns early in summer, probably in July, on rock bottom, at which time it is
186 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
said to school. One intelligent fisherman says, however, that it does not school at Key West, though
it does in the Bahamas. It is generally found on rock or barry bottom, around shoals. At night it
comes into more shallow water to feed—crabs, crawfish, worms, etc., constituting the bulk of its food.
The bait used for it is crawfish or crabs. Cold is said not to affect this fish to any great extent. It
does not appear to be very common about Porto Rico, but is highly esteemed. The largest obtained
by us was 8.75 inches long.
The origin of the common name of the “ margate-fish ” is not generally understood. It appears,
however, to have been derived from Margate, a well-known seaport and watering-place in England.
Some of the fishermen of the Bahamas came originally from Margate and applied the name to one of
the fishes which they found in the Bahamas. Many of these fishermen (Conchs) have come to Key
West and brought the name with them. The name Margate is, at Key West, sometimes corrupted into
“Margat” and “Margaret,” while in Biscayne Bay it is “Margat.,” “Market,” or “Margarite.”
Perea marina gibbosa (Margate-fish), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolinas, etc.,‘2, pi. 2, 1742, Bahamas.
Hsemulon album Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 241,1830, St. Thomas; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1296, 1898.
Fig. 51 .—Itxmulnn macrostomum.
137. Hsemulon macrostomum Gunther. G'ray Grunt; Striped Grunt; “Corocorn."
Plead 2.75 to 2.8; depth 2.9; eye 4.33 to 5; snout 2.33; maxillary 2; interorbital 3.6; preorbital
about 5; D. xu, 16; A. iii, 8; scales 9-53-12; pectoral 1.4 in head; ventral 1.75 to 1.8. Body deep,
compressed, back elevated in adult, profile nearly straight from tip of snout to occiput, thence gently
curved to origin of dorsal; ventral outline straight; snout long and pointed, jaws subequal; mouth
large, nearly horizontal, maxillary reaching middle of pupil. Teeth moderate, outer row in upper
jaw and posterior teeth in both jaws considerably enlarged; preopercle finely serrate; gillrakers
moderate; scales moderate, those above lateral line not enlarged, those below slightly enlarged on
anterior part of body; scales above arranged in very oblique series, those below oblique anteriorly,
becoming horizontal posteriorly. Dorsal spines strong, longest about 2.4 in head; soft dorsal high,
longest rays 3 in head; caudal lobes subequal, lobes 1.5 in head; anal spines strong, second longest
and strongest, 2.8 in head, not reaching past tip of last soft rays when depressed; soft anal high, its free
edge concave, longest rays 2.5 in head and reaching beyond tips of last rays when depressed; caudal
and soft parts of dorsal and anal densely and finely scaled; pectorals and ventrals with a few fine scales.
Color in life: Body dirty-silvery with about nine dark longitudinal streaks, plainest in young; a
median strijDe from snout to origin of dorsal; first and second lateral stripes extend from above eye to
posterior end of soft dorsal, third begins on upper rim of orbit and extends to vertical of posterior end
of soft dorsal where it joins fifth line; fourth line, which is usually indistinct, begins at eye, extends
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 187
across opercle, and finally disappears on middle of side; fifth extends from eye along middle of side,
crossing lateral line, where it is joined by third, then extending on caudal peduncle above lateral line
to base of caudal fin; the remaining lines are on lower part of side and are more or less broken and
irregular; head dark grayish-purple; an inky-black spot on iuner lower edge of opercle; lower jaw
flesh-color, with numerous fine dark specks; dorsal, caudal, anal, and pectoral yellow, with dusky
wash on bases; ventrals dark; inside of mouth flesh-color. In larger individuals the dark streaks persist,
but are less distinct.
Found in the waters of southern Florida and West Indies; known from Clearwater Harbor, Key
West, Florida Keys, Indian River Inlet, Jamaica, St. Thomas, and Porto Rico. Probably not common
in Porto Rico, as we obtained specimens only at San Juan and Arroyo. The largest of these was 10.5
inches long. The life-colors in the above description were taken from a specimen 6.5 inches long,
obtained at Arroyo.
Hsemulon macrostoma Gunther, Cat., 1, 308, 1859, Jamaica.
IlsemMlonfremebundum Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1879, 340, Clearwater Harbor, Florida.
Hsemulon macrostomum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1296, 1898.
138 . Hsemulon bonariense Cuvier & Valenciennes. “Ronco Prieto” ; “Arrayado” ; Black Grunt.
Head 2.8; depth 2.6; scales 5-44—10; D. xii, 16; A. nr, 8. Body oblong, compressed, the
back considerably elevated; head rather long; snout pointed, rather longer and sharper than in II.
parra, anterior profile straight, or a little concave before eyes. Snout 2.66 in head (in young of 9
inches). Mouth rather small, smaller than in II. parra
,
maxillary barely reaching front of eye, its
length 3 in head. Teeth of moderate size, outer and posterior somewhat enlarged. Eye moderate,
4.66 in head; interorbital space flattish, its width 4.25 in head; preorbital moderate, its least width
4.8 in head; preopercle moderately serrate,. Gillrakers few and small, about 12 on lower part of arch.
Scales larger than in II. parra or any other of the genus, those above and below lateral line about
equal in size, those above arranged in series which are less oblique and more undulating than in
related species, the series from scapular scale following direction of lateral line for about 10 scales, then
turning abruptly, reaching base of last dorsal spine, or sometimes anterior part of soft dorsal; soft fins
scaly as usual. Dorsal spines of moderate strength, fourth 2.6 in head; longest ray of soft dorsal 4 in
head; caudal 1.66 in head; anal high, second spine and longest rays extending, when depressed, well
beyond tip of last ray; longest soft ray 2.75 in head; second spine longer and stronger than third, 2.66
in head; pectorals long, 1.33 in head; ventrals 1.75.
Color in spirits, pearly-gray; center of each scale brownish-black, these coalescing and forming
very sharply defined continuous undulating stripes; about 16 of these between front of dorsal and front
of anal; sixth extending from scapular scale to last dorsal spine; base of caudal blackish; fins dusky.
This species is found in the West Indies south to Buenos Ayres; not very common. It is not
common about Porto Rico, only 2 specimens being obtained, both in San Juan market. It reaches the
length of a foot or less, and is of some value as a food-fish.
Hsemulon canna Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 233, 1830, Martinique; not of Agassiz, 1829.
Iixmulon bonariense Cuv. & VaL, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 254, 1830, Buenos Ayres: Jordan & Evermann. 1. o., 1297, 1898
Hsemulon notatum Poey, Memorias, II, 179, 1860, Cuba.
Iixmulon retrocurrens Poey, Repertorio, II, 236, 1868, Cuba.
Iixmulon continuum Poey, Enum., 46, 1875, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 325, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 77 and 163, 1883.
139 . Haemulon parra (Desmarest). “Arrayado” ; “Ronco” ; Sailor’s Choice.
Head 3; depth 3; eye 4.4; snout 2.4; interorbital 4; preorbital 4.8; D. xii, 17; A. iii, 8; scales
C-54-12; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.8. Body comparatively deep, back compressed and arched; anterior
profile rather steep and convex, nearly straight from tip of snout to opposite front of eye, from
which point to origin of dorsal fin, it is gently and regularly arched
;
back from origin of dorsal to
caudal peduncle a uniform long curve; ventral line of body from tip of lower jaw to anal fin nearly
straight; caudal peduncle compressed, its narrowest width 3 in its least depth. Mouth moderate but
slightly oblique, gape 3 in head; lower jaw slightly shorter; maxillary reaching somewhat past front
of eye. Teeth small, in villiform bands, those of outer series on sides of lower jaw somewhat enlarged;
no antrorse teeth. Interorbital space convex; preopercle scarcely roughened, wholly without serra-
188 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
tions; gillrakers short and not very stout, about 15 on lower arm of arch. Squamation very complete,
all soft fins densely and finely scaled; scales of body rather large, those above lateral line somewhat
enlarged anteriorly, running in very oblique series, series from humeral scale terminating under eighth
dorsal spine; scales below lateral line in more nearly horizontal series, those on anterior part of body
somewhat enlarged; lateral line arched, approximately parallel to dorsal outline, hut very gently
approaching it posteriorly. Dorsal spines strong, fourth to sixth longest, fin, when depressed, being
inclosed in a groove by the sheathing scales; first anal spine quite small, second large and strong, much
stronger but scarcely longer than third, their points not reaching tips of last soft rays when depressed
;
free end of soft anal slightly emarginate; caudal lobes subequal, their length about 1.66 in head;
pectoral rather short and broad, reaching slightly past tips of ventrals; ventrals short, their tips
acutely rounded.
Color in spirits, dark-brown; center of each scale on upper parts of body dark-brown surrounded
by silvery, free edge of scale paler or purplish-brown; lower part of side and under parts more silvery,
but with numerous fine dark punctulations everywhere; head dark; fins all dark.
The range of this fish extends from southern Florida through the West Indies to Brazil; it is
recorded from the Tortugas, Key West, Cards Sound, Marco, Lemon Bay, and Biscayne Bay in Florida,
and from Havana, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Brazil. It is abundant about Key West. It collects into
schools in July and August, at which time it spawns on rocky bottom. It reaches a weight of 2 pounds,
Fig. 52.—Hxmulon parra.
the average being about, half a pound, and is a valuable food-fish. The best fishing for this species is
in summer. The single specimen obtained in Porto Rico is from Puerto Real, and is 10.5 inches long.
It is probably not uncommon at the west end of the island.
Diabasis parra Desmarest, Prem. DCc. Ichth. , 30, pi. 2, fig. 2, 1823, Havana.
Hxmulon caudimacula Cuvier, R6gne Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 176, 1829, Brazil ; Havana.
Hxmulon chromis Broussonet MS. in Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 242, 1830, Jamaica.
Hxmulon acutum Poey, Memorias, II, 180, 1860, Cuba.
Hxmulon serratum Poey, Memorias, II, 181, 1860, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 325, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Hxmulon albidum Poey, Memorias, II, 181, 1860, Cuba.
Hxmulon parra, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1297, 1898.
140. Haemulon carbonarium Poey. Ronco Carbonero.
Head 3; depth 2.8; eye large, 3.66 in head; D. xn, 16; A. in, 8; scales 7-55-14. Body oblong;
back not greatly elevated, profile nearly straight or slightly convex from tip of snout to above eye,
thence gibbous to front of dorsal; snout short, moderately pointed, its length 3.16 in head; mouth
not very large; gape somewhat curved; maxillary extending nearly or quite to front of pupil, its
length 2.5 in head; lower jaw rather included. Teeth strong, much as in H. sciurus, but a little
shorter. Interorbital space flattish, 4 in head; preorbital moderate, its least breadth 6 in head; pre-
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 189
orbital finely but rather sharply serrate; gillrakers small, 9+ 14. Scales moderate, those below lateral
line anteriorly moderately enlarged, their series nearly horizontal; series above lateral line very
oblique. Dorsal spines slender and high, the fourth 1.87 in head; longest soft rays 3.5; upper caudal
lobe a little longer than lower, 1.2 in head; longest anal rays 2.2 in head, their tips when depressed
reaching beyond tip of last ray; second anal spine strong, 2 in head, its tip reaching when depressed
about to tip of last soft ray; ventrals 1.5 in head; pectoral 1.3.
Color in life, light bluish-gray, much as in II. plumieri; body with 7 oi 8 deep brassy-yellow
stripes which are horizontal above, those below lateral line a little curved, following the rows of scales;
stripes narrower than interspaces of ground-color; 3 stripes above lateral line, 3 or 4 below, the latter
paler; little black under angle of preopercle; caudal blackish-yellowish at tip; soft dorsal, anal, and
ventrals yellowish-gray, distal portion blackish; spinous dorsal bluish, deep yellow at base and edge;
yellowish stripe along middle of fin; pectoral plain, yellowish bar across its base; mouth deep red,
its angle dusky. In spirits, grayish, more or less shaded with dusky, the stripes rather faint
orange-brown.
West Indies and the Bermudas, south to Brazil; very common at Havana. Length about 10
inches. One 8 inches long in Mr. Gray’s collection from San Geronimo; not seen by us in Porto Rico.
Hsemulon carbonarium Poey, Memorias, 11,176, 1860, Cuba; Jordan <& Evermann, 1. c., 1300,1898.
141. Hsemulon sciurus (Shaw). “Ronco Amarillo” ; Boca Colorado; u Cachicata” ; Yellow Grunt.
Head 2.66 to 2.83; depth 2.83 to 3; eye 4 to 4.75; snout 2.25 to 2.33; maxillary 2 to 2.1; interorb-
ital 3.5 to 4.33; preorbital 6; D. xii, 16; A. in, 8; scales 9-50 to 53-13 or 14; pectoral 1.5 to 1.43;
ventral 1.75 to 1.86. Body oblong, back regularly and gently elevated, ventral outline nearly straight;
snout rather long and pointed; mouth large, gape curved, maxillary usually reaching to vertical of
front of pupil; lower jaw slightly included; teeth strong, upper jaw in front with about 3 strong
canines on each side; front teeth of lower jaw rather strong; antrorse teeth of back part of each jaw
rather strong. Scales moderate, those above lateral line not enlarged anteriorly, arranged in oblique
series, those below slightly larger anteriorly, arranged in nearly horizontal series; lateral line gently
arched in front. Dorsal spines moderate, fourth longest, about 2.5 in head; longest ray of soft dorsal
about 4 in head; second anal spine strongest and somewhat longer than third, but not reaching tips
of last soft rays when depressed; upper caudal lobe somewhat the longer; soft parts of dorsal, anal,
and caudal densely scaled; pectoral and ventral less fully scaled; preopercle finely serrate; gillrakers
short and slender, about 17 below angle of first arch.
General color in life; Yellowish, side with about 10 broad, brassy bands alternating with
somewhat narrower pale-blue bands, fourth of which runs forward across upper edge of orbit, crosses
forehead and joins its fellow from other side; cheek and snout with similar blue lines, the one on
190 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
middle of cheek forking below eye and inclosing an oblong area of ground-color; spinous dorsal
pale-yellowish olive, bordered with orange; soft dorsal rusty-olivaceous, with orange border; caudal
dusky at base, yellowish-olive on outer third; anal, greenish-yellow; pectoral and ventral, rusty-lemon
or light-yellow; inside of mouth, except tips of jaws, blood-red.
The yellow grunt reaches a length of 18 inches and a weight of a pound or less and is a common
and important food-fish from the Florida Keys to Brazil. It appears to be generally abundant about
Porto Rico and was observed at most of the places visited. There are specimens in the collection
from San Juan, Arroyo, Vieques Island, Culebra Island, Fajardo, Guanica, Puerto Real, and Ensenada
del Boqueron; taken by Mr. Gray at San Geronimo. It has previously been recorded from Biscayne
Bay, the Tortugas, Key West, and others of the Florida Keys, Cuba, Aspinwall, Bahia, and Jamaica.
At Key West this fish is known as “boar grunt” and is very plentiful, usually in schools on
rock bottom. A Key West fisherman reports that he has often caught 500 to 600 in a single day;
the best fishing is in August. The best bait is a long worm which the fishermen get from the stem of
a tall grass which grows on the bars. Nothing could be learned concerning its spawning habits,
except that it probably spawns in August. Cold is said to affect this species seriously.
Antliias formosus Bloch, Ichth., pi. 323, 1790, Antilles; not Perea formosa Linnseus, with which it has been identified;
the latter is Diplectrum formosum.
Spams sciurus Shaw, General Zoology, IV, pi. 64, 1803, Antilles; based on the description and figure of Bloch.
Hxmulon elegans Cuvier, R£gne Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 175, 1829; no description; based on Bloch’s figure.
? Diabasis obliquatus Bennett, Zool. Journ. London, V, 1835, 90, Jamaica.
? Hxmulon similis Castelnau, Anim. Nou. et Rares, II, 1855, Bahia.
Hxmulon luteurn Poey, Memorias, II, 174, 1860, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena,325, 1881; Stahl, l.o., 77 and 163,1883. •
Hsemulon multilineatum Poey
,
Memorias, II, 178, 1860, Cuba; Stahl, 1. c., 163, 1883.
Hxmulon hians Haly, Ann. Nat. Hist., XV, 1875, 26S, Aspinwall.
Hxmulon sciurus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1303, 1898.
142. Haemulon plumieri (Laeepede).
“ Cachicata” ; “Boca Colorado” ; Ronco Ronco; Ronco Arara; Common Grunt.
Head 2.5 to 2.8; depth 2.43 to 2.66; eye 4.5 to 5; snout 2.16; maxillary 2; interorbital 3.2 to 4;
preorbital 5 to 5.8; D. xir, 15 or 16; A. iii, 8 or 9; scales 6-51-17; pectoral 1.5 to 1.8; ventral 1.75
to 1.8. Body moderately elongate, back considerably elevated and compressed; head long, snout
sharp and projecting; anterior profile more or less S-shaped, nearly straight from tip of snout to front
of eye, there concave, thence gibbous to front of dorsal, this character more pronounced in adults;
mouth very large, gape curved, maxillary nearly reaching middle of eye; jaws subequal, or lower
slightly included; teeth strong, in rather broad bands, those of outer series enlarged; antrorse teeth of
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 191
posterior part of each jaw strong; interorbital space convex; preopercle finely serrate; gillrakers small
and rather weak, about 12-)- 15; scales rather large, those above lateral line very much enlarged ante-
riorly, arranged in irregular and very oblique series; those below lateral line but slightly enlarged
anteriorly and in oblique series. Dorsal spines stout, third to fifth longest, about 2.5 in head, longest soft
rayabout4.5; first anal spine very short, as usual, second long and strong, 2.4in head, scarcely reaching
tips of last soft rays when depressed and scarcely longer than third; soft portion of anal slightly
concave, anterior rays longest, about 2.5 in head; upper caudal lobe the longer, 1.4 in head; pectoral
long and somewhat falcate, about 1.33 in head; ventrals long, about 1.57 in head; caudal and soft parts
of dorsal and anal densely and finely scaled, few scales on pectorals and ventrals.
Color in life: General color light bluish, series of scales each with a small brown or brassy spot,
these forming narrow indistinct lines running upward and backward; above the lateral line the body
of each scale is bluish, the border brownish olive; a brassy band along lateral line; back with some
bronze; under parts whitish; about 12 narrow, irregular bright-blue lines on head, separated by
broader brassy lines, these lines sometimes extending upon body; inner edge of maxillary orange;
lower anterior edge of opercle yellow; inside of mouth red or deep yellow; lips dusky; dorsal grayish,
with a narrow yellow edge on spinous portion; caudal plain gray; anal gray, tinged with yellow.
Color in spirits: Body pale-grayish with slight bluish iridescence on terminal borders of scales;
bases of scales above lateral line brown; under parts paler; head purplish, blue lines persistent but
duller, the brassy entirely faded; bright color of inside of mouth also faded.
The range of this species is from Cape Hatteras and Pensacola south to Brazil, on sandy shores.
It is par excellence “the grunt” of our South Atlantic States and Florida. About Porto Rico it is
one of the most abundant and valuable food-fishes. Numerous specimens were obtained at San Juan,
Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Boqueron, Guanica, Ponce, Arroyo, Hucares, Isabel Segunda, and Culebra.
It was one of the most common species in all the markets of the island. It is caught either in the
fish-traps or with haul seines. In our seining about the island this was the species most frequently
taken, particularly on sandy shores. At Key West it is the most abundant of all the food-fishes, and
is caught all the year round, the best season being during the fall. Their spawning season is during
August and September, at which time they gather up into schools on shoal, feathery, rock bottom,
where they spawn. Each roe is from 1 to 2 inches in length. The eggs are said to be “gritty ” to the
touch and about the size of a No. 10 shot. When ripe they separate and flow freely from the fish.
After spawning the schools break up and the fish scatter. They are so abundant, however, that they
can usually be found in large numbers on suitable bottom, the best fishing being on rock bottom.
These fish grow to about 18 inches in length, with a maximum weight of 4 pounds; but those over 2
pounds are rare, and the average weight does not exceed one-thircl of a pound.
Guabi coarabrasiliensibus, Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 163, 1648, Brazil.
Perea marina capite striato (the Grunt), Catesby, Hist. Carolina, pi. 6, 1743, Bahamas, etc.
Labrus plumieri LacCpfede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 480, pi. 2, fig. 2, 1802, Martinique; on a copy ot a drawing by Plumier.
Hxmulonformosum Cuvier, R5gne Animal, ed. 2, II, 175, 1829, Martinique.
Hxmulon arcuatum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IX, 481, 1833, Charleston, S. C.
Hxmulon arara Poey, Memorias, II, 177, 1860, Cuba.
Hxmulon subarcuatum Poey, Memorias, II, 419, 1860, Cuba; a specimen with blue bands on anterior half of head only.
Hxmulon plumieri, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1304, 1898.
143. Haemulon flavolineatum (Desmarest). Ronco Condenado; French Grunt; Open-mouthed Grunt.
Head 2.8; depth 3; eye 3; snout 3; maxillary 2.5; interorbital 3.5; scales 7-50-11; D. xii, 14;
A. hi, 8. Body oblong-ovate, compressed, back not much elevated, profile from tip of snout to nape
nearly straight, thence gently arched to origin of dorsal; mouth large, nearly horizontal, gape curved,
maxillary nearly reaching middle of pupil; teeth moderate, outer somewhat enlarged; antrorse teeth
in posterior part of each jaw considerably enlarged, those of upper jaw canine-like. Scales large, those
on anterior part of body below lateral line considerably enlarged; rows of scales above lateral line
running very obliquely upward and backward, those below somewhat wavy, most of them forming a
curve with convexity downward and backward. Fins all moderate; dorsal spines slender, rather
weak, longest about 2 in head; second anal spine longest and strongest, about 1.8 in head, its tip,
when depressed, extending beyond tip of last ray.
Color in life: Side with about 12 irregular brassy lines alternating with about same number of
similar pale-bluish lines, upper brassy lines rather dark, middle ones brightest and broadest, the broadest
192 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
two uniting at gill-opening and running across opercle as one brassy line; anterior edge of operele
bright indigo-blue.
The above description based upon young individuals 2.5 to 4 inches long. The color of larger
individuals, from Havana, has been described as follows: Light bluish-gray as ground color; a bronze-
yellow spot on the upper part of each scale, these forming continuous undulating stripes on the whole
body and head, wider than the interspaces of ground-color, and nearly straight on caudal peduncle, on
anterior part of body below lateral line broader and very oblique; a horizontal golden-yellow stripe,
crossing the others, runs alongside of back from occiput to last rays of soft dorsal; yellow around eye;
yellow shades and streaks on cheek, not strongly marked as in II. sciurus and II. plumieri; yellow-
stripes on top of head; angle of mouth black, inside brick-red; a large black blotch under angle of
preopercle; fins bright golden-yellow, the pectoral and spinous dorsal paler.
In spirits the ground-color becomes grayish and the stripes brotvnish or dusky.
The range of II. flavolineatum is from the Bermudas, the Florida Keys, and Tortugas south to
Brazil. It is generally common in the West Indies and abundant about Porto Bico, usually on sandy
shores. No adults Avere obtained, but numerous young from the following localities: San Antonio
Bridge, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, Arroyo, Hucares, and Culebra.
This Avell-marked species reaches a length of a foot and is a good food-fish.
Diabasis flavolineatus Desmarest, Prem. Decade Ichth., 35, pi. 2, fig. 1, 1823, Cuba.
Hxmulon lieterodon Cuvier, ROgne Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 176, 1829, Cuba.
Hxmulon xanthopterum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 254, 1830, Martinique.
Hxmulon flavolineatum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1306, 1898.
Fig. 55.—Bathystoma rimator.
Genus 82. BATHYSTOMA Scudder.
This genus differs from Hxmulon in haAung 13 dorsal spines; body rather elongate; gillrakers
rather numerous, 12 to 18 on lower part of anterior arch; mouth moderate; scales small; frontal foramina
long, divided slits in front of supraoccipital crest. Jaws red within.
a. Mouth large, maxillary reaching middle of eye, its length about one-half head; gillrakers rather short and few;
scales moderate, 50 to 56 in lateral line; second anal spine scarcely larger or longer than third, 2.75 or more in
head.
b. Body oblong, back moderately elevated, depth 2.75 to 3 in length rimator
,
144
bb. Body subfusiform, back little elevated, depth 3.33 to 3.5 in length aurolineatum
aa. Mouth rather small, maxillary not reaching to opposite middle of eye, its length not quite one-half head; gillrakers
numerous, rather long; scales small, about 70 in lateral line; second anal spine notably longer and larger than
third; body more elongate than in other species, depth about 3.5 in length striatum
,
145
144. Bathystoma rimator (Jordan & Swain). Tom-tate; Red-mouth Grunt; Csesar.
Head 2.8; depth 3; eye 4.2; snout 2.5; maxillary 2; mandible 2.2; interorbital 3.7; preorbital 8;
D. xni, 15; A. hi, 8; pectoral 1.5; ventral 2; scales 8-56-12. Body elongate, back somewhat elevated,
anterior profile slightly convex; snout rather long, pointed; eye large; mouth large, maxillary reaching
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 193
pupil; teeth not strong, outer series enlarged; scales rather small, in oblique series above lateral line,
Horizontal below and slightly enlarged anteriorly. Dorsal spines slender, fourth 2.4 in head; second
anal spine equaling third in length, but much the stronger, 3 in head.
Color in life: Silvery white, slightly bluish above, with iridescent reflections; edges of scales of
body light-yellow, these forming continuous light-yellow lines, those below lateral line horizontal,
those above very oblique; besides these a narrow continuous streak of light yellow above lateral line
from head to end of soft dorsal, and another from eye to middle of caudal; head silvery yellowish
above; inside of mouth red; no black under preopercle; traces of black blotch at base of caudal; tins
colorless, lower slightly yellowish.
The range of this fish is from Cape Hatteras and Pensacola southward through the West Indies
to Trinidad. It is abundant about Charleston, S. C., where it is one of the most common food-fishes;
adults said to be uncommon about Pensacola and Key West, but at the latter place the young swarm
everywhere about the wharves and shores. It is as yet not known from Cuba, and does not seem to
be at all abundant in Porto Rico, as it was seen only at Aguadilla, Ensenada del Boqueron, and Culebra
Island. The specimens obtained are 5 and 6 inches long.
Hxmulon rimator Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884, 308, Charleston, Key West, and Pensacola.
Bathystoma rimator, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1308, 1898.
145. Bathystoma striatum (Limiieus) . White Grunt.
Head 2.8; depth 3.3; eye 3; snout 3.28; maxillary 3.16; mandible 2.75; interorbital 3.8; preor-
bital 8.3; scales 8-70-13; D. xii, 13, the longest spine about 2.2 in head; A. in, 7; pectoral 1.5 in
head; ventrals 1.75; caudal 1.5. Body elongate, fusiform, back little elevated, anterior profile scarcely
arched; head moderate, snout short and blunt; mouth small, maxillary reaching front of pupil; eye
large; teeth small, outer series somewhat enlarged; interorbital wide, preorbital narrow; preopercle
finely serrate; gillrakers numerous, long and slender, 7 + 20. Scales very small and crowded, those
above lateral line in very oblique series, those below more nearly horizontal, none enlarged; soft parts
of all fins densely scaled; spines slender and weak.
Color in alcohol: Pearly-gray, with 5 or 6 continuous brownish streaks (probably golden in life),
1 on median line from tip of snout to origin of dorsal, 1 diverging from snout and passing above
eye and along side to soft dorsal; another from snout crosses upper part of eye and terminates near
beginning of lateral line; a fourth passes through eye and along middle of side to base of caudal;
another crosses opercle and base of pectoral.
This fish is known from the Bermudas, Key West, Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Porto Rico, but is
apparently not common. It probably never exceeds a foot in length. We seined one specimen,
3.25 inches long, at San Antonio Bridge.
Perea striata Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 233, 1758, North America.
Grammistes trivittatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 188, 1801, Brazil; on the description of Marcgrave.
Serranus capeuna Lichtenstein, Abhandl. Berlin Akad. 1821, 288, Brazil; on the description of Marcgrave.
Hxmulon quadrilineatum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 238, pi. 120, 1830, Santo Domingo.
Hxmulon quinquelineatum Poey, Memorias, II, 419, 1860, Cuba.
Bathystoma striatum
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1310, 1898.
Genus 83. ANISOTREMUS Gill.
Body ovate, short, deep, and compressed; mouth rather small with thick lips, maxillary rather
short; inside of mouth not red; teeth in jaws only, all pointed, those of outer series in upper jaw
enlarged; chin with a median groove besides smaller pores. Dorsal spines strong; soft rays of dorsal
and anal scaly at base, anal spines strong; caudal mostly lunate; scales large; lower pharyngeals broad,
with coarse, blunt teeth.
This genus, which is closely related to Hxmulon, contains 12 species, valued as food-fishes, all
from the shores of tropical America and only two of which have been taken in Porto Rico. All of the
species undergo considerable change in form with age. The young are marked with two or three
blackish, lengthwise stripes. These disappear with age, quickest in the brightly colored species, but
persist a long time in species like A. hilineatus and A. interruptus, which agree in coloration with
JUvniulon parra and related species.
F. C. B. 1900—IS
194 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
a. Scales above lateral line arranged in oblique series which are not parallel with it.
b. Scales comparatively large, less than nine in a vertical series between first dorsal spine and lateral line; coloration
olivaceous, adult nearly plain, young with two or more dusky lateral stripes which disappear with age; fins
blackish.
c. Scales 5 or 6-52-15 (lateral line with 49 pores) ; scales above lateral line on anterior part of body more or less
enlarged, especially in adult,
d. Scales above lateral line not much enlarged, about 9 in an oblique series from first dorsal spine to lateral line;
profile of head anteriorly rounded surinamensis, 146
cc. Scales 7 or 8-46-15 (lateral line with 54 pores); scales above lateral line anteriorly not especially enlarged. .. bicolor
bb. Scales rather small, more than 9 in a vertical series between first dorsal spine and lateral line.
c. Body not striped longitudinally with yellow or blue; preorbital narrow; gillrakers x + 13.
/. Anterior part of body with a black vertical bar.
(j. Body with 2 lengthwise bands; humeral bar brownish; a dark caudal spot, and a spot on the back of the caudal
peduncle '. spleniatus
cc. Body with longitudinal stripes of blue or yellow or both; young with a black blotch at base of caudal; preorbital
broad; gillrakers x + 16.
h. Anterior part of body with 2 broad, dark crossbars, the one from nape obliquely forward through eye, other from
front of dorsal downward; behind these a series of horizontal stripes alternately yellow and blue; pectoral
longer than head; second anal and fourth dorsal spines nearly equal.
i. Blue stripes on side as broad as a scale, each more than two-thirds width of golden-yellow interspaces and each
very faintly edged with darker; vertical bands on head and shoulder jet-black virginicus, 147
hh. Anterior part of body without dark crossbars, body sometimes plain yellowish, back usually violet with 4 or 5
yellow lines; silvery below; snout short, not longer than width of the eye; dorsal fin very deeply notched,
with feeble spines; the second and third anal spines equal in length; the body a little more oblong than in
surinamensis serrula
Fig. 56 .—Anisolremus surinamensis.
146. Anisotremus surinamensis (Bloch). Pompon.
Head 3.14; depth 2.2; eye 4.5; snout 2.6; maxillary 3; D. xii, 16; A. iii, 8 or 9; scales 5-50-13.
Body deep, back elevated, greatly compressed; profile steep, nearly straight from snout to above eye,
a. slight depression in front of nostril and another in interorbital space; profile from interorbital space
to dorsal strongly arched in a broad curve. Head moderate; cheek deep; mouth rather small; jaws
subequal, maxillary barely reaching front of orbit; ventral line of body nearly straight
;
caudal peduncle
moderately long, its least depth equal to snout; teeth in several bands, outer enlarged and canine-like.
Fourth dorsal spine strongest and longest, its length 2.2 in head; soft dorsal as well as anal, pectoral,
ventrals, and caudal densely covered with minute scales; height of longest soft dorsal ray 3 in head;
second anal spine very stout, its length equal to that of fourth dorsal spine; third anal spine broad at
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 195
base, but shorter than second; free edge of soft anal straight; dorsal and anal fins depressible in a scaly
sheath; pectoral long and falcate, nearly reaching tip of ventrals, 1.2 in head; ventral shorter, 1.2 in
pectoral; caudal well forked, the lobes about equal to ventral. Preopercle strongly but irregularly
serrate. Scales of cheek in about 7 rows, those on opercle in about 8 rows, on interorbital and nape
small and crowded; scales of back and sides arranged in oblique rows not parallel with lateral line,
which is arched, following approximately contour of back. Gillrakers rather short, stiff, 1.3 -|- 19.
Color, grayish, darkest on anterior half of body, where each scale is dark-brown on its basal half,
then with a white ellipse, narrow border darker, contrast between dark base and white ellipse very
marked; owing to the irregular arrangement of scales the dark bases in some cases appear as spots; upper
side of caudal peduncle brown, sides nearly plain white; snout and under parts of head lilac-brown;
under parts of body rusty-brown; fins all dark brown, especially the soft parts of dorsal and anal.
The above description from a specimen 15 inches long, taken in Indian River, Florida.
The recorded range of this species is from the Indian River, Florida, and the Tortugas to Brazil;
it is known from Surinam, Martinique, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and Cuba. It attains a length of 2 or 3 feet
and is a good food-fish, though it is not sufficiently numerous anywhere to be of great importance.
Only a single specimen, 2.4 inches long, seined at Ponce, was obtained in Porto Rico.
Lutjanus surinamensis Bloch, Ichth., pi. 253, 1791, Surinam.
Holocentrus gibbosus Lac6pede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 344, 1803, Surinam.
Prislipoma bxlineatum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 271, 1830, Martinique.
Pristipoma melanopterum Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 273, 1830, Brazil.
Hsemulon obtusum Poey, Memorias, II, 182, 1860, Havana.
Hsemulon labridum Poey, Memorias, II, 419, 1861, Cuba.
Anisotremus surinamensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1318, 1898.
147. Anisotremus virginicus (Linnteus). “Sisi”; Catalinela; Pork-fish.
Head 3 to 3.2; depth 2 to 2.25; eye 3.75 to 4; snout 2.75; maxillary 3.25 to 3.5; interorbital 3;
preorbital 4; scales 13-57 to 60-16; D. xn, 16; A. in, 9; pectoral a little longer than head; ventral 1.5;
caudal lobe 1.2. Body ovate, back greatly elevated, anterior profile very steep, slightly convex along
shout and over eye, very much arched on nape; highest point of body at origin of dorsal fin; mouth
small, little oblique, maxillary extending to anterior edge of orbit; jaws subequal
;
outer row of teeth
enlarged; gillrakers 11 + 11, short and not very stiff. Dorsal spines rather strong, longest (third) about
1.8 in head; dorsal rays short; second anal spine strongest and longest, about 2 in head; caudal well
forked, lobes subequal; ventrals just reaching vent; pectoral long, somewhat falcate, reaching origin
196 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
of anal. Scales large, strongly ctenoid, those on nape and breast reduced in size; scales above lateral
line in oblique series.
Color in life: Side with about 8 broad, lemon-yellow lines alternating with similar lines of dirty
silvery, the upper 3 or 4 of these yellow lines branch anteriorly, the fifth extending on middle of caudal
peduncle; belly silvery-white; a broad black bar from origin of spinous dorsal downward to base of
pectoral, the black continuing on shoulder-girdle to near isthmus; another broad black bar from occiput
through eye to angle of mouth; cheek metallic or brassy-greenish; top of head brassy; fins all orange-
yellow, spinous dorsal, pectoral, and ventral dusted with brownish; scaly sheath at base of anal rich
yellow. In alcohol, the longitudinal stripes become bluish and the yellow fades.
This handsome fish ranges from Florida to Brazil. It is known from Biscayne Bay, Key West,
Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Martinique, and St. Catharine Island, Brazil, and is the commonest
species of the genus in the West Indies. About Key West it is said to school from June to August,
which is the spawning season, and is found then about the shoals, but soon retires to deeper water. It
spawns all through the channel about the shoals, and is then caught in greatest numbers. About a
month after the spawning season immense numbers of young are seen on the shoals. It reaches a length
of about a foot and a weight of 2 pounds. The average weight of those brought to market probably
does not exceed one-third of a pound. It does not appear to be very common about Porto Rico as only
five examples were obtained—one at Ponce, one at Mayaguez, and three at Arroyo, where it was called
“sisi” by the fishermen. It is regarded as a good food-fish.
Guatucupajuba, Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 148, 1648, Brazil.
Acarapinima
,
Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 152, 1648, Brazil.
Spams virginicus Linnseus, Syst. Nat,., X, 281, 1758, South America.
Spams vittatus Bloch, Ichth., taf. 263, fig. 2, 1791, Brazil; after Acarapinima of Marcgrave.
Pereajuba Bloch, Ichth., taf. 308, fig. 2, 1791, Brazil; after Guatucupajuba of Marcgrave.
Grammistes mauritii Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 185, 1801, Brazil; after Spams vittatus Bloch.
? Pristipoma catharinse Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 269, 1830, St. Catharine Island, Brazil.
Pristipoma rodo Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 274, 1830, Brazil, Martinique, Porto Rico, and Santo Domingo.
Pristipoma acara pinima, Castlenau, Anim. Nouv. ou Rares, 8, 1856, Brazil.
Anisotremus virginicus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 324, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1322, 1898.
Genus 84. CONODON Cuvier & Valenciennes.
This genus is close to Pornadasis, from which it is separated by the enlarged outer teeth and by
the peculiar armature of the preopercle, which is very sharply serrate, seme at angle enlarged, those
before angle turned forward. Body oblong; soft rays of dorsal and anal more or less scaly; second
anal spine large. Of the two species of this genus only one occurs in Porto Rico.
148. Conodon nobilis (Linnseus). “Bureteado.”
Head 3.25; depth 3.25; eye 4.1; snout 3.4; maxillary 2.8; mandible 2.25; interorbital 5.1; preor-
bital 5.3; D. xi-i, 13; A. hi, 7; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.4; scales 5-51-11. Body oblong, back
elevated and moderately compressed, depth equal to length of head; mouth small, maxillary falling
short of front of eye; lower jaw projecting; teeth in front of both jaws much enlarged, conic, short, but
very stout; pectoral with about 10 short, sharp serrations on upper limb, lowermost, at angle of
preopercle, much the strongest; antrorse serrations on lower limb; dorsal spines strong, a deep notch
between them and soft dorsal; second anal spine longest and strongest.
Color in life: Back grayish, becoming paler on sides; belly white, silvery; top of head grayish;
side with 8 broad, vertical dark bars, broadest above, gradually narrowing and disappearing below;
interspaces broader, with brassy wash; some evidence of 2 pale brassy stripes below lateral line; side
of snout, head, and tip of lower jaw pale-lemon; fins all with some yellow, ventral brightest.
This species is found on the coast of Texas, West Indies, and Brazil, not uncommon on sandy
shores; recorded from Jamaica, Martinique, Brazil, and Texas; not rare in Porto Rico, where specimens
were obtained by us at Arecibo, Mayaguez, Palo Seco, Ponce, Arroyo, and Vieques. It reaches a
length of about a foot, but our examples range from 2.75 to 4.5 inches.
Perea nobilis Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 191, 1758, North America.
Scixna plumieri Bloch, Ichthyol., VI, 66, taf. 306, 1791, Martinique.
Scissna corn Bloch, 1. c., pi. 307, fig. 2, 1791, Brazil; after Coro coro Marcgrave.
Conodon antillanus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 156, 1830, Jamaica.
Pristipoma coro, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 324, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Conodon nobilis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c,, 1321, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 197
Genus 85. BRACHYDEUTERUS Gill. The Burritos.
Body oblong; scales large, those above in series parallel with lateral line; mouth small, outer
teeth in jaws somewhat enlarged; inside of jaws not red. Anal spines small or moderate, second
little, if any, longer or stronger than third, and lower than soft rays; soft dorsal and anal largely
covered with small scales; dorsal spines 12; soft dorsal comparatively long, of 15 or 16 rays; otherwise
essentially as in Pomcidasis, fins smaller and more scaly. Only one of the four American species is known
from Porto Rico.
149. Brachydeuterus corvinseformis (Steindaehner).
Head 3 to 3.25; depth 3.25; eye 3.75 to 4 in head; snout 2.2 to 3; D. xn, 15; A. hi, 7; scales
6-51-10. Upper profile regularly arched from snout to tail, highest point at origin of dorsal; lower
profile nearly straight to base of anal; preorbital slightly less than eye; maxillary not reaching eye,
3.33 to 3.4 in head; anterior nostril oval, twice size of posterior; preopercle finely toothed, about 20
teeth on upper limb, increasing slightly in size toward angle; dorsal notched almost to base, fourth
spine longest, 2.12 to 2.5 in head; longest soft ray (second) equal to or slightly less than longest spine;
pectoral pointed, 1.25 to 1.4 in head; ventral broad, margin nearly straight, inner ray 1.25 in second,
which is 2 in head; the first ray branched once, slightly filamentous, the other rays much branched;
second and third anal spines about, equal, 3 to 3.75 in head, relatively larger in smaller specimens, second
stouter; first soft ray 2.5 in head; margin of anal slightly concave, last ray shorter than second spine;
upper lobe of caudal longer, the difference more noticeable in smaller specimens, 1.33 to 1.5 in head,
middle rays 1.75 in upper; pectoral scaly at base only, other fins, except spinous dorsal, more or less
completely scaled, a narrow sheath of scales on sides of dorsal and anal, supplementary scales slightly
developed in axil of ventrals; least depth of caudal peduncle 1.5 to 1.6 in length from below end of
dorsal, its length being equal to middle caudal rays; lateral line and rows of scales above it concentric
with back, scales below lateral line in horizontal rows.
Color in alcohol: Dark olive above, lower sides more or less silvery, larger specimens much the
lighter, a dark line along each row of scales below lateral line, these rather indistinct in larger specimens;
scales above lateral line with dark centers, these not forming distinct lines; a diffuse dark blotch on
scapular region, very faint in the larger specimens; pectoral colorless, other fins punctate, margins
very dark. There is considerable variation in the ground-color, larger specimens being distinctly
silvery, some of the smaller heavily washed with olive and having scapular blotch more developed.
Our specimens differ from Steindaehner’ s description in having a rather shorter maxillary, not
reaching eye, narrower preorbital, and a blotch on scapular region. They are, however, probably not
specifically distinct.
The range of this species is from the West Indies to Brazil; apparently common about Porto Rico,
specimens being in the collection from Palo Seeo, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Arroyo, Hueares, and Isabel
Segunda. It reaches a length of about a foot, and is a good pan-fish.
llxmulon corvinseforme Steindaehner, Ichth. Notizen, VII, 16, 1868, Santos, Brazil.
Brachydeuterus corvinseformis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1326, 1898.
Genus 86. POMADASIS Lacepede. The Burros.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed, back not much elevated; mouth rather small, terminal, low,
lips thin; maxillary usually not extending to opposite eye, its tip not reaching posterior edge of broad
preorbital; premaxillary protractile; teeth on jaws only, in villiform bands, subequal, or outer series
in upper jaw more or less enlarged; no red on jaws; a central groove behind symphysis of lower jaw;
cheek and opercles scaly; the preopercle rather distinctly serrate, seme below not turned forward;
suprascapular serrate; scales large, those above lateral line in series parallel with it: no small scales
at base of the others; soft dorsal and anal fins naked, or with very few scales at the base; dorsal tin
emarginate, spines strong, 12 or 13 in number, soft rays 11 to 14; anal fin of 7 or 8 soft rays, short,
with second spine always very strong; gillrakers feeble, few in number; caudal lunate, forked.
This genus is composed of small shore fishes, some of its representatives being found in most
tropical seas; several enter fresh waters, and perhaps belong to the brackish-water fauna. Numerous
species are found on the west coast of Africa and about the Cape Verde Islands, but so far as known
none enters European waters. Only three of the eight American species are known from Porto Rico.
198 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
a. Dorsal spines xn; preorbital broad.
b. Seales small, 65 in a longitudinal series: body elongate; maxillary extending a little beyond front of eye; anal
spines strong, second three-fourths depth of body. Color, nearly plain; silvery below productus, 150
an. Dorsal spines xm; preorbital narrow.
c. Body moderately elongate, depth 2.66 to 3 in length crocro, 151
cc. Body very long and low, compressed, back little elevated, depth about 3.6 in length ramosus, 152
150.
Pomadasis productus (Poey).
Head 4 in total length with caudal; depth 4.33; eye 4; D. xii, 12; A. in, 7; scales 65. Body
elongate, maxillary extending a little beyond front of eye; anal spines strong, second three-fourths depth
of body. Color, nearly plain; silvery below. (Poey.)
Apparently closely allied to P. bat/anus and differing from P. ramosus, if the descriptions can be
trusted, in having but 12 dorsal spines. Recorded from Cuba and Porto Rico by Poey; not seen by us.
Pristipoma productum Poey, Memorias, II, 186, 1860, Havana; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 324, 1881.
Pomadasis productus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1332, 1898.
151.
Pomadasis crocro (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . “Viejo.”
Head 3; depth 2.66 to 3.5; eye 3.5 to 5; D. xm, 11 or 12; A. in, 6 or 7; scales 6-54—16; preorbital
4 to 8; snout 2.8 to 3.66; maxillary 3 to 4; pectoral 1.16 to 1.5; fourth dorsal spine 1.8 to 2.25; second
anal spine 1.5 to 2; soft dorsal 2 in spinous. Body elongate, compressed, back elevated,'high at nape,
anterior profile rather irregular, varying with age; a more or less distinct frontal depression above eye
in old examples; mouth small, maxillary barely extending to anterior edge of orbit; lower jaw included;
preopercle coarsely serrate, teeth wide apart; teeth small, outer scarcely enlarged; scales rather large,
those above lateral line in parallel series; dorsal fin moderately notched; second anal spine very strong
and long, reaching past tips of all rays; pectoral short, caudal slightly lunate.
Color in life: Grayish, with about 12 narrow interrupted stripes formed by pale-silvery quadrate
spots, one on middle of each scale, plainest on middle of side; under parts white, washed with rusty,
opercle brassy; top of head rusty; spinous dorsal darkish; ventrals and pectoral dusky; iris lemon-
yellow; mouth scarlet within, pale flesh-color anteriorly.
West Indies, from Cuba to Brazil; generally common on sandy coasts. A specimen, 7.5 inches
long, obtained in San Juan market, where others were seen. A good food-fish, though of small size.
Pristipoma crocro Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 264, 1830, Martinique.
Pristipoma cultriferum Poey, Memorias, II, 185, 1860, Havana; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 324, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77
and 163, 1883.
Pomadasis crocro, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1333, 1898.
152.
Pomadasis ramosus (Poey). “ Ponco Blanco.”
Head 3.15; depth 3.7; eye 4; snout 3.1; maxillary 2.7; mandible 2.25; interorbital 4.4; preorbital
6.6; D. xm, 12; A. in, 7; pectoral 1.7; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.4; scales 6-57-13. Body long and low,
back somewhat compressed and a little elevated, anterior profile nearly straight; head pointed, mouth
not large, maxillary reaching past front of orbit, lower jaw included; teeth in villiform bands, outer
row in upper jaw slightly enlarged; preopercle and suprascapular scale strongly serrate; dorsal tin
continuous, well notched, spines very strong; second anal spine very greatly enlarged, as long as longest
rays; bases of soft dorsal and anal with a sheath of small scales, that of soft dorsal low; caudal lunate;
lateral line nearly straight save under soft dorsal.
Color in life: Silvery, bluish on back, slightly brassy on side, white below; pectoral pale-yellow
;
ventral pale; anal and soft dorsal darker, membrane of spinous dorsal dark-edged; caudal dark with
black edge.
Found in the West Indies, south to Brazil. Two specimens, about 10 inches long, one from
San Juan market, the other from the Rio Loiza nearCaguas, more than 25 miles from the coast and in
fresh water. Five young examples, each 2 to 3 inches long, were taken in the seine at Aguadilla.
This species, is said by the native fishermen to utter the grunting noise characteristic of the family.
Though not large, it is nevertheless a good food-fish and is highly valued.
Pristipoma ramosum Poey, Memorias, II. 186, 1860, Cojimar River, Havana, Cuba.
Pomadasis ramosus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1334, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 199
Family XLVI. SPAR1D£. The Porgies.
Body oblong, or more or less elevated, covered with rather large, adherent scales, which are
never truly ctenoid. Lateral line well developed, concurrent with back, not extending on caudal fin.
Head large, crests on skull usually largely developed. No suborbital stay. Mouth small, terminal,
low, and horizontal. Premaxillaries little protractile; the maxillary short, peculiar in form and in
articulation, without supplemental bone, for most of its length slipping under edge of the preorbital,
which forms a more or less distinct sheath
;
preorbital usually broad; teeth strong, those in front of
jaws conical, incisor-like or molar; lateral teeth of jaws always blunt and molar; no teeth on vomer or
palatines; posterior nostril largest, usually more or less oblong or slit-like; lower pharyngeals separate;
gills 4, a large slit behind the fourth; pseudobranchiae large; gillrakers moderate; gill-membranes
separate, free from the isthmus; preopercle entire or serrulate; opercle without spines; sides of head
usually scaly; dorsal fin single, continuous, or deeply notched, spines usually strong, depressible in a
groove; spines heteracanthous, that is, alternating, the one stronger on the right side, the other on
the left, 10 to 13 in number; anal fin rather short, similar to soft dorsal, and with 3 spines; ventral
fins thoracic, rays i, 5, with a more or less distinct scale-like appendage at base; caudal fin usually
more or less concave behind; air-bladder present, usually simple; pyloric caeca few; vertebrae usually
10 -j- 14 = 24; intestinal canal short.
Carnivorous shore fishes of the tropical seas, especially abundant in the Mediterranean, the Red
-Sea, and the West Indies.
a. Teeth in front of jaws conical or incisor-like, not molar; dorsal fin continuous; posterior nostril oblong; preopercle
entire.
b. Second interhaemal bone enlarged, hollowed anteriorly, or pen-shaped, receiving the posterior end of air-bladder
in its anterior groove; posterior nostril slit-like.
c. Front teeth narrow, compressed, forming lanceolate incisors; first spine-bearing interneural with an antrorse
spine; temporal crest obsolete; lateral crest nowhere coalescing with supraoceipital crest; interorbital area
r ilattish, with two low ridges; a small foramen in each of these above front of pupil; interorbital area much
contracted anteriorly; a strongly projecting prefrontal process, which makes an acute angle with supraorbital.
d. Frontal bones partly porous and gibbous; antrorse dorsal spine attached directly to interneural: third dorsal
spine very long, longer than the head Otrynter
del. Frontal bones not gibbous nor porous; antrorse dorsal spine attached to interneural by a long process or spur;
third dorsal spine about half head Stenotomus
cc. Front teeth conical or canine-like; first spine-bearing interneural without antrorse spine; temporal crest very thin
and high, joining lateral crest which forms part of margin of orbit above middle of eye, both crests coalescing
with supraoceipital in cavernous anterior part of interorbital area; interorbital area somewhat contracted
anteriorly; prefrontal process very strong, making an obtuse angle with supraorbital, this process forming a
conspicuous knob above the long posterior nostril Calamus, 87
bb. Second interheemal spine normal, not “pen-shaped.”
e. Front teeth conic, not compressed; no incisors; occipital crest coalescent with temporal crests: no antrorse spine
on first interneural; dorsal spines usually 11 to 13.
/. Anterior teeth in both jaws strong, decidedly canine-like; body more or less deep and compressed Pagrus
ee. Front teeth incisor-like; no canines.
g. Incisors broad; molars in 2 to 4 series in each jaw.
h. First spine-bearing interneural with an antrorse spine in front.
i. Supraoceipital and temporal crests nowhere coalescent, interorbital area not swollen; frontal bone in interorbital
area thin, concave in transverse section; temporal crest low, separated from supraoceipital crest by a flattish
area which extends forward on each side of supraoceipital crest and to groove of premaxillary spines. Incisors
conspicuously notched Lagodon
ii. Supraoceipital and temporal crests coalescent anteriorly, both disappearing in the gibbous interorbital area;
frontal bone between eyes transversely convex and more or less honeycombed; temporal crest separated from
occipital crest by an excavated area bounded anteriorly by lateral crest, which merges intcTsupraoccipital
above eye. Incisors entire or with a shallow notch Archosargus, 88
hh. First spine-bearing interneural without antrorse spine above; skull essentially as in Archosargus, frontal bone
more cavernous Diplodus
Genus 87. CALAMUS Swainson. Pez de Plumas.
Body oblong, compressed, back elevated; head large, preorbital deep; mouth small, teeth strong,
those in front conical or pointed, those on sides molar; preopercle entire, posterior nostril slit-Ti ke
;
dorsal fin rather low, not much notched, soft rays low, not scaly; caudal well forked; anal spines small
pectoral rather long. Second interhsemal bone enlarged, hollowed anteriorly, or pen-shaped, receiving
posterior end of air-bladder in its anterior groove; first spine-bearing interneural without antrorse spine;
temporal crest very thin and high, joining lateral crest which forms part of margin of orbit above middle
200 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
of eye, both crests coalescing with supraoccipital in cavernous anterior part of interorbital area; inter-
orbital area somewhat contracted anteriorly; prefrontal process very strong, making an obtuse angle
with supraorbital, this process forming a conspicuous knob above the long posterior nostril.
Shore fishes, remarkably distinguished by the structure of the interhaemal. This genus contains
numerous very closely related species, all American and all valued as food-fishes.
Cai.amus:
n. Scales comparatively small, 8 or 9-54 to 58-18 or 1 y ; about 6 vertical rows of scales on base of preoperole, with
about 12 scales entering into formation of lower margin; species of large size, with preorbital deep, pectoral
fin long, and outer teeth strong.
b. Body very deep, back elevated, depth in adult half length to base of caudal; outer teeth about in number,
outer one on each side in one or both jaws sometimes enlarged, canine-like: sometimes directed forwards,
especially in adult.
r. Preorbital with reticulations of bluish ground-color around bronze spots; canines of upper jaw usually vertical,
but sometimes, especially in old examples, directed more or less horizontally forward; body deeper than in
other species, depth 1.9 to 2.25 in length; anterior profile not very steep, slightly curved; depth of preorbital
less than half head : calamus, 153
cr. l'reorbital region, snout, cheek, and opercles brassy, crossed by horizontal, wavy, non-reticulating lines of violet-
blue, brightest on preorbital and snout; a sky-blue blotch behind eye over opercle, extending a short distance
on body; outer canines of upper jaw directed horizontally forward, except in very young, these teeth longer
than in C. calamus; anterior profile nearly straight and very steep to nape, then strongly convex.
d. Eye about 4 in head; side with dark crossbands; blue lines on preorbital reticulating; iris dark proridens
dd. Kye larger, about 3.5; side with bluish longitudinal lines; blue lines on preorbital not reticulating; iris yellow.
kendalli, 154
bit. Body more elongate, depth 2.17 to 2.75 in length.
c. Upper jaw with a strong antrorse canine on each side, as in C. proridens; preorbital with blue, wavy stripes;
preorbital deep; dorsal high; pectoral reaching front of anal; cheek with blue flexuous lines, anastomosing
and forming rivulations; spinous dorsal edged with black pennatula
4-6
ec. Upper jaw without antrorse canines, anterior teeth strong, ^,one on each side of upper jaw more or less enlarged;
body rather oblong, snout long and pointed, anterior profile forming a nearly even curve to front of dorsal.
Color dull-brassy with little blue; a faint blue stripe below eye; preorbital dull-coppery, usually plain,
sometimes faintly veined with bluish. Young, as in other species, with dark crossbands bajonado, 155
Grammateus:
a a. Scales comparatively large, 6 or 7-45 to 52-13 or 14; about 5 vertical rows of scales on base of preopercle, with about
9 scales entering into the formation of lower margin; no antrorse canines.
/. Pectoral fin long, about 3 in body.
fj. Scales of moderate size, 50 to 52 in the lateral line. Body very deep, the back elevated, depth about. 2.2 to base of
caudal; longest dorsal spine about half head.
h. Canines moderate, about preorbital broad, its least width about 2.25 in head. Body moderately compressed,
rather elongate, back only moderately elevated, anterior profile convex to eye, thence straight to point of snout.
Color smutty-silvery, with dark crossbands; blotches on tins; no black axillary spot leucosteus
tjii. Scales large, about 4(1 (45 to 48) in lateral line; body rather elongate, depth about 2.25 in body; longest dorsal spine
about 2.5 in head.
i. Canine small, about y^; eye large, 3 in head; dorsal spines xr; preorbital narrow, about equal to eye. Dorsal out-
line forming a comparatively regular arch, back being elevated, anterior profile steep and nearly straight.
Color, plumbeous-gray, with a blue spot on each scale, preorbital with blue streaks; a blue streak below eye;
a blue point in axil , macrops
ff. Pectoral fin short, about 3.5 in body.
j. Dorsal outline forming a comparatively regular arch, anterior profile from snout to base of spinous dorsal evenly
convex; back elevated, depth in adult about 2.17 in length; canines subequal, y
8
^; preorbital not very deep;
pectoral shortish. Color, dull silvery, with pearly spots on scales of back; preorbital bluish, plain, or with
pearly markings, without blue stripes; a faint pale streak below eye; axil with a small inky-black spot; cross-
bars on body usually persistent penna
jj. Dorsal outline not forming a regular arch, anterior profile straight from base of spinous dorsal to nape, where a
rather sharp angle is formed, thence straightish above eye, snout convex; body rather elongate, depth about 2.5
in length.
k. Preorbital deep, nearly twice diameter of eye; canine teeth y
8
^. Body oblong, back little elevated, anterior profile
unevenly curved, very convex before eye. Color, olivaceous, with dark bars or spots, centers of many scales-
pearly; 6 yellowish spots along lateral line; preorbital brownish, usually with dashes of golden-yellow; mem-
brane of opercle orange; fins mostly barred or spotted arctifrons, 15(1
kk l’reorbital not deep, pectoral short, 1.2 in head; dorsal fin low, longest spine about 3 in head; canines | , moderate,
equal. Body little elevated, the anterior profile rather strongly convex, curve continuous from snout to
middle of dorsal. Color, olivaceous, with darker crossbands; preorbital plain; a dark axillary spot; a blue
subocular band medius
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 201
153. Calamus calamus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “ Pluma” ; Saucer-eye Porgy.
Head 3.1; depth 2.2; eye 3.4; snout 1.6; maxillary 2.5; interorbital 3.3; preorbital 2.1; D. xii, 12;
A. iii, 10; pectoral 0.9; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.2; scales 8-54-16; teeth in the outer row in front of each
jaw enlarged but without distinct canines. Anterior profile forms a regular curve from tip of snout to
dorsal, save in a small specimen, which has a distinct depression above eye.
Color in spirits: Not markedly different from that of other examples of the species of I 'nlumux
in the collection.
Five examples, 3.5 to 8.75 inches long, collected at Arroyo, Mayaguez, and Boqueron. The range
of this species is from the Florida Keys southward among the West Indies. It has been recorded from
Martinique, Jamaica, Cuba, and various points in southern Florida. It attains a length of about a
foot and a weight, of a pound or more. Those seen in market probably do not average over half a
pound in weight. It is an excellent food-fish and always commands a fair price. At Key West,
and apparently in Porto Rico also, it is usually taken with hook and line and affords some sport as a
game fish.
Pagellus calamus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 20C>, pi. 152, 1830, Martinique and Santo Domingo.
Calamus megacephalus Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fish., II, 222, 1839, Martinique and Santo Domingo; after Cuvier & Valen-
ciennes.
Pagellus orbitarius Poey, Memorias, II, 201, 1860, Havana.
Calamus macrops Jordan &. Gilbert, Synopsis, 927, 1883, Garden Key, Florida.
Calamus calamus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c,, 1349, 1898.
154. Calamus kendalli Evermann & Marsh. “Pluma.’ 1
Head 3.1; depth 2.1; eye 3.5; snout 1.5; maxillary 2.4; interorbital 3.5; preorbital 2.1; I), xii,
12; A. nr, 10; pectoral 1; ventral 1.8; caudal 1.3; scales 7-5.3-16. Body deep, back strongly elevated,
more so than in C. bajonado, but less than in C. calamus or C. proridens, anterior profile a nearly regular
curve, lacking the abrupt nuchal elevation of those species; eye large, larger than in C. proridens; 7 or
8 rows of scales on cheek; teeth about as in C. proridens; molars in two or more rows on sides, those
of inner row much the largest, those in front becoming more numerous and merging into cardiform
teeth, the most anterior of which in each jaw are somewhat enlarged; in front of upper jaw are 2
much enlarged antrorse canines, curved slightly upward; highest dorsal spine 2. 7 in head, second anal
spine 4.6.
Color in spirits: Silvery, sides with bluish longitudinal lines following rows of scales, plainest
above; a pale-blue line bordering orbit below; some blue lines on preorbital, not evidently reticulated
202 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
and not as numerous as in C. proridens; iris yellow; otherwise as in C. proridens, to which this species
is very close.
Type, No. 49362, U. 8. N. M., 10.5 inches long, collected at Mayaguez, January 20, 1899; 2 others,
each 8.5 inches long, from Mayaguez and Arroyo, are more slender (depth 2.3 and 2.45 in length),
but not differing in any other character.
This species is probably not common about Porto Rico, as it was obtained only at Mayaguez and
Arroyo. It was not noticed in any of the markets. Like all other members of the genus, however,
it is doubtless a good food-fish, and probably reaches a length of a foot or more.
Calamus kendalli Evermann & Marsh, Kept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dee. 19)
,
353, Mayaguez, Porto Rico.
155. Calamus bajonado (Bloch & Schneider). “Pluma” ; Jolt-head. Porgy ; Bajonado.
(Plate 25.)
Head 3.2; depth 2.3; eye 3.3; snout 1.7; maxillary 2.5; interorbital 3.3; preorbital. 2.1; D. xii, 12;
A. in, 10; pectoral 0.9; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.1; scales 7-54-17. Body less elevated than in C. calamus or
C. proridens, snout more pointed, anterior profile not so steep, rising in a regular curve to front of
dorsal; anterior teeth enlarged, becoming very strong in adult, one on each side on front of upper
jaw usually enlarged and canine-like, but not antrorse.
Color in spirits: Dull olive, with blue luster; faint longitudinal lines of blue; a blue line bordering
orbit below, and one above nostril, extending on forehead; obscure irregular blue lines on preorbital;
caudal faintly and obscurely barred.
This porgy is found throughout the West Indies and north to southern Florida. It is the most
abundant species of the genus and reaches the largest size. We have examined specimens 2 feet long
and weighing 8 or 10 pounds. The average weight of those usually caught does not exceed 5 or 6
pounds. It frequents smooth rock bottom upon which it is said to spawn in July and August. It is
one of the most common species about Porto Rico, as elsewhere, and is said to be found at all seasons.
Because of its large size it is more ' important as a food-fish than any of its congeners, though its flesh
is somewhat coarse. It is taken in the hook-and-line fishery and also in various fish-traps.
( )ur collections contain 5 examples, each 6 to 8 inches long, obtained at Puerto Real and Arroyo.
Others were seen in the possession of the fishermen at those places.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 203
Hajonado Parra, Oil. Piezas, Hist. Nat. Cuba, 13, lam. 8, 1787, Havana.
Spams bajnnado Bloch & Schneider, Sy.st. Ichth., 284, 1801, Havana; after Parra.
PageUus caninus Poey, Memorias, II, 199, 1860, Havana.
Calamus plumatula Guichenot, Rev. Pagels, 119, Martinique.
Calamus hajonado, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riqueiia, 328, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1352,
1898.
156. Calamus arctifrons Goode & Bean. Grass Porgy; Shad Porgy.
Head 3.3; depth 2.3; eye 3.4; snout 1.9; maxillary 2.4; interorbital 3.5; preorbital 2.8; D. xn,
12; A. in, 10; pectoral 1; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.1; scales 5-47-12. Back not greatly elevated, anterior
profile not steep, a slight angle in front of eye; about 5 rows of scales on cheek; 8 to 10 teeth in front
of each jaw about equally enlarged and canine-like.
Color in spirits: Olivaceous, bluish above the trunk, with (1 or 7 obscure dark vertical bars, with
scattering dark spots between them; similar dark spots on opercle and cheek; snout and top of head
dark; a broad dark bar from eye straight downward across cheek; pectoral pale, ventral* mostly dark,
color plainest inside; vertical fins with dark shades.
The grass porgy has hitherto been known only from various places on the Florida coast from
Pensacola and Biscayne Bay south to Key West, and has not until now been reported from the West
Indies. The only example seen by us in Porto Rico is 7 inches long, and was seined at San Antonio
Bridge. This is probably the smallest species of the genus, rarely exceeding a foot in length, hut is a
good food-fish wherever found in sufficient numbers. It is usually taken with haul seines.
While the other porgies are usually found on hard bottom, the grass porgy frequents the more
shallow water where there is an abundance of grass or other aquatic vegetation. The limited area of
this sort of bottom about Porto Rico doubtless accounts for the scarcity of this species.
Calamus arctifrons Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1882, 425, Pensacola: Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1355, 1898.
Genus 88. ARCHQSARGUS Gill. Sheepsheads.
Body robust, short and deep, compressed, covered with large scales. Head deep, mouth moderate,
jaws with broad incisors in front and coarse molars on sides; incisors entire or with a shallow notch;
posterior nostril slit-like; opercle entire. Dorsal and anal spines strong, soft parts of fin short and
rounded; a procumbent spine before dorsal; caudal forked. Gillrakers small. Supraoccipital and
temporal crests coalescent anteriorly, both disappearing in the gibbous interorbital area; frontal bone
between eyes transversely convex and more or less honeycombed; temporal crest separated from
occipital crest by an excavated area, bounded anteriorly by lateral crest, which merges into supraoc-
cipital above eye.
This genus, like Lagodon, Stenotomus, and CHrynler, which show the same character of the procumbent
204 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
dorsal spine, is confined to American waters. There are two color types in the genus, one group being
made up of species with broad black crossbands, the other of species with golden streaks and incon-
spicuous crossbands, resembling the species of Lagodon. The common sheepshead {A. probatocephalus)
is the most important member of this genus, but is not yet known from any point in the West Indies.
Salema:
a. Occipital crest rather thin, its honeycomb structure not exposed. Species with streaks of steel-blue and golden,
dark crossbands narrow, disappearing with age, about one-third the interspaces; a black humeral spot,
b. Dorsal spines 13; incisors | on each side, side of back with 8 or 9 golden streaks, which are narrower than the
metallic-blue interspaces.
c. Scales 9A8-15; pectoral fin not quite reaching second anal spine; body rather deep and compressed. Incisors j on
each side, entire, or with a shallow notch. Fifth dorsal spine highest, 2 to 2.5 in head; second anal spine
strong, recurved, 2.5 in head. Olivaceous, silvery below, upper parts with golden longitudinal stripes alter-
nating with bluish interspaces; humeral spot larger than eye unimaculatus, 157
bb. Dorsal spines 12; incisors § on each side. Profile with a slight depression above eye; second anal spine much
longer than third. Color, grayish, belly white; 8 golden longitudinal bands; a black shoulder-spot tridens
Akchosa rgus:
an. Occipital crest broad, its honeycomb structure plainly exposed at upper margin; dorsal spines 12; species without
blue or golden markings, but with about seven broad black crossbands crossing body; no distinct shoulder-spot.
Body much compressed; dorsal outline strongly arched; ventral outline almost straight. Profile straight and
steep anteriorly. Incisors J, entire or slightly emarginate, serrate in young; molars in 3 series above, in 2
below, those of inner series larger, those behind incisors very small. Highest dorsal spine 1.33 in head; second
anal spine about twice in head, much longer than third.
d. Incisors broad, their breadth about half their length. Scales 8-48-15 probatocephalus
dd. Incisors narrower, their breadth 2.5 in their length. Scales 7-44-14 etvies
157. Archosarg-us unimaculatus (Bloch). “ Chopa Amarilla.”
(Plate 26.)
Head 3.4; depth 2.15; eyed; snout 2.3; maxillary 3; mandible 3.1; interorbital 3; preorbital 4. 1
;
D. -Xiii, 10 to 12; A. in, 10 or 11; pectoral 6; ventral 1.3; caudal 1; scales 8 or 9-45 to 50-14 to 16.
Body ovate, deep, strongly compressed, anterior profile steep and convex; mouth small, maxillary not
reaching front of eye; jaws equal, armed with strong, broad incisors, their edges sometimes notched, 3
on each side in upper jaw, 4 on each side in lower; 3 rows of molars of various sizes above, 2 rows
below; scales moderate, regular and cycloid, an enlarged scapular scale; dorsal fin continuous, spines
strong and sharp, graduated, middle ones highest, 2.5 in head, soft rays low, last longest, 3.6 in head,
base of soft fin with a low sheath of small scales; second anal spine strongest, somewhat recurved, 2.5
in head, soft rays short and weak, with basal sheath; pectoral very long, slender, reaching front of
anal; caudal well forked, lobes subequal.
Color in life; Pale bluish-silvery, bluish above, side with 9 to 12 narrow brassy lines, 5 above
lateral line, somewhat irregular behind, those below broader, more regular, and fainter; head bluish,
with brassy bars behind eye; under parts white, throat rusty; dorsal pale-bluish, brassy at base, tips
of spines darker; pectoral pale-greenish, washed with rusty, its base with yellow blotch; ventral
chiefly orange, inner ray white, tips of other rays white and violet; anal dirty-orange; caudal rusty,
washed with olive, middle rays black at tip. In spirits there is a diffuse black shoulder-spot, usually
smaller than eye, under lateral line several rows of scales back of its anterior end, faint or invisible in
life; the young have 6 or 7 diffuse vertical liars, not observed in life.
Found among the Florida Keys and in the West Indies south to Rio Janeiro, occasionally as far
north as South Carolina; recorded from Charleston, Key West, Cuba, Jamaica, and Brazil. It is an
abundant and important food-fish in Porto Rico. Our collection contains specimens 4 to 9 inches long,
from San Juan, Puerto Real, Guanica, Ponce, and Hucares. In the market at San Juan it was noted
as one of the most common species. Though not reaching a large size, it is an excellent pan-fish.
Salema, Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 153, 1648, Brazil.
Bream, Browne, Jamaica, 446, No. 1, 1756, Jamaica.
Perea unimaculata Bloch, Ichthyologia, pi. 308, 1792, Brazil; on a figure by Prince Maurice.
Spams saline Lac6pMe, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 136, 1803, Brazil; based on P. unimaculata of Bloch.
Sargus humeri-macidatus Quoy & Gaimard, Voyage Freycinet, Zool., 297, 1825, Rio Janeiro.
Sargus flavolineatus Cuvier A Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 60, 1830, Cuba.
Oynadus brama Gronow, Cat. Fishes, ed. Gray, 56, 1854, South Carolina.
Sargus coriha'us Poey, Memorias, II, 197, 1860, Cuba; Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 328, 1881.
Arcliosargus unimaculatus
,
Jordan A Evermann, 1. c., 1359, 1898.
THE FISHES OF I'ORTO RIOO. 205
Family XLV1I. GERRID£. The Mojarras.
Body oblong or elevated, compressed, covered with large, smooth scales; lateral line continuous,
concurrent with back; mouth moderate, extremely protractile, descending when protruded, spines of
premaxillary extending to above eye, closing a deep groove in top of head; maxillary without
supplemental bone, not slipping under very narrow preorbital, its surface silvery, like rest of head;
base of mandible scaly, a slit between it and preorbital to permit its free motion; both jaws with slender,
villiform teeth; no incisors, canines, nor molars; no teeth on vomer or palatines; preopercle entire or
serrate; sides of head scaly; nostrils double, round; pseudobranchise concealed
;
gillrakers short, broad
;
gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus; dorsal fin single, continuous or deeply notched, spinous
ami soft portions about equally developed, with a scaly sheath along base; dorsal spines usually 9 or
10; anal usually with 3 spines; soft portion of fin similar to soft dorsal but shorter; ventral fins
thoracic, i, 5, rather close together, slightly behind pectorals; branchiostegals 6; lower pharyngeal
bones close together, often appearing to be united, teeth blunt; air-bladder present; pyloric caeca
rudimentary; vertebrae 10 -j- 14 = 24.
The Gerridx comprise 6 or 8 genera and about 40 species. Four American genera are now recog-
nized, and each is represented in Porto Rican waters by one or more species. They are carnivorous
fishes, of moderate or small size, inhabiting the tropical seas, differing considerably in form and in
development of spines; the intergradations are, however, very perfect, so that but for the osteological
peculiarities of certain species all might be placed in one genus. Oviparous. The larger species of this
family are used as food, though they do not seem to be highly esteemed anywhere. In Indian River,
Florida, they are rarely used, but about Porto Rico they are in better demand.
a. Dorsal fin continuous, deeply notched.
b. Second interhsemal spine singularly developed, as a hollow cylinder, comparatively short and much expanded,
posterior end of air-bladder entering its cavity; preopercle and preorbital entire, anal spines 3, second not
much enlarged Eucinostomus, 89
bb. Second interhsemal spine normally developed, not hollow, air-bladder not entering it.
c. Second interhsemal spine very short, bluntish ; anal spines 2, both small ; preopercle and preorbital
entire Ul,ema,90
cc. Second interhsemal spine long, spear-shaped; anal spines 2 or 3, second enlarged
d. Preopercle entire; second anal spine moderate X ysttema, 91
dd. Preopercle serrate; second anal spine much enlarged Gerres,92
Genus 89. EUCINOSTOMUS Baird & Girard. Mojarritas
Interhsemal of second anal spine greatly modified, expanded into a hollow cylinder, into which
posterior end of air-bladder enters. Preopercle and preorbital entire; body comparatively elongate,
subelliptical in form; anal spines 3; second anal spine and fourth dorsal spine not greatly enlarged.
Species numerous, in warm seas, remarkable for the peculiar structure of the second interhsemal,
which is formed somewhat as in Calamus, but much more modified than in that genus.
a. Premaxillary groove wholly naked, linear or semioval, sometimes constricted at base, but never scaled, anal
rays III, 7.
b. Eye very large, its diameter much greater than length of snout, 2.66 in length of head. . Exposed portion of maxil-
lary small, triangular; premaxillary groove linear dowi
bb. Eye moderate, usually more than 3 in head, its diameter about equal to length of snout Exposed portion of
maxillary triangular in front, oblong behind.
c. Body elongate, back little elevated; greatest depth 3.25 to 3.5 in length pseudogula, 158
cc. Body more compressed, deeper, back more elevated; greatest depth 2.66 in length.
d. Snout blunt; eye large, scarcely 3 in head; second anal spine large, 2.66 to 3.3 in head, premaxillary groove
linear harengulus, 159
aa. Premaxillary groove scaled in front, scales leaving a naked pit behind Depth 2.4 in length; head 3 to 3.2 in
length of body. Second anal spine about 3.5 in head. grata, 160
158. Eucinostomus pseudogula Poey. Mojarra.
Head 3.2; depth 3.3; eye 3; snout 3.25; maxillary 3.3; mandible 2; interorbital 3.6; scales 5-49-9;
D. ix, 10; A. ni, 7. Body compressed, very slender, back very little elevated, the curve a gentle, regular
one from nape to caudal peduncle; mouth moderate, nearly horizontal, maxillary reaching anterior
edge of pupil, exposed portion triangular; preorbital and preopercle entire, eye large; premaxillary
groove rather narrow and without scales; snout rather long and pointed. Fins moderate; dorsal spines
206 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
all slender, second not enlarged, 1.66 in head; second anal spine scarcely enlarged, slightly shorter than
third, 3.5 in head, the base of fin 2 in head; caudal widely forked; pectoral rather long, scarcely
reaching vent, 1.2 in head; ventrals short, 2.2 in head.
Color in life: Bright silvery, with bluish and purplish reflections; back somewhat mottled with
dark; fins all pale except tip of spinous dorsal, which is black; axil of pectoral dusky; snout blackish.
Usual length, 4 or 5 inches. Known from the Bermudas and from Cuba to Brazil. Not common
in Porto Rico, where four specimens were obtained, all from Mayaguez.
Eucinostomus pseudogula Poey, Enumeratio, 53, pi. 1, 1875, Havana; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1368, 1898.
Oerres jonesi Gunther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Ill, 1879, 150 and 389, Bermudas.
159. Eucinostomus harengulus Goode & Bean. Mojarra.
Head 3; depth 2.7; eye 3.2; snout 3; maxillary 2.8; mandible 1.8; interorbital 4; scales 5-45-10;
D. ix, 10; A. in, 8. Body compressed, slender, back not much elevated; snout rather long and
pointed; mouth horizontal, moderate, maxillary reaching anterior edge of pupil, its exposed portion
triangular; preorbital and preopercle entire; premaxillary groove narrow, naked; eye rather large.
Fins moderate; second dorsal spine slender, weak, 1.8 in head, shorter than the third; second anal
spine short and weak, 3.2 in head, a little shorter than the third; caudal moderately forked, pectoral
long and pointed, not quite reaching anal, 1.1 in head; ventrals short, not reaching vent, 1.9 in head.
Color in life: Silvery-white, the back with pale steel-blue iridescence; faint, shining, silvery-
longitudinal stripes along rows of scales; fins all pale except tips of dorsal spines, which are black.
E. harengulus is very close to E. californiensis and may not be really distinct. The principal differ-
ence we discover between our specimens and specimens of E. californiensis from the Pacific coast is
that the second anal spine is somewhat larger in E. harengulus. Length 4 to 8 inches. It is found
on the Atlantic coast of tropical America from Florida to Bahia; apparently the most abundant species
of the family in Porto Rico, as is shown by numerous specimens from San Antonio Bridge and Palo
Seco near San Juan, Mayaguez, Boqueron, Fajardo, Isabel Segunda, San Geronimo, and Culebra.
Eucinostomus harengulus Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1879, 132, West Florida: Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1368, 1898.
160. Eucinostomus gula (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . Mojarra.
Head 3.2; depth 2.5; eye 3; snout 3.2; maxillary 3; mandible 2; interorbital 3; scales 4-45-9;
I), ix, 10; A. nr, 8. Body compressed, rather short, back somewhat elevated; profile straight from
tip of snout to occiput, thence arched to origin of dorsal; mouth rather small, horizontal, maxillary
reaching anterior edge of pupil, exposed portion narrowly triangular; eye moderate; preorbital and
preopercle entire; premaxillary groove scaled except a central, nearly circular pit. Fins moderate;
dorsal spines all weak and slender, second and third subequal, 1.75 in head; second anal spine slightly
stouter and shorter than third, 3 in head; caudal widely forked, lobes equal to head; pectoral long,
reaching past vent, 1 in head; ventrals short, 1.75 in head.
Color, silvery-white, darker on back; fins all pale, front of spinous dorsal dark at tip.
Carolinas to Brazil, the young often taken at Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Common about Porto
Rico, specimens having been obtained at San Antonio Bridge, Ensenada del Boqueron, Fajardo, Culebra,
and San Geronimo. Length 4 to 5 inches.
Genes gula Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 464, 1830, Martinique.
Eucinostomus argenteus Baird & Girard, Ninth Smith, Report 1855, 345, Beesley Point, N. J.
Eucinostomus gulula Poey, Enumeratio, 54, pi. 2, 1875, Havana.
Diapterus homonymus Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1879, 340, Clearwater Harbor, Florida.
Eucinostomus gula, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1370, 1898.
Genus 90. ULJEMA Jordan & Evermann.
This genus is close to Eucinostomus, from which it differs in the form of the second interhsemal,
which is short, bluntish, and not hollowed out. The single known species is slender in form, with
weak spines, the anal fin having but 2.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 207
161. Ulaema lefroyi (Goode).
Head .3.2; depth 3.1; eye 3; snout 3.1; maxillary 3.1; mandible 2; interorbital 3.5; D. ix, 10;
A. n, 8; scales 5-46-10. Body long and slender, dorsal profile only slightly elevated; snout long and
pointed; mouth moderate, maxillary reaching only to anterior border of eye, its exposed portion
short and triangular; interorbital broad; premaxillary groove long, narrow, and naked; preorbital and
preopercle entire; eye large. Fins small; dorsal spines all slender and weak, second slightly shorter
than third, 1.9 in head; longest dorsal rays about 3.1 in head; second anal spine small and rather
short, 4 in head; caudal fin long, lobes about equal to head; pectoral slender, 1.25 in head; ventrals-
short, reaching only halfway to anal, 2.1 in head.
Color, silvery, darker above, with bluish iridescence, white below; fine dusky punctulations every-
where, thickest on back; dorsal, anal, and caudal dusky, other fins pale; axil dusky; snout dusky.
Found in the West. Indies, on sandy shores; known from the Bermudas, Cuba, Porto Rico, Key
West, and Cedar Keys. Length 4 to 6 inches. A specimen, 5 inches long, was obtained at Culebra
Island, February 9.
Diaplerus lefroyi Goode, Amer. Journ. Sci. Arts 1874, 123, Bermudas.
Eucinostomus productus Poey
,
Enumeratio, 55, 1875, Havana.
Ulienia lefroyi
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1371, 1898.
Genus 91. XYST2EMA Jordan & Evermann. Mojarras Blancas; Muniamas.
This genus differs from Gerres in having the preopercle entire. The body is compressed, but not
greatly elevated, and the second anal and fourth dorsal spines are less enlarged than in Gerres. The
second interhsemal is long and spear-shaped, not hollow and not receiving air-bladder, its structure
as in Gerres. One species, widely distributed.
162. Xystaema cinereum (Walbaum). Mojarra; “Muniama.”
Head 3.2; depth 2.6; eye 3.4; snout 3; maxillary 2.6; mandible 2; interorbital 3.25; scales
6-45-11; D. ix, 10; A. iii, 7. Body compressed, elongate, dorsal profile moderately and regularly ele-
vated, interorbital region slightly depressed; mouth moderate, maxillary extending to vertical of anterior
edge of pupil, its exposed portion triangular in form and twice as long as wide, its length 5 in head;
preorbital and preopercle entire; maxillary groove broadly ovate and without scales; gillrakers weak,
7 below angle; distance from tip of snout to origin of dorsal fin, 2.4 in body; second dorsal spine longest,
1.6 in head, not much longer than the others, all being weak and flexible; general outline of upper
margin of dorsal fin falcate; second and third anal spines subequal, second not much enlarged, 2.6 in
head; pectoral long and pointed, its length slightly greater than head; ventrals short, 2 in head; caudal
deeply forked, lobes equal, 0. 7 in head. Scales moderately firm, a sheath at dorsal and anal fins; caudal
densely covered with minute scales.
208 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Light bluish-white above, silvery below, with about 6 faint, vertical, bluish bars.
Found on both coasts of tropical America, and in the West Indies, north to southern Florida and
Lower California; generally common in waters of moderate depth; entering rivers. Length a foot
or more. A good fish, of considerable importance, reaching a larger size than most species of the
family. Common about Porto Rico, where we obtained specimens from San Juan, San Antonio Bridge,
Ensenada del Boqueron, and Isabel Segunda. Common in the San Juan market.
Turdus cinereus peltatvs (the Shad), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolinas, etc., 1731, Bahamas.
Mugil cinereus Walbaum, Artedi Piseium, 228, 1792, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Gcrres aprion Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 101, 1829, Bahamas; based on Catesby.
Gerres zebra Muller <& Troschel, in Schomburgk, Hist. Barbados, 668, 1818, Barbados.
Genes squamipinnis Gunther, Cat. Fishes, I, 349, 1859, Jamaica.
Eucinostomus aprion
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Kiquena, 328, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 77 and 163, 1883.
Xystsema cinereum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1372, 1898.
Genus 92. GEKRES Cuvier. Mojarras.
Second interhtemal long and spear-shaped, not excavated and not receiving end of air-bladder;
preopercle serrate; body elevated and more or less rhomboid in form; third or fourth dorsal spine
and second anal spine more or less elevated. Species numerous.
o. Preorbital entire; no distinct dark streaks along rows of scales.
Moharra:
b. Anal spines 2 only, soft rays 9; second anal spine 1.75; premaxillary groove broad, scaleless; body deep.
rhombeus
,
163
Diapterus:
bb. Anal spines 3, soft rays 8.
c. Premaxillary groove broad, oval, andocvered with scales (these sometimes deciduous in poorly preserved specimens).
Anal in, 8; second dorsal spine 1.25 in head; second anal spine 1.6 in head; teeth rather long and slender.
olisthostomus
,
164
Gerres:
aa. Preorbital serrate; a distinct dark streak along each row of scales on back and sides; bodyrhomboidal, with angular
outlines; spines very strong; anal rays III, 8 or 9.
d. Spines moderate, second dorsal spine two-thirds to three-fourths length of head.
e. Pectoral as long as head, not reaching front of anal, 3 to 3.33 in body; scales 38; the longest dorsal spine 1.4
in head brasiliamis, 165
ee. Pectoral very long, one-sixth longer than head, 2.5 to 2.75 in body; the second dorsal spine longest, 1.5 in head;
scales 35 embryx
dd. Spines very high, second dorsal spine equaling head or longer; second anal spine about equal to length of head;
lateral stripes very distinct, about 12 in number; depth of the body 2.17 in length; pectoral very long, 2.66 in
body; scales 37 plumieri
,
166
163. Gerres rhombeus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Mojarra.
Head 2.8; depth 2; eyed; snoutS; maxillary 2.4; mandible 1.8; interorbital 3.4; scales 6—38—10;
D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9. Body much compressed, rhomboidal, back much elevated; profile evenly convex
from dorsal to supraorbital, where there is a slight depression; snoyt somewhat pointed; mouth large,
maxillary reaching vertical of posterior border of pupil, exposed portion oblong, its width about 3 in
its length, which is 3.4 in head; preorbital and preopercle entire; gillrakers short and weak, 18 below
angle; premaxillary groove broadly oval and without scales. Distance from tip of snout to origin of
dorsal 2 in length; second and third dorsal spines longest, second strongest, 1.6 in head; dorsal rays
short; second anal spine very strong, 1.9 in head; pectoral long, 1.1 in head, reaching origin of anal;
ventrals rather long, reaching past vent, 1.6 in the head; caudal well forked, the lobes subequal, 1.1 in
the head.
Color in life: Silvery-white with bluish reflections, paler below; snout dusky; no dark lines along
rows of scales; margin of dorsal tin black; other tins pale, ventrals and anal somewhat dusky.
Found in the West Indies and along the Atlantic coast of tropical America; generally common.
Numerous specimens from San Antonio Bridge, Mayaguez, and Palo Seco. Length 10 inches or less.
Gerres rhombeus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 459, 1830, Martinique; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 1374, 1898.
Moharra rhombea ?, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 327, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 209
164. Gerres olisthostomus Goode & Bean. Mojarra; Irish Pompano; Mutton-fish.
Head 3; depth 2.4; eye3.4; snout3.4; maxillary 2.6; mandible 1.9; interorbital 3.2; scales 6-39-11;
D. ix, 10; A. hi, 8. Body compressed, rather long, rhomboid, more slender than in G. brasilianus
dorsal outline in a double curve from tip of snout to origin of dorsal, strongly convex from nape to
dorsal fin; snout conical, bluntish; mouth little oblique, large, maxillary reaching anterior edge of
orbit; exposed portion of maxillary oblong, length 2.75 times its width; eye moderate; preorbital
entire; preopercle weakly serrate; premaxillary groove broad, oval, covered with small, deciduous
scales, a naked, linear, median depression. Fins moderate; first dorsal spine very short, the second
long and moderately strong, about 2 in head, others gradually shorter; second anal spine strong, 1.6 in
head, slightly shorter than third; caudal deeply forked, lobes longer than head; pectoral as long as
head; ventrals shorter, 1.4 in head; least depth of caudal peduncle 1.8 in head.
Color, silvery-olivaceous; scales with faint silvery streaks but no dark ones; fins mostly pale or
yellowish, ventrals somewhat dusky.
Found in the West Indies, north to southern Florida, south to Brazil. Length a foot or less. Appa-
rently not common in Porto Rico, as the collection contains but one specimen, obtained in the San Juan
market. This is 8.5 inches long, and differs somewhat from Florida examples, the second dorsal
spine being shorter and the body more slender.
Genes olisthostoma Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1882, 423, Indian River, Florida.
Gerres olisthostomus, Jordan & Evermann,!. c., 1376, 1898.
165. Gerres brasilianus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Mojarra.
Head 3.4; depth 2.3; eye 3.4; snout 3.25; maxillary 2.75; mandible 2; interorbital 3.3; scales
6-36-17; D. ix, 10; A. in, 8. Body compressed, rhomboidal, back very much elevated; profile
nearly straight from tip of snout to origin of dorsal fin, slightly concave above eyes; snout conical,
bluntish, less acute than in G. linealus; mouth horizontal, rather large, maxillary reaching middle of
pupil, its exposed portion oblong, about 2.75 times as long as wide; preorbital and preopercle serrate;
eye rather large; premaxillary groove very broad, narrowed posteriorly, without scales. First dorsal
spine very short, second very long and strong, 1.2 in head; third slightly shorter but much weaker;
remaining dorsal spines short; dorsal rays short, about 2 in head; second anal spine very long and
strong, 1.2 in head; third spine slender and slightly longer than second; caudal widely forked, middle
rays about 3.5 in outer; pectoral long, 0.9 in head, reaching past vent; ventrals long, 1.15 in head;
least depth of caudal peduncle 2.5 in head. Length a foot or less.
F. C. B. 1900—14
210 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Pale-silvery, with about six bronze or blackish stripes above lateral line, upper
two ceasing at origin of dorsal, and about nine similar but fainter longitudinal stripes below lateral line,
upper two of which unite at anterior end; fins all dark except pectoral, which is pale; dorsal fin
black-edged; anterior edge of second dorsal spine black; axil dusky.
The range of this species extends from Cuba to Bahia. It is generally common, but our collec-
tion contains only two specimens, one from the San Juan market, the other from Puerto Real, 10
and 9 inches long, respectively.
Gerres brasilianus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 458, 1830, Brazil; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 327,
1881; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 1378,1898.
166. Gerres plumieri Cuvier & Valenciennes. Mojarra.
Head 3; depth 2.16; eye rather large, 3 in head; snout 4 in head; scales 5-37-11; D. ix, 10; A.
hi, 8. Body compressed, rhomboidal in form, back very much elevated. Mouth rather large, maxillary
extending slightly beyond vertical from anterior margin of pupil, its length 2.8 in head; exposed
portion of maxillary oblong, its width 2.5 in length, which is 4.75 in length of head; preorbital and
preopercle serrate; premaxillary groove broad and entirely free from scales; gillrakers small, weak, 13
below the angle; distance from tip of snout to dorsal fin equal to greatest depth of fish; upper margin
of dorsal fin much concave; second dorsal spine very strong and long, its length equaling length of
head; second anal spine stronger and slightly shorter than second dorsal spine, its tip reaching to
vertical from base of caudal rays; third spine shorter and much weaker than second; pectoral fins
reaching beyond front of anal, their length 2.66 in length of body; ventral fins reaching past vent,
almost to front of anal, their length 3.4 in length of body. Length 10 inches.
Color, bluish-silvery above, silvery below; very distinct dark longitudinal lines along each row of
scales; dorsal, caudal, and anal fins dusky; margin of dorsal fin black; a dark supraorbital spot;
pectoral and ventral fins pale.
Found on the Atlantic coast of tropical America and among the West Indies; rather common;
known from Havana, Porto Rico, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Martinique, Indian River, Florida, Pernam-
buco, Bahia, Aspinwall, and Guatemala. Not seen by us in Porto Rico, but included here on the
authority of Cuvier & Valenciennes and of Poey.
Gerres plumieri Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 452, 1830, Antilles, Porto Rico; Poey, Fauna Puerto-
Riquena, 327, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1379, 1898.
Family XIV1II. KYPHOSIDtE. The Rudder-fishes.
Herbivorous fishes, with incisor teeth only in front of jaws. Body oblong or elevated, with
moderate or small scales, ctenoid or not. Mouth moderate, with incisor-like teeth in front of each
jaw; no molars; teeth on vomer and palatines present or absent; premaxillaries moderately protractile;
preorbital rather narrow, sheathing maxillary. Gillrakers moderate
;
pseudobranchise well developed
;
opercles entire. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth; gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus; dorsal fin
continuous or divided, with 10 to 15 rather strong spines, soft dorsal naked or scaly; anal with 3 spines;
ventrals thoracic, raysi, 5, an accessory scale at base; caudal lunate or forked; pectoral fin with all its
rays branched. Intestinal canal elongate, with few or many pyloric caeca. Air-bladder usually with
2 posterior horns. Vertebrae in ordinary or slightly increased number, 24 to 28. Post-temporal of
normal percoid form, the stout forks not adnate to cranium.
Shore fishes, feeding largely on green or olive algae; chiefly of the Mediterranean Sea and the
Pacific Ocean; most of them valued as food. Genera 20, species about 70.
Genus 93. KYPHOSUS Lacepede. Chopas.
Body elongate-ovate, regularly elliptical, moderately compressed; head short, with blunt snout;
eye large; mouth small, horizontal; maxillary barely reaching front of eye; each jaw with a single
series of rather narrow, obtusely lanceolate incisors, implanted with compressed conspicuous roots
posteriorly; behind these a narrow band of villiform teeth; fine teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue.
Branchiostegals 7; gillrakers long. Preopercle obsoletely serrate ; preorbital narrow, covering but little
of the maxillary. Squamation very complete, space between and about eyes being the only naked part;
scales smallish, thick, ctenoid, 60 to 70 in lateral line, which is continuous; similar scales entirely
covering soft parts of vertical fins and extending up on paired fins. Dorsal fin low, with about 11
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 211
spines, which are depressible in a groove of scales, fin continuous, but last spines low, so that a depression
occurs between the two parts of fin, bases of spinous and soft parts about equal; soft dorsal rather low in
front, not falcate, pointed behind; anal similar to soft dorsal, with 3 spines; caudal fin moderately
forked; pectoral fin small, ventrals well behind them. Intestinal canal long. Pyloric cseca very
numerous. Vertebrae 9 or 10+15 or 16=25.
This genus contains some 10 species, chiefly confined to the Pacific Ocean, and most of them
found in the East Indies.
a. Anal fin moderately elevated in front and rather short, Its rays in, 11, longest ray 1.5 to 2 in base of soft part of fin.
D. xi, 11 or 12. Teeth 35 to 40 in each jaw.
b. Teeth rather narrow and subacute; maxillary short, barely reaching eye, about 3.5 in head.
c. Scales moderate, 10-65-20; A. in, 13. Coloration bright-plumbeous, with many bright-yellow streaks on a plumbeous
ground. Mouth and teeth not fully described incisor, 167
cc. Scales rather large, 10-55-16; depth 2.33 in length; head 3.75. Coloration dusky-gray, with about 25 gray streaks
following rows of scales, those near middle of body broadest; a silvery streak along preorbital. D.xi, 12;
A. in, 11 sectatrix, 168
167 . Kyphosus incisor (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Chopa Amarilla.
Head 5 in total with caudal; depth 3; D. xi, 14; A. in, 13; scales 10-65, pores 20; anal a third higher
than soft dorsal
;
caudal lunate; teeth as in K. sectatrix; preopercle scarcely serrate; scales of back much
smaller than those of sides, as are also those of head, throat, and belly. Plumbeous, with yellow lines
marking edges of scales; besides yellow streak across cheek to axil, another below eye ending on
opercle; yellow streak before nostrils emphasized by black edgings; fins blue, deeper on soft part; base
of pectoral with yellow scales.
Cuba (Poey) to Brazil and Canary Islands; a large species, reaching 2.5 to 3 feet in length, larger
than K. sectatrix. Evidently distinct from K. sectatrix, with which it is confounded by Jordan & Fesler,
its relations being with K. analogus. Not seen by us; reported by Dr. Stahl from Porto Rico.
? Saleima aurata Bowdich, Excursion Madeira, 238, 1825, Bona Vista Island; description and figure very bad. D. x, 17;
A. Ill, 14; body with light-orange stripes.
Pimelepterus incisor Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 266, 1831, Brazil.
Pimelepterus flavolineatus, Stahl, l.c., 77 and 163,1883.
Kyphosus incisor, Jordan & Evermann, 1386, 1898.
168 . Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus). Rudder-fish; Bermuda Chub; Chub; Cliopa Blanca.
Head 3.75; depth 2.12; D. xi, 12; A. in, 11; scales 10-55-16; vertebrae 9 + 16. Body ovate,
somewhat compressed; longest dorsal spine one-fifth height of body, rather higher than soft dorsal and
nearly equal to longest ray of anal; teeth 35 to 40 on each side; horizontal process of teeth not much
longer than vertical; interorbital space 2.5 in head; top and sides of head finely scaled; interorbital
region gibbous, below which point snout is truncate; preopercle weakly serrulate; gillrakers long; soft
dorsal and anal very low; longest ray of anal 2.25 in head, longest spine 2.25; median dorsal spines
highest; second anal spine highest; caudal well forked, lower lobe longer.
Color in life: Steel-gray, very slightly bluish, not much paler below; edges of each row of scales oi_
back and sides slightly brassy, so that very faint yellowish stripes alternate with bluish ones of about
equal width; a diffuse pale stripe below eye, a yellowish one above and below this; fins all dull-grayish
;
ventrals and anal somewhat blackish; edge of opercle slightly darker. Here described from Key West
specimens.
K. sectatrix ranges from Cape Cod to the West Indies, crossing the ocean to the Canary Islands;
accidental in the Mediterranean; once taken at Palermo by Prof. Pietro Doderlein. Not rare off our
Atlantic coast, becoming rather common southward, especially at Key West. Long noted for its
habit of following vessels, supposably for waste food thrown from them, hence called rudder-fish. It
is apparently not common about Porto Rico, and was not obtained by us, but is recorded by Professor
Poey and Dr. Stahl.
This fish reaches a length of 18 inches or more, though the average of those caught is much less.
The average weight is 3 or 4 pounds and the maximum about 9 pounds. As a food-fish it is held in
high esteem, its flesh being firm and of good flavor. At Key West it occurs in certain places in
abundance and is found throughout the year. The particular bottom which it seeks is the shoals in
212 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
or near the channels where the water is 4 to 20 feet deep. It is one of the best and most interesting
game-fishes of our southern waters. It is remarkable for the vigor and “rush” with which it takes
the hook and for the mad dashes it makes to free itself. The fight which it makes is much like that
one sometimes gets from an unusually large fresh-water sunfish, but is stronger, more prolonged, and
more exciting, as the fish is larger and stronger.
Chub fishing at Key West, though not known to everyone who has gone to those waters to wet
a line, is really one of the surest and most satisfactory ways of enjoyment the angler can find at that
place. The chub is caught by still-fishing and the usual bait is pieces of the soft parts of the large
spiny lobster (Panulirus americanus), which is very abundant about Key West. The fish swim at
various depths, but usually not far above the bottom. The water is very clear and the fact that the
angler can see the fish, as it rushes frantically in one direction and then in another to free itself, adds
not a little to the excitement and interest of the sport.
Perea marina sedatrix (the Rudder-fish), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Car., 138, 1731, Carolina.
Perea saltarix Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 293, 1758 (misprint, incorrectly copied from Catesby, who called it sedatrix),
Carolina.
Chsetodon cyprinaceus (Broussonet) Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1, 1269, 1788, name only; on a specimen from the tropical Atlantic
(coll. Parkinson, in voyage of Capt. Cook: described by Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1. c., VIII, 263).
Pimelepterus bosquii Lact'pede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 429, 1803, South Carolina.
Pimelepterus oblongior Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 264, 1831, locality unknown; depth 3 in total
length: 14 longitudinal streaks.
Pimelepterus bosci var. sicula Doderlein, Nat. Sicil.
,
Ann. 11, fasc. 2, 1883, Palermo.
Pimelepterus boscii, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 330, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Kyphosus sedatrix, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1387, 1898.
Fig. 63.—Kyphosus sedatrix.
Family XLIX. SCI^NID^. The Croakers.
Body compressed, more or less elongate, covered with rather thin scales, which are usually more
or less ctenoid. Lateral line continuous, usually more or less concurrent with back, extending on
caudal fin. Head prominent, covered with scales; bones of the skull cavernous, muciferous system
highly developed, surface of skull, when the flesh is removed, very uneven. Suborbital bones
without backward projecting “stay.” Chin usually with pores, sometimes with barbels. Mouth
small or large, the teeth in one or more series, outer of which are sometimes enlarged; canines often
present. No incisor nor molar teeth; no teeth on vomer, palatines, pterygoids, nor tongue. Maxillary
without supplemental bone, slipping under free edge of preorbital, which is usually broad. Premax-
illaries protractile, but not very freely movable. Nostrils double. Pseudobranchiae usually large,
present in most of the genera. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth. Gillrakers present. Branchiostegals 7.
Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus. Lower pharyngeals separate or united, often enlarged,
teeth conic or molar. Preopercle serrate or not. Opercle usually ending in 2 flat points. Dorsal fin
deeply notched or divided into 2 fins, soft dorsal being the longer, spines depressible into a more or
less perfect groove. Anal fin with 1 or 2 spines, never more than 2. Ventral fins thoracic, i, 5, below
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 213
or behind pectorals. Pectoral fin normal. Caudal fin usually not forked. Ear bones very large.
Pyloric caeca usually rather few. Air-bladder usually large and complicated (wanting in Menticirrhus)
.
An important family of 30 genera and about 150 species, found on sandy shores in all warm seas,
a few being confined to fresh waters. None occurs in deep water and none among rocks. Many of
them reach a large size, and nearly all are valued for food. All are carnivorous and some are of
interest as game-fishes. Most of the species make a peculiar noise, called variously croaking, grunting,
drumming, and snoring; this sound is supposed to be caused by forcing air from the air-bladder into
one of the lateral horns.
Otolithinjs:
I. Vertebrse 14 or 15 + 10 or 11, abdominal portion of spinal column having always more vertebrae than caudal
portion, anal fin being posterior in its insertion; body more or less elongate, mouth large, lower jaw projecting;
preopercle with a crenulate, membranaceous border; snout without distinct pores or slits; no barbels,
preorbital narrow; gillrakers slender, moderate, or rather long; anal fin with 1 or 2 very weak spines, second
closely connected with first soft ray; scales small, smoothish.
a. Anal fin long, of 15 to 21 soft rays, its length more than half that of soft dorsal; dorsal fins more or less separated;
soft dorsal and anal fins closely scaled.
b. Teeth large, very unequal; tip of upper jaw with one or two strong canines; enlarged teeth or canines on sides of
lower jaw; anal fin one-fourth shorter than soft dorsal, 15 to 18 soft rays; dorsal fins well separated, interspace
about equal to. eye; soft dorsal of 24 rays; body compressed; scales rather small, cycloid Isopisthus
aa. Anal fin moderate, or short, of 7 to 13 soft rays, its length less than one-half that of second dorsal; dorsal fins con-
tiguous; lateral line arched in front.
c. Canine teeth, if present, not lance-shaped, tapering from base to tip.
d. Lower jaw without canines at its tip, some of its lateral teeth sometimes enlarged; tip of upper jaw usually with
canines Cynoscion, 94
cc. Canine teeth lance-shaped, widened toward tip, then abruptly pointed; canines of front of premaxillary largest;
about 2 canines on frontof lower jaw on each side; outer teeth of upper jaw enlarged, somewhat lance-shaped;
outer teeth of lower jaw compressed; air-bladder with 2 horn-like processes; gillrakers moderate, slender;
soft dorsal and anal fin scaly Sagenichthys
II. Vertebrae 9 to 12+13 to 20, typically 10+14, number in abdominal part of body being always fewer than in caudal
part; dorsal fins contiguous, soft dorsal being long, much longer than anal.
e. Dorsal spines well separated, first dorsal spine attached to third or fourth interneural, not more than 2 of spine-
bearing interneurals being placed between same pair of vertebrse; soft rays of dorsal fin usually 17 to 32 (37 to
40 in Lonchiurus, 45 to 50 in Seisenoides); occipital crest not greatly elevated.
SCIAtNINAt:
/. Lower pharyngeals separate.
g. Lower jaw without barbfels.
h. Caudal fin moderately scaly, its distal portion usually more or less naked, scales not numerous enough to give a
thickened appearance to fin.
i. Teeth well developed, permanent in both jaws.
j. Lower pharyngeals rather narrow, their teeth conic and mostly sharp, none of them molar; outer teeth of upper
jaw more or less enlarged.
k. Gillrakers comparatively long and slender; mouth more or less oblique; anal fin usually (but not always) inserted
posteriorly; preorbital usually narrow, flat; edge of snout above upper jaw with pores and slits little conspicuous
or obsolete.
l. Skull excessively cavernous, soft and spongy to touch, interorbital space very broad; eye very small, mouth large,
oblique; preopercle with a broad membranaceous border, which is striated and fringed; scales small; spinous
dorsal short and weak; anal spines weak; caudal fin pointed.
m. Pseudobranchiae present; teeth subequal, all villiform, in narrow bands; soft dorsal long, of 30 to 35 rays; anal fin
rather long, soft dorsal and anal scaly; lower jaw projecting; vertebrae 10+14; gillrakers long and slender; air-
bladder with two horns Nebris
U. Skull firm, not excessively cavernous, interorbital space less broad; preorbital not turgid; soft dorsal of fewer than
30 rays.
n. Scales of lateral line considerably enlarged, almost entirely concealed by smaller ones; anal fin small, inserted
well forward, its first spine usually as near ventrals as caudal; caudal fin pointed, its peduncle long and slender;
soft dorsal,and anal scaly; scales small; preopercle without bony serrse; pseudobranchiae small, often obsolete
on one side. (Fluviatile species.) Pi.agioscion
nn. Scales of lateral line similar to the others, not concealed by smaller ones; anal fin inserted more or less posteriorly,
first spine usually nearer caudal than ventrals; caudal peduncle rather short; pseudobranchiae well developed.
o. Head not very broad, the interorbital space not notably spongy nor deeply cavernous.
p. Preopercle with its membranaceous edge entire, crenulate or ciliate, with no bony teeth; teeth in lower jaw m
few series.
q. Teeth very small, equal, uniserial or very nearly so; snout very short; cleft of mouth oblique or even vertical,
lower jaw projecting Larimtjs,95
qq. Teeth larger, more or less unequal, those of lower jaw in one or two series or in bands; cleft of mouth not vertical.
r. Upper jaw with some of the teeth enlarged, forming canines; some canines in lower jaw; lower jaw projecting.
Odontoscion, 96
214 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
rr. Tipper jaw with narrow band of teeth, those of outer row more or less enlarged: no distinct canines. . .Corvula, 97
pp. Preopercle with its bony margin armed with sharp teeth or serrae.
s. Preopercle with its lowermost spine directed abruptly downward; soft dorsal and anal fin moderately scaly; lower
jaw without canines; second anal spine moderate or large Bairdtella, 98
oo. Head very broad above, interorbital space flattish, excessively cavernous, septa reduced to thin partitions; soft
dorsal and anal fin usually densely scaly; second spine of dorsal usually thickened Stellifek
klc. Gillrakers comparatively short and thick, usually not longer than posterior nostril; anal fin inserted farther
forward; snout above lower jaw with large pores, and with two more or less distinct slits on its edge, these-
sometimes obsolete; preorbital more or less broad; mouth more or less inferior.
t. Preopercle with its bony margin armed with strong persistent spines which do not disappear with age; caudal
fin not lunate, middle rays longer than lower Ophioscion, 99
It. Preopercle with its bony margin serrate in young, becoming entire with age; caudal fin truncate or lunate,
middle rays not longest; slits and pores of upper jaws well developed Sci^nops
ii. Teeth very small, subequal, those in lower jaw wanting or deciduous; lower pharyngeals rather broad, with
paved teeth; mouth small, inferior; snout as in Scisena; preopercle entire; anal fin long, with about 12 soft rays;
gillrakers shortish, rather slender Leiostomus
gg. Lower jaw with one or more barbels, either at symphysis or o:i the rami; snout with slits and pores as in Scisena;
lower jaw included; preorbital broad; lower teeth in villiform bands; gillrakers more or less short.
u. Pseudobranchire well developed; pectoral fin not elongate.
vv. Lower jaw with slender barbels, usually several in number.
w. Barbels mostly in a tuft at symphysis of lower jaw; mouth very small, inferior; gillrakers minute, thickish; dorsal
spines x or xi; preopercle sharply but finely serrate; preorbital turgid and cavernous, more or less translucent;
caudal fin rhombic. (Fluviatile species) Pachypops
ww. Barbels chiefly lateral, along rami of lower jaw, usually none at symphysis; lower pharyngeals narrow, with
sharp teeth; preopercle with its bony margin armed with strong teeth; D. x or xi; gillrakers short, thickish.
IIICROPOGON, 100
vv. Lower jaw with a single thickish barbel at its tip.
x. Air-bladder large; anal spines 2; back more or less elevated; preopercle with its bony margin crenate or serrate;
pectoral short, shorter than ventrals. (Free-swimming species) Umbrina,101
xx. Air-bladder none; anal spine single, weak; back not elevated; preopercle with its membranaceous edge crenulate;
pectoral fins long, longer than ventrals. (Bottom fishes.) Menticirrhus, 102
uu. Pseudobranchite obsolete; body long and low; caudal pointed; pectoral fin elongate; preopercle without bony,
serratures.
y.
Mandible without barbels along inner edge. Chin with two short barbels; soft dorsal with 30 to 40 rays.
LoNCHrup.i
Aplodinotinie:
ff. Lower pharyngeals very large, completely united, covered with coarse, blunt, paved teeth; lower jaw included:
snout with slits and pores, as in Scixna; gillrakers rather short.
z. Lower jaw with numerous barbels along inner edge of rami; preopercle nearly entire Pogonias
Equitin^::
ee. Dorsal spines close together, first spine attached to first interneural, and from 5 to 12 of spine-bearing interneurals
wedged in between high occipital crest and neural spine of second vertebra on the one hand, and that of third
vertebra on the other; occipital crest much elevated; soft dorsal very long, of 36 to 55 rays Eques, 103
Genus 94. CYNOSCION Gill. Weak-fishes.
Body elongate, little compressed, back not elevated. Head conical, rather pointed; mouth very
large, terminal, not very oblique, lower jaw projecting, symphysis produced, angle at base of maxillary
not prominent. Maxillary very broad. Teeth sharp, not closely set, in rather narrow bands; tip of
lower jaw without canines; upper jaw with 2 long canines, 1 of which is sometimes obsolete; canines
tapering from base to tip; lateral teeth of lower jaw larger than anterior. Preopercle with its mem-
branaceous edge serrulate, bone entire. Lower pharyngeal bones separate, their teeth all pointed.
Gillrakers strong, rather long. Vertebrae about 14 + 10 (instead of 10 -j- 14 as in Scisenoids generally)
.
Pseudobranchile well developed; dorsal spines slender, tins closely contiguous; anal spines 1 or 2, very
feeble, soft rays 7 to 13; second dorsal long and low, more than twice length of anal; ventrals inserted
below pectorals, pubic bone long and strong; caudal tin subtruncate or lunate.
Large fishes, chiefly of the Waters of America, closely related to the Old World genus Otolithus,
from which they are distinguished by the absence of canines in the lower jaw. All of them rank high
as food-fishes; the flesh is rich, but in some species tender and easily torn; hence the popular nank
weak-fishes. The number of species of this genus known from American waters is about 20, among
which are some of our most important food-fishes, including the common squeteague ( Cynosdon
regalis) , which, though not exceeding 5 or 6 pounds in weight, is said occasionally to attain a weight
of 30 pounds, and the spotted squeteague ( C. maculatum) , somewhat smaller and ranging further south.
In the Gulf of California occurs another species (C. mcicdonaldi) , which attains the enormous size of
more than 170 pounds. Only one species of this genus is at present known from Porto Rico.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 215
. Scales not very small, lateral line having 55 to 75 pores, number of transverse series ranging from 55 to 85, not
much in excess of number of pores; head compressed, not truly conical; upper jaw with distinct canines, band
of teeth in upper jaw rather narrow, lower teeth small and in few seriesin front, larger and uniserial on sides.
. Soft rays of dorsal and anal more or less closely scaled; gillrakers comparatively long and slender. 9 to 12 on lower
part of arch, longest at least one-half diameter of eye.
c. Soft dorsal of 20 to 23 rays.
d. Caudal fin rhombic, middle rays considerably produced.
e. Snout short, bluntish, 4.6 in head; mouth small, little oblique, canines quite small; color pale, with faint darker
streaks; axil pale.pseudobranchise sometimes wanting. D. ix-r, 20; A. I, 8 acoupa
cc. Soft dorsal of 26 to 29 rays; caudal fin subtruncate or double truncate, middle rays but slightly produced.
/. Coloration nearly uniform silvery.
g. Caudal truncate; body slender, depth more than 4 in length; snout short; maxillary not reaching beyond eye.
D. x-i, 27; A. i, 11 obliquatus
gg. Caudal weakly double-concave; body deep, depth 3.5 to 4 in length.
h. Snout long, 3.75 in head, longer than eye jamaicensis, 169
hh. Snout long, 4.5 in head, shorter than eye. IJ. x-i, 27 to 29, A. n, 9 or 10 nothus
ff. Coloration brownish-silvery above, with many dark-brown spots, arranged in undulating streaks; body more or
less compressed; eye moderate, 5 to 7 in head; maxillary extending to below posterior margin of eye, 2.17 in
head; canines large; color brownish-silvery, with iridescent reflections and marked with many small, rather
irregular, dark-brown spots, some of which form undulating lines running upward and backward; upper fins
dusky, lower yellowish.
i. Snout not very sharp, about 4.25 (4 to 4.33) in head; gillrakers long and slender, usually 5 + 10 to 12 in number;
membranes of soft dorsal and anal more or less closely scaly, scales readily deciduous regalis
ii. Snout very sharp, 3.75 to 3.8 in length of head; gillrakers shorter, rather slender, 4 + 8 or 9 in number; membrane
of soft dorsal and anal with very few scales, these readily deciduous thalassinus
66. Soft rays of dorsal and anal scaleless; gillrakers comparatively short and thickish, usually not longer than pupil,
and but 6 to 8 on lower limb of arch.
j. Coloration not uniform, grayish and silvery, back with distinct darker spots, lines, or reticulations; caudal fin
truncate or slightly double-concave.
k. Soft dorsal fin with conspicuous round black spots; back and sides covered with similar spots smaller than
pupil, larger than those on fins; snout acute, much longer than eye; pectoral 2.25 in head. D. x-i, 25 to 27;
A. ii, 10 nebulosus
aa. Scales comparatively small ; number of pores in lateral line 70 to 90, and very much fewer than number of transverse
rows, which is from 85 to 150; teeth of upper jaw in a rather broad band, 1 to 4 of them usually more or less
canine-like, canines generally small and sometimes wholly disappearing with age; lateral teeth of lower jaw
not much enlarged; gillrakers usually small and short.
l. Caudal fin lunate or subtruncate; scales not very small : head more or less distinctly conical, not flattened above;
soft dorsal with 21 to 23 rays.
m. Soft dorsal fin with its lower portion covered with small, caducous scales. Body compressed; head compound-
conic; canines small, both present; pectoral 2 in head; caudal weakly double-truncate. D. ix-i, 21 to 23;
A. ii, 10 leiarchus
U. Caudal fin rhombic or S-shaped, middle rays produced, upper lobe usually pointed; soft dorsal with 23 to 28 rays.
n. Soft dorsal entirely naked; anal with a few scales; body long and low, spindle-shaped; head depressed above;
mouth large; canines present, short and thick; eye small, caudal S-shaped, middle rays longest; pectoral 1.8
in head; scales very small. D. x-i, 28; A. I, 8 virescens
nn. Soft dorsal and anal fins densely scaly throughout; teeth all small, canines moderate; scales very small; pectoral
1.75 in head; caudal S-shaped; color greenish, silvery below. D. xi-i, 23; A. n, 9 microlepidotus
169. Cynoscion jamaicensis (Vaillant & Bocourt). “Corvina” ; Mongolar Drummer.
Head 3.3; depth 4; eye 4.7; snout 3.8; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.7; interorbital 3.6; preorbital
15.5; D. x-i, 25; A. ii, 10; pectoral 1.8; ventral 2; caudal 2.1; scales 11-76-8. Body elongate-
elliptical, considerably compressed
;
head pointed; snout a little longer than eye; mouth large, lower
jaw projecting; teeth in narrow bands, a few of the outer ones enlarged, especially on sides of lower
jaw, where they are recurved and incurved; one strong recurved canine in front of upper jaw; lateral
line decurved under last dorsal spines. Color in life, silvery-grayish, bluish above, whiter below; fins
all pale except edge of soft dorsal, which is dark.
Known only from Jamaica and Porto Rico. Two specimens, about 11 inches long, from San Juan
market, January 6, and two young ones, 5.5 and 4.5 inches, from Isabel Segunda, February 8, 1899.
The dentition of the upper jaw exhibits an interesting condition. The single large canine tooth of the
upper jaw is located at one side of the symphysis; on the other side is a tooth of similar appearance
and nearly as large, but soft and flexible. Apparently there is structurally a pair of canines in the
front of upper jaw, but only one becomes functional. Both specimens exhibit this peculiarity; in one
the developed tooth is upon the right side of the symphysis, in the other on the left.
Otolithus jamaicensis Vaillant & Bocourt, Miss. Sci. au Mexique, Poissons, 156, 1874, Jamaica.
Cynoscionjamaicensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1406, 1898.
216 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 95. LARIMUS Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Body rather elongate, compressed; skull firm, not greatly cavernous; interorbital space rather
narrow
;
preorbital flatfish, not turgid; upper jaw with usual slits and pores little developed; no barbels;
no canines; snout very short, mouth large, terminal, very oblique or even vertical, lower jaw projecting;
teeth minute, equal, uniserial or partly biserial above; preopercle entire or nearly so, without bony teeth.
Scales moderate, subequal. Pseudobranchiae well developed. Fins essentially as in Bairdiella, second
dorsal long, anal short, its spines moderate or small; fins not thickened bjr accessory scales. Gillrakers
long and slender. Vertebrae 10+ 14. Silvery fishes, all American.
a. Mouth more or less oblique, not quite vertical; upper part of body with dark streaks along rows of scales; profile
slightly convex, a little oblique; maxillary extending to below front of orbit, 2 in head.
b. Dorsal rays 27 to 30; mouth notably oblique.
c. Upper parts with distinct dark streaks along rows of scales.
d. Second anal spine 1.66 in head, reaching tips of soft rays: dark streaks on sides not very distinct; mouth very
oblique; gill-cavity pale breviceps
,
170
bb. Dorsal rays 24 to 27; mouth still less oblique, snout more convex, profile descending forward.
e. Color grayish, silvery with about 7 dark vertical crossbars; second anal spine short, 3.25 in head. Body heavy
forward, much compressed, snout very short and blunt, 5.5 in head; mouth large, less oblique than in other
species; tip of premaxillary on level of middle of pupil; maxillary 2 in head; gillrakers extremely elongate,
as long as eye, 12 + 24; second anal spine short, one-fourth shorter than the first soft ray. D. x-i, 24 to 26; A. ii
5 or 6
,
fasciatus
170. Larimus breviceps Cuvier & Valenciennes. 11 Cabezon” ; “ Corbino Cabezon.”
Head 3.2; depth 3; eye 3.8; snout 5.1; maxillary 2.1; mandible 1.8; interorbital 4; preorbital 11;
D. x-i, 27; A. n, 6; pectoral 1.1; ventral 1.4; scales 6-50-9. Body oblong, heavy forward, back much
compressed, caudal peduncle long and slender; scales thin and ctenoid; head short; mouth large, very
oblique, approaching a perpendicular, maxillary reaching front of pupil or beyond, lower jaw heavy
and prominent, its tip projecting; snout very short; preopercle unarmed; teeth small, in one row in
each jaw; head scaled; gillrakers long and slender, 13 + 20; fins small, dorsal spines weak and flexible,
soft dorsal long and low, anal very small, second spine much enlarged, reaching about to tip of longest
soft rays
;
caudal double truncate.
Color in spirits: Pale, back dark-olivaceous; membrane of spinous dorsal dusky; caudal streaked
with dusky; axil with some black. In life the fins showed the following colors: Dorsal darkish,
caudal pale, yellow above and below; anal yellow next to spine, pale elsewhere; ventral yellow on
outer half, other half pale; pectoral pale-lemon.
Found in the West Indies, and south to Brazil; known from Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Porto Rico.
Length a foot or less. A good food-fish. Three adults, about 8.5 inches in length, from San Juan
market, and five young, 3.5 to 5 inches, from Ponce and Isabel Segunda.
Larimus breviceps Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poissons, V, 146, 1830, Santo Domingo and Brazil; Jordan &
Evermann, 1. c., 1423, 1898.
Monosirci stahtt Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 326, pi. 6, 1881, Porto Rico; Stahl, 1. c., 163, 1883.
Larimus stahli, Eigenmann & Norris, Sobre alguns peixes de S. Paulo. Brazil, 361, 1900.
Genus 96. 0D0NT0SCI0N Gill.
This genus differs from Larimus mainly in the presence of canines, and may be described as a
Larimus armed with canine teeth. It also approaches closely to Bairdiella, from which it differs in
lacking the plectroid spine on the preopercle and also in the dentition, the group Elattarclius lying
between the two, as does also the closely related group Corvula.
171. Odontoscion dentex (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Corvina.
Head 3; depth 3.4; eye 3.7; snout 4; maxillary 2.25; mandible 2; interorbital 4.6; preorbital
3.8 in eye; D. xi-i, 24; A. ii, 9; pectoral 1.8; caudal 1.4; scales 6-56-8. Body rather elongate, back
compressed and slightly elevated; anterior profile nearly straight but not very steep; caudal peduncle
long and much compressed; head moderate, snout short and blunt; eye large and placed high; teeth
in a single row in each jaw, long and sharp, the pair in front of lower jaw enlarged; teeth of upper
jaw similar to lower but smaller, largest in front but without distinct canines; preopercle entire;
maxillary reaching middle of pupil; gillrakers about 7 + 15 (in individual 4 inches long); soft parts of
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 217
vertical fins scaly; caudal truncate; dorsal spines very slender, separated from rays; second anal spine
very slender, 3 in head, much longer than first, which is much reduced.
Color in spirits: Silvery-bronze, with many dark points, under parts pale; darker longitudinal
streaks along rows of scales; chin dusky, axil and base of pectoral black; vertical fins dusky, with dark
points, paired fins pale.
Here described from the young, of which 15 examples were taken, from 3 to 4.75 inches in length,
at Mayaguez, Puerto Peal and Boqueron. Length about a foot. A food-fish of some importance.
Known from the West Indies, and generally common; recorded by Jordan & Rutter from Jamaica.
Corvina dentex Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 139, 1830, Santo Domingo.
Odontosdon dentex
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1425, 1898.
Genus 97. CORVULA Jordan & Eigenmann.
This genus is closely allied to Bairdiella in nearly all respects, but with preopercle entire and
unarmed, as in Larimus. The species differ considerably among themselves, and they form with
Larimus and Odontosdon an almost continuous series. American.
a. Body rather short and deep, depth 2.5 to 3.33 in length;. distance from insertion of ventrals to first anal spiine about
equal to depth of body; color silvery, usually with dusky streaks along rows of scales.
5. Dorsal rays x-i, 28; posterior rays of soft dorsal higher than anterior ones; dorsal outline strongly and regularly
convex and elevated. Color, silvery-white, darker above; sides and back with rather distinct dark lines along
scales; spinous dorsal, tips of ventrals, and anal dusky; upper part of head brownish; lower part of head, cheek,
and breast with numerous rusty dots, base of soft dorsal and anal rusty sialis
65. Dorsal rays x to xii-i, 23 to 25; jaws equal; outer teeth above enlarged, lower teeth nearly uniserial; preopercle
with flexible seme; second anal spine, 3.66 in head; caudal fin subtruncate.
c. Maxillary reaching middle of pupil, 2.33 in head; pectoral rather long subxqualis
cc. Maxillary reaching beyond middle of pupil, 2.33 in head; pectoral very short; D. xi-l, 23; A. ii, 8 or 9; color silvery,
with very distinct dark longitudinal stripes sanctx-ludse, 172
ad. Body rather elongate and compressed, depth 3.5 in length; distance from insertion of ventrals to first anal spine
one-half greater than depth of body; coloration dusky, with conspicuous dark streaks along rows of scales.
batabana, 173
172. Corvula sanctse-lucise Jordan.
Head 3.1; depth 3.2; eye 4.5; snout 4.3; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2; interorbital 4.4; preorbital
2.4 in eye; D. xi-i, 23; A. u, 9; pectoral 1.9; ventral 1.8; caudal 1.8; scales 6-47-8. Body oblong,
back compressed posteriorly and a little elevated; head rather small and blunt; snout as long or a little
longer than eye; eye large, about equal to interorbital space; mouth somewhat oblique, jaws equal,
maxillary reaching middle of pupil; a band of fine teeth in upper jaw, outer a little enlarged; teeth in
lower jaw in one row with a few scattering ones; preopercle with a finely crenulate membranous edge;
gillrakers 8 19, counting rudiments, longest one-half eye; scales large and strongly ctenoid, rows above
lateral line anteriorly parallel with it; below last dorsal spines these rows turn upward and become
horizontal again under anterior part of soft dorsal; dorsal spines slender, finely pointed but not sharp;
soft dorsal and anal scaly at base; caudal truncate, scaled to near edge; second anal spine slender,
shorter than first rays.
Color in spirits: Pale, darker above, with a bluish luster; each row of scales save the few
lowermost with a grayish-brown stripe, these most continuous above, where they follow the upturned
rows of scales; many dark punctulations everywhere; axil dark; fins not notably colored, but with
many punctulations.
A species known at once by the horizontal stripes and their characteristic bend upward under the
notch separating the dorsals. Hitherto known only from the type from Port Castries, St. Lucia.
This description is from our largest specimen, 7.75 inches long, from Isabel Segunda; about 20 other
individuals from Isabel Segunda, Ponce, Mayaguez, Hucares, and Boqueron, ranging in length from
2.5 to 6.5 inches; smaller specimens have the eye 3.5 in head.
Corvula sanctx-lucix Jordan, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1889, 649, Port Castries, St. Lucia; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1429, 1898.
173. Corvula batabana (Poey). “Barriga Blanca.”
Head 3.3; depth 3.2; eye 4; snout 4.2; maxillary 2.25; mandible 2; interorbital 3.9; preorbital
7.8; D. xi—i, 28; A. ii, 8; pectoral and ventral 1.7; caudal 1.6; scales 7—45-7. Body oblong, back coin-
pressed posteriorly, belly long, distance from ventrals to anal greater than depth of body; head mod-
218 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
erate, profile nearly straight, a slight concavity above eye; mouth not small, maxillary reaching middle
of eye or beyond; teeth of upper jaw in an enlarged outer row, behind which is a band of very small
teeth; lower jaw with a single series similar to outer row in upper jaw; snout with a few small pores,
chin with 5 larger ones; edges of scales with fine striae, rows below lateral line bending slightly upward
opposite origin of anal, most apparent in smaller individuals; lateral line curved, concurrent with
outline of back, becoming straight on caudal peduncle; dorsal spines weak; soft parts of vertical fins
densely scaled, a sheath of larger scales at their bases; caudal rounded, or double truncate.
Color in spirits: Body nearly everywhere lustrous grayish-brown; about 8 longitudinal stripes of
darker brown following rows of scales below lateral line; above lateral line are interrupted stripes and
scattered spots of same color; fins all about color of body.
Known only from Cuba and Porto Rico. Four specimens, 8 to 10 inches in length, were obtained
by us at Puerto Real and Arroyo.
Johnius batdbanus Poey, Memorias, TI, 184, 1860, Batabano, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 327, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77
and 163, 1883.
Corvula batabcma, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1430, 1898.
Genus 98. BAIRDIELLA Gill. Mademoiselles.
This genus is characterized by the oblique mouth, little cavernous skull, few rows of small teeth,
slender gillrakers, and preopercle armed with a plectroid spine. It is certainly a very natural group,
and worthy of recognition as a distinct genus, although its relationships with Ophio.scion and especially
with Slellifer are very close. The numerous species are all American, all small in size and silvery in
coloration, and some of them are remarkable for the great size of second anal spine. In others this
spine is quite small. These variations among species unquestionably closely allied show how slight is
the systematic value to be attached to the size of this spine.
a. Teeth of lower jaw unequal, chiefly biserial; inner teeth more or less enlarged; preorbital narrow.
b. Second anal spine moderate, 2.33 in head, not so long as soft rays, not reaching tip of last ray when depressed.
Color, silvery, punctate; fins yellow; depth 3 in length. D. x-i, 22; A. ii, 10 chrysura
bb Second anal spine very long, two-thirds length of head, reaching beyond tip of last ray; base of anal oblique,
forming an angle with ventral outline.
c. Mouth not quite terminal; preorbital narrow; dorsal rays x-l, 23; dorsal spines stiff, lower, highest 2 in head;
second anal spine 1.4; pectorals 1.6. Color, soiled silvery; depth 3.14 ronchus, 174
174. Bairdiella ronchus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Ronco; Ground Drummer.
Head 3.1; depth 3.2; eye 4.6; snout 4.1; maxillary 2.5; mandible 2.1; interorbital 4.5; preorbital
9.3; D. x-i, 24; A. ii, 8; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.5; scales 7-50-8. Body oblong and com-
pressed, anterior profile straight and rather steep; ventral outline straight from chin to origin of anal;
base of anal very oblique, forming a strong angle in ventral outline; caudal peduncle long, compressed;
head small, snout, rather pointed, a little longer than eye; mouth nearly horizontal, maxillary reaching
past middle of eye (in individual of 4.25 inches nearly to posterior border of orbit), lower jaw included;
teeth in upper jaw villiform, in a very narrow band, outside of which is a row of much larger teeth;
in lower jaw a band of villiform teeth with a somewhat enlarged inner row; preopercle with strong
serrations, largest at angle, lowermost being the downward-pointing plectroid spine characteristic of
Bairdiella; dorsal spines moderately strong, sharp, fourth highest, 2 in head; first anal spine reduced,
second very long and strong, reaching tips of first, rays and beyond all the other rays, 1.6 in head;
ventrals nearly to vent; caudal truncate.
Color in spirits: Dirty-grayish, darker above, paler below; some dark punctulations on lower part
of side scattered along from snout to base of lower lobe of caudal ; faint dark streaks along longitudinal
and oblique rows of scales; paired fins pale; edge of soft dorsal, spinous dorsal, caudal, and part of
anal dusky, with dark dots.
Found on Atlantic coast of tropical America; generally common in the "West Indies and on the
coast of Brazil; recorded from Jamaica, Cuba, Maracaibo, Surinam, and obtained by us at San Juan
and Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Though not exceeding 8 or 10 inches in length, this is a good food-fish.
Corvina ronchus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 107, 1830, Maracaibo and Surinam.
Bairdiella ronchus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1436, 1898; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 326, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and
163, 1883.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 219
Genus 99. OFHIOSCION Gill.
This genus is composed of small species, nearly all American, allied to Scisena (Scixna umbra L. ),
but differing in the armature of the preopercle, its bony margin being at all ages armed with strong
persistent serrae, the lowermost teeth not directed forward. The caudal fin in this group is never
lunate; the soft dorsal and anal are scaly; teeth in bands; gillrakers rather short.
There are 7 or 8 American species of this genus, all except 0. adustus being known only from our
Pacific coast.
175. Ophioscion adustus (Agassiz).
Head 3.25; depth 3 3; eye 4.2; snout 3.2; maxillary 2.8; mandible 2.5; interorbital 3.7; pre-
orbital 5.4; D. xi-r, 22; A. n, 7; pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.4; scales 6-56-10. Body compressed,
the dorsal outline of trunk trenchant, ventral outline of body nearly straight, the dorsal outline
evenly arched; caudal peduncle long and thin; top of head not trenchant, evenly convex; snout
rather long and blunt, scarcely projecting beyond the small inferior mouth; several pores and clefts
in fleshy tip of snout; chin with five pores, the middle one, at symphysis, smallest; lower jaw well
included; maxillary reaching anterior edge of pupil or middle of eye; teeth in both jaws, in villiform
bands, the outer row in upper jaw enlarged; top of head, cheeks, and opercles scaled; snout and
under parts of head naked; eye moderate, nearer tip of snout than gill-opening; preopercular serrse
rather blunt, 9 or 10 in number; dorsal fin deeply notched, the spines weak, flexible, sharp, with
filamentous appendages projecting beyond their ends, the first very short, the third longest, the rest
graduated to the tenth, which is shortest, the eleventh being somewhat longer, the twelfth much
longer, pertaining to the soft portion of the fin, which is scaled on membrane between rays; ventrals
rather long and slender, outer rays slightly filamentous, reaching about to vent; anal small but high,
first spine very short, second very long and strong, 1.6 in head, longest ray about equaling second
spine; caudal large, rounded, finely scaled.
Color in spirits: Everywhere brownish with a bluish iridescence, save under parts, which are
pale; the brown color on lower part of side is broken up into spots, which are darker at center; faint
longitudinal brown lines following rows of scales, plainest below, scarcely evident in some specimens;
anal and the paired fins grayish-black; dorsal and caudal like body; one specimen has scarcely any
brown color, is grayish above and white below.
Five specimens, 3 to 3.5 inches in length, from Vieques and Arroyo. These differ in certain respects
from Agassiz’s colored figure of Scixna adusla—chiefly in the larger eye, in the shorter straight portion
of lateral line, and in the length of the second anal spine, which equals the longest rays, but is only
half as long in the drawing. Nevertheless, we believe that our specimens are the young of Agassiz’s
species. The artist was manifestly somewhat inaccurate in his reproduction, as in the number of soft
dorsal rays, and certainly in the omission of the short first anal spine. Moreover, the drawing was
based upon a specimen much larger than ours (lOinches). We think these considerations are sufficient
to explain the differences. The description of 0. adustus in Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes of North
and Middle America hardly applies to the Scixna adusta of Agassiz, but is based upon a specimen from
Pernambuco, which probably belongs to some other species.
Scisena ( Corvina) adusta Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Brasil., 126, pi. 70, 1829, Montevideo.
Genus 100. MICR0P0G0N Cuvier & Valenciennes. Croakers.
Body moderately elongate, compressed, somewhat elevated; preopercle strongly serrate; teeth
in villiform bands, outer row in'upper jaw enlarged; lower jaw with a row of minute barbels on each
side; gillrakers short, thickish; spinous dorsal rather short, of 10 or 11 stoutish spines; second anal spine
moderate; caudal fin double-truncate; lower pharyngeals narrow, distinct, with sharp conical teeth;
air-bladder with long horns. A well-marked genus, the species all American, allied to Ophioscion and
Scixnops, but distinguished by the presence of barbels; species all closely related, similar in form, size,
and color, and all of value as food-fishes.
a. Dorsal rays x-i, 28 to 30.
b. Scales comparatively small, about 9 in a vertical series between front of dorsal and lateral line, 12 in an oblique
series; outer teeth of upper jaw evidently enlarged; dark spots on scales above lateral line not forming contin-
uous stripes; scales 54. undidatus
220 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
bb. Scales larger, 7 in a vertical series from front of dorsal to lateral line, 9 or 10 in an oblique series; teeth of outer
series in upper jaw scarcely enlarged; dark spots above lateral line forming continuous streaks nearly as wide
as interspaces; short vertical bars extending across lateral line; many oblique lines above these; markings
more regular, though less sharply defined, than in M. undulatus.
c. Second anal spine moderate, 5 in head; eye small, 6 in head; scales 54 _
.
furnieri
,
176
176. Micropogon furnieri (Desmarest). Verrugato; While-mouth Drummer.
Head 3.25; depth 3.7; eye 5.35; snout 3.25; maxillary 3.2; mandible 2.7; interorbital 3.8; pre-
orbital 4.6; D. x-i, 30; A. n, 8; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.9; caudal 1.6; scales 7-51-9. Body elongate,
with a rather long and slender caudal peduncle; back a little elevated, profile from the eye to the
dorsal nearly straight, head not large, snout rather long and blunt; mouth small, low, little oblique,
lower jaw included; teeth small, in a band in each jaw; preopercle serrate with 2 enlarged spines at
angle; soft dorsal and anal naked; soft dorsal low, with a 1-rowed basal sheath of scales; caudal
double-truncate, its basal half scaly; base of pectoral with a few scales; dorsal spines very slender,
sharp; anal very small.
Color in spirits: Silvery-white, upper half with many oblique bluish bars a little wider than
interspaces, anteriorly extending across lateral line and becoming wider; a dark opercular spot.
This species is close to Jlf. undulatus, and is known from Cuba to Surinam; abundant on coast of
Cuba; recorded by Jordan & Butter from Jamaica; probably not rare in Porto Rico. Our collection
contains two fine specimens, 7.5 and 10.5 inches long, obtained at San Juan and Arecibo. A good food-
fish, reaching the length of a foot or more.
Umbrinafurnieri Desmarest, Premiere DOcade Ichth., 22, pi. 2, fig. 3, 1822, Havana.
? Micropogon argenteus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 218, 1830, Surinam.
? Micropogon undulatus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 325, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Micropogon furnieri, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1462, 1898.
Genus 101. UMBRINA Cuvier.
Body moderately elongate; back somewhat arched. Head oblong, with snout thick and protu-
berant; mouth almost horizontal, of moderate size; preoperculum with its bony margin finely serrate;
lower jaw with a single thickish barbel. Teeth in villiform bands, outermost in upper jaw somewhat
enlarged. Anterior dorsal with about 10 spines; anal fin with 2 spines, second not very small. Caudal
lunate or truncate. Gillrakers normal, but short. Air-bladder well developed.
This genus contains a considerable number of species, most of them being American. It agrees
with Scisena in nearly all respects, excepting the presence at the chin of a short, thick barbel. A
similar barbel is found in the genus Menticirrhus, but notwithstanding the fact that all European writers
have confounded Menticirrhus with Umbrina, the two genera are not really very closely related.
a. Dorsal rays only x-i, 25? no crossbands? broussonetii
aa. Dorsal rays x-i, 26 to 29; serrae of preopercle slender, not notably flattened.
b. Body with about 9 dark vertical crossbands, besides narrow undulating streaks along rows of scales; second anal
spine 2.3 in head; pectoral 1.66 coroides, 177
177. Umbrina coroides Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Head 3.5; depth 3.5; eye 4.25; snout 3.4; maxillary 3; mandible 2.9; interorbital 4; preorbital
4.3; I). x-i, 26; A. it, 6; pectoral 1.7; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.4; scales 5-48-10. Body rather elongate,
back elevated, anterior profile nearly straight save for a slight convexity opposite eye; ventral outline
nearly straight; caudal peduncle rather long and slender; head small, snout blunt and overhanging
the small inferior mouth ; teeth in villiform bands in each jaw; maxillary reaching beyond front of
pupil; chin with a short barbel; snout with pores and clefts; preopercle with 5 teeth; fins small;
caudal truncate, second anal spine much the longer and stronger.
Color in spirits: Light below, light-olivaceous above, a silvery luster everywhere; 9 darker cross-
bars ending about, level of pectoral; faint longitudinal stripes of dark following rows of scales; some
dark on dorsal, fins otherwise plain.
This interesting species ranges from southern Florida to the West Indies and Brazil; recorded from
Indian River, Florida (as U. broussonnetii)
,
and Jamaica; not uncommon in Porto Rico; our collection
contains six specimens, 4 to 6 inches long, from Aguadilla, Arroyo, Hucares, and Vieques.
Umbrina coroides Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 187, 1830, Brazil; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1466, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 221
Genus 102. MENTICIRRHUS Gill. The Whitings.
Body comparatively elongate, little compressed; head long, subconic, bluntish snout considerably
projecting beyond mouth; mouth small, horizontal, both jaws with bands of villiform teeth, outer
teeth in upper jaw more or less enlarged; chin with a single stoutish barbel; preopercle with its
membranaceous edge serrulate; gillrakers short and tubercular or obsolete; dorsal spines high, slender,
10 or 11 in number (13 in Cirrimens ) ; second dorsal long and low; caudal fin with lower angle rounded,
upper sharp; anal fin with a single weak spine; no air-bladder. Lower pharyngeals separate, teeth
varying from sharp to very obtuse.
This genus is one of the most strongly marked in the family. It has been confounded by all
European writers with Umbrina, with which it has not very much in common except the presence of
the barbel at the chin. All the species are American, and all bottom fishes. The low, elongate body,
large pectoral, and obsolete air-bladder are all characters related to this peculiarity of habit. The
species are all valued as food-fishes.
Menticirrhus:
a. Dorsal spines usually 11; head not terete, depressed, with low snout.
b. Gillrakers obsolete, reduced to tubercular prominences, covered with teeth similar to those on the other gill-
arches, more developed in the young; lower pharyngeals narrow; the teeth villiiorm or cardiform, all of them
acute or conical, none with rounded heads (molar); teeth in the outer series of upper jaw more or less
enlarged; scales on breast large.
c. Soft dorsal longer, its rays I, 23 to I, 25.
d. Outer teeth of upper jaw decidedly enlarged; dorsal spines not much elevated, the longest usually not reaching
front of soft dorsal, 1.5 to 1.66 in head. Coloration, grayish-silvery, the dark markings not pronounced and
often obsolete.
e. Dorsal rays x-i, 22 to 24; snout rather shorter and less pointed than in M. americanus, 3.5 in head; mouth
smaller, the maxillary 3 in head. Coloration usually plain, sometimes very dark, otherwise as in Menticirrhus
americanus martinicensis, 178
ee. Dorsal rays x-i, 24 or 25; snout longer, 3.33 in head; maxillary reaching nearly to middle of eye 2.8 to 3 in
head; eye small, 2 in snout; teeth villiform, in broad bands, the outer series of the upper jaw very much
enlarged, larger than in the other species; ventrals short, 1.5 in pectoral; pectoral 1.25 in head; caudal
with the broad rounded lower lobe longer than the acute upper; scales all ctenoid, those of the breast
larger and regularly placed. Color, grayish-silvery, with obscure darker clouds along the back and sides, these
marks forming dusky bars, running obliquely forward and downward to considerably below the lateral line,
these often obsolete; the bar at the nape saddle-like; lining of gill-cavity dusky; pectoral yellowish, dusky at
tip; an obscure dusky streak along the lower part of side running into lower lobe of caudal americanus
dd. Outer teeth of upper jaw less enlarged; spinous dorsal elevated, the longest spine reaching past front of soft
dorsal, its length 1.5 in head; coloration strongly marked, body scarcely silvery; eye small, 2.33 in snout, 2 in
interorbital area, about 7 in head; snout long, bluntish, 3.8 in head; mouth large; maxillary reaching middle
of eye, 2.8 in head; pectoral 1.14 in head. Color dusky-gray above, sometimes blackish, the back and sides
with distinct dark oblique crossbands running downward and forward, the anterior one at the nape extending
downward, meeting the second and thus forming a V-shaped blotch on each side; a dark lateral streak
bounding the pale color of the belly, most distinct posteriorly and extending on lower lobe of caudal; inside
of gill-cavity scarcely dusky; pectoral dark saxatilis
Umbrula:
bb. Gillrakers present, very short and rather slender; lower pharyngeals rather broad; some or most of teeth molar,
that is, enlarged, with thickened rounded heads, the molar teeth covering at least anterior portion of bone;
teeth in outer series of upper jaw scarcely larger than the others; scales on breast small littoralis
178. Menticirrhus martinicensis (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Jewsharp Drummer.
Head 3.3; depth 4; eye 7; snout 3.7; maxillary 3; mandible 2.8; interorbital 4.2; preorbital 5.3;
D. x-i, 24; A. i, 7; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.6; scales 6-54-12. Body quite elongate, back
considerably elevated, ventral outline nearly straight; head small, conical, upper profile gently convex;
mouth not large, inferior, maxillary reaching past middle of eye; outer teeth of upper jaw considerably
enlarged; snout projecting beyond mouth; spinous dorsal small, spines slender and pointed, but not
sharp; soft dorsal very low; anal very small; pectoral large; caudal with an emargination in upper lobe,
lower lobe the longer; lateral line almost straight except at ends, parallel with outline of back.
Coloration usually plain, sometimes very dark; back and sides usually with oblique dusky liars.
Our specimens are pale below, darker above, and show few definite markings; there are faint oblique
dark lines following rows of scales; tip of pectoral and ventrals and edge of anal nearly black.
9 92 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Known from the West Indies to Patagonia; very common on the Brazilian coast, where it replaces
the closely related M. americanus, from which it is not well separated; recorded from Jamaica, Mar-
tinique, and Rio Janeiro, and obtained by us in the San Juan market and at Palo Seco, Porto Rico,
where it is probably not rare. It is a fair food-fish.
Umbrina martinieensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 186, 1830, Martinique.
Umbrina gracilis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 189, 1830, Brazil.
Umbrina arenaia Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 190, 1830, Brazil.
Umbrina januaria Steindachner, Ichth. Beitr., V, 122, 1876, Rio Janeiro.
Menticirrhus martinieensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1473, 1898.
Genus 103. EQJIES Bloch. Ribbon-fishes.
Body oblong, compressed, back much elevated anteriorly, rapidly tapering to narrow caudal
peduncle; mouth small, lower jaw included; preorbital wide; snout with slits and pores well developed;
teeth all villiform, in broad bands, outer scarcely enlarged; preopercle with a fringed border and
no bony seme; scales small, irregular, with smaller ones intermixed, extending on soft fins; gillrakers
few, short, and slender; dorsal fin very long, of 9 to 15 close-set spines and 36 to 55 soft rays; anterior
interneurals closely wedged in behind occiput; anal small, its sjune small; caudal rhombic; pyloric
caeca few; vertebrae 10-)- 15=25.
This genus is one of the most remarkable in the family in respect to form as well as to the
coloration of its species.
a. Dorsal rays x to xn-l, 36 to 46, first 4 to 6 of the interneurals wedged in between neurals of second and third
vertebrae.
b. Profile steep, but not vertical; distance from snout to first dorsal spine about equal to depth of body.
c. Dorsal spines little elevated, not nearly as long as head; back arched; dorsal with 38 to 41 soft rays; color variously
dusky or gray, with at least traces of about 7 lengthwise streaks; depth 2.6 to 2.75 in length acuminatus, 179
cc. Dorsal spines elevated, longest 2.75 in length of body; soft parts of vertical fins with white spots; body robust, back
much compressed, general form much as in Eques acuminatus, but caudal peduncle deeper and more compressed;
pectoral and ventral short and equal, 1.14 in head. Color, dark-brown, a light bar in front of eye extending
around chin, a second pale bar extending around head immediately behind eyes, a third extending from in
front of dorsal over base of pectoral; a light bar along base of soft dorsal; a light bar extending from behind
elevated portion of spinous dorsal downward, dividing into two, the branches running straight back, upper
branch to beginning of last fourth of soft dorsal, lower branch to base of caudal; 2 or 3 light, undulating
longitudinal bars below these; fins all dark brown, vertical fins with many whitish stellate spots. Head 3.75 in
length; depth 3. D. xi or xii-i, 46 punctatus
bb. Profile very steep. Body deepest below first dorsal spine, thence rapidly tapering to narrow caudal peduncle.
Color, olivaceous, 3 dark-brown longitudinal bands along side, middle one from eye backward reaching tips of
middle caudal rays. D. x-i, 37 pulcher
aa. Dorsal rays xiv or xv-i, 53; about 9 interneurals wedged in between neurals of second and third vertebrae; pro-
file almost vertical; body highly variegated, with ribbon-like oblique bands lanceolatus
179. Eques acuminatus (Bloch & Schneider). “Berdugo” or “Bergudo
Head 3.1; depth 2.8; eye 3.8; snout 4.1; maxillary 2.6; mandible 2.4; interorbital 4.2; preorbital
5.2; D. x-i, 39; A. ii, 7; pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.5; scales about 50. Body elongate, compressed
posteriorly, back much elevated, ventral outline nearly straight; anterior profile straight from front
of dorsal to upper part of blunt snout; mouth moderate, low, maxillary reaching middle of eye, lower
jaw included, teeth in bands, outer row in upper jaw enlarged; soft fins all more or less scaly; gill-
rakers short, not pointed, 6+8.
Color in spirits: Everywhere dark brown, with pale longitudinal stripes, as follows: two from
region of nape nearly confluent at middle of soft dorsal; one from a little above eye to last rays of soft
dorsal; one from upper edge of eye to upper edge of caudal peduncle; two from near base of pectoral
to base of caudal, the upper of these extending faintly across head to eye.
This species ranges from South Carolina to Brazil; it has been recorded from Key West, Tortugas,
and Jamaica, and was obtained by us at Arroyo, Porto Rico, from which place we have two specimens,
each 6 inches long. Valued as food.
Grammistes acuminatus Bloeh & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 184, 1801, no locality; after Seba.
Eques hncatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 169, 1830, Brazil.
Eques acuminatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1487, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 223
Family L. POMACENTRID^. The Demoiselles.
Body short, deep, compressed, covered with ctenoid scales of varying size; lateral line wanting
posteriorly; mouth small, usually with rather strong teeth, either conic or incisor-like; vomer and
palatines toothless; nostril single on each side, nearly round; preopercle with its posterior edge largely
free, serrate or entire; preorbital sheathing the small maxillary; dorsal fin single, with numerous
strong spines, spinous portion longer than soft, which is similar to soft anal, both fins scaly at base; anal
spines 2; ventral fins thoracic, i, 5, anterior rays longest, usually filamentous; a scaly appendage at base
of ventral. Lower pharyngeals fully united; branchiostegals 5 to 7; gills 3.5, slit behind last gill very
small or obsolete; gillrakers rather long and slender; no labyrinthiform appendage; air-bladder and
pseudobranchise present; pyloric caeca 2 or 3; gill-membranes free from isthmus. Vertebra* 12-|- 14=26.
Fishes of tropical seas, similar in mode of life to the Chxtodonlidx, feeding on small marine
animals and plants in the coral reefs. Genera 15; species about 180, most of them too small to be used
as food. They are very active in life and the coloration is usually brilliant, sometimes changing much
with age. The family shows strong affinities with the Labridx in its gill-structures and pharyngeals.
In other respects it approaches the Kyphosidx, while the unique character of the simple nostril is
shared with the Gichlidx only, from ancestors of which group the Pomacentridx are probably descended.
I. Scales large, 25 to 40 in lengthwise series.
Pomacentrinas:
a. Teeth fixed, conical or incisor-like, covering nearly whole free edge of each jaw; carnivorous species.
b. Teeth conical, in two to four series, outer enlarged and bluntish; preopercle entire; scaleslarge; body oblong, depth
2.5 to 1.33 in length; lateral line wanting on tail Chromis
bb. Teeth more or less flattened or incisor-like, in one or two series.
c. Preopercle, and usually preorbital also, sharply serrate.
d. Teeth entire, strictly uniserial in each jaw; preorbital not very deep, its edge not notched; snout scaly; lower jaw
naked Eupomacentrus, 104
cc. Preopercle and preorbital strictly entire; snout naked.
e. Teeth emarginate or Y-shaped Abudepduf, 105
Microspathodontinse:
aa. Teeth movable, incisor-like, in one row on front of each jaw; lower jaw weak, with teeth along its front only;
preopercle and preorbital entire; snout scaled almost to lips; preorbital notched behind nostril; lower limb of
preopercle scaled; soft dorsal and anal elevated; caudal deeply forked; soft anal rather long, of 14 or 15 rays;
herbivorous species Microspathodon
Genus 104. EUPOMACENTRUS Bleeker. Pescados Azules.
Body ovate, deep, and compressed, profile steep, usually rounded. Head moderate, nearly as
deep as long, snout scaly, lower jaw naked. Mouth quite small, terminal, jaws equal; each jaw armed
with a single close-set series of compressed, immovable teeth, which are truncate at tip. Gillrakers
long; preopercle more or less serrate; preorbital serrate. Scales large, strongly ctenoid, lateral line
running parallel with back to near end of dorsal fin, at which point it ceases. Dorsal fin continuous,
with 12 or 13 low stout spines; membrane of spinous dorsal usually not deeply incised nor lobed;
soft part- more or less elevated, its last rays gradually shortened; lower limb of preopercle usually more
or less scaly; preorbital narrow, without deep notch; anal fin similar to soft dorsal, with 2 spines, of
which the second is much the larger; soft rays 12 to 16; dorsal spines with a sheath of large scales,
membranes of both dorsal and anal covered high up with small scales; caudal fin more or less forked,
lobes rounded; lower pharyngeals triangular; branchiostegals 5 or 6.
Species numerous in the tropical seas, chiefly American, and extremely variable in form and
color, the brilliant coloration apparently dependent on surroundings. The species are little known
and the classification of those found in the West Indies is not wholly satisfactory.
a. Upper anterior profile of head arched.
b. Depth of body moderate, 1.75 to 2.25 in length, without caudal.
c. Lower posterior half of body dark, like anterior half; caudal fin mostly dusky.
d. Pectoral fin not edged with white.
e. Depth of body 1.75 in length of body (without caudal); side with faint cross-streaks. - adustus
ee. Depth of body 2 to 2.25 in length.
/. Opercle without distinct dark spot; caudal not tipped with orange.
g. Anal without distinct blue spot in its posterior axil, except in young.
h. Head with few if any small accessory scales.
i. Base of pectoral without black spot or with but one fuscus, 180
Base of pectoral with two black spots diencseus
224 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
gg. Anal with a bluish spot at base of last ray; head and fins much spotted with blue analis, 181
ff. Opercle with a distinct dark spot above; pectoral with a dark spot; tips of all fins orange otophorus
cc. Lower posterior half of body unlike anterior part, being more or less abruptly bright-yellow; caudal fin bright-
yellow; usually a blue spot at base of last ray of anal.
j. Region below lateral line with many blue spots leucostictus, 182
jj. Region below lateral line with few blue spots or none.
h. Back with two round dusky spots on each side flaviventa
bb. Depth of body about 2.75 in length; posterior half of body yellowish; fins with more or less yellowish partity :>
aa. Upper anterior profile of head straight, not arched; body and fins mostly dusky, with pale spots planifrov •
180. Eupomacentrus fuscus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . Brown Cockeye Pilot; Maria Molle
(Plate 27.)
Head 3.5; depth 2.5; eye 3.4; snout 3.5; maxillary 3; I>. xn, 15; A. ii, 13; scales 2-28-9. Body
compressed, anterior profile steep and evenly convex; dorsal and ventral outlines similar; mouth
moderate, little oblique; maxillary reaching anterior border of orbit; jaws equal; teeth in a single series
in each jaw, incisor-like, and closely placed; preopercle and preorbital serrate; gillrakers small, weak;
scales large, ctenoid, reduced in size on head; snout, opercles, and cheek scaled; lateral line concurrent
with back to below middle of soft dorsal, where it ceases. Fins rather large; longest dorsal spine about
2 in head, dorsal rays elevated, longest 1.2 in head; second anal spine 2 in head; soft anal similar to
soft dorsal; caudal forked, lobes equal, about 1 in head; pectoral rather long, reaching vent; ventrals
long and pointed, passing vent.
Color, dark-blue above, lighter on the sides and under parts; side of head and body with some
yellowish, under parts with purple tinge; in some specimens the general color is dark-brown or nearly
black; edges of scales dark, forming narrow dark vertical bands, but in most specimens these are
entirely absent; dorsal and anal fins dark-bluish or olivaceous at base, the margin brighter blue; caudal
dusky or pale, usually with some yellow at base; pectoral and ventrals greenish-olivaceous, no black
spot at base of pectoral, no dorsal ocellus and no white spot at base of last anal ray; no bluish or whitish
spots on head or body.
This species may be distinct from E. analis, or the latter may be simply an individual color varia-
tion from the typical form. The specimens which we refer to E. fuscus were obtained by us at
San Juan, Aguadilla, and Ponce, and by Mr. Gray at San Geronimo.
Found in the West Indies south to Brazil and north to Ivey West. The least common of the thr< e
species of Eupomacentrus which we recognize from Porto Rico.
Pomacentrusfuscus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., V, 432, 1830, Brazil.
Pomacentrus variabilis Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. ou Rares, Poiss., 9, pi. 3, fig. 3, 1855, Bahia.
Pomacentrus atrocyaneus Poey, Memorias, II, 190, 1860, Havana.
Eupomacentrusfuscus, Jordan & Evermann.l. c., 1552, 1898.
181. Eupomacentrus analis (Poey).
Head 3.2 to 3.5; depth 2 to 2.4; snout 3.2 to 3.5; eye 3.2 to 3.5; maxillary 3.2 to 3.75; mandible
3.75 to 4.25; interorbital 3.25 to 3.66; preorbital 7; scales 3-28-8; I). xii, 15; A. ii, 13. Body rather
deep, strongly compressed, anterior profile steep and evenly convex; interorbital area strongly convex;
eye usually a little greater than snout; mouth small, slightly oblique, jaws equal; teeth in single series,
incisor-like and close-set; maxillary scarcely reaching vertical of anterior part of orbit; gillrakers
slender, weak, and short, length less than diameter of pupil; preopercle strongly serrate; preorbital
also serrate, but less distinctly so; scales large, firm, and strongly ctenoid; lateral line beginning at the
upper edge of opercular opening running parallel with dorsal outline to beneath middle of base of
soft dorsal, where it abruptly terminates; top of head and snout densely scaled, scales smaller than on
side; opercle and preopercle scaled; chin naked; bases of dorsal and anal fins densely scaled; mem-
branes of caudal fin covered with very small scales; dorsal spines strong and sharp, length of longest
1.8 to 2 in head; soft dorsal with its middle rays elevated, their length 1.2 to 1.4 in head; first anal
spine very short, second much longer and stronger, its length 2 in head; soft anal similar to soft dorsal,
its longest rays about 1.25 in head; pectoral broad, short, scarcely reaching Vent, length about 1.2 in
head; ventral longer, tips of outer rays passing vent, about equal to length of head; caudal forked,
upper lobe the longer, usually somewhat longer than head.
Color in life very variable; back and upper part of side usually dark-blue or bluish, becoming
somewhat paler on lower part of side and belly; head dark-blue; sometimes body is a dark brown, with
scarcely any trace of blue; in other specimens the color is a sooty blue-black in life, under parts
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 225
scarcely paler; scales on anterior part of side sometimes with a long conspicuous bronze-olive spot;
head, side, and bases of vertical fins usually with small sky-blue spots, these spots frequently in life
inclining to black, in alcohol becoming at first more intense blue and later fading to white; the abun-
dance of these spots varies greatly; in larger individuals, from 3 to 4 inches in length, the spots are
greatly reduced in number, sometimes almost wholly absent; more abundant in individuals 2.5 inches
or under in length, sometimes profusely so. Spots on anterior part of head sometimes take the shape
of narrow lines or oblong blotches; a large blue blotch at bases of upper piectoral rays, becoming black
in alcohol
;
a large black blotch on middle of anterior dorsal rays, sometimes quite round and surrounded
by a narrow blue border; a small blue spot, fading to white in alcohol, near base of last anal rays.
Seventeen specimens, varying from 3 to 3.5 inches in length, collected at Ponce, February 1
,
were
quite uniform in coloration; they each show a few white spots, some very faintly, on side and
occasionally at base of anal; none noticeable on head or fins; a white spot present in every case on last
anal ray at base; a single black spot at base of upper pectoral rays; dorsal ocellus showing distinctly
on only three or four specimens; caudal usually x>ale, yellowish on two specimens. Seven specimens, 3
to 4 inches in length, collected at Culebra Island, February 11, were each x>rofusely covered with pale-blue
or whitish spots, most abundant on head, dorsal, and base of caudal and anal; spot at base of last anal
ray always present; black spot at base of piectoral sometimes obscure; dorsal ocellus usually present;
caudal pale or yellowish on three or four of the specimens. Nineteen specimens, somewhat smaller,
collected at Fajardo, February 17, closely resemble the Culebra specimens; some of them, however,
resemble more closely specimens from Ponce in the less numerous spots; the bluish-white spot at
base of last anal ray is always present, and most of the specimens show the dorsal ocellus. Twenty
other specimens from Fajardo, collected on same date and of smaller size, are much more profusely
spotted; the dorsal ocellus is more distinct and the caudal fin more yellowish; the lower part of sides
and the belly are p>aler. These specimens show a near approach to E. leucosticlus. Four specimens
from Mayaguez, each about 2.5 inches long, are pirofusely spotted like those from Culebra and
Fajardo, but the general color is much darker; white spot on anal and black one on base of pectoral
present; the dorsal oc.ellus is fairly distinct.
.
Eleven specimens from Puerto Real, each 3.5 inches long,
resemble closely those from Ponce in having but few spots; white spot on anal and black blotch at
base of pectoral both present; dorsal ocellus evident in only six of eleven specimens; caudal peduncle
and fin usually yellowish. Three small specimens from Hucares are profusely covered with small
blue specks and agree with those from Culebra.
In our collections from Porto Rico we have what we provisionally identify as three species of
Eupomacentrus, namely, E. fuscus, E. analis, and E. leucosticlus
;
but we are not at all sure that all three
of these should not be united under one species
—
E. fuscus. The color variations and intergradations
are most p>erplexing. In the field, fresh specimens sometimes show a most diverse coloration, but
when brought into the laboratory these differences, to a very large extent, disappear. In life the
caudal peduncle, caudal fin, and under parts are inclined to be more decidedly yellow than in alcoholic
specimens, but this is not always true. In some instances, as, for examine, the majority of specimens
obtained at Ponce and Fajardo, the under p>arts are scarcely less dark than the upper. As a general
rule the younger individuals are more pirofusely covered with brilliant sky-blue spots than are the
older ones. As already stated, these spots appiear in life as black or very dark-blue, but in alcohol
they invariably fade first to sky-blue and finally to white or bluish-white; the spot near the base of
last anal ray is usually bluish-white in life, fading to white in spirits.
The blotch on base of pectoral is sometimes bluish, but usually black. Some of the spots on
anterior part of head are oblong or linear; the blotch on anterior soft rays of soft dorsal is usually black
and irregular in form, though frequently it is beautifully ocellated, the border being a narrow line of
bright sky-blue; this ocellus is always present in young examples, but frequently disappears in those
of larger size. Except in a very few specimens, which we refer to E. fuscus, the spot near the base of
the last anal ray is always present; except on certain specimens, which we refer to E. leucosticlus, and
whose colors agree closely with plate 28, there is no sharp contrast between the color of the uppier
and the lower parts, but where there is any difference at all it is through the gradual change from
the dark of the back to the lighter of the ventral ptarts; except for the constant presence of the spot
upon the anal fin, the specimens which we refer to E. analis would agree equally well with the
prescriptions of E. fuscus; but as we have found no specimens without the anal spot, it seems best at
present to regard the two forms as distinct. To ascertain the true relations of these species careful
field studies in many different localities in the West Indies are necessary.
F. C. B. 1900—15
226 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION,
This species attains a length of 3 to 4 inches. Its proportional measurements are quite constant,
as may be seen from the appended table:
Comparative measurements of 33 specimens of Eupomacentrus analis.
Locality. No.
Length.
Head.
Depth.
Eye.
Snout.
Maxillary.
Mandible.
Interorbital.
Preorbital.
Scales.
Dorsal fin. Anal fin.
Pectoral.
Ventral.
Caudal
lobes.
Formula. Longest
spine.
Longest
ray.
Formula.
Longest
spine.
Longest
ray.
Ponce 29 3.18 3.2 2.13 3. 25 3.5 3.5 4. 25 3. 25 6 2-29-8 XII, 15 1.8 1.4 II, 13 2 1.33 1.33 1 1
Do 688 3.5 3.5 2. 13 3.2 3. 25 3. 25 3.75 3. 25 7 2-28-8 XI 1,15 1.66 1. 17 11,13 2 1.2 1.2 1 .87
Do 689 3.5 3.5 2.4 3.2 3.2 3. 25 3. 75 3. 66 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 (b 1.25 11,13 2 1.2 1.2 1.1 .87
Do 690 3. 25 3.4 2 3.2 3. 25 3.2 3. 25 3.5 3-29-8 XII, 15 1.25 II, 13 9 1.25 1.2 1
. 87
Do 691 3.36 3.5 2.13 3.2 3.5 3.5 4.25 3.75 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 1.8 1.4 11,13 2 1.4 1.25 1.1 i
Do 692 3. 25 3.4 2.25 3. 25 3.5 3.5 4 3.25 7 3-28-8 X 1 1 , 1
5
1.8 1.25 11,13 2 1.5 1.2 1 .87
Do 693 3.25 3.4 2.1 3.2 3. 25 3.5 4 3.75 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 2 1.25 11,13 2 1.4 1.2 1.1 i
Do 694 3 3. 25 2 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 3.5 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 2 1.25 11,13 2 1.4 1.2 1 .87
Do 695 3 3.4 2.4 3.2 3.4 3.4 4 3.5 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 2 1.25 11,13 2 1.2 1.2 1 .87
Do 696 3 3.4 2. 33 3.2 3.4 3.5 4 3. 25 7 2-28-8 XI, 15 2 1.2 11,13 2 1.25 1.2 1 .87
Do 697 3.5 3.5 2.25 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 3.5 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 2 1.2 11,13 2 1.2 1.2 1 .87
Do 698 3. 25 3.25 2. 25 3. 25 3.5 3.75 4 3.5 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 2 1.2 11,13 2 1.2 1.2 1 .87
Culebra 699 4 3.25 2.25 3.75 3.5 3.5 4 3 7 2-2S-8 XII, 15 2 1.1 11,13 1.9 1.2 1. 1 .87 . 75
Do 700 3 3.4 2.4 3 3.1 3.1 4 3 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 2.1 1 11,13 2 1.2 1.17 .87 .87
Do 701 3. 25 3.5 2.5 3.5 3.2 3.5 4 3 7 3-28-8 XI 1, 15 1.75 1.1 11,13 2 1.1 1.1 .87 .87
Do 702 3 3.1 2. 25 3.5 3.5 3.25 4 3.5 7 3-28-9 XII, 15 1.75 1. 1 11,13 2 1.2 1.17 .87 .87
Do 703 3 3. 33 2.25 3 3.5 3. 25 4 3 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 2 1.2 11,13 2 1.4 1.25 1 1
Do 704 3- 3.4 2.4 3.5 3.5 3. 25 4 3.5 7 3-28-9 XII, 14 1.4 1.
1
11,13 1.75 1 1.25 1 .75
Do 705 2.5 3 2.4 3.5 3.5 3.
1
4 3.25 7 3-28-8 XII, 14 1.75 1 11,13 2 1.2 1.25 1 1
Fajardo 706 3.37 3.2 2.4 3.1 3.5 3.2 4 3.5 7 2-27-9 XII, 15 1.5 1 11,13 1.4 1.2 1.2 .87 .87
Do 707 3.25 3.4 2.5 3.1 3.5 3 4 3.5 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 1.75 1.2 11,13 1.75 1.2 1.2 .87 1
Do 708 3.25 3.5 2.3 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 3.2 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 1.6 1 11,13 1.75 1.2 1.2 1.2 .87
Do 709 3.5 3.4 2.5 3.5 3.2 3.5 4 3.5 7 3-28-8 XI 1, 15 1.6 1 11,13 1.75 1 1.2 .87 .87
Do 710 3 3 4 2.4 3.5 3.5 3 4 3.4 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 1.6 1 11,13 1. 75 1.2 1.3 .87 .87
Puerto Real . 748 3.5 3.4 2.1 3.4 3.7 3.5 4 3.4 7 3-28-9 XII, 15 1.75 1.1 11,13 1.75 1.1 1.25 1 .87
Do 749 8.5 3.4 2.4 3.5 3.7 3.6 4 3.5 7 3-29-9 XII, 15 1.75 1. 11,13 1.5 1.1 1.25 1 .87
Do 750 8.5 3.2 2.4 3.5 3.5 3. 6 4 3.5 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 1.75 1.1 11,13 1.75 1.2 1.25 1 1
Do 751 3 3.1 2.2 3.3 3.5 3.5 4 3.5 7 3-28-8 X 1 1 , 15 1.75 1.25 11,13 1.75 1.4 1.25 1 1
Do 752 3.5 3.5 2.5 3.6 3.5 3.4 4 3.5 7 3-28-8 XII, 15 1.75 1 11,13 1.75 1.2 1.25 1 .87
Do 753 3.37 3.4 2.1 3.5 3.5 3.4 4 3.3 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 1.6 1.1 11,13 2 1.2 1.25 1 .87
Do 754 3.37 3.4 2.4 3.5 3.5 3.4 4 3.3 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 1.6 1.25 11,13 1.75 1.2 1.25 1 1
Do 755 3.5 3.2 2.2 3.5 3.5 3.5 4 3.3 7 3-29-8 XII, 15 1.75 1 11,13 1.75 1.4 1.25 1 1
Do 756 3. 25 3.5 2 3.5 3.7 3.5 4 3.5 7 3-29-9 XII, 15 1.75 1.25 11,13 2 1.2 1.25 1.4 1
1 Broken.
West Indies north to Key West; hitherto regarded as only from Havana and Key West. Ninety
per cent of the specimens of this genus obtained by us are referred to this species. Specimens were
obtained at San Juan, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Guaniea, Ponce, Hucares, Fajardo, and Cule-
bra; it was exceedingly abundant at Culebra, Fajardo, and Ponce about the coral reefs and around
the little islets, every haul of the seine securing several. At Fajardo they were particularly common
among the alga? on the west side of the small keys off the Playa.
Pomacentrus analis Poey, Synopsis, 327, 1867, Havana.
Eupomacentrus analis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1554, 1898.
182. Eupomacentrus leucostictus (Muller & Troschel). Beau Gregory ; Cockeye Pilot ; Black Pilot.
(Plate 28.)
Head 3.5; depth 2; eye 3; snout 3.75; maxillary 3.75; interorbital 3.75; preorbital 6.5; D. xii, 15;
A. ii, 13; scales 2-29-10. Body compressed; dorsal and ventral outlines similar; profile convex, but
less steep than in E. fuscus or E. analis. Mouth moderate, maxillary reaching anterior part of orbit;
jaws equal; teeth in a single band in each jaw, incisor-like and close-set. Preopercle and preorbital
distinctly serrate; scales large, firm, strongly ctenoid, reduced in size on head; snout and sides of head
completely scaled; lateral line beginning at upper end of gill-opening, arched, gradually approaching
dorsal outline as it proceeds backward, ceasing under middle dorsal rays; fins moderate; longest dorsal
spines nearly 2 in head; middle rays of soft dorsal elevated, about 1.4 in head; second anal spine long,
strong, and gently curved, 2 in head; soft anal similar to soft dorsal, the rays somewhat longer; caudal
forked, lobes about equal, upper sometimes slightly the longer; pectoral short, scarcely reaching vent;
ventral short, reaching scarcely past vent.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 227
Color: Top of head and back rich dark-blue, sides and under parts abruptly lemon-yellow, this
yellow extending over side of head, entire side of body below lateral line and to some extent above it,
and entire caudal peduncle and caudal fin; side of head and anterior part of body as well as top of
head and dorsal region with numerous small pale-blue spots; similar spots on spinous dorsal and
anterior soft dorsal rays, as well as a few on anal fin; a large black blotch on middle anterior dorsal
rays, not ocellated. Posterior half of dorsal and anal yellow like caudal; pectoral pale-yellow; pale-blue
spot near base of last anal ray; a small black blotch at base of pectoral. In life the pale-blue spots on
top of head and upper part of side appear white by contrast with the darker-blue ground-color, those
on side of body and head appearing bluer. Along the lateral line are sometimes present a few small,
oblong dark spots. The coloration of this species is extremely variable; usually the colors are about as
given above, but some specimens showed a gradual encroachment of the blue of the back upon the
yellow of the sides, thereby approaching the general color-pattern of what we have called E. analis.
The extreme forms of this species and of E. analis are remarkably different and one would not
hesitate to regard them as entirely different species, but individuals taken from different places and of
various sizes, show very perplexing variations. It has, however, been impossible to show that these
variations present actual intergradation, and for that reason we prefer, for the present, to recognize
the species as distinct.
Found in the West Indies north to southern Florida. In Porto Rico we obtained specimens at
San Juan, Puerto Real, Culebra, and Guanica. While fairly common, it is apparently much less
abundant than E. analis.
Pomacentrus leucostictus Muller & Troschel, In Schomburgk's Exc. Barbados, C74, 1848, Barbados.
Pomacentrus caudalis Poey, Synopsis, 328, 1867, Havana.
Pomacentrus xanthurus Poey, Memorias, II, 190, 1860, Havana.
Pomacentrus dorsopunicans Poey, Synopsis, 328, 1867, Havana.
Eupomacentrus leucostictus, Jordan & Evermann, 1 . c.
,
155,1898.
Genus 105. ABUDEFDUF Forsk&l. Pintados.
Body deep, compressed, covered with large ctenoid scales; snout without scales; preopercle and
preorbital entire, lower limb of preopercle scaleless; 3 to 4 rows of scales between lateral line and
dorsal; teeth compressed, fixed, more or less distinctly emarginate, in one series in each jaw, those below
occupying most of free edge of jaw; jaws subequal. Dorsal usually with 13 spines, the last slightly
shorter than median ones; branchiostegals 5 or 6; pyloric cseca 3. Lower pharyngeals triangular.
Species numerous, often brightly colored, about coral reefs in the tropical seas. We exclude
from this genus all the species formerly referred to Glyphidodon, in which the teeth are in more than
one series, and also those in which the snout is scaly or the lower pharyngeals not triangular. For
these forms different generic names, Hemiglyphidodon, Amblyglyphidodon, Glyphidodonlops, etc., have
been defined by Bleeker. The genus Stegasles Jenyns ( imbricatus) is also very close to Abudefduf, but
it seems to have entire teeth, and the snout and fins are densely scaly. The genus Nexilarius is less
closely related to Abudefduf.
Glyphisodon:
a. Preopercle entire.
b. Preorbital very narrow, its least breadth less than pupil, even in adult; anterior profile of head nearly straight,
snout rather acute;, dorsal spines 13; anal with about 12 soft rays.
c. Scales about 4-30-11; green, with about 6 dark-blue or blackish crossbands; depth 1.75 to 2 in length; anal rays
ir,12 saxatilis, 183
Euschistodus:
bb. Preorbital broad, its least breadth not less than diameter of pupil, greater than pupil in adult; anterior profile of
head more or less arched, snout low and blunt, projecting beyond the small mouth; anal rays ii, 10; coloration dull.
d. Dorsal spines 13; scales 27 or 28.
e. Color in adult brownish, with green dots, not distinctly banded; teeth smaller, on each side analocjus
dd. Dorsal spines 12; body with 5 dark crossbands, fainter than in A. saxatilis; scales about 25 taurus
aa. Preopercle said to be coarsely serrate; dorsal spines 13; scales very large, 25; body with dark crossbands rudis
183. Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnpeus). Cockeye Pilot; Demoiselle; “ Chirivita ”; “Pintado.”
Head 3.2; depth 1.8; eye 3.2; snout 3.5; interorbital 2.7; D. xin, 13; A. ii, 12; pectoral 0.9;
ventral 1.0; caudal 0.8; scales 5-28-11.
Color in spirits: Chiefly silvery, somewhat darker above, top of head brown
;
side with five vertical
228 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
brown bars, largest as wide as eye, first from front of dorsal to base of pectoral, second downward
from fourth, fifth, and sixth spines, third from ninth and tenth spines toward vent, fourth from last
spines to middle of anal, fifth from soft dorsal across peduncle upon anal; sometimes a faint sixth bar
upon base of caudal; first four not reaching belly; axil dark, front of base of pectoral black. Smaller
individuals (2 inches and less) have, in spirits, ground-color nearly everywhere uniform light-brown,
made up of small punctulations. In life the color is not much different; the interspaces are brassy-
yellow, fading to white on side; head and fins pale-bluish.
This species, which reaches a length of 6 inches, is found in tropical America on both coasts;
abundant in tide-pools and about coral reefs from Guaymas to Peru and Florida to Uruguay, but
much less abundant than the species of Eupomacentrus. It is common about Porto Pico, but difficult
to capture, as it is found chiefly where nets can not be used to advantage. We have specimens, from
0.75 to 5.5 inches, from San Juan, Puerto Real, and Culebra.
Chxtodon cauda bifurca, fasciis S. albis, Linnaeus, Mus. Adolph. Frederick 1, 64, “ India.”
Chxtodon saxatilis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 276, 1758; after Mus. Ad. Fr.
Clixtodon mauritii Bloch, Ichthyol., Ill, 213, pi. 109, 1785, Brazil; on a bad drawing by Prince Maurice
Chxtodon marginatus Bloch, Ichthyol., Ill, 98, pi. 207, 1787, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Glyphisodon moucliarra Lac6p6de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., I V, 542, 1803, Brazil, etc.; after various authors.
Chxtodon sargoides Lacdpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 453, 1803, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Glyphidodon troschelii Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 150, Cape San Lucas.
Glyphidodon saxatilis Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 336, 1881; Stahl, 1. c. 77 and 164, 1883.
Abudefduf saxatilis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1561, 1898.
Family LI. LABRIDtE. The Wrasse -fishes.
Body oblong or elongate, covered with cycloid scales; lateral line well developed, continuous or
interrupted, often angularly bent. Mouth moderate, terminal; premaxillaries protractile; maxillaries
without supplemental bone, slipping under the membranaceous edge of preorbital
;
anterior teeth in jaws
usually very strong and canine-like; teeth of jaws separate or soldered together at hase, not forming a
continuous plate; no teeth on vomer or palatines; lower pharyngeals completely united into one bone,
without median suture, this bone T-shaped or V-shaped, its teeth conical or tubercular. Lips thick,
longitudinally plicate. Nostrils round, with 2 openings on each side. Dorsal fin continuous, spinous
part usually long, its spines rather slender, 3 to 20 in number; anal similar to soft dorsal, with 2 to
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 229
6 spines. Ventrals thoracic, r, 5, inserted below pectorals. Branch iostegals 5 or 6; psendobranchise
well developed; gills 3.5, slit behind last arch small or obsolete; gill-membranes somewhat connected,
sometimes joined to narrow isthmus. Air-bladder present; no pyloric caeca.
This family comprises 60 genera and 450 species, chiefly of the tropical seas, living among rocks
or kelp, many of them brilliantly colored and some valued as food-fish. Most of them feed upon
mollusks, the dentition being adapted for crushing shells. As in most other large groups there is con-
siderable difference of opinion as to the characters which should be used in dividing the Labroids into
genera. The tendency with all recent writers has been toward a rather minute subdivision. The
numbers of vertebrae seem to us to yield characters of the highest importance. Cither characters not
to be neglected can be drawn from the size of the scales, the numbers of the dorsal spines, and the
dentition. The degree of squamation of the head seems to us to have an importance lower than that
attributed to it by Bleeker and Gunther, but it may be used for generic subdivision.
a. Dorsal spines 8 or more, usually well distinguished from soft rays; anal spines 2 to 6.
b. Vertebrse and dorsal spines not in greatly increased numbers; vertebra; 22 to 29; dorsal spines 8 to 13; anal spines
2 or 3; species of tropical or subtropical seas.
c. Vertebrse 27 to 29 (so far as known) ; dorsal spines usually 12 (11 to 14) ; sides of head more or less scaly; preopercle
serrulate or entire.
Harpinje:
d. Anterior canines strong; lower pharyngeals large, with large, tubercular teeth; spinous dorsal not enveloped in
scales; lower jaw naked; species mostly of large size and bright coloration, inhabiting semitropical seas.
e. Dorsal spines about 14, the 3 or 4 anterior falcate, produced in long streamers; body deep and compressed, anterior
profile steep; teeth uniserial; no posterior canine; cheek and opercles scaly; bases of soft dorsal and anal
scaly; soft parts of vertical fins produced; scales moderate (40) Lachnolaimus, 106
ee. Dorsal spines 11 or 12 (rarely 13), none of them produced in filaments; cheek and opercles scaly; body oblong;
back not greatly elevated.
/. Soft dorsal and anal each with a scaly sheath at base; scales large (about 32); posterior canine present; soft dorsal
and anal elevated, produced behind Harpe
ff. Soft dorsal and anal without sheath of scales; preopercle serrulate (at least in young); soft dorsal and anal more or
less falcate.
g. Scales large, about 30; lower limb of preopercle scaly; posterior canine present; anterior canines j Decodon
CLEPTICINiE:
dd. Anterior teeth small, bluntish, not canine-like; no posterior canine; mouth very small, terminal; snout short and
blunt; dorsal and anal enveloped in scales, except produced tips of both fins; caudal deeply forked; dorsal
spines almost hidden by series of scales; head everywhere closely scaled, except on lips and snout; scales of
body large; preopercle serrulate; gillrakers slender, short; pectoral falcate; lower pharyngeals very small,
Y-shaped, their teeth small, very blunt, and coalescent; vertebrae 10 + 17=27; dorsal spines, 12 Clepticus
cc. Vertebrae 23 to 26; dorsal spines 8 or 9; anterior canines strong, 2 to 4 on each side in each jaw; head mostly naked;
preopercle entire. Species of the Tropics, mostly of small size and bright coloration.
Juudina?:
h. Lateral line complete and continuous.
i. Snout not tubiform; preopercle entire; teeth uniserial, none chisel-shaped.
j. Cheeks and opercles naked.
Jc. Scales large, 25 to 30 in lateral line; anal spines 2 or 3.
I. Dorsal spines 9; dorsal enlarged, without scaly sheath; scales of breast not enlarged.
m. Anterior canines all normal in position; lower pharyngeals T-shaped, with numerous teeth; anal spines 3.
n. Posterior canine well developed on both sides; dorsal spines pungent; anterior canines | iPviDio, 107
II. Dorsal spines 8; no posterior canines; anterior canines g, normal in position; a low sheath of scales at base of
dorsal; dorsal spines pungent; anal spines 3, never 2 Chlorichthys
Xyrichthyinte:
hh. Lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on level of axis of body, on caudal peduncle; scales large, 20
to 30 in lateral line; dorsal spines 9; anal spines 3; anterior canines -g.
o. Posterior canine present; snout slender, anterior profile not convex; cheek and opercles scaly; dorsal spines
pungent, the three anterior longer and with filamentous appendages; dorsal and anal with a scaly sheath; scales
very large Doratonotus, 108
oo. Posterior canine none; anterior profile more or less convex; head naked, except usually a few scales below eye;
body more or less strongly compressed; ventrals thoracic, inserted below the pectorals.
p. Scales very large, about 20 in lateral line, which is placed on first row of large scales below dorsal sheath; anterior
dorsal spines not detached; head not trenchant above Xvrula
-pp. Scales large, about 26 in lateral line, which is placed on second row of large scales below dorsal sheath.
q. First two dorsal spines joined by membrane to the others and inserted nearly above base of pectoral.
r. Upper anterior profile of head not trenchant, curve of head not parabolic; cheek not very deep. .. Novaculichthys
it. Upper anterior profile of the head sharply trenchant, its curve parabolic; cheek very deep, eye near upper
profile Xyrichthys
230 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 106. LACHNOLAIMUS Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Body strongly compressed, back sharp and elevated, profile long and steep. Snout sharp; mouth
low, horizontal, jaws narrow; premaxillary slipping under membranaceous edge of the very broad
preorbital, which is twice depth of eye. Teeth in front prominent, canine-like, in a single series; no
posterior canines. Cheek and opercles with imbricate scales; scales of moderate size, thin, adherent;
lateral line complete. Dorsal with 14 spines, first 3 strong, falcate, produced in long streamers in
adult, membranes between these spines very low, filamentous tips longer than head; other spines all
low, gradually shorter to the eleventh; second dorsal and anal much produced; caudal lobes falcate;
third anal spine strong; pectoral and ventrals short.
This genus contains a single species, a large, showy fish of tropical America, remarkable for the
long, streamer-like filaments on the dorsal spines.
184. Laclinolaimus maximus (Walbaum). “ Capitan”; Perro Perm; Hog-fish.
Head 3; depth 2.2; eye 5.4; snout 2.4; maxillary 2.1; mandible 2; interorbital 4.1; preorbital 4.4;
D. xiv, 11; A. ni, 10; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.6; caudal 1; scales 8-38-14. Body deep and compressed,
back elevated, anterior profile long and steep, nearly straight, slightly concave before eye; scales rather
large and thin; premaxillaries very protractile; 4 strong canines in front of upper jaw, 1 pair in front of
lower with 2 smaller conical teeth between them; sides of jaws with small, uniserial, bluntly conical
teeth; first 3 dorsal spines produced in long filaments, reaching to end of fin, rest of spines low; soft
dorsal with anterior rays somewhat elevated, nearly as long as head; caudal deeply lunate.
Color in life, brick-red, scales edged with reddish-yellow thus giving a cross-hatched appearance;
a large black spot on last 4 dorsal rays and body at their base; caudal red, with 2 pale-brown crossbars
and 2 spots of same on each tip, anal similar to caudal; ventral dark purplish-red; pectoral lemon;
purplish lines radiating downward and forward from eye. In spirits, grayish, snout blackish; caudal
with 2 faint vertical dark bars near base; base of last rays of soft dorsal with deep black spot extending
upon body. The sexes differ in color and in size of mouth, and individuals vary much with age, but
the species may be known at once from the long dorsal streamers.
“El Capitan” is found throughout the West Indies and north to Key West and the Bermudas,
abundant about reefs and rocks. It has been recorded from various places in southern Florida, the
Tortugas, Bahamas, St. Bartholomew, Cuba, Martinique, St. Thomas, Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, and
Jamaica. Examples, 6 to 13 inches long, were obtained at Ensenada del Boqueron, Arroyo, and Isabel
Segunda. Others were seen in the fishermen’s boats at each of these places and also at Culebra Island.
This is a large and showy fish, reaching a weight of 10 to 15 pounds, or even 20 pounds in the
Bermudas. It changes much in appearance in the course of its growth, which accounts for the many
specific names it has received. The large adult male is remarkable on account of a heavy black blotch
THE EISHES OF POETO RlLO. 231
over the forehead and eyes. The name “hog-fish” refers to the swine-like appearance of the head,
jaws, and teeth. Like all other members of the family, it feeds chiefly upon small fish and upon
bottom mollusks and crustaceans. It is an important food-fish throughout its range and is one of the
most common and attractive species seen in the wells of fishing boats at Key West. It is a favorite
food-fish in Cuba, though at one time its sale was forbidden by law on account of the supposed pois-
onous character of its flesh. This opinion obtains to some extent in Porto Rico, but apparently the
flesh of only the large individuals is believed to possess any deleterious properties. Whether there is
any good reason for this belief is doubtful.
Suillus (the Great Hog-fish), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, etc., pi. 15, 1750, Bahamas.
Labrus maximus Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, 261, 1792.
Lachnolaimus suillus Cuvier, R5gne Animal, ed. II, vol. 2, 257, 1829, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Lachnolaimus aigula Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 277, 1839, St. Bartholomew.
Ladmolaimus dux Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 285, Martinique.
Lachnolaimus caninus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 288, 1839, St. Thomas and Santo Domingo.
Lachnolaimus psittacus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 291, 1839, Porto Rico.
Lachnolccmus suillus Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 336, 1881.
Lachnolaimus mciximus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.
,
1579, 1898.
Genus 107. IRIDIO Jordan & Evermann. Doncellas.
Body oblong, compressed, not elevated, covered with large scales, there being 25 to 30 in course
of lateral line, which is not interrupted, but abruptly bent posteriorly. Scales on breast rather smaller.
Head naked, compressed, conic. Preopercle entire. Teeth large, upper jaw with 2 strong canines in
front, none of them bent backward; lower jaw with 4 anterior canines, a posterior canine tooth directed
forward on each side of upper jaw. Dorsal spines 9; anal spines 3, graduated; ventrals inserted under
axil of pectoral. Gillrakers short and feeble; gill-membranes slightly joined to a narrow isthmus.
Vertebrae 10 + 15 = 25.
There are numerous species of this genus, most of them brilliantly colored, abounding in kelp
in the tropical seas. All of them are American. The genus is very close to the Old World Halichceres,
differing chiefly in the dentition and in the presence of 3 anal spines instead of 2.
a. Caudal fin very slightly concave, truncate when spread open, outer rays longer than middle ones; body deep and
compressed, depth about 2.75 in length; ventral fins filamentous, outer ray produced, more than twice as long
as inner ray; scales before dorsal not crossing middle line, in about 5 series.
b. Side below spinous dorsal without dark crossbar; general color bluish (male), or bronze (female), with many sky-
blue spots, most distinct posteriorly; sky-blue spots and streaks on head; a stripe passing through upper part of
eye; fins with blue stripes; a dark axillary spot; end of pectoral dusky radialus
bb. Side below spinous dorsal with a very broad, blackish cross-bar kirscliU, 186
aa. Caudal fin rounded or subtruncate, outer rays not produced, shorter than middle rays.
c. Scales before dorsal large, in 4 to 6 rows, not crossing median line; snout moderately pointed.
d. Ventral fins with outer ray produced, more than twice length of inner.
e. Side without conspicuous dark lateral band and with a distinct dark vertical bar, extending downward from
spinous dorsal; axillary spot obscure; body rather elongate, depth about 3.75 in length; profile not steep; pos-
terior canines rather small; head with black streaks and spots above; caudal sharply barred garnoti
ee. Side with a broad blue-black lateral band extending from eye to tip of caudal; back above this, dark brown or
bluish; spinous dorsal with no conspicuous black spot; a dark-blue stripe from eye to nape; fins mostly blue-
black with pale edgings; middle and base of caudal dusky; tip of pectoral dusky; profile rather steep; body
rather robust, depth 3.33 in length cyanocephahis
del. Ventral fins with outer ray not produced, its length not more than twice that of inner rays; side with a dark
lateral band; species of small size.
/. Spinous dorsal with a conspicuous blue-black spot between fifth and seventh spines; body not very slender, depth
3.8 in length; a dark band from snout through eye to opercle, lateral band on side broader than eye and placed
a little above opercular band, lateral band extending nearly to. tip of caudal; no second dark band below it; a
faint dark spot under last dorsal ray and one at base of pectoral above; 2 or 3 narrow bluish-white stripes
across cheek; body and fins in life with bright colors which fade in alcohol maculipinna
ff. Spinous dorsal pale, black spot very small or wanting; body slender, depth 4 in length; opercle with a conspicuous
black spot; a blue-black band from snout through eye and across opercles to base of caudal, not extending on
fin; a narrower and fainter band from lower base of pectoral to above anal, these bands growing fainter with
age and sometimes disappearing, lower always wanting in adult; no axillary spot; no distinct bands across
cheek; fins mostly pale, with bright red and blue colors in life, young and deep-water individuals often
showing a black spot at base of caudal and sometimes a dark spot near middle of dorsal, with sometimes a
larger one at base of its last ray; angles of caudal black in adult, lower pharyngeals T-shaped, the anterior
limb very short bivittaius
,
185
aao. Caudal fin double-concave, median portion convex, outer rays more or less produced in adult (fin rounded in
young) ; scales before dorsal in 6 or 7 rows, not crossing median line; a blue-black spot close behind eye, some-
times obsolete in adult.
232 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
g. Lateral line without blue-black spot; ventrals- with outer rays scarcely filamentous, about reaching tips of
pectorals.
h. Tubes of pores of lateral line distinctly branched, branches usually 3 in number; body moderately slender, depth
a little less than length of head and 3.75 to 4 in body; head 3.4.
i. Eye large, 1.6G in snout.
ii. Eye small, 2.GG in snout; brownish above, bright violet-red below; many blue spots above; a crescent on base of
pectoral; caudal edged with violet and with convergent streaks of yellow poeyi
!ih. Tubes of pores of lateral line all simple or very nearly so, not trifid; body very slender, depth much less than
length of head, 4.5 in body; head 3.4; snout very sharp, anterior profile of head straightish and not steep;
snout 2.8 in head; eye 2 in snout; pectoral moderate, 1.6 in head; color in spirits, pale, unmarked, except for
small black spot behind eye.
j. Color in life, olive-green, bluish below; back with blue spots; a yellow band on side with vague outlines; posterior
parts paler, with rows of blue spots; head with blue bands; dorsal and anal rosy, with blue spots caudalis
jj. Color in life, olivaceous; a broad band-like area of orange mingled with violet spots along side backward from
head to middle of body, lower edge of this band serrate; below this a pale-violet band, darker behind; still
lower a yellow stripe; head olivaceous, marked with blue; preorbital scarlet, with 3 violet stripes; opercles
bright red, with 3 violet stripes, postocular black spot in the uppermost; dorsal and anal orange and yellow,
with blue spots; caudal with convergent bands of orange forming reticulations around blue spots pictus
Fio. 66.—Iridio bivittatus.
185 . Iridio bivittatus (Bloch). Slippery Dick; Doncella.
Head 3.2; depth 4; eye 6.3; snout 3; interorbital 4.7; preorbital 4.7; D. ix, 11; A. nr, 12; pectoral
1.7; ventral 1.9; caudal 1.6; scales 2-28-8. Scales before dorsal reduced in size, in about 4 rows, not
crossing median line; ventral tin with first ray moderately produced, about twice inner ray; caudal
slightly rounded.
Color in spirits: Grayish, a purple band from snout through eye to base of caudal, much widened
on opercle; a fainter band, more blue, from base of pectoral to above end of anal; an oblong purple-
black spot on upper edge of opercle, bordered behind by blue; a blue band from nape to eye; chin
with a hi m transverse band. An example, 2.5 inches long, has longitudinal bands brown, traces of
very faint vertical dark bars, and 2 small dark spots near base of front of soft dorsal.
This species is gorgeous in color, but of little value as food, the flesh being dry and insipid. It is
found throughout the West Indies, north to Pensacola and Beaufort, N. C., and south to Brazil, and is
usually very abundant along weedy shores and reefs. Specimens, 2.5 to 5.5 inches long, obtained
at Mayaguez, Fajardo, and Culebra; 4 from San Geronimo.
Spams radiatus Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 472, 1766, Carolina; not Labrus radiatus L., ed. X.
Labrus bivittatus Bloch, Ichthyol.
,
nl. 284, fig. 1, 1792; from a painting by Plunder, made at Martinique.
Labrus psittaculus LacCpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 522, 1800, Martinique; from a copy of Plumier’s painting.
Julis humeralis Poey, Memorias, II, 212, 1860, Havana; adult.
Chserojulis grandisquamis Till, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1S63, 20G, Beaufort, N. C.
Chserojulis arangoi Poey, Enumeratio, 109, 1875, Havana; young.
Platyglossus florealis Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U.S. N. M. 1882, 287, Pensacola; young.
Iridio bivittatus
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1595, 1898.
186 . Iridio kirschii Jordan & Evermann.
Head 3.4; depth 4; eye 5.5; snout 3; D. ix, 12; A. nr, 11; scales 2-28-8. Body elongate, com-
pressed; anterior profile gently convex; head rather long; snout pointed; mouth moderate, horizontal,
maxillary not reaching vertical of eye by half its diameter; teeth strong, curved; opercular flap long,
reaching past base of pectoral; caudal peduncle compressed, its least width 5 times in its least depth;
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 233
scales large, about 4 rows in front of dorsal fin, scales not extending across median line; tubes of pores-
of lateral line distinctly branched, branches usually 3 in number, lateral line running on third row of
scales to near vertical of last dorsal ray, where it drops to fifth row. Fins moderate; longest dorsal
spine about 3 in head, rays about 2.5; anal similar to soft dorsal; pectoral 1.5 in head; ventral with
outer rays somewhat produced, about twice length of inner ray, or 1.75 in head; caudal fin almost
truncate, slightly, if at all, double-concave.
Color in life: Side beautiful pale-green; scales of back and upper part of side pale-brown at base;
under parts greenish-white; a rich green axillary spot and a few scales above it with rich-green edges;
pectoral brick-red on base, followed by a narrow blue bar, then by a broader lemon-colored bar,
the red bar on base extending on body about 3 scales below pectoral; cheek lemon-colored, a rosy
bar from mouth to base of pectoral, another from mouth to eye, and 2 others from preopercle across
opercle, a narrow, wavy, rosy line under eye, a somewhat paler bar from mouth downward upon
lower jaw, and another forward on snout, meeting its fellow in front; a rich blue postocular spot, with
a small yellow one above it; humeral region rich green; a small black spot at base of last dorsal ray;
dorsal and anal fins lemon; numerous short rosy bars crossing dorsal, which is bordered by rosy; anal
base rosy, then a narrow green stripe, followed by a very narrow pale border; caudal pale greenish-
lemon, with rosy on middle rays; pectoral pale-greenish; ventral white with slight rosy wash; iris
green and red, pupil black. In alcohol all the colors fade to a yellowish olivaceous, the postocular
spot and the one at base of last dorsal ray becoming black.
Found in the West Indies, south to Bahia; recorded, from Cuba, Jamaica, St. Croix, and Bahia.
The species reaches a foot in length. Two specimens, each 4.25 inches long, in the collections from
Porto Rico—one from San Antonio Bridge, the other from Fajardo. We have compared our specimens
with the type of 1. kirschii (No. 43303, U.S.N.M.) and find them to agree perfectly.
Iridio kirschii Jordan & Evermann, Check-List of Fishes of North and Middle America, 413, 1896, Bahia; name only;
Jordan & Evermann, Fishes North and Middle America, 1598, 1898.
Genus 108. D0RAT0N0TUS Gunther.
Body compressed; head not compressed to an edge anteriorly, its profile in front straight or con-
cave; preorbital not very deep; mouth rather wide; teeth in a single series, 2 large canines in front of
each jaw; a posterior canine; cheek and opercles scaly; gill-membranes united, free from isthmus;
scales large; lateral line interrupted behind, beginning again lower down; dorsal fin with 9 strong
pungent spines, some of the anterior elevated, median spines short, so that the outline of fin is concave;
caudal rounded. Colors brilliant. Size small. This genus contains two known species, among the
most beautiful of the Labridx, and the genus to which they belong is one of the best defined in the group.
a. Scales large L5-20-6.5; color grass-green, over entire body and caudal fin megalepis, 187
aa. Scales smaller, 1-26-0; caudal fin white, with 2 small reddish-brown spots decoris, 188
187. Doratonotus megalepis Gunther.
Head 2.75; depth 2.66; D. ix, 10; A. in, 9; scales 1I-20-6J. Body much compressed, mod-
erately elevated, its greatest width behind the head two-sevenths of its height; caudal peduncle short
and deep, its length but little more than one-half its height; profile from dorsal to nape convex,
carinated; occiput and supraorbital region depressed and flat, snout protruding, profile of top of head
thus strongly concave. Snout slender, sharp, compressed, its length 3.2 in head; mouth wide; maxillary
4 in head
;
teeth growing gradually larger anteriorly, the 2 front teeth in each jaw distinctly the largest,
canine-like, diverging, opposed to each other; a small but distinct posterior canine in upper jaw, none
in lower; eye moderate, little wider than interorbital width, 5 in head; cheek with a single series of
large scales, 4 in number; opercle covered with 5 or 6 similar scales; gill-membranes broadly united,
free from isthmus. Dorsal spines robust and pungent, the first 3 with conspicuous filamentous append-
ages; first and second spines with their filaments about equal, 1.5 in head; without their filaments
second spine is slightly the longer, equaling distance from end of snout to middle of eye, the fin rapidly
descending to fourth spine, which is one-half as long as second, then gradually rising to ninth and
highest, which is, however, shorter than the following soft rays; longest soft ray 1.66 in head; anal
spines similar to those of dorsal fin, the longest about one-half head; caudal evenly convex, its longest
ray 1.5 in head; ventrals short, about one-half length of head, an elongate scale between them at
base; pectoral reaching beyond ventrals, but not to vent, 1.75 in head; membranes of vertical fins
234 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
with elongate scales on basal portion; lateral line following outline of back 1 scale beyond end of dorsal
fin, thence interrupted and continued on 4 scales of middle of caudal peduncle.
Color in life: Very intense grass-green, about uniform over the body
;
head more yellowish, slightly
paler below; opercle mesial ly a little darker; iris red, with a green ring; dorsal, anal, and caudal
grass-green, mottled with light-orange; tips of lower spines green, of short ones orange; ventral s deep-
green, membranes largely orange; pectoral light-yellowish.
Found in the West Indies north to Key West, rare. Length 2.75 inches. Here described from
the type of Doratonotus thalassinus, obtained with a seine in eelgrass at Key West. The Porto Rican
collections contain but a single specimen of this beautiful little species. It is 1.75 inches long and was
seined among the algse at Hucares.
Doratonotus megalepis Gunther, Cat., IV, 125, 1862, St. Kitts; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1011, 1898.
Doratonotus thalassinus Jordan At Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1881, 28, Key West.
188. Doratonotus decoris Evermann & Marsh.
(Plate 29.)
Head 2.6; depth 3.4; eye 4; snout 3.5; maxillary 4; interorbital 4.6; D. ix, 10; A. in, 9; pectoral
1.6; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.6; scales 1-26-6. Body moderately elongate, compressed throughout; back
a little elevated, caudal peduncle deep and rather long; dorsal and ventral outlines nearly alike, dorsal
somewhat more strongly arched; anterior profile not trenchant, almost straight from snout to front of
dorsal, very slightly convex in front of dorsal and very slightly concave between eye and tip of snout;
head pointed, interorbital space broad and flat; eye large, high in position, middle of pupil nearer tip
of snout than end of opercle; snout long, somewhat longer than diameter of eye, moderately produced,
lips broad in front, characteristically labroid; mouth not large, maxillary not reaching front of orbit,
the jaws equal, armed with strong sharp teeth, about 4 canines in front of upper jaw, 2 in front of
lower; teeth on sides of jaws also canine-like, smaller than those in front, but not distinctly different
from them; a few smaller teeth behind the main row of large ones; vomer and palatines toothless;
soft dorsal and anal each with a basal sheath of about two rows of large scales, that of dorsal extending
over half the fin or more, that of anal lower, the fins otherwise naked; dorsal fin continuous, with a
shallow notch, spines slender and pungent, second longer than first., following ones graduated to fifth,
which is shortest, thence increasing in length to ninth, which is longest, 2.3 in head; soft dorsal with
its middle rays highest, 2.2 in head; anal with three slender, sharp, graduated spines, third longest,
2.2 in head; soft part similar to soft dorsal, longest rays 2.3 in head; pectoral large, symmetrical, of 11
rays, middle ones longest, reaching past tip of ventral nearly to the vent; ventral moderate, pointed,
reaching halfway to vent; caudal rounded; scales large, cycloid, lateral line on second row below
dorsal, interrupted near end of dorsal and beginning again on row below, on caudal peduncle.
Color in life: Body chiefly green, darker green on back, lighter below; lower parts of head and
breast light yellow; a broad white bar from eye obliquely across cheek and opercle, bordered above by
an undulating maroon line and below by a similar but fainter line; a brown bar from eye to snout; 4
dusky spots near base of dorsal extending as fainter shades downward and slightly forward to or
beyond lateral line, 1 from in front of dorsal, 2 under spinous dorsal, and 1 under soft rays; short
pale-blue bars or spots on breast and about pectoral; iris blue, a pinkish border surrounding pupil
;
dorsal greenish, soft part with yellow shade, a pale-blue edging to whole fin, a maroon border to green
color posteriorly just inside the pale-blue edge, a small dark spot on membrane between seventh and
eighth rays and a blue spot on membrane of first spine; anal colored like soft dorsal, the maroon border
extending from first spine to last ray inside the pale edging, the dark spot between sixth and seventh
rays; ventral green near base, pale-blue outwardly, the green color bordered by maroon spots; pec-
toral plain pale-green; caudal very pale transparent blue, a wedge-shaped maroon spot on the 2 upper
rays near tip and a corresponding one on the 2 lower rays, base of wedge on outer ray; base of caudal
with a pale undulate vertical bar bordered in front by a black line. In spirits, pale-green, maroon
markings faintly persistent, becoming dusky.
One specimen, the type (No. 49363, U. S. N. M), 1.45 inches long, taken in the seine at Ponce,
January 30, 1899. Two other specimens were seined in the alga: on a little sandy islet near Playa de
Ponce, but they were inadvertently lost. This is one of the most beautiful of fishes and differs from
D. megalepis chiefly in the smaller scales and the coloration.
Doratonotus decoris Evermaun A Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19)
,
354, Ponce, Porto Rico.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 235
FAMILY LI I. SCAR I DAL The Parrot-fishes.
Body oblong, moderately compressed, covered with large cycloid scales as in the Labridse.
Mouth moderate, terminal. Teeth in jaws more or less coalescent, at least at base; lower pharyngeals
much enlarged, united in a concave or spoon-shaped body, their teeth broadest transversely and
truncate, arranged in mosaic; dorsal continuous, usually ix, 10; A. n, 9; 23 to 25 scales in lateral line;
vertebra1 about 11 -j- 14 = 25. Sexes similarly colored, the coloration almost always brilliant. Fin rays
essentially the same throughout the group, the squamation varying little except on head.
The Scaridx comprise 7 genera and about 110 sjtecies, herbivorous fishes of the tropical seas,
especially abundant about coral reefs; often of large size, not much valued as food, the flesh being soft and
pasty. The species in the various genera are very closely related, being distinguished chiefly by the
coloration and the dentition, both series of characters being highly specialized. Jordan & Evermann
recognize 5 genera of Scaridx as inhabiting the waters of America north of Panama, of which only 3
are as yet known from Porto Bico.
Sparisomatin^e:
a. Lower pharyngeal broader than long, flattish or basin-shaped; gill-membranes broadly joined to isthmus, not
forming a fold across it; lateral line subcontinuous; scales about head few and large, those on cheek in one
row; lower jaw projecting; teeth whitish or rosy.
b. Dorsal spines flexible; teeth more or less distinct, at least anteriorly.
c. Teeth in each jaw in few series, not imbricated or quincunx; lateral teeth of each jaw coalescent in a more or
less continuous cutting edge, teeth more free anteriorly and not adnate to dental plate Cryptotomus
bb. Dorsal spines stiff, pungent; teeth of upper jaw more or less coalescent.
d. Teeth of each jaw chiefly coalescent, jaws divided by a rather indistinct median suture Sparisoma, 109
Scaring:
aa. Lower pharyngeal spoon-shaped, much longer than broad; teeth of jaws fully coalesced, each jaw divided by a
distinct median suture; gill-membranes forming a fold across isthmus; dorsal spines flexible; lateral line
interrupted behind, beginning again lower down on caudal peduncle of tail; scales about head rather numerous,
those on cheek in two or more series; lower jaw included.
e. Teeth and jaws whitish or rosy in color Scarps, 110
oe. Teeth and jaws blue or bluish-green Pseudoscarus, 111
Genus 109. SPARISOMA Swainson. Viejas.
Lower pharyngeal broader than long, subhexagonal, its surface moderately concave or flattish;
teeth in each jaw largely coalescent in adult, their tips more or less separate in young, the edge, espe-
cially of lower jaw, remaining uneven; median suture in each jaw present, but not well defined; 1 to 4
radiating canines sometimes present on each side of upper jaw above its cutting edge; gill-membranes
broadly united to isthmus; dorsal spines pungent; upper lip double for its entire length; lower jaw
projecting beyond upper; lateral line not interrupted, passing gradually from its row of scales posteriorly
to the series next below it; tubes of lateral line much branched; scales about head large, those on cheek
in a single row, those on median line in front of dorsal 3 or 4 in number.
Species of rather small size, most of them American; some of them showily colored.
Sparisoma:
a. Upper jaw with one or more canines above its cutting edge (these occasionally obsolete on one or both sides)
;
col-
oration often brilliant.
b. Caudal truncate or slightly rounded, angles not acute.
c. Posterior canines 2 to 1 on each side.
d. Caudal fin with more or less of black on posterior margin, yellowish at base. Canines strong, 4 (rarely 3) on each
side xyslrodon, 189
dd. Caudal fin without black in adult; 1 or 2 more or less distinct whitish bars across chin.
c. Canines 3 or 4 on each side, radiating horizontally; axil with little or no blue, but with a dusky blotch partly
hidden by fin; front steeper and less curved than in S. Iioplomystax; body and fins mottled, but much less so
than in S. Iioplomystax.
f. Canines 3 on each side; pores of lateral line with but 2 branches; sides of head much dotted with black; caudal
barred atomarium
ff. Canines 4 on each side; tubes of lateral line much branched; a distinct narrow streak of blue downward and for-
ward from eye; caudal nearly plain dusky-olive; anal mottled radians
ee. Canines 2 or 3 on each side; axillary region extensively deep-blue in life, this forming a large blotch around and
on base of pectoral; a curved series of small white specks around the blue on base of pectoral; fins all mottled,
anal with 3 darker areas; body with 3 faint pale lengthwise streaks, more or less obscure, 2 of these bounding
a more or less interrupted dusky band from eye to base of caudal Iioplomystax, 190
cc. Posterior canine single on each side; body rather stout niphobles, 191
236 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION,
bh. Caudal fin simply lunate, outer rays more or less exserted, but not twice as long as inner rays and much shorter
than head; canine single on each side (rarely obsolete or duplicated).
g. Head with a scarlet stripe from below eye to angle of mouth; a small scarlet streak behind eye; color, chiefly
purplish brown; a round spot of yellow and black behind head, just below lateral line; tins chiefly red; angles
of caudal black; axillary spot obscure aurofrenatum, 192
g<j. Head without scarlet stripe.
h. Pectoral very long and sharp, 5 in body; body brownish, not striped; no axillary spot oxybrachium
hh. Pectoral moderate, less than one-fifth length.
i. Color, dark reddish-brown, with white mottlings; no yellow or black spot; belly abruptly red; fins mostly cherry
red; axillary spot obsolete; body rather deep; scales large, their outlines well defined abildgaardi, 193
ii. Color, brownish, with 3 or 4 pale longitudinal streaks, upper running to a faint pale blotch on back of tail
between 2 dark-brown blotches; caudal distinctly pale-edged behind and more distinctly barred than in S.
flavescens; spot at base of pectoral brownish and very faint; about 4 small dusky blotches along base of dorsal,
last one most distinct at base of last ray; caudal with many crossbars and blotches; snout dusky; chin with
1 or 2 whitish crossbars; caudal concave, with sharp angles; dorsal and anal mottled with brown; pectorals
and ventrals plain; young with dark opercular blotch and dark points about eye distinctum
bbb. Caudal fin in adult deeply forked, upper lobe about as long as head and twice Or more length of inner rays;
caudal fin variegated.
j. Canines 4 to 6 on each side; pores of lateral line excessively branched, each with several (6 to 8) much divided
branches. Color, bright greenish-blue (the sides sometimes with a blue band); caudal lobes blue, middle rays
red; dorsal and anal red; pectoral yellowish, axillary spot large, black, edged with red chrysopterum, 194
jj. Canines 1 or 2 on each side; upper and lower caudal lobes greenish.
k. Opercle without black-and-yellow spot; pores of lateral line each with 4 or 5 nearly simple branches lorito, 195
kk. Opercle with an inky-black spot, in front of which is a golden spot; no spot at base of pectoral viride, 196
Euscarus:
an. Upper jaw never with posterior lateral canines; colors dull, usually mottled brown or greenish.
l. Caudal slightly rounded, angles not produced.
m. Scales of lateral line and some on nape and opercle black; dorsal spines stout; olive, vertical fins edged with
violet; axil violet strigatum
ll. Caudle lunate, or truncate with sharp angles (rounded in very young).
n. Caudal fin distinctly barred with irregular brown spots and markings.
o. Body without distinct pale longitudinal streaks above; caudal not evidently pale-edged; spot on base of pectoral
blackish and distinct; no evident pale or dark blotches on back of tail.
p. Caudal lunate or subtruncate in adult, rounded in young. General color olivaceous or reddish-brown, clouded,
and washed with cherry-red; lower fins mostly red; pectoral light-orange; chin pale, with whitish cross-
band flavescens, 197
pp. Caudal truncate, not at all lunate in adult, angles very slightly produced.
q. Color olivaceous or bluish-green, a whitish streak below mouth; a dark axillary spot usually present; a whitish
band on caudal; fins dotted rubripinne, 198
nn. Caudal fin not crossbarred.
r. Axillary spot black, very distinct; outer rays of caudal considerably produced, length of exserted part one-third to
one-half that of head.
s. Caudal red, its outer rays green; axillary spot very distinct; body olivaceous, nearly plain-reddish below; some
greenish-blue on head; a faint greenish streak running backward from angle of mouth brachiale, 199
ss. Caudal violaceous, its outer rays one-half head; a dark spot at base of pectoral; color dusky-red, scales of back and
sides with red spots maschalespilos
rr. Axillary spot faint or wanting; coloration uniform dark purplish-violet; 3 large scales on cheek; dorsal spines rather
slender, but pungent; caudal emarginate; tubes of each scale of lateral line much ramified and extending over
whole scale; teeth of moderate size, very distinct on edges of jaws frondosum
189. Sparisoma xystrodon Jordan A Swain. Loro; Parrot-fisli.
Head 3.2; depth 3; eye 5; snout 2. 75; interorbital width 3.8; preorbital 3.2; scales 1-25-5; D. ix, 10;
A. 11; pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.9; middle caudal rays 1.75. Body oblong wedge-shaped, heavy forward;
profile in a regular curve from snout to dorsal fin; upper jaw with 3 or 4 exserted canines on each side
above cutting edge, largest in front of angle of mouth curved outward and backward, one next in
front less curved, directed downward and slightly forward (sometimes backward), the pair at median
suture small; upper lip covering most of upper jaw. Scales large and thin, a row of five on cheek; 4
scales in front of origin of dorsal fin; dorsal low, spines pungent, longest shorter than snout, rays
longer, about 2 in head; anal similar to soft dorsal but lower; caudal slightly convex when spread,
outer rays slightly shorter than middle ones; pectoral broad, reaching a little past tips of ventrals;
ventrals short, not reaching anus.
Color in life: Bright olive-green above, paler below, the upper parts very much mottled,
speckled with white and marbled with coppery-red; head similarly green, dotted with whitish
above; a narrow ring of bright blue below eye, interrupted above; a narrow blue stripe from eye to
angle of mouth; a blue spot behind eye; blue and coppery markings on opercle; lower part of head
THE EISHES OF PORTO RICO. 237
light yellow, a blue band around margin of lower jaw; axil and a spot at base of pectoral in front
above deep blue-black; dorsal orange flesh-color, the tip paler; caudal yellowish at the base, paler
beyond, its posterior portion more or less black, a few whitish dots near base; anal light blue and
reddish, the tip dusky; ventrals pale; pectoral light-yellowish; lining of opercle blackish; jaws pale.
Some specimens are pearly-bluish rather than green above, livid below, blue on head paler, and the
red of a light-yellowish carmine. Some highly colored specimens are greener, with belly bright yellow,
brightest at throat; anal and caudal chiefly jet-black. (Jordan & Evermann, Key West specimens.)
Color in alcohol: Dark olive or grayish above, with slight green shade; lower parts paler; snout
paler; blue line around eye and from eye to angle of mouth persistent; blue at base of pectoral usually
changing to black; dorsal, anal, and caudal mottled; edge of anal and tip of caudal usually blackish.
This species can best be distinguished from S. lioplomystax and related species by the blue line
about eye and from eye to snout, the dark edge of caudal fin, and the presence of 2 or 3 canines on
each side of upper jaw. It is found in the West Indies and north to Key West, where it is very
common in Fucus and eelgrass, along with S. lioplomystax. Length 4 to 7 inches. It is very common
about Porto Rico, our collection containing specimens from San Juan, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Puerto
Real, Ensenada del Boqueron, Guanica, Ponce, Arroyo, Ilucares, Fajardo, Culebra, Isabel Segunda,
and San Geronimo. It was especially abundant at Ponce and Mayaguez.
Sparisoma xystrodon Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884 (Ju)y 1, 1884), 99, Key West, Fla.; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.,
II, 1630, 1898.
190. Sparisoma hoplomystax (Cope).
Head 3; depth 2.8; eye 3.5; snout 2.8; interorbital 3.7; preorbital 5.4; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pectoral
1.5; ventral 1.8; caudal 1.5; scales 1J-25-5. Body deep, the back considerably elevated; one strong
posterior canine on each side of upper jaw, directed slightly backward, often a second canine in front
of this and a small one directed downward on each side of front of upper jaw above the cutting edge
and close to the median suture, these not evident in our specimen; caudal rounded.
Color in spirits: Grayish and olivaceous, caudal dark, with a few white mottlings and a narrow
pale edge, the large scales at its base pale; dorsal and anal mottled with dark; side with about three
longitudinal series of white spots smaller than pupil, one on row of scales above lateral line, another
on row immediately below it, and the third two rows lower; about six spots in each row; some fainter
and irregular white spots on side below.
This species ranges from Bahia through the West Indies north to Key West and Cape Florida; it has
been recorded from Key West, St. Martins, and St. Lucia, but is apparently not common in Porto Rico.
The collection contains but one individual, 2.75 inches long, from Mayaguez, of this type of coloration,
and it seems to be identical with specimens identified as Scams radians and Sparisoma cyanolene in the
U. S. National Museum.
238 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Labrus radians Gastelnau, Anim. Nouv., etc.
,
AmCrique du Sud, 29, 1855; not Scarus radians Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Scams radians Gunther, Cat., IV, 211; Jordan & Gilbert, Synopsis, 906, 1883; not of Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Scarus hoplomystax Cope, Trans. Am. Philo. Soc. 1869, 462, St. Martins.
Sparisoma cyanolene Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884, 98, Key West.
Sparisoma hoplomystax, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1632, 1898.
191 . Sparisoma niphobles Jordan & Bollman. Loro; Parrot-fish.
Head 3; depth 2.67; eye 4.25; snout 3; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; scales 1-25-5. Body short and stout;
snout short, obtuse; dorsal outline gently and regularly arched from tip of snout to origin of dorsal,
thence in a regular descent to caudal peduncle; ventral outline less arched; a minute canine directed
downward on front of upper jaw on each side close to median suture, and a larger, stronger lateral one,
directed backward; lower jaw somewhat projecting, teeth coalesced except at tips; upper lip double
for its entire length, covering most of upper jaw; cheek with one row of 5 large scales; lateral line
complete, dropping from second to third row of scales under last dorsal rays, the tubes each with 3 to
5 branches; 4 scales on median line before dorsal. Origin of dorsal above base of pectoral, spines
pungent, about equal to snout in length, rays a little longer; caudal slightly rounded, outer rays about
2 in head; anal similar to soft dorsal, its origin about under first dorsal ray; pectoral broad and short,
about equal to snout and eye; ventral short, equal to snout and half eye.
Color in alcohol: Dirty gray, body mottled and speckled with whitish; an obscure whitish line,
often not evident, from eye along lateral line to caudal, and a plainer, better-defined one from base
of caudal to opercular flap, where it connects with a similar line from eye across opercle; in some
specimens lower half of body abruptly paler, the dividing line running from lower edge of eye to
the middle of caudal; base of pectoral and axil black, probably greenish in life; lower parts of side
usually with more numerous white specks; under parts of the body paler; tip of lower jaw brown,
followed by a white band, then another brown one, behind which is a series of 6 large white spots,
middle ones largest, these spots sometimes confluent; subopercle and breast blotched with brown on
bases of scales; dorsal with about 4 faint dark bars; anal similarly marked; caudal mottled, a pale
line at tip. In life, grayish with washings of greenish and reddish; base of pectoral green.
This species is known only from the Bahamas, Cape Florida, Key West, and Porto Rico. It is
quite abundant about Porto Rico, where numerous specimens were obtained from San Geronimo,
Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, Hucares, and Fajardo. It was abundant at each
of these places. Length 5 or 6 inches or less. Like most other species of this genus this fish frequents
the patches of alg?e in shallow water. From S. hoplomystax (Cope), which it closely resembles, it may
best be distinguished by the presence of but a single lateral canine and the numerous small white
specks, which are diagnostic.
Sparisoma niphobles Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1888 (Sept. 20), 551, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas; Jordan &
Evermann, 1. c., II, 1633,1898.
192 . Sparisoma aurofrenatum (Cuvier & Valenciennes).
Head 3.1; depth 3.1; eye 5; snout 2.6; interorbital 4.5; preorbital 4.6; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pectoral
1.4; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.5; scales 14-25-5. One posterior canine (obsolete or broken on right side
in our specimen); caudal fin lunate, upper lobe very slightly longer than lower.
Color in life: Whitish green above, slightly rosy on side, greenish below; an orange splotch
bordered at upper anterior edge by a black blotch just below lateral line under third dorsal spine; eye
red; a brick-red bar from mouth under eye to opercle, above this 2 small oblong spots of same; rest
of head bluish, teeth white, dorsal pale yellowish-red; anal rich red with bluish border; caudal olive at
base, then a broad, rich blood-red bar or crescent, then a pale, whitish terminal crescent; outer rays
clear red, tips of fin black; pectoral very pale-rosy, the anterior ray dark; ventral pale-rosy, a blue
blotch at base of pectoral. In spirits, dark above, pale green on sides and below; a pale-yellow stripe
from angle of mouth to below posterior margin of eye, bordered below by black; a short, narrow bar of
same color behind eye; a distinct black blotch on fourth and fifth scales of lateral line, and a much
larger blotch of yellow below the black; upper ray and base of pectoral dark, front of base black; anal
with a dark line at base and a dark edge; angles of caudal inky-black, blotch on lower lobe the larger.
Easily recognizable, even in spirits, by the characteristic persistent markings.
A West Indian species, known from Havana, Sombrero Key, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Porto Rico,
St. Thomas, and St. Lucia. One specimen, 7.5 inches long, obtained by us at Arroyo.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 239
Scarus aurofrenalus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 191, 1839, Santo Domingo.
Scarus mineofrenatus Poey, Memorias, II, 279, 1860, Cuba.
Sparisoma aurofrenatum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1634, 1898.
193 . Sparisoma abildgaardi (Bloch). “Loro Colorado” ; lied Parrot-fish.
(Plate 30.)
Head 3; depth 2.7; eye 6.4; snout 2.1; interorbital 4.5; preorbital 3.4; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pectoral
1.3; ventral 1.6; caudal 1.3; scales 2-25-5. Dorsal and ventral outlines of body alike, snout without
fleshy hump; caudal fin lunate, lobes equal; a single canine on each side of upper jaw above cutting
edge (in one small specimen 2 on right side).
Color in life: Fins and lower parts below a line from tip of under jaw to base of caudal under the
end* of lateral line, red, edges of scales paler; body above grayish, edges of scales black, bases of those
below lateral line rosy; brownish-red wavy stripes radiating from eye below; oblique pale-blue stripes
on dorsal, tips of row of smaller scales at base of anal blue, and 3 blotches on upper and 3 on lower ray
of caudal; a few scales at base of caudal with pale yellow; iris yellow, pupil bordered narrowly with
red; membranous edge of opercle black.
This gorgeously colored parrot-fish is generally common from Cuba south to Brazil and has been
recorded also from Martinique, Jamaica, Santo Domingo, and Havana. The collection from Porto Rico
contains 2 specimens, 11 and 12.5 inches long, respectively, from Arroyo, where many others were
seen. While it was not noticed elsewhere it is probably not rare about the island.
Vieja, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., 58, pi. 28, fig. 2, 1787, Cuba.
Scarus abildgaardi Bloch, Iehth., pi. 259, 1791, America; from a specimen sent by Professor Abildgaard.
Scarus coccineus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Iehth., 289, 1801, Cuba; after Parra.
Scarus aureoruber LacHpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 55, 163, 1803, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Scarus amplus Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., 324, taf. 5, pi. 25, 1842, Brazil (fide Guichenot; not seen by us).
Scarus erythrinoides Guichenot, Scarides Mus. Paris, 10, 1865, Santo Domingo.
Scarus oxybrachius Poey, Synopsis, 342, 1868, Cuba.
Sparisoma abildgaardi, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1635, 1898.
194 . Sparisoma chrysopterum ( Bloch & Schneider)
.
“Loro Verde”; “Cotoro Verde”; Vieja; Blue Parrotfish.
Head 3.1; depth 3; eye 5.8; snout 2.1; interorbital 5.5; preorbital 3.2; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9;
pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.9; caudal 1.2; scales 1J-25-5. Dorsal and ventral outlines nearly alike, dorsal
somewhat more strongly arched; 4 to 6 strong canines on each side of upper jaw, those behind usually
pointing outward or backward, those in front forward, sometimes one or two small ones at suture;
pores of lateral line much branched, more so than in any other known Porto Rican species; caudal
deeply lunate, outer rays much produced, upper lobe the longer, twice length of middle rays. Known
from the other species by the canines, produced rays of the caudal, and the blue color.
Color in life: Rich greenish-blue or bluish-green above; edges of scales greener, their bases darker;
under parts rich blue; head greenish-blue, somewhat mottled; lower jaw and breast sky-blue; dorsal
pale rose; anal pale blue at base, then broadly pale brick-red, then a very narrow pale-blue border;
caudal reddish at base, blue on outer rays extending to tips; abaft the red a pale crescent, then a
broad blood-red one, and last a narrow bluish-green border; pectoral pale lemon, a black splotch at
base above; ventral pale-greenish.
In spirits, body nearly everywhere a faded-blue, brighter on head and under pectoral; dorsal
and pectoral pale; ventral chiefly pale, with traces of blue; anal soiled-grayish; middle of caudal pale,
its edge dark, outer rays greenish; a black blotch on base of pectoral above.
This species is generally common from the West Indies to Brazil, and is known from Havana.
Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Martinique, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, and Bahia.
It reaches a good size and is of some value as a food-fish. Two tine specimens, each a foot long, were
obtained from Arroyo and Isabel Segunda, and others were seen at each of these places and at Culebra.
Vieja, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., 58, pi. 28, fig. 4, 1787, Cuba.
Scarus chrysopterus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Iehth., 286, pi. 57, 1801, American seas.
Scarus clitoris Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Iehth., 289, 1801, Cuba; after Parra.
Scarus lateralis Poey, Memorias, II, 219, 1860, Cuba.
? Scarus spinidens Guichenot, Scarides, 15, 1865, Bahia.
Sparisoma chrysopterum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1636, 1898.
240 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
195. Sparisoma lorito Jordan & Swain. “Loro”; Parrot-fish.
Head 3; depth 2.9; eye 5.3; snout 2.3; interorbital 5.2; preorbital 3.5; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pecto-
ral 1.5; ventral 1.8; caudal 1.3; scales 11-25-5. Back moderately elevated, dorsal outline much more
strongly arched than ventral; eye high in position; one posterior canine on each side of upper jaw, and
one or more small ones near suture; caudal deeply lunate, upper lobe very slightly the longer.
Color in spirits: Uniform greenish; a very distinct deep-black blotch on base of upper rays of
pectoral; outer rays of caudal darker than middle. Much resembling N. brachiale in spirits, but differing
in the presence of canine teeth.
A West Indian species, known from Havana, Haiti, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Sombrero, and Barbados.
Two specimens, each about 10 inches long, were obtained by us—one at Puerto Real, the other at
Arroyo—and others were seen. It is of some value as a food-fish.
Sparisoma lorito Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884 (July 1), 95, Havana: Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1637,1898.
196. Sparisoma viride (Bonnaterre). 11 Loro Verde”; “ Cotoro” ; Dark-green Parrot-fish.
Head 3; depth 2.6; eye 7.5; snout 2; interorbital 4; preorbital 3.1; D. ix, 10; A. ix, 9; pectoral
1.4; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.3; scales 2-25-5. Body rather deep, back elevated, profile nearly straight
from snout to dorsal; caudal deeply lunate, outer rays considerably produced, upper lobe slightly the
longer; 2 canines on each side of upper jaw.
Color in life: Rich bluish-green, edges of scales as well as their bases brownish; top of head light
clear brown down to level of pupil, this brown patch extending from occiput to near tip of snout, which
is green with a narrow brown border; a narrow brown bar backward from eye to humeral region, and
a similar one from mouth backward to opercle, this connecting with the nari’ow line around each lip;
space above this rich green, below paler green; upper edge of opercle with a small pale-lemon spot, below
it a green one, then rest of opercle with a broad reddish-orange border; subopercle with a very narrow
orange border; caudal peduncle with a large irregular orange blotch covering about 5 or 6 scales; dorsal
pale-reddish, the sheathing scales at base very rich green; caudal dark green at base and on outer rays
nearly to tips; next a crescent of rich orange, the horns extending to tips; lastly a broad crescent of
paler green or bluish green; anal green at base, then a broad rich orange band, then a broad blue
border; pectoi'al green on upper and lower rays, paler between; ventral rich blue-green on outer ray,
rest pale-orange; teeth white, with slight bluish tinge.
In spirits: Pale-greenish, top of head grayish-brown, a band of same color behind eye; side
of head blue, abruptly demarcated from color of top of head; a pale band from angle of mouth across
cheek, then narrowing and curving upward across opercle; lips blue, their edges pale; membranous edge
of opercle pale, a bright-yellow spot above; anal with blue margin and base, pale in middle; caudal with
blue margin, widening on middle rays, a yellow crescent-shaped band in front of it, rest of fin greenish;
pectoral bluish above and in front, pale-yellowish below and behind; scales at base of caudal pale yellow.
A West Indian species; known from the Bahamas, Sombrero Key, Jamaica, Porto Rico, St.
Thomas, and St. Croix. Obtained by us at Arroyo and Culebra, where it is probably common. It
attains a length of 2 feet or more and, though used for food, it is not of much value.
Piscis viridis bahamensis (the Parrot-fish), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolinas, etc., II, 29, pi. 29, 1738, Bahamas.
Scarus viridis Bonnaterre, Enc. M6th., X, 96, 1788, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Scarus catesby LacCp&de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 16, 1803, Bahamas; after Catesby.
Scarus catcsbei Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 183, 1839, Bahamas.
Scarus melanotis Bleeker, Ichth. Notizen, I-X, 4, 1862, St. Croix.
Sparisoma viride
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1638, 1898.
197. Sparisoma flavescens (Bloch & Schneider). Vieja Colorado; Mud Parrot-fisli.
Head 3.1; depth 2.7; eye 5.5; snout 2.4; interorbital 4; preorbital 4; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; scales
1-25-5. Body rather stout, compressed, heavy forward; profile evenly curved from tip of snout to
dorsal fin, then in a long regular slope to caudal peduncle; mouth normal, gape not reaching eye by a
distance greater than half diameter of orbit; jaws pale, lower jaw projecting; no canines; upper lip
covering all of upper jaw; scales large and thin, a single row of 5 scales on cheek, 4 scales before origin
of dorsal; tubes of lateral line dividing into 4 or 5 branches, covering most of scale; top of head with
numerous small papillae, forming elevated lines posteriorly and behind eye; origin of dorsal over base
of pectoral; longest dorsal spine about 2.5 in head; dorsal rays slightly longer; anal similar to soft
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 241
dorsal; pectoral rather long, reaching past tips of ventrals, rays about 1.4 in head; ventrals about 1.7
in head; caudal fin usually lunate, lobes pointed and projecting, especially in adult; in the young the
fin is sometimes merely truncate, never rounded as in S. rubripinne.
Color of adult in life: Olivaceous, clouded with light and dark, and usually flushed with pinkish,
especially below, edges of the scales more yellow-olive; scales of belly and lower parts light orange-
red toward their bases, giving a decidedly reddish cast; dorsal mottled with different shades of olive;
caudal creamy, mottled and barred with darker orange, markings more distinct on outer edge; ventrals
and anal rich cherry-red, mottled and barred with brown; pectoral light orange-red, color formed by
narrow orange cross-streaks on a paler ground; a light band across lower jaw, which is otherwise
brown; a dusky or black blotch at base of pectoral; blackish blotches sometimes present on body at
base of soft dorsal. In alcohol, the red and yellow fade and become pale and the general color is
brownish, paler below; usually a dark blotch at base of soft dorsal and one on base of pectoral.
S. flavescens is close to S. rubripinne, from which it can be distinguished most readily by the
difference in shape of caudal fin and its lighter coloration. In S. rubripinne the caudal is more or less
rounded, while in S. flavescens it is lunate or truncate, tips of lobes always being pointed.
The range of this species extends from Biscayne Bay and Key West southward to Rio Janeiro.
It is generally common, and is known from Cape Florida, Key West, Havana, Bahamas, Tortugas, St.
Thomas, Jeremie, Haiti, Port au Prince, Jamaica, Porto Rico, St. Lucia, and Rio Janeiro. It is
abundant in Porto Rico. The collection contains specimens from the following localities: San Juan,
Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Guanica, Ponce, Ensenada del Boqueron, Iducares, Fajardo, Isabel Segunda,
and Culebra Island. It rarely exceeds a foot in length. It is very abundant at Key West,
swarming everywhere about the island in the eelgrass. At Havana it is apparently equally common,
the numbers seen in the market exceeding that of all other species of the genus combined. Its flesh,
although not unpleasant in flavor, is soft and rather poor. In the Havana market it is usually called
Vieja Colorado, but the species of this group are seldom distinguished by the fishermen.
Vieja, Parra, Descr. Piezas Dif. Hist. Nat., 59, pi. 28, fig. 4, 1787, Cuba.
Scarus flavescens Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ic.hth., 290, 1801, Cuba; after Parra.
Scants squalidus Poey, Memorias, II, 218. 1860, Cuba,
Sparisoma flavescens
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1610, 1898.
198. Sparisoma rubripinne (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Vieja; Loro; Parrot-fish
.
Head 3.3; depth 2.9; eye 5.5; snout 2.5; interorbital 3.7; preorbital 4; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; scales
1-25-5. Body stout, compressed; head large, somewhat rugose in the adult; mouth small, gape not
reaching vertical of eye by a distance equal to half of its diameter; lower jaw projecting; no canines;
suborbital with venules; pores of lateral line with 3 or 4 branches; 4 scales in front of dorsal. Fins
moderate; dorsal spines pungent, longest about equal to snout; dorsal rays a little longer, about equal to
those of anal; pectoral long, 1.3 in head; ventral shorter, about 1.9 in head; caudal truncate in adult,
usually rounded in young, never lunate as in S. flavescens, outer rays about equal to snout and eye.
Color in life (a specimen 9 inches long) : Head and side dirty mottled-brown; 3 brown bars on
lower jaw; fins all mottled-brown and yellowish; belly white. Another specimen, 4 inches long, from
San Juan, had the sides bluish-olivaceous; edges of scales darkest; white on belly; side of head with
2 irregular brownish bars; tip of lower jaw brownish, followed by a white stripe, then a broad brown
bar followed by white; dorsal pale, mottled with brown, especially near base; caudal crossed by
alternating bars of brown and paler; irregular brown blotches at base of caudal; anal rosy, blotched
with brown; pectoral pale; ventrals pale-rosy, inner rays white; jaws white. Another specimen, 4
inches long, from Aguadilla, was described as grayish, paler below; chin with 2 broad brown bands;
4 black blotches on back, first on and at base of first dorsal spine, second on base of sixth and seventh
rays, third on about eleventh and twelfth rays, and fourth on last ray but one, all these extending
somewhat on sides; iris green, rest of eye silvery and brownish; dorsal and anal fins mottled reddish-
brown; caudal brown, with 2 or 3 irregular cross-series of pale spots; ventrals reddish; pectoral pale.
In alcohol, general color grayish-brown, paler below; head brown; chin with 2 or 3 broad brown bands
separated by white ones; base of pectoral dark; a dark blotch on body at edge of opercle; 4 rather
distinct dark blotches on back extending upon dorsal fin, which is mottled with dark and light; caudal
dark, with 2 irregular cross-rows of white spots, more or less confluent in anterior row; extreme tip
of tail with a pale border; anal barred and mottled like dorsal; pectoral and ventral pale; jaws pale.
F. C. B. 1900—16
242 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
A West Indian species (length 6 to 9 inches) closely resembling S. flavescens, from which it can
best be distinguished by its rounded (or rarely truncate) caudal, and absence of whitish or snowy
blotches on sides. It is known from Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and Martinique. It is
common about Porto Rico, the collection containing specimens from San Juan, Aguadiila, Mayaguez,
Ensenada del Boqueron, Puerto Real, Guanica, Ponce, Arroyo, Hucares, and Fajardo.
Scams rubripinnis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 199, 1839, Santo Domingo.
Scams virens Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 203, 1839, Porto Rico (Coll. Plee), and Martinique (Coll. Achard).
Scarus circumnotalus Poey, Memorias, II, 123, 1861, Havana.
Scarus truncatus Poey, Synopsis, 339, 1868, Havana; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 336, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164, 1883.
? Scarus ernarginatum Poey, Synopsis, 310, 1868, Havana.
Sparisoma rubripinne, Jordan & Evermann, I. c., 1640, 1898.
199. Sparisoma brachiale (Poey).
Head 3.2; depth 3.1; eye 5.6; snout 2.2; interorbital 5.3; preorbital 3.4; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9;
pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.3; scales 11-25-5. Body elongate, back moderately elevated, dorsal
and ventral outlines much alike; eye about midway between tip of snout and end of opercle, very
high in position; no canines; outer rays of caudal considerably produced, making fin rather strongly
lunate, middle part truncate or slightly convex; lateral line interrupted near end of dorsal, beginning
again on row below, the two ends usually overlapping.
Color in life: Rich red above, paler below, edges of scales white; fins all rosy-red; teeth white.
In spirits, very pale greenish, dark olive in one specimen; in some cases with rosy flushes on side; a
large jet-black spot at base of upper rays c f pectoral, not extending into axil ; no other distinct markings.
A West Indian species known only from Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico. Seen by us at Aguadiila,
Arroyo, and Isabel Segunda, where specimens 9 to 12.5 inches long were obtained; also collected by
Mr. Gray at San Geronimo.
Scarus brachialis Poey, Memorias, II, 345, 1861, Cuba.
Scarus humeralis Poey, Memorias, II, 422, 1861, Havana; based on an old drawing; a black axillary spot, sown with
white points.
Sparisoma brachiale, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.,1641, 1898.
Genus 110. SCARUS Forskal. Loros; Parrot-fishes.
Lower pharyngeals spoon-shaped, ovate-oblong, transversely concave; teeth in each jaw fully
eoalescent, appearing as tessellations on the surface; jaws with distinct median sutures; edges of jaw
even, teeth whitish or rosy in color, never green. Upper pharyngeals each with 2 rows of teeth; gill-
membranes scarcely united to the narrow isthmus, across which they form a broad fold; dorsal
spines flexible, scarcely different from soft rays; upper lip laterally double, interior fold becoming
very narrow or obsolete mesially; lower jaw included in the closed mouth; lateral line interrupted
posteriorly, commencing again on next series of scales below; tubes of lateral line scarcely branched;
scales on cheek in 2 to 4 rows; scales in front of dorsal on median line 6 to 8. D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9 in
all species; scales 2J-24-6. Body robust.
Scarus:
a. Upper jaw with from 1 to 4 posterior canines.
b. Cheek with 2 or 3 rows of scales.
c. Head with a longitudinal band; a yellow longitudinal stripe on body; outer rays of caudal not colored like inner;
caudal subtruncate.
d. Outer rays of caudal blackish or greenish, darker than median rays.
e. Yellow stripe above pectoral about on a level with eye; outer rays of caudal deep greenish-blue; upper jaw with 1
posterior canine (rarely duplicated)
;
2.5 rows of scales on cheek; head with 2 bluish-green stripes, interspace
reddish or yellow; dorsal and anal each with 2 green bands and 1 orange one, anal having a roundish blue spot
on membrane between every 2 rays. General color bluish-green mixed with orange punctulatus
ee. Yellow stripe above pectoral, mostly below level of eye; outer rays of caudal blackish, rest of caudal green; upper
jaw with 2 posterior canines; 2 rows of scales on cheek, upper part of head dark-green, below eye bright
yellowish-green, with bluish markings on opercle; dorsal bright-green at base; ventrals pale; base of pectoral
with a blue-black mark. General color in life, bright-green; darker on back, paler below bollmani
dd. Outer rays of caudal orange, lighter than median rays, its edge blackish; yellow stripe above pectoral, below level
of green stripes on head, which are nearly horizontal; upper jaw with 1 posterior canine (rarely duplicated);
2.5 rows of scales on cheek; head with 2 bluish-green stripes, interspaces reddish or yellow; dorsal and anal each
with 2 green bands and 1 orange one, the latter without blue spots; basal band of dorsal not broken into green
spots. General color bluish-green, mixed with orange Iseniopterus
cc. Head without longitudinal bands; posterior canines 2 to 4.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 243
/. Caudal truncate; 2 series of scales on cheek, and 2 scales on lower preopercular limb; canines 2 or 3 on each side.
Color uniform violet-purple; vertical fins very dark aracanga
jrJ. Caudal fin lunate, the outer rays more or less produced; cheek with 2.5 or 3 rows of scales; posterior canines
3 or 4; color (dried skin) plain brownish, caudal in one specimen darker, or paler mesially, its border and angles
dark Irispinosus
bb. Cheek with 4 rows of scales; angles of caudal more or less salient.
g. Color dusky-olivaceous, some scales with a rosy blotch at base; dorsal edged with dusky; caudal dark, pale at base,
and with pale shades, its angles little produced; operele with blue blotches; canines 3; snout rather acute;
7 scales before dorsal cuzamilx
gg. Color, dark sky-blue; jaws with bright colors velula, 200
ggg. Color brown, with 2 brown lateral bands gnathodus
aa. Upper jaw without canines; 2.5 series of scales on cheek.
h. Third (partial) row of scales of cheek of 3 or 4 scales, those of upper row little larger than those of second row.
i. Caudal slightly rounded, its outer rays not produced.
j. Side of body with 2 broad, dark longitudinal shades; sides of belly each with 3 sharply defined lines, each on a
row of scales, these stripes running from breast to beyond front of ventrals and usually becoming faint or
even obsolete in old individuals.
k. Stripes on side of breast, if present, whitish. Color dark reddish-brown above, paler below; back dark; side with
2 dark parallel stripes of color of back, separated by paler interspaces, upper one extending backward from
eye; snout above bluish-brown; a narrow whitish streak running from head along middle line of belly; a faint
dark spot on base of pectoral; caudal pale orange-red, outer rays somewhat barred with brown; dorsal orange,
edged with bluish; other fins nearly plain croicensis, 201
kk. Stripes on side of breast, if present, inky-blue. Color bright-green, olivaceous above, paler below, lower half of
body becoming posteriorly more and more yellow, and on lower half of caudal peduncle bright light-yellow,
this color being brightest above front of anal; longitudinal shades on side of body bright crimson, separated
on head by a band of green; no spot on base of pectoral; caudal fin green, itsdower half yellow; dorsal, anal,
and pectoral green, at least at base; ventrals yellow evcrmanni
jj. Sides of body without distinct, broad, darker stripes. Color brown; no bands or lines upon body or head; dorsal
spotted with violet and edged above and below with yellow, like caudal; caudal without spots; yellow line
near edge and another along base of dorsal flavomarginatus
ii. Caudal truncate, its points slightly salient; side with a broad whitish band acutus
hh. Third (partial) row of scales on cheek of 1 or 2 scales only; scales of upper row much larger than those of second
row; caudal subtruncate, its outer rays more or less produced, becoming much elongate with age; adult with
a fleshy hump above snout.
l. Color bright-blue, young more or less shaded with reddish-brown; fins mostly blue. Size large cseruleus, 202
U. Color dusky-olive; a pale-yellowish streak from upper part of eye to upper base of caudal erablemalicus
200. Scarus vetula Bloch & Schneider. Mud-fisli; Viejo,; Old ]Vife.
(Plate 31.)
Head 2.7; depth2.7; eye7; snout 2.3; interorbital 2.8; preorbital 4.2; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pectoral
1.5; ventral 2; caudal 1.3; scales 2-25-6. Dorsal and ventral outlines alike, head pointed; 2 posterior
lateral canines in upper jaw; caudal margin slightly concave between outer produced rays.
Color in life; Scales of trunk bluish-green, their edges pink; head variegated, the ground-color
in shades of grayish, pink, and blue; a wavy green stripe from slightly below angle of mouth obliquely
upward to below posterior margin of eye, bordered on both sides with yellow; a similar shorter stripe
on snout, similarly bordered; a bent green bar before eye and a very short one behind; lower lip and
chin blue; iris yellow; outer half of dorsal tin abruptly green, the line of demarcation curving obliquely
upward from base of first spine, thence nearly straight to tip of ninth ray; yellow below the green,
shading into rosy on base of fin, which has oblique pale-blue bars, one near base of each interradial
membrane, below which is an oblong deep-blue blotch; anal colored exactly like dorsal, but without
oblique pale-blue bars; pectoral with its upper edge blue, below which is a band of pink spreading out
over the base, rest of fin light-green; ventral with spine and first ray blue, second yellow, the rest pale,
with rosy membranes; caudal with upper and lower produced rays blue, the two inner of the produced
rays rosy at base, yellowish at ends, rest of fin green; several scales at base of caudal rosy.
This is one of the most gaudy of the parrot-fishes, the combination of colors being very extraor-
dinary. It is thus far known only from Cuba and Porto Rico, where it is not uncommon. The
specimen in our collection from which the colored drawing (plate 31) was made is 12.5 inches long and
was obtained at Puerto Real. We have compared it with a specimen in the National Museum which
has been identified with Poey’s S. superbus and find that they agree perfectly. The identity of S.
superbus with S. velula seems certain, though there are some slight discrepancies in the descriptions.
Vieja, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., 58, pi. 28, fig. 1, 1787, Havana.
Scarus vetula Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 289, 1801, Cuba; alter Parra; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 1649, 1898,
Scarus superbus Poey, Memorias, II, 218, 1860, Cuba.
244 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
201 . Scarus croicensis (Bloch). Bullon.
Head 2.9; depth 3.3; eye 4.8; snout 2.9; interorbital 3; preorbital 4.8; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pec-
toral 1.6; ventral 2; caudal 1.9; scales 14-25-6. Body elongate, little elevated, dorsal and ventral
outlines alike, jaws without canines; caudal fin slightly rounded.
Color in life: Brownish above, pale below; a broad band of brown from eye to base of caudal, a
narrower one below this from base of pectoral to caudal; a pale-bluish line bordering upper band
above and below; two or three white or pale-bluish longitudinal streaks on sides of abdomen.
A species of small size but great abundance, from southern Florida and the AVest Indies; known
from Key West, the Tortugas, Bermuda, Havana, Porto Rico, St. Thomas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mar-
tinique, and St. Croix. Numerous specimens obtained by us at San Antonio Bridge, Boqueron,
Mayaguez, Hucares, Fajardo, and Culebra; 8 by Mr. Gray at San Geronimo. It probably does not
exceed 5 or 6 inches in length.
Scams croicensis Bloch, Ichth., pi. 221, 1790, St. Croix; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1650, 1898.
Scarus insulx-sanclx-crucis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 312, pi. 62, fig. 2, 1801; after Gronow.
Scarus alternans Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, IV, 200, 1839, Martinique.
Pseudoscarus lineolatus Poey, Repertorio, II, 239, 1868, Cuba.
202 . Scarus coeruleus (Bloch). “ Loro” ; Blue Parrot-fish; “ Tumble-nose
(Plate 32.)
Head 3; depth 3; eye 8; snout 2.3; interorbital 2.8; preorbital 3.7; D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9; pectoral
1.6; ventral 1.8; caudal 1; scales 2-25-6. Body elongate, back scarcely elevated, but snout with a
large fleshy hump so that head is not pointed, hump much more prominent in old individuals; anterior
profile strongly concave above eye in a specimen 20 inches long, nearly straight or slightly convex in
one of 14 inches; eye small; caudal truncate or slightly rounded between the produced outer rays; no
canines; pores of lateral line little branched.
Color in life: Everywhere uniform turquoise-blue, bases of vertical fins much deeper blue; iris
blue, pupil with a narrow brownish-yellow border; a brownish-yellow stripe bordering lower jaw;
faint wine-colored shades on side of head below and behind eye; head, back, belly, and tips of fins
greenish-blue.
The blue parrot-fish reaches a length of 2 or 3 feet and a weight of 12 to 20 pounds. It has the
widest distribution of any member of the family, being found from Chesapeake Bay southward to
Florida and throughout the West Indies. It has been recorded from St. George Island (Maryland),
Cape Charles, Bahamas, Key West, Tortugas, Havana, Martinique, Jamaica, and Porto Rico. Two
specimens, 14.5 and 20 inches long, were obtained by us at Culebra Island, and many others were
seen in the boats of the St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Tortola fishermen who frequent the waters about
Culebra and Vieques islands. Though evidently not held in high esteem, it is doubtless the most
important food species of the parrot-fishes occurring about Porto Rico, due chiefly to its abundance
and large size, and the catch seems to be always saved by the fishermen.
So far as known, none of the parrot-fishes ever takes the hook, and they are therefore usually
caught in some sort of trap. The trap in common use about Porto Rico is shown on page 31.
About Culebra Island these traps or baskets are set in 5 to 8 fathoms of water, and are usually baited
with large chunks of cactus pulp, made white by trimming off the green outer part.
These large parrot-fish are taken in considerable numbers, along with hog-fish, doctor-fish (med-
icos)
,
groupers, snappers, and grunts. The name “tumble-nose” is given by fishermen to unusually
large blue parrot-fish, on account of the peculiar topography of the nose.
Novacula coerulea (the Blue-fish)
,
Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, etc., 18, pi. 18, 1743, Bahamas.
Loro, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., 57, pi. 27, fig. 1, 1787, Cuba.
Trompa, Parra, 1. c.,fig. 2.
Coryphxna coerulea Bloch, Auslandische Fische, II, 120, pi. 176, 1786, in part, Bahamas; after Catesby and a figure by
Aubriet, altered from a figure by Plumier.
Scarus loro Bloch & Schneider, Systema Ichthyol., 288, 1801; after Loro of Parra.
Scarus trilobatus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 21, 1803, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
? Scarus holocyaneos Lac6p6de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 45, 1803, Martinique; on a copy by Aubriet of a drawing by Plumier;
the copy colored entirely blue in order to represent this species; the original drawing probably intended for
Sparisoma chrysopterum; the same copy by Aubriet, the original of Bloch’s engraving of Scarus coeruleus.
Scarus obtusus Poey, Memorias, II, 217, 1860, Cuba; adult.
Scarus nuchalis Poey, Memorias, II, 220, 1860, Cuba; young.
Scarus coeruleus, Jordan & Evermann, l.c.,1652, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 245
Genus 111. PSEUDOSCARTJS Bleeker. Guacamaias.
This genus differs from Scarus, as here understood, chiefly in the deep green or blue color of its
highly modified jaws and teeth. The species are mostly of large size and robust form. Five species
of this genus are recognized by Jordan & Evermann as occurring in American waters north of Panama,
only one of which is thus far known from Porto Rico.
PSEUDOSCAIiUS:
. Upper jaw with canines; caudal fin with angles much exserted, especially in adult; soft dorsal and anal ending in
points; 2.5 rows of scales on cheek.
. Upper jaw usually with 1 posterior canine. Color bright-blue, edges of scales brownish; fins dark-brown, with
green upon external border of ventrals, which are long and pointed; forehead with a fleshy hump in adult.
c. Tubes of lateral line considerably branched coelestinus
cc. Tubes of lateral line not branched simplex
bb. Upper jaw with from 3 to 6 posterior canines; jaws very convex. Color green under pectoral and along side and
posterior part of body; head, anterior and upper part of back, and belly grayish-yellow; dorsal and anal brown,
spotted with green along their bases; pectorals and ventrals tinted with green; caudal grayish-yellow. Size
large pleianus
Loro:
aa. Upper jaw without posterior canines; teeth deep blue-green. Size large.
d. Caudal deeply notched, angles much produced in adult (fin truncate or rounded in young); body moderately
elongate; depth 2.5 to 3 in length; cheek with 2.5 rows of scales, those of upper row larger than those of second,
1 scale below second row. Color olive-green, with more or less ill-defined green markings on head; lower parts
more or less reddish; vertical fins brownish-orange, all edged with deep-blue guacamaia, 203
203. Pseudoscarus guacamaia (Cuvier). Guacamaia; Green Parrot-fish.
-Head 2.9; depth 2.7; eye 5; snout 2,8; interorbital 3; preorbital 5.5; D. ix, 10; A. n, 9; pectoral
1.5; ventral 1.9; caudal 1.5; scales 1 1-25-6. No canine teeth; lower jaw included in closed mouth;
lateral line interrupted under last dorsal rays, beginning again two rows lower, its pores scarcely
branched; caudal slightly rounded.
Color in life: Sides mottled blue and brown or with blue bars separated by irregular brown ones;
under parts white, with numerous fine dark punctulations; head with a narrow pale greenish-blue bar
under eye, extending upon lower jaw and’fading to white, uniting with its fellow on chin; a short
preocular blue bar; teeth green; dorsal and anal brick-reddish, with narrow blue border; a few
indistinct bluish spots along base and through middle of tin; base of anal with pale-blue spots; caudal
dirty-red with darkish border; ventral pale-rosy, anterior edge blue; pectoral pale. Inspirits: Pale-
greenish, darker above; teeth greenish-blue; the green stripes on head sometimes persisting; vertical
fins dark- edged.
This species is known at once, by the absence of canines and the blue teeth. It ranges from
Florida south to Rio Janeiro; it has been recorded from St. Augustine, Key West, Havana, and Porto
Rico. Numerous specimens, all young, from 1.75 to 5.88 inches long, were seined at San Antonio
Bridge, Puerto Real, Boqueron, Culebra, ami Fajardo. It is probably one of the most abundant of
246 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
the large parrot-fishes about Porto Rico, as it is also about Key West. It is not uncommon at Havana,
where it is still known as “guacamaia,” the name by which it was known to Parra more than a
century ago. It reaches a length of 2 feet or more, and is of some value as food.
Guacamaia, Parra, Dcscr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat., 54, pi. 26, 1787, Cuba.
Scarus guacamaia Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. II, vol.2, 265, 1829, Cuba; after Parra.
Scams turchesius Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 181,1839, Porto Rico.
Scarus rostralus Poey, Memorias, II, 221, 1860, Havana.
Pseudoscarus turchesius, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 337, 1881: Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164, 1883.
Pseudoscarus guacamaia, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1657,1898.
FAMILY LI 1 1. EPHIPPIDyE. The Spade-Fishes.
Body compressed, usually greatly elevated, anterior profile steep, caudal peduncle short. Scales
moderate or small, ctenoid, densely covering soft parts of vertical fins; lateral line present, following
curve of back. Mouth small, terminal, horizontal; premaxillaries slightly protractile; maxillary short,
without supplemental bone, partly slipping under the narrow preorbital; jaws with bands of slender,
pointed, movable, brush-like teeth; nostrils double; preopercle very finely serrated or entire; gill-mem-
branes broadly attached to isthmus, openings restricted to sides; branchiostegals 6 or 7; pyloric cava
few; gillrakers very short; pseudobranch iso present. Dorsal fins 2, somewhat connected, the first of 8
to 11 spines, which are depressible in a groove; soft dorsal and anal fins anteriorly high, their bases
thickened by scales; anal spines 3 or 4, short; caudal fin truncate or doubly concave; pectoral short,
rays all branched; ventral s thoracic, normally i, 5; sometimes rudimentary; a large accessory scale as
in the Sparidx; air-bladder large, commonly bifurcate in front, and with 2 slender horns behind.
Vertebrae 10 T 14 = 24. Post-temporal bifurcate, as usual among fishes, not joined to skull.
As here understood, the Ephippidx comprise about 4 genera and 10 or 12 species, related to the
Chxlodontidx but showing important differences in the skeleton, which show's resemblances to both
scombroid and sparoid forms. Shore fishes, mostly of large size, in warm seas, often valued as food.
The following diagnosis of this family is given by Dr. Gill: “ Chaetodontoidea with a widescaly
isthmus extending from pectoral region to the chin and separating the branchial apertures; spinous
partially differentiated from soft portion of dorsal; upper jaw scarcely protractile; ethmoid cariniform
above (not sunk and concave) and vomer declivous (not projecting forward or refuse)
;
parapophyses
spiniform and posteriorly inclosing a haemal canal, and post-temporal bones bifurcated.”
Genus 112. CH7ET0DIPTERUS Lacepede.
Body much elevated and compressed, its outline nearly orbicular, anterior profile nearly vertical.
Scales small, 55 to 70 in course of lateral line. .Taws about equal; no teeth on vomer or palatines;
teeth on jaws slender, somewhat movable; preopercle finely serrulate. Branchiostegals 6. Dorsal fins
2, somewhat connected, first usually of 9 spines, the third of which is elongate; anal spines 3, small,
second the longest; ventral with large accessory scale. Pyloric caeca 4 to 6.
An American genus distinguished from the Asiatic Ephippus, by the very much smaller scales.
204. Chsetodipterus faber (Broussonet). “Paguala” ; Angel-fish; Spade-fish.
(Plate 33.)
Head 3.5; depth 1.1 to 1.75; eye 4.2; snout 2.6; maxillary 3.5; interorbital 2.6; preorbital 4.7;
D. viii-i, 20 to 22; A. in, 18; pectoral 1.8; ventral 1; caudal 0.8; scales about 60. Body nearly orbicu-
lar, greatly compressed, caudal peduncle short and slender; head small, not pointed; mouth very
small, the equal jaws with broad brush-like bands of slender, very closely set, movable, pointed teeth;
maxillary not reaching front of eye; profile of snout nearly vertical; spinous dorsal low, the third
spine much enlarged, its membrane black; fourth spine enlarged, but shorter than third, widened and
flattened, the other spines short and partially embedded; soft dorsal and anal densely covered through-
out with very fine scales; the anterior rays much produced, those of dorsal 1.4 in body, of anal 2.2;
bases of these fins with sheaths of scales intermediate in size between those of body and those of rest
of fin; pectoral small, with fine scales on outer side; ventral long, falcate, densely scaled, the first ray
produced and filamentous; caudal large, scaly at base, its margin slightly concave. The young have
the third dorsal spine much more produced than in adult, reaching past middle of produced rays of
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 247
soft dorsal, the black membrane continued to tip; the anterior soft dorsal rays are much less produced
in the young and the body is deeper than in the adult.
Color in spirits: Pearly-gray, with dark vertical bands; one from occiput through eye to lower
margin of cheek; a second from front of dorsal to belly behind base of ventrals, extending slightly
upon opercle; a third from under spinous dorsal downward, tapering out below middle of side; a fourth
from last dorsal spines to front of anal; a fifth from middle of base of dorsal to near end of base of anal
;
sixth and last at base of caudal, faint; these bands plainest in young, almost or quite disappearing in
old individuals; ventrals black.
The spade-fish ranges from Cape Cod to Rio Janeiro. It is occasionally taken at New York and
a few have been caught in traps at Menemsha Bight near Woods Hole in August and September. It
is not uncommon about the mouth of the Chesapeake and increases in abundance southward to Key
West and Pensacola, at which latter place it is called “spade-fish,” while at Key West, along the east
coast of Florida, and on the Carolina coast it is known as the “ angel-fish,” a name which, according
to Sehoepf, appears to have been current for over a century at Beaufort, N. C., where it is also called
“porgee” or “porgy,” names which are also in use for this species among the New York fishermen.
In the West Indies it is known from Cuba, Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Martinique, and Porto Pico. We
obtained specimens from San Juan, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Arroyo, and Isabel Segunda, and it is
doubtless common everywhere about the island in suitable places. It has also been recorded from
the coasts of Guatemala and Texas. It has been erroneously reported from the Pacific coast of
America, particularly from San Diego, Cal., the Pacific coast species ( Chsctodiplerus zonatus) being an
entirely different fish.
Mr. Silas Stearns studied the habits of the spade-fish on the coasts of west Florida, Alabama,
and Louisiana, where it is common. He says it is found throughout the summer and fall in the bays,
about wharves, rock piles, and old wrecks, where crustaceans are abundant. In October and
November large schools are seen along the sea-beaches, evidently leaving the coast for warmer water,
at which time many are caught in haul seines. In that region they probably spawn in early summer,
and the young are seen until October.
The spade-fish reaches a length of 2 or 3 feet and a weight of 20 pounds, although the average
size of those caught is much less. Mr. Stearns gives 15 inches as the largest he has seen, and the
average at not more than 8 inches. Much larger ones were examined by us at Key West and at Fort
Pierce and Eden, on Indian River. The largest seen in Porto Rico was about 14 inches long. Very
large examples, which have been described as Epkippus gigas , but which are evidently adults of
unusual size of this species, have the occipital crest and anterior interhsemals developed into large,
thick, bony masses, which are quite remarkable in appearance.
The spade-fish has in the last twenty-five or thirty years come to be one of the most highly prized
food-fishes, and is held in very high esteem by connoisseurs in Washington and New York, in the
markets of which cities it is most abundant during the summer months.
Chsetodon faber Broussonet, Ichth. Deeas., 1, V, pi. 4, 1782, Jamaica; Carolina; Society Islands.
Faber marinusfere quadratus (the Pilot-fish) Sloane, Nat. Hist. Jamaica, II, 290, pi. 251, 1793, Jamaica.
Zeus quadratus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, 1225, 1788, Jamaica; after Sloane.
Chsetodon plumieri Bloch, Ichth.; pi. 211, 1793, Martinique; after Plumier.
Selene quadrangularis Lacdp&de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 564, 1803, Jamaica; after Sloane.
Chsetodon oviformis Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., I, 1815, 247, pi. 5, tig. 4, New York.
Epliippus gigas Cuvier, Regno Animal, ed. 2, II, 191, 1829, America; Stahl, 1. e., 163, 1883.
Epkippusfaber, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 330, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883.
Chsetodipterusfaber, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1668, 1898.
Family UV. CH^TODONTIDtE. The Butterfly-fishes.
Body strongly compressed, elevated, suborbicular in outline, covered with moderate-sized oi
small scales, which are finely ciliated or nearly smooth; lateral line present, concurrent with back, not
extending on caudal fin; mouth small, protractile, terminal; maxillary very short, irregular in form,
divided into two by a longitudinal suture; upper part of skull solid, occipital crest strong; post-temporal
firmly joined to skull, its form really trifurcate though appearing simple, interspaces between forks
filled in by bone so that only a foramen is left; last bone of suborbital ring firmly joined to preoperculum;
teeth brush-like or setiform, often extremely long, in narrow bands in jaws; no teeth on vomer or
palatines; no canines, molars, or incisors; eyes lateral, of moderate size; branchiostegals 6 or 7;
248 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
pseudobranchise very large; air-bladder present. Gill-membranes more or less attached to isthmus;
gillrakers very small. Dorsal fin single, continuous, its rays sometimes filamentous, its soft part as
well as soft part of anal densely covered with small scales; anal similar to soft dorsal, with 3 or 4 spines;
ventrals thoracic, i, 5; caudal usually truncate. Vertebrae 10
-f- 14 = 24, the anterior abbreviated;
insertion of ribs inferior; post-temporal usually reduced and not bifurcate.
Carnivorous fishes of the tropical seas, noted for their singular forms, bright colors, and great
activity. The family comprises 8 to 10 genera and about 180 species, most of them belonging to
Chsetodon and Pomacanthus. Their excessive quickness of sense and motion enables these fishes to
maintain themselves in the struggle for existence in the close competition of the coral reefs, notwith-
standing their bright colors. The young are very different from the adult, and pass through a stage
termed Tholichtliys, in which the membranes are greatly developed, forming collars and sheaths about
head and neck.
Cioetodontin/E:
a. Preopercle unarmed; dorsal spines not graduated, some of median spines longer than last spines; scales compara-
tively large (young with the Tholiclithys form).
b. Snout (nasal, palatines, etc.) with premaxillaries, articular, and dentary bones much produced, beak-like; cleft of
mouth with maxillaries, short; lateral line ceasing under soft dorsal.
c. Dorsal spines 12 or 13; soft rays about 20 (19 to 23)
.
d. Scales large; beak moderate Prognathodes
bb. Snout little if at all produced; dorsal spines usually 12 to 14, not graduated, some of middle ones highest; anal
spines 3 Ch^todon, 113
Pomacanthin/E:
aa. Preopercle armed at its angle with a very strong spine, which is sometimes grooved.
c. Interopercle unarmed; vertical limb of preopercle above spine entire or nearly so; dorsal fin with 8 to 11 spines, its
soft rays 23 to 32 Pomacanthus, 114
ec. Interopercle short and broad, armed with 1 to 4 strong spines; preopercle serrate or spinous; dorsal spines about 14,
graduated, last one longest; scales rather small; isthmus very narrow.
/. Vertical limb of preopercle simply serrate, with 10 to 30 small teeth; body oblong, rather robust. . Holacanthus, 115
ff. Vertical limb of preopercle with 3 to 9 conspicuous spines; body ovate, much compressed Angelichthys, 116
Genus 113. CHIETODON (Artedi) Linnaeus.
Body short, deep, very strongly compressed, especially above and behind; head small, compressed,
almost everywhere scaly'; mouth very small, terminal, jaws provided with long, slender, flexible,
bristle-like teeth; vomer sometimes with teeth; preoperculum entire or nearly so, without spine.
Dorsal fin single, continuous, not notched, spinous part longer than soft part, of about 13 spines, spines
not graduated, some of middle ones being longer than the last; last rays of soft dorsal usually rapidly
shortened, some of them occasionally filamentous (in East Indian species)
;
caudal peduncle short,
caudal fin fan-shaped
;
anal similar to soft dorsal, preceded by 3 strong spines. Body covered with
rather large ctenoid scales, somewhat irregular in their arrangement; lateral line curved, high, parallel
with back. Gill-openings rather narrow, membranes narrowly joined to isthmus; branchiostegals 6.
A very large genus of singular and beautiful fishes, abounding in the tropical seas, especially about
volcanic rocks and coral reefs; most of them have the body crossed by transverse black bars. They
are all very active, feeding on small animals.
a. Scales on trunk all subequal, their posterior margins regularly rounded. None of the rays of soft dorsal produced.
Chauodontops:
b. Series of scales below axis of body running obliquely upward and backward, lowest becoming more or less
horizontal.
c. Base of soft dorsal with a large black spot, not ocellated oceUatns
d. Humeral band absent.
e. Body with a dark band between dorsal and anal; no caudal ocellus.
/. Ocular band edged with yellowish or whitish above; soft dorsal and anal with much black sedeniarius
ff. Ocular band jet-black, not white-edged; soft dorsal and anal without black aya
ee. Body without black crossbands, ocular band only present; an ocellus on caudal peduncle atxniatus
CH.ETODON:
bb. Series of scales below axis of body extending downward and backward, forming an angle with those above, each
series marked by a continuous black streak.
g. Body without ocelli, crossed by dark bands striatus, 205
gg. Body with a large black ocellus below soft dorsal capistratua, 206
ggg. Body with 2 ocelli, a large one on caudal peduncle and a smaller one on first 8 or 9 soft rays of dorsal... bricei, 207
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 249
205 . Clisetodon striatus Linnseus. “Mariposa’' ; Butterfly.
(Plate 34.)
Head 3; depth 1.6; eye 3.2; snout 2.8; interorbital 3.25; D. xii, 20 or 21; A. nr, 16 or. 17; pectoral
1.3; ventral 1-25; caudal 1.7; scales 8-38 to 40-16. Body ovate, much compressed, covered with large
ctenoid scales, the series of which above axis of body run obliquely upward and backward, those
below downward and backward; head small, pointed, with much smaller scales, anterior profile slightly
concave; snout somewhat produced; mouth very small, terminal, with brush-like teeth in jaws; dorsal
fin continuous, spines graduated, strong and pungent, soft rays densely covered with small scales
graduated in size, becoming smaller toward margin of fin; anal similar to dorsal, both angulated
behind; caudal convex.
Color in life: Ground-color very light yellow, almost white; narrow longitudinal dark stripes
between rows of scales visible through the brown crossbands; a black stripe about half width of eye
from occiput through eye to lower side of head, not extending on breast; a second broad band, brown
in color, wider above, where it is greater than width of eye, from first dorsal spines downward across side,
meeting its fellow on belly in front of vent; another band, similar to last in color and size, from last
dorsal spines across body and extending upon anal fin; another on soft dorsal, yellowish-brown,
narrowly joined at its top to the preceding, extending downward on soft dorsal, caudal peduncle, and
posterior part of base of anal, where it is joined to ventral end of preceding bar; first three of these
bars slightly curved, their concavities backward; margins of soft dorsal and anal with a narrow band
of black, bordered on its inner edge with brownish-yellow, on its outer edge by a narrow pale stripe,
outside of this a yellow one; this same combination of color-bands extending vertically on middle of
caudal, which is pale posteriorly; a black blotch on caudal peduncle; a rounded black blotch on
anterior portion of soft dorsal, sometimes absent or merging with the surrounding color, very distinct
and ocellated in young of about 2 inches; iris yellow, save where crossed by the black band; yellow
shades on top of head; breast dusky; membrane of second, third, and fourth dorsal spines black at
base, the color extending on base of spines; membrane of longest spines yellow outwardly; pectoral
pale; ventral black outwardly, light-greenish near base, a little yellow on membrane of spine.
In spirits, the delicate color shading disappears but the main features of the markings persist.
A beautiful little fish, rarely over 6 or 7 inches in length, rather common from the West Indies
to Brazil; recorded by Jordan & Butter from Jamaica and fairly abundant in Porto Rico. Numerous
specimens, 1.75 to 4.5 inches long, were seined at Mayaguez, Puerto Beal, Ponce, and Arroyo.
Clisetodon striatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 275, 1758, Indies; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1G77, 1898.
206 . Chaetodon capistratus Linnaeus. “Mariposa” ; Parche; Butterfly.
(Plate 35.)
Head 2.9; depth 1.7; eye 2.9; snout 2.9; interorbital 3.5; D. xn or xm, 19 or 20; A. in, 17;
pectoral 1.2; ventral 1.25; caudal 1.4; scales about 40. General form of Clisetodon striatus
,
series of
scales both above and below more oblique; those above upward and backward, those below downward
and backward; very distinct blue stripes between rows of scales, sometimes zigzag or undulate,
sharply marking their difference in direction; a black band, edged with white, from occiput across
head through eye, as in C. striatus; a diffuse brownish vertical bar across body from first dorsal spines
to below pectoral; a round jet-black ocellated spot, larger than the eye, on body under soft dorsal,
the lateral line extending upon it, surrounded by an obscure brownish shade; soft dorsal and anal
and basal portion of caudal with a narrow black stripe edged inwardly with brown and outwardly
with yellow; basal portion of the anal yellowish, tip of fin bright yellow; spinous dorsal pale-blue,
yellow-edged; outer portion of caudal pale blue; ventrals yellow; iris, snout, breast, and belly yellow.
In spirits, the blue lines become brown, and the yellow shades pale.
One of the smallest and handsomest of the chsetodonts, probably never exceeding 4 or 5 inches
in length. It is found from southern Florida southward through the West Indies, and is generally
common. It is recorded from Key West, Havana, Jamaica, and Porto Rico. Numerous examples,
each about 2 inches long, obtained by us at San Antonio Bridge, Mayaguez, Porto Real, Boqueron,
Hucares, and Fajardo; the most abundant chsetodont in Porto Rico.
Chsetodon capistratus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 275, 1758, Indies; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1677, 1898.
250 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
207. Chsetodon bricei H. M. Smith. “Mariposa” ; Butterfly.
Head 2.5; depth 1.7; eye 2.8; snout 3.2; interobital 3; D. xm, 20; A. in, 17; pectoral 1.4; ventral
1.2; caudal 1.4; scales 6-40-17. Close to C. capistratus, but with 2 ocelli, the larger one, on body under
soft dorsal, rather elliptical in shape, the smaller one, size of eye, directly above the larger, on anterior
rays of soft dorsal
;
the brown band from spinous dorsal across body is deeper in color and its edges
are more sharply defined than in C. capistratus, and the broad posterior brown band of body is rela-
tively larger and more distinct, extending from soft dorsal to anal and involving both ocelli.
One example only in the collection, 1.25 inches in length, collected at Fajardo. Hitherto known
only from Woods Hole, Mass., where 6 specimens were taken in 1897 and 42 in September, 1899, by
the author of the species.
Chsetodon bricei H. M. Smith, Bull. U. S. F. C. 1897, 102, Woods Hole, Mass.; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1678, 1S98.
Fig. 69 .—Pomacanthus arcuatus.
Genus 114. POMACANTHUS Lacepede. Chirivitas.
Body much compressed and elevated, covered with small scales, among which smaller ones are
distributed so that the series are not distinct; preopercle with a very strong spine at its angle, vertical
limb entire in adult, usually serrulate in young; interopercle entire or nearly so; dorsal fin entirely
scaly, with 8 to 11 graduated spines; soft dorsal usually much elevated in front; anal with 3 graduated
spines; branchiostegals 6; air-bladder with 2 posterior horns; pyloric caeca numerous.
Found in the tropical seas; fewspec.ies, chiefly American; the young brilliantly colored, the adult
usually dull-colored. The species vary greatly with age and have been almost inextricably confused,
as the age variations are much more striking than the specific distinctions. The number of dorsal
spines is usually diagnostic.
a. Dorsal spines vm to x, 29 to 32.
b. Scales in lateral line about 50 to 55; dorsal Till or ix, 30 to 32; A. Ill, 24. Color of adult steel-gray or scarcely
yellowish; young with 4 whitish crossbands arcuatus, 208
bb. Scales in lateral line 70 to 90; dorsal usually x, 29 or 30; anal in, 23 or 24. Color black in adult, with yellow
mottlings; base of pectoral yellow; young with several yellowish crossbands paru
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 251
208. Pomacanthus arcuatus (Linnaeus). “Mariposa”; Black Angel; Chirivila; Portugais.
Head 4; depth 1.4; eye 4; snout 2.1; interorbital 3.1; preorbital 2.75; D. ix, 30 to 32; A. in, 24;
pectoral 1.1; ventral 0.75; caudal 0.9; scales 8-53-27. Body nearly orbicular, greatly compressed and
elevated, covered with large scales interspersed with smaller ones, not in regular series; nape, head,
and breast with tine scales; dorsal and anal densely scaled to margins and tips of produced rays-; a
strong flat spine at angle of preopercle, head otherwise unarmed, save for a few sermlations on upper
limb of preopercle; dorsal and anal with a few of their anterior rays produced, reaching beyond
truncate caudal.
Color in spirits: Grayish-olive, most of scales of body very dark brown with a pale edge, the
color not on scales, but on membranous expansions of the integument lining the scales; caudal with a
broad, pale edge; young much darker, sometimes nearly black, whh white, arcuate, vertical bars, one
from nape across head behind eye to breast, another from spinous dorsal across body behind pectoral
to vent, a third from soft dorsal to anal, the ends extending on fins, one or more of these bars often
absent; a median white line on top of head; a pale liar from angle of mouth downward; chin dusky,
with a white spot at symphysis, sometimes chin and lower jaw pale; caudal with a pale bar at base,
sometimes narrowly connected along outer rays with the pale marginal bar, thus surrounding a dark
area in middle of fin; posterior margin of dorsal and anal very narrowly pale-edged.
The black angel is generally common in the West Indies and is occasionally taken as far north as
New Jersey and as far south as Bahia. It is known from Key West, the Tortugas, Cuba, Jamaica, Porto
Rico, and Martinique. Our specimens from Porto Rico are 5 to 12 inches long and were obtained at
Puerto Real, Isabel Segunda, and Culebra. It is probably not uncommon in suitable places about the
island. It reaches a length of 1 to 2 feet, and is of some value as food. At Key West it is found
throughout the year, and is caught chiefly in traps, though it is frequently taken with spear or hook.
The average weight of those taken at Key West does not exceed 2 or 3 pounds, and the largest rarely
weigh more than 6 pounds.
Chxtodon arcuatus Linnfeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, India; from spec. Mus. Ad. Fr.; D. VIII, 30; dusky with 5 dark bands.
Chsetodon aureus Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 193, fig. 273, 1758, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier, the spines 9 in the original
drawing; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 329, 1881.
Chxtodon lutescens Bonnaterre, Encycl. Meth., 182, 1788, Jamaica; after Browne.
Chsetodon littoricola Poey, Synopsis, 351, 1868, Cuba; black fins bordered with yellowish; fin rays not counted; Poey,
Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 329, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 164, 1883.
Pomacanthus balteatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 208, 1831, Porto Rico (Coll. Plee)
.
Pomacanthus cingulatus Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 209, 1831, West Indies; probably sent by P16e from Porto Rico.
Pomacanthus quinquecinctus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,VII, 210, 1831,West Indies; probably from Porto Rico.
Pomacanthus arcuatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1679, 1898.
Genus 115. H0LACANTHUS Lacepede. Catalinetas.
Body oblong, rather robust, back not greatly elevated nor compressed; scales rather small,
roughish, often mixed with smaller ones. Vertical limb of preopercle with small equal seme; a strong
spine at angle of preopercle, this usually grooved; interopercle short, armed with 1 to 4 strong spines.
Dorsal fin with 12 to 15 strong spines, which are usually graduated, increasing in height to the last;
soft dorsal moderate, with 17 to 20 rays, usually not ending in streamers. Coloration usually brilliant
and well defined, changes due to age less than in Pomacanthus.
Species numerous in all tropical seas, abounding about coral reefs.
209. Holacanthus tricolor (Bloch). “Palmoneta” ; Pock Beauty; Catalineta; Vaqueta de dos Colores.
(Plate 36.)
Head 3.4; depth 2.1; eye 4.4; snout 2.2; interorbital 3; preorbital 4.7; D. xiv, 18; A. in, 18;
pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.1; caudal 1.3; scales 8—48-24. Body oblong, little elevated and not greatly
compressed; scales for the most part regularly imbricated, exposed portion with many fine parallel
ridges ending as very fine sharp points, making the scales extremely ctenoid; mouth small, prominent;
preorbital with an antrorse and a retrorse spine varying greatly with age; a long and strong spine at
angle of preopercle, the upper limb with a row of short spines; 2 spines on lower limb, and about 4
on interopercle; soft dorsal and anal with one or more rays, the seventh or eighth, or adjoining ones,
produced in fine filaments, the dorsal slightly the longer, reaching end of caudal; caudal convex, its
upper and lower rays produced in slender filaments, the upper the longer.
252 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Caudal, pectoral, and ventral fins, and the forward parts in front of a line from
fourth dorsal spine to near base of pectoral, thence to third anal spine, bright golden-yellow; rest of
trunk and most of dorsal and anal deep black; reddish-orange on preopercular spine, edge of opercle,
>ipd horizontal margins of dorsal and anal, the vertical margins and produced rays of which are yellow;
orange punctulations on caudal; lips pale-blue, becoming black in spirits; breast dusky; iris yellow,
blue above and below.
The rock beauty is one of the most gorgeously colored of tropical fishes, the rich orange of the
head, tail, and anterior third of trunk, and the soft, satiny-black of the rest of the body, together
with the narrow red and orange borders of dorsal and anal fins, give the fish a most striking appearance.
The line of demarcation between the colors is everywhere abrupt and clean cut, and the contrast is
as great as it could well be.
This interesting fish is not uncommon in the West Indies, ranging south to Bahia and north to
the Bermudas. It is known from Cuba, Bermuda, Jamaica, Porto Rico, St. Thomas, Guadaloupe,
Trinidad, and Bahia, but has not been recorded from southern Florida or the Bahamas. Specimens
were obtained by us at Arroyo and Isabel Segunda, but it was not seen elsewhere. This species
reaches a length of a foot or more, and is regarded as a good food-fish. It frequents water of moderate
depths about the coral reefs and is usually. taken in the fish traps or baskets.
Catalineta
,
Parra, Descr. Dif. Piez., Hist. Nat. Cuba, 12 pi., VII, fig. 2, 1787, Cuba.
Chxtndon tricolor Bloch, Icbth., pi. 426, 1795, Cuba.
Holaeanthus tricolor, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1684, 1898.
Genus 116. ANGELICHTHYS Jordan & Evermann. Isabelitas.
This genus is separated from Holaeanthus by the presence on the ascending limb of the preopercle
of several stout graduated spines in addition to the large grooved spine at the angle. The soft dorsal
and anal are much falcate and the preorbital is without spine; interopercle armed with 1 to 4 spines;
scales rather large; body ovate, rather deep, and compressed. The known species are among the
largest of the chsetodonts and perhaps the most gaily colored of all. Species all American.
a. Spines on ascending limb of preopercle moderate, longest less than one-fourth length of large .spine at angle.
b. Nape with a blue ocellus; soft dorsal and anal edged with dark-blue; depth 1.87 in length in adult ciliaris, 210
bb. Nape without distinct ocellus; no dark7blue edgings to soft dorsal and anal; body deep, the depth 1.6 in length in
adult isabelita
210. Angelichthys ciliaris (Linnaeus). “Mariposa”; Blue Angel-fish; Isabelita.
(Plate 37.)
Head 3.S; depth 1.8; eye 4.7; snout 2.6; interorbital 3; preorbital 3.8; D. xiv, 21; A. in, 21;
pectoral 1.2; ventral 1; caudal 1.1; scales 47. Body oblong and compressed; head small, obtusely
pointed; scales on body of various sizes, a large series of regularly imbricated ones, with many much
smaller ones between, all strongly ctenoid, those of head much smaller than the large scales of body;
preopercle with a very strong grooved spine at angle, upper limb with shorter strong spines, irregular
in length; 2 spines on lower limb, about 3 on interopercle and 3 on lower margin of opercle, these
sometimes reduced in number or-entirely absent; preorbital ending in 3 diverging spines; spines of
head subject to variation in number and size with age of specimen; middle rays of soft dorsal and anal
much produced, reaching beyond caudal, the fins densely scaled.
Color in life: Ground-color blue, margins of scales yellowish; sides of head pale-vellow; branchi-
ostegal membranes, pectoral, ventral, and caudal fins lemon-yellow; dorsal and anal reddish-orange,
with bright-blue border, bases of soft portions shaded with blue of body, their last rays with a dark
blotch, their produced tips yellow; pectoral with an olive base bordered anteriorly by a pale-blue
stripe, posteriorly by a semicircular black line; nape with a large round deep-blue spot ocellated with
pale-blue and containing pale-blue specks; iris yellow, with a blue upper and lower edge; preorbital
spines pale-yellow, other spines of head blue. All the bright colors fade in spirits, leaving aground-
color of olive, the lighter edges of scales standing out prominently; ocellus persistent.
The variation in the color of this species is considerable. While the blue ground-color is usually
sufficiently strong to justify the name “blue angel-fish,” the yellow margins of the scales are some-
times so broad as to give the fish a decidedly yellow appearance, which accounts for the name
“yellow angel-fish,” by which the species is known at Key West.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 253
This is a very handsome fish and, like the rock beauty, appears very striking when seen swim-
ming leisurely in the clear water about the coral reefs. It is known from southern Florida through
the West Indies to Brazil; it has been recorded from the Tortugas, Key West, the Bahamas, Cuba,
Jamaica, the Bermudas, the Lesser Antilles, and Bahia. Specimens 9 to 13 inches long were obtained
by us at Ponce and Culebra, and it is doubtless a common species about Porto Rico. At Key West
it is probably the most common of the 4 angel-fishes occurring there, ft attains a good size (1 to 2 feet
in length) and is a fair food-fish. Like all similar fishes, it is usually caught by traps, though it some-
times takes a baited hook.
Angel-fish, Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, etc., 1737.
Tsabelita
,
Parra, Dif. Piezas, etc., 1787, Cuba.
Chastodon ciliaris Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 276, 1758, Indies; in part.
Chidodon squamulosus Shaw, Naturalists’ Miscellany, 275, 1789-1813; after Angel-fish of Catesby.
Chxlodon parrse Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 235, 1801, Cuba; after Isabelita of Parra.
Holacanlhus eornutus Desmarest, Decade Ichthyologique, 44, pi. 3, fig. 3, 1823, Cuba.
Holacanthus formosus Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. ou Rares de 1’Amer. du Sud, Poissons, 19, pi. 2, fig. 2, 1855, Bahia.
Angelichlhys ciliaris, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1684, 1898.
Family LV. TEUTHIDIDIE. The Surgeon-fishes.
Body oblong, compressed, and usually elevated, covered with very small scales; lateral line
continuous. Tail armed with one or more spines or bony plates. Eye lateral, high up; preorbital very
narrow and deep. Nostrils double. Mouth small, low; each jaw with a single series of narrow incisor-
like teeth; vomer and palatines toothless; premaxillaries somewhat movable, but not protractile;
maxillary short, closely united with premaxillary; gillrakers obsolete; pseudobranch ite large; gills 4,
a slit behind fourth; gill-membranes attached to isthmus, openings thus restricted to sides. A single
dorsal fin, with strong spines, spinous part of fin shorter than soft part; anal fin similar to soft dorsal;
pectoral moderate; ventral fins present, thoracic, mostly i, 5, never i, 4, x. Pelvic bones long, narrow,
curved, closely connected, evident through skin, as in Balislidx, with which group the Teuthididie have
the closest affinities. Pyloric caeca rather few; air-bladder large; intestinal canal long. Vertebrae
9 -)- 13 = 22. Posterior suborbital bones in close contact with preopercle; post-temporal immovably united
with skull, apparently simple, but really trifurcate, with interspaces filled in with bone, the foramen
not passing through it; interneural bones with transversely expanded buckler-like subcutaneous plates,
which intervene between spines and limit their motion forward; epipleurals developed from ribs.
Herbivorous fishes of the tropical seas.
Genus 117. TEUTHIS Linnaeus. The Tangs.
This genus includes those Teuthididie which have the tail armed with a sharp, antrorse, lancet-
like, movable spine; strong, fixed, incisor teeth; ventral rays i, 5, and usually 9 spines in dorsal fin.
The numerous species are found in all tropical seas. Herbivorous fishes, living about coral reefs; adult
protected by the murderous caudal spine, which grows larger with age. Of the six species of this genus
known to occur in America north of the Equator, three are known from Porto Rico.
. Outline rhomboid, depth 1.5 in length; color brown, washed with deep blue cieruleus, 211
aa. Outline ovate, depth about 2 in length; color brown, never blue.
. Caudal simply lunate hepatus, 212
66. Caudal deeply emarginate. Upper lobe of caudal produced in a filament baluanus, 213
211. Teuthis cceruleus (Bloch & Schneider). “Medico”; Bcirbero; Blue Tang.
(Plate 38.)
Head 3.4; depth 1.75; eye 4.5; snout 1.3; interorbital width 3; preorbital 1.67; D. ix, 26; A. in,
25. Body rhomboid, anterior profile subvertical, nearly straight, making an angle of about 60° with
axis of body; dorsal outline from origin of dorsal fin to caudal peduncle a gentle convex curve; ventral
outline a regular curve from snout to caudal peduncle; mouth slightly below axis of body; least depth
of caudal peduncle 2 in snout. Dorsal fin moderate, longest spines about 2.4 in head, a little shorter
than longest rays; longest anal rays about 2.75 in head, longest anal spine 2; pectoral long, slightly
falcate, as long as head; ventrals 1.5 in head; caudal deeply lunate, its lobes subequal, middle lays
about half length of outer, which are about a sixth longer than head.
Color, rich blue throughout, body with about 45 or 50 narrow longitudinal lines of lighter blue
254 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
or purplish; no blue lines on breast or head; no crossbars; dorsal crossed by alternating lines of rich
blue and light brown, the edge broadly light blue; caudal blue, a subterminal brown border, then a
border of rich blue; anal like dorsal; ventral rich blue; pectoral lighter blue; young with blue shades
less evident. A specimen, 3.25 inches long, had sides olivaceous-blue, rich blue on belly; side with
many narrow pale-blue, almost white, cross-lines; dorsal, ventral, anal, breast, and chin rich sky-blue;
lips whitish; caudal olivaceous, bordered all round by blue; spine pale-yellowish.
The blue tang is generally common from the Bermudas and southern Florida to Brazil. It has
been recorded from the Tortugas, Key West, Cuba, and Jamaica. It is common about Porto Rico,
numerous specimens having been obtained at Aguadilla, Arroyo, and Culebra, but it is apparently less
abundant than either T. hepatus or T. bakianus. It ordinarily does not reach a greater length than 8
or 10 inches, and is usually found in the algae in water of but a few feet in depth. The larger individuals
are found in deeper water about or near the coral reefs.
Turdus rhomboidalis, Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, etc., 1742.
Acanthurus cseruleus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 214, 1801, Carolina, Havana, and Jamaica; based on Catesby
Parra, and Browne.
Acanthurus broussonctii Desmarest, Prem. D6c. Ichth., 26, 1823, Cuba.
Acanthurus brevis Poey, Memorias, II, 207, 1860, Havana.
Acronurus cseruleatus Poey, Enumeratio, 69, 1875, Cuba; young.
Teuthis cseruleus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1691, 1898.
212 . Teuthis hepatus Linnaeus. “Medico”; “Barbero” ; Tang; Doctor-fish; Lancetfisli.
Head 3.5; depth 2; eye 3.5; snout 1.6; interorbital 3.3; preorbital 1.8; D. ix, 24 to 26; A. in, 22
to 24; pectoral 1.2; ventral 1.4; caudal 1.1; scales numerous. Body ovate, back greatly elevated,
anterior profile very steep and moderately convex; caudal lunate, lobes about equal.
Color in life: Dark olive-brown, sides with about 12 black vertical bars narrower than inter-
spaces, plainer in young; a brownish stripe along hase of dorsal; spinous dorsal with alternate stripes
running upward and backward, of dark-blue and bronze-olive, the two colors of about equal width;
soft dorsal with a bluish streak on anterior side of each ray, and a bronze stripe behind it; fins dark,
often almost black. A young example, taken at San Juan, was olivaceous, with narrow vertical blue
bars; spine pale, surrounded by rich blue; branchiostegals, breast, and belly pale-blue; anal bluish,
especially anteriorly, its border deep blue; ventrals blue; caudal brownish, peduncle yellowish; eye
blue and yellow; two or three small postocular orange spots. The vertical bars usually persist in
spirits, but other markings fade. In the young the caudal is nearly truncate and without the pale
edge of the ocean tang.
This species is the most abundant of the tangs, and is found from the Carolinas and southern
Florida south to Brazil. It lias been recorded from the Tortugas, Key West, Charleston, Havana,
. arnaiea, Martinique, and Bahia. About Porto Rico it is the most common of the tangs and was seen by
us at nearly every place where collecting was done, particularly at San Juan, Mayaguez, Puerto Real,
Ensenada del Boqueron, Guanica, Hucares, and Culebra. It reaches a foot in length, though the
specimens obtained do not exceed 6 or 7 inches. It is of considerable importance as a food-fish.
Teuthis hepatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 507, 1766, Carolina; after Hepatus mucrone reflexo, Gronow; Jordan &
Evermann, l.c., 1691, 1898.
Chxtodon chirurgus Bloch, Ausl. Fisch., 99, pi. 208, No. 24, 1784, Martinique; on a drawing by I'lumier.
Acanthurus phlebotomus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., X, 176, 1835, Martinique, Brazil, Havana, and New
York; Poey, Bepertorio, I, 256, 1867, and Poey, Synopsis, 245, fig. 7, 1868.
Acronurus fuscus Gronow, Cat. Fishes, ed. Gray, 119, 1854, Carolina; same type as T. hepatus Linnaeus.
Acronurus carneus Poey, Memorias, II, 207, 1860, Cuba; young.
213 . Teuthis bahianus (Castelnau) . “Medico”; Barbero; Ocean Tcmg.
Head 3.5; depth 2 to 2.4; eye 3 to 4.3; snout 1.75; interorbital 3.4; preorbital 1.67; D. ix, 25; A.
hi, 23. Body ovate, anterior profile moderately convex, making an angle of about 45° with axis of
body; ventral outline less arched; caudal fin deeply lunate, upper lobe much the longer, slender and
Often produced into a filament in adult, inner rays about half length of outer ones, which are longer
than head.
Color in life: Dark bluish-brown, blotched with paler below; no transverse bars; brown, wavy,
longitudinal brassy streaks on body; 8 dark lines on dorsal fin running parallel with its edge for its
THE EISHES OF PORTO RICO. 255
whole length, separated by interspaces of similar width; margin of caudal fin bluish, with a violet base;
no distinct dark crossbar at base of caudal. A young individual, less than 3 inches long, had sides
bluish-brown, with numerous fine, wavy, darker brown longitudinal lines; dorsal, caudal, and anal fins
bluish, with darker blue border, caudal palest; pectoral pale; ventrals darker blue; caudal spine bluish.
Though not the most abundant species of the genus, the ocean tang is the most val Liable of those
found in our waters. It occurs throughout the West Indies and on neighboring coasts of tropical
America from southern Florida to Brazil. It has been recorded from Key West, Havana, and Bahia.
It is the least common of the three species found at Key West, but about Porto Rico it is the second in
abundance. Specimens are in the collections from San Juan, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Ponce, Arroyo,
Hucares, Fajardo, Isabel Segunda, Culebra, and San Geronimo. Large examples were observed in
greatest numbers at Culebra, where this was one of the most common fishes seen in the fishermen’s boats.
A pot or trap basket lifted in our presence by a Tortola fisherman contained 30 good-sized examples
of this species, and many others had been taken from the other pots.
The ocean tang apparently reaches the largest size of any of the three species (a foot or more), and
is by far the most important as a food-fish. It is held in high esteem by the fishermen from Tortola,
St. Croix, and St. Thomas who come to the Porto Rican waters. It is usually caught in the common
native trap basket or pot, which is baited with large chunks of the white pulp of the cactus and set in
4 to 10 fathoms of water. Sometimes the fish are “grained,” or speared, and occasionally they are
taken with hook and line. This is one of the principal fishes that are corned (so that they will keep
well for about two weeks)
,
and taken chiefly to Santa Cruz, where they bring about $5 a barrel.
Acanthurus baldanus Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. ou Rares de l’Amer. Sud, 24, pi. 11, fig. 1, 1855, Bahia.
Acanthurus tractus Poey, Mem., II, 208, 1860, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 330, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 164, 1883.
Acronurus nigriculus Poey, Enumeratio, 69, 1875, Cuba; larval form.
Teuthis bahianus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1693, 1898.
Fig. 70.
—
Teuthis bahicmus.
Family LVI. BALlSTIDAi. The Trigger-fishes.
Body oblong, or ovate, moderately compressed, covered with rather large rough scales or scutes
of varying form, scutes not forming an immovable carapace. Lateral line obscure or wanting. Mouth
small, terminal, low; jaws short, each with about one series of separate incisor-like teeth; eye near
occiput; preorbital very deep. Chin without barbel. Gill-openings small, slit-like, above or in front
of pectoral fins, and not before eyes. Dorsal fins 2, anterior of 2 or 3 spines, first spine highest, very
strong, second locking it in erection; second dorsal remote from first, of many soft rays; caudal fin
rounded or forked; ventral fins wanting, their place occupied by a single stout thick spine at end of
the very long, usually movable, pubic bone. Post-temporal short, simple, forks obliterated, bone
grown solidly to skull, and without foramen. Vertebrae in reduced number (17).
256 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Shore-fishes of the tropical seas, of rather large size, carnivorous or partly herbivorous. The
family contains about 9 genera and 50 species. They are very rarely used as food, many of them being
reputed as poisonous. According to Dr. Day:
“Eating the flesh of these fishes occasions in places symptoms of most virulent poisoning. Dr.
Mennier, at the Mauritius, considers that the poisonous flesh acts primarily on the nervous tissue of
the stomach, occasioning violent spasms of that organ and shortly afterwards of all the muscles of the
body. The frame becomes racked with spasms, the tongue thickened, the eye fixed, the breathing
laborious, and the patient expires in a paroxysm of extreme suffering.”
. Teeth unequal, oblique, each one deeply notched.
. Gill-opening with a number of enlarged bony plates or scutes behind it; ventral flap movable, supported by a series
of spines, more or less free at tip, and resembling fin rays; cheek entirely scaled, without naked grooves or
patches; eye with a groove before it; scales rather small, 50 to 75.
c. Dorsal and anal fins falcate in adult; caudal lobes acuminate in adult; lateral line slender, undulate, more or less
developed; scales of tail and posterior parts unarmed, similar to those on rest of body; ventral flap with slender,
sharp spines; third dorsal spine little smaller than second and remote from it Balistes, 118
66. Gill-opening with only ordinary scales behind it; no enlarged plates or scutes; ventral flap scarcely movable, its
surface scaled; lateral line obsolete; third dorsal spine small or wanting; vertical fins in adult more or less
angulate or falcate.
d. Chin not projecting; cheek closely scaled; dorsal spines 3; scales of posterior parts unarmed or keeled.
Canthidermis
dd. Chin much projecting; cheek with 3 to 5 narrow parallel grooves; dorsal spines 2; scales of posterior parts more or
less keeled Xanthichthys
aa. Teeth even, incisor-like; scales of posterior parts more or less keeled; a groove before eye, enlarged scutes behind
it; lateral line obsolete; third dorsal spine small or wanting; cheek entirely scaled, but marked by narrow
grooves; enlarged scales present behind gill-opening; ventral flap scarcely movable, its surface scaled; vertical
fins more or less angulated Melichthys
Genus 118. BALISTES (Artedi) Linnaeus. Trigger-fishes.
Body compressed, covered with thick, rough scales or plates of moderate size, 50 to 75 in a
lengthwise series; a naked groove before eye below nostrils; lateral line more or less developed, very
slender, undulate, conspicuous only when scales are dry, extending on cheek. Pelvic flap large,
movable, supported by a series of slender, pungent spines. Caudal peduncle compressed, its scales
unarmed, without spines or differentiated tubercles similar to those on rest of body. Gill-opening
with enlarged bony scutes behind it; cheek entirely scaly, without naked patches or grooves. Both
jaws with irregular, incisor-like teeth, usually 4 on each side in each jaw. First dorsal of 3 spines,
anterior of which is much the largest, second acting as a trigger, locking first when erected; third
nearly as large as second and remote from it; second dorsal and anal long, similar to each other, in
adult always falcate or filamentous in front; caudal fin rounded, with outer rays much produced in
adult; branch iostegals 6; vertebrae 7 -j- 10.
Species rather few, chiefly American; some of them straying to the Old World.
Capriscus:
. Lateral line complete, beginning on lower part of cheek, thence extending upward to behind eye, thence back-
ward to beyond first dorsal, thence abruptly downward to above anal, then upward and at last horizontally
backward on caudal peduncle, line everywhere much undulated; lines of the two sides connected by a cross
line at nape; dorsal fin falcate or filamentous; dorsal rays about in, 27; A. 25.
. Scales moderate, about 60 (50 to 65) in a lengthwise series.
c. Body with few blue spots or none.
d. Dorsal and anal with oblique dark bands of bluish spots; young clouded, and with vague, dusky blotches at base
of dorsal; scales about 60 carolinensis
cc. Body covered with roundish blue-black spots; dorsal and anal similarly spotted forcipcitus
Balistes:
aa. Lateral line incomplete, usually developed only on head, nape, and caudal peduncle; 37 scales between origin of
dorsal and vent vetula, 214
214. Balistes vetula Linnseus. Old Wife; Old Wench; Cochino; “ Peje Puerco.”
(Plate 39.)
Head 3; depth 1.8; D. m, 29; A. 27; scales 63. Median part of lateral line, from base of first
dorsal to front of caudal peduncle wanting in adult, branch on cheek ceasing opposite gill-opening; cross-
branch present; ventral flap well developed, with slender, sharp spines. Scales on head much smaller
and more crowded than those on body; third dorsal spine rather shorter and weaker than second,
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 257
remote from it; caudal fin widely forked, lobes filamentous and about equal; dorsal in adult filamentous
at tip; anal little elevated anteriorly.
Color in life: Olivaceous, yellowish below, especially on breast; lips green, bordered behind by a
narrow blue line; a narrow blue line narrowly bordered by yellow, from blue line surrounding mouth
backward and curving downward across lower side of cheek toward throat; a similar but broader
band from above snout across cheek and parallel with first to below base of pectoral; a narrow blue
line at base of pectoral; about 8 or 10 narrow, black, wavy lines very narrowly bordered with
yellowish-green, radiating from eye; below eye a similar black line extending in an upward curve
from above snout to base of pectoral; soft dorsal greenish at base, somewhat purplish above, with 2 or
3 irregular, broken, narrow blue lines near border, these sometimes being more numerous; anterior
part of soft dorsal with a narrow blue line extending from base of first ray upward to height of about
tenth ray; anal olivaceous with a broad subterminal blue band anteriorly convex and bordered by
yellowish; tip of fin and prolonged external rays faint-purplish; caudal peduncle with a broad blue
ring anteriorly followed by two narrow pale-blue lines, last at base of caudal fin; caudal greenish-olive,
a narrow blue line following direction of first ray for nearly its entire length, and a broader blue
subterminal band extending across fin from first to last ray; spinous dorsal purplish and greenish,
anterior side of first spine blue, second and third spines pale; iris with an orange ring and radiating
lines of white and blue. In alcohol most of these colors disappear, the broad blue lines on side of
head changing to blackish.
This interesting fish is found throughout the West Indies and occasionally northward in the
Gulf Stream to Woods Hole, Mass.; not uncommon at Key West; recorded by Jordan & Rutter from
Jamaica, where it is called “ Bessy Cerka”; recorded also from the Bahamas and Ascension Island;
probably not uncommon about Porto Rico; the collection contains four excellent specimens from
Arroyo, where other individuals were seen in the possession of local fishermen.
Guapervci Marcgrave, Hist. Bras., 163, 1648, Brazil.
Tardus oculo radiato (the Old Wife), Catesby, Hist. Carol., pi. 22, 1725, Bahamas.
Balistes vetula Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 329, 1758, Ascension Island; after Batistes veLula of Osbeck, Iter Chin ensis
294, 1757.
Balistes bellus Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, III, 467, 1792, West Indies; after Froyer.
Chaliosma velata Swainson, Class. Fishes, II, 325, 1839; probably a misprint for vetula.
Balistes equestris Gronow, Cat. Fishes, ed. Gray, 31, 1854, American seas.
Balistes vetula
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1703, 1898.
Family LVII. MONACANTHIDAt. The File-fishes.
Body much compressed, covered with very small rough scales, forming a velvety covering; males
sometimes with spines on caudal peduncle. Upper jaw with a double series of incisor-like teeth, 6 in
outer and 4 in inner series; lower jaw with 6 similar teeth in a single series; first dorsal with a single
strong spine and generally a rudimentary one behind it; second dorsal long, similar to anal; ventral
fins reduced to a simple osseous, fixed or movable, small appendage at end of long pelvic bone; this
appendage often rudimentary or entirely absent; no barbel; vertebrae 7 j-11 to 14=18 to 21.
Herbivorous shore-fishes of warm seas, closely allied to the Balistidse, differing chiefly in having
the first dorsal represented by a single spine, behind which is sometimes a rudiment; scales small,
spinigerous, skin mostly rough-velvety. The family contains 6 or more genera and about 50 species,
mostly small in size and not used as food, having little flesh and that of a bitterish taste.
a. Pubic bone with a small spine at its end; gill-opening short, nearly vertical; dorsal and anal moderate, each of
fewer than 40 rays.
b. Pelvic spine fixed.
bb. Pelvic spine movable.
c. Dorsal spine armed with strong retrorse barbs, usually in two series Monacanthus, 120
d. Dorsal spine with about 4 series of small barbs I’seudomonacanthus
del. Dorsal spine without barbs Cantherines, 119
aa. Pubic bone without spine at its end; gill-opening long, oblique; dorsal and anal long, each of 40 or more rays;
dorsal spine without barbs, inserted above orbit Alutera, 121
Genus 119. CANTHERINES Swainson.
'This genus differs from Monacanthus chiefly in the absence of barbs on the dorsal spine, which is
long, strong, and placed over the front of the eye. Scales minute. Species few.
F. C. B. 1900—17
258 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
215. Cantherines pullus (Ranzani). Lija Colorada; “ Peje Puerco.”
Head 3.3; depth about 2; D. ii, 35; A. 31. Body moderately elevated; snout moderately produced,
upper profile slightly concave; posterior margin of eye directly above axil. Adults (12 inches long)
with 2 to 6 pairs of strong recurved spines on each side of tail; caudal short; dorsal spine nearly
straight, rather shorter than head, without barbs, serrulate in front, situated above front of eye; skin
with a velvety appearance; scales minute.
Coloration variable, generally with a whitish spot behind the last dorsal ray, and several more or
less distinct pale longitudinal bands along tail; head with undulated bluish streaks; body sometimes
with scattered round light spots, each with a dark speck in center; young sometimes uniform silvery;
color probably varying with surroundings. Specimens 7 inches long were, in life, dirty-brown, body
sparsely covered with small reddish-brown spots; side of head with narrow brown lines and brown
spots; dorsal and anal pale; caudal brown, crossed by a pale bar near middle, which is followed by a
dark bar; tip of tail with a green border. In alcohol, the body and head become grayish or blackish;
an irregular black blotch behind gill-opening; tins all pale, traces of bars on caudal remaining. In
the young there are no spines on tail.
From the West Indies to coast of Brazil, and occasionally north to Florida. It has been recorded
from the Florida Keys and the Tortugas; also from Cuba and Bahia. Probably not abundant in Porto
Rico; two obtained at Arroyo, each 7 inches long; others seen. It reaches a weight of 6 pounds.
Lija colorada, Parra, Dif. Piezas, etc., pi. 23, 1787, Cuba.
Monacanthus pullus Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Act. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 4, pi. 1, 1842, Brazil.
Monacanthus pardalis, Gunther, Cat., VIII, 230, 1870; in part, probably not of Rtlppell.
Monacanthus ruppelii Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Amer. Sud, Poiss.,97, pi. 47, fig. 2, Bahia.
Monacanthus macrocerus Hollard, Ann. Sci. Nat. 1854, 4th series, II, 327, pi. 12, fig. 1, 1854; Bahia, adult.
Monacanthus irroratus Poey, Memorias, II, 330, 1861, Cuba.
Monacanthus stratus Poey, Memorias, II, 329, 1861, Cuba.
Monacantlms parraianus Poey, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 185, Cuba; after Lija Colorada of Parra,
Monacanthus punctatus Poey, Synopsis, 437, 1868, Cuba.
Cantherines pullus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1713,1898.
Genus 120. MONACANTHUS Cuvier.
Body short and deep, very strongly compressed, covered with minute, rough scales. Mouth
very small; upper jaw with a double series of incisor-like teeth, usually 6 in outer and 4 in inner series;
lower jaw with about 6 incisors in a single series; teeth connivent, unequal; gill-opening a small slit,
shorter than eye, nearly vertical below posterior part of eye and just in front of upper edge of pectoral.
Dorsal spine large, armed with two series of retrorse barbs, no conspicuous filaments; second dorsal
and anal fins similar to each other, of about 25 to 35 rays each ; caudal fin moderate, rounded
;
pelvic
bone with a blunt, movable spine, bone connected by a movable flap of varying size; side of tail often
with a patch of spines, especially in males. Vertebrae 7 -j- H to 14 = 18 to 21.
Species very numerous, in warm seas; most of them small, lean fishes with leathery skin and
bitter flesh, unsuited for food.
Monacanthus;
a. Ventral flap in adult greatly developed, extending much beyond ventral spine; adult with 2 or 3 pairs of recurved
spines on caudal peduncle; young without these characters, similar to young ol.Stephanolepis.
h. D.i,30; A. 30. Color very variable ciliatus, 216
Stephanolepis:
aa. Ventral flap, even in adult, moderately developed, not reaching beyond pelvic spine; no recurved spines on caudal
peduncle.
c. Dorsal and anal each with 30 to 32 soft rays.
d. Depth more than half length of body hispidus, 217
dd. Depth less than half length of body spilonotus
cc. Dorsal and anal each with about 27 soft rays oppositus
216. Monacanthus ciliatus ( Mitch ill). Leather-fish; Lija; “ Pez de Puerco.”
Head 3.5; depth 1.75; young 1.5; D. i, 30; A. 30; scales very small, without median crest.
Spines becoming longer on caudal peduncle, tvhieh has in addition 2 or 3 pairs of strong spines curved
forward, these prominent only in adults; ventral flap longer than head, about one-third length of
body. Scales on ventral flap developed as flat plates, with their free margins pectinate. Snout
pointed, upper profile concave. Dorsal spine strong, nearly as long as head, armed behind with 2
rows of retrorse barbs; ventral spine small, rough.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 259
Color varying very much with the surroundings of the fish, from dull olive-gray to the most
vivid grass-green; markings, not well defined and not very constant; green, with white cirri on sides;
a whitish longitudinal cloud behind pectoral; a pale band downward and forward from eye; lower
side-of head with darker crossbands; dorsal and anal pinkish, with (usually 3) darker spots at base;
ventral flap edged with scarlet; caudal greenish, mottled with darker and pale; some specimens show
neither red nor green shades, and have vague, dusky, longitudinal stripes. A specimen 3 inches long,
from Isabel Segunda, Vieques Island, in alcohol, is brownish-gray, dusky, with a large black clouded
blotch from front of soft dorsal downward and forward to middle of side; body irregularly clouded
with dusky elsewhere; toj:> of head brownish-gray; below very dusky, becoming black on flap, which
has a light submarginal stripe followed by a narrow white border; dorsal and anal translucent; a faint
dark blotch below middle of soft dorsal, and one at front of anal; caudal barred with white and dark.
This species is known from the West Indies and southern Florida, and is very abundant about
the Florida Keys, along with M. hispidus. It has been recorded also from Bahamas, Puerto Cabello
(Cuba), Jamaica, and Porto Rico, where it is not uncommon. Our collection contains specimens from
San Geronimo, Boqueron, Guanica, and Isabel Segunda, off Vieques Island, where a specimen was
dredged in 16 fathoms at station 6092, and off St. Thomas, at station 6079, in 20 to 23 fathoms. Length
3 to 8 inches. The young of this species and of M. ldspidus are much alike, but M. (Hiatus is always
more elongate, and as it grow's older the pelvic flap grows much larger and the armature of the tail
more distinct.
Batistes ciliatus Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag. and Crit. Rev., March, 1818, 326, Bahama Straits.
Monacanthus ocddentalis Gunther, Cat., VIII, 237, 1870, Puerto Cabello, Cuba.
Monacanthus davidsoni Cope, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1870, 476, Florida Reef.
Monacanthus ciliatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1714, 1898.
217. Monacanthus hispidus (Linnaeus) . Fool-fish; File-fish; Leather-fish; Horny Cony; Lija.
Head 3.4; depth 1.75; D. i, 32; A. 32. Young slightly deeper (1.5) proportionally than adult.
Body rather deep. Jaws subequal; eye large, about 3 in snout. Gill-opening about as long as eye,
separated from eye by an interspace nearly equal to its length. Anterior profile slightly concave.
Dorsal spine somewhat shorter than snout, more than half head, inserted above posterior part of eye,
stout, rough, armed behind with 2 rows of retrorse barbs; first ray of soft dorsal often filamentous in
adult (male?), its length varying from that of snout to that of depth of body (longest among specimens
seen by us is one from Canary Islands)
;
pectoral small. Pelvic bone long, ending in a short, blunt,
movable spine, beyond which the abdominal flap does not extend. Scales minute, each with a crest of
about 3 prickles, those on caudal peduncle villous, those on ventral flap larger, elongate; no naked
areas; no recurved spines on tail. Length 10 inches.
‘J|0 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color, grass-green or olive; back and sides with faint, irregular whitish spots; head plain; spinous
dorsal and caudal green; second dorsal and anal translucent; adult less variegated; dull olivaceous,
mottled with dusky.
This species ranges from (’ape Cod to Cuba, and is abundant on our South Atlantic coast and
among the Florida Keys, and southward, through the West Indies to Brazil. It is recorded by Jordan &
Butter from Jamaica, where it is called “mingo”; known from Key West, the Pensacola snapper-
grounds, Big Gasparilla, and the Anclote Sponge Kraals; apparently not common in Porto -Rico, as the
collection contains but a single small specimen seined at Boqueron and live larger ones from Puerto Real.
Batistes hispidus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 405, 1766, Carolina.
Batistes broccus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., 1, 1815, 467, New York.
Monacanthus filamentosus Valenciennes, lies Canaries, 95, 1836, Canaries; adult.
Monacanthus gallinula Valenciennes, l.c., 95, Canaries; young.
Monacanthus varius Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Bonon., V, 6, 1842, Brazil.
Monacanthus massachusettensis De Kay, N. Y. Fauna: Fishes, 337, pi. 57, tig. 187, 1842, Massachusetts Bay.
Monacanthus setifer De Kay, N. Y. Fauna: Fishes, 337, pi. 59, fig. 194, 1842, New York Harbor; probably not ol Bennett,
Monacanthus signifer Storer, Synopsis Fishes N. A., 497, 1846, Massachusetts: substitute for setifer
,
preoccupied.
Monacanthus hispidus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1715, 1898.
Fig. 72 .—Monacanthus hispidus.
Genus 121. ALUTERA Cuvier. File-fishes.
Body oblong or rather elongate, strongly compressed, covered with minute rough scales. Mouth
and teeth essentially as in Monacanthus, but lower jaw more projecting, so that the lower teeth are
directed obliquely upward and backward. Gill-opening an oblique slit, longer than eye, situated
below and in advance of eye, its posterior end behind base of pectoral. Pelvic bone long, falcate,
movable under skin, without spine at its extremity. Dorsal spine small, inserted over eye, rough,
but without barbs; soft dorsal and anal long, each of 36 to 50 rays; caudal tin convex; pectoral small.
Species numerous.
Ceratacantiius:
a. Dorsal rays i, 36.
b. Anal rays 38; coloration nearly uniform schospfii
bb. Anal rays 38; body covered with small, round dark-brown spots punctata
aa. Dorsal rays about I, 46; anal rays about 50.
Osbeckja:
c. Caudal fin elongate, with rounded angles. Coloration not uniform, head and body with irregular blue Spots and
lines, besides small round black spots; upper profile of snout concave scripta^'M
Aluteka:
cc. Caudal fin short, subtruncate, with acute angles. Coloration uniform; upper profile of snout convex... monoceros
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 261
218. Alutera scripta (Osbeck). Unicorn-fish; Lija Trompct.
Depth 3 to 3.25; D. i, 44 to 48; A. 47 to 52; vertebrae 7+14. Body oblong, its depth being nearly
equal to distance of hind margin of orbit from extremity of snout; snout produced, with upper profile
concave; dorsal spine long and slender, above middle of orbit, about 1.25 in head; middle of gill-
opening in advance of middle of eye; pectoral fin below posterior part of eye; caudal fin elongate,
nearly as long as, or longer than, head, rounded; dorsal and anal fins low; ventral spine none. Head
and body olivaceous, with irregular light-blue spots and curved streaks; besides these, numerous round
black spots about as large as pupil; dorsal and anal yellowish; caudal reddish; skin finely velvety.
An inhabitant of tropical seas. Common in the West Indies, occasionally northward to South
Carolina; also occasionally taken about the islands off the west coast of Mexico. Not seen by us in
Porto Rico, but recorded from there by Professor Poey. Length 2 to 3 feet.
Unicornu pisces bahamensis (the Unicorn-fish) Catesby, Hist. Nat. Carolina, etc., II, pi. 19, 1737, Bahamas.
Batistes scriptus Osbeck, Iter Chin., 1, 144, 1757, China.
Lija trompa Parra, Dif. Piezas Hist. Nat., 46, pi. 22, fig. 1.
Malistes Ixvis. Bloch, Ichthyol., IX, 82, pi. 414, 1795, Morocco; Tranquebar.
Batistes ornatus Marion de Proce, Bull. Soc. Phiiom., 131, 1822.
Aluleres pareva Lesson, Voy. Coquille, Zool., 106, 1828.
Monacanthus proboscideus Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sc. Inst. Bonon., 1842, 8, Brazil.
Aluterus venosus Hollard, Ann. Sc. Nat., IV, 1855, 14, pi. 1, fig. 3.
Alutera picturata Poey, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 183, Cuba.
Alutera scripta, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 345, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 1719, 1898.
Fig. 73 .—Alutera scripta.
Family LV 111. OSTRACIIDtE. The Trunk-fishes.
Body short, cuboid, triquetrous or pentagonal, covered by a carapace formed of firmly united
polygonal bony patches; jaws, bases of fins, and caudal peduncle free and covered bv smooth skin.
Mouth small; each jaw with a single series of long, narrow teeth. Maxillaries and premaxillaries
firmly united. Gill-opening a nearly vertical slit, below and behind eye. Dorsal fin single, short,
without spine; anal short, similar to dorsal; caudal rounded; no ventral fins; vertebrae 14, the
anterior 9 elongate, the last 5 extremely short; no ribs.
The Ostraciidee comprise 3 genera and about 20 species, all of the tropical seas, living near bottom
in shallow waters. The species are so singular in appearance and so easily preserved that they have
been common in collections ever since the collecting of tropical curiosities began. The 4 American
species were well known to Artedi and Linnaeus. Goode says of these fishes:
“The locomotion of the trunk-fishes is very peculiar. The propelling force is exerted by the
dorsal and anal fins, which have a half-rotary, sculling motion, resembling that of a screw propeller;
the caudal tin acts as a rudder, save when it is needed for unusually rapid swimming, when it is used
as in other fishes; the chief function of the broad pectorals seems to be that of forming a current of
water through the gills, thus aiding respiration, which would otherwise lie difficult on account of the
narrowness and inflexibility of the branchial apertures. When taken from the water one of these
fishes will live for two or three hours, all the time solemnly fanning its gills, and when restored to its
native element seems none the worse for its experience, except that, on account of the air absorbed, it
can not at once sink to the bottom.”
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.202
Genus 122. LACTOPHRYS Swainson. Three-angled Trunk-fishes.
Trunk-fishes with carapace 3-angled, ventral surface flat or concave, never carinate; carapace
closed behind anal fin; carapace with or without frontal and abdominal spines; dorsal rays 9 or 10;
caudal rays always 10. This genus contains 5 species, 4 of them American, and differs from the Old
World genus Oslracion only in form of carapace. The median dorsal ridge of carapace is much more
developed than the others, so that the body is 3-sided and 3-angled, instead of 4-sided and 4-angled, as
in Ostrcirion. Although this character is a striking one, it is not one of high structural importance,
llollard and Bleeker have discarded it as being of no real systematic value. All writers agree that the
species of the group are most closely related, and that the relations of the species are closer than they
appear. We think, with Dr. Goode, that the shape of the carapace affords “the most reliable guide
in the arrangement of the species of the genus,” and we think it not improper to accord generic
distinction to the 3-angled species, as distinct from the more specialized 4-angled forms.
R HINF.SOMUS:
a. Carapace without spines, anywhere triquetcr, 219
an. Carapace with distinct spines, at least on the ventral ridges behind.
b. Frontal spines none.
Chapinus:
c. Carapace closed behind dorsal tint body everywhere with round, dark spots bicaudalis, 220
Lactophrys:
cc. Carapace open behind dorsal fin; body mottled with paler trigonus, 221
Acanthostracion:
bb. Frontal region with 2 strong spines like horns tricornis, 222
219. Lactophrys triqueter (Linnaeus). “Chapin” ; Trunk-fish.
Head 3.5; height of side about 2; greatest ventral width 2.6; eye 3.4; snout 1.4; interorbital 1.7;
least depth of caudal peduncle 4.1, its width in its depth 2.5; D. 10, its base 3.7 in head, the height
1.6; A. 10, its base equal to that of dorsal, its height a little less; P. 11 or 12, 1.6 in head. Body
sharply 3-angled, sides rather double concave; dorsal carina strongly arched, more so than in L. bicau-
dalis, ending anteriorly above eye; ventral angles more convex and flaring than in L. bicaudalis-,
supraoccipital ridge less strong, continued backward along side in a low, flat, ridge; profile from snout to
eye somewhat concave; interorbital space concave; ventral surface slightly convex anteriorly, posteri-
orly with two low ridges, the surface between them and between each and the ventral angle shallowly
concave; scales of sides hexagonal, in young with strife radiating from center to angles of each scale,
in adults armed simply with tubercles, 9 or 10 plates in horizontal series from gill-opening to tail, 8 in
median line of ventral surface, 8 between ventral keel and back; posterior dorsal scute unarmed; cara-
pace closed behind dorsal and anal, width behind dorsal about 1.75 that behind anal; carapace without
spines anywhere; branchial aperture oblique, its length about 2.5 in head, greater than eye; dorsal,
anal, and caudal obtusely rounded; pectoral triangular, first rays longest.
Color in life: Body dirty white, upper third with small round white spots and some narrow black
bars promiscuously arranged; head whiter and with whiter stellate spots; ventral angles with some
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 263
white spots; ventral surface plain pale; opercular opening bordered in front by brown, then black, and
behind by black; base of pectoral and dorsal black, the fin pale yellow; caudal peduncle black with many
round white spots; base of caudal similarly marked; caudal dirty white with numerous large irregular
black spots. In spirits dark brown, thickly covered with circular spots of yellowish- white; ventral
surface lighter and without spots; lips, bases of fins, border of branchial opening, and caudal peduncle
black, or brown like ground-color of body; caudal peduncle with numerous small round white spots;
caudal dusky, the tip black; other tins plain.
Found among the West Indies north to the Bermudas, Key West, and Pensacola; generally very
common in the Tropics; common about Porto Rico, the collection containing specimens from Arroyo,
Isabel Segunda, Culebra, and Puerto Real. A sluggish fish, reaching a foot in length, living on the
bottom about reefs and among algse, feeding on minute animals of various kinds.
Ostracion polyodon inermis triqueter Linmeus, Adolph i-Frederici, I, 60, 1754, India.
Ostracion triqueter Linnaeus, Syst.Nat.,ed.X, 330, 1758, India; after Mns. Ad. Fr.
Ostracion concatenatus Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 131, 1785, Martinique; on a painting by Plumier.
Lactophrys triqueter, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.,1722, 1898.
Fig. 75.—Lactophrys trigonus.
220. Lactophrys trigonus (Linnaeus). “Chapin”; Common Trunk-fish.
Head 2.9; height of side 1.7; greatest ventral width 1.75; width between ventral spines
height
angles
if fin; A.
strongly i
i; eye
10, its2.8; snout 1.3; interorbital 1.8; D. 10, its base 4.25 in head, 1.5 in eye or 2 in
base and height about equal to dorsal; P. 2 in head. Body 3-angled, ventral
and strongly flaring; dorsal carina strongly and regularly arched,
ending anteriorly above posterior border of orbit; supraoccipital
ridge strong; interorbital space concave; profile from snout to eye
nearly straight, a slight angle; carapace open behind dorsal, closed
behind anal; caudal peduncle slender, its length 1.6 in head, its
least depth 2.9 in its length, its least width 2 in its depth. Scales
of sides hexagonal, covered with small tubercles.
Color, olive-gray, a faint blue spot in center of each of most
of the scales; nostril in a yellow spot; boundaries of upper scutes
blackish, of lower bluish; scutes behind gill-opening black, sur-
rounding a white center, forming a large black blotch; a similar
blotch on side between eye and base of caudal peduncle; caudal
peduncle pale-olivaceous, with a few obscure white spots; fins all
pale except caudal, which is somewhat dusky, especially at tip.
An inhabitant of the West Indies, north to the Bermudas
and Florida, occasionally in the Gulf Stream to Woods Hole and Chesapeake Bay; common on the
coast of Florida; recorded by Jordan & Rutter from Jamaica; apparently not common in Porto Rico,
only one specimen, 3 inches long, having been obtained, at San Antonio Bridge. It reaches a length of
about a foot.
BULLETIN OK THE UNITED STATES KISH COMMISSION.204
Ostracion triangulatus lenibis figurararum lyexagonarum eminentibus, etc., Artedi, Genera, 56, 1738, Jamaica; seen by Artedi
in the collection of Sir Hans Sloane and in the Naggs Head Inn, London.
Ostracion Irigonus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 330, 1758, India; after Artedi.
Ostracion yalei Storer, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., I, 1837,353, Holmes Hole, on Marthas Vineyard.
Lactophrys oviceps Kaup, Archiv Naturg. 1855, 218; specimens with 10 dorsal rays, Linnaeus having given by error
“ D. 14” in the original description of 0. Irigonus.
Ostracion undulatas Poey, Synopsis, 441, 1868, Havana.
Ostracion expansion Cope, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. 1870, 474, figs. 9-10, St. Martins, West Indies.
Lactophrys irigonus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 347, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 167, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, l.c.,
1728, 1898.
221. Lactoplirys bicaudalis (Linnaeus). “Cliapin”; Spoiled Trunk-fish.
(Plate 40.)
Head 3.5; height of side 2.25; greatest ventral width 2.7; width between bases of ventral spines
3.6; eye 3; snout 1.3; interorbital 2.1 ; least, depth of caudal peduncle 3.4; its width in its depth 3.2;
I). 10, base of tin 4 in head, the height 2; A. 10, its base and height equal to dorsal; P. 12, 1.8 in
head. Body sharply 3-angled, sides and ventral surface posteriorly somewhat concave; dorsal earina
sharp, considerably arched, ending in front over middle of eye; supraocular ridges strong, a slight
ridge from supraocular ridge along side to caudal peduncle; no spines on head; a sharp, stiff spine, 3.4
in head, on each side at posterior angle of ventral surface; carapace closed behind dorsal and anal tins,
its width behind dorsal about twice that of strip behind anal; caudal peduncle about 1.4 to 1.6 in head;
branchial aperture oblique, short, about 3.6 in head; body and head everywhere rough, tubereulate,
tubercles strongest on body; hexagonal plates best defined on ventral surface.
Ground-color, light-yellowish, changing to whitish below; everywhere on head, body, caudal
peduncle, and caudal covered with small round black spots, largest on middle of side, where they are
somewhat smaller than pupil, those on the caudal peduncle small, larger on caudal tin, arranged in 5
to 7 irregular vertical bars; tip of snout rose, with a few small black spots above fleshy base of dorsal;
pectoral with several black spots, few or none upon anal; pupil black, with orange border. In spirits
3 to 5 irregular white blotches in center of hexagonal plates on low ridge behind eye.
An inhabitant of the West Indies, generally common from Cuba to Ascension Island; not known
from Florida; recorded by Jordan & Rutter from Jamaica; next to L. Irigonus the least common
species of the genus about Porto Rico, specimens having been obtained only at Ensenada del Boqueron,
Ponce, and Arroyo. It reaches a length of a foot or more.
Ostracion triangulatus tuberculis he.mgonis radialis
,
etc., Artedi, Genera, 57, 1738, India.
Ostracion bicaudalis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., X.. 330, 1758, India.
Lactophrys bicaudalis. Jordan & Evermann, 1. c.., 1723, 1898.
222. Lactophrys tricornis (Linnaeus). Toro; Cow-fish.
Head 4.25; height of side 2.5; greatest ventral width 4.8; width between ventral spines 8.3; eye
2.7; snout L25; interorbital 2; I>. 10, base equal to eye, height nearly equal to head; anal base 1.25
in eye, height 2 in head; caudal long, equal to distance from tip of snout to posterior edge of pectoral
base; pectoral 1.2 in head; caudal peduncle long and slender, length a little exceeding that of head,
least depth 2.75 in its length, least width about 3 in its least depth. Body 3-angled; dorsal earina
gently arched, beginning over posterior part of pupil; ventral angles not flaring nor wide apart, each
ending posteriorly in a stout spine; supraoccipital ridge moderate, with a stout spine in front; middle
of side with a broad low ridge from eye to caudal peduncle; snout projecting, outline from snout to
occipital spines concave below, then rising abruptly; interorbital very convex; giil-opening oblique,
short, scarcely equal to eye; carapace closed behind dorsal and anal tins, the width of part behind
dorsal about four times that behind anal, plate behind dorsal sometimes ending in a short spine,
directed upward; hexagonal plates with small, blunt tubercles. Occasional specimens have a real
spine on supracaudal plate, as figured by Lister. Of nine Porto Rican specimens examined by us two
have this spine.
Color, brown, yellow, blue, or green, with irregular blue blotches, centers of scutes often lighter
than margins. Young light gray, tinged with olive; belly white; head and carapace with round spots
of light-blue, these sometimes forming more or less interrupted longitudinal stripes; about four of these
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 265
stripes on cheek; tail above with blue, brown-edged spots; dorsal olive, its base blackish; caudal olive,
edged and mottled with light blue; anal similar; pectoral olive.
Found in the tropical Atlantic; very common from the Carolinas to Brazil. Recorded from several
Florida localities and common in Jamaica and Porto Rico, specimens being at hand from Puerto Real,
Ensenada del Boqueron, Ponce, Arroyo, and Isabel Segunda. The four species of trunk-fishes found
in our waters have the same general habits. They are all slow and sluggish, and are found on sandy
bottom where there are open or naked areas surrounded by patches of alg;e. They seem peculiarly
susceptible to cold, and on the Florida coast large numbers are frequently washed up on the shore
that have apparently been killed by a sudden fall in the temperature.
Piscis triangularis capiti cornutus cui e media cauda cutanea aculeus longus erigilus, Lister, in Willughby, Hist. Pise.,
Appendix, 19, 1686; locality not given.
Ostradon triangulalus aculeis dudbns in capite et unico longiore supeme ad caudam, Artedi, Genera, part. 3, 56, 1738; after
Lister in Willughby.
Ostradon triangulalus duobus aculeis in fronte et totidem in into ventre , Artedi, Genera, part 3, 56, 1738; specimens seen
in London at the house of Mr. Lillja and in the Naggs Head Inn.
Ostradon tricornis Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 331, 1758; after Artedi.
Ostraciuin quadricornis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 331, 1758; after Artedi.
Ostradon listeri LacCpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., I, 468, 1798; after Willughby.
Ostradon sexcornutus, Mitchill, Anier. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 328, month of Mississippi River.
Ostradon maculatus Hollard, Ann. Sci. Nat. 1857, 149.
Ostradon guineensis Bleeker, Ned. Tydskr. Dierk, II, 298, Guinea.
Ostradon gronovii Bleeker, Ned. Tydskr. Dierk, II, 298.
Acanlhostradon polygonius Poey, Enumeratto, 175, 1876, Cuba.
Acanthostracion quadricornc, Stahl, 1 . c.
,
167, 1883.
Lactophrys tricornis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1724, 1898.
Family FIX. TETRAODONTIDtE. The Puffers.
Body oblong or elongate, usually little compressed, sometimes very broad; head and snout broad;
belly capable of great, inflation; skin scaleless, usually more or less prickly, spines or prickles usually
weak and movable, not rooted; in one genus (Eplvippion
)
the skin is armed with bony scutes forming a
sort of carapace, approaching that seen in Ostradon; teeth confluent., forming a sort of beak which in
each jaw is divided by a median suture; maxillaries curved outward behind premaxillaries; lips full;
nostrils various. Spinous dorsal and ventral fins wanting, fins composed of soft rays only; dorsal fin
posterior, opposite and similar to anal; caudal fin distinct
;
no ventral fins, pelvic bone undeveloped; no
ribs; pectoral fins short and broad, upper rays longest; caudal fin and its vertebrae normally developed.
Medifrontals articulated with supraoccipital, postfrontals confined to sides, ethmoid more or less pro-
jecting in front of frontals; postfrontals extending outward as far as frontals; prosethmoid short and
narrow, little prominent to view above; vertebrae few, 7 or 8 -|- 9 to 13. Gill-openings small, placed
close in front, of pectorals; air-bladder present.
There are about 10 genera and 60 species of this family inhabiting warm seas and found on soft
or sandy bottom where there is some vegetation. They are sluggish in movement and noted for their
habit of filling the stomach with air. When disturbed they then float on the surface, belly upward.
Not used as food, the flesh being ill-flavored and reputed poisonous. None of them over 12 or 15
inches in length.
266 BULLETIN Ob' THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
TETRAODONTINiE:
a. Frontal bones expanded sidewise and forming lateral roofs of orbits, postfrontals limited to posterior portions.
Species chiefly marine.
b. Nostril on each side with two distinct openings; frontal region longer than broad.
c. Dorsal and anal fins comparatively long, falcate, each -of 12 to 15 rays; nostrils sessile, or nearly so, not forming
a distinct papilla; mucous tubes on upper part of head and on sides of body very conspicuous.
Lagocephalus, 123
cc. Dorsal and anal fins comparatively short, rounded, each of l! to 8 rays; nostrils at summit of a hollow, simple (or
lobed) papilla; mucous tubes inconspicuous Spheroides, 124
CoI.OM ESIN/E:
an. Frontal bones narrowed and excluded from orbit; postfrontals being elongated and projected forward and con-
nected with prefrontals; dorsal arid anal fins short, rounded; snout very obtuse; vertebra 8 + 11 = 19; nostrils
(probably) as in Spheroides. FI uviatile species Colomesus
Genus 123. LAGOCEPHALUS Swainson.
Body comparatively elongate; skin smooth or variously prickly, prickles most developed on
abdomen; abdomen capable of very great inflation. Dorsal and anal rather long, falcate, 12 to 15 rays
each; caudal lunate. Nostril without distinct papilla, each with two distinct openings; mucous tubes
on upper part of head and on sides of body very conspicuous. Lower side of tail with a fold.
The fishes of this genus are chiefly tropical, Lagocephalus lagocephalus reaching the coasts of
southern Europe. Vertebrae about 8 + 13 = 21. The increased number of vertebrae and of rays in
vertical fins mark a transition toward the allied family, Chonerhinidse, in which there are about 29
vertebrae, the dorsal rays about 35, the anal 30.
a. Body elongate; head 3.25 in length; depth 4.25 Ixvigatus , 223
aa. Body stout; head 2.8 in length; depth 3.5 pachycephalus
Fig. 78.—Lagocephalus Ixvigatus.
223. Lagocephalus leevigatus (Linnaeus). Smooth Puffer; “ Tarnhoril” ; “ Conejo.”
Head 3.3; depth 4.3; eye 4.8; snout 2.1; interorbital 2.3; D. 13; A. 12; pectoral 2; caudal 1.25.
Body elongate, robust, caudal peduncle long and slender, abdomen greatly distensible and set with
short spines which are depressed when abdomen is deflated, skin elsewhere smooth; head large and
blunt; upper jaw with two great broad confluent incisor teeth with a median suture; lower teeth much
smaller; side of body separated from belly by a ridge or angle; lines of mucous pores around eye and
on top of head armed with weak spines; caudal lunate.
Color in spirits; Purple above, nearly black; side dirty-silvery, belly white. The young have
three broad, dark, transverse bands on back of trunk, one on peduncle, one through base of dorsal,
and one opposite pectoral; similar narrower bands on top of head.
The smooth puffer is a large, sluggish fish, reaching a length of 2 feet, and of no value as food.
It is found in bays and river mouths from Cape Cod to Brazil; it is common southward, but rather
rare north of Cape Hatteras; recorded from New York, Chesapeake Bay, Charleston, Biscayne Bay,
Key West, Pensacola, St. Johns River, Tortugas, Cuba, and Jamaica. Found by us at Palo Seco and
Mayaguez, most of our specimens being young, only 2.5 to 4 inches long.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 267
Ostracion cathetoplateo oblongus, Artedi, Genera Piscium, genus 58, species 33, 1738; after nrbis lagorephalus, Grew, etc.
Tetrodon Itvvigalus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. XII, 111. 1766, Charleston, S. C.; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 366, 1831;
Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 1(57, 1883.
Tetrodon curvus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Philos. Soc., 1, 1815, 474, New York; young.
Tetrodon mathematicus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Philos. Soc., I, 1815, 474, New York.
Tetrodon pachyeephalus, Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., IV, 73, pi, 11, fig. 2, 1840, Brazil.
Holacanthus melanothus Gronow, Syst. Nat., ed. Gray, '24, 1854, Carolina; based on Tetrodon Ixvigatm of Linnaeus.
Tetrodon lineolatus Poey, Synopsis, 432, 1808, Cuba; young.
Lagocephalus Ixuigatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1728, 1898.
Genus 124. SPHEROIDES Lacepede. Swell-fishes.
Body oblong, not elongate; skin variously prickly or smooth, sometimes with cirri. A single,
short, simple nasal tube on each side, with 2 rather large openings near its tip. Dorsal and anal fins
short, little falcate, of (3 to 8 rays each; caudal truncate or rounded, rarely slightly concave. Vertebrae
8+10=18. Frontal bones expanded sidewise and forming lateral roof of orbit, pi >stfrentals limited
to posterior portions.
Species numerous, in warm seas; largely American. Our species represent two well-marked
subgenera, the extremes of which appear very different from each other so far as the skulls are
concerned. Some typical species of Spheroides approach Canthigaster in narrowness of frontal area.
SPHEROIDES:
a. Skull very narrow above, interorbital area more or less concave, 2.5 to 6.5 times in length of long snout, 5 to 12 times
in head; sides of body usually with small dermal flaps.
b. Interorbital space flat or moderately concave: no dorsal flaps; back without curved cross-streaks; upper ray of caudal
produced.
c. Sides of head and body always smooth except sometimes a strip behind pectoral; spines larger, higher, more stellate,
wider apart than in Spheroides maculatus, irregularly placed and often wholly wanting; side usually with small
dermal slips or flaps, especially in the young.
d. Lower part of side with a series of about 12 round black spots; caudal fin barred with black and white., spongier i, 224
dd. Lower part of side with a series of black blotches appearing as short vertical bars (never round); caudal fin not
barred nephelus
cc. Sides of head and body always prickly, as is back from upper lip to base of dorsal; belly prickly, prickles all similar,
small, 3-rooted, stiff and close-set, never obsolete; no cirri; back with dark spots; black blotches on sides forming
short oblique crossbars, those behind pectoral most conspicuous; caudal nearly plain, darker at tip.
e. Color dark-brown, with black blotches; a series of about a dozen irregular black spots along under side. . maculatus
ee. Color dark, olivaceous above; black blotches on lower part of sides in form of short, oblique crossbars. . mannoratus, 225
Cheiltchthys:
an. Skull very broad above, interorbital space broad, flattish, or very little concave, its width more than half snout
and 2.66 to 4 in head; sides without series of dark blotches bounding line of belly.
/. Caudal fin rounded or subtruncate; back and sides with many small irregular black spots; no series of larger
blotches bounding edge of belly.
g. Dark shades on back, broad, appearing as ground-color and crossed by pale curved crossbars and streaks forming
arcs of concentric circles, these sometimes broken by reticulations everywhere profusely spotted with black
in adult; snout somewhat produced testudineus, 226
ff. Caudal fin lunate or truncate, with angles acute or produced.
h. Dorsal rays 8; body more or less prickly, above and below; color brownish above, vermiculated with paler; eye
broader than interorbital space (in young of 4 inches) trichocephalus
hli. Dorsal rays 10; body (in adult) everywhere perfectly smooth; interorbital space broad, equal to snout and twice
diameter of eye; brown, with darker spots above pachygaster
224. Spheroides speng-leri (Bloch). Southern Puffer ; Swell Toad; Tambor; “ Tamboril.”
Head 2.38; eye 5; snout 2; interorbital 7; D. 7. Head compressed, long; snout very long, profile
from tip of snout to above eye rising gradually, slightly concave in front of eye; interorbital space
narrow, concave, slightly wider than in S. nephelus; posterior part of body usually smooth, with a
number of small white dermal Haps; anterior part of body usually covered with small stiff prickles;
region back of eyes and between pectorals and entire under-parts from throat nearly to anal fin prickly,
those underneath strongest; head wholly naked above, a few weak prickles on cheek and a few on
posterior part of throat.
Color in alcohol: Dark grayish-brown above on head and body, thickly covered and mottled with
black or brown spots and paler areas, spots often grouped, forming blotches; under parts white; tip of
chin pale, behind and on sides of which is a broad dusky border; dark of side bordered below by a
line of about 12 round black spots, varying somewhat in size, but averaging about size of pupil and
iris; pectoral, dorsal, and anal pale; caudal rather distinctly barred, a broad dark bar at base, then a
Somewhat broader pale bar, next another broad darkish bar, tip of tin pale.
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.268
The current descriptions of S. spengleri have been based partly on specimens of S. nephelus, an
entirely distinct species, which has been confused with the present one. The two species differ
markedly in the very differently-shaped head and coloration. In S. spengleri the head is more slender,
snout much longer, profile less steep and less concave, and the interorbital somewhat wider. The
color of S. nephelus resembles that of S. marmoralus, as does also its shape; the spots along side in
S. spengleri are usually nearly round, while in S. nephelus they are never round, but are oblong or short
vertical liars invading the white of lower parts from the dark side; the spots in 8. spengleri are always
more distinct and the caudal fin is always barred, a character which may be regarded as diagnostic.
An inhabitant of the West Indies, north to Florida; recorded from Tortugas, Key West, Garden
Key, Biscayne Bay, Big Gasparilla, and Tampa; also from Cuba and Martinique; common about
Porto Rico, specimens having been obtained at San Antonio Bridge, Puerto Real, Fajardo, Culebra,
and San Geronimo; most of the specimens are small, but the fish attains a length of about a foot.
Tetrodon spengleri Bloch, Ichthyologia, I, 135, pi. 144, 17S2, East Indies.
Le Tetrodon plumier Laeep&de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., I, 504, 1797, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Lc Sphiroide tubereule Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1, 1798, Martinique; on a front-view drawing by Plumier.
Tetrodon plumier
i
Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Iehth., 508, 1801, Martinique; after Lacepede.
Sphseroides tuberculatus Pillot edition of LaciSpede, VI,- 279, 1831, Martinique.
Tetrodon turgidus Poey, Synopsis, 432, 1868, Cuba; not of Mitehill.
Splteroides spengleri Jordan & Evermann, 1732, 1898; in part only; description confused with that of S. nephelus.
225. Spheroides marmoratus (Ranzani). Spiny-back Blow-fish.
Head 2.75; depth 4; eye 4.5 in bead; snout long, 1.66 in head; D. 7; A. 6; P. 14. Outline of
head concave in front of eye; eye full and high, its distance above a line drawn from corner of mouth
to upper base of pectoral equal to its longitudinal diameter. Interorbital space very narrow, grooved,
its width equal to that of pupil. Nostrils at end of a tube, situated about equally distant from end of
snout and posterior edge of eye. Gill-opening equal to base of pectoral, but higher. Length of caudal
peduncle from anal 2 in head. Length of head equal to half of distance in front of dorsal. Posterior
rays of dorsal 1.5 in longest, which are 2.5 in head. Pectoral very broad, folding fan-like, margins
scalloped, broadly rounded, lowest ray 1.8 in upper, which is 2.75 in head. Caudal fin slightly longer
than distance of its base from dorsal, its rays all of equal length, 1.57 in head. Prickles on ventral
surface between chin and vent, extending on side of head in front of pectoral fin, on side behind pec-
toral fin to vertical from dorsal, above from nostrils to dorsal; only snout, axil of pectoral, and caudal
peduncle naked. Lateral line very faint, extending obliquely upward from side of snout under eye,
then backward, curving slightly downward under dorsal, most distinct on side of tail.
Color in alcohol : Above very dark-brown, with 1 ilack blotches, sides lighter, with very pale reticu-
lations, a series of about a dozen irregular black spots along lower side; below white; caudal slightly
dusky, with no indications of bars; other fins colorless.
THE FISHES OF POETO RICO. 269
This species differs from Splieroides spengleri in the high and prominent eye, very narrow inter-
orbital, strongly concave outline of snout, extensive distribution of prickles, and in color. It is found
in the West Indies to Brazil; recorded from Brazil and Jamaica; common in Porto Rico, the collection
containing specimens from San Antonio Bridge, Aguadilla, Mayaguez, and Hucares.
Tctrodon marmoratus Ranzani, Nov. Comm. Ac. Sci. Inst., Bonon., IV, 1810, 72, pi. 10, fig. 1, Brazil.
Splieroides marmoratus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1733, 1898.
226. Spheroides testudineus (Linnaeus). “ Tamboril” ; Tambov; Globe-fish; Puffer.
(Plate 41.)
Head 3; snout moderately long, 2 in head; eye small, about 7.5 in head, nearer gill-opening than
end of snout; interorbital width 4 in head; D. S; A. 6; skin of back from nape to before dorsal tin
covered with small, sparsely set prickles; belly from throat to anal with prickles which are rather
large and closely set; axil usually prickly, these prickles rarely wanting or obscured; sides sometimes
with cirri. Back dark-olivaceous, with whitish curved lines and streaks paler than the ground-color,
these streaks usually arranged as follows: A circle or rhomb on middle of back, in front of dorsal tin,
this surrounded by an ellipse, the ellipse sometimes broken up by cross-streaks; before this 3 or 4
cross-streaks extending downward and backward, one at nape and one behind eyes connected on
median line; back and sides with many irregular, round, blackish spots of different sizes; a dark bar
at base of pectoral; caudal dusky at base, then pale, posterior half blackish; skull not very broad,
interorbital area somewhat concave, prefrontal grooves narrow. Length a foot or more.
An inhabitant of the West Indies, generally common; occasionally ascending rivers; ranging
north in the Gulf Stream to Woods Hole; recorded from several points in Florida and apparently
common in Porto Rico, the collections containing specimens from Palo Seco, Aguadilla, Mayaguez,
Ensenada del Boqueron, Fajardo, Hucares, San Antonio Bridge, and Isabel Segunda; taken by Mr.
Gray at San Geronimo; recorded also from Jamaica, Dominica, Puerto Cabello, and Brazil.
Oslracion oblongus glaber, A’rtedi, Genera Piscium, 60; after Clusius, Willughby, etc.. Balk, Amoen. Acad. 1,591,1749.
Orbis lievis variegatus (the Globe-fish), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, pi. 28, 1743, Virginia.
Tetraodon testudineus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 332, 1758; based on Balk and Artedi.
? Tetrodon punctatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ic.hth., 506, 1801, Brazil.
Tetrodon geometricus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 508, 1801, Virginia; after Catesby.
Tctrodon ammocryptus Gosse.Nat. Sojourn Jamaica, 287, 1851, Jamaica.
Anchisomus reticularis (Kaup) Richardson, Voyage Herald, 161, pi. 31, 1854; not Tetrodon reticularis Bloch & Schneider,
which is Tetrodon testudineus Bloch, not of Linnaeus.
Holacanihus leionothos Gronow, Syst. Nat., ed. Gray, 24, 1854, American ocean.
Tetrodon testudineus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 347, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 167, 1883.
Spheroides testudineus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1734, 1898.
Family LX. CANTHIGASTERID7E. The Sharp-nosed Puffers.
This family includes small puffers, similar in external appearance to the Tetraodonlidse, but with
the snout sharp and the back more or less compressed or ridge-like. The skeletal characters by which
the group is defined are thus given by Dr. Gill: Medifrontals separated from supraoccipital by inter-
vention of sphenotics, which are connected and laterally expanded, but short; prosethmoid prominent
above, enlarged and narrowed forward. Vertebrae about 8+ 10. Head compressed, with a projecting,
attenuated snout; dorsal and anal short, few-rayed. Nostrils obsolete, imperforate.
One genus, with 15 species, found in the tropical seas; none over 5 inches in length.
Genus 125. CANTHIGASTER Swainson.
Characters of the genus included above.
227. Canting-aster rostratus (Bloch). Sharp-nosed Puffer.
Head 2.6; eye 3.6; snout 1.7; interorbital 3; D. 6; A. 8; caudal of 9 rays, 1.6 in head. A tetraodont
with a produced and pointed snout, elevated and somewhat compressed back, and the belly and back
witli weak prickles.
Color in life: Back and one-third distance down side olivaceous, rest of body pale, demarcation
rather abrupt, an oblong black blotch extending downward and forward from front of dorsal; about
12 narrow blue lines radiating from eye; snout with 6 or 8 similar lines; side of head with many small
270 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
blue spots, fainter ones scattered over body; a group of linger-like bars upward from base of anal, and
another behind the first on caudal peduncle; fins pale, except the caudal, which has some orange on
middle rays, upper and lower rays brown, their bases each with a black blotch. In spirits, much the.
same, the blue becoming brown.
A small and prettily colored puffer, not uncommon; found in the West Indies, north, in rather
deep water, to the banks off Pensacola; also in the Madeira* and Bermudas. Seven examples, 1.75 to
2.75 inches long, taken in the seine at San Antonio Bridge and Fajardo, and 2 from San Geronimo.
Tdrodon rostraius Bloch, Ichthyol., I, pi. 146, 1782, India.
Tetrodon capistratus Lowe, Proe. Zool. Soc. London 1839, 90, Madeira.
Telrodon ornalus Poey, Synopsis, 433, 1868, Havana.
Canthigaster rostratus, Jordan & Evcrmann, 1. c., 1741, 1898.
Family LXI. DI0D0NTID7E. The Porcupine-fishes.
Body short, broad, depressed above. Belly moderately inflatable, covered everywhere except
on lips and caudal peduncle with spines, which are usually 2-rooted or 3-rooted at their bony base.
Caudal peduncle short and slender. Mouth moderate, terminal, each jaw covered with a bony plate
like the beak of a bird, these not divided by a median suture. Nostrils on each side forming a small
tentacle, usually with two openings. Eye rather large, gill-opening moderate, immediately in front
of pectoral, which is short, broad, and rounded. Dorsal and anal fins short, similar to each other,
rounded in form and placed posteriorly.
The Diodontidm comprise about 6.genera and 15 species, sluggish fishes, living on the bottom
among weeds and corals, in tropical seas. When disturbed, they swallow air and float belly upward
on the water. Their capacity of inflation is very much less than that of the Tetraodontidise, from which
family they differ chiefly in the stronger armature and in having no division in the bony plate of
either jaw. Barely used as food, being generally regarded as poisonous. The species are mostly well
known in collections, the singular form having attracted the attention of travelers in the earliest times.
a. Dermal ossifications very small, each one 2-rooted, with fine flexible spine or hair-like bristle. Nasal tentacles
present Trichodiodon
aa. Dermal ossifications mostly 2-rooted; spines rather slender, but stiff and erectile. Nasal tentacle simple, with 2
lateral openings Diodon, 126
aaa. Dermal ossifications all or nearly all 3-rooted, each with a short, stiff, immovable spine. Nasal tentacle simple,
with 2 openings Chilomycterus, 127
aaaa. Dermal ossifications of flattish, papery, or cartilaginous plates with minute hair-like papillae; nostril short, entire,
with 2 lateral openings Lyosph.br
a
Genus 126. DIODON Linnaeus. Porcupine-fishes.
Body robust, belly moderately inflatable. Dermal spines strong, stiff, most of them 2-rooted and
erectile, a few 3-rooted and therefore immovable; both jaws entire; nasal tube simple, with two lateral
openings. Pectorals broad, their margin undulate, upper lobe longest; vertical fins rounded, dorsal
and anal short, posteriorly inserted, similar to each other.
Found in tropical seas, the few species being very widely distributed.
a. Spines terete.
b. Frontal spines not as long as post-pectoral spines (in adults not half as long, about as long as eye); predorsal spines
very short, 3-rooted, fixed or nearly so; 20 spines in a series between snout and dorsal; post-pectoral spines very
much elongate, especially in adult, shorter in young; dorsal rays 15; anal 15; upper lobe of pectoral little
longer than lower. Adult above everywhere covered with round black spots, these largest in front of dorsal,
smallest on naked area about mouth; white below; fins profusely spotted with black; young with fewer spots,
but never with large blotches hystrix
,
228
bb. Frontal spines long, usually longer than post-pectoral spines, about twice as long as eye in adult; predorsal spines
not shortened, 2-rooted, erectile; 14 to 17 spines in a series between snout and dorsal; post-pectoral spines not
especially elongate, their development variable; dorsal rays usually 12; anal 12; pectoral broader than long,
its upper lobe pointed, lower lobe rounded. Body marked with black spots and blotches, irregular in size,
usually a broad black bar from eye to eye, continued below eye as a narrow bar; a broad bar across occiput; a
black blotch above each pectoral; a short bar in front of dorsal; another in which dorsal is inserted; a blotch
behind pectoral, and many small spots and blotches on upper parts; fins with few spots, usually unmarked in
the young ; holacanthua, 229
an, "Spines compressed laterally, short; 15 spines in a series between snout and dorsal; upper parts covered with
round spots, those about pectoral sometimes confluent into a blotch; fins immaculate” maculije>•
THE FISHES OE PORTO RICO. 271
228. Diodon hystrix Linnaeus. Porcupine-fish; Erizo; Puerco Espino; “ Guanabano.”
Head 3; depth 3.5; D. 13 to 15; A. 13 to 15. Spines strong, dilated at base, with a pair of basal
grooves; frontal spines not as long as post-pectoral spines (in adults not half as long, about as long as
eye)
;
post-pectoral spines longer than any others, especially in adult, usually about as long as pectoral
fin, those of posterior part of back and tail short and broad, 3-rooted, and therefore not erectile; pre-
dorsal spines, very short, 3-rooted, fixed, or nearly so; about 20 spines in a series between snout and
dorsal; upper lobe of pectoral little longer than lower; upper and lower part of tail with 2 or 3 pairs
of 3-rooted, immovable, recumbent spines. Adult above everywhere covered with small, round, black
spots, these largest in front of dorsal, smallest on naked area about mouth; white below; fins all more or
less spotted in adult, nearly plain in young.
This species attains a length of about 3 feet. An inhabitant of the tropical seas, everywhere
common, north to Lower California, Florida, and Hawaiian Islands; abundant in collections, being
stuffed and dried as a curiosity; not used as food: recorded from the Tortugas, Key West, Biscayne
Bay, and Indian River in Florida, and by Jordan & Rutter from Jamaica; not seen by us in Porto Rico,
but recorded from there by Professor Poev and Dr. Ltahl.
Orbis echinatus Rondelet, De Piscibus, 324, 1558, Northern Ocean.
Guamajacu guara Marcgrave, Hist. Nat. Bras., 159, 1648, Brazil.
Ostracion conico oblongus, Artedi, Genera Piscium, 60, No. 19, 1738.
Erizo, Parra, Desc. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat. Cuba, 60, pi. 29, fig. 1, 1787, Havana.
Eioclon hystrix Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed.X, 335, 1758, India; after Artedi.
Diodon atinga Bloch, Ichth., IV, 75, pi. 125, 1787; not of Linnseus.
Le Diodon (Plumier) Lac6p6de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1 and 10, pi. 3, fig. 3, 1798, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Diodon brachiatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 513, 1801, Cuba; after Parra, pi. 29, fig. 1.
Diodon punctatus, Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat., IV, 132, 1818, no locality.
Diodon echinus (Rafinesque) Bonaparte, Cat. Met. Pise. Eur., 87, 1846, Mediterranean Sea: accidental.
Paradiodon hystrix
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Rjquefia, 1. c., 346, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 81 and 166, 1883.
Diodon hystrix Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 1745, 1898.
229. Diodon holacanthus Linnseus.
D. 12; A. 12. Very similar to Diodon hystrix
,
but with frontal spines usually longer than spines
behind pectoral, about twice as long as eye. Predorsal spines not shortened, 2-rooted, erectile; about
14 to 17 in a series between snout and dorsal; post-pectoral spines not especially elongate, but movable;
pectoral broader than long, upper lobe pointed, lower lobe rounded.
Coloration much as in Diodon hystrix
,
but more variable, spots fewer and larger; usually a broad
black bar from eye to eye, continued below eye as a narrow bar; a broad bar across occiput; a black
blotch above each pectoral; a short bar in front of dorsal; another in which dorsal is inserted; a blotch
behind pectoral, and many small spots and blotches on the upper parts; fins with few spots, mostly
immaculate in young.
Found in all warm seas, north to Florida Keys, Lower California, and Hawaiian Islands, its range
coinciding with that of Diodon hystrix, from which it may prove to be not distinct. The distinctions
are generally evident in the adult, but young examples apparently intermediate are often found.
Possibly the two are different sexes of the same species. Length I to 2 feet. The single specimen
obtained by us was seined in Guanica Bay, January 28, and is 5 inches long.
272 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Crayracion
,
Nos. 9 and. IS, Klein, Historia Pise., 19 and 20, pi. 3, fig. 6, 1740.
Ostracion oblongits holacanthus, Artedi, Genera, 00, No. 20.
Diodon holocanthus Linnreus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 335, 1758, India; based on Artedi; misprint for holacanthus.
Lc Diodon tachetc, LactSpede, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,II, 13, 1798, New Cytherea.
Diodon spinosissimus Cuvier, Mem. Mus., IV, 134, 1818, no locality.
Diodon melanopsis Kaup, Wiegmann’s Archiv 1855, 228.
Paradiodon quadrimaculatus, Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., Gymnod., pi. 8, fig. 2,1H
,
Diodon maculatus, var. a, Gunther, Cat., VIII, 307, 1870; based on Diodon tachetc of Lac^pede; St. Croix; Jamaica
Panama; South America; Hawaiian Islands; China; Sooloo Sea; Indian Ocean.
Erho Guanabana Parra, Desc. Dif. Piezas Hist. Nat. Cuba, 62, pi. 29, fig. 2, 1787, Havana.
Diodon liturosus Shaw, Gen. Zool., V, pi. 2, 436, 1804; after Diodon tachetc, LacOpede.
Diodon novcmmaculatus Cuvier, MGm. Mus. Hist. Nat., IV, 136, pi. 0, 1818, no locality.
Diodon sexmaculatus Cuvier, MOm. Mus. Hist. Nat., IV, 136, pi. 7, 1818, no locality.
Diodon quadrimaculatus Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat., IV, 137, pi. 6, 1818, Otaiti.
Diodon multimaculatus Cuvier, M<5m. Mus. Hist. Nat., IV, 136, 1818, no locality.
Diodon holacanthus. Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1746,1898.
Genus 127. CHILOMYCTERUS Bibron. Burr-fishes.
Body broad, depressed, moderately inflatable. Dermal spines short, stout, immovable, triangular,
each with 3 roots; nasal tube simple, with 2 lateral openings; tube sometimes rounded, sometimes
flattened, and with partition feeble and easily torn, so that tentacle appears divided; caudal peduncle
short; fins small, formed as in Diodon; jaws without median suture. Species numerous, of smaller
size than those of Diodon, spines broader and lower, their bases forming a coat of mail.
Cyclichthys:
a. Nasal tentacle subeyliudrieal, not divided.
b. Fins unspotted; supraorbital spines 2, with generally a tentacle between them; a spine in middle of forehead.
c. Superciliary edge raised.
<?. Upper parts greenish-black, with a series of undulating blackish stripes running from nape backward; a similar
series between eyes and across face; an ocellated black spot above pectoral; a larger one behind pectoral; an
ocellated spot on each side of dorsal, and an elongated spot behind each of ventral antennse scha-pfi
dd. Upper parts plain, without series of lines; spots as in C. schaipfi spinosus
ddd. Upper parts covered with black, hexagonal reticulations antillarum
cc. Superciliary edge not raised; upper parts with numerous black dots, some with bluish centers; a black spot in
middle of nape; a large kidney-shaped spot above pectoral, and a subtriangular blotch before and along base
of dorsal fin; a series of antenn® along lower part of side antennatus, 230
Chilomycterus:
aa. Nasal tentacle flattened, divided; fins spotted with black; supraorbital spines 3, feeble, none on forehead.
e. Supraocular cirrus well developed; upper parts densely covered with small, round, blackish spots; a large black
blotch before and around dorsal, another on each side above gill-opening and pectoral; spines short, compressed,
anterior root flat, longer than the others atinga
230. Chilomycterus antennatus (Cuv ; er). Spiny Puffer.
(Plate 42.)
Spines strong, but short; 2 above orbit, 1 more or less prominent in the middle of forehead.
Superciliary edge not raised; generally a tentacle between superciliary spines. Tentacles along lower
part of side, 1 on each side and in advance of anal tin being especially developed. Tail spineless, but
roots of one pair of spines reaching across behind dorsal fin.
A black spot in middle of nape; a large kidney-shaped spot above pectoral, and a subtriangular
blotch before and along base of dorsal fin; generally a small black spot below eye; some or all of these
spots edged with lighter; upper and lateral parts with numerous black dots, some with a bluish pupil;
abdomen brown; fins unspotted.
In an example 3 inches long, obtained at Mayaguez, and from which plate 42 in this volume was
made, the general color is a light-brown, somewhat darker on back and under parts; a large grass-
green blotch on occiput, a similar oblong one above base of pectoral, and another on back across base
of dorsal fin; back, head, and side with numerous small, roundish black specks; iris yellow, pupil
pale-blue; fins all pale-blue or greenish-blue.
West Indies and ranging southward; recorded from St.. Croix, Jamaica, Porto Rico, and Cape of
Good Hope. Length S inches. One specimen seined at Mayaguez and one taken at San Geronimo.
Diodon antennatus Cuvier, M6m. Mus., IV, 131, pi. 7, 1818.
Chilomycterus puncticu Idtus Poey, Anal. Hist. Nat., 340, 1881, Porto Rico.
Chilomycterus antennatus, Jordan ife Evermann, 1. c., 1750, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 273
Family LXII. SCORP^NID^F. The Rock-fishes.
Body oblong, more or less compressed, head large and with one or more pairs of ridges above,
which usually terminate in spines. Opercle usually with 2 spinous processes; preopercle with 4 or 5.
Mouth terminal, usually large, with villiform teeth on jaws and vomer, and usually on palatines.
Premaxillaries protractile; maxillary broad, without supplemental bone, not slipping under preorbital.
Gill-openings wide, extending forward below; gill-membranes separate and free from isthmus, usually
no slit behind fourth gill. Scales ctenoid or sometimes cycloid, usually well developed, sometimes
nearly obsolete. Lateral line single, continuous, concurrent with back; a narrow bony stay extending
backward from suborbital toward preopercle. Ventral fins thoracic, of normal percoid form, i, 5,
rays branched; dorsal fin continuous, sometimes so deeply notched as to divide it into 2 parts, with 8 to
16 rather strong spines and about as many soft rays; anal rather short, with 3 spines and 5 to 10 soft
rays; soft rays in all fins branched, except some or all of rays of pectoral; pyloric cseca in moderate or
small number (fewer than 12) . Pseudobran chise large. Air-bladder usually present. Actinosts moderate,
inserted on posterior edges of hypercoracoid and hypocoracoid; ribs borne on enlarged pleurapophyses,
Post-temporal bifurcate, normally connected; myodome more or less developed.
The Scorpsenidx are a large and very interesting family of about 30 genera and more than
250 species inhabiting all seas, but especially abundant in the temperate parts of the Pacific Ocean,
where they form a large proportion of the fish fauna. They are non-migratory fishes, living about
rocks. Most of them are of large size and many of the species are used as food, though some of them,
particularly species in the genus Scorpsena, are in some places regarded as being poisonous. Whether
there is any good reason for this belief has not been demonstrated. Many of the species of this family
are viviparous, the young being produced after reaching considerable size.
. Dorsal spines 12; vertebra 10 + 14 = 24.
. Palatine teeth present; anal rays usually in, 5.
e. Bones of head scarcely cavernous; occiput with 2 pairs of spines; scales ctenoid or provided with dermal flaps.
d. Pectoral with some of its median rays more or less branched.
e. Scales on top and sides of head ctenoid; cranium much as in Sebaslodes, the armature moderate Helicolenus
ee. Scales on top and sides of head cycloid or wanting; cranium with many spines Scorpjena, 128
dd. Pectoral rays all simple; head more or less scaly, the scales ctenoid Pontinus, 129
cc. Bones of head with large muciferous cavities; occiput with only 1 pair of spines; scales cycloid; pectoral rays 20 or
more; head scaleless above; no groove at occiput; some of the pectoral rays branched Setarches
Genus 128. SCORPIENA (Artedi) Linnaeus. The Scorpion-fishes.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed. Head large, not much compressed, naked above, and more
or less uneven with spinous ridges, often with dermal flaps. Mouth large, with bands of villiform teeth
on jaws, vomer, and palatines. Scales mostly ctenoid, of moderate size, often with skinny flaps. Dorsal
fin with 12 stout spines; anal with 3 spines, second commonly the longest; pectoral large, rounded,
base usually procurrent, some or all of upper rays divided, lower simple; ventrals inserted behind
pectorals. No air-bladder. Vertebra: 10 14 = 24. Species numerous in the tropical seas; fishes of
singular forms and bright colors; the variation in squamation and armature very great, but, as in most
similar cases, it is not easy to find definite characters for subdivision.
a. Breast scaly.
b. Occiput with a distinct quadrate pit.
c. Supraocular tentacle less than twice diameter of orbit.
d. Dorsal rays xn, 9.
e. Top of head scaleless, 3 small spines on suborbital carina agassizii
ee. Top of head not wholly scaleless, interorbital space incompletely scaled; suborbital carina with 6 spines, cristulala
dd. Dorsal rays xii, 10.
/. Anterior border of orbit with no distinct pit below it.
g. Suborbital stay with 3 distinct spines; third anal spine longer and stronger than second.
h. Axil pale, with small dark spots; body with a few large, diffuse dark spots brasiliensis
,
231
hh. Axil pale without spots; body and head with numerous small milky-white spots albifimbria
,
232
gg. Suborbital stay withoutspines; cheek more or less scaly; second anal spine longer and stronger than third. bergii,233
ff. Anterior border of eye with a distinct pit between it and suborbital stay.
i. About 30 scales on lateral line, most of scales with dermal flaps; supraorbital flap large, longer than eye; axil
black, with large white spots.
j. Color rather pale or reddish; interorbital area narrow; occipital pit deep plumieri, 234
cc. Supraocular tentacle more than twice diameter of eye; flaps on lateral line longer than eye; suborbital stay with a
small spine near its center, another at its posterior end; axil gray with many small white spots .. grandicornis, 235
66. Occiput with only a very shallow depression or none.
k. Pectoral with but 2 branched rays; no pit at occiput inermis.
F. C, B. 19Q0—18
274 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
. 231. Scorpsena brasiliensis Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Head 2.6; depth 2.66 to 3; orbit 4 in head; D. xii, 10; A. in, 5 (5.5) ; transverse rows of scales
(oblique) about 25 to 30, (vertical) 50 to 60; tubes 25 to 30. Body short, compressed, profile convex,
depth of caudal peduncle a little less than 4 in head. Head compressed; interorbital space narrow, a
little more than half orbit, about 7 in head, deeply concave, deepest between preocular spines, and
with 2 marked longitudinal ridges on frontal bones, parallel with supraocular ridges; a deep pit at
occiput, deepest behind, its anterior side sloping back from the base of coronal (tympanic) spines, its
posterior side nearly vertical; preocular, supraocular, postocular, and coronal (tympanic) spines
moderate, parietal and nuchal spines sharpest, their ridges thin and sharp, exoccipital spines and
ridges present; spine between orbit and occipital small, not bifid. Preorbital very broad with 2 sharp
spines, no pit between anterior inferior border of orbit and suborbital stay, latter low, with 2 or 3
small spines; uppermost preopercular spine much the longest, a small spine at its base, others very
small or almost obsolete; opercular spines rather small, with not very prominent ridges; all ridges of
head less prominent than in Scorpsena plumieri. Jaws equal, lower with small symphyseal knob;
maxillary reaching posterior edge of pupil, about 2.25 in head; teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines in
rather narrow bands. Pseudobranchise reaching down nearly to epihyal bone; gillrakers short, com-
pressed, about 7 on anterior limb. Dorsal fin deeply notched, membrane reaching halfway up twelfth
spine; dorsal spines slender, low, the longest equal to maxillary, about 2.25 in head; soft rays higher,
about 1.75 in head; anal spines graduated, second a little the thickest, soft rays 1.6 in head; caudal
truncate or very slight!}' rounded; pectoral reaching beyond origin of anal, a little shorter than head,
its base not procurrent, 10 lower rays slightly thickened, exserted and simple, upper rays (except
uppermost one) branched; ventrals reaching beyond vent, last soft ray attached to body for three-
quarters of its length by a rather broad membrane. Supraocular flap long and slender, longer than
orbit, a little more than 3 in head; preocular flap small; flaps at base of spines of preorbital and lower
spines of preopercle, small ones on cheek, membrane of spinous dorsal, and on many of scales of
body; larger flaps on lateral line and along base of dorsal fin. Scales large, rather smooth, with
membranaceous edges; a few rudimentary scales on front and flap of opercle, on preopercle, and lower
part of cheek
;
breast with small scales.
Color: Dusky-olivaceous or brownish, whitish below; a few large diffuse dark spots on side above,
nearly as large as eye; posterior part of each scale darker, giving a slightly speckled appearance; axil
pale, with small dark spots, which are also sparsely present along lower part of side; pectoral mottled,
faintly banded, the lower part paler; spinous and soft dorsal and anal irregularly marbled; caudal with
median and terminal blackish bands; ventrals dusky at tip; side of head dark with some small darker
spots; snout, interorbital space, and tip of maxillary dark, faintly marbled; under side of head whitish
or marbled with brownish; peritoneum white.
This species ranges from the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States to Brazil. It has
been recorded from Charleston, S, C., Indian River, Biscayne Bay, Key West, Pensacola, Pensacola
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 275
Snapper Banks, Egmont Key, Boca Grande, Jamaica, and Rio Janeiro. The collections from Porto
Rico contain but a single specimen, 2.75 inches long, taken in the seine at Palo Seco, January 16. It
differs somewhat from larger examples in having the second anal sjnne stronger than third.
Scorpxna brasiliensits Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 305, 1829, Brazil; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1842, 1898.
Scorpsena stearnsi Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1882, 421, Pensacola, Fla.
232. Scorpaena albifimbria Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 2.1; depth 2.4; eye 3.3; snout 4.25; maxillary 2; mandible 1.9; interorbital 7; preorbital
6.5; scales 7-45-15, about 21 pores; D. xii, 10; A. iii, 5; pectoral 19. Body very short; head heavy and
broad, width 1.6 in its length; snout broad and short; profile rather evenly curved front tip of snout
to origin of dorsal fin; occipital pit shallow but distinct; interorbital space rather broad, shallow; no
pit below anterior part of eye; mouth large, maxillary reaching posterior border of eye; spines of head
strong; supraocular ridge moderate, a strong preocular spine and two smaller supraocular ones; coronal,
postocular, nuchal, parietal, and exoccipital spines strong; opercle with 2 spines, lower terminating a
strong ridge; 4 preopercular spines, uppermost strong, with a small accessory spine on its base; subor-
bital stay prominent, with 3 evenly spaced, strong spines, in line with upper preopercular spine; nasal
spines obscure; preorbital with 2 broad, blunt spines. Cephalic filaments mostly long, but slender,
nasal pair short and broad; preocular pair long, greater than eye; supraocular pair slender, about equal
to eye; a few small dermal flaps below suborbital stay, and a very broad one on lower edge of preor-
bital continuous with skin of the 2 preorbital spines. Scales small, scarcely ctenoid; scaling of head
obscure; dermal flaps numerous, largest along lateral line. Fins large; longest dorsal spine 3 in head;
longest ray 2.9; second anal spine 2.1, longer and somewhat stronger than third; longest anal ray 2.1;
pectoral reaching origin of anal, 1.6; base broad, 2.5; third, fourth, fifth, and on one side sixth rays
branched, others undivided; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.6.
Color in alcohol: Pale-rosy, with dark dustings on head, humeral region, back, and side; top and
sides of head profusely covered with fine milky-white specks; similar spots on body, but less numerous;
dermal flaps on head and body all milky-white; under part of head white, a large rosy blotch at base
of fourth to seventh dorsal spines; dorsal rosy, richest on soft portion; anal pale, with some black on
membrane between first and second spines; caudal pale; pectoral rosy, with dark dustings around
margin; axil pale, without spots; ventrals pale, dusky at tips. In life the rosy color was doubtless
much more evident.
This species seems quite distinct from any previously known species of Scorpxna. Its most
characteristic features are the numerous milky-white specks and dermal flaps. The only specimen
276 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
obtained is the type (No. 49532, U.S.N.M.), 1.75 inches long, taken in the tangle February 8 at Fish
Hawk station 6093, off Culebra Island, 5.25 miles southwest of Culebritas Light-house, in 15 fathoms,
on live coral bottom.
Albus, white; fimbria, flap.
233. Scorpaena bergii Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 2.4; depth 2.7; eye 3.5; snout 4.8; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2; interorbital 6; preorbital
6.5; D. xi, 10; A. hi, 5; pectoral 17; scales 9-38-15, about 22 pores. Body short and stout; head
short and broad, width 1.4 in its length; snout short and broad; cephalic spines and ridges prominent;
supraocular ridges strong, with 3 spines; interorbital groove deep, its 2 ridges very low; a pair of
strong nasal spines; occipital pit deep, a deep transverse postocular groove crossing occipital pit;
a small spine at each anterior angle of pit and a larger one at each posterior angle, back of which is, on
each side, a smaller spine; a postocular and 2 small humeral spines; opercle with 2 strong flat spines
and 2 short blunt ones below; preopercle with 5 blunt spines, upper one largest and with a small
accessory spine on its base; no pit below anterior part of eye; suborbital stay strong, without any
spines except terminal one at posterior end; preorbital with 3 blunt spines, 2 of them obscure;
maxillary broad, reaching past pupil; cephalic filaments short; a pair of short nasal cirri, a small pair
on anterior part of supraocular ridge and a larger pair on posterior part of same ridge; preorbital with
2 flat flaps, anterior the smaller; dermal flaps on body few and small, a series of 7 or 8 along lateral
line; fins high; distance from snout to origin of dorsal 3 in body; first dorsal spine 1.5 in second,
which equals eye; fourth spine longest, 2.6 in head; longest dorsal ray 2.75 in head; first anal spine
1.75 in second, which is 2.2 in head; third anal spine weaker and somewhat shorter than second;
longest anal rays 2.5 in head, pectoral broad, its base 3 in head, length 1.6; tips of rays nearly reaching
anal; ventral 2 in head, reaching past vent; caudal 1.8 in head.
Color in alcohol: Dark-grayish on head and body, under parts paler; a broad black bar crossing
body between soft dorsal and anal and extending across these fins; caudal peduncle pale, with a narrow
black bar at base of fin; dorsal grayish mottled with black and white, a large round black spot between
third and seventh spines; soft dorsal with 2 or 3 broad black bars with pale interspaces; anal pale at
base, with a few' dark spots, then a pale band, next a broad black band continuous with that on body,
then a broad white band, follow'ed by another blackish bar, tip of fin white-edged; pectoral gray, crossed
by 3 blackish bands; axil pale, with 5 or 6 large round brown spots; ventral pale.
This species seems related to S. pannosa Cramer, from Panama, but differs in many important
respects, notably in the fewer pectoral rays, the greater length of the pectoral, and the color. The
presence of but 11 dorsal spines instead of 12, the usual number, may be merely an individual variation
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 277
and of no specific value. It. is known only from the type (No. 49533, U. S. N. M.), 3 inches long,
obtained at Mayaguez, January 20, and one cotype (No. 813, U. S. F. C. ), 2 inches long, seined at
Culebra Island, February 11.
Named for Dr. Carlos Berg, director of the National Museum of Buenos Ayres, in recognition of
his excellent work on South American fishes.
234 . Scorpaena plumieri Bloch. Rascacio.
Head 2.25 to 2.5; depth 3; eye 5; snout 3.75; maxillary 2; mandible 2; interorbital 4.75; preor-
bital 5.5; D. xii, 10; A. in, 5; scales 8-40-16, about 25 pores. Body short and thick; head irregular in
form, with many grooves and pits, and numerous fleshy flaps; a large, deep quadrate pit. on occiput; a
large, deep pit below anterior part of eye, between it and front of suborbital stay; supraocular ridge
with 2 long flaps, posterior one broadest, each nearly twice length of eye; anterior nostril with a double
fringed flap, about two-thirds length of eye; a pair of simple, slender tentacles on snout, each somewhat
longer than eye; 3 or 4 flaps on edge of preorbital; numerous other smaller, shorter flaps along edges
of opercle and elsewhere about head; parietal, nuchal and exoccipital spines present; suborbital stay
with 3 or 4 sharp spines; preopercular and opercular spines moderate, bluntish, a smaller spine at base
of upper preopercular spine; occiput with 2 pairs of spines; a few scales on preopercle and opercular
flap, head otherwise scaleless; maxillary long and broad, reaching to posterior border of eye; lower jaw
included; breast covered with small embedded scales; scales of body large, thin, firm, many of them
with membranaceous flaps; lateral line with a series of fleshy flaps; dorsal low, longest spine 2.6 in
head, longest ray 2.6; first anal spine short, second much stronger and somewhat longer than third,
2.5 in head; longest, anal ray 2.2; pectoral broad, procurrent, reaching about to anus, 1.4 in head, upper
rays branched, lower simple, tips free; ventrals reaching anus, 1.9 in head, equal to caudal.
Color, highly variegated and subject to much variation; sand-color, with 2 broad, blackish
shades on body and 1 on head; belly purplish; lower parts of head finely speckled in all shades of
light, dark, and pearly bluish; upper parts covered with whitish cirri profusely speckled; surface
appearing as if covered with sand; eye with radiating dark spots; dorsal covered like body with some
well-marked whitish spots; dark band of body passing on to soft dorsal ; caudal variously mottled, with
3 pale and 3 black bands; anal whitish, variegated with reddish and black; ventrals similar, with more
maroon-red; pectoral still more variegated, tip scarlet-shaded; inside of pectoral largely bright-yellow,
then blackish, tinged with cherry-red; axil jet-black, with large, round, white spots, not fading
in alcohol; lips barred with black and whitish; branchiostegal membranes and angle of mouth bright-
yellow; peritoneum white.
The rascacio is found from southern Florida to Brazil; it is common among the Florida Keys
and has been recorded from Clearwater Harbor, the Tortugas, and Key West. It was obtained by
the Nutting expedition off Key West in 60 fathoms. It is known also from Jamaica, Cuba, and
Martinique, and Porto Rican specimens were obtained by us at San Antonio Bridge, Mayaguez, Puerto
Real, Guanica, Ponce, and Hucares. It is, next to S. grandicomis, the most abundant species of the
family in Porto Rican waters. It reaches a length of a foot or more.
The above description is based upon a specimen 10 inches long, from San Antonio Bridge.
Scorpxna plumieri Bloch, Nya. Handl. Stockh., X, 234, 1789, Martinique.
Scorpxna bufo Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 306, 1829, Martinique; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 323, 1881.
Scorpxna rascacio Poey, Synopsis, 303, 1868, Havana.
Scorpxna plumieri, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1848, 1898.
235 . Scorpsena grandicornis Cuvier & Valenciennes. Rascacio; Lion-fish.
Head 2.5; depth 2.6; eye 4; snout 4; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.75; interorbital 5; preorbital
6.75; D. xii, 10; A. iii, 5; P. 17; scales 9-40-15, about 28 pores. Body short, more compressed than
in S. plumieri; head rough with many spines and ridges; a deep quadrate pit on occiput; a shallow
suborbit.al groove but no pit at its anterior end; interorbital groove deep but narrow; suborbital stay
not strong, with 1 small spine near its middle and 1 at, its posterior end; supraocular ridge with
1 strong spine on posterior portion; 2 spines on side of nape at posterior angle of pit, the anterior
with a fringed filament; below these, 3 other spines in an irregular row; opercle with 2 flat spines;
preopercle with 3 flat spines, the one at angle strongest, and with a supplementary spine on its base;
a pair of short nasal spines; supraocular filament long, broad, and fringed, more than twice length of
278 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
eye; a short filament on front of supraocular ridge and a small one on upper part of eye; anterior
nostril with a short fringe; a pair of short filaments at tip of snout; 2 or 3 short, broad, dark flaps on
cheek and others on various parts of head; dorsal high, longest spine 2 in head, equaling longest ray;
first anal spine short, less than half second, which is slightly longer, but much stronger, than third,
1.9 in head, or equaling longest anal ray; pectoral broad, width at base 2.5 in head, length 1.2, upper
rays but one divided, lower simple, their tips free, longest ray reaching past origin of anal; ventrals
shorter, barely reaching origin of anal, 1.6 in head; caudal 1.5 in head. Scales smooth, thin, and
firm; a series of very large dermal flaps along lateral line and smaller flaps scattered over body; a few
embedded scales on cheek and opercle; breast scaled.
Color in life variable. Three examples, taken at San Antonio Bridge January 14, were described
as follows: Body dark-brown, inclining to brick-red; belly pale-reddish; top and sides of head olive-
brown; dorsal brown, soft portion palest; caudal reddish-brown, crossed by 2 narrow pinkish bars;
anal brownish, a large black blotch near base of rays, then a broad whitish bar with reddish blotches,
next a series of 5 black spots on rays, then brown, and last a pale border; pectoral brown with a
Fig. 84.—Scorpsena grandicornis.
narrow pale border and 2 irregular dark crossbars separating lighter-brown, central portion of fin
with light wash of old gold; axil pale-grayish with numerous small white spots; similar but larger
spots upon branchiostegals; lower jaw greenish, with series of white blotches; ventrals pale at base,
then 3 oblong black blotches on middle rays, beyond which is pale-brown with pale border. Two
other examples taken at same time had body brownish, belly rosy; head mottled-brownish; dorsal
brown, soft part paler; caudal pale with 2 broad brown bars; ventrals rosy at base, dark at tips;
pectoral yellowish-brown, with black on tips of upper rays and a black blotch at base of lower rays;
ocular cirri brown.
The lion-fish occurs from the Florida Keys to Brazil, and has been recorded from Key West,
Havana, Santo Domingo, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and Martinique. It is the most abundant species of the
family about Porto Rico, our collections containing numerous specimens from San Juan, San Geronimo,
Aguadilla, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Ensenada del Boqueron, Guanica, Ponce, Hucares, and Fajardo.
While Scorpsena plumieri is often found in water of considerable depth, this species frequents shallow
water among algte, where, on account of its remarkable protective coloration and long alga-like
filaments, which are also in the nature of protective mimicry, together with the rough armature of the
head and its poison spines, it would seem extraordinarily well protected. It reaches the length of a
foot or less and is of striking appearance, much dreaded by the fishermen, who pronounce it ‘ ‘ muy
malo ’ ’ and can not be induced to touch it.
Scorpsena grandicornis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 309, 1829, Martinique, Porto Rico, Havana,
Santo Domingo; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 323, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164, 1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c..
1850, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 279
Genus 129. PONTINUS Poey.
This genus differs from Scorpxna chiefly in having the pectoral rays all simple and only their
tips free; anal with 5 to 9 rays; suborbital keel composed of 3 or 4 distinct, differentiated spines, 2
prominent retrorse spines on each preorbital; no pit at occiput; scales ctenoid; cheek and opercles
usually scaly; pectoral not procurrent. The American species all have D. xn, 10; A. in, 5. Of the
seven known American species only two were obtained in Porto Rico.
a. Base of pectoral broad, fin fan-shaped.
b. Snout naked above, as is interorbital space.
c. Eleventh dorsal spine nearly as long as twelfth.
d. Eye small, 4.1 in head beanorum, 2^6
dd. Eye larger, 3.4 in head macrolepis, 237
cc. Eleventh dorsal spine half as long as twelfth.
e. Eye 5.5 in head; maxillary reaching two-thirds across eye; head 4 in total length; spinous dorsal low; pectoral
pointed; supraorbital tentacle 5 in total length; carmine, without marblings castor
ee. Eye 4 in head; maxillary reaching anterior third of orbit; spinous dorsal high; pectoral rounded; carmine with
vertical rosy bands pollux
bb. Snout fully scaled above; interorbital space with few scales, top of head otherwise entirely scaly rathbuni
aa. Base of pectoral narrow.
/. Head without filaments; nape and top of snout scaly; ventrals reaching vent. Pectoral rays 16 longispinis
Fig. 85 .—Pontinus beanorum.
236. Pontinus beanorum Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 2.5; depth 3.5; eye 4; snout 4; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2.25; interorbital 9; preorbital
6.2; D. xn, 10; A. iii, 5; P. 16; scales 7-36-11, about 24 pores. Body short and stout, head heavy,
its width 1.6 in its length; snout moderately long, broad; profile regularly curved from tip of snout to
origin of dorsal; occiput scarcely depressed; spines of head much as in P. macrolepis, but smaller; a pair
of small nasal spines; supraocular ridge with 3 spines, first at anterior end scarcely perceptible, the 2
others near posterior end, each short and weak; postocular, tympanic, parietal, and nuchal spines present
but. short; 1 paroccipital and 2 humeral spines present, all small ; 2 stouter, flat, spines on opercle, lower at
end of a low ridge; 4 preopercular spines, upper largest and with a small accessory spine on its base;
suborbital stay strong, with 4 spines, first small and indistinct, near anterior end, second under ante-
rior edge of pupil somewhat stronger, third under posterior edge of eye and last at end of stay, third
and fourth about equally strong; preorbital with 3 broad, blunt spines; no occipital pit; no pit below
eye; interorbital narrow, a central groove, between which and each supraocular ridge there is a small
sharp ridge; premaxillary broad, reaching middle of eye; nape, opercle, and cheek scaled, rest of
head naked; scales of body moderate in size, firm, ctenoid; breast scaly; head almost without cirri, the
only ones being a pair of small internasal filaments, a pair of small supraocular ones, and a cluster on
280 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
edge of suborbital; no dermal flaps on scales; teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines;
anterior nostril tubular, with a rather broad fringed flap; distance between anterior nostril and eye
greater than interorbital width; distance from tip of snout to origin of dorsal twice length of maxillary;
first dorsal spine 1.6 in second; fourth dorsal spine about 3.5 in head, penultimate spine 5 in head,
last about 4, or about twice length of first spine; longest dorsal ray 2 in head; first anal spine very
short, about 7.5 in head, second about 3 times length of first, 2.6 in head; third somewhat shorter
and much weaker than second; pectoral base not so broad as in P, macrolepis, 3.75 in head, rays all
simple, reaching origin of anal, 1.6 in head; ventrals shorter, their tips scarcely reaching vent, 1.6 in
head; caudal 1.7.
Color in life: Back and top and sides of head pale-rosy, with irregular brownish markings; lower
parts of head richer rosy; belly white, with some rosy; dorsal pale-rosy, with a series of large irregular
brownish spots along outer border; soft dorsal with brownish spot; caudal pale-rosy, upper half with
brown spots, lower half plain ; anal rosy, dark at tip ; pectoral and ventral rosy, blackish on outer portion.
This species resembles P. macrolepis, from which it differs in the much smaller eye, longer snout,
fewer and smaller cephalic cirri, somewhat smoother head, narrower pectoral, and the very different
coloration. The only example obtained is the type (No. 49534, U. S. N. M. ), 5.5 inches long, taken
in the beam trawl January 13, 1899, at Fish Hawk Station 6050, 1.25 miles northward from the entrance
to San Juan Harbor, in 91 fathoms.
This interesting species is named in honor of Dr. Tarleton H. Bean, director of forestry and
fisheries of the United States Commission at the Paris Exposition of 1900, and his brother, Mr.
Barton A. Bean, acting curator of fishes in the U. S. National Museum, in recognition of their valuable
services to American ichthyology.
237. Pontinus macrolepis Goode & Bean.
(Plate 43.)
Head 2.2; depth 3.25; eye 3.4; snout 4.5; maxillary 2.4; mandible 2.2; interorbital 10; preorbital
9; scales 6-35-10, about 22 pores; D. xn, 10; A. in, 5; P. 17. Body short; head large, its width half
its length; snout short and broad; profile not much arched; occiput not depressed; interorbital groove
deep, a slight ridge on each side at base of supraocular ridge; no pit under anterior part of eye;
spines of head strong; a pair of moderate nasal spines, 1 at anterior end of supraocular ridge and 2
stronger ones near its posterior end; postocular, tympanic, nuchal, and parietal spines strong; 1 paroc-
cipital and 2 humeral spines present; 2 flat, stout, opercular spines, and 4 on preopercle, upper one
strongest and with an accessory spine on its base; suborbital stay prominent, with 3 strong spines;
2 strong spines on preorbital, each directed backward; scales strongly ctenoid, rubbing off easily;
nape, opercles, and cheek scaled, rest of head naked; breast with small embedded scales; cephalic
tentacles moderate, a short, broad nasal pair; a slender one at preocular spine, and a longer one, about
2 in eye, at supraocular spine; another small pair on nape and 2 small filaments on preorbital; distance
from tip of snout to origin of dorsal twice length of maxillary; first dorsal spine about three-fifths of
second, third longest, 2.4 in head; longest dorsal rays 2.5 in head; eleventh spine about 4.5 in head;
twelfth 3.75; longest dorsal ray 2.5; first anal spine about 3 in second, which is 2.6 in head and longer
and stronger than third; longest anal ray about 2.4; pectoral rays all simple, scarcely reaching anal, 1.5
in head; ventral shorter, 2 in head; caudal 2.1.
Color in life: Pale below, reddish above; body with about 6 vertical bars of deeper red reaching
to lateral line or below; head chiefly red, iris gray, upper and lower edges red, pupil black; dorsal
with 2 long rows of light-red blotches; pectoral with 3 V-shaped, vertical, light-red bars; bases of
ventral and pectorai reddish; caudal with 3 curved, vertical, yellowish bars; a series of oblong reddish
spots on caudal membrane at margin.
Hitherto known only from the type, a specimen 4.4 inches long, from off Yucatan. Our collec-
tion contains a single specimen 5.5 inches long, dredged by the Fish Hawk at station 6068, in 224 to
237 fathoms, in Mayaguez Harbor, 7.5 miles northwest from the Mayaguez custom-house.
Pontinus macrolepis Goode & Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, 257, fig. 247, 1896, lat. 20° 59' 30" N., long. 86° 23' 45" W., at
Albatross station 2354, off Yucatan, in 130 fathoms; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1856, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 281
Family LXI1I. TRIGLID^E. The Gurnards.
Body elongate, usually more or less fusiform, covered with scales or bony plates. Head externally
bony, entirely cuirassed with rough, bony plates, some of which are armed with spines; eyes high;
mouth terminal or subinferior; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary without supplemental bone,
slipping under preorbital; teeth very small, in bands in jaws, and usually on vomer and palatines;
gills 4, a large slit behind fourth; pseudobranch ise present; gillrakers various; gill-membranes free
from isthmus. Ventral tins thoracic, wide apart, separated by a flat area, their rays i, 5. Spinous
dorsal present, short; soft dorsal similar to anal, which is without spines; caudal narrow, few-rayed;
pectoral large, with broad base, with 3 lower rays detached, forming feelers. These free rays are used
chiefly in search for food, turning over stones, exploring shells, etc. Air-bladder present; pyloric
cseca usually present, few in number.
Singular-looking fishes, found in all warm seas, comprising 5 genera and about 40 species, some of
them in rather deep water, these red in color, the others living about rocks.
a. Palatines, with teeth.
b. Dorsal spines low, the longest usually much shorter than head; scales moderate, 50 to 80 pores Prionotus, 130
bb. One or 2 of the dorsal spines greatly elevated, about as long as body; scales large, rough, the pores 10 . . Bellator
aa. Palatines toothless; scales small.
c. Lateral line without enlarged bony plates Chelidonichthys
cc. Lateral line armed with a series of transverse bony plates Tkigla
Genus 130. PRIONOTUS Lacepede.
Body subfusiform; profile of head descending to the broad depressed snout, which is much longer
than the small eye; eyes close together, high up; surface of head entirely bony, bones rough with ridges
and granulations; scales on head few or none; preopercle with 1 or 2 sharp spines at its angle; opercle
with a sharp spine; nape with two strong spines; a spine on shoulder-girdle. Mouth rather broad;
bands of small, almost granular, teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; gill-membranes nearly separate,
free from isthmus; gillrakers rather long. Body covered with small, rough scales, which are not
keeled; lateral line continuous; scales on breast very small. Dorsal fins distinct, first of 8 to 10 rather
stout spines, third usually highest, but mostly shorter than head; anal fin similar to soft dorsal; pectoral
fin with 3 lower anterior rays thickened, entirely free from each other and from fins; ventrals i, 5,
wide apart, with a flat space between them, inner rays longest. Pyloric caeca in moderate number;
air-bladder generally with lateral muscles and divided into 2 lateral parts; vertebrae 10 or 11+15.
Species numerous, all but one being American, representing in America the Old World genus Trigla,
some in deep water. They are well defined and easily recognized, but vary considerably with age,
and are not easily thrown into subordinate groups. Most of the characters in the following analysis
have been taken from adult individuals. Young examples in most cases differ from adults in the
following respects, in addition to those characters which usually distinguish young fishes: The spines
on the head are sharper, more conspicuous, and more compressed in the young, and some spines,
especially those on side of head, disappear entirely with age. The interorbital space is more concave
in the young. Tire pectoral fins are also much shorter. The gillrakers are longer in the young, and
proportionately more slender, and some of the color markings—especially the darker cross-shades—are
more conspicuous, while the spots on body and fins are less so.
Of the 21 recognized American species of the genus Prionotus 9 are known from the Pacific coast,
5 from the Atlantic coast of the United States, 5 (one of which is among those occurring on the
Atlantic coast) from the Gulf of Mexico, while but 3 are known from the West Indies. The majority
of the species are from rather deep water, and not many are taken in shore collecting.
a. Mouth comparatively small, maxillary less than a third length of head; mandible usually not extending backward
as far as vertical from front of eye; generally a more or less distinct cross-groove on top of head behind eye;
black spot on spinous dorsal usually more or less distinct.
b. Snout not distinctly birostrate, anterior profile usually not strongly concave.
c. Pectoral tin long, reaching past front of anal.
d. Pectoral fin not reaching base of caudal; gillrakers moderate, 8 or 10 developed; snout not strongly emarginate;
no spine on cheek bone or edge of snout; dorsal spines 10.
e. Body not very slender, depth 5 in length; head not very small, its length 3 in body; groove across top of head
behind eye, very conspicuous; interorbital area moderately concave, rather broad, about equal to diameter of
eye; bones of head comparatively smooth; preocular, postocular, occipital, and nuchal spines low, depressed;
temporal ridge conspicuous, without spines. Dorsal spines low, second 2.12 in head, first moderately serrate;
282 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
base of soft dorsal equal to distance from tip of snout to tip of humeral spine; caudal fin lunate, its outer ray
one-eighth to one-fourth longer than inner; pectoral fin somewhat rounded, longest ray about the fifth; free
rays of pectoral expanded toward tip, with decurrent membrane; scales rather large; about 58 pores. Body
and fins nearly plain, mottled with darker, but without well-defined spots except dorsal ocellus; back with 4
obscure cross-blotches; 2 or 3 oblique pale streaks across spinous dorsal. Gill-membranes dusky. Young with
head rougher, pectoral fins shorter, dark spots on body more distinct carolinus
ee. Body very slender, depth about 6 in length; groove across top of head behind eye, conspicuous; interorbital area
narrow, deeply concave, its width about two-thirds the diameter of eye; bones of head very smooth, striations
very weak; spines on top of head (preocular, supraocular, occipital, and nuchal) short and sharp, not depressed;
temporal ridge blunt, without spine.
/. Pectoral short, reaching little past front of anal, not one-eighth length of body. Dorsal spines very high, second
1.75 in head, first moderately serrate; soft dorsal high, its base about one-fourth longer than head; caudal
truncate; free rays of pectoral a little expanded at tip; 52 pores. Body covered with roundish bronze spots of
various sizes; smaller bronze spots on head; both dorsals, caudal, and pectoral fins with similar bronze spots,
these especially numerous and distinct on soft dorsal: scitulus
ff. Pectoral longer, reaching past middle of anal, more than one-half body; pores 62; color rose-red, not spotted;
pectoral dusky roseus
del. Pectoral fin very long, reaching base of caudal, rays graduated; 50 pores in lateral line; gillrakers shortish, 1+6; body
rather stout, depth 4 in length; palatine teeth few, feeble; caudal subtruncate; second dorsal spine longest,
one-half length of head; first spine strongly serrated in front; preopercular spine with a smaller one at its base;
head 2.5 in length. D. x-12; A. 11. Body with 4 faint crossbands; caudal with black tip and 2 paler cross-
shades; spinous dorsal with small dark spots besides large one; soft dorsal plain; pectoral clouded alatus
Prionotus:
aa. Mouth comparatively large, maxillary 2 to 2.75 in length of head, mandible extending backward to opposite eye, or
nearly so; usually no distinct cross-groove on top of head; free rays of pectoral tapering, not expanded at tip;
black blotch on spinous dorsal diffuse, not ocellated, involving membranes of more than two spines.
<j. Preopercular spine without a distinct smaller spine at its base in front.
h. Pectoral fin very long, reaching at least to beyond second third of soft dorsal.
i. Head not plane above, interorbital space more or less concave; dorsal spines 10.
j. Supraorbital cirrus wanting.
k. Pectoral very long, reaching in adult beyond base of dorsal and anal; interorbital space moderately concave, its
width about four-fifths length of eye; no cirrus above eye; distance from supraocular spine to nuchal scales
about equal to eye; supraocular and nuchal spines low; occipital spines wanting; temporal ridge sharp, ending
in a blunt spine; preorbital projecting, strongly serrate; a blunt spine on each side of snout, behind serrse of
preorbital; a blunt spine behind this above angle of mouth; no spine on cheek bone in adult; upper opercular
spine almost obsolete; bones of head rather strongly striate, not granulate; gillrakers short; mouth moderate;
scales rather large, about 52 pores. D. x-11; A. 10. First dorsal spine not much shorter than second, which
is 2.2 in head: caudal very slightly concave: ventrals reaching a little past vent: head 3; depth 5. Color
nearly plain-brownish, with darker clouds; no distinct spots anywhere on body or fins; pectoral marbled
with paler rubio
jj. Supraorbital cirrus present, fringed. Interorbital space very deeply concave, its width about three-fifths length of
eye; a fringed cirrus above eye; distance from supraocular spine to nuchal scales about one-half eye: occipital
as well as nuchal spines distinct; temporal ridge with a small spine; no spine on cheek bone; bones of head with
fine, sharply defined strise, but no granulations; upper opercular spine well developed; scales moderate (about 50
pores). D. vm-13; A. 11. First dorsal spine longest, 1.5 in head; caudal subtruncate; pectoral nearly twice
as long as head, reaching nearly to last rays of dorsal; ventrals about reaching to vent; head 3 in length;
depth 4.5. Color crimson, nearly plain; caudal with 2 dark cross-shades ophryas
hh. Pectoral fin short, not reaching beyond middle of dorsal; head much smoother than in any other species, bones
of head faintly striate, with small granulations; cranial spines little developed; supraocular, occipital, and
temporal spines wholly wanting, there being only 3 pairs of spines on head; mouth large, maxillary 2 in head.
Gillrakers short and thick in adult, slender in young, about 10 developed; interorbital space concave, rather
broad, its width in adult rather more than length of eye; first dorsal spine granulated; caudal slightly lunate;
pectoral subtruncate, second ray longest, as long as head in adult; scales large, 48 pores in lateral line. Head
large, 2.66 in length; depth 3.66. D. x-12; A. 11. Color crimson, with darker clouds and small spots; both dorsals
with dark cross-streaks; head and pectoral fin conspicuously reticulated with blackish (in adult); anal plain,
whitish; free rays of pectoral unspotted stearnsi
gg. Preopercular spine with a distinct smaller one at base; gillrakers slender.
l. Cheek bone without distinct spine at center of radiation; edge of preorbital granular-serrate, without distinct
spine, serrse about 12 in number on each side; temporal ridges roughish, but without spines; bones of head with
strise coarsely granular; mouth moderate, maxillary about 2.6 in head; head not very broad, spines above,
except nuchal spines, not conspicuous; gillrakers long and slender, 15 to 20 developed; head 2.75 in length;
depth about 4. D. x-12; A. 11. Coloration brownish; side with a very distinct dusky bronze band below lateral
line and parallel with it, this becoming broken posteriorly into a series of roundish dark spots; some dark
streaks and clouds below this stripe; fins with dark clouds, soft dorsal with 2 dark blotches which extend as
bars on back; head with scattered dark spots; dusky area below eye.
m. Pectoral with its rays each crossed by fine black bars, these especially distinct toward base of fin; free rays spotted:
scales comparatively small, 10 + 1 + 23 in a vertical line from last dorsal spine to vent; interorbital area broad
and almost flat, its width a little more than length of eye; first dorsal spine granulated; second spine 2.75 in
head; pectoral about one-half length of body stngatus
THE FISHES OF PORTO RIOO. 283
mm. Pectoral fin with its rays all plain-blackish; free rays.piain-dusky; scales larger, 8 T 1 + 21 in a vertical line from last
dorsal spine to vent; interorbital space more deeply concave, its width in adult not quite length of eye; first
dorsal spine nearly smooth; second spine 3 in head; pectoral a little more than one-half body evolans
ll. Cheek bone with a spine (small in adult, larger in young) at center of radiation, this rarely obsolete in old examples.
n. Spines on bones of head moderate, not knife-like; preorbital with a series of serrse and one or more bluntish spines.
o. First 3 dorsal spines little if at all serrate. Back obscurely spotted; dorsal and caudal fins spotted with brown, first
dorsal with a black blotch, pectoral with obscure dark spots, and margined with blue punctatus, 238
oo. First 3 dorsal spines more or less serrate. Color brownish-yellow; spinous dorsal with a black blotch; pectoral
with 2 longitudinal broad dark areas separated and surrounded by paler beanii
nn. Spines on bones of head elevated, knife-like; head very large, more than two-fifths length; temporal ridge with 2
bluntish spines; bones of head very sharply striate; young with 4 sharp, knife-like spines on side of cheek and
snout, in a line before preocular spine, these nearly disappearing with age; maxillary about 2.33 in head; side
without dark longitudinal stripe.
p. Pectoral fin moderate, about one-half body in adult, 2.5 in young; gillrakers slender in young, becoming shorter and
thicker with age, about 10 developed on lower part of arch; head broad, spines on its upper surface very promi-
nent, all of them more or less compressed and knife-like, especially in young. Second dorsal spine 2.5 in head;
head 2.33; depth 4.33. D. x-12; A. 11. Body brownish, much mottled with grayish and dusky, and with 3 or 4
obscure dark crossbands; head and dorsal fins with many dark spots; caudal with 2 dusky shades; free rays of
pectoral spotted tribulus
238. Prionotus punctatus (Bloch). Gurnard.
Head 2.8; depth 2.8; eye 6 in head. D. x-12; A. 12; about 50 pores in lateral line. Body
stout; head large; preopercular spine with smaller one at its base; pectoral reaching past middle of
anal, its length not quite one-half body; gillrakers rather long and slender, about 10 developed;
maxillary 2.5 in head; a bluntish spine on edge of snout, behind seme; behind this 1 or 2 smaller ones,
at least in young; no spine on cheekbone; groove behind eye evident; interorbital area rather narrow,
concave; preocular, supraocular, occipital, and nuchal spines rather prominent; dorsal spines high,
third 2.33 in head; first spine not serrate; mouth large, maxillary 2.5 to 2.4 in head, and reaching
nearly to eye; a small spine on center of radiation of cheek and one before it.
Color, nearly plain; spinous dorsal with dark clouds and without black ocelli; pectoral dark, with
some round brown spots above; caudal dark-barred; a whitish area on back between dorsals. Our
description is taken from two small specimens collected ( probably at Tuxpan ) on the east coast of Mexico,
by Mr. T. Salt; from specimens in museum at Paris, the types of Cuvier & Valenciennes, and from
a specimen taken by the Albatross at Bahia. This species is certainly the Prionotus punctatus of Cuvier
& Valenciennes, but it may not be the species figured by Plunder, to which Bloch has given the name
of Trigla punctata. The iigure of Plunder shows a bright-red body, with many small spots of a darker
red, while red spots are scattered all over the fins, except spinous dorsal and ventrals. In general form
and in the armature of head, so far as this is shown in the plate, Plumier’s figure most resembles the
present species, but the red color suggests a possibility that some of the deep-water species may have
been intended. The present species corresponds better to the figure than any other yet known.
Bloch’s figure of Trigla Carolina, which has been identified with P. punctatus, is almost certainly P.
tribulus. (Jordan & Evermann.)
Found in the West Indies and on the coast of South America; not known from the coasts of the
United States; not common in Porto Rico, specimens (all small) being at hand from Mayaguez,
station 6059, off Mayaguez in 7 fathoms, Hucares, and Isabel Segunda.
Trigla punctata Bloch, Ichthyol., pi. 353, 1793, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Prionotus punctatus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 324, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 2169, 1898.
Family LXIV. PERISTEDIID^. The Deep-water Gurnards.
Body elongate, fusiform, covered with bony plates, each of which is armed with a strong spine;
head bony; each preorbital produced into a long, flat process, which projects more or less beyond
mouth; mouth small, inferior, like that of a sturgeon; teeth none; lower jaw provided with barbels;
gill-membranes separate, narrowly joined to the isthmus anteriorly; gillrakers slender. Dorsal fin
continuous or divided. Pectoral fin short, with 2 lowermost rays detached. Ventrals i, 5, separated
by a broad, flat area. Air-bladder simple. Pyloric caeca about 10. Color generally red.
Deep-sea fishes, comprising 2 or 3 genera and about 13 species, bearing some resemblance to
young sturgeons.
a. Barbels at angle of mouth in large tufts of fringes Peristedion, 131
aa. Barbels at angle of mouth minute, simple or nearly so Vulsiculus
284 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 131. PERISTEDION Lacepede.
Barbels large, forming large fringed tufts at angles of mouth and on lower jaw. Dorsal fins 2;
characters otherwise included above.
Of the ten or a dozen known species of this genus only four occur in American waters. The first of
these (P. miniatum Goode) is known only from the type locality, which is in the Gulf Stream off Rhode
Island; the second ( P . longispatlmm Goode & Bean) is known from Blake station lviii, off Havana,
in 242 fathoms (type locality), Blake stations lxii and lxiii, each off Barbados and each in 209
fathoms, and from the following Albatross stations in the Gulf of Mexico: 2397 in 280 fathoms; 2376
in 324 fathoms, and 2358 in 222 fathoms; the third ( P. platycephamvi Goode & Bean ) is known only from
2 specimens, the type from Blake station lx, off Barbados, in 123 fathoms, and one other from Blake
station lix, off Barbados, in 288 fathoms; and the fourth species (P. gracile Goode & Bean) is also
known from but two specimens, the type collected by the Albatross at station 2401 in the Gulf of Mexico
in 142 fathoms, and the single specimen obtained by us in Porto Rico. A fifth species (P. Iruncatum
Gunther) was dredged by the Challenger at station 122, off Pernambuco, Brazil, in 30 or 350 fathoms,
or in some intermediate depth; and a single specimen of a species in the closely related genus Vulsiculus
Jordan & Evermann ( 1 '. imberbis Poey ) was obtained by Poey from the stomach of a barbudo ( Polymixia
lowei Gunther) taken near Havana in deep water.
The other species of Perisledion are known from the Mediterranean, Amboina, Japan, Molucca,
etc. It will be noticed that all are deep-water species and that but little is known about any of them.
a. Body rather robust, depth 4.5 to 5 in length to base of caudal; head about 2.5 in length; barbels long.
b. Length of preorbital extension about 3.5 in snout; color uniform crimson miniatum
bb. Length of preorbital extension 2 in snout; color red, with a black blotch near tip of pectoral and black on caudal.
longispatlmm
aa. Body slender, depth 0 to 6.5 in length to base of caudal; head 3 to 3.5; barbels moderate; fins mottled or blotched.
c. Body very slender; preorbital process 2.25 in snout; color yellowish; a pearly lateral band; back dotted; fins
mottled gracile, 239
cc. Body much depressed; preorbital process 3 in snout; color red, mottled and blotched platycephalum
239. Peristedion gracile Goode & Bean. Deep-water Gurnard.
(Plate 44.)
Head (measured from base of rostral prolongation to tip of opercular spine) 3; depth 6.5; width
of head 6; eye 4; snout (without spine) 2.1; rostral prolongation or spine 3.6; D. vn-19; A. i, 19;
branchiostegals 8; interorbital space deeply concave, 1.2 in eye. Body slender, heavy forward; profile
from tip of snout to eyes straight or slightly concave; orbital ridges strong, high; rostral spine con-
tinued backward on each side in a sharp, thin ridge, ending in a blunt spine on lower part of opercle,
a similar ridge diverging from it at angle of mouth and ending in a similar spine lower down; width
between bases of rostral spines 1.5 in eye; opercular spine small, length of opercle and its spine scarcely
equal to eye; jaws feeble and toothless; lower jaw with an irregular group of fringed barbels on each
side, longest about twice length of eye; gillrakers 26 on first arch, the longest 2 in eye. Spinous dorsal
originating above opercular spine, second spine longest, 2.5 in head, or equaling length of rostral spine;
longest dorsal rays 1.5 in rostral spine; origin of anal under that of soft dorsal; longest anal ray equal
to those of dorsal; base of anal more than 5 times as long as interorbital width; caudal somewhat
forked, the lobes rounded; pectoral long, the lower rays detached, length of fin 1.6 in head; ventral 1.75
in head; bony plates of body strong, spines sharp, their surfaces rough, the number of spines in each
series, beginning with the uppermost, about 26, 32, 26, and 27.
Color in life; Whitish, with pale-rosy wash, strongest on top of head and anterior part of body;
side of head and body with faint greenish blotches; similar yellowish blotches in same region; tip of
lower jaw red; dorsal fin pale with a broad rosy bar on membrane about at middle of height in spinous
dorsal, somewhat narrower and higher up in soft dorsal; caudal pale at base, outer third rosy-red; anal
pale; ventral pale; pectoral pale, crossed by about 5 series of rosy-red spots.
So rapidly do such fishes as this change color when brought up from considerable depths that we
can never be sure that the colors they exhibit when we first behold them are really those which they
possess in the depths which they inhabit; in fact we may be quite sure the colors are not the same,
but whether the colors are more or less intense is difficult to determine. The specimen here described
had a rather faded appearance when first seen, and very soon became still paler, arid it is perhaps a
safe inference that the natural color, particularly the red and green, was more pronounced.
THE FISHES OF POETO EICO. 285
This fish attains a length of 5 or 6 inches. Until now it has been known only from the type
collected by the Albatross in the Gulf of Mexico. We obtained a single specimen, 5.5 inches long,
dredged at station 6070, in Mayaguez Harbor, January 20, in 225 fathoms, on rocky bottom.
Peristedion gracile Goode & Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, 473, pi. cxiv, fig. 387, 1896, Gulf of Mexico, in 142 fathoms, lat.
28° 82' 30" N., long. 85° 52' 30" W., at Albatross station 249: Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2179, 1898.
Family LXV. CEPHALACANTHIDAi. The Flying Gurnards.
Body elongate, subquadrangular, tapering behind; head very blunt, quadrangular, its surface
almost entirely bony; nasals, preorbitals, suborbitals, and bones of top of head united into a shield;
nuchal part of shield on each side produced backward in a bony ridge, ending in a strong spine, which
reaches past front of dorsal; interocular space deeply concave; preorbitals forming a projecting roof
above jaws; preopercle produced in a very long, rough spine; cheek and opercles with small scales;
opercle smaller than eye; gill-openings narrow, vertical, separated by a very broad, scaly isthmus;
pseudobranchise large; gillrakers minute; mouth small, lower jaw included; jaws with granular teeth;
no teeth on vomer, or palatines; scales bony, strongly keeled; 2 serrated, knife-like appendages at base
of tail; first dorsal of 4 or 5 rather high flexible spines, first 1 or 2 spines nearly free from others; an
immovable spine between dorsals; anal and second dorsal short, of slender rays; caudal small, lunate;
pectoral fin divided to base into 2 parts, anterior portion about as long as head, of about 6 rays, closely
connected; posterior and larger portion more than twice length of head, reaching nearly to caudal in
adult (Dactyloplerus)
,
touch shorter in young ( Ceplialacanthus ), these rays very slender, simple, wide
apart at tip; ventral rays i, 4, long, fins pointed, their bases close together, the inner rays shortest; air-
bladder with 2 lateral parts, each with a large muscle; pyloric cseca numerous; vertebrae 9 -)- 13 = 22.
Inhabitants of the warm seas; the adult able to move in the air like the true flying-fish, but for shorter
distances. One genus.
Genus 132. CEPHALACANTHUS Lacepede.
Characters of the genus included above. Two species known, the following and the East Indian
Cephalacanthus spinarella.
240. Cephalacanthus volitans (Linnaeus). Flying Robin; Bat-fish; Volador; Murcillago.
Head 4.33; depth 5.5; D. ii-iv, 8; A. 6; P. 28+ 6. First 2 dorsal spines free, slightly connected
by membrane at base; preopercular spine reaching beyond base of pectoral, not to end of occipital
spine; pectoral reaching nearly to base of caudal in adult, very much shorter in young; in the young
the spines of head are much longer.
Color, greenish-olive and brown above, of varying shades; below pale, marked irregularly with
dusky and bright brick-red, varying to a salmon-yellow; pectoral fin mottled with bright-blue streaks
near the base and blue spots and bars toward tip, the under side glaucous-blue, edged with darker;
caudal fin with about 3 brownish-red bars; coloration extremely variable.
286 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
This handsome and singular fish attains a length of 12 inches. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean,
on both coasts, and is abundant on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts It has been recorded from
Tortugas, Pensacola, St. Augustine, Cuba, and Jamaica; not seen by us in Porto Rico, but recorded from
there by Professor Poey and Dr. Stahl.
Pirabebe Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., IV, 162, 1648, Brazil.
Milvus cirratus Sloane, Hist. Jamaica, II, 288, Jamaica.
Trigla digilis vicenis palmatis Artedi, Genera, 44, 1738, Mediterranean, etc.
Ilirundo Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, II, tab. 8, Bahamas.
Trigla volitans Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, t, 302, 1758; after Artedi: “ Mari Mediterraneo, Oceano, Pelago inter tropieos,
in Asia ad Cap. b. Spei. Saepi agitata evolans ex aqua.”
Trigla tentabunda Walbaum, Artedi, Piscium, III, 362, 1792; after Cataphractus Klein, Missus, which is after Catesby,
Fishes of Carolina, IV, 44, taf. 14, f. 1.
Trigla fasciata Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 16, tab. 3, i. 1, 1801; after Corystion Klein, Missus, IV, 45, taf. 14, f. 2,
locality not stated.
Dadyloplerus pirapeda Lac6p0de, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 326, 1802, Mediterranean and almost all warm seas.
Polynemus sexradiatus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., I, 1815, pi. 4, f. 10, New York.
Dadyloplerus volitans, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 323, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164, 1883.
Cephalacanlhus volitans, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2183, 1898.
Family LXV1. GOBIIDtE. The Gobies.
Body oblong or elongate, naked or covered with ctenoid or cycloid scales. Dentition various,
the teeth generally small; premaxillaries protractile; suborbital without bony stay. Skin of head
continuous with covering of eyes. Opercle unarmed; preopercle unarmed or with a short spine;
pseudobranchise present. Gills 4, a slit behind fourth; gill-membranes united to isthmus, gill-openings
thus restricted to sides. No lateral line. Dorsal fins separate or connected, spinous dorsal least
developed, of 2 to 8 flexible spines, rarely wanting; anal usually with a single weak spine, similar to
soft dorsal; ventral fins close together, separate or fully united, each composed of a short spine and 5
(rarely 4) soft rays, inner rays longest; ventral fins, when united, form a sucking disk', a cross-fold of
skin at their base completing the cup; caudal fin convex; anal papilla prominent. No pyloric caeca;
usually no air-bladder.
Carnivorous fishes, mostly of small size, living on the bottoms near the shores in warm regions.
Some inhabit fresh waters, and others live indiscriminately in either fresh or salt water. Many of
them bury in the mud of estuaries. Few of them are large enough to be of much value as food. The
family embraces about 80 genera and nearly 600 species. The species are for the most part easily
recognized, but their arrangement in genera is extremely difficult. Until the many Asiatic forms are
critically studied, any definition of the American genera must be tentative only.
a. Ventral fins separate; body scaly.
OXYMETOPONTINAt
:
b. Ventral rays, I, 4.
e. Forehead bluntly rounded, without sharp keel; tongue very slender, sharp; body elongate, compressed, covered
with very small scales; head short, compressed, rather broad above, mouth oblique, lower jaw projecting;
teeth in few series, some of them canine-like; isthmus narrow. Dorsals separate, the first of six slender spines;
soft dorsal and anal elongate; caudal lanceolate Ioglossus
Eleotridin.®:
bb. Ventral rays I, 5.
d. Vomer with a broad patch of villiform teeth; gill-openings extending forward to below posterior angle of mouth,
isthmus thus very narrow; skull above with conspicuous elevated ridges, one of these bounding orbit above,
orbital ridges connected posteriorly above by a strong cross ridge Phii.ypnus, 133
dd. Vomer without teeth; isthmus broad; gill-openings scarcely extending forward below to posterior angle of pre-
opercle; skull without crests.
e. Body scaly, both anteriorly and posteriorly.
/. Lower pharyngeal teeth stiff and blunt; bones with an outer series of broad flexible lamelliform appendages, which
are rudimentary gill-filaments; body short and elevated Dormitator, 134
ff. Lower pharyngeals normal, subtriangular, teeth stiff, villiform, no lamelliform appendages; scales of moderate or
small size; body oblong or elongate.
g. Body moderately robust, depth 4 to 5.5 times in length to base of caudal; scales ctenoid; cranium without distinct
median keel; a small supraoceipital crest.
h. Post-temporal bones little divergent, not inserted close together, distance between their insertions greater than
moderate interorbital space, or 3.8 in length of head; top of skull little gibbous; lower pharyngeals narrower
than in Eleotris; preopercle without spine, scales very small, about 110 in a longitudinal series. Vertebrae
11 + 13; teeth moderate, outer series on lower jaw enlarged Guavina, 135
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 287
hh. Post-temporal bopes very strongly divergent, their insertions close together, distance between them about two-
thirds the narrow interorbital space, and less than one-seventh length of head; top of skull somewhat elevated
and declivous; interorbital area somewhat convex transversely; lower pharyngeals rather broad, teeth bluntish:
pfeopercle with partly concealed spine directed downward and forward at its angle; scales moderate, 45 to 60
in a longitudinal series Eleotris, 136
g<j. Body very slender, elongate, depth 8 to 9 times in length to base of caudal; scales very small, cycloid.
i. Preopercle without spine; caudal without many accessory rays at base; post-temporal bones short, strongly
divergent, distance between their insertions about equal to narrow interorbital space, or about one-sixth length
of head; top of head with a strong median keel, which is highest on occipital region; no supraoecipital crest,
mouth very oblique; teeth small Erotelis
aa. Ventral fins united.
j. Dorsal fins separate, free from caudal.
Sicydiin*:
k. Ventral disk short, adnate to belly; body subcylindrical, covered with ctenoid scales; lips very thick; upper teeth
mostly small and movable, lower fixed; dorsal spines 6. Teeth simple; no canines in front of lower jaw.
Sicydium, 137
GOBiiNa::
kk. Ventral disk free from the belly.
1. Dorsal spines 4 to 8; eyes well developed.
to. Teeth emarginate, uniserial, those of lower jaw nearly horizontal; dorsal spines 6; scales large, ctenoid; gill-
openings moderate Evorthodus
toto. Teeth simple.
n. Body scaly, more or less.
o. Maxillary normal, not prolonged behind rictus; skull of usual gobioid form, comparatively short and abruptly
broadened behind orbits; occiput depressed; supraoecipital and temporal ridges continuous.
p. Dorsal spines 6; scales evidently ctenoid; head naked (nape scaly as usual).
q. Interorbital area anteriorly elevated, with a large foramen-like depression in front of eye; body short, compressed,
formed much as in Dormilator; nape with a fleshy crest; scales large. Vertebrae 11 + 15 Lophogobitjs
qq. Interorbital area not elevated in front; body more elongate; no fleshy nuchal crest; isthmus broad.
r. Inner edge of the shoulder-girdle without fleshy cirri or papillae; cranium anteriorly short; interorbital space
narrower, grooved, with a low median ridge or none; median crest on cranium low.
s. Body scaly anteriorly and posteriorly (sometimes a naked strip on back or belly). Vertebrae 12 + 16 to
10 + 15 Gobius, 138
ss. Body entirely naked anteriorly, posterior half scaled; scales moderate or small Garmannia
rr. Inner edge of shoulder-girdle with 2 or 3 conspicuous dermal flaps; preorbital region very long; premaxillary and
maxillary strong; interorbital groove with a conspicuous median crest; scales rather small (45 to 70) . Awaous, 139
pp. Dorsal spines 7 or 8 (very rarely 6, especially in Eucyclogobius)
.
1. Scales large, ctenoid; shoulder-girdle without dermal flaps. Sides of head scaled; soft dorsal and anal rather
short, of 11 to 14 rays each; deep-water species Bollmannia, 140
tt. Scales very small, cycloid or nearly so. Inner edge of shoulder-girdle without fleshy processes; head naked; body
more or less compressed; mouth very oblique; teeth strong; interorbital groove with or without a median ridge.
Vertebrae 11+15 or 16; soft dorsal and anal long, of 15 to 17 rays each. Body chiefly scaly, anteriorly as well as
posteriorly Microgobius, 141
nn. Body and head entirely naked. Dorsal spines 7 (rarely 6).
u. Chin without barbels; mouth small, little oblique; body robust, soft dorsal and anal short Gobiosoma
uu. Chin with a fringe of short barbels; mouth terminal, oblique; soft dorsal and anal very short Barbclifer
jj. Dorsal fin continuous, soft part and anal joined to base of caudal; eye minute; body elongate; scales minute or
wanting; mouth very oblique, lower jaw projecting; gill-openings moderate.
v. Dorsal rays vi, 16 to 23; anal rays 17 to 23. Teeth in a band, those of outer series being very strong; scales present.
w. Body entirely scaled Gobioides, 142
ww. Anterior part of body naked Cayennia
Genus 133. PHILYPNUS Cuvier & Valenciennes. Guavinas.
Body elongate, terete anteriorly, compressed behind. Head elongate, depressed above. Mouth
large; lower jaw considerably projecting; teeth in jaws rather small, slender, recurved, outer scarcely
enlarged; teeth on vomer villiform, in a broad, crescent-shaped patch; gill-openings extending forward
to below posterior angle of mouth, isthmus very narrow. Scales moderate, ctenoid, covering most of
head, 55 to 66 in a longitudinal series. Dorsal with 6 spines and 9 or 10 rays; anal rays i, 9 or 10;
ventrals separate. No preopercular spine; insertion of post-temporals almost midway between occipital
crest and edge of skull; parietals with a crest running from insertion of post-temporal forward to just
behind eye, where they are connected by a thin, high, transverse crest; supraocular with a short, high
crest, extending from above front of eye back to posterior edge of orbit, thence extending outward
parallel with transverse crest, leaving a deep groove between them; bony projections before and behind
eye prominent. Vertebrae 12 + 13=25; lower pharyngeals triangular, with slender teeth.
The fishes of this genus are the largest of the gobies, some reaching a length of 2 or 3 feet and
being valued as food. Found in tropical rivers.
288 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
241. Philypnus dormitor (Lacepede). “ Guavina.”
Head 3; depth 5; eye 9.75; snout 3; maxillary 2.2; mandible 2.1; interorbital width 3.8; pre-
orbital 9.5; D. vi-12; A. i, 10; scales about 61-23. Body long, subterete; head long, broad,
depressed; snout long, lower jaw strongly projecting, the point a broad angle; mouth large, somewhat
oblique, maxillary very long, reaching posterior border of orbit; eye nearly on level with top of head;
cheeks full; teeth in each jaw in broad cardiform bands; vomerine teeth in a broad crescent-shaped
patch; gillrakers 4 -j- 11, very short, covered with line prickles or spines, especially on their posterior
surface. Fins all large; dorsal tins separated by a space less than half diameter of orbit, spines
llexible, longest about- equal to snout and eye; last rays of second dorsal longest, somewhat longer than
snout and eye, about 2 in head; caudal tin rounded, convex, the middle rays about 1.5 in head; last
anal ray longest, a little shorter than last dorsal rays; pectoral broad, broadly pointed, with about 17
rays, middle ones longest, about 1.8 in head, reaching beyond tips of ventrals; ventrals i, 5, about 2.2
in head, their tips reaching less than two-thirds distance to vent.
Color in life: Dark-yellowish or olive-brownish, back darkest, belly most yellow; sides with
extensions of the dark of back; head dark, with a few small dark specks; arrangement of colors present-
ing a mottled appearance as on body; fins all mottled with brown and yellowish, no dark border to
spinous dorsal
; base of pectoral dark ; ventrals paler.
This large goby is everywhere common in the fresh-water streams of the West Indies and the
Atlantic shores of Mexico, Central America, and Surinam. It seems to be an abundant fish in all the
larger streams of Porto Rico, specimens having been obtained bv us from the Rio Loiza and Rio de
Caguitas near Caguas, and from the Rio Bayamon at Bayamon and near Palo Seco. It has been
Fie. 87.
—
Philypnus dormitor.
recorded from Havana, Martinique, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. It reaches a length of 2 feet or
more, and is one of the most important fresh-water food-fishes in Porto Rico and elsewhere in the
West Indies. The examples obtained by us are 4 to 17 inches long.
Guavina, Parra, Descr. Dif. Piezas, Hist. Nat. Cuba, tab. 39, fig. 1, 1787, Havana.
Gobioinorus dormitor Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 599, 1798, Martinique; from a drawing by Plunder.
Platycephalus dormitator Bloch, Syst. Ichth., pi. 12, 1790, Martinique; after LacCpede.
Batraehus guavina Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 44, 1801; based on Guavina of Parra.
Eleotris longiceps Gunther, Proe. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1864, 151, Nicaragua.
Eleotris dormitatrix Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. II, vol. 2, 246, 1829, Antilles.
Philypnus dormitator, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 339, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 165, 1883.
Philypnus dormitor, Jordan* Evermann, 1. c., 2194, 1898.
Genus 134. DORMITATOR Gill. Punecas.
Body short, robust; head broad and flat above; mouth little oblique; maxillary reaching to
anterior margin of orbit; lower jaw little projecting; no teeth on vomer; lower pharyngeal teeth stiff
and blunt, the bones with an external series broad, flexible, lamelliform, these being rudimentary gill-
filaments; scales large, ctenoid, 30 to 33 in a longitudinal series; skull much as in Eleotris; D. vii-i, 8;
A. i, 9 or 10; no spine on preopercle; post-temporals inserted midway between occipital crest and
edge of skull; supraoccipital crest low.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 289
242. Dormitator maculatus (Bloch). Masaguan; Mapiro.
(Plate 45.)
Head 3.5; depth 3.5; eye 5.75; snout 4.5; maxillary 3; mandible 3.2; interorbital 2; preorbital 6.5;
scales 33,-12; D. vm-9; A. i, 9; longest dorsal spine 1.9; longest dorsal ray 1.1; longest anal ray 1.2;
pectoral 1.2; ventral 1.25; caudal 1. Body short and stout, heavy forward; head broad, flat above,
interorbital space wide; caudal peduncle long, rather compressed, length 1.4 in head; profile gently and
regularly arched from tip of snout to origin of dorsal, from which point body tapers to caudal peduncle.
Mouth small, considerably oblique, upper lip on level with pupil; maxillary reaching vertical at front
of orbit; lower jaw scarcely projecting; teeth on jaws short and weak, in viliiform patches; no teeth
on vomer. Fins all large; interspace between dorsals very narrow, less than orbit; soft dorsal and anal,
when depressed, reaching beyond base of caudal, which is rounded. Scales large, smaller on head
and belly, about 15 series from base of ventral to vent, 14 series across breast between bases of pectorals,
and about 25 from tip of snout to origin of dorsal fin; origin of dorsal fin midway between tip of snout
and posterior base of soft dorsal.
Color in life: Pale-greenish on head and back, lower sides and belly pale-bluish; sides of head
and back mottled with darker; a narrow dark line from eye downward and forward to mouth, and 2
or 3 similar but broader bands from eye to posterior edge of opercle, these bands more or less broken;
dorsal fins brownish, barred with narrower white bands, each with a narrow brick-red edge; anal
banded with light brick-red and narrower white interspaces; edge of fin pale, with a subterminal dark
bar; caudal, ventral, and pectoral pale; iris brick-red. In alcohol this fish becomes quite dark, almost
black, the bright colors changing completely.
This description is from numerous specimens 6 to 8 inches long, but the species reaches a length
of 1 to 2 feet and is a valued and important food-fish. It is found on both coasts of tropical America,
ranging from South Carolina through the West Indies to Para, and from Cape San Lucas to Panama;
usually abundant. On the coast of Florida it has been taken at Hillsboro River, Indian River Inlet,
and on the Pensacola Snapper Banks. No adults were seen by us in Porto Rico, but we collected one
young specimen at Mayaguez, and on February 15 we obtained 85 near Hucares from a small, shallow
lagoon bordered with mangrove bushes, filled with decayed vegetation, and with the water strongly
colored. These specimens varied in length from 3 to 8 inches.
Scisena maculata Bloch, Syst. Iehth.,pl.299, fig. 2, 1790, West Indies.
Eleotris mugiloides Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 226, 1837, Martinique and Surinam.
Eleotris sima Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 232, 1837, Vera Cruz.
Eleotris latifrons Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Fishes, 57, pi. 35, figs. 4 and 5,1837, locality unknown, probably Pacific coast
of Central America.
?Eleotris grandisquama Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 229, 1837, America.
Eleotris somnolentus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, 169, near mouth of Rio Grande, Texas.
Eleotris omocyaneus Poey
,
Memorias, II, 269, Havana.
Dormitator micruphthalmus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 170, Panama.
Dormitator gundlachi Poey, Synopsis, 396, 1868, Cuba.
Dormitator lineatus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 271, Savannah, Georgia.
Dormitator mugiloides, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 339, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 165, 1883.
Dormitator maculatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2196, 1898.
Genus 135. GHAVINA Bleeker. Morons.
This genus is allied to Eleotris, differing in having the post-temporal bones little divergent, not
inserted close together, distance between their insertions greater than the moderate interorbital space,
or 3.8 in length of head; top of skull little gibbous; lower pharyngeals narrower than in Eleotris;
preopercle without spine; scales very small, ctenoid, about 110 in a longitudinal series. Vertebrae
11
-f- 13; teeth moderate, the outer series on lower jaw enlarged.
Inhabitants of the fresh waters of the West Indies and Brazil. Two species known—Guctvina
brasiliensis (Sauvage), from Bahia, and the following.
243. Guavina guavina (Cuvier & Valenciennes). “ Moron
Head 3.5; depth 4.5; eye 6.5; snout 4; maxillary 2.25 to 2.5; mandible 2.5; interorbital 3 to 3.25;
preorbital 7.2; scales about 100,-38; D. vri-12, the longest spine 2.5 to 3 in head, the longest soft
ray about 2; A. i, 10, longest ray about 2 in head; pectoral 1.5; caudal 1.25 to 1.5. Body stoutish,
oblong, heavy forward; head heavy, broad; mouth oblique, large, maxillaries reaching middle of
F. C. B. 1900—19
290 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
eye, lower jaw slightly projecting; isthmus very broad, gill-opening not reaching farther forward
than vertical opercle; preopercle smooth with concealed spine; caudal peduncle compressed, least
width 3.75 in its least depth, which is 2 in head; teeth in broad bands, outer ones of lower jaw
somewhat enlarged; dorsal outline rising gently from snout to origin of spinous dorsal; ventral line
relatively straight; scales very small, those on head embedded and cycloid, those on back, belly, and
anterior part of sides cycloid, on posterior part of body ctenoid; lower portion of preocular and cheek
naked, upper portions with small embedded scales. Fins moderate; origin of spinous dorsal nearer
tip of snout than posterior edge of soft dorsal bya distance equal to diameter of orbit; distance between
spinous soft dorsal slightly greater than diameter of orbit; dorsal spines flexible; dorsal and anal rays
when depressed barely reaching rudimentary caudal rays; caudal fin regularly rounded; tips of ven-
trals reaching halfway to origin of anal fin; tips of pectorals extending slightly beyond tips of ventrals.
Color, dark, marbled with darker and lighter; under parts dirty-whitish; fins dark like body,
bordered with white, especially the dorsals and anal.
The moron reaches a foot in length and is a good food-fish. It is found on the east coast of
tropical America from Cuba to Rio Janeiro, in fresh and brackish water, and is generally common.
Only two examples (6.5 and 8.5 inches long) were seen in Porto Rico by us; they were obtained in
the San Juan market January 15, and probably came from the mouth of the Bayamon River.
Eleotris guavina Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 223, 1837, Martinique.
Guavina guavina, Jordan & Evermann, Fishes of North and Middle America, 2198, 1898.
Genus 136. ELEOTRIS (Gronow) Bloch & Schneider.
Body long and low, compressed behind. Head long, low, flattened above, without spines or
crests, almost everywhere scaly. Mouth large, oblique, lower jaw projecting. Lower pharyngeals
rather broad, teeth small, bluntish. Preopercle with a small concealed spine below, its tip hooked
forward. Branchiostegals unarmed. Eyes small, high, anterior; isthmus broad. Post-temporal bones
very strongly divergent, their insertions close together, the distance between them about two-thirds
the narrow interorbital space, and less than one-seventh length of head; top of skull somewhat elevated
and declivous; interorbital area slightly convex transversely; the dorsal fins . well separated, first of
6 or 7 flexible spines; ventrals separate. Scales moderate, ctenoid, 45 to 62 in longitudinal series;
vertebrae (pisonis) 11 + 15.
Found in tropical seas, entering fresh waters.
. Teeth subequal, those of inner or outer series enlarged.
. Cheek entirely sealed.
c. Teeth of inner series of each jaw enlarged.
d. Scales in a median series 40 to 61, in a cross series 12 to 20.
e. Eye large, 5 to 6 in head; scales 40 to 44,—12 to 14 amblyopsis
ee. Eye small, 8 in head; scales 51,-20 abacurus
dd. Scales in a median series 57 to 66; in a cross series 18 to 24 pisonis, 244
66. Lower half of cheek naked; scales 61 perniger
244. Eleotris pisonis (Gmelin). “Moron.”
Head 2.9; depth 3.75; eye 7; snout 5; maxillary 2.75; mandible 2.75; interorbital 3.6; preorbital
10; pectoral 1.4; ventral 2; caudal 1.4; D. vi-9, the longest spine 3 in head, the longest ray 2.5; A. i, 8,
the longest ray 2.3; scales 57 to 63,-19 to 22; vertebrae 11+ 15. Body stout, not compressed; head
broad, depressed, tapering forward; mouth large, oblique, maxillary reaching posterior border of pupil;
eyes high up; isthmus moderately broad, gill-openings extending forward somewhat beyond angle of
preopercle; preopercle with a strong concealed spine at angle, directed forward; no teeth on vomer or
palatines; teeth on jaws in wide villiform bands, outer series somewhat enlarged; lower pharyngeals
broad, triangular, without fringe, teeth bluntish; branchiostegals 6; gillrakers 2+ 9, very short; caudal
peduncle compressed, its least width one-third its depth, which is 2 in head. Fins moderate; origin of
spinous dorsal about midway between tip of snout and tip of dorsal rays; space separating dorsals scarcely
more than half orbit; dorsal and anal rays not reaching base of caudal; ventrals inserted somewhat
behind insertion of pectorals, their tips reaching halfway to origin of anal
;
pectoral reaching beyond
ventrals. Scales small, crowded anteriorly, embedded on nape, head, and cheeks, ctenoid only on sides.
Color, dark-brown or blackish; sides with faint narrow dark lines alternating with narrow light
ones; fins with dark wavy lines.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 291
The range of this species is from Florida to Rio Janeiro; it is recorded from Pensacola, Rio
Almendares (Cuba), Santo Domingo, Martinique, Surinam, and Rio Janeiro, and was found by us to
be common in fresh and brackish waters of Porto Rico. In the Bayamon River 13 specimens were
obtained January 12, varying in length from 3.5 to 6.25 inches. There is a single specimen, 1.5 inches
long, from Mayaguez, January 20, and 3 small ones, from 1.31 to 2.06 inches long, from Arroyo. This
species is known in Porto Rico only as “moron.” It does not seem to be much used as food. It is
apparently most common in the lower portions of rivers, and probably does not run to the headwaters.
Amore pixuma, Marcgrave & Piso, Hist. Brasil., IV, 166, 1648, Brazil.
Eleotris capite plagioplateo, Gronow, Mus. Ichth., II, 168, 1757; after Marcgrave & Piso.
Gobius pisonis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1206, 1788; based on Eleotris of Gronow.
Eleotris gyrinus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 220, pi. 356, 1837, Martinique, Santo Domingo and Surinam;
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Biquena, 339, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 165, 1883.
Eleotris ( Culius) belizianus, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom. Paris 1879, 55, Belize and Cayenne.
Eleotris pisonis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2200, 1898.
Fig. 88 .—Eleotris pisonis.
Genus 137. SICYDIUM Cuvier & Valenciennes.
Body subcylindrical, covered with rather small ctenoid scales; head oblong and broad, with cleft
of mouth nearly horizontal; upper jaw prominent; snout obtusely rounded; lips very thick, lower jaw
with a series of numerous slender horizontal teeth, of which sometimes only the extremities are
visible; upper jaw with a single uniform series of numerous movable small teeth attached by ligament
to edge of maxillary; behind this outer visible series lie numerous other parallel series of young teeth
hidden in the gum, which succeed the former as they become worn out or broken; lower jaw with a
series of widely-set conical teeth; teeth all simple, slender, distal half bent inward nearly at a right
angle; eyes of moderate size; 2 dorsal fins, anterior with 6 (5 or 7) flexible spines; caudal quite free;
ventrals united into a short cup-shaped disk; gill-openings of moderate width; 4 branchiostegals.
Found in the streams of the West Indies. Few species.
a. Body usually well scaled.
b. Scales large, about 56 In longitudinal series picnctatum
bb. Scales moderate, about 68 cmtillarum
bbb. Scales small, about 84.
c. Body densely scaled; no dark vertical bars on body caguitse
,
245
cc. Body less densely scaled; squamation sometimes quite incomplete; about 7 more or less distinct vertical bars on
body - plumieri, 246
aa. Body nearly naked vincente
245. Sicydium cagmitas Evermann & Marsh.
Head 4.4; depth 4.8; eye 5.75; snout 2.5; maxillary 2; mandible 2.75; interorbital width 3;
preorbital 3.5; D. vi-i, 10; A. i, 9; scales 83,-25; longest dorsal spine 1.5 in head, longest ray 2;
longest anal spine 2 in head, longest ray 2; pectoral 1.1; ventral disc 1.75; caudal 1. Body rather
stout, heavy forward; head large, broad; mouth large, its width 1.5 in head; lips very thick; maxillary
not greatly produced; teeth simple, flexible; a median cleft in upper lip; pectoral somewhat shorter
than head; dorsal spines without filaments, longest about 1.5 in depth of body; space between dorsals
about equal to orbit; soft rays of dorsal and anal scarcely reaching base of caudal; ventrals united.
292 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
forming a cup-shaped disk, only about two-fifths posterior edge free from belly; caudal rounded.
Scales very small, ctenoid, densely covering entire body except a broad strip on belly; posterior portion
of nape with very fine scales; entire head naked.
Color, dark-brown or olivaceous on head, sides, and back; under parts pale; fins all pale, anal
with a narrow darkish margin; caudal somewhat dark; no dark vertical bars on body and none at base
of pectoral; no H -shaped figure at base of caudal.
This species is close to S. plumieri, from which it differs chiefly in color, the more complete
squamation, the shorter pectoral, and the nonfilamentous character of dorsal spines. Known only
from the type, 3.63 inches long, from the Rio de Caguitas at Caguas, Porto Rico.
Sicydium caguitse Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. P. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 355, Rio de Caguitas, Caguas, Porto Rico.
246. Sicydium plumieri (Bloch). Sirajo.
Head 4 to 4.6; depth 4.5; eye 6 to 7 in head, 2 to 3 in interorbital width; D.vi-i, 10; A. i, 10; scales 84.
Teeth in upper jaw long, slender, bent inward at right angles, only tips protruding from gums. Front
teeth of lower jaw not larger than those behind; a single row of inconspicuous papillae on gum beneath
upper lip, a large median papilla above maxillary suture; a median cleft in upper lip. Pectoral longer
than head; third, fourth, and fifth dorsal spines produced into long ribbons, the fourth, which is longest,
being 2 to 3 times height of body. Body usually covered with small scales, reduced in size on neck
and belly; frequently almost naked, scales present only on posterior part of body. Caudal deeply
emarginate.
Color, olive or violet-brown, with about 7 more or less distinct dark vertical bars; a dark bar at
base of pectoral; dorsal with irregular dark markings; anal fin with a dark marginal band, sometimes
edged with white; an H -shaped figure on base of caudal fin, and a black bar on its posterior half.
An inhabitant of the fresh waters of the West Indies. Not obtained by us in Porto Rico, but
recorded by Professor Poey.
Gobius plumieri Bloch, Ichth., 125, pi. 178, fig. 3, 1786, Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier.
Sicydium siragus Poey, Memorias, II, 278, 1861, Santiago de Cuba.
Sicydium plumieri Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 338, 1881; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2206, 1898.
Genus 138. GOBIUS (Artedi) Linnaeus. Gobies.
Body oblong or elongate, compressed behind. Head oblong, more or less depressed. Eyes high,
anterior, close together; opercles unarmed. Mouth moderate. Teeth on jaws only, conical, in several
series, those in outer row enlarged; no canines. Isthmus broad. Shoulder-girdle without fleshy flaps
or papillae. Skull depressed, abruptly widened behind eyes and without distinct median keel. Scales
moderate, ctenoid, permanently covering body; cheek usually naked; belly generally scaly. Dorsal
with 6 rather weak spines; pectoral well developed, upper rays sometimes very slender and silky;
ventrals completely united, not adnate to belly; caudal fin usually obtuse.
The genus Gobius, as here understood, comprises a very large number of species more or less
closely related to the European type of the genus, Gobius niger, and its American relative, Gobius
soporator. An examination of skulls or skeletons of numerous European and American species shows
a remarkable uniformity in most respects. The general form and structure of the cranium is the same
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 293
m all, the only differences being very minor ones in the height of certain crests. Gobius oceanicus seems
most aberrant, but is difficult to separate generically on account of intermediate forms. Probably
several of the many genera indicated by Bleeker will prove valid, but only a thorough study of
skeletons can establish them. It is not unlikely that Clenogobius, to which group most of our species
belong, may be separable from Gobius.
Gobius:
a. Upper rays of pectoral fin. silk-like; i. e., short and very slender and flexible, free for nearly their whole length.
b. Body robust, compressed posteriorly soporator, 247
Ctenogobius:
aa. Upper rays of pectoral normal, not silk-like, similar to others.
c. Scales large, 25 to 33. Color in life olivaceous, more or less spotted, never red.
d. Dorsal soft rays 12 to 14; vertex and nape with a slight median fold of skin. Body long, not much compressed;
head 3.5; eye 3 in head; a dark spot on first dorsal eigenmanni
dd. Dorsal soft rays 10 to 12.
e. Caudal with 2 spots at its base; jaws unequal, lower slightly produced; body robust, compressed behind, depth 5 in
total length; head 4.33; eye longer than snout, 3.5 in head; maxillary reaching pupil; teeth in a band, the
outer enlarged and distant, the inner enlarged and bent backward. Brownish; a faint blue spot on each scale;
six spots along middle of back; similar spots on scapular region and middle of side; a dark spot above opercle;
blue dots on head; a straight blue line crossing cheek above and continued on opercle; dorsals faintly
spotted. D. vi-10; A. 10. Scales 25,-7 glaucofrsenum
ee. Caudal plain or with but a single spot at its base.
/. Dorsal spines low, highest little longer than head.
g. Region from nape to dorsal entirely scaled.
h. Pores on preopercle not very conspicuous; no canine teeth. Body subfusiform, little compressed; depth 4.5 in
length; head blunt, 4 in length, rounded in profile; eye equal to snout, 4 in head. Mouth small, horizontal,
lower jaw included; maxillary 3 in head, reaching to below eye. Teeth small, in bands in both jaws, the
outer enlarged, those of upper jaw very slender. Scales large, ctenoid, those of nape and belly little reduced.
Longest dorsal spine shorter than head. Caudal scarcely pointed, about as long as head. Color, whitish-gray,
middle of side with 4 or 5 dark blotches, from each of which a narrow dark bar extends downward and
forward; a large black blotch above pectoral, obsolete in female; a small black spot at base of caudal; a dark
mark below eye; vertical fins barred. D. vi-12; A. 11 or 12. Scales 33 sligmaturus
hh. Pores on preopercle very conspicuous; lower jaw with small canines. D.vi-i, 9; A. i,9 quadriporus
gg. Region between nape and dorsal with a narrow naked median strip. Body moderately elongate, subfusiform,
depth 5.33 in length. Head large, not so blunt as in G. boleosoma, 3.4 to 3.66 in length; anterior profile gently
decurved; snout 3.33 to 3.5 in head; eye 4; mouth large, slightly oblique; maxillary extending to front of pupil,
2.33 in head. Teeth small, slender and curved, in moderate bands. Scales moderate, ctenoid, those in front
much reduced in size; breast naked. Longest dorsal spine 1.5 in head. Caudal as long as head, somewhat
pointed. Olivaceous, mottled with gray; about 5 rounded dark blotches along middle of side, last forming a
spot at base of caudal; no dark spot on side of nape; some dark marks on head; vertical fins barred. D. vi-12;
A. 13. Scales 33 to 35 shufeldti
ggg. Region between nape and dorsal entirely naked.
i. Highest rays of second dorsal little more than half head, none of them reaching base of caudal.
;
j. Profile much decurved, skull rounded behind, without distinct median ridge; mouth horizontal. Body elongate,
deepest below front of dorsal, tapering regularly backward, greatest depth 5.5 in length. Head short, blunt,
profile anteriorly abruptly decurved, cheek somewhat swollen. Length of head 3.5 in body. Snout about equal
to eye, 3.66 in head. Mouthhorizontal, maxillary reaching to below pupil (in male) ; lower jaw included. Teeth
in each jaw in a band, outer row of upper jaw large, recurved. Scales large, ctenoid, somewhat reduced ante-
riorly. Nape, breast, and belly naked. Dorsal spines about two-thirds of head. Caudal pointed, 2.66 to 3.5 in
body. Color olivaceous, with numerous dark reticulations on back; 5 black spots along side, the Iasi forming
a spot on base of caudal, sometimes with V-shaped dark bars extending from them to dorsal; breast and sides
of belly with numerous dark specks in male; a dark line between eyes; a dark line from eye to middle of pre-
maxillary, some dark spots below eye, sometimes forming bars, sometimes a stripe; a large oblique spot above
pectoral, continued on opercle; a black spot at base of pectoral: dorsals and caudal barred, anal uniform
dusky, ventrals and pectoral black in male, white in female. D. VI-11; A. 10 to 12. Scales 25 to 30. . boleosoma
jj. Profile moderately decurved; eye longer than snout, 3.75 in head. Color yellowish, oblong dark blotches on
middle of side; dorsal and caudal barred. Head 4; depth 6. D. vi-12: A. 10 faseialus
ii. Highest rays of second dorsal as long as head, the last reaching base of caudal. Body elongate, back not arched;
depth 6 in length; head 4, not compressed, cheek tumid. Profile abruptly decurved, the snout 3.33 in head.
Mouth large, nearly horizontal, maxillary reaching posterior edge of eye in males, middle of eye in females.
Teeth in narrow bands in each jaw, outer somewhat enlarged, outer'in some (males?) much enlarged above
and recurved, enlarged teeth fixed, others movable. Scales large, ctenoid, reduced anteriorly, belly naked.
Dorsal spines little filamentous, longest about equal to head; caudal 2.25 to 3 in body. Males dark-olive, with
4 oblong dark blotches along middle of side; a dark caudal spot; a black blotch larger than eye on each side
of shoulder; dorsal spotted; caudal reddish above, dusky below; females with 5 oblong dark blotches on side
the last on base of caudal; from each of middle blotches a V-shaped bar runs to back; a black shoulder blotch,
a dark bar from eye to mouth; ventrals pale, with 2 dark streaks. D. vi-11; A. 12. Scales 30 (27 to 33) at leasi
in males. eiicseomus
294 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
ff. Dorsal spines high, highest reaching past middle of second dorsal. Nape scaly. Body elongate, moderately
compressed.
k. Deptli 5 to 6 in length; profile little decurved, skull flattish behind, much broader than in Gobius boleosoma, with
an evident median ridge; mouth very oblique, much larger than in G. boleosoma; lower jaw thin and flat.
Back slightly arched. Body a little deeper and rather less compressed than in G. encicomits, depth 5 to 6 in
length. Head 4. Anterior profile moderately decurved. Eye 3.33 in head. Mouth large, oblique; maxillary
reaching to below pupil in both sexes. Teeth above uniserial, some of them enlarged and recurved; lower
teeth in a narrow band; males sometimes with hindermost of outer series a strong, exserted, recurved canine;
belly naked. Longest dorsal spine two-thirds head in females, elevated in males; soft dorsal elevated in
males; caudal 3.5 in body. Color, light-greenish, sides of male with 5 or 0 narrow, straight, rather sharply
defined whitish or yellowish crossbars, regularly placed; 4 dark bars, 3 below eye and 1 on opercle; a small
dark spot behind and above opercle; vertical fins barred; female with a row of irregular dark spots connected
by a dusky streak, and with pale crossbars obsolete. D. vi-12; A. 13. Scales 27 stigmalicus
kk. Depth 4.6C in length; profile very obtuse anteriorly; maxillary extending beyond pupil, 2.6 in head. Teeth strong,
uniserial, 4 shortish canines in lower jaw behind other teeth; upper teeth largest. D. vi-11; A. 10. lyricus, 248
kkk. Depth 4 in length; teeth short and thick, uniserial; yellowish, much mottled and blotched. D. vi-11; A. 11.
Scales 30 garmani
cc. Scales moderate or small, 40 to 90.
l. Soft dorsal and anal short, each of 10 to 14 rays; body more or less elongate.
Euctenogobius:
m. Caudal rounded, not much longer than head.
n. Scales 40; dorsal with' 9 soft rays only; anal with 9; depth 6.5 in total length; head broad, flattish; snout short,
decurved; eye 4.25 in head, 1.33 in interorbital area, longer than snout; maxillary extending to below middle
of eye. Some of dorsal spines produced in filaments, the third 1.5 times depth of body; caudal short, rounded.
Two rows of ill-defined blotches on upper half of body; 2 rows of brownish spots on second dorsal, upper strongly
marked poeyi
nn. Scales 50; dorsal and anal with 10 soft rays each; profile very oblique. Color dark-brown badius
Gobionei.lus:
mm. Caudal lanceolate, much longer than head; lower jaw thin; usually a green spot on roof of mouth in life.
o. Body rather deep, depth about 5 in length.
p. Scales rather large, 39 to 42; body moderately elongate, compressed; depth 5.25; head 4. Head not compressed,
cheek tumid, snout short, abruptly decurved; mouth large, little oblique, jaws equal, maxillary 2.33 in head,
reaching to below pupil; eye 5 in head; teeth above large, unequal, uniserial, some of them fixed, those below
small, in a band. Scales anteriorly cycloid, becoming larger posteriorly, and ctenoid; dorsal spines scarcely
filamentous, none of them as high as body; caudal 2.25 in body. Light-olive, with dark-olive blotches; body
and head with many conspicuous round spots of cream color, each surrounded by a dusky ring, these most
distinct on head, all smaller than pupil; snout with dusky streaks; dorsals and caudal sharply barred; anal
and ventrals dusky (in male); a small round spot at base of caudal. D. vi-11; A. 11 smaragdus
pp. Scales comparatively small (53). Body elongate, compressed behind; head a little compressed, 3.75 in length;
depth 5 ; eye 3.5 in head, shorter than rounded snout; maxillary reaching to below middle of eye; teeth
small, outer a little enlarged; dorsal spines all shorter than head, not filamentous. Nape scaly, its scales much
reduced in size; scales ctenoid. Two violet stripes from eye to mouth; 8 or 9 violet bars on side; 3 or 4 bars on
caudal; second dorsal spotted. D.vi-12; A. 11 or 12 strigatus
oo. Body elongate, depth 6.5 to 9 in length; head 4.5; caudal very long.
q. Scales very small (60 to 90); caudal more than twice as long as head in adult. Body compressed, extremely
elongate, depth 6 to 9 in length; head higher than wide, short, compressed, 4.5 to 5 in length; mouth wide,
oblique; maxillary in adult reaching to below posterior border of eye. Lower jaw very thin and flat; teeth in
both jaws small, subequal, those in upper jaw in a single series, those of lower in a narrowband; outer teeth
somewhat movable. Scales anteriorly small, cycloid, embedded, those behind larger and ctenoid; a few scales
on upper anterior corner of opercle; dorsal fins high, some spines filamentous, longer than head. Caudal very
long, filamentous, 2 to 2.66 in body. Light-olive; fins dusky in male; a round, black spot on side, a little larger
than eye, below spinous dorsal; first dorsal spine with 2 or 3 black spots; a small dusky spot at base of caudal;
emerald spot on tongue conspicuous, fading in spirits. D. vi-14; A. 14 or 15.
r. Only a few scales on opercle.
s. Scales large, about 60 hastalus
s$. Scales smaller, about 71 bayamonensis, 249
rr. Upper part of opercle with a large patch of scales Oceanians, 250
247. Gobius soporator Cuvier & Valenciennes. Mapo.
Head 3 to 3.3; depth 4 to 4.8; eye 4.5 to 5; snout 3.5 to 4; maxillary 2.5 to 3; mandible 2 to 2.3;
interorbital 5 to 6; preorbital about 8.5; scales 38,-13; D. vi-10, the longest spine, about 1.7 in head,
the longest ray 1.8; A. 9, the longest ray 1.8; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.5. Body stout, heavy forward,
compressed posteriorly, the least width of caudal peduncle about 4 in its least depth; head broad,
snout blunt; mouth moderate, slightly oblique, the maxillary reaching middle of eye; isthmus very
broad, gill-openings extending forward but slightly in front of base of pectoral; lips thick; teeth in
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 295
upper jaw in a broad band, those of outer series enlarged, the inner ones small; teeth of lower jaw
similar but smaller. Entire body covered with large, ctenoid scales, smaller on nape and belly; head
naked. Fins rather large; origin of spinous dorsal slightly nearer snout than base of last soft ray;
space separating dorsals about 2 in eye; dorsal and anal rays not reaching caudal when depressed;
pectoral broad, upper rays partially detached and silk-like; ventral disk rather free from belly, not
reaching vent; caudal short, rounded.
Color, mottled or marbled-gray above and on sides and head, under parts white; back with
about 4 dark areas extending down on sides; sides with irregular series of small white specks; dorsals
and caudal barred with white and dark; anal light, with dark edge; other fins pale. Some specimens
are considerably darker and have the fins darker, but the color pattern is essentially the same in all.
Found in the tropical seas; widely distributed and almost everywhere common, lurking among
stones or on sand in shallow water, or in rock pools, moving very quickly when disturbed; north on
on our coasts to Carolina and Gulf of California. The commonest of all shore-fishes in tropical
America. Length 3 to 5 inches. Among our species this seems to be the most nearly related to the
European Gobius niger, and may, therefore, be held to represent the subgenus Gobius, if our other species
be placed in different subgenera. Perhaps all the others will ultimately be removed from Gobius.
This is apparently the most abundant and generally distributed goby in Porto Rico, the collec-
tion containing numerous specimens from San Antonio Bridge, San Geronimo, Palo Seco, San Juan,
Mayaguez, Puerto I^eal, Guanica, Ponce, Fajardo, Hucares, Isabel Segunda, and Culebra Island.
Gobius soporator Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 56, 1837, Martinique; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2216, 1898.
Gobius lineatus Jenyns, Zool. Voy. Beagle, 95, pi. 19, fig. 2, 1842, Galapagos Archipelago.
Gobius eatulus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, 169, St. Joseph Island, Texas.
Gobius mapo Poey, Memorias, II, 277, 1861, Cuba.
Gobius lacertus Poey, Memorias, II, 278, 1861, Cuba.
Gobius anclrei, Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philom., ser. 7, IV, 44, 1880, Rio Guayas, Ecuador.
Gobius carolinensis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 268, Charleston, S. C.
Gobius brunneus Poey, Synopsis, 393, 1868, Havana.
Gobius arundelii Garman, Proc. N. E. Zool. Club, I, June 9, 1899, Clipperton Island.
248. Gobius lyricus Girard.
Description of male: Head 4; depth 4.5 to 5; eye 4 to 5; snout 3.6; maxillary 2.3; mandible 2.3;
interorbital 4 to 5; preorbital 5 to 6; scales 29,-9; D. vi-11, the longest spine about 3 in head, the
longest ray about 1; A. i, 10, the longest ray 1.2; pectoral about equal to head; ventrals 1.1; caudal
about twice length of head. Body elongate, tapering; head heavy, body somewhat compressed; head
short, broad; snout short, abruptly decurved; mouth rather small, somewhat oblique, maxillary reach-
ing vertical of pupil; lower jaw included; eye small, high; isthmus broad, gill-openings not extending
forward under opercles; teeth rather strong, in one series in each jaw; lower jaw with about 4 short
canine-like teeth behind the other teeth; teeth of upper jaw larger than those of lower. Fins rather large;
first dorsal with 2 or 3 filamentous spines reaching, when depressed, beyond base of second dorsal, or
even to caudal; space separating dorsals very short, distance from snout to origin of first dorsal 3 in
body; anal rays reaching caudal; caudal long and pointed; pectoral rather long, reaching origin of anal;
ventrals rather short, disk not reaching vent. Scales large, cycloid, somewhat crowded anteriorly;
nape scaled, head and breast naked.
Color, olivaceous or dark, with 6 or 7 somewhat regular dark crossbars, the 2 or 3 posterior ones
broadest, body with other dark blotchings and irregular markings; head marbled with darker, jaws,
opercles, and branchiostegals black; a black bar across isthmus; first dorsal mostly dusky translucent,
somewhat barred; second dorsal and anal plain dusky; caudal dark-blue with 2 longitudinal stripes of
bright red changing to rose or orange in alcohol; pectoral finely barred with blackish and pale; lower
parts yellowish.
Female examples may be described as follows: Head 3.8; depth 4.9; eye 3.6 to 4; snout 4 to 4.5;
maxillary 2.5; mandible about 3; interorbital 5; preorbital 5; scales 29-9. D. vi-11, the longest ray
about 1.5 in head; A. i, 10, longest ray 1.7; pectoral 1; ventral 1.3; caudal 0.8. Form not markedly
differing from that of male, caudal peduncle less slender. Color darker, head and body blotched with
dark
;
about 4 large dark blotches across back, more distinct than in male
;
black blotch at base of caudal
large; fins all barred with light and dark; no reddish bands on caudal; dorsal spines less filamentous.
Found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the South Atlantic coast from Galveston and Indian River,
296 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
south through the West Indies; generally common, but probably not in Porto Rico. Length 2 to 3
inches. The collection contains 5 males and 4 females from Fajardo and 2 males from Isabel Segunda.
Gobius lyricus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, 169, Brazos Santiago, Texas; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2224, 1898.
Gobius wurdemanni Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, 169, Brazos Santiago, Texas.
Smaragdus costalesi Poey, Memorias, II, 280, 1861, Havana.
249. Gobius bayamonensis Evermann & Marsh.
Plead 5.8; depth 6.4; eye 5; snout 3.2; maxillary 1.8; mandible 1.9; interorbital 7.6; preorbital
4.6; scales 74,-19, about 29 before dorsal; D. vi-14, longest spine about 0.7 in head, the longest ray 1.5;
A. 15, longest ray 1.5; pectoral 0.9; ventrals 1; caudal very long and pointed. Body very long and
slender; head long; caudal peduncle long; mouth very large, oblique; maxillary long, reaching past
posterior border of orbit; only a few scales on opercle.
Color as in G. oceanicus, which this species closely resembles. The smaller (74 instead of 63 to
65), almost cycloid scales, fewer scales on opercle, longer head, larger mouth, longer maxillary, and
longer and more slender body are differences which we can not reconcile with the descriptions of
G. oceanicus or with numerous specimens of it which we have from Porto Rico.
,
This description is based on a single specimen 9 inches in length, No. 49365, U. S. N. M., bought
in the San Juan market, January 14. It probably came from near the mouth of Bayamon River at
Palo Seco, for which stream the species was named.
Gobius bayamonensis Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19) , 355, San Juan market, Porto Rico.
250. Gobius oceanicus Pallas. Esmeralda; “Sell.”
Head 5; depth 6 to 6.5; eye 5 to 5.5; snout about 3; maxillary 2 to 2.3; mandible 2; interorbital
7 to 8; preorbital 4 to 4.5; scales about 63,-17; D. vi-14, the longest spine variable in length, 0.7 to 1.5
in head, the longest ray about 1.5; A. 15, the longest ray 1.4 to 2 in head; pectoral 1.1; ventrals 1.2;
caudal long and pointed. Body very elongate, tapering gradually to long caudal peduncle; head
short; snout short; mouth large, oblique, lower jaw slightly projecting, maxillary reaching posterior
border of pupil; interorbital very narrow, preorbital broad; isthmus broad, gill-openings not extending
forward much beyond angle of opercle; teeth in narrow bands on jaws, outer slightly enlarged. Scales
ctenoid, rather large, smaller and crowded anteriorly, about 26 before dorsal; nape scaled, breast and
cheek naked, opercle with a few scales at top.
Color in alcohol: Pale-olivaceous; head, back, and upper part of side with fine dark punctulations;
a large black blotch on side below spinous dorsal; middle of side with about 12 broad <-shaped black
markings opening backward; an obscure dark blotch at base of caudal; opercle with a dark blotch; 3
or 4 small black spots on first dorsal spine; spinous dorsal dusky with a light and a dusky streak at
base; soft dorsal dusky, with a light area between each two rays, anterior rays barred with light and
dark; anal pale; pectoral somewhat dusky; ventrals dark, probably blue in life, with white border.
Found along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and southward through the
West Indies to the South American coast; not rare; recorded from Cuba, Martinique, Surinam, and
Cayenne. Apparently common in Porto Rico, as shown by the numerous specimens in the collection
from San Juan market, Palo Seco, and Boqueron. Specimens were dredged at stations 6054, off San Juan
Harbor, in 4 to 5 fathoms, and 6087, off Culebra Island, in 15 fathoms. Our largest examples are about
7.5 inches long. This species reaches a foot or more in length and is of considerable value as food.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 297
Gobius cauda longissima acuminata Gronow, Zoophyl., 82, No. 227, pi. 4, fig. 4, 1763, locality unknown.
Gobius oceanicus Pallas, Spicilegia, VIII, 4, 1769, after Gronow; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2230, 1898.
Gobius lanceolalus Bloch, Pische Deutseblands, II, 8, pi. 38, fig. 1, 1783, Martinique.
Gobius bacalaus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 119, 1837, Surinam, Cayenne, and Cuba.
Gobionellus lanceolalus, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Kiquena, 338, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 165, 1883.
Fig. 91 .—Gobius oceanicus.
Genus 139. AWAOUS Steindachner.
Inner edge of shoulder-girdle with two or more conspicuous dermal flaps; preorbital region very
long; premaxillary and maxillary strong; lips thick; scales rather small, ctenoid, 40 to 80 in a longi-
tudinal series; interorbital groove with a conspicuous median crest; otherwise essentially as in Gobius.
The species reach a large size and are confined to the fresh waters of the tropics of America and to the
Hawaiian Islands. Asiatic species of similar habit have much larger scales and seem to form a distinct
genus, Rhinogobius Gill. The physiognomy in each is peculiar, the snout being long and convex.
a. Scales about 53, little crowded anteriorly, 21 before dorsal on nape; depth 5.66 in length; head 4; eyes placed high,
interorbital area equal to diameter of eye; mouth horizontal; maxillary extending to middle of eye, 2.33 in
head, lower jaw more flat than in A.taiasica; teeth small, in narrow bands, those of outer row above enlarged,
some large teeth in band of lower jaw. D. vi-i, 12; A. 1 , 10. Uniform yellowish in spirits flavus
aa. Scales 60 to 70, crowded anteriorly, about 30 scales before dorsal on nape; 21 scales between second dorsal and anal;
head broader than high; body compressed posteriorly, rather depressed anteriorly; greatest depth 5.25 in
length; head 3.25 in length. Olivaceous; a series of irregular, roundish blotches along middle of side; narrow
dark streaks radiating from eye: a blackish streak running across upper margin of opercle and extending
obliquely across base of upper pectoral rays; belly white; dorsal and caudal more or less distinctly barred with
wavy blackish lines. D. vi-11; A. 11; scales about 65 laiasica
,
251
aaa. Scales 76 to 82, 24 scales between second dorsal and anal; head as broad as high; depth of body 6.6 in length; head 4,
fiat above, snout elongate, upper profile oblique; eye one-eighth of head, equaling interorbital area (in
adult); mouth horizontal; lower jaw included; maxillary reaching to below anterior margin of eye; teeth of
outer series enlarged; canine teeth none; scales ctenoid, those on nape and anterior part of body very small;
head naked; dorsal fins lower than body', none of the spines produced; caudal rounded, 7 in length of body.
Yellowish olive; back and sides reticulated with blackish; head, dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins dotted with
blackish, the spots forming streaks on second dorsal; six cross-series of dots on caudal; an irregular small
blackish spot on upper part of root of pectoral. D. vi-11; A. 11; scales about 80 mexicanus
251. Awaous taiasica (Lichtenstein). “Guavina”; “ Saga” or “ Zaga.”
Head 3.5; depth 5.4 to 6; eye 5.5 to 6; snout 2.2 to 2.4; maxillary 2.4 to 2.9; mandible 2.4 to 3;
interorbital 6.5 to 8; preorbital 3.3 to 4; scales 66 to 71,-22; D. vi-11, longest spine about 2 in head,
longest ray 2; A. i, 10, longest ray 2 to 3 in head; pectoral 1.6; ventral 1.7; caudal 1.5. Body rather
slender, head heavy, somewhat depressed, tapering, its greatest width about 1.5 in its length; snout
long; mouth moderate, very broad, its width about 2.5 in head; maxillary reaching anterior border of
orbit; lips very heavy, upper with a broad flap; teeth of upper jaw in two series, those of anterior
series much enlarged and recurved
;
teeth of lower jaw in a narrow band, outer scarcely enlarged
;
no teeth
on vomer or palatines; isthmus very broad, gill-openings scarcely extending forward; branchiostegals
4; gillrakers 3 + 6, very short and soft; inner edge of shoulder-girdle with 2 or 3 short papillae.
Posterior half of body compressed, least width of caudal peduncle about half its least height. Scales
small, ctenoid, much reduced anteriorly, those on nape and in front of dorsal embedded and cycloid,
about 30 series between dorsal and occiput; head naked; breast scaled. Fins rather large; origin of
298 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
spinous dorsal about midway between tip of snout and middle of soft dorsal; space between dorsals
scarcely half orbit; dorsal and anal rays, when depressed, not reaching base of caudal; pectoral long,
nearly reaching vent; ventral disk broad and free; caudal rounded.
Color, pale-olivaceous or yellowish, with a series of about 8 large black blotches along middle of
side; back and head blotched and vermiculated with dark; under parts pale; dorsals and caudal with
alternate bars of light and dark; pectoral dusky; ventrals and anal pale.
This goby reaches a length of a foot or more. It is extremely variable in form and coloration,
as is the case with most widely distributed fresh-water fishes. It is found in the fresh waters of the
West Indies and on both coasts of Mexico, south to Brazil; common in Cuba, in Sinaloa, and about
La Paz in Lower California, thence southward to Panama. It is also common in the fresh and
brackish waters of Porto Rico, specimens being obtained from the Bayamon River near Bayamon, the
Rio de Caguitas at Caguas, and from a brackish pool on Vieques Island just west of the town of
Isabel Segunda. It is of some value as food.
Amore guacu, Marcgrave, Hist. Brasil., 166, 1648, Brazil.
Gobius taiasica Lichtenstein, Berl. Abhandl., 273, 1822, Brazil; not Taiasica of Marcgrave.
Gobius banana Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 103, 1837, Santo Domingo.
Gobius martinicus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 105, 1837, Martinique.
Chonophorus bucculentus Poey, Memorias, II, 275, 1861, Cuba.
Bhinogobius contractus Poey, Mem., II, 424, 1861, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riq., 338, 1881; Stahl, 1. c.,78 and 165, 1883.
Gobius dolichocephalus Cope, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. Phila. 1869, 403, near Orizaba, Mexico.
Euctenogobius latus O’Shaughnessy, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., series 4, XV, 1875, 146, Bahia.
Awaous taiasica
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2236, 1898.
Fig. 92.
—
Bollmannia boqueronensis.
Genus 140. BOLLMANNIA Jordan.
This genus differs from Lepidogobius in having no fleshy processes on inner edge of shoulder-
girdle, the interorbital area of skull narrower and without trace of median keel, and in the very large
ctenoid scales. From Gobius proper it is distinguished by the presence of 7 dorsal spines and by the
presence of large scales on cheek. The genus Bollmannia has now five known species, B. chlamydes, B.
ocellata, B. macropoma, B. stigmatura, and B. boqueronensis. The first of these was described in 1889
by Dr. Jordan from the west coast of Columbia and the next three by Dr. Gilbert in 1891 from the
Gulf of California. Not until the last species was obtained by us off Porto Rico was the genus known
to have any representative in the Atlantic. All the species are found only at considerable depths, and
do not inhabit shoal water, as is the case with most other gobies.
252. Bollmannia boqueronensis Evermann & Marsh.
Head 4; depth 5.5; eye 3.5; snout 4.4; maxillary 2.2; mandible 2.5; interorbital width 3 in eye;
preorbital 6; scales 27,-8; D. vii-13, the longest spine 1.5 in head, the longest ray 1.2; A. 12, the
longest ray 1.25 in head; pectoral 0.75; ventrals 1.1; caudal 0.4. Body long, slender, tapering; head
short; snout blunt; mouth large, oblique; jaws subequal, maxillary reaching posterior border of pupil;
isthmus narrow, gill-openings reaching forward to below preopercle; eyes large, high, close together,
interorbital very narrow and without median keel; no fleshy process on inner edge of shoulder-girdle;
teeth on jaws in narrow bands, those of outer series somewhat enlarged; opercle short, about 3 in
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 299
head. Fins moderate; origin of spinous dorsal slightly behind base of pectoral, its spines 7 in number,
not filamentous; interspace between dorsals less than diameter of eye; soft rays of dorsal and anal
reaching, when depressed, beyond base of caudal; caudal long and pointed, as in Gobius oceanicus;
pectoral pointed, reaching beyond origin of anal; ventral disk moderate, free from belly, longest rays
barely reaching origin of anal. Scales very large, weakly ctenoid; nape, cheeks, and breast scaled,
scales somewhat smaller than on body, about 9 scales before dorsal.
Color, pale-olivaceous or straw-color, back and upper part of head with profuse fine dark punc-
tulations; under parts pale, breast somewhat dusky; dorsal fins barred with white and dark, a large jet-
black ocellus on posterior part of spinous dorsal
;
other fins pale, ventral disk somewhat dusky in front.
Known only from the type and four cotypes dredged by the Fish Hawk at station 6074, off Puerto
Real, in 8-5 fathoms, January 25, 1899. It reaches a length of 2.75 inches. Type No. 49366, U. S. N. M.
Named from Ensenada del Boqueron, in which the type was obtained.
Bollmannia boqueronensis Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 356, Ensenada del Boqueron, Porto Rico.
Genus 141. MICROGOBITJS Poey.
Dorsal spines 7 or 8; scales very small, cycloid or weakly ctenoid, body scaled anteriorly as well
as posteriorly, head naked, nape, belly and breast usually so. Inner edge of shoulder-girdle without
fleshy processes; body more or less compressed; mouth large, very oblique; lower jaw conspicuous,
teeth strong; interorbital groove with or without a median ridge. Vertebrae 11 + 15 or 16.
a. Scales about 42. Body elongate, moderately compressed, depth 4 to 5 in length; head long and large, rather sharp
in profile, 3 to 3. 5 in body; eye longer than snout, 4 in head; mouth large, very oblique, lower jaw strongly
projecting; maxillary 1. 5 to 2. 5 in llead, extending to opposite middle of eye, or much beyond front of orbit;
teeth in few series, the outer very long and slender, curved, the lower longest, none canine-like; scales small,
some of them with short, thick teeth, those of anterior part of body not well developed; dorsal spines more or
less filamentous, third and fourth or fourth and fifth sometimes with long filaments; caudal pointed, about as
long as head. Grayish-olive, with rather sharply defined markings of darker brown overlaid with orange in
life; head with a pale-bluish or gilt stripe from maxillary backward across suborbital region to upper edge of
gill-opening; another pale gilt streak from snout along lower part of eye, another from angle of mouth upward
and backward; rest of head dark; opercle with an oblique, blackish bar; top of head and nape with dark
marbling surrounded by paler reticulations; back with a series of black cross-blotches mostly separated on
median line; 2 narrower dark vertical bars behind pectoral; middle line of side posteriorly with longitudinally
oblong black blotches; besides these, numerous other blotches not regularly arranged; first dorsal with 2 or 3
oblique black bands; second dorsal pale, with about 4 series of black dots; caudal spotted with black; pectoral
yellowish; ventral black, its center yellowish (male); anal pale. D.vii-15; A. 16 or 17 gulosus
aa. Scales 50 to 55.
b. Scales 50,-14, cycloid; D.vii-15; body scarcely compressed eulepis
bb. Scales 55,-12, strongly ctenoid; D.vii-17; body greatly compressed meeki, 253
aaa. Scales 65 or more.
c. Caudal fin more than one-third (two-fifths) length of body. Scales very small, cycloid, deciduous. Body elongate,
much compressed, highest in front of ventrals, tapering regularly to very narrow, short caudal peduncle;
greatest depth 4.75 in length; head 3.5. Head compressed, much higher than wide; snout very short, acute,
preorbital not as wide as pupil; mouth terminal, very wide and oblique; jaws equal; maxillary reaching vertical
from middle of orbit, 2 in head. Outer series of teeth enlarged. Eye 3 in head. Dorsals closely contiguous;
spines very slender, fifth slightly produced and filamentous; pectoral as long as head. Head and body
translucent, overlaid by brilliant green luster, formed by minute, close-set green points; 3 conspicuous
translucent bars wider than interspaces, crossing body close behind head; head with 2 brilliant narrow blue
and green lines running obliquely across cheek below eye; dorsal whitish, with 2 or 3 lengthwise series of
large reddish-brown spots; spinous dorsal blackish at base, upper caudal rays marked with red, lower portion
of caudal and most of anal fin blackish, anal whitish at base, anterior rays tipped with white. In spirits,
body dusted with dark points; 2 light crossbars toward head; lower part of caudal and anal black. D. vii-16;
A. 15 tha/assinus
cc. Caudal fin less than one-third length of body. Scales small, cycloid, embedded. Body very much compressed,
more or less elongate, greatest depth at ventrals 4 (female) to 6.5 (male) in length; head 3.5 to 4. Head much
compressed, much deeper than wide. Snout very short, acute, anterior profile not decurved, not steep;
preorbital not as wide as pupil; mouth very large, very oblique or almost vertical: maxillary extending to
below pupil, 2 in head (in male), 2.25 (in female). Lower jaw projecting, teeth of outer series enlarged,
recurved. Eye 3.25 to 4 in head. Dorsals contiguous, spines very fine, produced in filaments, third highest, a
little longer than head; second dorsal and* anal high. Head and nape naked. In the female the depth is
greater, mouth less oblique, smaller; profile from spinous dorsal oblique. First dorsal spine highest, 3.33 in
length. Ventralsmuch shorter than in males. Dark gray; female with a short bright-blue bar bordered by blackish
above pectoral; a blotch of sky-blue and orange below eye; fins dusky, ventrals pale in female, dusky in
males. Males with body plain bluish-gray. D. vil-17 to 20; A. 18 to 21; scales 68 to 70 signatus
300 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
253. Microgobius meeki Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3.75; depth6; eye 3.5; snout5.5; interorbital?; preorbital 7; maxillary2; mandible 1.5; scales
55,-12; D. vii—1 7 ; A. 16. Body slender, greatly compressed, tapering reglilarly from pectorals to caudal;
head moderately heavy, interorbital space very narrow; eye large, high; mouth large, oblique; max-
illary reaching posterior border of orbit; lower jaw projecting; teeth in bands in each jaw, outer series
greatly enlarged and strongly recurved, those of lower jaw largest; isthmus rather narrow, gill-openings
continuing forward; body densely scaled, scales strongly ctenoid, those anteriorly somewhat reduced;
nape, breast, and entire head naked; origin of spinous dorsal from snout 3.5 in length; dorsals very
close together; spines of first dorsal filamentous, exceeding head in length; soft dorsal and anal long,
their basesabout equal, about 2. 5 in body, their last rays reaching past base of caudal when depressed;
caudal pointed, its longest rays about equal to head; pectoral about equal to head, reaching origin of
anal; ventrals united, almost reaching origin of anal.
Color, light-olivaceous, dusted over uniformly with fine dark punctulations; large dark shoulder-
spot between base of pectoral and origin of spinous dorsal
;
a few indistinct dark areas on side of head
;
lower jaw dark at tip; an obscure dark blotch at base of caudal; fins all rather pale except ventrals,
which are dark, perhaps bluish in life; caudal somewhat dusky; anal dark-edged.
This species seems related to M. eulepis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, described from Fortress Monroe,
Va., but differs in the smaller and strongly ctenoid scales, greatly compressed body, and in coloration.
It is described from a single specimen, 1.5 inches in length (No. 49367, IT. S. N. M.), collected at Fish
Hawk station 6087, in 15.25 fathoms, between Culebra and Vieques islands.
Microgobius meeki Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19)
,
356, between Vieques and Culebra islands, east of
Porto Rico.
Genus 142. GOBIOIDES Lacepede. Barretos.
Body greatly elongate, compressed behind, scales very minute; head small; eyes very small;
mouth large, oblique, lower jaw projecting; gill-openings moderate. Teeth in a band, those in outer
series being very strong. Dorsal rays v to vii, 16 to 23; anal rays 17 to 23. Dorsal fin low, continuous,
spines similar to soft rays, but more widely separated; soft dorsal and anal joined to base of caudal;
ventrals 45, united in a disk which is formed much as in Gobius. No air-bladder; no pseudobranchise.
From Txnioides ( =Amblyopus
)
the genus Gobioides is distinguished by the absence of barbels, the
presence of scales, and by the much smaller number of rays in its vertical fins.
Found in the brackish waters of the Tropics, reaching a considerable size.
254. Gobioides broussonnetii Lacepede. Barreto.
Head 5.25 (young) to 7 (adult) ; caudal 3.5 to 5; eye small but evident, 7 to 10 in head; inter-
orbital space 1 to 1.66 diameter of eye; D. vii, 16; A. i, 16. Body elongate, mouth oblique, maxillary
extending beyond eye; teeth in bands, outer series enlarged, shorter, and closer set than in Gobioides
peruanus; scales twice as large as in G. peruanus, those on anterior part of body not imbricated, much
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 301
smaller than those on posterior part, which are elongate-oval in form. Violet bars extending down-
ward and forward on upper part of body; sometimes a violet spot with a lighter or darker dot at end
of bars; head marbled or spotted with dark violet or brown. (Steindachner.
)
West Indies to Brazil; common southward, ascending rivers; once taken near New Orleans
(Bean & Bean). Not seen by us in Porto Rico, but recorded from that island by Professor Poey.
Length 20 inches or more.
Gobioides broussonnelii LaeCpdde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 580, 1798, probably from Surinam, “ given by Holland to France
Jordan & Evermann,l. c., 2263, 1898.
Amblyopus brasiliensis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 69, 1801, Brazil; on drawing made by Prince Maurice.
Gobius oblongus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 548, 1801; based on Lac^pede.
Gobioides barreto Poey, Memorias, II, 282, 1861, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 338, 1881.
Amblyopus mexicanus O’Shaughnessy, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., series IV, vol. XV, 1875, 147, Mexico.
Family LXV1I. ECHENEIDIILE. The Remoras.
Body fusiform, elongate, covered with minute, cycloid scales. Mouth wide, with villiform teeth
on jaws, vomer, palatines, and usually on tongue. Premaxillaries not protractile. Lower jaw pro-
jecting beyond upper. Spinous dorsal modified into a sucking disk, which is placed on top of head
and neck and is composed of a double series of transverse, movable, cartilaginous plates, serrated on
their posterior or free edges. By means of this disk these fishes attach themselves to other fishes or
to floating objects and are carried for great distances in the sea. Opercles unarmed. Pectoral fins placed
high; ventral fins present, thoracic and close together, i, 5; dorsal and anal fins long, without spines,
opposite each other; caudal fin emarginate or rounded. Branchiostegals 7. Gills 4, slit behind fourth;
gillrakers short; gill-membranes not united, free from isthmus. Pseudobranchise obsolete. Several
pyloric appendages. No air-bladder. No finlets. No caudal keel. Vertebrae more than 10+ 14.
This family embraces about 4 genera and 10 species, found in all seas, all having a very wide
range. The species of this group are apparently descended from a fossil genus, Opisthomyzon.
a. Body very slender, vertebrae 14 + 16 = 30; ventrals narrowly adnate to abdomen; lower jaw produced in a flap;
pectoral acute, with flexible rays.
b. Laminae 10 only Fhtheirichthys
66. Laminae 20 to 28 Echeneis, 143
aa. Body rather robust, vertebrae 12 + 15 = 27; ventrals broadly adnate to abdomen; lower jaw not produced; pecto-
rals rounded.
c. Laminae 24 to 27 Remilegia
cc. Laminae 16 to 20.
d. Pectoral rays soft and flexible - - Remora
dd. Pectoral rays stiff and ossified Rhombochirus
Genus 143. ECHENEIS (Artedi) Linnaeus.
Body comparatively elongate, vertebrae 14 + 16=30; disk long, of 20 to 28 laminae; pectoral pointed,
its rays soft and flexible; soft dorsal and anal long, of 30 to 41 rays each; caudal lunate in adult, convex
in young.
Species of wide distribution, attaching themselves mainly to sea turtles and large fishes.
a. Disk of 22 to 26 laminse (rarely 21 or 28), its length less than one-fourth body naucrates, 255
aa. Disk of 20 or 21 laminae, its length more than one-fourth body naucrateoides
255. Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus. Shark-suclcer; Pega; Pegador; Sucking-fish.
Head 5.25; depth 11 to 12; D. xxn to xxvm (rarely xxi), 32 to 41; A. 31 to 38. Breadth between
pectorals 7.5; disk 4 to 5 in body; eye 5 in head; snout 2.33; maxillary 3; from angle of mouth to tip
of lower jaw 2.66; pectoral 1.4; ventrals 1.5; middle caudal rays 1.4; highest anal ray 2; highest dorsal
ray 2.33; width of disk 2.5 in its length; base of dorsal 2.5, anal 2.5, in body. Body elongate, subterete,
slender; lower jaw strongly projecting, the tip flexible; maxillary reaching nostril; teeth uniform in
adult, young with series of small slender teeth in advance of others; gillrakers short and slender,
about equal to pupil; vertical fins low; anal rays higher than dorsal anteriorly; pectoral reaching
very slightly past tips of ventrals; origin of ventral spine under middle of pectoral base; inner rays of
ventral fins narrowly adnate to abdomen; dorsal and anal commencing and ending opposite each other;
caudal with middle rays produced in young, the fin becoming emarginate or lunate with age.
302 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color, brownish; belly dark, like back, as usual in this family; side with a broad stripe of darker,
edged with whitish, extending through eye to snout; caudal black, its outer angles whitish; pectoral
and ventrals black, sometimes bordered with pale; dorsal and anal broadly edged with white anteriorly;
adult nearly uniform dark-brown, not paler below.
Widely distributed in the warm seas; common north to Cape Cod and occasionally to San
Francisco, attaching itself to turtles and to large fishes. Very common in the Tropics, being found
attached to sharks, groupers, or any other large fish, without regard to species. Few large sharks at
Key West are without them. They are often caught with hook and line from the wharf, where they
frequently forsake their host to take the bait. Lutken’s remark that only Remora remora has been
recorded from sharks is no longer true. Several writers have recognized 2 species of Echeneis proper
—
naucrates, with 22 to 26 laminae, the disk 4 to 5 in body, and naucrateoides (=a,lbicauda=holbrooki=
lineatus)
,
in which the disk is longer, 3.6 to 4 in body, but composed of fewer, 20 or 21, laminge. The
latter form is rather common on our coast, the specimens from Key West above mentioned having 21.
Not obtained by us in Porto Rico, but recorded from that island by Professor Poeyand Dr. Stahl.
Echeneis neucrates (misprint for naucrates ) Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 261, 1758, "in Pelago Indico.”
Echeneis albicauda Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1817, 244, New York.
Echeneis lunata Bancroft, Proc. Comm. Zool. Soc., I, 134.
Echeneis australis Griffith, Cuvier Anim. Kingdom, 504, 1837.
? Echeneis vittata Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1839, 89, Madeira.
Leptecheneis naucrates
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 333, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 80 and 166, 1883.
Echeneis naucrates
,
Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 2269, 1898.
Family LXVI1I. MALACANTHIIL-E. The Blanquillos.
Body more or less elongate, fusiform or compressed. Head subconical, anterior profile usually
convex; suborbital without bony stay; bones not greatly developed; cranial bones not cavernous;
opercular bones mostly unarmed. Mouth rather terminal, little oblique; teeth rather strong; no teeth
on vomer or palatines; premaxillary usually with a blunt posterior canine, somewhat as in the Labridse;
premaxillaries protractile; maxillary without supplemental bone, not slipping under edge of preorbital.
Gills 4, a long slit behind fourth; pseudobranchiae well developed; gill-membranes separate, or more
or less united, often adherent to isthmus; lower pharyngeals separate. Scales small, ctenoid; lateral
line present, complete, more or less concurrent with back; dorsal fin long and low, usually continuous,
spinous portion always much less developed than soft portion, but never obsolete; anal fin very long,
its spines feeble and few; caudal fin forked; tail diphycereal; ventrals thoracic or subjugular, i, 5,
close together; pectoral fin not very broad, rays all branched; vertebrae in normal or slightly increased
number (24 to 30) . Pyloric caeca few or none.
Fishes of temperate and tropical seas, some of them reaching a large size. Genera about 6; species
about 8 to 10, mostly American. The relationships of the family are obscure, and it may be that the
genera here associated are not really closely allied.
Malacanthinte:
a. Vertebra 24; peropercle entire.
b. Soft dorsal and anal extremely long, each with more than 40 rays; form slender; scales very small.. Malacanthus
aa. Vertebrae more than 24; preopercle more or less serrate.
CAULOLATILIN^li
c. Soft dorsal and anal moderate, each with 22 to 27 soft rays; preopercle serrate; scales rather small; form robust.
d. Upper jaw with posterior canines; dorsal spines graduated Caulolatilus, 144
Lathing:
cc. Soft dorsal and anal short, each of 13 to 15 soft rays; preopercle denticulate; scales small; form robust.
e. Nape with a large adipose appendage; a fleshy prolongation on each side of labial fold, extending forward behind
angle of mouth Lopholatilus
THE EISHES OF PORTO RICO. 303
Genus 144. CAULOLATILUS Gill. Blanquillos.
Body elongate, subfusiform, not strongly compressed, heavy forward, tapering to a rather slender
caudal peduncle; profile of head strongly arched
;
mouth moderate, little oblique, jaws nearly equal;
lips thick; maxillary narrow, not slipping under preorbital; teeth in villiform bands, preceded by a
row of stronger acute teeth; posterior teeth in each jaw canine-like, directed forward; posterior canines
of upper jaw largest; no teeth on vomer or palatines; preopercle pectinate, teeth nearly even; opercle
with a blunt, flat spine; eyes large, lateral; gill-membranes slightly connected, forming a fold across
isthmus, with which they are narrowly joined; branchiostegals 6; gillrakers short and stout; nostrils
double, round, close together; scales small, firm, ctenoid; lateral line continuous, concurrent with the
back; dorsal with 7 to 9 slender, pointed, graduated spines and 22 to 27 soft rays; anal similar to soft
dorsal, with 1 or 2 small spines and more than 20 soft rays; caudal fin forked; ventral fins thoracic;
no adipose appendage at nape; vertebrae 12 -)- 15 = 27.
Large fishes of the warm seas of America; valued as food.
a. Scales small, about 125 in lateral line, about 50 in a transverse series.
b. Eye small, 6 in bead; depth 3.5 in body; scales 13-120-35 microps
aa. Scales larger, about 10-108-26 cyanops, 256
256. Caulolatilus cyanops Poey. Blanquillo; Tremba.
Head 4 in total length; D. vn, 24; A. i, 22 (scales 10-108-25. Bean). Profile convex before
eye, not ascending to nape; no scales on fins; soft rays little divided; caudal slightly lunate; the
first caudal vertebra spoon-like, its cavity receiving air-bladder; vertebrae 12 -j- 15; no pyloric caeca;
stomach short; air-bladder large.
Color greenish above, a faint, broad, interrupted brown band above lateral line; some small
brown spots above and below it; region below eye clear blue, not very different from color of belly;
soft dorsal brown, paler at its base, edged with orange; spinous dorsal orange. (Poey.)
The blanquillo is related to the tile-fish, and is known only from the coasts of Cuba and Porto
Rico, though it may be identical with C. chrysops, described from the coast of Brazil. It was not
obtained by us in Porto Rico, but has been recorded from that island by Poey and Stahl.
When at Nassau, en route to Porto Rico, wt caught with hook and line 2 fine examples of Mala-
canthus plumieri (Bloch)
,
another relative of the tile-fish. This species is called “ sand-fish ” at Nassau,
and its occurrence about Porto Rico may be confidently expected.
Caulolatilus cyanops Poey, Repertorio, I, 312, 1867, Cuba; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 334, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 78 and 164,
1883; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2278, 1898.
Family LXIX. DACTYLOSCOPIC. The Sand Star-gazers.
Body oblong, low, compressed posteriorly, covered with moderate, cycloid, imbricated scales;
lateral line complete, anteriorly running alongside of back, posteriorly median; head oblong, nearly
plane above; eyes small, superior, well forward; suborbital bones enlarged, but without bony stay
connecting with preopercle; nostrils double; opercles fringed; mouth nearly vertical; premaxillaries
protractile, not forming entire edge of upper jaw; lips fringed as in Urimoscopiclse; gill-openings very
broad, membranes separated and free from isthmus, pseudobranchirr; present or obsolete. Dorsal fin
very long, continuous or divided, several of anterior rays spinous; anal very long, commencing close
behind vent, which is near breast; caudal diphycercal, free from dorsal and anal; pectoral variable,
base broad and procurrent; vent.rals jugular, i, 3; vertebrae more than 10-|-14; pyloric caeca none.
Small fishes living on sandy shores of tropical America, comprising 4 genera and about 10 species.
The family is nearly related to the Vranoscopidx, of which group it seems to be a reduced or degenerate
branch. Its relation with the Asiatic family Leploscopidx are most intimate, the incomplete vent.rals
and simple pectoral rays of Dactyloscopidx being the chief distinctive features.
504 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 145. DACTYLOSCOPUS Gill.
Body moderate' y elongate, covered with rather large, cycloid scales; head cuboid, oblong, and
nearly flat above; eyes small; interorbital space broad; mouth nearly vertical; lower jaw not dilated
beneath nor emarginate in front, without barbels; no intralabial filament; teeth villiform, on jaws
only; pseudobranchise very small or obsolete. Dorsal commencing at nape, with 6 to 12 slender
spines, soft rays numerous; anal inserted behind dorsal; ventral rays, i, 3.
a. Dorsal rays x to xn, 22 to 31; anal rays fewer than 35.
b. Soft dorsal with 28 to 31 soft rays; anal with 32 or 33; scales about 45.
c. Body rather slender, depth about 6 in length (7 with caudal); opercular fringe of 15 filaments tridigitatus, 257
cc. Body rather stout; depth 5.25 in length (6 in total with caudal); opercular fringe of 18 filaments.
d. Back not barred; head blotched and dotted poeyi
257. Dactyloscopus tridigitatus Gill.
Head 5 (in total) with caudal; depth 7; D. xii, 28; A. ii, 32; P. 13;V. i, 3; scales 11 -(-4+ 30 = 45.
Body slender, much compressed posteriorly; opercular fringe of 15 separate filaments. Origin of dorsal
fin over lower angle of base of pectorals, or immediately before margin of operculum, its distance from
snout to dorsal 5 in total length of body. Pseudobranchise very small (overlooked by Dr. Gill, but
evident in living specimens).
In life, pale sand-color above, lower part whitish
;
above 12 narrow crossbands of whitish on the
back, not extending down far on the side; head mottled above; fins all pale.
This species of star-gazer is found in the West Indies and the Barbados and north to southern
Florida. It has been taken at Key West and Cape Florida, and a single example, 3 inches long, was
seined by us in Ensenada del Boqueron, Porto Rico. It does not reach a length of more than a few
inches, and is a shallow-water fish, frequenting the coral sands near shore, in which it is wont to bury
itself, leaving only its eyes and mouth exposed, after the fashion of the flounders.
Dactyloscopus tridigitatus Gil), Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1859, 132, Barbados; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2301, 1898.,
Family LXX. GOBIESOCIDtE. Cling-fishes.
Body rather elongate, tadpole-shaped, broad and depressed in front, covered by smooth, naked
skin; mouth moderate; upper jaw protractile; teeth usually rather strong, anterior conical or incisor-
like; posterior canines sometimes present; suborbital ring wanting; no bony stay from suborbital
across the cheek; operele reduced to a spine-like projection concealed in skin, behind angle of large
preopercle, this spine sometimes obsolete; pseudobranchise small or wanting, the gills 3 or 2.5; gill-
membranes broadly united, free or united to isthmus; dorsal fin on posterior part of body, opposite to
anal and similar to it, both fins without spines; ventral fins wide apart, each with 1 concealed spine
and 4 or 5 soft rays. Between and behind ventrals is a large sucking-disk, the ventrals usually forming
part of it. This sucking-disk, which is wholly different in structure from that of Cyclopterus and
Liparis, is thus described by Dr. Gunther:
“The whole disk is exceedingly large, subcircular, longer than broad, its length being (often)
one-third of the whole length of the fish. The central portion is formed merely by skin, which is
separated from the pelvic or pubic bones by several layers of muscles. The peripheric portion is
divided into an anterior and posterior part by a deep notch behind the ventrals. The anterior
peripheric portion is formed by the ventral rays, the membrane between them, and a broad fringe
which extends anteriorly from one ventral to the other. This fringe is a fold of the skin containing on
one side the rudimentary ventral spine, but no cartilage. The posterior peripheric portion is suspended
on each side on the coracoid, the upper bone of which is exceedingly broad, becoming a free, movable
plate behind the pectoral. The lower bone of the coracoid is of triangular form, and supports a very
broad fold of the skin, extending from one side to the other and containing a cartilage which runs through
the whole of that fold. Fine processes of the cartilage are continued into the soft striated margin, in
which the disk terminates posteriorly. The face of the disk is coated with a thick epidermis, like the
sole of the foot in higher animals. The epidermis is divided into many polygonal plates. There are
no such plates between the roots of the ventral fins.” (Gunther, Cat., in, 495.)
No air-bladder; intestines short; pyloric caeca few or none; skeleton firm; vertebrae 13 to 14 + 13
to 22 = 26 to 36.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 305
Carnivorous fishes of small size and of no value as food, chiefly of the warm seas, usually living
among loose stones between tide marks and clinging to them firmly by means of the adhesive disk.
Their relations are obscure, but they are probably descended from allies or ancestors of the CotlicLx
or the Balrachoididic. Genera about 15; species 50. The principal genus is Gobiesox.
Genus 146. GOBIESOX Lacepede.
Body anteriorly very broad and depressed, posteriorly slender, covered with tough, smooth skin;
opercle with a strong spine; head large, rounded in front; mouth terminal, crescent-shaped; lower jaw
with a series of strong incisors in front, their edges rounded or truncate; upper jaw with a series of
strong teeth, behind which are sometimes smaller teeth; no teeth on vomer or palatines; gills 3; gill-
membranes broadly united under throat, not attached to isthmus; sucking disk large, posterior portion
without anterior free margin. Dorsal and anal moderate, dorsal rays 6 to 12, anal rays 6 to 10.
Vertebrae about 26, as far as known.
Species numerous, all American; mostly tropical, clinging to rocks near the shore.
Jordan & Evermann recognize 18 species of this genus in American waters; 5 of these are known
only from our Pacific coast and the remaining 13 are all known oidy from the West Indies and the
South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, though but one species has as yet been found in Porto Rico.
a.
Gobiesox:
b.
c.
d.
dd.
ddd.
dddd.
ddddd.
dddddd.
cc.
c.
f.
ff.
Sicyases:
lib.
ff-
h.
hh.
ffff-
i.
j-
jj-
ii.
Dorsal fin moderate or short, its rays 6 to 11.
Upper teeth in more than 1 series (character not verified in a few species); head broad.
Coloration in life chiefly olivaceous, with little red, sometimes banded with darker or paler.
Dorsal rays 12; anal rays 7 gyrinus
Dorsal rays 11; anal rays 6; fins black mgripinnis
Dorsal rays 9 or 10; anal rays 6 cephalus
Dorsal rays 8; anal rays 6 tudes, 258
Dorsal rays 11; anal rays 10 strumosus
Dorsal rays 10; anal rays 8 virgatulus
Coloration in life chiefly bright-red, or else with red spots or bands, color not fading in spirits.
Color uniform red, unspotted, color not fading in spirits; dorsal rays 6 to 8; anal rays 6.
Lower jaw with short incisors on each side, followed by canines macrophthalmus
Lower jaw with 2 horizontal incisors on each side, third horizontal tooth not incisor-like; no distinct canines.
cerasinus
Upper teeth in a single series (character not verified in some species): dorsal and anal short.
Color chiefly red.
Body with dark crossbands and with spots of clear blue; body rather slender. D. 6 or 7; A. 6 rubiginosus
Body plain, light red; form rather slender carneus
Color olivaceous or brownish, not red.-
Dorsal rays 9; anal rays 6.
Color olivaceous, without bands hseres
Color greenish, with 3 dark crossbands and many dots punclulatus
Dorsal rays 7; anal rays 7; body with dark crossbands fasciatus
258. Gobiesox tudes Richardson.
Head 2.5; depth 4.66; width of head 2.5; D. 8; A. 6 in plate (5 in description, the first short
ray apparently not counted by Richardson). Head t'ery broad, as broad as long, abruptly truncate
anteriorly; mouth large, maxillary reaching front of eye; lower jaw included; teeth entire; eye large,
4.75 in head, a little more than half interorbital width, 1.5 in snout. Distance from front of dorsal
to caudal about equal to length of head
;
insertion of dorsal before vent
;
anal behind dorsal and much
shorter than it; pectoral short.
This is a very little known species, which reaches a length of 5 inches.- The type locality is not
certainly known, but it has been supposed to be China. It is, however, certainly not Chinese, and is
now shown to be West Indian. A single specimen, 1.25 inches long, collected on the reef at Culebra
Island February 9, agrees very well with the above description by Richardson. There are but 8 dorsal
and 6 anal rays. The color is uniform pale-yellowish, with a slight tinge of rosy on middle of back;
fins all pale; eye very large, about 3 in head, much larger than in specimens of G. strumosus of same
size, and the interorbital width is decidedly narrower. It seems to be a good species, distinct from
G. cephalus and G. nigripirinis.
Gobiesox ludes Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Fish., 103, pi. 16, figs. 1-3, 1845, habitat unknown; supposed to be China;
Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 2333, 1898.
F. C. B. 1900—20
306 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Family LXX1. BLENNIID7E. The Blennies.
Body oblong or elongate, naked or covered with moderate or small scales which are ctenoid or
cycloid; lateral line variously developed, often wanting, often duplicated; mouth large or small, teeth
various; gill-membranes free from isthmus or more or less attached to it; pseudobranchiae present;
ventrals jugular or subthoracic, of 1 spine and 1 to 3 soft rays, often wanting; dorsal fin of spines
anteriorly, with or without soft rays; anal fin long, similar to the soft dorsal; caudal well developed.
Vertebrae in moderate or large number, 30 to 80.
Carnivorous fishes of moderate or small size, mostly living near shore in tropical and temperate
or arctic seas; most of them are carnivorous, the Clinin:v, so far as known, ovoviviparous, the others
mostly oviparous. Genera about 80; species about 400; chiefly of rock pools and algae; some species
in the lakes of Italy. Of the 57 genera of this family recognized as American about 17 are found on
our South Atlantic coast, and species of each may at any time be discovered in Porto Rican waters.
At present, however, only 7 of these 17 genera are known to have Porto Rican species.
I. Tropical blennies, with vertebrae mostly in moderate number, usually fewer than 45; lateral line usually arched
high above pectoral, if present-; dorsal fin usually with at least one soft ray, none in some species of Auchenop-
terus and Auchenistius; anal spines little developed; ventral well developed, usually i, 3.
a. Body scaly.
Cltninje:
b. Lateral line present, arched anteriorly over pectoral, becoming posteriorly median in position, or else obsolete;
species ovoviviparous.
c. Scales ctenoid, very rough, 33 to 40 in lateral line; dorsal divided into 3 fins. An ocular cirrus present.
Gillias, 147
cc. Scales cycloid; dorsal fin not divided into 3 fins.
d. Dorsal with 6 to 20 soft rays.
e. Shoulder-girdle without upturned hook on its inner edge above. Maxillary normal, not greatly expanded.
Anterior part of lateral line normally formed; usually a comb of filaments at nape. Palatines without teeth;
scales moderate or small, 38 to 110 in lateral line.
/. Teeth in jaws in 1 row only; teeth usually on vomer, none on palatines; usually a comb of filaments at nape.
Malacoctenus, 148
ff. Teeth in jaws in more than 1 row, a band of villiform teeth behind others; teeth on vomer, none on palatines.
Body oblong, depth 3.5 to 4.5 in length; a filament above eye Labrisomus, 14?
dd. Dorsal with 1 short soft ray only; scales large; teeth in jaws in more than 1 series; teeth on vomer, none on palatines.
g. Dorsal fin more or less deeply notched behind the third spine. First 3 dorsal spines stiff, wide set, not remote from
rest of fin behind dorsal notch; anal spines short; body more elongate, snout less acute.. Auchenopterus, 150
gg. Dorsal fin continuous, not notched Paraclinus
bb. Lateral line absent Auchenistius, 151
aa. Body scaleless; species oviparous, so far as known.
h. Teeth comb-shaped, in a single row in each jaw, behind which are sometimes long canines; vomer and palatines
usually toothless; lateral line usually single, with a strong arch anteriorly; dorsal fin long, continuous, or
divided into 2 fins, anterior portion composed of spines, which are stiff or flexible; anal fin long, usually with
1 or 2 small spines; ventrals well developed, jugular, of 2 or 3 rays.
i. Teeth all fixed, attached to bone of jaw and not movable. Caudal fin rounded; teeth slender; gill-membranes not
reduced to a small slit.
j. Gill-membranes free from isthmus, or at least forming, a distinct fold across it.
k. Jaws one or both with a posterior fang-like canine, much longer than anterior teeth Blennius
kk. Jaws without canines, teeth all equal Scartella
jj. Gill-membranes broadly united to isthmus, gill-openings restricted to sides.
l. Jaws one or both with posterior fang-like canines Hypleurochilus
II. Jaws without posterior canines; teeth equal; three articulated ventral rays.
m. Mouth small’, maxillary extending scarcely beyond front of eye; head decurved in profile Hypsoblennius.
mm. Mouth large, maxillary extending beyond vertical from middle of eye; head rather pointed in profile.. Chasmodes
ii. Teeth of front of jaws all movable, implanted on skin of lips.
n. Vomer toothless. Jaws one or both with posterior fang-like canines.
o. Dorsal fin continuous Rupiscaiites
oo. Dorsal fin divided - Entomacrodus
nn. Vomer with a few teeth; posterior canines small Salariichthys
lift. Teeth unequal, not comb-like; body oblong or elongate, more or less eel-shaped, naked, or rarely with rudimentary
scales; supraocular flap sometimes present. Gill-membranes united, free from isthmus; dorsal fin very long,
sometimes divided into 2 fins, formed of flexible spines, which often pass gradually into soft rays; anal fin long;
ventral fins thoracic or subjugular, usually not much, if any, before pectorals, composed of 2 soft rays each,
spine rudimentary; caudal well developed, dorsal and anal usually more or less joined to it at base.
Ophioblenniin/e:
p. Jaws with few teeth; a cirrus above eye and one above nostril; body scaleless and not eel-shaped; dorsal and anal
free from caudal; dorsal fin notched.
g. Jaws each with 4 strong, hooked canines in front and a hooked posterior canine below; caudal fin forked.
Ophioblennius
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 307
qq. Jaws each with 8 enlarged curved, conical teeth, not hooked, behind which is a single row of smaller ones; caudal
fin not forked Coralliozetus, 152
pp. Jaws with numerous teeth, not as above; caudal fin not forked.
liMBLEMA RIIN/E:
r. Body not eel-shaped; dorsal and anal not joined to caudal: no scales; no cirri; no lateral line; ventrals before pec-
torals; teeth on palatines; caudal fin rounded. Dorsal fin very high, not notched, spines passing gradually
into soft rays; jaws long, sharp at tip Emblemaria, 153
Genus 147. GILLIAS Evermann & Marsh.
Body short and stout, tapering rapidly from the short, broad head to the short, compressed caudal
peduncle; scales large, rough-ctenoid; lateral line complete, or nearly so, broken under last spines of
middle dorsal; a broad, double-pointed tentacle above eye; dorsal fin divided into 3 parts, first of 3
short spines, second of 1 1 longer spines, and third of 7 rays.
This genus is closely related to Enneanectes Jordan & Evermann, differing in the presence of the
orbital tentacle, the more complete development of the lateral line, and the larger scales.
Gillias Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 357 (jordani).
Fig. 95.— Gillias jordani.
259. Gillias jordani Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3.5; depth 4.3; eye 2.5; snout 3.5; maxillary 2.4; mandible 1.9; scales 2-33-3, 6 in
transverse series; D. m-xn-7; A. n, 15; longest dorsal spine 1.8 in head, longest ray 1.6; longest anal
ray 2.3; pectoral 0.8; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.3. Body short and stout, tapering rapidly to the short,
compressed caudal peduncle; head short; snout short, blunt, concave in front of eyes; mouth small,
slightly oblique, jaws equal; eye large, high up, interorbital width very narrow; a broad bifid orbital
tentacle and a short nasal one; none on nape. Scales very large and rough-ctenoid; opercles and entire
head rough; lateral line nearly complete, beginning immediately above base of pectoral at upper end
of gill-opening and extending parallel with back to posterior part of middle dorsal fin (or for 12 scales),
where there is a break, the line dropping down 3 scales, then continuing with one or two interruptions
to base of caudal; belly and breast scaled; dorsals 3, first of 3 short, flexible spines, close to the second,
which has 12 longer, rather stiffer, spines, separated from third by a space one-third diameter of eye;
anal long and low, the membranes deeply notched between the rays; pectoral of 15 rays, broad and
short, reaching posterior end of second dorsal; ventral of 2 slender rays.
Color in alcohol: Brown, body crossed by 4 broad blackish bars, one at origin of second dorsal,
one under last spines of same fin, the third between second and third dorsals, and the fourth under
third dorsal; an inky-black bar across caudal peduncle at base of caudal fin; head and under parts rusty;
fins all barred with light and dark; caudal with a narrow light bar at base, then a black one, then a
broader white one, followed by a much broader dark bar containing some white areas, the fin finally
tipped with white.
Known only from Porto Rico. Two specimens of this well-marked and interesting species were
obtained, the type, 1.5 inches long (No. 49368, U.S.N.M.), taken on the Cardona Light-house Reef, at
Ponce, February 1, 1899, and another of about the same size taken at the same place the preceding day .
Gilliasjordani Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 357, Cardona Light-house Reef, Ponce, Porto Rico.
308 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 148. MALACOCTENUS Gill.
This genus is very -close to Labrisomus, differing in dentition, the teeth in the jaws being in single
series; vomer with a few teeth or with none, and none on palatines. The dorsal tin has usually a notch
behind the fourth dorsal spine as well as at front of soft dorsal, but in some species the notch is obscure.
Most of the species are not well known, and perhaps more than one genus is here included. About a
dozen species are recognized, only four of which are as yet known from Porto Rico, though several
others may occur there.
a. Nape without filaments.
b. Orbital filament present.
e. D. xxi, 8; spinous dorsal not notched, first rays shortest; body elongate: snout pointed; scales large, about 38.
ocellattia
cc. D. xx, 12; spinous dorsal weakly notched; body rather robust varius
bb. Orbital filament wanting; dorsal rays xxi, 11; spinous dorsal weakly notched; ventrals long macropus
aa. Nape with a single filament; a tentacle above eye.
d. D. xvm, 9 lugubris
dd. D. xxi, 8; scales 35 . culebr
x
,260
ddd. D. xxi, 11; scales 45 moorei, 261
aaa. Nape with a comb of slender filaments; spinous dorsal more or less notched, behind fourth or fifth spine.
e. Orbital filament present. D. xvm to xx, 10 to 12; vomer with teeth.
/. Scales 43 or 44.
g. Highest soft ray of dorsal 1.5 to 1.9 in head; dorsal without ocelli.
h. A. ii, 17; first 3 dorsal spines wider apart than the others, the first longest; anal edged with dark gitti
hh. A. II, 19; first 3 dorsal spines not wider apart than the others, the second longer than the first; anal not edged with
dark puertoricensis, 262
gg. Soft rays of dorsal 1.2 in head; dorsal fin with 2 large black ocelli; ventral fins long, as long as head bimaculatus
ff. Scales about 55; ventrals moderate, shorter than head delalandi, 263
ee. Orbital filament wanting (no vomerine teeth?) versicolor
aaaa. Nuchal and other filaments undescribed; a black oeelius on front of dorsal. D. xx, 11; scales 46 bigutldtus
260. Malacoctenus culebrae Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3.35; depth 5; eye 4.2; snout 4.5; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.8; interorbital 6.5; scales 2-35-
11; D. xxi, 8; A. ii, 18; pectoral 1.3; ventral 1.3; caudal 1.4. Body slender, compressed; head rather
long, pointed, upper profile convex; mouth large, maxillary nearly reaching posterior border of orbit;
lips thick, jaws equal; teeth very small, conical, a single row in each jaw; a single nasal, ocular, and
nuchal filament; dorsal Hn moderately high, originating above origin of lateral line, a shallow notch
in front of last two dorsal spines, membrane free from caudal; anal origin under about tenth dorsal
spine; caudal somewhat pointed; pectoral large, reaching anal
;
ventrals moderate, not reaching anus,
of two rays, no spine evident; lateral line distinct throughout, running high anteriorly, where it is
slightly curved, turning abruptly downward over origin of anal, thence median to base of caudal.
Color in spirits: Body everywhere mottled with dark brown, in somewhat regularly arranged
blotches, a series of about nine of these at base of dorsal, barely extending upon fin; a similar series of
much smaller ones at base of anal, not evident on all specimens; below the series at base of dorsal are
two other series of the same blotches, less deep in color and not so well defined, extending the length
of body and sometimes forming, with the upper series, more or less broken vertical bars; between the
blotches a lighter shade of brown is interwoven with pale streaks of the ground-color; head nearly pale
below, save some dark on chin and isthmus; two wide streaks from eye across cheek; opercle dark
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO 309
brown; top of head with color of body; lips with brown and pale stripes; posterior half of maxillary
pale; dorsal rather dark; caudal uniform gray or faintly barred; anal similar to dorsal in color, rays
with pale tips forming a white edge; pectoral like caudal; ventrals pale.
A rather plainly marked species of different aspect from other Porto Rican species of Mcdacoctenus,
but not differing widely in any important character, and as yet known only from Porto Rico. It
seems most closely related to M. lugubris. Three specimens of about the same size; the type, No.
49369, U. S. N. M., 1.38 inches in length, from reef outside Culebra Harbor, February 9, 1899.
Malacoctenus culebrx Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. P. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 357, Culebra Island.
Head 3. 6; depth 3.7; eye 3.5; snout-3.4; maxillary 3.5; mandible 4.5; interorbital 4; scales 3-45-7,
11 in transverse series; II. xxi, 11; A. ii, 20; pectoral 1 in head; ventral 1.2; caudal 1.2; longest dorsal
spine 1.5, ray 1.2; longest anal ray 1.5. Body short, rather stout, compressed; head short, snout
short, but pointed; mouth rather small, little oblique, gape scarcely reaching orbit; teeth in each jaw
in a single series; gill-membranes broadly united across isthmus; eye small, interorbital space wide;
dorsal outline rising abruptly to above eye, thence gently curved to origin of dorsal iin, and from there
nearly straight to base of caudal fin; ventral outline regularly convex.
Color in alcohol: Light olivaceous, body crossed by about 9 or 10 dark broad vertical bars, which
extend upon dorsal fin, these usually broadest above, pale interspaces therefore broadest on lower
half of body; the fourth from last is a narrow dark line, the one following it is a double spot, the next
narrow and indistinct, the last, at base of caudal, more distinct, followed by 3 small irregular white
spots; top of head brown; side of head with fine punc.tulations; a dark line running forward from eye,
a dark spot .below eye, 2 or 3 dark blotches on anterior edge of opercle; under surface of head crossed
by 3 or 4 irregular, indistinct dark lines; caudal and anal with fine dusky punctulations; pectoral and
ventrals pale.
This species is close to M. gilli, from which it may be distinguished by the larger dorsal and anal fins,
greater depth, wider interorbital, and the coloration. Known only from one specimen, 1.4 inches
long, type No. 49370, U. S. N. M., collected at. Culebra Island, February 11, 1899.
Malacoctenus: moorei Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U.S.P. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 358, Culebra Island.
Head 3.4; depth 3.4; eye 4; snout 3.5; maxillary 3.4; mandible 2.6; interorbital 7; preorbital 8;
scales 4-44—8 ; D. xx, 10; A. ii, 19; P. 14; V. 2; C. 13. Body short, stout, compressed; head rather long,
snout long and pointed; mouth small, little oblique, maxillary scarcely reaching the front of orbit;
teeth in a single row in each jaw; gill-membranes broadly united, free from isthmus; eye high up,
interorbital narrow; caudal peduncle short, compressed, its least depth about 3 in head. Fins rather
large; origin of dorsal over upper end of gill-opening, first spine slightly shorter than second, which is
somewhat longer than third, whose length is about 2.2 in head; no notch behind third and fourth
spines, all spines from third to fifteenth being about equal in length, the sixteenth and seventeenth
261. Malacoctenus moorei Evermann & Marsh.
Fig. 97.—Malacoctenus moorei.
262. Malacoctenus puertoricensis Evermann & Marsh.
310 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
being somewhat shorter, the remaining three progressively longer; soft dorsal higher, its longest ray
about 1.7 in head; longest anal ray 1.7; pectoral broad, 1.25 in head, reaching anal; ventral barely
reaching origin of anal; a pair of slender ocular cirri, a small supraocular one, a short, slender, nasal
cirrus and a few very slender ones at nape; scales large, not crowded anteriorly; lateral line well arched
above pectoral.
Color in alcohol: Brown, much spotted and vermieulated with darker; top of head brown, side
and under parts pale; side of body with about 6 or 7 broad, dark crossbars, broader than the paler
interspaces, broadest and darkest above, and extending upon dorsal fin; under parts of body paler,
more speckled; spinous dorsal with numerous small brown specks, a large black ocellus on base of 3
anterior spines, and a larger one on base of last 4 dorsal spines, being chiefly on body; soft dorsal,
caudal, and anal each crossed by several series of small brown spots; pectoral and ventrals pale,
pectoral with a few brown spots at base.
The above description from the type, a female, 2.5 inches long, No. 49371, U. S. N. M., obtained
at Hucares, February 14. Three female cotypes, gotten at Fajardo, February 17, and one at. Culebra,
February 9, agree closely with the type; 2 of these, however, show faint traces of narrow horizontal
lines along lower part of side.
Fig. 98 .—Malacoctenus puertoricensis.
A male, 2.5 inches long, from Culebra, February 11, taken as one of the cotypes, may be described
as follows: Head 3.5; depth 3.7; eye 3.8; snout 3.2; maxillary 3.1; mandible 2.4; interorbital 7;
preorbital 6.2; scales 3-45-9; D. xx, 10; A. ir, 19; P. 14; V. 2; C. 13; longest dorsal spine 2 in head,
longest ray 1.4; longest anal ray 1.5; pectoral 1; ventral 1.1; caudal 1.1. Color in alcohol: Tolerably
uniform brown; crossbars on side very faint; longitudinal lines more evident than in female; throat
and under parts of head mottled with white and light-brown; fins less speckled than in female, soft
dorsal and anal pale, almost without spots.
Another male, 2.25 inches long, from Culebra, February 11, agrees with the large specimen just
described, except that the crossbars on body are more distinct.
This species most closely resembles M. bimaculatus Steindachner, from which it differs in the
larger head, greater depth, smaller mouth, narrower interorbital, and in the color. The tips of anal
rays are not white, soft dorsal is spotted like caudal and anal, and there are no white spots on base of
pectoral, as is said to be the case in M. bimaculatus.
Malacoctenus puertoricensis Evermann & Marsh, Report U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 358, Hucares, Porto Rico.
263. Malacoctenus delalandi (Cuvier & Valenciennes)
.
Head 3.4; depth 4; eye 3.5; snout 3.3; maxillary 3.3; mandible 2.6; interorbital 7; preorbital
6.2; scales 4-53-10; D. xx, 10; A. ii, 19; longest dorsal spine 2.2; longest ray 1.6; longest anal ray 1.8;
pectoral 1.1; ventral 1.2; caudal lobes 1.4. Bod3T compressed, heavy forward; head short, snout short,
decurved; mouth rather large, maxillary scarcely reaching eye; gill-membranes free and broadly united
across isthmus; teeth in a single series in each jaw; a few teeth on vomer, none on palatines; eye large,
THE FISHES OF l'ORTO RICO. 311
above axis of body; small cirri above eye and a small nuchal fringe of filaments somewhat longer than
ocular ones; scales moderate, lateral line arched above pectoral, strongly decurved posteriorly; belly
naked anteriorly; first dorsal spine a little longer than second, which in turn is much longer than third,
which is shorter than fourth; from the fifth to about the fourteenth increasing slightly in length, then
regularly decreasing to the last but two, which is scarcely half as long as longest spines; last but one
a little longer, and last about as long as fourth; soft dorsal considerably higher than spinous part; anal
long, lower than soft dorsal, membrane deeply notched except among last 4 rays, which are longest.
Color, olivaceous-gray, darkest above; side crossed by about 6 irregular, broad vertical bars, first
at base of pectoral, last at base of caudal fin, each of these bars consisting really of 3 large brownish
blotches, middle one largest and plainest, the lower least distinct; belly and breast pale; head olivaceous;
cheek and opercles crossed by darker bands; under side of head crossed by about 4 distinct dark bands
separated by white of somewhat greater width; fins all uniform pale, except spinous dorsal, which has
a dark blotch upon first 3 spines.
This species ranges from the West Indies to Brazil, and is also found on the west coast of Mexico
north to Mazatlan, where it is the most abundant species occurring in the rock pools, if Clinus zonifer
Jordan & Gilbert be the same species. We have compared specimens from the west coast with ours
from Porto Rico and can detect no tangible differences. From Porto Rico we have 3 specimens, each
about 1.75 inches long, from Ponce and Hucares.
Clinus delalancU Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 378, 1836, Brazil.
Clinus zonifer Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1881, 361, Mazatlan, Mexico.
Malacodenus delalandi, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2358, 1898.
Genus 149. LABRISOMUS Swainson.
Body oblong, robust; head naked, short, compressed above; mouth rather large, with a row of
stout, bluntish teeth in front of each jaw, behind which is a band of smaller teeth, broadest in lower
jaw; teeth on vomer, no teeth on palatines; a tentacle above eye; side of neck with a tuft or series of
fine filaments; dorsal fin continuous, with numerous slender spines and many soft rays, spines not very
unequal; pectoral long; lateral line continuous; scales moderate or small, cycloid; shoulder-girdle
without upturned hook-like process on its inner edge. Intestinal canal short, shorter than body.
The limits of this genus are not well defined. It differs from Clinus chiefly in the absence of an
upturned spine-like process on inner edge of shoulder-girdle. This process is found on Clinus
acuniinatus, the type of the genus Clinus.
This genus has five American species, only one of which is yet known from Porto Rico.
a. Scales moderate, about 70 in lateral line (so far as known) ; soft dorsal with 11 to 13 rays.
b. Dorsal spines 16; anal rays 20; tentacles on nape herminier
bb. Dorsal spines 18; no teeth on palatines; first ray of dorsal not longest; orbital tentacle well developed; nape with a
conspicuous comb of fringes.
c. Vomer with a cluster of small teeth nuchipinnis, 264
bbb. Dorsal spines 20; teeth on palatines (?); first dorsal spine longest , bucciferus
aa. Scales very small, about 110; a comb of fringes at nape; first dorsal spines low; head with yellow spots.
microlepidotus
264. Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Quoy & Gaimard).
(Plate 46.)
Head 3.5; depth 3.5; D. xviii, 12; A. ii, 17; scales 70. Body oblong, rather robust; head
naked, thick, short, not very obtuse anteriorly, compressed above; mouth rather large, the maxillaries
not prolonged backward, extending to opposite posterior part of eye, 2.5 in head; front teeth of jaws
conic, strong, behind them a band of villiform teeth, broadest in lower jaw; vomer with a patch of
smallish teeth; eye large; interorbital space very narrow; each side of neck with a long series of
hair-like filaments, nearly as long as eye; orbital tentacle short and broad, multifid; nostril with a
tufted barbel; lower jaw slightly projecting, its posterior teeth sometimes recurved; pectoral a little
shorter than head, reaching vent. Dorsal spines rather slender, the 3 anterior spines scarcely shorter
than the others, all the spines lower than soft rays; dorsal fin commencing near nape, spinous portion
long; soft rays higher than the spines;- caudal small; pectoral rather large; ventrals moderate; gill-
membranes broadly united, free from isthmus; lateral line complete, high anteriorly, then abruptly
decurved; membranes of vertical fins scaly; scales not very small, cycloid.
312 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Body mottled yellow-olivaceous, crossed by about 7 broad black vertical bars, the
first extending from origin ol' dorsal to upper edge of opercle, second from fifth dorsal spine to base of
pectoral, next 3 extending entirely across side, sixth from base of soft dorsal to median line, and
seventh consisting of 2 or 3 black blotches upon upper part of caudal peduncle; a round jet-black
spot as large as pupil upon opercle, surrounded by a narrow line of orange or yellow; cheek and
upper parts of head like side; throat and breast pale-rosy; branehiostegals white with about 4 series
of black spots on membranes; belly pale; dorsal fin yellowish at base, pale bluish-white on outer half,
both spinous and soft portions with numerous small reddish spots; a round black spot between first
and third dorsal spines; caudal pale; anal yellowish at base, paler on outer half; pectoral pale with
numerous small reddish spots; ventral pale; nuchal filaments reddish-brown; iris reddish-brown.
The color on this species seems to be subject to considerable variation; we have the following
note on a specimen obtained atMayaguez: Side greenish-gray, with about 6 dark crossbars extending
upon dorsal fin, bifid above; cheek and throat vermilion; inside of the mouth and breast vermilion,
becoming golden posteriorly; cheek with many pale-blue spots; similar spots on top of head and base
of pectoral and paler ones on lower part of side; a large black spot bordered by white on opercle,
bounded on front and above by rich metallic-rosy; dorsal lemon barred with brown; anal lemon-
yellow with pale darker bars; caudal plain lemon, faintly barred; pectoral lemon, with faint bars;
ventral rosy; cirri barred with pale-yellow and dark-brown; 6 dark bars on spinous dorsal and 2 on soft,
second one faint; a large black spot between first and third dorsal spines; iris with purplish-red spots.
West Indies, north to southern Florida, south to Brazil; generally common in rocky pools; also
recorded from the Canary Islands. Length 6 to 8 inches. Common in Porto Rico, specimens being in
the collection from San Antonio Bridge, Palo Seco, Mayaguez, Puerto Real, Ponce, Arroyo, Fajardo,
Isabel Segunda, and Culebra.
Clinus nuchipinnis Quoy & Gaimard, Voy. Uranie et Physicienne, Zool., 255, 1824, Brazil.
Clinus pectinifer Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 374, 1836, Bahia.
Lcpisoma cirrhosum, Do Kay, N. Y. Fauna: Fishes, 41, 1842, Florida.
Clinus canariensis Valenciennes, in Webb & Berthelot, Poiss. lies Canaries, 60, 17, fig. 3, Canary Islands.
Labrisomus nuchipinnis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2362, 1898.
Genus 150. AUCHENOPTERUS Giinther.
Body moderately elongate, compressed, covered with rather large, cycloid scales; head shortish,
naked, snout rather pointed; cheek full; mouth moderate, with a band of conical teeth in jaws and
about one series on vomer, none on palatines; lower jaw prominent; gill-membranes united, free from
isthmus; upper surface of head with filaments. Dorsal fin composed of stiff spines, with but a single
soft ray, which is lower than the spines; first 3 spines more or less separated from others, stiff and
rather wider set, sometimes higher than the others; anal fin low, with 2 short spines; ventrals jugular,
well developed; pectoral broad; lateral line complete, strongly curved anteriorly.
An inhabitant of the warm seas. This genus differs from Cristiceps in the large scales and in having
but 1 soft ray in dorsal fin. Of the dozen recognized American species of Auchenopterus, 5 are known
from Porto Rico, and some of the others may occur there.
Corallicola:
a. First 3 spines of dorsal forming a separate fin, being much higher than any of the spines in the posterior part of
fin; snout rather acute.
b. Scales 33; dorsal with 1 ocellus, anal with none; a black crossbar at base of caudal; a yellow spot behind eye;
snout pointed nigripinnis
bb. Scales 37 or 38.
c. First dorsal spine shorter than second; snout slender, very acute; caudal pale; dorsal with 2 ocelli, anal with 1;
D. iii-xxii, 1 marmoratus.
Auchenopterus:
aa. First 3 spines of dorsal scarcely forming a separate fin, none of them higher than posterior spines; snout not very
acute; anal without ocellus.
d. Caudal fin pale, usually with a dark bar at its base; a notch between third and fourth dorsal spines.
e. Dorsal spines about 31. •
/. Scales 31 to 36.
g. Membrane of third dorsal spine joining fourth spine near its base affinis
gg. Membrane of third dorsal spine joining fourth spine near its tip.
h. Caudal fin white, with a broad, black bar on its base; body dark, no crossbars; scales 2-34-3, 7 in transverse
series; D. xxx, 1 albicaudus, 265
hh. Caudal fin mottled, a narrow white bar near base, before which is a broader dark bar; body with about 7 dark
crossbars; scales 2-34-3, 7 in transverse series; D. xxix, 1 fajardo, 266
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 313
hhh. Caudal fin pale, no dark bar at base; body pale rosy, no crossbars; scales 2-33-3, 7 in transverse series; D.
xxx, 1 rubescem
,
267
ee. Dorsal spines about 28; membrane of third dorsal spine joining fourth spine near its tip; body with distinct
crossbars.
(. Dorsal xxx, 1, with a distinct ocellus; scales about 2-31-3, 7 in transverse series fasciatus, 269
ii. Dorsal xxvm, without ocellus; scales 2-30-3, 7 in transverse series cingulatus
,
268
dil. Caudal fin black; body chiefly black; head mottled with whitish; membrane of third dorsal spine joining fourth
near its summit, fin not notched; dorsal spines 30; dorsal with 2 ocelli nox
265. Auchenopterus albicaudus Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3.2; depth 4; eye 4; snout 4.1; maxillary 2.2; mandible 1.6; interorbital 5.3; D. xxx, 1;
A. ii, 17; pectoral 1.4; ventral 1.5; caudal 1.6; branchiostegals 6; scales 2-34-3, 7 in transverse
series.* Body rather short, compressed; dorsal outline not elevated; head moderate, not broad; snout
short, pointed; mouth large, oblique, maxillary extending to below middle of eye; lips broad, prom-
inent; a band of conical teeth on each jaw, those on side somewhat enlarged and recurved; a patch of
teeth on vomer, none on palatines; gill-membranes broadly united, free from isthmus; eye large, high
up; nasal, supraocular, and nuchal region with fringed tuft-like cirri ; a considerable notch between
third and fourth dorsal spines, but not reaching base of membrane; longest anterior spine scarcely as
long as those of posterior portion
;
scales large, reduced anteriorly; lateral line anteriorly separated
from dorsal fin by only one scale; head naked.
Color, uniform dark brown on head and body, no dark crossbars; dorsal brown, mottled with
lighter, narrowly edged with white; a black spot upon anterior 3 or 4 spines and a large black ocellus
upon posterior portion of fin between twenty-second and twenty-fourth spines; anal rather darker,
with narrow white edge; caudal peduncle black, fin abruptly white at base, entire fin being clear white,
without specks; pectoral black at base, then barred with white and dark; ventral black at base, outer
two-thirds barred with black and white.
This species seems to be related to the Pacific coast Auchenopterus iniegripinnis, which it closely
resembles, differing in the larger scales, deeper body, and coloration.
Known only from the type, seined at Arroyo, Porto Pico, February 4.
Auchenopterus albicaudus Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. P. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 360, Arroyo, Porto Rico.
266. Auchenopterus fajardo Evermann & Marsh.
(Plate 47.)
Head 3.25; depth 4.8; eye 4.2; snout 4.8; maxillary 1.7; mandible 1.5; interorbital 5.5; scales
2-34-3, 7 in transverse series; D. xxix, 1, the longest spine 2.3 in head; A. ii, 17; pectoral 1.4; ven-
tral 1.7; caudal 1.4. Body elongate, strongly compressed posteriorly ; head moderate, little compressed;
mouth large, the long and slender maxillary reaching beyond posterior border of orbit; jaws subequal;
* In our descriptions of species of this family the scales are counted from near front of dorsal to and including lateral
line, then in lateral line, then from origin of anal upward and backward to lateral line, the transverse series being
counted from origin of anal upward and backward to dorsal fin. The half scale at base of dorsal and anal is not counted.
314 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
teeth of upper jaw conical and sharp, in a patch in front, becoming one row posteriorly; teeth in lower
jaw similar, but fewer and weaker; vomerine teeth in two series. Nasal, ocular, and nuchal filaments
present, all but the nasal about 5-branched. Dorsal origin over edge of preopercle, first 4 spines graduated,
fourth shortest, thus forming a notch
;
dorsal ending with an unbranched soft ray, the joints visil >le under
a strong lens; membrane of dorsal joined low to caudal; anal origin under eleventh dorsal spine and
decurved portion of lateral line; pectoral reaching past front of anal; ventral moderate, of 3 rays,
innermost shorter and slenderer.
Color in spirits: Body and head light-reddish, becoming a little paler posteriorly; body with
traces of 6 or 8 dark vertical bars extending on the fins, their margins ill-defined; breast pale, 2 dark-
reddish bars downward and backward from eye across upper and lower edge of cheek to opercle;
maxillary blotched with dark; upper lip and tips of both jaws dark; lower part of head spotted with
dark; a row of about 5 small dark spots on edge of preopercle; iris pink; dorsal and anal fins gray,
except for extensions of dark bars of body and a few white spots on dorsal; a distinct ocellus on
twenty-second, twenty-third, and twenty-fourth dorsal spines and their membranes; base of caudal
gray, like ground-color of dorsal and anal; posterior part of caudal with gray mottlings on rays only,
this portion separated from the basal part by a space without pigment on rays or membrane, making a
distinct vertical bar; pectoral and ventrals mottled.
A handsomely colored blenny, of which the collection contains but one specimen, the type, No.
49376, U. S. N. M., 1.63 inches long, taken at Fajardo, Porto Rico, February 17, 1899.
Auchenopterns fajardo Evermann & Marsh, Kept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 301, Fajardo, Porto Rico.
Head 3.4; depth 5; eye 5; snout 3.8; maxillary 2.6; interorbital 5.8; scales 2-33-3, 7 in transverse
series; D. xxx, 1; A. ii, 18; pectoral 1.5; ventral 2; caudal 1.4. Body slender and compressed; head
moderate, somewhat compressed above; snout pointed; mouth moderate, jaws equal, maxillary about
reaching front of pupil; lips, especially upper, prominent; teeth small, conical, and sharp, in both
jaws, in a numerous patch on front of upper jaw, fewer on sides; in lower jaw less numerous in front
a long single row of somewhat stronger teeth on sides; eye not large; a small nasal flap, and a 3 or 4
branched filament over eye and one at nape; scales rather large and regularly arranged; dorsal fin with
a notch behind third spine, and with one unbranched soft ray at its end, membrane joined to caudal;
origin of anal under eleventh dorsal spine.
Color in spirits: Everywhere a nearly uniform faded pink, save breast and lower side of head
which are paler; a small, inconspicuous dark round spot on dorsal fin, at twenty-third and twenty-
fourth spines, a little nearer the base than margin, and made up of very small black punctulations.
Indications of a yellow tinge on front of dorsal and base of anal in life; fins otherwise all pale.
Known only from the type, 1.3 inches long, collected at Puerto Real, Porto Rico.
Auchenopterns rubescens Evermann & Marsh, Rept. TJ. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 360, Puerto Real, Porto Rico.
Fig. 100 .—Auchenopterus rubescens.
267 . Auchenopterns rubescens Evermann & Marsh.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 315
268. Auchenopterus cingulatus Evermann & Marsh.
Head 3; depth 4.4; eye 5; snout 4.2; maxillary 2.2; interorbital 6; scales 2-30-3, 7 in transverse
series. T>. xxvin, the longest spines 2.75 in head; A. ii, 16, the longest ray 2.75 in head; pectoral 1.3;
ventral 1.8; caudal 1.6. Body rather long and slender, strongly compressed; head large, little com-
pressed; snout moderately sharp; mouth large, maxillary reaching posterior border of eye, lips heavy,
jaws subequal or lower very slightly projecting; teeth conical and sharp, in more than one row in each
jaw, most numerous in front; a patch on vomer; a nasal filament, a 3 or 4 branched supraocular
filament, and a 4-branched nuchal filament, branches of latter each with a dark dot on its anterior
surface; dorsal originating over edge of preopercle, of spines only, second slightly longer than first;
second, third, and fourth graduated, fourth comparatively short, thus forming a notch partly separating
first spines from rest of fin; dorsal membrane joined low with caudal; anal free from caudal, about
as high as dorsal, its thirteenth and fourteenth rays longest; first anal spine under tenth or eleventh
dorsal spine; caudal rounded, shorter than head, of about 13 rays; pectoral large, reaching anal, of 12
rays; ventrals moderate, of 2 rays, spine not evident; lateral line running high to eleventh dorsal
spine, here abruptly decurved two rows of scales, thence median to base of caudal.
Color in spirits: Body and head pale-yellow; body with 5 heavy dark-brown vertical bars, each
about 4 rows of scales wide, extending on vertical fins; membrane of anterior dorsal spines, opercle,
occipital, and scapular region blotched with same color; a dark bar backward and downward from eye
across cheek, rather more than one-half width of eye; top of head between and behind eyes darkened;
preorbital, maxillary, lips, and under part of head thickly punctulate with dark; dorsal and anal
barred with extensions of the wide, dark body-bars, and with alternating narrower pale interspaces;
caudal mottled or irregularly barred with grayish, its base with the plain pale-yellow ground-color,
which is sharply separated from rest of tin by a curved dark line; posterior half of pectoral with dark
bars formed of dots on rays, first bar plainest; basal half of pectoral pale; ventral with basal portion
dark, rest barred like pectoral.
A pretty and strongly marked blenny, known only from Porto Rico; four specimens obtained
from the coral reefs at Ponce, and one at Puerto Real. The type, No. 49375, U. S. N. M., from Ponce,
is 0.8 inch long, and none of the cotypes exceeds 1 inch.
Auchenopterus eingulatus Evermann & Marsh, Rept. D. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 361, Ponce, Porto Rico.
269. Auchenopterus fasciatus (Steindachner),
Head 3.5; depth 4.6; eye 4.5; snout 4.2; maxillary 2.3; mandible 2; interorbital 5.4; scale 2-31-3,
7 m transverse series; D. xxx, 1; A. ii, 17; P. 1.3 in head; V. 1.4; C. 1.4. Body slender, compressed,
head narrow, snout pointed; mouth rather large, lower jaw slightly projecting, maxillary reaching
posterior edge of pupil; gill-membranes broadly united across isthmus; eye small, above axis of body;
profile rising gently and regularly from tip of snout to origin of dorsal fin, from which it continues in a
nearly straight line to caudal peduncle; a small ocular cirrus and a small one on side of nape; fourth
and fifth dorsal spines shorter than those before or after, others of approximately equal length; anal
rays about as long as dorsal spines, the tips projecting beyond membrane; scales large, cycloid; belly,
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.316
breast, nape, cheek, and opercles scaled; lateral line complete, arched above pectoral, running on third
row of scales from back for about 13 scales, where it drops to fifth row.
Color in alcohol: Somewhat rosy-brown, with faint traces of darker vertical bars; anterior part of
eye dark, head uniform rosy-brown without markings; dorsal fin with 8 broad, dark bars, the first on
lirst 2 or 3 spines and forming a small black spot near their tips, seventh between twentieth and twenty-
fourth spines and containing a distinct ocellus, probably blue in life; anal with 5 broad black bars, but
no ocellus; a dark bar across base of caudal, rest of fin pale; pectoral faintly and finely barred with dark.
This blenny reaches a length of 2 inches and is known from southern Florida (Cards Sound, Key
West) and Porto Rico. One specimen, 1.25 inches long, obtained at Hucares, February 14, agrees in
the main with current descriptions of this species. The dorsal spines, however, are more numerous
and the color seems to be somewhat different. Without more material we hesitate to regard these as
being of specific value.
Cremnobalesfasciatus Steindachner, Ichth. Beitrage, V, 176, 1876, Florida Straits.
Auelienopterusfasciatus, Jordan <&-Evermann, 1. c., 2373, 1898.
Genus 151. AUCHENISTIUS Evermann & Marsh.
This genus has the form of Auelienopterus and suggests that genus strongly. It differs in the
absence of a lateral line, in the much smaller scales, in the absence of a notch at front of dorsal fin,
and in the union of the membrane of the anal fin with that of the caudal. Only one species known.
Auclienistius Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 359 (stahli ).
Fig. 102.—Auclienistius stahli.
270. Auclienistius stahli Evermann & Marsh.
Head 5; depth 6.5; eye 4.8; snout 6; maxillary 2.8; scales about 58, about 13 in transverse series;
D. xLiorxLii; A. i or ii, 23 or 24; pectoral 2.5; ventral 2.2; caudal 1.3. Body elongate, somewhat com-
pressed, especially posteriorly, dorsal and ventral outlines alike; head small, upper profile straight
and descending; snout moderate, pointed; mouth large, maxillary reaching to or beyond middle of
eye; jaws ecpial, heavy and projecting; teeth in lower jaw conical, short and strong, slightly recurved,
in one row; teeth in upper jaw similar to those in lower, but a small patch of smaller teeth in front of
jaw behind main row; teeth on vomer; gill-membranes joined to isthmus; nostrils with short tubes, a
single flap above each eye and one on each side of nape; dorsal fin long, of spines only; last four spines
somewhat longer than the preceding, forming a shallow notch, a feature not present in all examples;
anal origin about midway between tip of snout and tip of caudal, fin similar to dorsal in shape, some-
what higher in type, but a trifle lower in cotype; membrane of dorsal and anal joined to caudal ; caudal
small, pointed; pectoral small, of 8 rays; ventral small, of 2 rays.
Color in spirits: Body everywhere with a very slight yellowish tinge, in some specimens a faded
gray; one specimen has traces of 10 or 12 dark crossbars; fins all pale, in one case the dorsal and anal
dark-edged.
This species is known only from the type, 1.2 inches long, No. 49372, U. S. N. M., from Ponce,
February 1, 1899, and 13 cotypes, 8 from the coral and algae on the reefs at mouth of Culebra Harbor,
February 11, and 5 from Puerto Real.
Named for Dr. A. Stahl, of Bayamon, Porto Rico, who, under many difficulties, has made con-
siderable collections of the natural-history objects of Porto Rico.
Auclienistius stahli Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dee. 19) , 359, Ponce, Porto Rico.
THE FISHES OE PORTO RICO. 317
Genus 152. CORALLIOZETUS Evermann & Marsh.
Body slender and strongly compressed, without scales; head large, subcylindrical, bluntly
pointed; mouth large; teeth not hooked, about 8 enlarged conical ones in front of each jaw, smaller
ones behind; vomer with teeth; dorsal fin with a notch between rays and spines; the membrane slightly
connected with caudal; caudal fin rounded; pectoral large, ventrals small and inserted slightly in
advance of pectorals. A strongly marked genus, conspicuous in appearance by its heavy head and
thin body; probably related to Ophioblennius, from which it is technically separated by absence of
hooked canine teeth, convex caudal, and entire absence of a lateral line. Only one species known.
Coralliozetus Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 362 (cardonx).
271. Coralliozetus cardonae Evermann & Marsh.
Head 4; depth 5.6; eyed; snout very short; maxillary 2; D. xvn, 11; A. 21; pectoral 1.3; ven-
tral 1.8; caudal 1.4. Body scaleless, slender, much compressed; head large and heavy, not compressed
nor depressed
;
snout very short and blunt; mouth large, horizontal, low in position, maxillary reaching
far beyond eye; eyes small, close together, placed high and well forward; teeth conical, in a patch on the
front of each jaw, an outer row of about 8 teeth (4 on a side) in each jaw, much enlarged; a single row
of smaller teeth on sides of each jaw; teeth on vomer; a small flap at nostril and two short filaments
above eye, one much the smaller; no appendages at nape. Dorsal fin long and high, of slender, flexible
spines, and longer, soft rays, a notch between fourth and fifth spines, last ray slightly connected with
caudal; anal longer and lower than soft dorsal, free from caudal; caudal rounded; pectoral large, nearly
as wide as body, reaching anal or beyond; ventral small, inserted before pectoral, of 3 rays, innermost
very slender.
Color in spirits: Body dark-red, much paler in one specimen; head everywhere bluish-black,
this color dusted upon body, particularly on anterior portion; a pale-gray bar downward and back-
ward across cheek; fins pale, except ventrals and front of dorsal, which have color of head; a row of
small rosy spots along bases of anal rays, seemingly in the flesh; sometimes a similar fainter row
along base of dorsal.
Known only from Porto Rico; three specimens, 0.87 to 1 inch in length, taken on the coral reefs
at Ponce on three successive days; type, No. 49377, U. S. N. M., 1 inch long, collected February 1, 1899.
Coralliozetus cardonx Evermann & Marsh, Rept. U. S. F. C. 1899 (Dec. 19), 362, reef at the Cardona Light-house, Playa
de Ponce, Porto Rico.
Genus 153. EMBLEMARIA Jordan & Gilbert.
Body slender, not eel-shaped, compressed, scaleless. Ventrals present, jugular, each of 1 spine
and 2 soft rays. A single high dorsal fin beginning on nape and extending to caudal, with which it is
not confluent; no notch between spinous and soft rays. Head cuboid, compressed, narrowed anteriorly.
Symphysis of lower jaw forming a very acute angle. A single series of strong, blunt, conical teeth on
each jaw, and on vomer and palatines. Vomer and palatine teeth larger, their series continuous,
parallel to series in upper jaw. No cirri at nape; sometimes a cirrus on upper part of eyeball. Gill
openings very wide, membranes broadly united below, free from isthmus. Lateral line obsolete.
318 BULLETIN of the united states fish commission
This genus bears some resemblance to Blennius, but the dentition is entirely different, approaching
that of Cluenopsis. An inhabitant of tropical America, in rather deep water; 4 species known, 2 of
which are Atlantic.
a. Eye without cirrus.
b. Depth 5 in length; dorsal rays 33; ventrals not pure white atlantica
aa. Eye with a long cirrus on eyeball above pupil.
c. Maxillary longer, reaching posterior edge of orbit; body without dark crossbar; ventrals pale; tip of caudal not
black , -
.,
pandionis, 272
272. Emblemaria pandionis Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 3.7; depth 5.8; eye 3.6; snout 5; maxillary 2; mandible 1.8; D. xvn, 18; A. n, 23; P.13;
V. i, 2; C. 13. Body slender, tapering, greatly compressed; head comparatively heavy; snout short,
decurved; mouth large, horizontal, maxillary reaching posterior border of eye; each jaw with a patch
of teeth in front, outer enlarged, bluntly conic, slightly incurved, these continued laterally on upper
jaw in a single series of similar but smaller teeth, and on lower jaw in a single series of similar but
Fig. 104 .—Emblemaria pandionis.
smaller, blunter teeth; palatines each with a row of blunt teeth; vomer probably without teeth; no
teeth on tongue. Fins moderate, rays not filamentous; first 17 rays of dorsal simple, not jointed nor
branched, remaining rays jointed and elevated, longest a little greater than snout and eye, the two
anterior rays of anal not jointed nor branched; pectoral broad, short, its length 1.3 in head; ventral
longer, filamentous, 1.2 in head; caudal short, pointed, 1.8 in head. An unbranched ocular cirrus
on upper part of eye, its length about one-third that of eye; nasal tube slender and simple.
Color in alcohol: Pale flesh-color; middle of side with a series of about 15 small brown blotches,
largest anteriorly; above these and along base of dorsal are 2 or 3 irregular series of smaller dark spots,
those along base of dorsal quite black; a similar series along base of anal; head spotted like body;
dorsal fin with numerous dark sp>ots and blotches, most distinct anteriorly; caudal and anal fins
somewhat dusky; pectoral and ventral pale; a few small brownish specks on throat and on breast in
front of ventrals; a very dark-brown, almost black, oblong spot, placed obliquely on lower jrnrt of side
above tenth anal ray, a narrow bar of same color just in front of it; this conspicuous color-marking
present on left side only.
Known only from the type (No. 49535, U. S. N. M.)
,
1.5 inches long, caught in the tangle at Fish
Hawk station 6084, between Vieques and Culebra islands, in 11 fathoms, and one cotype of same size
taken in the dredge at Fish Hawk station 6086, 8.5 miles northeast from Isabel Segunda, Vieques
Island, in 14.75 fathoms, the bottom at each station being coral, sand, and shells.
This interesting species is related to E. ocidocirris Jordan, from La Paz, Lower California, from
which it seems to differ chiefly in the longer maxillary and in the coloration.
Named for the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Fish Hawk
,
Pandion being the generic name of
the fish-hawk or osprey, Pandion carolinensis.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 319
Family LXXII. FIERASFERIDAt. The Pcarl-fishcs.
Body elongate, compressed, tapering into a long and slender tail; no scales; teeth cardiform, on
jaws, vomer, and palatines; canine teeth often present; no barbels; lower jaw included; vent at throat;
gill-membranes somewhat united, free from isthmus; no pseudobranchiae ; no pyloric caeca; vertical
fins very low, confluent, without spines; no ventral fins; pectoral fins present or absent.
Small shore-fishes of tropical seas, often living in shells of mollusks, echinoderms, etc., being
especially often commensal with the pearl oyster and with the larger Holothuria. Only one genus in
American waters.
Genus 154. FIERASFER Cuvier.
Gill-membranes little connected, leaving isthmus hare. No distinct caudal fin; pectoral fins
developed.
The species of this genus are not well known, and their characters and nomenclatures are uncertain.
It is not unlikely that the American species are all reducible to one, Fierasfer affinis or dubius, but our
scanty material will not justify us in taking this view. (Jordan & Evermann.) Only one species
known from Porto Rico.
273. Fierasfer bermudensis (Jones). Pearl-fish.
Head 8.5 in length; eye 4, longer than snout; mouth large, the maxillary reaching beyond orbit;
pectoral 2.5 in head. Teeth small, acute, uniserial, 3 in a line on vomer; palatine teeth small. Color
pale-brownish, a bluish streak crossing nape between opercles, 4 pale points on back. Vertebrae 100.
A small fish (length 3 to 6 inches) found in shallow water on coral shores in the West Indies.
Two specimens, each about 4 inches long, obtained by us, one at Mayaguez, the other at Puerto Real.
They certainly belong to the species described from Bermuda, which may not be different from
Gunther’s F. affinis or Putnam’s F. dubius.
f ? Fierasfer affinis Gunther, Cat., IV, 381, 1862, no locality given.
? Fierasfer dubius Putnam, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. 1874, 344, Pearl Islands.
Lefroyia bermudensis Jones, Zoologist, IX, 1874, 3838, Bermuda.
Fierasfer bermudensis, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 2497, 1898.
Family LXXIII. PLEURONECTID^. The Flounders.
Body strongly compressed, oval or elliptical in outline; head unsymmetrical, cranium twisted,
both eyes being on same side of body, which is horizontal in life, the eyed side being uppermost and
colored, the blind side lowermost and usually plain. In the very young fish the bones of the head are
symmetrical, 1 eye on each side, and the body is vertical in the water. In most species the eranium
becomes twisted, bringing the upper eye over with it. Eyes large, well separated. Mouth small or
large, the dentition various, teeth always present; premaxillaries protractile; no supplemental maxillary
bone; pseudobranchise present. Gills 4, a slit behind the fourth; lower pharyngeals separate; no air-
bladder; preopercle with its margin usually distinct, not wholly adnate or hidden by skin of head;
vent not far behind head, viscera confined to anterior part of body. Scales various, rarely absent,
usually small. Lateral line usually present, extending on caudal fin, sometimes duplicated or wanting.
Dorsal fin long, continuous, of soft rays only, beginning on head; anal similar, shorter; caudal various,
sometimes coalescent with dorsal and anal; pectorals inserted rather high, rarely wanting; ventrals
under pectorals, usually of several soft rays, one of them sometimes wanting.
Fishes mostly carnivorous, inhabiting sandy bottoms in all seas, some species ascending rivers.
Many of them are important food-fishes. Genera about 55; species nearly 500.
Subfamilies of Pleuronectidx.
A. Ventral fins symmetrical, similar in position and in form of base, that of colored side not extended along ridge
of abdomen.
a. Mouth nearly symmetrical, dentition nearly equally developed on both sides, gape usually but not always wide.
(Halibut tribe.) Hippoglossin^s
aa. Mouth unsymmetrical, jaws on eyed side with nearly straight outline, bones on blind side strongly curved; teeth
chiefly on blind side.
b. Eyes and color on right side (with occasional exceptions)
.
(Flounder tribe.) Pi.euronectin.e
AA. Ventral fins unsymmetrical, dissimilar in position and usually also in form, that of eyed side being extended along
ridge of abdomen. Eyes and color on left side. (Turbot tribe.) Psettin.®
320 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION,
HIPPOGLOSSIELffi. Halibut Tribe.
Large-mouthedflounders with the ventral fins symmetrical.—Mouth symmetrical, the jaws and denti-
tion nearly equally developed on both sides; gape usually wide, maxillary more than one-third length
of head. Lower pharyngeals narrow, usually with but 1 or 2 rows of sharp teeth; teeth in jaws usually
acute. Eyes large; edge of preopercle free. Pectoral and ventral fins well developed, the ventral fins
similar in position and in form of base, that of eyed side not being attached along ridge of abdomen.
Septum of gill-cavity without foramen.
The only genera of Hippoglossin
x
having species ranging as far south on our Atlantic coast as
Florida are Paralichthys, Ancylopsetta, Notosema, and Gastropsetta. Though no species of this group is
known from Porto Rico, we give a key to these 4 genera, as some or all of them may be hereafter found
in Porto Rican waters.
a. Dorsal fin beginning in advance of eye; teeth sharp, uniserial or smooth.
b. Scales weakly ciliated; caudal fin with a distinct peduncle; mouth large; teeth unequal, some of anterior canine-like;
gillrakers rather long and slender; no dorsal lobe nor produced ventral rays; vertebrae 35 to 41 Paralichthys
bb. Scales very strongly ctenoid on both sides of body; mouth smallish, with small, sharp teeth; anterior rays of dorsal
more or less exserted, thus forming a more or less distinct lobe; gill-membranes considerably united; gillrakers
short and broad; caudal peduncle short; left ventral produced; vertebra (in A. quadrocellata ) 9 + 26 = 35. Lateral
line with its tubes simple, not branched.
c. Body broad, ovate, depth more than half length; dorsal lobe and left ventral moderately produced Ancylopsetta
cc. Body elliptical, depth not more than one-half length; dorsal lobe and left ventral greatly produced Notosema
bbb. Scales entirely smooth; caudal peduncle short; mouth small; gillrakers short and thick; dorsal with an anterior lobe;
left ventral elongate Gastropsetta
PSETTIN2E. Turbot Tribe.
Large-mouthed flounders, with ventral fins unsymmelrical .—Mouth symmetrical, the dentition nearly
equally developed on both sides; gape usually wide (narrow in Plcitophrys, Etropus, etc. ), maxillary com-
monly more than one-third length of head; lower pharyngeals narrow, each with one or more rows or a
narrow band of small, sharp teeth; teeth in jaws acute; eyes not minute; pectorals and ventrals usually
well developed; edge of preopercle free; ventral fins dissimilar in form or in position, that of left or eyed
side inserted on ridge of abdomen, its base extended along this ridge, its rays more or less wide apart;
caudal fin rounded or subtruncate; no accessory lateral line; anal spine usually weak or obsolete; a
pelvic spine sometimes developed; vertebrse in moderate or small number, 31 to 45. Body sinistral.
Species chiefly tropical or subtropical in distribution. Of the 10 recognized American genera of
this subfamily, 4 have Porto Rican representatives, in fact, all the species of flounders thus far known
from Porto Rico belong in this group.
a. Pectoral fin present on each side; septum of gill-cavity below gill-arches without foramen; a deep emargination
near isthmus; ventral fins free from anal.
5. Vomer with teeth; lateral line with a strong arch in front; teeth subequal, in villiform bands; body broadly ovate;
caudal fin subsessile; interorbital area broad; scales small, cycloid; gillrakers long and slender; anterior dorsal
rays produced; vertebra 36 Lothopsetta
bb. Vomer toothless; ventral fins free from anal; caudal fin subsessile.
c. Lateral line with a distinct arch in front; teeth small, uniserial, or imperfectly biserial.
d. Interorbital space more or less broad, deeply concave, at least in males; form broad-ovate; gillrakers short and
thick.
e. Scales small, ctenoid, adherent, 75 to 100 or more; anterior rays of dorsal not elevated; pectoral of left side usually
filamentous in male; vertebra (in P. lunatus) 9 + 30 = 39 Platophrys, 155
dd. Interorbital space a narrow ridge; dorsal not elevated in front.
/. Gillrakers slender; right ventral elongate; scales ctenoid Trichopsetta
cc. Lateral line without arch in front.
g. Teeth in upper jaw biserial, in lower uniserial, front teeth of upper jaw enlarged; vertebrse 35 or 36; gillrakers
short; interorbital space broad in male Syacium, 156
gg. Teeth in each jaw uniserial; interorbital space very narrow, ridges coalescing between eyes.
h. Mouth not very small, maxillary more than one-third length of head.
i. Gillrakers very short and thick, tubercle-like.
j. Scales cycloid, small, and firm Cyclopsetta
ii. Gillrakers slender, of moderate length; scales thin, deciduous, ciliated; vertebra 34 to 40 Citharichthys, 157
hh. Mouth very small, teeth subequal, maxillary less than one-third length of head; scales thin; teeth uniserial;
vertebrae 9 + 25 = 34 Etropds, 158
aa. Pectoral fin of blind side wanting; eyes very close together; caudal fin subsessile; teeth small, uniserial; mouth
moderate; lateral line of eyed side arched, that of right side nearly straight; dorsal fin beginning on snout, its
anterior rays not exserted, its rays all simple and very numerous; gillrakers few and feeble; scales small;
body thin, very elongate; vertebra (in M. sessilicauda) 43; (deep-sea flounders) • Monolenb
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 321
Genus 155. PLATOPHRYS Swainson.
Eyes and color on left side. Body ovate, strongly compressed; month of the large type, but com-
paratively small; maxillary one-third or less length of head; teeth small, subequal, in one or two
series; no teeth on vomer or palatines. Interorbital space broad and concave, broadest in adult males.
Gillrakers moderate. Dorsal fin beginning in front of eye, all its rays simple; ventral of colored side
on ridgeof abdomen; caudal convex behind; pectoral of left side with usually one or more filamentous
rays, longest in male. Scales very small, ctenoid, adherent; lateral line with a strong arch in front.
Coloration usually variegated. The sexual differences are greater than usual among flounders, and
the different sexes have often been taken for different species. As a rule, in males, pectoral fin on left
side is much prolonged, interorbital area is much widened and very concave, and there are some
tubercles about snout and lower eye. The young fishes, as is usually the case, resemble adult females.
Lately, Dr. Emery has shown that the larval flounder, known as Peloria heckeli, is in all probability
the young of Pleiironectes podas. The generic name, Coccolus, based on forms slightly more mature
than those called Peloria, probably belongs here also. We have seen no larval forms so young as those
which have been described as Peloria heckeli. We have, however, examined small transparent flounders,
one with eyes quite symmetrical, taken in the Gulf Stream, and another with eyes on left side, taken
at Key West. Both these may be larvte of Platophrys ocellatus. The figures published by Emery
seem to make it almost certain that, the corresponding European forms belong to P. podas, although
some doubt as to this is expressed by Facciola.
The species of Platophrys are widely distributed through warm seas, no tropical waters being
wholly without them; all are extremely closely related and are distinguished with difficulty. On the
other hand, variations due to differences of age and sex are greater than in any other of our genera.
Jordan & Evermann recognize 7 American species belonging to this genus. One of these (P.
maculifer) is shown by our specimens to represent one of the younger stages of P. lunatus, and another
(P. ellipticus) is a stage of the same species. Besides P. lunatus, the only other species known to occur
in Porto Rico is P. ocellatus.
. Anal rays, at least anteriorly, each with a spinule at base (these formed by a slight widening of tip of interhaemal
spines, each being covered by a little rough scale); front of dorsal with similar projections.
. Color brown, with pale rounded spots; fins dotted with brown; a faint dark spot at first one-third of lateral line;
snout with horny points; mouth small, maxillary reaching front of eye spinosus
aa. Anal rays without spinules at their base.
c. Anterior profile of head convex before interorbital area, the very short snout scarcely forming a reentrant angle at
its base; form elliptic-ovate, outlines more regular than in P. lunatus.
d. Dorsal rays 85 to 95.
e. Scales not very small, about 75 pores in lateral line; no blue markings, at least in young.
/. Mouth smaller, maxillary 3.33 in head. Color light-grayish, tinged with reddish, with small round spots of darker
gray, and with lighter rings inclosing spaces of ground-color ocellatus, 274
cc. Anterior profile of head strongly concave before interorbital area, the projecting snout leaving a marked reentrant
angle above it.
g. Mouth not very small; maxillary 3 in head. Color dark-olive, with many rings, curved spots, and small round dots
of sky-blue edged with darker on body, these largest near middle of sides, where some are as large as eye; 3
obscure dark blotches on straight part of lateral line lunatus, 275
274. Platophrys ocellatus (Agassiz).
Head 4; depth 1.5; eye (lower) 3.4; snout 5; maxillary 3.33; D. 80; A. 60; scales 75 (pores);
vertebrae 37. Body ovate, deep anteriorly, profile descending steeply, snout conspicuously projecting.
Mouth very small and oblique, maxillary reaching vertical from the front of lower eye, 3.33 in head;
tip of lower jaw entering profile. Teeth fine, conical, in two series in upper jaw, one in lower, those of
the outer row in upper jaw larger and more widely separated than those of inner series. Snout very
short, equaling interorbital width. Interorbital space narrow, deeply concave, closely scaled. Eyes
large, lower in advance of upper; gillrakers obsolete, 7 rudiments on horizontal branch of anterior
arch. Scales moderate, not extending on tins, those of colored side ctenoid, on blind side smooth; arch
of lateral line short and high. Dorsal tin beginning opposite anterior nostril, rays nearly uniform in
length, longest about one-half head; pectoral of colored side 4.75 in length; ventral of colored side
beginning under middle of lower eye, with 6 rays; right ventral with 5 rays.
F. C. B. 1900—21
322 BULLETIN OE THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Light-grayish, with reddish tinge, covered with small round spots of darker gray and
with lighter rings inclosing spaces of ground-color; vertical fins similarly colored, with a small black
spot near base of each ninth or tenth ray; 3 black spots on median line of body—one on straightest
portion of lateral line just behind arch, another about midway between it, and a third much smaller
one at caudal end of body or base of caudal peduncle; some other small black spots scattered over
colored side. Eight specimens from Porto Rico present some variation of color; spots on tins not
always as in above description, but the general color-pattern is about the same, varying mainly in the
darkness or lightness of the shades.
Fig. 105 .—Platophrys ocellatus.
The following shows the variation in some essential measurements of 4 of the largest specimens:
Total
length.
Length
to base of
caudal.
Head in
body.
Depth in
body.
Eye in
head.
Snout in
head.
Maxillary
in head.
Number
of dorsal
rays.
Number
of anal
rays.
Number
of
pores.
mm.
73
mm.
63 3.7 1.65 3.4 4.85 3.4 80 67 75
71 62 4. 13 1.8 3 3. 75 3. 33 80 00 73
50 42 3.8 1.7 3. 14 3.18 3.38 80 59 75
46 40 4 1.8 80 60 75
Found in the western Atlantic from Long Island to Rio Janeiro, on sandy shores. Recorded from
several Florida localities and recorded by Poey under other names from Cuba. The present collection
contains specimens from San Antonio Bridge, San Juan, Culebra, and Boqueron; Mr. Gray’s collection
has one from San Geronimo.
Rhombus ocellatus Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 85, pi. 46, 1829, Brazil.
Rhombus bahianus Castlenau, Anim. Nouv. et Rares Am6r. du Sud, 1855, Bahia.
Platophrys nebularis Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1884, 31, 143, Key West.
Platophrys ocellatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2663, 1898.
275. Platophrys lunatus (Linnaeus).
Head 3.8; depth about 2; eye (lower) 6.25; interorbital space 3.12; snout (from lower eye) 3.6;
maxillary 3.12; pectoral 1.22; I). 92; A. 74; scales (pores) 92. Body elliptical-ovate, strongly com-
pressed; anterior profile concave, snout projecting, leaving a reentrant angle above it; mouth moderate,
maxillary reaching to middle of pupil of lower eye; jaws subequal, lower with a well-developed knob
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 323
at symphysis; teeth small, in an irregular double series in each jaw; anterior end of maxillary with
large blunt spine pointing somewhat outward and forward; interorbital very wide and deeply concave;
orbital rim, below on upper orbit, above on lower, broken up into blunt papillae; eye with moderate
cirri near upper margin of iris on eye membrane or cover. Gillrakers short and thick, 9 developed
on lower* part of arch, none on upper. Anterior part of interorbital, snout, maxillary, and mandible
naked; scales of eyed side ctenoid, those of blind side smooth; arch of lateral line short and high, its
base contained 5.5 in the straight portion. Dorsal fin beginning above the anterior nostril; ventral of
colored side beginning under middle of lower eye, with 6 rays; left ventral inserted farther back, also
of 6 rays.
Color in spirits: Ground-color of eyed side gray, thickly dotted with light-brown, giving it a
brownish tint; speckled with dark-brown, numerous complete, broken, and incomplete rings of light-
blue, edged outside with dark-brown or olive, surrounding areas of ground-color; diameter of longest
ring about 10 mm., some of the rings with irregular or scalloped outline indicating coalescing spots;
base of tail and head with blue spots arid crescents; vertical fins and caudal with light-blue spots
(becoming white in time)
;
vertical fins brownish with black spots at intervals along the base; pectoral
barred with black. A black blotch on lateral line at junction of straight portion and arch, another
about midway the straight portion, and another at base of caudal peduncle.
The specimen upon which this description is based (taken from a specimen 213 mm. total length,
from Culebra Island) differs somewhat from current descriptions chiefly in lacking the smaller spine
on upper edge of maxillary behind larger one on snout; in the filamentous ray of pectoral; in having
6 rays in right ventral; presence of ocular cirri; and in having ctenoid scales on colored side. Notwith-
standing these apparent differences, there can be no doubt regarding the identification. The pectoral
is slightly filamentous, indicating the possibility of individuals, perhaps the other sex, having the long
filament as found in other flat-fishes. The so-called “spine” on the snout is really a tubercle in the
above-described specimen, and doubtless is more or less an age or sex character, if not both, and
perhaps a more or less individual variation. As shown by other specimens, the scales are not always
so strongly ctenoid, and they are not uniformly so in this one. The coloration is plainly that of P.
lunatus. A series of fishes of this genus shows all grades of coloration and other variations which
enable us to include in P. lunatus at least one other species formerly considered distinct, and very
probably two. Platophrys maculifer represents a younger individual of P. lunatus in which the sup-
posed differential marks are not so well developed. Jordan & Evermann, in Bulletin 47, U. S. N. M.,
state that they have never seen any young examples certainly referable to P. lunatus, and until its
development is traced some of the species known from small examples only must be doubtful. This
also leads us to believe that the present conclusions are correct.
^
The following notes will serve to show something of the color variations:
1. A specimen, 215 mm. long, from Aguadilla has the black blotches along side more diffuse and
larger, the first being under end of pectoral below lateral line; cirri are present on both eyes.
2. A specimen from San Antonio Bridge, 131 mm. long, agrees perfectly with descriptions of P.
maculifer (Poey) in coloration, and very closely in other respects. Head 3.33; depth about 1.8; eye
(lower) 5.8; maxillary 3.3; snout 4.12; D. 90; A. 70; scales 86. Mouth small, oblique, the maxillary
3.4 in head; eye with cirri; no filamentous pectoral ray; arch of lateral line short and high. Color,
reddish-gray, body covered with circles of round sky-blue spots, which are not confluent and not
edged with darker color; besides these very few detached spots or other blue markings; head with
similar blue spots, but no rings; area inclosed in blue rings not different from ground-color; caudal
with blue spots, other fins with none; dorsal and anal mottled with black blotches each covering the
bases of about 3 rays, with about 7 rays intervening between the blotches; a large, diffuse, dusky spot
at front of straight part of lateral line; one better defined with lighter area on it anteriorly on middle
of lateral line; a faint one under last part of vertical fins not far in front of caudal peduncle; pectoral
grayish, with narrow dark bars.
3. A specimen 97 mm. long from Playa de Ponce may be described as follows: Head 3.5; depth
about 1.7; eye about 4.33; snout 4; maxillary 3; D. 85; A. 73; pores 90; ocular cirri present. Color,
gray, clouded with smoky-brown and some still more dusky mottlings; numerous small blue spots
arranged in more or less complete rings and singly, some of the rings with a small whiter spot in center;
large black blotch just behind arch of lateral line, one midway of straight portion, and another small
faint one over last part of anal fin; first blotch has 4 gray areas in it, second has one large crescentic
gray area, which is spotted or dotted with black; a fainter, lighter margin around front of point of the
824 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
most intense part of blotch, giving it an ocellated effect. Small ocelli, similar in character, scattered
over body; fins all spotted and marked with black.
4. A specimen, 109 mm. total length, presents similar color pattern to the preceding, but of lighter
shade. Head 3.8; depth 1.8; eye 4.16; snout 3.8; maxillary 2.7; D. 91; A. 70; scales (pores) 90; cirri
present on eye membranes.
5. A specimen, 42 mm. long, possesses about the same general color arrangement as larger speci-
mens, but lacks the blue spots. Head 3.33; depth 1.8; D. 94; A. 72; pores 87. Ocular cirri large.
6. Another young individual from Ponce, 45 mm. in total length, is very brightly and distinctly
marked in the same general way as the others mentioned, but lacks the blue spots. Ocular cirri large.
Head 3.33; depth 1.33; D. 94; A. 69; pores 82.
7. A youilg example from San Antonio Bridge, 50 mm. long, presents the same general appearance
as the other young ones, but has longer ocular cirri. Head 3.5; depth 1.75; eye 4.8; snout 4; maxillary 3;
pectoral 1.5; D. 96; A. 73; pores 83.
Life color: Pale-sandy, with numerous small ocellated brown spots with pale centers; a large black
blotch on lateral line at posterior third of body; fins with numerous small white spots and a few larger
irregular brown ones.
An inhabitant of the West Indies, north to Florida; common; recorded from Havana, Cienfuegos,
Jamaica, Bahamas, Sombrero, St. Thomas, and from Green Turtle Key. Specimens at hand from
Culebra, Aguadilla, San Antonio Bridge, San Juan, and Ponce, Porto Rico.
Solea lunata et punctata (the Sole), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, tab. 27, 1725, Bahamas.
Pleuroncctes lunatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 269, 1758, Bahamas; based on Catesby.
Pleuroncctes argus Bloch, Ichth., tab. 48, 1783, Martinique; after Plumier.
?Pleuronectes surinamensis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ic.hth., 156, 1801, Surinam.
Pleuroncctes maculiferus Poey, Memorias, II, 316, 1860, Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Pleuronectes elliplicus Poey, Memorias, II, 315, 1860, Cuba.
Platoplmjs lunatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2665, 1898.
Platophnjs maculifer, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2664, 1898.
Platophrys ettipticus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 2665, 1898.
Genus 156. SYACIUM Kanzani.
Body elliptic-ovate, much compressed; interorbital space broad in males and more or less concave,
narrowed in female; mouth moderate, gape curved; teeth in upper jaw biserial, in lower uniserial;
front teeth of upper jaw enlarged; vomer toothless; scales rather large, ciliate; lateral line without
arch in front; pectoral fins present on both sides; septum -of gill-cavity below gill-arches without
foramen; a deep emargination near isthmus; gillrakers short and thick; dorsal low, its anterior rays
not elevated; pectorals both present; caudal subsessile; no anal spine; pectorals produced in males;
ventral fins short, that of colored side on ridge of abdomen.
This genus contains a considerable number of species, mostly American and African, which form
a transition from Platophrys to Citharichthys. They fall readily into 2 groups distinguished by width
of interorbital space. As this width is dependent on age, and as it is subject to various intergradations,
the group Aramaca founded on it can not be admitted as a distinct genus.
a. Snout and orbits without spines or spinous processes.
b. Scales rather large, 50 to 57 in lateral line; interorbital space broad. 'Color, nearly plain brown, with darker dots
or mottlings, no ring-like spots or ocelli; fins mottled; left pectoral barred; blind side sometimes wholly or
partly dusky, especially in northern specimens psetulum
bb. Scales rather small, 58 to 70 in lateral line rnicrurum, 276
276. Syacium micrurum Ranzani.
Head 3.8 in length; depth 2.4; D. 87 to 92; A. 54 to 68; scales 65 to 70 (pores); eye 4 in head;
maxillary 2.5 to 3. Form regularly elliptical, profile evenly convex to end of snout; eyes large, nearly
even in front, male with interorbital space deeply concave, its width two-thirds vertical depth of eye
(or more in Brazilian specimens)
;
female with interorbital area much narrower, with a more or less
perfect median groove, its width about equal to depth of pupil; mouth small, maxillary reaching to
below middle of eye; teeth small, slender, in 2 rows above, in 1 row below, outer series in upper jaw
somewhat enlarged, but hardly canine-like; gillrakers very short and thick, about 1 + 7 in number;
scales small, firm, moderately ctenoid; pectoral 1.33 in head in female, reaching nearly to base of caudal
in male; vertebrae 9 + 24 = 33.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 325
Color, dark-brown, with many rings and spots of light-gray and blackish, some of the dark rings
with a black central spot; a diffuse dusky blotch on lateral line above pectoral and one near base of
caudal peduncle; fins with numerous inky spots and dark markings; blind side pale.
Fifteen specimens from Mayaguez appear to differ somewhat in general appearance from other
specimens which can be referred to this species, but measurements and comparison reveal no really
tangible constant differences. The largest, 163 millimeters long, presents the following charac-
ters: Head 3.9; depth 1.33; eye 4.5; snout 4.8; maxillary 2.4; interorbital 8; pectoral 1.3; D. 88; A. 68;
scales 59 (68). Color, plain-brown, with a few faint or obscure grayish ocelli and darker spots; a faint
brown blotch under end of pectoral, 1 on middle of straight line and 1 near base of caudal peduncle.
All fins with light-brown crossbars.
For comparison measurements of an undoubted 8. micrurum of similar size are given: Head 3.75;
depth 2.4; eye 5.33; snout 4.8; maxillary 2.6; interorbital 16; pectoral 1.4; D. 88; A. 70; scales 59 (65).
West Indian fauna, Key West to Rio Janeiro, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and Bahia, rather common;
the Porto Rican examples are from Mayaguez, Ponce, Hucares, Aguadilla, Culebra, Boqueron, Palo
Seco, and stations 6059 and 6061.
Syacium micrurum Ranzani, Nov. Spec. Pise. Diss., Sec., 20, pi. 5, 1810, Brazil; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2672, 1898.
Ilippoglossus ocettatus Poey, Memorias, II, 314, 1860, Cuba.
Hemirhombus aramaca Giinther, Cat., IV, 42, 1862, Cuba and Jamaica.
Citharichthys xtliaMon Jordan, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1886, 52, Havana.
Genus 157. CITHARICHTHYS Bleeker. Whiffs.
Eyes and color on left side. Body oblong; mouth of the large type, but comparatively small,
with 1 series of small, sharp teeth in each jaw; no teeth on vomer or palatines. Gillrakers moderate,
slender. Dorsal fin beginning just in front of eye; all fin rays simple; ventrals of colored side on ridge
of abdomen; no anal spine; caudal fin convex or double truncate behind, none of the fins produced.
Scales thin, deciduous, slightly ctenoid. Lateral line nearly straight, simple. Lower pharyngeals
separate, each with a single row of teeth. Vertebra; 30 to 40.
This genus includes small flounders of weak organization, especially characteristic of sandy
shores of tropical America. The sub-genus Orlhopseilct includes species of more northern range and
somewhat different form, and especially noteworthy as having an increased number of vertebra?. The
two groups intergrade so perfectly that no sharp line of division can be drawn between them.
The genus Citharichthys contains 13 American species, 7 of which are Atlantic. Only 3 of these
are known to occur in Porto Rico.
a. Vertebrae 33 to 36; interorbital ridge low and narrow, head closely compressed.
b. Eye large, 3 to 4.5 in head.
c. Head large, 3 to 3.33 in length.
d. Interorbital space very narrow, 5 in eye; snout with a spine; pectoral of eyed side elongate, one-third longer than
head; maxillary 2.25 in head. D. 91; A. 73; scales 48 dinoceros
cc. Head smaller, about 4 in length.
e. Body comparatively elongate, depth about 2.5 in length; mouth very small; maxillary 3.5 in head; dorsal rays 83;
anal 67; scales 40; eye 4 in head arctifrons
ee. Body comparatively broad, depth about half the length; mouth larger.
/. Snout with a strong, sharp spine on eyed side, above upper lip; eye large, '2.3 to 3 in head; greatest depth of body
over pectorals; interorbital space with a wide ridge, about half diameter of eye unicornis, 277
ff. Snout without distinct spine: eye moderate, 3.5 to 4.5 in head; greatest depth of body under middle of dorsal;
interorbital space a narrow, scaly ridge with a slight median groove; maxillary 2.33 in head; teeth small, those
in front slightly enlarged; body not very thin; gillrakers moderate, 6+13.
g. Dorsal rays 68; anal 52; scales smaller, lateral line with about 53 pores; side with whitish blotches ulilcri
gg. Dorsal rays 80; anal 56; scales large, 41 in lateral line; side and fins with dark blotches macrops
bb. Eye quite small, 5 to 8 in head; snout short, forming an angle with profile; mouth moderate, oblique, maxillary
2.5 to 2.66 in head; teeth small, anterior somewhat enlarged; dorsal about 80; anal 60; body and fins speckled.
h. Scales not very large, 45 to 51 in lateral line; gillrakers long and slender, longer than pupil.
i. Eye small, about 8 in head spilopterus , 278
ii. Eye larger, about 6 in head arenaceus
,
279
277. Citharichthys unicornis Goode.
Head 4.5; depth 2.33; eye 2.33; snout 4; maxillary 2.33; pectoral 1.55; D. 77; A. 60; scales 42.
Body ovoidal, not particularly deep, but strongly compressed; head broad across front; mouth mod-
erate; no spines, but a knob at symphysis of lower jaw; eye large; interorbital a narrow ridge dividing
326 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
anteriorly, becoming front rim of orbit, concave in front of eyes; pectoral short; longest rays of
vertical fins moderate; scales large, deciduous.
Color, somewhat mottled light-brown.
This description is from a single specimen taken by the Fish Hawk at station 6063, in Mayaguez
Harbor. Total length 57 mm., the only specimen of this species taken. After comparison with a
large number of specimens in the U. S. National Museum, we have decided that the present specimen
is a female, the lack of spines on head being coincident with a narrow interorbital. Our example
corresponds exactly with many females of similar size in the National Museum collection. The wide
interorbital in other species has been found associated constantly with the male when any difference
of this kind existed. For comparison, and because the horned fish may be met with, a description of
an individual, presumably a male, taken in deep water in the Gulf Stream, is here given: Total length
77 mm.; head 3.5; depth 2.25; eye 3; interorbital 6; snout 4.5; maxillary 2.25; pectoral 2.15; D. 74;
A. 60; scales 45. Head broad, wider across front of eyes than in female; muzzle less sharp; inter-
orbital wide anteriorly, narrowing behind, concave, a ridge extending across from back part of upper
orbit to side of anterior orbit in front (in the female this makes the ridge between the eyes); a sharp
slender spine projecting forward from edge of upper part of the snout; 2 smaller ones from point of
upper orbit; small one from side of snout near tip extending somewhat to one side; 2 from front of
orbital rim or lower eye; knob at symphysis of lower jaw; head, as in the female, everywhere scaled.
Fins evidently once had brown blotches.
Formerly collected in deep water of Gulf Stream off southeast coast of New England; off Sand
Key, Florida, in 44 fathoms; and in the Gulf of Mexico southward of Cape San Bias, in 60, 111, and
142 fathoms.
Citharichthys unicornis Goode, Pror. U. S. N. M. 1880, 342, Gulf Stream southeast of New England; Jordan & Evermann,
1. c., 2G83, 1898.
278. Citharichthys spilopterus Gunther.
Head about 3.75; depth about 2.25; eye 7.8; snout 5.8; maxillary 2.5; pectoral 2; P. 82; A. 61;
scales (pores) 48. Body moderately elongate, much compressed; snout short, forming an angle with
profile; jaws strongly curved, upper somewhat hooked over lower; lower jaw slightly included; maxil-
lary reaching to posterior margin of lower orbit; teeth small, in a single row, anterior a little enlarged;
interorbital area a low, narrow ridge, which is divided anteriorly; gillrakers short and rather slender;
scales finely ctenoid on colored side; origin of dorsal above anterior edge of upper eye, slightly on blind
side; origin of anal slightly behind base of pectoral.
Color, light-brown mottled somewhat with darker; indistinct blotch on lateral line under tip of
pectoral, one about middle of straight portion, and one at base of caudal; vertical fins with narrow
elongate spots on rays vertically arranged, sometimes in pairs at more or less regular intervals.
Description taken from specimen, 148 mm. total length, from Mayaguez. Everywhere abundant
on sandy shores of the warmer parts of western Atlantic, in shallow water; specimens recorded from
South Carolina, Florida, Cuba, and Brazil. The Porto Rican collection contains numerous individuals
from Mayaguez, Aguadilla, San Antonio Bridge, San Juan, Playade Ponce, Palo Seco, Vieques, Caballo
Blanco Reef, Puerto Real, Boqueron, and Fajardo.
Citharichthys spilopterus Gunther, Cat.., IV, 421, 1862, New Orleans, Santo Domingo, and Jamaica; Jordan & Evermann
1. c., 2685, 1898.
Citharichthys cayannensis Bleeker, Comptes Rcndus Acad. Sei. Amsterdam, XIII, 1862, 6, Cayenne; name only.
Citharichthys guatcmalcnsis Bleeker, Neder. Tydschr. Diork.,1864, 73, Guatemala.
279. Citharichthys arenaceus Evermann & Marsh, new species.
Head 3.8; depth nearly 2; eye 6; snout 5; maxillary 2.2; pectoral 1.8; D. 74; A. 54; pores 51.
Body elliptical, rather deep; head deep; mouth large; snout not very prominent, making but a slight
notch in front of upper eye; interorbital narrow, concave; eyes small, not close together; lateral line
not arched, but from upper end of gill-opening directed slightly downward to about in a line with tip
of pectoral, whence it extends directly backward to caudal fin; scales of colored side (left) finely
ctenoid, with accessory scales along region of lateral line; rays of vertical fins and caudal with small
scales, as is usual in flat-fishes; ventrals with 6 rays each.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 327
Color light-gray, thickly spotted with olive, giving it a granitic appearance, the rays of all the
fins with narrow alternating olive and gray crossbars; some rays of vertical fins with short oblong
spots extending in the direction of the raj'; blind side pale.
A small-eyed Citharichtliys, in this respect related to C. spilopterus, but, except in small examples,
bearing scarcely any other resemblance to that species. It differs from G. spilopterus mainly in the
general heavier appearance, being everywhere broader and thicker, and in its color. There are two
unnamed specimens in the National Museum from Santo Domingo referable to this species, otherwise
known only from Porto Rico. This description is from a specimen, 162 mm. in total length (type
The following table of relative measurements of these specimens is given for comparison:
Comparative measurements of 10 cotypes of Citharichtliys arenaceus.
No. Totallength.
Length
to base of
caudal.
Head. Depth. Eye. Snout. Maxil-lary.
Pecto-
ral.
Dorsal. Anal. Pores.
1 162* 141 3.8 2 6. 17 5.3 2.33 1.5 74 54 50
2 130 110 3.75 2 5.
8
4.8 2.41 2.07 68 50 54
3 114 100 3.84 2.8 5.2 4.33 2.6 1.86 69 51 45
4 94 81 4. 05 2.14 5 5 2.5 2 70 50 48
5 95 82 3. 86 2.
1
5.25 4.66 2.33 2.1 70 53 48
C 95 81 3.86 2. 011 5.25 5.25 2.62 2.1 75 48 50
7 88 76 4 2.17 4. 75 4. 75 2.7 1.9 74 54 50
8 84 73 3.94 2.14 5.3 5.3 2.5 2. 05 75 53 49
9 77 65 3.8 2. 17 4.86 4.86 2.43 2.12 72 51 48
10 59 49 3.8 2. 33 4.33 4.33 2.
6
1.80 72 51 48
* The type.
328 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
One other specimen was collected January 19 at Mayaguez, 2 at Aguadilla January 18, and 1 at
San Juan January 14. The two from Aguadilla may be described as follows:
Measurements. No. 1. No. 2.
125
115
4
2. 16
5.8
5. 25
2. 63
2.25
73
52
46
123
116
4.14
2. 33
6.22
5.9
2.54
2.17
72
51
50
Length to base of caudal
Head (about)
Depth (about)
Eye (about)
Pectoral
Dorsal
Color of same general pattern, but with large brownish blotches over body and one on caudal
peduncle.
Fig. 107 .—Etropus crossotus.
Genus 158. ETROPUS Jordan & Gilbert.
Eyes and color on left side. Body regularly oval, deep, and compressed. Head small; mouth
very small, teeth close-set, slender, and pointed, somewhat incurved, mostly on blind side; no teeth
on vomer. Eyes small, separated by a narrow, scaleless ridge; margin of preopercle free. Ventrals
free from anal, that of colored side inserted on ridge of abdomen, its base rather long. Dorsal fin
beginning above eye; caudal double-truncate; anal without spine. Scales thin, deciduous, ctenoid on
left side, cycloid on blind side. Lateral line simple, nearly straight.
This genus is very close to Citharichthys, from which it differs only in the very small size of
mouth and in the correspondingly weak dentition. The 3 or 4 known species are similar in appearance
to the species of Citharichthys and inhabit the same waters. Size small. Thysanopsetta, a South
American genus, is also very close to Etropus and Citharichthys, but has teeth arranged in a band. The
larval forms are translucent and symmetrical, as in Platophrys, Monolene, Arnoglossus, etc.
a. Snout not acute; dorsal rays 75 to 85.
b. Body comparatively elongate, depth rather less than one-half length.
c. Dorsal rays 81; anal 58; head 4.25 in length; eye 3.5 in head; maxillary! microstomus
cc. Dorsal rays 77; anal 61; head 4 in length; eye 3.5 in head; maxillary 4.33 rimosus
bb. Body very deep, depth more than one-half length; eye 3.75 in head; maxillary 4; head 4.8; depth 1.8 to 2; D. 76 to
85; A. 56 to 67; scales 42 to 48; cirri on subopercle of blind side very numerous, white; olive ground, with
darker blotches; fins sanded crossotus, 280
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 329
280. Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert.
Head 4. 8 in length; depth 1.75 to 2; I>. 76 to 85; A. 56 to 67; V. 6; scales 42 to 48; vertebrae 9 -(-25 = 34.
Body oval and strongly compressed, with the dorsal and ventral curves nearly equal; both outlines
strongly arched anteriorly, body much deeper in the adult; head very small; snout short; mouth
very small, its cleft not so long as diameter of orbit; teeth conical, pointed, close-set, strongly incurved,
in a single series, those in upper jaw on the blind side only, those on lower jaw on both sides; eyes
large, lower in advance of upper, separated by a very narrow scaleless ridge, which extends backward
above the preopercle; edge of opercle on blind side with a row of conspicuous white cilia; upper
nostril turned somewhat to blind side; anterior nostril on left side, with a very slender chrus; dorsal
fin commencing over front of upper eye, its middle rays highest, anterior not elevated; anal fin not
preceded by a spine, its middle rays highest; caudal fin very sharply double-truncate, as long as head;
pectorals short, that of left side the longer, about three-fourths length of head; ventral of colored side on
ridge of abdomen, the membrane of its last rays nearly reaching base of first ray of anal; ventral of blind
side longer than the other, one-half length of head, inserted farther forward than that of colored side;
vent lateral, with well-developed anal papilla. Scales thin, large, ctenoid on colored side, smooth on
blind side, those on middle part of body larger; head entirely scaly, except the snout and interorbital
ridge; rays of vertical fins with scales on basal half, on colored side; lateral line developed equally on
both sides, nearly straight.
Color, olive-brown, with some darker blotches, most distinct in larger specimens; vertical fins
finely mottled and streaked with black and gray; pectoral and ventral on left side spotted.
Tropical America on both coasts, north to Cerros Island and North Carolina, south to Panama
and Rio Janeiro; recorded from Charleston, Cedar Keys, New Orleans, Galveston, Beaufort, N. C.,
Mazatlan, Panama, from localities along both sides of coast of Lower California, and from several
places in Florida. Specimens before us are from Mayaguez, Palo Seco, and Arroyo, Porto Rico.
Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert, Proe. U. S. N. M. 1881, 364, Mazatlan; Jordan & Evermann, 1. e., 2689, 1898.
Family LXXIV. SOLEIDdi. The Soles.
Body oblong or elongate, usually scaly; mouth very small, much twisted toward eyed side; teeth
in villiform bands, very small or obsolete; eyes small, close together, with or without a bony ridge
between them; edge of preopercle adnate, concealed by skin and scales; gill-openings narrow, gill-
membranes adnate to shoulder-girdle above; pectoral fins small or wanting; ventral fins small, one or
both sometimes wanting.
Small fishes living on sandy bottoms, similar to the Pleuronecticlx in structure, but much degraded,
the fins and teeth having lost many distinctive qualities; the vertebra? usually in increased numbers.
The soles are numerous in the warm seas, and those of sufficient size are valued as food. They
comprise about 12 genera and 150 species. They are naturally divisible into 3 subfamilies, each quite
distinct from the others, and possibly independently descended or degraded from normal Pleuronectidx.
The North American species belong to 2 subfamilies, very different one from the other. The Achirinx,
or American soles, are apparently allied to the Pseltinx, the ventral fin of eyed side extending along
ridge of abdomen. The Soleinse, or European soles, show in the insertion of ventral and in other
respects a strong resemblance to the Pleuronectinx. The more aberrant Cynoglossinx, or tongue-fishes,
are perhaps degraded Soleinse, but the eyes are sinistral, as in the Pseltinx. In the Soleinx and Achirinx
the eyes are dextral, as in the Pleuronectinx.
Achirin;e:
I. Soles with eyes on right side and separated by a distinct bony ridge; ventral with long base confluent with anal.
Body oblong or ovate, with coloron rightside; eyes moderate or small, upper eye usually more or less inadvance
of lower; mouth small, more or less twisted toward blind side; teeth little developed, in villiform bands; edge
of opercle adnate, usually concealed by scales; gill-openings more or less narrowed, gill-membranes adnate
to shoulder-girdle above; blind side of head usually with fringes; pectoral fins small, sometimes wanting;
ventral fins developed, one or both of them sometimes obsolete; scales usually ctenoid, rarely wanting,
lateral line straight, usually single; right ventral with extended base, confluent with anal fin.
a. Gill-openings of moderate extent, confluent below; vertical fins well separated; body ovate in outline, depth nearly
one-half length; pectoral fins rudimentary or wanting; lateral line straight; scales well developed, etenoid
more or less enlarged on head, those of blind side of head with fringes; vertebra? about 28 Achirus, 159
aa. Gill-openings very small, separate, each reduced to a small slit below angle of opercle; right ventral beginning at
chin; pectoral fins minute or wanting; lateral line straight; snout dilated, dorsal beginning upon it.
330 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
b. Scales present, ctenoid; caudal somewhat confluent with dorsal.
c. Left ventral rudimentary, with 2 rays Apionichthys
bb. Scales none; caudal free from dorsal and anal Gymnachirus
Cynoglossinje:
If. Soles with eyes on left side, not separated by a bony ridge. Body elongate, more or less lanceolate in outline, with
color on left side.
cl. Ventral fin of eyed side only present, free from anal; no pectoral fins; no lateral line; head without fringes.
Symphurus, 1(H)
Genus 159. ACHLRUS Lacepede. American Soles.
Eyes and color on the right side. Body oblong, bluntly rounded anteriorly. Head small; eyes
small, close together, upper eye in advance of lower, the two separated by a bony ridge; mouth small,
somewhat turned toward colored side; nasal flaps present, nostril of blind side fringed; lip of colored
side fringed; teeth very small, on blind side only
;
gill-openings rather narrow, but confluent below, not
reduced to a slit; branchiostegal region scaled. Head closely scaled everywhere, scales on colored side
similar to those on body, those of nape and chin much enlarged; scales on blind side anteriorly with
their pectinations more or less produced, forming cirri; scales of both sides extremely rough, extending
on fins. Lateral line straight, simple; edge of preopercle covered by scales. Dorsal beginning on
snout, low in front and thickly scaled, its rays divided; anal fin similar, without spine; caudal tin free,
convex; caudal peduncle very short and deep; pectoral fin of left side wanting, that of right side small
or obsolete; ventral rays 3 or 4, ventral fin of colored side long, connected with anal by a membrane.
This strongly marked genus contains numerous species, all very closely related, and nearly all
American. It, has been united by Dr. Gunther with Solea, but for no good reason, as the number of
vertebra; is very much fewer than in the European soles, and the right ventral fin is decurrent along
the abdomen and united with the anal in the American soles, while it is short and wholly free in all
the European forms. The two groups belong in fact to distinct subfamilies. It is also worth noticing
that, the name Achirus is prior in date to that of Solea. The species with rudimentary pectoral fins have
been set apart 1 >v Dr. Bean to form the genus Baiosloma, but, the very slight development of these organs
in some of the species and the evidently very close relationship of them all lead us to regard Baiosloma
as a subgenus only. If we follow Kaup in restricting the name Achirus to the Asiatic group called
Pardachirus, the present, genus would receive the name of Trinectes. It seems to us, however, that both
Lacepede and Cuvier regarded the species called by us A. jasciatus as the type of their genus Achirus.
Baiostoma:
a. Pectoral fins small, present at least on right side.
b. Pectoral fins present on both sides, that of left side rudimentary, of a single ray; of eyed side with about 3 rays.
r. Dorsal rays GO to G7; anal rays about 48. Color brownish, irregularly spotted with darker, and with about 10 black
vertical lines crossing lateral line achirus
cc. Dorsal rays 53 to 57. Color olivaceous inscriptus, 281
bb. Pectoral of right side only present.
d. Dorsal rays 50 to 58; anal rays 38 to 48.
r. Pectoral fin of 4 to 6 rays, considerably longer than eye; body with 8 to 10 narrow, vertical dark bars, these some-
times obsolete with age lineatus, 282
Achirus:
aa. Pectoral fins wholly wanting; dorsal rays 50 to 55; anal rays 37 to 46; right lower lip fringed; left nostril with
some fringes; depth l.S in length; head 4; none of scales of eyed side with hair-like appendages. Color dusky-
olive, more or less mottled with about 8 dark vertical stripes, these varying very much in width and number;
caudal spotted fasciatus
281. Achirus inscriptus Gosse.
Head 3.75 in body; depth 1.75; D. 53 to 57; A. 40; scales 75 to 80;- interorbital width less than
eye; upper eye in advance of lower. Pectoral present on each side, that of left side rudimentary,
usually of a single ray; that of eyed side with about 3; left ventral with 1 or 2 small rays, in some
specimens entirely absent; right ventral joined to anal. Scales smaller and less rough than usual in
this genus, those of nape scarcely enlarged on eyed side, those of blind side much fringed; scales of
colored side with scattered hair-like appendages, some black, others pale. Vertebrae 8 +20 = 28.
Color, olivaceous; head, body, dorsal, and anal fins covered with a network of dark lines; traces
of about 8 dark cross-streaks sometimes present,; caudal base dusky. One specimen, 46 mm. long, from
Palo Seco, has the color rather darker than usual, dark network so distinct that lighter ground-color
shows as distinct light-gray spots; large round black spots scattered over side and vertical fins; no cross-
streaks; caudal very pale with but a trace of dusk}’ markings. Another individual, from San Antonio
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 331
Bridge, is very darkly colored, due to intensity of black network and darker gray ground-color; blind
side somewhat dusted over with brown specks, which grade into solid blue-black on caudal peduncle;
caudal fin abruptly pale with few faint dusky dots; vertical fins very dark on blind side, rays paler.
A specimen, 77 mm. long, from Aguadilla possesses 3 rays in each pectoral fin and is the only one
of the collection having cross-streaks, of which there are about 8.
An inhabitant of the West Indies, north to southern Florida. It. has been recorded from Haiti,
Key West, and Cape Florida. This collection contains specimens from station 6063 (in Mayaguez
Harbor in 75 fathoms), Fajardo, Palo Seco, Aguadilla, San Antonio Bridge, and San Juan.
Achirus inscriptus Gosse, Nat. Sojourn Jamaica, 52, pl.l, fig. 4,1851, Jamaica; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 2696, 1898.
Monochir retieulaius Poey, Memorias, II, 317, 1861, Cuba.
Fig. 108
.
—Achirus lineatus.
282. Achirus lineatus (Linnpeus).
Plead 3.5; depth about 1.5; D. 49 to 58; A. 38 to 44; scales 75 to 85. Pectoral fin of right side only
developed, of 4 to 6 rays, considerably longer than eye. Body with 8 to 10 narrow, vertical dark bars,
these sometimes obsolete with age; vertical fins all with round dark spots, these usually especially distinct
on caudal fin; some of scales of eyed side with black, hair-like appendages; pectoral fin with 5 or 6
rays, about 3 in head, its length equal to distance from outer edge of one eye to outer edge of other.
Color, brown, the young spotted with whitish, the adults sometimes with darker; body with
about 8 narrow, vertical cross-streaks of blackish.
West Indies and Brazil, Florida Keys to Uruguay; common and variable. Recorded from Jamaica
and Cienfuegos in the West Indies and from both coasts of Florida. Specimens at hand are from San
Juan market. Palo Seco, Boqueron, and Vieques, Porto Rico.
Passer lineis transversis notatus Sloane, Jamaica, 2, 77, pi. 246, fig. 2, 1725, Jamaica.
Pleuronectcsfuscus subrotundus glaber Browne, Jamaica, 445, 1756, Jamaica.
Pleuronectes lineatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 268, 1758, Jamaica; based on Browne and Sloane; not or ed. XII, which is
Achirusfasciatus.
Monochir maculipinnis Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Brasil., 88, pi. 49, 1829, Brazil; Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 341, 1881; Stahl, 1. c.,
166, 1883.
Baiostoma brachialis Bean, Proc. U. S. N. M. 1882, 413, Apalachicola Bay and south Florida.
Achirus comifer Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U.S.N.M. 1884,31, Key West.
Achirus lineatus, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c. , 2698, 1898.
332 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Genus 160. SYMPHURUS Rafinesque. Tongue-fishes.
Body elongate, more or less lanceolate in outline, with eyes and color on left side; eyes small,
very close together, with no distinct interorbital ridge between them; mouth small, twisted toward
blind side; teeth little developed, in villiform bands; edge of preopercle covered by scales; gill-openings
narrow, gill-membranes adnate to shoulder-girdle above, joined together and free from isthmus below;
pectoral tins wanting (in adult); vertical fins more or less confluent; scales ctenoid
;
lateral line wanting.
Ventral fin of eyed side only present, free from anal; head without fringes.
Symphurus:
. Scales not minute, ctenoid, 65 to 105 in number; dorsal rays 86 to 100; anal rays 70 to 87.
. Scales rather large, about 65; head 4.33; depth 4.33; color, clouded-brown piger
bb. Scales small, moderately ctenoid, 75 to 105 in a longitudinal series.
c. Dorsal and anal pale anteriorly, becoming more or less abruptly black posteriorly.
d. Caudal fin abruptly pale, at least at tip.
e. Body elongate, depth 4.5 in length; head 5.5. D. 96 to 100; A. 86 or 87; scales 88 to 90. Color, grayish, speckled with
brown; dorsal and anal fins black on last tenth; caudal abruptly pale; tips of fin rays vermilion .. . mafginatus
dd. Caudal fin black, as is a large part of dorsal and anal, black either continuous or in form of large spots. Color,
brownish, often mottled, usually with more or less distinct darker crossbands and with longitudinal streaks
along rows of scales, sometimes nearly plain brown.
/. Scales rather larger, 75 to 90. Body less elongate, depth 3.1 to 3.66 in length; head 5.25 to 5.75. Dorsal 88 to 95;
anal 75 to 80 plagusia, 283
cc. Dorsal and anal pale throughout, or more or less mottled or spotted with darker, caudal similarly colored, not
distinctly black. Body not very elongate, depth 3 to 3.33 in length. (Probably all varieties of S. plagiusa.)
g. Body with dark crossbands more or less distinct; fins mottled or speckled; upper eye slightly in advance of lower.
h. Dorsal rays 86 to 95; anal rays 75 to 80; head 5 in length ; depth 3.25; scales 85 to 93; crossbands more distinct than
in related species plagiusa
hh. Dorsal rays 78 to 85; anal rays 70 to 72; head 5 in length; depth 3.5; scales 80 to 90. Color, light-brown, with darker
crossbars, which become obsolete with age pusillus
gg. Body uniform grayish, without crossbands; last part of dorsal and anal with 3 or 4 oblong black blotches; each some-
what larger than eye; upper eye directly above lower; head 5.66 in length. Scales 85; D. 92; A. 75. . diumedeanus
Acedia:
an. Scales very small, ctenoid, each with a medium dark streak, which simulates a keel, but is not a ridge; snout and
jaws naked; fin rays in increased number.
i. Head 5.66; depth 4.66; D. 119; A. 107; scales 120. Grayish, everywhere mottled with brown nebulosus
283. Symphurus plagusia Bloch & Schneider. Tongue-fish,.
Head 5.25; depth about 3.5; T). 88; A. 76; scales 90. Body rather elongate. Color, brown,
somewhat clouded; narrow longitudinal lines along rows of scales, posterior part of dorsal and anal and
caudal black; dark bars on dorsal and anal in direction of rays. The black caudal has been considered
the mark distinguishing this species from the closely-related form >$'. plagiusa, from which otherwise,
according to descriptions, it differs but little.
Specimens at hand from Porto Rico show nearly all grades of coloration of the two forms which
with measurements cover pretty well the two species. But all of the Porto Rican specimens are
undoubtedly of the same species. They have been compared with specimens of S. plagiusa. The few
specimens of the latter examined revealed none with black caudal, but they differed in no other
respect, unless possibly in the slightly larger head and eyes. There can be little doubt but t hat the two
forms are as nearly identical as are the two names.
Some individuals are plain brown, with longitudinal streaks of darker along rows of scales, or
with distinct broad crossbars; or with irregular cross-mottling not arranged in definite bands. All of
these colors may vary from faint and light to very dark and distinct. The fins are sometimes nearly
plain, but usually with more or less numerous narrow dark bars running in direction of fin rays. Color
of caudal rays ranging from pale, through longitudinally barred and dusky to very black.
West Indies to Brazil; common. Specimens have been taken at Havana and in Jamaica; in
Porto Rico it is known from Palo Seco, Ponce, Mayaguez, Boqueron, and Hucares. The only record
from Florida is “ Off Key West, in about 20 fathoms” (Carman).
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 333
Measurements of 15 specimens of Symphurus plagusia, showing variations.
Locality. Totallength.
Length to
base of
caudal.
Head. Depth. D. A. Scales. Color of tail.
Mayaguez 146 137 5. 25 3.5 88 76 90 Black.
Do . 92 85 5. 33 3.25 90 74 79 Pale.
Palo Seco 120 113 5. 33 3.05 88 t 1 82 Verv black.
Do 103 96 5. 05 3.43 95 80 86 Black.
Do 94 87 5. 12 3.5 96 75 87 Do.
Do 108 100 5.6 3.6 96 83 88 Do.
Do 109 103 6. 44 3.5 96 83 88 Do.
Boqueron 117 109 5.5 3.5 96 79 83 Verv dusky.
109 103 5. 15 3.21 96 76 82 1 )usky.
Do 93.
5
86 5.25 3.5 93 82
Do 88 82 5. 12 3.25 91 75 78 Barred.
Do 85 78 5.2 3.37 93 80
Do 68 64 5 3. 66 93 78 78 Plain pale.
1 1 ucares 90 85 5.33 3.5 92 75 87 Pale.
Do 91 84 5.25 3.5 94 79 82 Do.
Plagusia, Browne, Jamaica, 445, No. 1, 1756, Jamaica.
Pleuronectes plagusia Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 162, 1801, Jamaica; after Browne.
Achirus ornatus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 659, 1803, on a specimen “presented by Holland to France."
Plagusia lessellata Quoy & Gaimard, Voyage Uranie, Zoologie, 240, 1824, Rio Janeiro.
Plagusia brasiliensis Agassiz, Spix, Pise. Brasil., 89, tab. 50, 1829, Brazil.
Aphoristia ornata
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 341, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 80 and 166, 1883.
Symphurus plagusia. Jordan & Evermann, 2709, 1898.
Family LXXV. ANTENNARIID^. The Frog-fishes.
Head and body more or less compressed. Mouth vertical or very oblique, opening upward;
lower jaw projecting; jaws with cardiform teeth; premaxillaries protractile. Gill-openings small,
pore-like, in or behind lower axils of pectorals. No pseudobranchise. Gills 2.5 or 3; skin naked,
smooth, or prickly. Pectoral members forming an elbow-like angle. Pseudobrachia long, with 3
actinosts. Ventral fins present, jugular, near together. Spinous dorsal of 1 to 3 separated, tentacle-
like spines; soft dorsal long, larger than anal. Pyloric creca none.
The Antennariiclie comprise about 5 genera and 50 species, inhabitants of tropical seas, “living
on floating seaweed, and enabled, by filling the capacious stomach with air, to sustain themselves on
the surface of the water”; therefore widely dispersed by currents in the sea. The different species
display the most grotesque forms and appearance; and, as Dr. Gunther well says, there is none,
perhaps, in which the singular organization of the fish is more distinctly seen to be in consonance
with its habits; and there is none in which mimicry and protective coloration and organization are
more strongly or more beautifully exemplified. “The habits of all are equally sluggish and inactive.
They are found in all warm seas and are very bad swimmers. Those found near the coasts lie on the
bottom of the sea, holding on with their arm-like pectoral fins to seaweeds or stones,” among which
they conceal themselves. Their colors and dermal filaments resemble the seaweeds very closely and
render the fish extremely difficult of detection. The species of pelagic habits attach themselves to
floating Sargassum or other floating seaweed and are carried about by the winds and currents.
a. Head compressed; a rostral spine or tentacle, followed by 2 larger spines; palatine teeth developed; dorsal spines
disconnected.
b. Skin naked and smooth; ventral fins elongate Pterophryne, 161
bb. Skin covered with prickles; ventral fins short Antennarius, 162
aa. Head cuboid; a single rostral spine or tentacle, received in a groove; soft dorsal low Chaunax,163
Genus 161. PTEROPHRYNE Gill. Mouse-fish.
Body smooth or scarcely granular, short, somewhat compressed, with tumid abdomen; mouth
small, oblique; palate with teeth; wrist and pectoral fin slender; ventrals elongated; soft dorsal and
anal vertically expanded.
Small fishes of fantastic shape in the West Indies and the Gulf Stream.
a. “Bait” on first dorsal spine bifurcate at tip - histno
aa. “Bait” on first dorsal spine bulbous, covered with fleshy filaments gibba, 284
334 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
284. Pterophryne g-ibba (Mitchill). Sapo; Pescador.
Garman refers to this species certain specimens obtained in Gulf weed about Key West and the
Tortugas. These resemble P. hislrio, but “differ markedly in certain respects. The bait on first
dorsal spine, for instance, is bulbous and covered with slender fleshy filaments in our individuals, but
in P. hislrio it is bifurcate. P. gihba is fairly represented by Cuvier, 1817, in his ChAronectes hcvigcttus.
The formula for the individuals in hand is D. in, 12; A. 7; V. 5; P. 10; C. 9.” (Garman.) West
Indies north to Key West and the Tortugas; not seen by us in Porto Rico but recorded from there
by Professor Poey and Dr. Stahl; probably not uncommon but often confounded with P. hislrio.
Lophius gibbus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. N.Y. 1815, I, pi. 4, fig. 9.
Chironectes Ixvigatus Cuvier, M<5m. du Mus., Ill, 423, pi. 16, fig. 1,1817, South Carolina.
fChironeclcs sonntagii Baron J. W. von Muller, Reisen in den Vereinigten Staaten, Canada, und Mexico, Band I, 180,
1864, in floating seaweed; no exact locality stated.
Pterophryne Ixvigala, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 340, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 79 and 165, 1883.
Pterophryne gihba, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2717, 1898.
Genus 162. ANTENNARIUS Lacepede.
Body oblong, compressed, very deep through occipital region, tapering behind; breast tumid;
mouth rather large, more or less oblique, or even vertical; cardiform teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines;
eye small; skin with small granules or spinules, these usually forked, and numerous fleshy slips.
First dorsal spine developed as a small rostral tentacle; second and third dorsal spines strong, covered
with skin, with numerous fleshy filaments; soft dorsal high and long; anal short and deep; caudal fin
rounded, peduncle free; pectoral fins wide, with a rather wide wrist, at lower posterior angle of which
are the very small gill-openings; ventral fins short.
Fantastic-looking fishes, very numerous in warm seas, especially in parts of the sea with floating
.vegetation; not rarely individuals are found far from their native latitudes, carried by currents to the
coasts of Norway and New Zealand. Their power of swimming is very imperfect. When near the
coast they conceal themselves among corals, stones, or fucus, holding on to the ground by means
of their arm-like pectoral fins. The extraordinary range of some of the species which inhabit the
Atlantic as well as the Indo-Pacific Ocean, is the consequence of their habit of attaching themselves
to floating objects. Their coloration is so similar to their surroundings that it is hardly possible to
distinguish the fish from a stone or coral covered with vegetation. Their way of attracting and seizing
their prey is evidently the same as in the other fishes of this family. Almost all the species are highly
colored, but the pattern of colors varies exceedingly. These fishes do not attain any considerable size,
and probably never exceed a length of 10 inches. A great number of species have been distinguished
by ichthyologists, but probably not more than twenty are known at present. (Gunther.)
A dozen American species of this interesting genus have been recognized, 9 of which occur in the
West Indies. The other 3 are found in the Gulf of California and southward on our Pacific coast. Of
the 9 West Indian species only 3 have as yet been taken in Porto Rico.
a. Bulbous tip or “ bait” of first dorsal spine simple, undivided at tip.
b. Skin smoothish except about eyes; first dorsal spine short, second rough. Body brown, with whitish spots; no
ocelli inops, 285
66. Skin with prickles, velvety or sliagreen-like.
c. Prickles simple, none of them bifid.
d. Color black; tips of pectorals and ventrals and one or two spots on side white (prickles undescribed) principis
dd. Color dusky; dorsal with 3 ocelli; caudal with many spots; first dorsal longer than second; no dermal flaps, tenebfosus
cc. Prickles or spinules on body mostly bifid.
e. Body with 3 large ocelli, 1 on dorsal, 1 on caudal, and 1 on middle of side, besides many black spots and streaks;
tip of first dorsal spine fringed; mouth largely black within ocellalus
aa. Bulbous tip or “bait” on first dorsal spine bifid at tip; skin shagreen-like.
/. Color reddish, with brown spots, those about eye radiating.
g. Dermal flaps numerous on body; spinules on skin short and stiff, rendering surface shagreen-like scabcr, 286
gg. Dermal flaps few; spinules on skin longer and slender, rendering surface velvety tigris
ff. Color uniform black; surface of body rough, shagreen-like; inside of mouth white; first dorsal spine short, little
longer than second nuttingii, 287
aaa. Bulbous tip or ” bait” of first dorsal spine trifid.
h. First dorsal ray twice as long as second and as long as caudal; sides with numerous black ocelli, besides other
streaks and dark spots; skin smoothish multioccllatus
hh. First dorsal spine barely one-half longer than second; shorter than caudal; sides with dark streaks and reticula-
tions; a large ocellus under middle of soft dorsal; body rough, with shagreen radiosus
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 335285.
Antennarius inops Poey.
Depth 2.75 with caudal. Skin lustrous, smooth, except for some points behind and below eye;
third of first 3 dorsal rays largest, its membrane not reaching to vent; second ray also large, but
shorter, placed between eyes; first spine developed as a fishing-rod, filiform, ending in a small, mem-
branaceous lobe, its base close to that of second, and therefore distant from end of snout, its spine
short, tip not reaching middle of second spine; short tentacles, like horns, on anterior part of third
spine, over nostrils and under mouth; caudal rounded; pectoral so joined that it can not be turned
forward as usual in this group, but rising obliquely backward and upward. Eye slightly longer than
snout; mouth brown within.
Color brown, with white spots on body and median fins, 6 of the largest of these each with the
center yellowish, largest from once to twice diameter of eye; spots on dorsal fins small; eye golden.
This species reaches a length of about 3 inches. It is known only from Porto Rico, whence it was
originally described; not obtained by us.
Antennarius inops Poey, Anal. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat., X, 1881, 340, Porto Rico; Jordan &Evermann, ].t\, 2718, 1898.
1 Antennarius portoricensis, Stahl, 1. c., 246, 1882, Porto Rico.
286.
Antennarius scaber (Cuvier)
.
(Pi.ATE 48.
)
D. hi—12; A. 7; P. 9 or 10. Anterior dorsal spine as long as second, and provided with 2 long
and thick cutaneous flaps at its tip; third dorsal spine not continuous with the soft dyrsal; soft dorsal
fin terminating at some distance from the caudal, its last ray not extending to root of caudal, if laid
backward; dorsal spines, head, back, and sides of body with more or less numerous cutaneous fringes,
those of dorsal spines sometimes forming a dense cluster; skin very rough, covered with small spines.
Ground-color yellowish or reddish brown, brightest on hack and underneath; body covered with
large, irregularly-rounded or oblong brownish spots; head with similar oblong spots; a series of 9 or
10 brown lines radiating from pupil; fins all light-brown or rosy at base, paler on distal portion, each
with a number of large roundish black or brownish spots, darkest on anal and pectoral; a series of
pale-greenish blotches on interradial membranes near outer margin of each fin; bait pale-yellowish,
stem paler; second and third dorsal spines rich brown.
A fish of small size from the Caribbean Sea; known from St. Lucia, Martinique, and Porto Rico;
only one specimen, 3 inches long, seined on the coral reef at Mayaguez.
Ckironectes scaber Cuvier, M6ro. Mus., Ill, 425, pi. 16. fig. 2, 1817, Martinique.
Antennarius scaber, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2722, 1898.
287.
Antennarius nutting-ii Garman. “Murciilngo.”
(Plate 49.)
D. ni-12; A. 7; V. 5; P. 11; C. 9. In form this species is shorter, more massive anteriorly, and
less compressed than either A. ocellatus or A. radiosus. A tranverse section across middle of body is a
nearly equilateral triangle. Caudal region short. Head nearly as wide as high; cheeks swollen; fore-
head rather broad, converging forward on edges. Occipital concavity wide and deep, free from scales
in a wide space below ends of first and second dorsal rays, this bare space being apparently for the recep-
tion of the fleshy bait-bulb, which latter has 2 elongate lobes. Snout as long as orbit, broad, truncate;
chin vertical; symphyseal knob prominent. Mouth wide, subvertical. Eye small; orbit twice as
long, hardly more than one-half interorbital space. First and second dorsal rays equal in length, not
inclusive of the 2 elongate fleshy-fringed lobes surmounting first; base of first ray standing forward
prominently over mouth, being free for some distance; greater portion of second ray free, while the
third is connected with the dorsum by the skin, from base nearly to tip. This last ray is larger than
either of its fellows. Soft dorsal large, middle rays longest, as long as distance from maxillary to hind
edge of operculum, or as long as rays of caudal fin; fin not reaching back to base of caudal rays, fringed;
hind margin of caudal convex, fringed; anal moderate, rays prominent in the margin, fin with a blunt
angle on outer edge, subtending, when laid up against the tail, one-fourth or more of the length of the
caudal rays; rays on pectoral fins extending out beyond margins more noticeably than those of other
fins; ventrals small, in most instances with 6 points on outer margin, in one case having but 5; greatest
length of caudal nearly one-fourth of total length; length of each maxillary two-thirds of caudal; scales
short, small, close-set, harsh to the touch, having none of the velvety appearance.
336 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
Color in life: Entire body and head and bases of all fins black, with washing of rusty-brownish;
middle of dorsal fin and outer parts of other fins more rusty; margin of dorsal black; each of the
other fins with a distinct but narrow creamy-white border; bait white; inside of mouth black.
Until now this fish was known only from the Bahama Banks, where the type was collected by the
Nutting expedition. Two specimens, each about 1.75 inches long, were obtained near the coral reef
at Mayaguez, in company with the specimen of A. scaber.
Antennarius nuttingii Garman, Bull. Iowa Lab. Nat. Hist. 1896, 83, pi. II, Great Bahama Banks; Jordan & Evermann,
1.0., 2723, 1898.
Genus 163. CHAUNAX Lowe.
Head very large, depressed, cuboid. Mouth large, subvertical; jaws and palate with bands of
small teeth. Skin with small, sharp spines. Spinous dorsal reduced to a small tentacle above snout,
retractile into a groove; soft dorsal moderate, low; anal short' ventrals small. Gills 2.5; no pseudo-
branchne. Muciferous channels very conspicuous, lateral line prominent, undulate; another series of
mucous tubes extending from lower jaws to axil; still another extending backward from snout and
maxillary to a point behind eye, when it ceases, uniting with a vertical line which extends from
lateral line to lower line, these lines thus inclosing a quadrate area on cheek. Gill-opening small, well
behind pectoral under front of soft dorsal.
Small, fantastic, deep-sea fishes.
a. Dorsal rays 11; anal 5; depth 2.5 in length pictus, 288
aa. Dorsal rays 13; anal 7; depth 2.4 in length nuttingii
288. Chaunax pictus Lowe.
Head 1.6; depth 2.5; D. i, 11; A. 5; P. 11; V. 4; C. 7. Rostral tentacle short, pedicellate;
muciferous channels appearing as chain-like rows of pits.
Color in spirits: Pale, with faint rosy shades persisting on back, caudal peduncle, and sides of head.
Deep waters of the Atlantic; known from Madeira, Soudan, Cape Verde, Barbados, off Rhode
Island, and elsewhere in the Gulf Stream, in 130 to 428 fathoms. Our single specimen, 2 inches in
length, was taken in the beam trawl at Fish Hawk station 6070, 9 miles from Mayaguez, in 220 fathoms.
Chaunax pictus Lowe, Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1846, 339, Madeira; Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2726, 1898.
?Chaunaxfimbriatus Hilgendorf, Sitzber. Ges. Naturf. Freunde 1879, 80, Sea of Japan.
tChaunax nuttingii Garman, Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist. Iowa Univ. 1896, 85, near Sand Key light, Florida, in 120 fathoms.
Family LXXVI. 0GC0CEPHALM. The Bat-fishes.
Head very broad and depressed, snout more or less elevated, trunk short and slender. Mouth
not large, subterminal or inferior, lower jaw included; teeth villiform or cardiform. Gill-openings
very small, above and behind axils of pectoral fins. Body and head covered with bony tubercles or
spines. Spinous dorsal reduced to a small rostral tentacle, which is retractile into a cavity under a
prominent process on forehead; in one genus the rostral tentacle is obsolete; soft dorsal and anal fins
small and short; ventrals well developed; pectoral fin well developed, its base strongly angled, with
long pseudobrachia and 3 actinosts. Branchiostegals 5; no pseudobranchue. There are 8 genera and
about 30 species of these fishes, chiefly American, some of them in the deep sea.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 837
Ogcocephaunac:
. Disk with frontal region elevated and the snout more or less produced forward; the tail stout; orbits lateral: teeth
on vomer and palatines; rostral tentacle present.
. Gills 2.5; disk longer than broad Ogcocephai,us,164
Halieutin/e:
aa. Disk with frontal region depressed, not elevated above the rest; eyes partly superior; snout rounded, obtuse in
front; tail slender.
c. Dorsal fin present.
d. Vomer and palatines with teeth Halieutichth ys, 165
dd. Vomer and palatines toothless.
e. Disk subcircular; gills 2.5.
/. Mouth rather small, terminal; prickles feeble Hameutella
ee. Disk subtriangular; gills 2; prickles very strong Dibranchus
Fig. 110.—Ogcoceplialus rexpertilh,, dorsal view.
Genus 164. 0GC0CEPHALUS Fischer. Sea Bats.
Body stoutish, tapering backward; head very broad and depressed, triangular in form, forehead
elevated and produced. Eyes large, lateral. Mouth rather small, subinferior under s.mut; villiform
teeth in bands, on jaws, vomer, and palatines. Skin covered with rough, bony tubercles. Dorsal and
anal fins very small; rostral tentacle present, retractile into a cavity under a bony prominence on
forehead; ventrals present, i, 5, well separated; pectorals large, placed horizontally. Gills 2.5. No
air-bladder; no pyloric cseea.
Tropical America, in shallow water. Small fishes of singular form, often regarded by the ignorant
as venomous.
a. Snout produced, rostral process pointed, 6 to 10 in length of body vespertilio, 289
aa. Snout short, rostral process 12 to 15 times in length of body nasutus
aaa. Snout short, rostral tubercle reduced to a button-like tubercle, which is about 25 times in length of body. . radiafus
F. C. B. 1900—22
338 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION.
289. Ogcocephalus vespertilio (Linnaeus). Bat-fish; Diablo; Murcielago de Mar.
Head, from tip of upper jaw to gill-opening, nearly one-half the length; depth 5 in length from
upper jaw to base of caudal; width 1.8; D. 4; A. 4; rostral process from 6 to 10 (9 in our specimens
from Havana); pectoral 4.5; ventral 6; caudal 4.25. Body stoutish, much depressed, rostral process
longer than in other species, variable in length; mouth small, maxillary reaching nearly to posterior
margin of eye; villiform teeth in bands, on jaws, vomer, and palatines; interorbital flatfish, its width
less at anterior end of eyes than at posterior; rostral groove longer than broad; body covered with bony
protuberances, variable in size, and not very definite in position, lower parts with a shagreen-like
covering; posterior edge of pectorals much behind middle of body; ventrals long, reaching outward to
edge of the disk-like anterior part of body; origin of dorsal over posterior edge of pectoral; anal under
vertical of tips of dorsal rays, and reaching nearly to base of caudal. Pale grayish-brown above, reddish
below; back with round black spots, conspicuous in life, but growing fainter and sometimes disappearing
in spirits; belly in life a ''nppery-red; pectoral nearly plain dusky.
West Indies, north to the Florida Keys; common in shallow water. Length 12 inches.
Recorded from Porto Rico by Professor Poey and Dr. Stahl. Here described from a specimen
from Havana, Cuba, about 10 inches in length. The length of snout is subject to great variation, but
it is never short and button-like, as in 0. radiatus.
Lophius vespertilio Linnseus, Syst. Nat., ed. X, 1, 236, 1758, American Seas; after Lophiusfronti imicorni of Artedi.
Malthesea longirostris Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 452, 1837, Bahia.
Malthe vespertilio
,
Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquefia, 311, 1881; Stahl. 1. c., 79 and 165, 18S3.
Ogcocephalus vespertilio, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 2737, 1898.
Genus 165. HALIEUTICHTHYS Poey.
Disk, subcircular, anteriorly cordiform, head merging into body, very large and much depressed;
cranial portion not elevated; interorbital space low and narrow; eyes partly superior; mouth terminal,
horizontal, jaws subequal, the lower jaw nearly semicircular; teeth fine, on jaws and palate. Gills 2.5;
no gillrakers; gill-openings anterior to pectoral; rostral tentacle very small, rectractile; dorsal and anal
few-rayed; pectoral large; carpus slender; caudal rounded; skin above sparsely armed with stellate
tubercles; lower surface smooth.
a. Surface of body covered with brownish reticulations aculeatus, 290
aa. Surface of body blackish, not reticulate; pectoral with a broad black bar.
b. Eye 4; interorbital 2 in eye; nostrils comparatively remote smithii 291
bb. Eye smaller; interorbital narrower; nostrils nearer together caribbseus
290. Halieutichthys aculeatus (Mitehill).
Head 1.8; depth 6; eye 5; interorbital 1.8 in eye, 8 or 9 in body; D. 5; A. 4; pectoral of 17 rays,
1.5 in head; caudal of 9 rays, 1.6 in head. Disk about as broad as long, its breadth equal to distance
from tip of snout to base of last dorsal ray; body above with many conical spines with stellular bases,
those at edge of disk usually 3-pointed, divergent; body smooth below; snout very short, obtuse,
bridge over rostral cavity with a 3-pointed spine in front, a simple smaller one on each side; simple
spines upon each supraorbital margin, and a row of about 5 on lower margin of eyeball, attached by a
fleshy flexible membrane; many slender filaments on edge of disk and sides of trunk; supraoral cavity
with a club-shaped tentacle.
Color in spirits: Body white below, darker above with obscure brownish markings; pectoral and
caudal with 3 dark bars, outer widest and darkest, the 2 inner of the pectoral obscure in our specimen.
West Indies, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf Stream, in water of moderate depth. One specimen, 2.75
inches long, taken by beam trawl in 75 fathoms at Fish Hawk station 6063, off Mayaguez, January 20.
Lophius aculeatus Mitehill, Amer. Month. Mag., II, 1818, 325, Straits of Bahama.
Halieutichthys aculeatus, Jordan & Evermaim, 1. c.
t 2739, 1898.
THE FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 339
291. Halieutichthys smithii Everraann & Marsh, new species.
Head 2; depth 6; eye 4; interorbital 2 in eye; D. 1-5; A. 4; P. 17; V. 5; 0. 9. Body not so
wide as in II. aculeatus, the anterior edge being more evenly rounded, the lateral edges less divergent,
and the posterior angles less salient; spines on body small and obscure, those on margin more prominent;
tail smooth, without spines; snout broad; rostral spine small; eye very large; interorbital space wide;
margin of body with a prominent fringe of filaments.
Color much as in II. aculeatus but lighter and without any reticulations; proximal half of pectoral
pale, then a broad jet-black band on about nine of the interradial membranes only (the rays being pale)
,
the outer fourth pale; caudal pale, somewhat dark at tip.
Fig. 112.—Halieutichthys smithii.
This species is close to II. caribbxus Garman, from which it differs in the much larger eye, wider
interorbital, more remote nostrils and the coloration.
One specimen, the type (No. 49537, U. S. N. M. ) 3.25 inches long, collected by the Fish Hawk at
Station 6063, in Mayaguez Harbor, in 75 fathoms, taken by the beam trawl on sand and coral bottom.
We name this interesting species for Dr. Hugh M. Smith, chief of the Division of Scientific Inquiry
of the United States Fish Commission.

INDEX.
Page.
abildgaardi, Sparisoma 289
Abudefduf 17,22
saxatilis 20,227
Acara Aya 171
aeerosa, Pterogorgia 19,20
Achirus inscriptus 330
lineatus 22,331
Acknowledgments 0
aculeatus, Halieutichthys 338
acuminatus, Eques 222
Addison, Matthew G 0
adscensionis, Epinephelus 152
adustus, Ophioscion 219
Aetobatus narinari 07
Agonostomus monticoia 18, 11-1
Aguadilla - 19,31,15
Aguaji 157
AguasBuenas 13
Aguavina 159
Agujon 99
Albaeora 122
albicaudus, Auchenopterus 313
albifimbria, Scorpsena 275
albimentis, Lycodontis 78
Albula vulpes 82
album, Hremulon 185
A Igarrobo 30
Algarrobo, Punta de 8
Alphestes chloropterus 155
Alutera seripta 261
alutus, Apogonichthys Ill
analis, Neormenis 20,176
Ariasco 0
Anehoa Pelada 86
Anchovy, Striped 88
Angel-fish 240
Angel-fish
,
Blue 252
Angelichthys eiliaris 252
Anguilla ehrysypa 68
Anisotremus surinamensis 194
virginicus 195
Antennarius 4, 19
inops 335
nuttingii 335
scaber 335
antennatus, Chilomyeterus 272
Aphthalmichthys caribbeus 52, 71
apodus, Neomrenis 172
Apogonichthys alutus 144
Apogon sellicauda 143
Apparatus and Methods ' 30
araa, Atherina Ill
Archosargus unimaculatus 204
arctifrons, Calamus 203
arcuatus, Pomacanthus 251
Ardea eserulea 10
herodias 16
ardeola, Tylosurus 99
Arecibo 18, 34, 45
Page.
arenaeeus, Citharichthys 326
arenatus, Priacanthus 166
Arrayado 187
Arribo 37
Arroyo 8,21,38,45
Artibeus perspicillatus 16
ascensionis, Holocentrus H8
Asymmetron lucayanum 00
Atherina araea ill
laticeps ill
stipes 110
atlanticus, Tarpon 80
Atyascabra 15
Auchenistius stahli 316
Auchenoplerus 53
albicaudus 313
cingulatus 21,315
fajardo 313
fasciatus 315
rubescens 314
Augustini, Senor 6
Aulostomus maculatus 105
aurofrenat uni, Sparisoma 238
aurorubens, Rhomboplites 181
Auxis thazard 19, 122
Awaous taiasica 18, 297
aya, Neomsenis 174
Bairdiella ronehus 218
Bahama Lancelet 60
bahianus, Teuthis 254
bahiensis, Cypsilurus 104
Bajonado 202
bajonado, Calamus 202
Baker, A. B 5
Balaju 33,101,102
Balao 102
Baldwin, A. II 5, 51 , 161
baldwini, Prionodes 160
Balistes vetula 256
Bamboo Fish Pot 31
Banana-fish 82
Barbero 253,254
Barbu 117
Barbudo 33,117
barracuda, Sphyraena llo
Barreto 300
Barriga Blanca 217
bartholomaei, Caranx 131
batabana, Corvula 217
Bat-fish 285, 338
Bathystoma rimator 192
striatum 193
Bayamon 34
bayamonensis, Gobius 296
Bean, Barton A 280
Bean,Tarleton H 100,280
beanorum, Pontinus 279
Beau Gregory • 226
Bello y Espinosa, Domingo 3,4
341
342 INDEX,
Page.
Benedict, James E V
Berdugo 222
Berg, Carlos 277
bergii, Scorpaena 276
Bergudo 222
Bermuda Chub 211
bermudensis, Fierasfer 319
Berrios, Jos6 V 6
Bianchi, Don Antonio 6,7
bicaudalis, Lactophrys 264
Bien & Co., Julius 52
Bigelow, Robert P V
Big-eye - 167
Big-eyed Herring 81
Scad 129
bistrispinus, Rypticus 163
Bithynis jamaicensis 13
olfersii 13,18
bivittatus.Iridio 232
Black Angel 251
Grouper 157
Grunt 187
Guativere 150
Moray 77
Pilot 226
Soap-fish 163
Blanquillo 303
bleekeriana, Ilisha 86
Blennies 20
Blenniidae 53
Blow-fish, Spiny-back 268
Blue Angel-fish 252
Parrot-fish 239, 2 4
Tang 253
Boca Colorado 189, 190
Bocanegra, Susano 7
Bodianus punctatus 150
ruber 150
Bollmannia boqueronensis 298
Bonaci Acara 157
bonaci, Mycteroperca 157
bonariense, Hsemulon 187
Bone-fish 82
Bony-fish 81
Boqueron, Ensenada del 21
boqueronensis, Bollmannia 298
Borinquen, Cape 7
Bowers, George M VI, 158
bowersi, Mycteroperca 158
brachiale, Sparisoma 242
Brachydeuterus corvinseformis 197
Brain Coral 19
Branchiostoma caribaeum 59
brasilianus, Gerres 209
brasiliensis, Hemirhamphus 1)2
Mugil 112
Scorpsena 274
breviceps, Larimus 4,216
bricei, Chaetodon 250
Broad-head, Grubber 90
broussonnetii, Gobioides 3C0
Brown Pelican 16,22
Brownson Deep 8,24
Buchanan, James A 6
Bullon 244
Bumper 136
Bureteado 196
Busek, August 5
Page.
Butterfly 249,250
Cabalito de Mar 109
Cabellerote 170
Cabeza de San Juan 8
Cabezon, Corbino 216
Cabezote Ill
Cabra Mora 152
Cabrilla 32,149,153
Cachicata 189,190
Cachucho 183
Cafonetta 62
Cadena, Punta de la 7
caerulea, Ardea 16
Caesar 192
Cagon de lo Alto 181
Caguas 18
caguitaa, Sicydium 18, 291
Caillen-Tassart 86
Caji 172
Calamus arctifrons 203
bajonado 202
calamus 201
kendalli 201
calidris, Vireo 16
Cana Tiburones Lagoon 15
Candil 118
Cantherines pullus 258
Canthigaster rostratus 269
capistratus, Chaetodon 249
Capitan 230
Carangidae 53
Caranx bartholomaei 131
crysos 132
hippos 17,131
latus 132
ruber 130
carbonarium, Haemulon 188
Carbonero 130
Carcharhinus falciformis 62
limbatus 62
Cardona Island 21
cardonae, Coralliozetus 21,317
caretta, Thalassochelys 25
caribeeum, Branchiostoma 59
caribbeus, Aphthalmichthys 52,71
Carita 123
earolinus, Trachinotus 139
Casabe 136
Catalineta 195,251
Catalufa 166,167
Catafio 17
catenata, Echidna 79
Caulolatilus cyanops 303
Cayo Obispo 23
Cayo Sanqudo 23
Cayo San tiago S, 23
cayorum, Corythroiehthys 23, 108
Cavalla 124
cavalla, Scomberomoru- 124
Cazon de Playa 62
Ceiba 40
Centropomus paralielus 146
undecimalis 22, 146
Cephalaeanthus volitans 285
Cero 124
Ceryle alcyon 16
Chaetodipterus faber 21, 246
Chaetodon 19
FISHES OF PORTO RICO 348
Page
Chfetodon bricei 250
capistratus 249
striatus 249
chalybeius, Chlorophthalmus 93
Chapin 262,263,264
Characteristics of Aquatic Fauna 24
Chaunax pictus 336
Cheloniamydas 25
Cherna 152,154,155
Cherna Americana 154
Criolla 152
de Vivera 154
Chicharro 129
Chiiomycterus 21
antennatus 272
Chilorhinus suensonii 72
Chinchorro 33
Chirivita 227,251
Chiro 81
Chlorophthalmus chalybeius 93
chloropterus, Alphestes 155
Chloroscombrus cnrysurus 136
chcerostomus, Stolephorus 88
Chopa 33
Amarilla 204,211
Blanca 211
chrysopterum
,
Sparisoma 239
chrysurus, Chloroscombrus 136
Ocyurns 180
chrysypa, Anguilla 68
Chub 211
Bermuda 211
Chucho 67
Cibi Amarillo 131
Mancho 130
Cigar-fish 129
ciliaris, Angelichthys 252
ciliatus, Monacanthus 258
cinereum
,
Xystaema 207
cingulatus, Auchenopterus 21,315
cirratum, Ginglymostoma 60
Citharichthys arenaceus 326
spilopterus 326
unicornis 325
Clark, Hubert L V
Climate 9
Clupanodon pseudohispanieus 84
Coasts 8
Cochino 256
Cockeye Pilot 20,226,227
Coe, Wesley R V
coeruleus, Scarus 244
Teuthis 253
Cojinuda 132
Colirubia 180
Colorado 33
Comico 166
Commercial Fisheries. .. 27
Common Eel 68
Grunt 190
Pompano 139
Saw-fish 64
Spotted Moray 77
Trunk-fish 263
Conejo 266
Coney 149
Conger Eel 70
conger, Leptoeephalus 70
Page.
Congrio 70
Conodon nobilis 19, 196
Cony, Horny 259
Cook.O. F Y
Coots 28
Coralliozetus cardonse 21,317
Corbino Cabezon 216
Corcobado 33, 133
Cordillera Central 8, 11
Corega 37
coriaceus, Rypticus 163
Corjinua 33
Corocoro 186
coroides, Umbrina 220
Corvina 33,215,216
corvinseformis, Brachvdeuterus 197
Corvula batabana 217
sanctre-lucise 217
Corythroichthys cayorum 23, 108
Cotoro 210
Verde 239
Cow-fish 264
Crawfish 39
Crevalle 132
crocro, Pomadasis 198
c.roicensis, Scarus 20,244
cruentatus, Goniopsis 16
Petrometopon 149
Priacanthus 167
crumenophthalmus, Trachurops 129
crysos, Caranx 132
cubanus, Stolephorus 88
Cubera 169
Culebra Island 22,40
culebrre, Malaeoctenus 308
curema, Mugil 22,113
Cutlas-fish 125
cyanops, Caulolatilus 303
cyanopterus, Neomsenis 169
Cynoscion jamaicensis 215
Cypsilurus bahiensis 104
Cytherea dione 24, 25
Daetyloscopus tridigitatus 301
Dajao 18,114
Dali, W. H V
Danish Wed Indies 40
Dark-green Parrot-fish 240
Dasyatis hastata 65
say 65
Davenport, Richard G 5
Decapterus punctatus 129
decoris, Doratonotus 21,231
Deep-water Gurnard 284
delalandi, Malaeoctenus 310
Demoiselle 227
Dendroica petechia ruficapilla 16
dentex, Odontosciou 216
Diablo 338
Diodon holacanthus 271
hvstrix 271
dione, Cytherea 24,25
Diplectrum radiale 159
dispilurus, Dules 162
Diver, Sand 92
Doctor-fish 254
Doderlein, Pietro 211
Dog Snapper 171
dominicensis, Tyrannus 16
844 INDEX.
Page.
Donax 20,25
Doncella 232
Dorado 3
Doratonotus dccoris 21, 234
megalepis 233
Dormeur . 164
Dormitator maculatus 289
dormitor, Philypnus 288
Dredging Stations 25
Drummer, Ground - 218
Jewsharp 221
Mongolar 215
White-mouth 220
Ducks.. 23
Duerden, J. E V
Dules dispilurus 162
Ecaille, Grande 80
Echeneis naucrates 301
Echidna catenata 79
Eel, Common 68
Conger 70
Worm 72
Eleotris pisonis 290
clongata, Xiphocaris 13,15
Flops saurus 19,81
eiucens, Siphostoma 108
ElYunque 7,8
Emblemaria pandionis 318
Enjambre 149
Ensenada del Boqueron 21
Honda 24
Epilobocera sinuatifrons 13
Epinephelus adscensionis 152
guttatus 32,153
morio 154
striatus 152
Eques acuminatus 222
Eretmochelys imbricata 25
Erizo 271
Escambron Point 17
Escamuda, Sardina 85
Escribano 101,102
Esmeralda 296
Etelis oc.ulatus 183
Eucinos'iomus gula 206
harengulus 206
pseudogula 205
Eupomaeentrus 17,19,22
analis 224
fuseus 224
leucostictus 226
exustus, Mytilus : 16
faber, Chsetodipterus 21, 246
Fajardo 23,40
fajardo, Auchenopterus 313
falcata, Seriola 128
falcatus, Trachinotus 138
falciformis, Carcharhinus 62
Fan Coral 19
Fan-tail Mullet 113
Farina, Ricardo Amado 7
fasciatus, Auchenopterus 315
Fierasfer bermudensis 319
File-fish 259
Fino . 150
Fisheries and Fish Trade 29
Fishery Products imported 41
Fishery Statistics 45
Page.
Fish hawks 23
Fish-peddlers 37
Fistularia tabacaria 106
flabellum, Rhipidogorgia 19,20
Flamencos Lagoon 15
Flasher 164
flavescens, Sparisoma 20,240
flavolineatum, Hremulon 191
Flint, James M V
floridse, Siphostoma 107
Fly-catcher 16
Flving-fish 103
Flying Robin 285
foetens, Synodus 92
Food-fishes of San Juan market 34
Fool-fish 259
fonticola, Fundulus 96
Foster, Lieutenant 68
French Grunt 191
Frigate Mackerel 122
Fry. Hog-mouth 88
Fundulus fonticola 96
funebris, Lycodontis 77
fnrnieri, Micropogon 19,220
fuseus, Pelecanus 16
Eupomaeentrus 224
gabonensis, Vomer 19, 133
Gaff Topsail 137
Galliwasp 92
garmani,Stolephorus 89
Gata 60
Geology 9
Gerres brasilianus 209
lineatus 17
olisthostomus 209
plumieri 210
rhombeus 208
gibba, Pterophrvne 334
gilbert!, Stolephorus 90
Gillias jordani 21,307
Gill, Theodore 52,75,145,182,246
Gill nets 31
Ginglymostoma cirratum 00
glaucus, Trachinotus 137
Globe-fish 269
Goat-fish, Red 120
Yellow 121
Gobiesox 17
tudes 305
Gobiidse 53
Gobioides broussonnetii 300
Gobius bayamonensis 296
lyricus 295
oceanicus 296
soporator 294
Goggle-eye Jack 129
Goggler 129
gomesii, Ophicthus 75
Goniopsis cruentatus 16
Gonzalez, Don Luis 0
graeile, Peristedion 284
Grass Porgy 203
Gray, G. M 17, 52
Gray Grunt 186
Snapper 170
Great Blue Heron 16
Green Parrot-fish 245
Turtle 25,41
FISHES OF PORTO RICO. 345
griseus, Neomrenis
Ground Drummer
Spearing
Grouper, Black
Nassau
Red
Grubber Broadhead
Grunt, Black
Common
French
Gray
Margaret
Open-mouthed
Red-mouthed
Striped
White
Yellow
Guaeamaia
guaeam.aia, Pseutlo<’carus. .
.
Guachanche, POlon
guachaneho, Sphyrsena
Guanabano
G liana j i bo, Punta de
Guanica
Lagoon
Guaseta
Guativere, Black
Red
Guavina
guavina
Guayama
gnla, Eucinostomus
Gundlach, Juan
Gurnard
Deep-water
guttatus, Epinephelus
Hacienda Catalina
La Perla
Rom an a
Htemulidse
Haemulon
album
bonariense
carbonarium
flavolineatum
macrostomum
parra
plumieri
sciurus
Halieutichthys aculeatus . .
.
smith ii
Hamlet
Hansard, Arthur C
Hard-tail
harengulus, Eucinostomus.
Hargitt, Chas.W
Harvest-fish
hastata, Dasyatis
Hawksbill turtle.
Hechudo
Hemirhamphus brasiliensis.
hepatus, Teuthis
herodias, Ardea
Heron, Little Blue
Great Blue
Herring, Big-eyed
Thread
Hill, Robert T
Page.
. 170
. 218
91
. 157
. 152
. 154
90
. 187
. 190
. 191
. 186
. 185
. 191
. 192
. 186
. 193
. 189
. 245
. 245
. 116
,
. 116
. 271
8
21
15
155
.. 150
.. 150
288, 297
, 22,289
8. 9, 12
. . 206
.. 3,4
. 283
,. 284
. 32,153
6
C
6
53
53
.. 185
.. 187
188
191
.. 186
187
.. 190
. . 189
.. 338
339
. 77,152
6
. . 132
. . 206
V
.. 141
65
. . 25,41
90
.. 102
.. 254
16
16
16
81
86
.. 8,9
Page.
Hind, Red '149
Hippocampus punctulatus 109
hippos, Caranx 17
hispidus, Monacanthus 259
Hog-choker 22
Hog -fish 230
IIog-mouth Fry 88
holacanthus, Diodon 271
Holaeanthus tricolor 251
Holocentrus aseensionis 118
vexillarius 119
Holothuria surinamensis 20
hoplomystax, Sparisoma 20,237
Horny Cony 259
Horse-eye Jack 132
Hound-fish 99
Hucares 8,23,40
Hudson, C. B 51
Hnmacao 8
humeralis, Sardinella 85
Hydrography 11
Hyporhamphus unifasciatus 17,101
hystrix, Diodon 271
Ilish i bleekeriana 86
imbricata, Eretmochelys 25
incisor, Kyphosus 211
inops, Antennarius 4, 335
inscriptus, Achirus 330
intermedius, Synodus 92
Iridio bivittatus 232
kirschii 232
Irish Pompano 209
Isabelita 252
Isopora muricata , 19
Jallao 185
Jaboncillo 154
Jack, Goggle-eye 129
Horse-eye 132
Yellow 131
jamaicensis, Bithynis 13
Cynoscion 215
Jarea 33
Jenkinsia lamprotsenia 84
stolifera 84
Jewsharp Drummer 221
Jobos Harbor 8
jocu, Neomtenis 171
John Mariggle 81
Jolt-head Porgy 202
jonesi, Siphostoma 108
jordani, Gillies 21,307
Lvcodontis 78
Jorobado 135
Josea 113
Jurel 33,132
Just, Emile 7
kendalli, Calamus 201
Kendall, W. C 7
Key to Families of Fishes 54
King-fish 124
Kingfishers 16,23
kirschii, Iridio 232
Krug, Leopold 3
Kyphosus incisor 211
sectratrix 211
Labrisomus nuchipinnis 311
Lachnolaimus maximus 230
Lactophrys bicaudalis 264
346 INDEX,
Lactophrys tricornis
trigonus
triqueter
Lady-fish
Isevigatus, Lagocephalus
Lagartd
Lagocephalus Isevigatus
lamprotsenia, Jenkinsia
Lancelet, Bahama
West Indian
Lancet-fish
Lane Snapper
Larimus
breviceps
laticeps, Atherina
latirostris, Trichechus
latus, Caranx
Leather-fish
Leather-jack
Lebrancho
Le Fevre, Geo
lefroyi, Ulsema
Leptocephalus conger
lepturus, Trichiurus
leucostictus, Eupomacentrus.
Lija Colorado
Lija Trompa
.
,
limbatus, Carcharhinus
lineatus, Achirus
Gerres
Lion-fish
Lisa Francesa
Little Blue Heron
Liza
Lizard-fish
Lobotes surinamensis
Local Fisheries
Investigations
Loggerhead Turtle
lorito, Sparisoma
Loro
Colorado
Verde
lucayanum, Asymmetron . .
.
lunatus, Platophrys
Luquillo
Lillian idee
Lycodontis albimentis
funebris
j ordani
moringa
lyolepis, Stolephorus
lyricus, Gobius
Macabi
Machete
Machuelo
mackayi, Siphostoma
Mackerel, Frigate
Spanish
Yellow
maerolepis, Pontinus
macrophthalma, Snrdinella .
macrostomum, Hsemulon
maculatus, Aulostomus
Dormitator
Scomberomorus.
Upeneus
Madregal
Page.
264
263
262
82
266
91,92
266
84
60
59
254
178
4
216
Ill
25
132
258,259
127
112
V
207
70
125
226
258
261
62
22,331
17
277
81
16
17,33,112, 113,258,259
92
17,164
33
15
25,41
210
. 236,238,240,241,244
239
239,240
60
322
40,76
53
78
78
89
295
82
125
86
107
122
123
132
280
85
186
105
289
33,123
120
128
mahogoni, Neomsenis
Mahogany Snapper
Malacoctenus culebroe
delalandi
rnoorei
puertoricensis .
.
Manatee
Manchego
Mancheva
Mangrove Snapper
Manjua
Mansfield, Captain
Mapiro
Maps i
Margaret Grunt
Margate-fish
Mariposa
marmoratus, Spheroides
Marshall, R. A
martinicensis, Menticirrhus .
.
martinicus, Upeneus
Masaguan
Matajuelo Real
maximus, Lachnolaimus
Mayaguez
McAllister, Don Pablo
Medico
meeki, Microgobius
megalepis, Doratonotus
megalophthalmus, Neomienis.
Menticirrhus martinicensis. .
Mero
Cabrilla
Guajiro
nresogaster, Parexoeoetus
Microgobius meeki
Micropogon furnieri
micrurum, Syacium
Millepora alcicornis
Miller, Gerrit S., jr
Milligan, J.D
Millspaugh, Charles Frederick
Mojarra
Molinari, Nicholas
Mona Passage
Monacanthus
ciliatus
hispidus
Mongolar Drummer
Monosira stahli
monticola, Agonostomus
Moon-fish
Moore, H.F
Moore, J. Percy
rnoorei, Malacoctenus
Moray, Black
Moray, Common Spotted
Morena
Verde
moringa, Lycodontis
morio, Epinephelus
Moron
Mud-fish
Mud Parrot-fish
Mugil brasiliensis
curema
trichodon
Mullet
Page.
179
179
308
310
309
309
25
178
178
170
86,88
289
294
185
185
17,20,249, 250,251,252
268
.. 221
. . 121
289
81
. . 230
19,35,44
6
253,254
. . 300
. . 233
, . . 177
. . 221
.. 154
. . 158
. . . 153
. . 103
. . 300
. 19,220
. . . 324
20
5
4
17, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210
24
21
258
259
215
4
18,114
135
. V,5
V
209
79
.. 154
289, 290
.. 243
. 240
.. 112
. 22,113
. 113
. 17,112
FISHES OF PORTO RIOO 347
Page.
Mullet, Fan-tail 113
White 113
Muniama 207
Mursenesox savanna 71
Murcielago 285,335
de Mar 338
muricata palmata, Isopora 19
Mutton-fish 176,209
Myeteroperea bonaci 157
bowersi 158
inydas, Chelonia 25
myops, Trachinocephalus 91
Myrichthys oculatus 74
Mytilus exustus 16
Naguabo 8
narinari, Aetobatus 07
Nassau Grouper 152
naucrates, Echeneis 301
NOgre 154
Neomsenis analis 20,176
apodus 172
aya 174
cyanopterus 169
griseus 170
joeu 171
mahogoni 179
megalophthalmus 177
synagris 20, 178
vivanus 33,175
Nerita peleronta 19
New Species of Fishes 52
Nigger-tish 150
niphobles, Sparisoma 20, 238
nobilis, Conodon 19,196
nuchipinnis, Labrisomus 311
Nurse Shark 60
nuttingii, Antennarius 335
Obispo 67
oceanicus, Gobius 296
Ocean Tang 254
ocellatus, Platophrys 321
oculatus, Etelis 183
Myrichthys 74
Ocyurus chrysurus 180
Odontoscion dentex 216
Ogcocephalus vespertilio 338
oglinum, Opisthonema - 86
Ojanco 179
Ojon 167
Ojudo 167
Old Wench 256
Old Wife 243,256
olfersii, Bithynis 13, 18
Oligoplites saurus 17, 127
olisthostomus, Gerres 209
Open-mouthed Grunt 191
Ophicthus gomesii - 75
ophioneus, Sphagebranchns 73
Ophioscion adustus 219
Opisthonema oglinum 17,86
Ostrea yirginica 16
Ouatilibi 150
Paguala . 246
palmata, Isopora muricata 19
Palmoneta - 251
Palometa 137,138,141
Palo Seco 17
pandionis, Emblemaria 318
Page.
parallelus, Centropomus 146
ParchO 249
Parexoccetus mesogaster 103
Pargo 33,176
Amarilla 172
de lo Alto 175
Colorado 171,174
Criollo 176
Guachinango 174
Prieto 170
parra, Haemulon 1S7
Parrot-fish 29, 236, 238, 240, 241
Blue 239,244
Dark-green 240
Green 245
Mud 240
Red 239
paru, Peprilus 141
parvus, Upeneus 121
Patillas River 38
Pearl-fish 319
pectinatus, Pristis G4
Pega 331
Pegador 301
Peje Puerco 256,258
Pelada, Anchoa 86
Pelecanus fuscus 16
Peprilus paru 141
perfasciatus, Stolephorus 88
Peristedion gracile 284
Permit 138
Perro Perro 230
perspicillatus, Artibeus 16
Pescador 334
petechia ruficapilla, Dendroica 10
Peters, W 3
Petrometopon cruentatus 149
Pez de Puerco 258
Pez Sierra 64
Philypnus dormitor 288
pictus, Chaunax 33G
Picuda 115
picudilla, Sphyrsena 116
Pilot, Black ; 226
Cockeye 226, 227
Pintado 124,227
Piojo 81,82
pisonis, Eleotris 290
Pitirre 16
plagusia, Symphurus 332
Platophrys lunatus 322
ocellatus 321
Platygyra viridis 19
Playa de Humacao 23
Pluma 201,202
plumieri, Gerres 210
Hsemulon 190
Scorpsena 277
Sicydium 292
Pceeilia vivipara 97
Poeciliida; 53
Poey, Felipe 4
Polydactylus virginicus 17, 117
Pomacanthus arcuatus 251
Pomadasis crocro 198
ramosus 198
Pompano 137
Common 139
348 INDEX
Pompano, Irish
Round
Pompon
Ponce
Pontinus beanorum
macrolepis
Porcupine-fish
Porgy, Grass
Jolt-head
Saucer-eye
Shad
Pork-fish
Porto Rico, Geological Features of.
Harbors of
Position and Size of
Portugais
Priacanthus arenatus
cruentatus
Prices of Food-fishes
Prionodes baldwini
Prionotus punetatus
Pristis pectinatus
productus, Stolephorus
pseudohispanicus, Clupanodon . .
.
pseudogula, Eucinostomus
Pseudoscarus guacamaia
Pterogorgia acerosa
Pterophryne gibba
Puerco Espino
Puerto Arenas
de Fajardo
Isabel Segunda -
Mosquito
Negro
Real
Real de Cabo Rojo
puertoricensis, Malacoctenus
Puertoriquenos
Puffer
Sharp-nosed
Smooth
Southern
Spiny
pullus, Cantherincs
punetatus, Bodianus
Decapterus
Prionotus
punctulatus, Hippocampus
Punta de Mata Redonda
de Santiago
Lima
Santiago
Puppy-fish
Quia-quia
Quiebra
Rabirubia
radiale, Diplectrum
Raiado
Rail
Ramirez, Miguel
ramosus, Pomadasis
raphidoma, Tylosurus
Rascacio '
Rathbun, M. J
Raya
Ray, Sting -
Red Goat-fish
Red Grouper
Red Guativere
Red-hind
Red-mouthed Grunt
Page.
. . 209
. . . 138
.. 191
21,37,43
. . . 279
. . . 280
. . . 271
. . . 203
. . . 202
. . . 201
. . . 203
. .. 195
251
166
167
34
160
283
64
90
84
205
245
19,20
334
271
40
8
40
40
40
37,40
8,20
309
269
269
266
267
272
258
150
129
283
109
8
8
S, 23
39
141
129
127
180
159
178
16
198
99
277
V
.... 65
65
.... 120
.... 154
150
32,149,153
192
Red Parrot-fish
Red Snapper
Redstart, American
regalis, Scomberomorus
Rhipidogorgia flabellum .
.
rhombeus, Gerres
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Riddle, Oscar
rimator, Bathystoma
Rincon
Rio Afiasco
Arecibo
Bayamon
Blanco
Caguitas
Coamo
Culebrinas
Descalabrado
Don Alonzo
Fajardo
Grande de Arecibo
Guamani
Jaeaguas
Loiza
Luquillo
Naguabo
Portugues
Turabo
Yahueca
Yauco
Robalo
Robin, Flying
Round
Rock Beauty
Rock-fish
Rock-hind
Rock Salmon
ronchus, Bairdiella
Ronco
Amarillo
Blanco
Carbonero
Condenado
Prieto
Ronco
rostratus, Canthigaster
Round Pompano
Robin
Rubber-fish
ruber, Bodianus
Caranx
rubescens, Auchenopterus
rubripinne, Sparisoma
Runner
Rypticus bistrispinus
coriaceus
saponaceus
Sabalo
Sabanita
Sable
Saga
Sailor’s Choice
Salmonete
Salmonete Amarilla
Salmon, Rock
Sama
San Antonio Bridge
sanctse-luciae, Corvula
Sand-diver
Sandpiper
San Francisco, Cape
Page.
239
174
16
124
19,20
208
181
7, 17, 52, 176
192
14
13
13
14
13
14
13
14
13
14
18
14
14
12
15
14
14
13
14
14
.22,33,146
. . . . 285
. . . . 129
. . . . 251
. . . . 158
...152,158
. . . . 128
.... 218
...187,218
. . . . 189
. . . . 198
. . . . 188
. . . . 191
. . . . 187
. . . . 190
. . . . 269
.... 138
. . . . 129
.... 211
. . . . 150
. . . . 130
. . . . 314
. . . . 241
. . 127, 132
.... 163
. . . . 163
163
80
37
. . . 33, 125
. . . . 297
. . . . 187
. . . . 120
. . . . 121
. . . . 128
.. 164,176
17
. . . . 217
92
16
FISHES OF PORTO RICO, 349
Page.
San Geronimo 17
San Juan 33,43
San .1uan Market 17
Santa Cruz 40
Santa Cruz Fishermen 22
Sapo 334
saponaceus, Rvpticus 163
Sardina 17,84,85
de Espafia 84
Escamuda 85
Sardine 33
Sardinella humeralis 85
macrophthaima 85
Saucer-eye Porgy 201
saurus, Elops 10, 81
Oligoplites 17,127
Savalle 80
Savanilla 80
savanna, Muraenesox 71
Savola 125
Saw-fish, Common 61
saxatilis, Abudefduf 20, 227
say, Dasyatis 65
Scabbard-fish 125
scaber, Antennarius 335
scabra, Atya 15
Scad 129
Scad, Big-eyed 129
Scamaroni, Guillermo R.'. - 7
Scar'd® 53
Searus c®ruleus .244
croicensis 20,244
vetula 243
Schoolmaster 172
sciurus, H®mulon 189
Scomberomoras cavalla 124
maculatus 33,123
regalis - 124
Scorp®na albifimbria 275
bergii - 276
brasiliensis 274
grandieornis 277
plumicri 277
scripta, Alutera 261
Sea-cucumber 20
Sea-horse 309
Sea Serpent 75
sectatrix, ICyphosus 211
Selene vomer 17, 135
sellicauda, Apogon 143
Seriola falcata 128
Serranid® 53
Set! 296
Setophaga rut.icilla 16
Shad Porgy 203
Shark, Nurse 60
Shark Sucker 301
Sharp-nosed Puffer 269
Shrimp 18
Sicydium caguit® 18, 291
plumicri — 292
Sierra 33
Sierra de Cavey 8
Sierra Luquillo
_
8
Silk Snapper 175
Silver-fish 125
Silver King 80
Simpson, Chas. T V
sinuatifrons, Epilobocera 13
Siphostoma elucens '- 108
florid® 107
Page.
Sipliostoma jone-si 108
mackayi 107
Sirajo 292
Sisi 195
Slippery Dick 232
Smith, H.M 52,339
smithii, Halieutichthys 339
Smooth Puffer • 266
Snapper, Dog 171
Gray 170
Lane 178
Mahogany 179
Mangrove 170
Red 174
Silk 175
Snook 116
Soap-fish 92,163
soporator, Gobius 294
Southern Puffer 267
Stingray 65
Spade-fish 21,246
Spanish Mackerel 123
Sparisoma 53
abildgaardi 239
aurofrenatum 238
brachiale 242
chrysopterum 239
flavescens 20, 240
hoplomystax 20, 237
lorito 210
niphobles 20,238
rubripinne 241
viride 240
xystrodon 20,236
Spearing, Ground 91
spengleri, Spheroides 267
Sphagebranchus ophioneus 73
Spheroides marmoratus 268
spengleri 267
testudineus 269
Sphyrsna barracuda 115
guachaneho 116
picudilla 116
spilopterus, Citharichthys 326
Spiny-back Blow-fish 268
Spiny Puffer 272
Spotted Sting Ray 67
Trunk-fish 264
Sprat 86
Squirrel-fish 118
St. Thomas 40
Fishermen 22
Stag-horn Coral 19
Stahl, A 3,4,8,316
stahli, Auchenistius 316
Monosira 4
Stearns, Silas 154,247
Stevenson, Charles G 6
Sting Ray 65
Southern 65
Spotted 67
stipes, Atherina 110
Stolephorus . . 53
chcerostomus 88
cubanus 88
garmani 89
gilberti 90
lyolepis 89
perfasciatus 88
productus 90
stolifera, Jenkinsia 84
350 INDEX.
Page.
striatum, Bathystoma 193
striatus,. Chsetodon 249
Epinephclus 152
Striped Anchovy 88
Grunt 186
Sucking-fish 301
suensonii, Chilorhinus 72
Summer Yellowbird 16
Sundevall, Carl 4
surinamensis, Anisotremus 194
Holothuria 20
Lobotes 17,164
Swell-toad 267
Syacium micrurum 324
Symphurus plagusia 332
synagris, Neomamis 20, 178
Synodus fcetens 92
intermedius 92
tabacaria, Fistularia 106
taiasica, Awaous 18,297
Tambor 267, 269
Tamboril 266,267,269
Tang, Blue 253
Ocean 254
Tarpon atlanticus 80
Tarpum 80
Ten-pounder 81
testudineus, Spheroides 269
Teuthis bahianus 254
coeruleus 253
hepatus 254
Thalassochelys caretta 25
thscfcard, Auxis 19,122
Thread Herring 86
timucu, Tylosurus 99
Tom-tate 192
Tongue-fish
,
332
Topography 8
Toro 166, 264
Tortola 40
Fishermen 22
Tortuguero Lagoon 15
Toxopneustes variegatus 20
Trachinocephalus myops 91
Trachinotus 17
carolinus 139
falcatus 138
glaucus 137
Trachurpps crumenophthalmus 129
Treadwell, A. L V
Tremba 303
Trichechus latirostris 25
Trichiurus lepturus 125
trichodon, Mugil 113
tricolor, Holacanthus 251
tricornis, Lactophrys 264
tridigitatus, Dactyloscopus 304
trigonus, Lactophrys 263
Trinidad, Francisco 7
Triple-tail 164
triqueter, Lactophrys : 262
Trompetero 105, 106
Trumpet-fish 105,106
Trunk-fish 262
Common 263
Spotted 264
tudes, Gobiesox 305
Tumble-nose
Tylosurus ardeola
raphidoma
timucu
Tyrannus dominicensis
Ulsema lelroyi
Umbrina coroides
undecimalis, Centropomus. .
.
unicornis, Citharichthys
Unicorn-fish
unifasciatus, Hyporhamphus
unimaculatus, Archosargus .
Upeneus maculatus
parvus
Urban, Ignatius
Vaqueta de dos Colores
variegatus, Toxopneustes
Vaughan, T. Wayland
Vega Baja
Verrugato
vespertilio, Ogcocephalus
vetula, Balistes
Scarus
vexillarius, Holocentrus
Vidal, Don Ignacio G
Viejn, Colorado
Viejo
Vieques Island
Vireo calidris
virginica, Anisotremus
Ostrea
Polydactylus
viride, Sparisoma
viridis, Platygyra
vivanus, Neomsenis
vivipara, Poecilia
Volador
volitans, Cephalacanthus
Vomer gabonensis
vomer, Selene
vulpes, Albula
Ward, Henry B
Weirs
West Indian Lancelet
Wheeler, W. M
White-bill
White, S. Reynolds
White Grunt
White-mouth Drummer
White Mullet
Wilson, H. M
Wilson, 1L V
Wilson, J. B
Worm Eel
Wright, Lieutenant
Xiphocaris elongata
Xurel
Xystsema cinereum
xystrodon, Sparisoma
Yellowbird, Summer
Yellow Goat-fish
Grunt
Jack
Mackerel
Tail
Zaga
Zapatero
Page.
244
99
99
99
16
207
220
22,146
325
261
17,101
204
120,121
121
4
251
20
V
3
220
338
256
243
119
6, 20
240
185, 198, 239, 241,243
22,40
16
195
16
17,117
240
19
33,175
97
103,104,285
285
19,133
17,135
82
V
32
59
V
85
6
193
220
113
11,12
V
5
72
6
13,15
132
207
20,236
16
121
189
131
132
20,180
297
127
Plate
I
ANGUILLA
CHRYSYPA
RAFINESQUE.
COMMON
EEL;
ANGUILLA.
ABOUT
ONE-THIRD
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
2.
ABOUT
HALF
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
CO
j'«V
ji* «>’»%
*}*•*»>*.
I
»»'»**.
> * »f i
'""It.
1
v ' *,
.
'I'
1
s'
.
'*<
A-}!<•••"/&
,
inffe firrrrr,
y'X -
**r
**Nw"
,**/•* *•
-
a)
"O
ro
§
x;
cS
X
<
HOLOCENTRUS
ASCENSIOHIS
(OSBECK).
SQU!
RR
EL-
FISH;
CANDI
L.
NATURAL
SIZE
.

Plate
4.
Upeneus
maculatus
(Bloch).
Red
Goat-fish,-
Salmonete.
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
ABOUT
I
^
TIMES
NATURAL
SIZE,

Plate
6.
ABOUT
HALF
NATU
RAL
SIZE

Plate
7.
$
X)
£
X
<
Oligoplites
saurus
(Bloch
&
Schneider).
Leather-Jack,
Zapatero.
ABOUT
NINE-TENTHS
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
8.
ABOUT
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
ABOUT
THREE-FIFTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
10.
ABOUT
HALF
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
II.
Epinephelus
adscensionis
(Osbeck).
Rock
hind;
Cabra
Mora.
ABOUT
THREE-FOURTHS
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
12
.
Epinephelus
striatus
(Bloch).
Nassau
Grouper
;
Cherna.
ABOUT
THREE-FOURTHS
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
13
.
ABOUT
THREE-FIFTHS
NATURAL
SIZE

Plate
14
.
NEARLY
HALF
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
15
<L>
"O
5
33
ro
CD
X
<
Prionodes
baldwini
Evermann
&Marsh.
Type,

Plate
16.
CO
</)
<:
ro
on
x
<
Priacanthus
arenatus
Cuvier
&
Valenciennes.
Catalufa,
Toro.
ABOUT
NINE-
ELEVENTHS
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
17.
Neom/enis
griseus
(Li
n
n/ejjs).
Gray
Snapper
;
Pargo
Prieto.
ABOUTTHREE-FOURTHS
NATURALSIZE

Plate
18.
Neom/enis
jocu
(Bloch
&
Schneider).
Dog
Snapper
;
Jocu.
ABOUTTHREE-FOURTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
19.
NEOM/tNIS
APODUS
(WALBAUM).
SCHOOLMASTER;
CA
J
I
ABOUT
FOUR-FIFTHS
NATURALSIZE

NEOMALNIS
AYA.(BLOCH).
RED
S
NA
PP
ER
;
PARGO
COLORADO.
ABOUT
THREE-
SEVENTHS
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
21.
A
BOUT
TWO-
FIFTHS
NATURAL
SIZE
,

Plate
22.
Neom^nis
synagris
(Linn/ujs).
Lane
Snapper.

Plate
23
Ocyurus
chrysurus
(Bloch).
Yellow-tail-,
Rabirubia;
Colorubia.
ABOUTTHREE-FOURTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
24
.
ABOUT
THREE-
SEVENTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
25
Calamus
bajonado
(Bloch
&
Schneider).
Jolt-head
Porgy
;
Pluma.
ABOUT
THREE-
FOURTHS
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
26.
'
Archosargus
unimaculatus(Bloch).
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
27.
<
6
o
Eupomacentrus
fuscus
(Cuvier
&
Valenciennes).
ABOUT
I
'/2
TIMES
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
28.
o
o
cD
$
<T3
CD
X
<
Eupomacentrus
leucostictus
(Mu
ller
&
Troschel).

Plate
29
ABOUT
2
/2
TIMES
NATU
RAL
SIZE
.

Plate
30
Sparisoma
abildgaardi
(Bloch).
Red
Parrot-
fish
;
Loro
Colorado.

Plate
31.
SCARUS
VETULA
BLOCH
&
SCHNEIDER.

Plate
32
.
<o
z
£3
-o
nj
c
"O
<0
c
$X5
(Q
CD
X
<
Scarus
cceruleus
(Bloch).
Blue
Parrot-
fish.
Loro.
ABOUTTHREE-FIFTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
33.
o
o
<0
CD
•o
£
TD
03
CD
X
<
Ch/etodipterus
faber(Broussonet).
Spade-fish.
ABOUTTHREE-FIFTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
34
.
C
H
PLT
0D
O
N
STRIATUS
L.INNA.US.
BUTTERFLY-
FISH;
MARIPOSA.
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
35.
o
o
£
CO
CO
X
<
Chaetodon
capistratus
Linnaeus.
Butterfly-
fish
;
Mariposa.
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
36
Holacanthus
tricolor
(Bloch).
Rock
Beauty
;
Palmoneta.
ABOUT
1
2/7
TIMES
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
37
.
ABOUTTHREE-FOURTHS
NATURALSIZE.

Plate
38.
Teuthis
cceruleus
(Bloch
&
Schneider).
BlueTang
;
Medico.
ABOUT
TWICE
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
39.
\
LlJ
N
CO
D
O
CQ
<
a)
To
•o
<0
5
32
ro
CO
X
<
BALISTES
VETULA
LlNNAEUS.

Plate
40.
cO
C
$
12
m
x
<
LACTOPHRYS
B1CAUDALIS
(LlNN/tUS).
SPOTTED
TRUN
K-
FISH;
CHAPIN.
NATU
RALS1ZE.

Plate
41.
ABOUT
l'/7
TIMES
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
42
.
i- *
V: -
'
•
V'*-
' \ *
' v
CD
X
<
Chi
lomycterus
antennatus
(Cuvier).
ABOUT
I
^2
TIMES
NATURAL
SIZE.

Plate
43
o'
o
$
22
CO
CD
±
<
PONTINUS
MACROLEPIS
GOODE&
BEAN,

Plate
44.
A.H.
Baldwin
ad
nat.del.

Dormitator
maculatus
(Bloch).

o
cc
<
<
o
06
>
o
Z) LU
O' M
z <
z cc
zD
in
Z3
2
O
in
cc
m
<
_j
A.H.
Baldwin
ad
nat.del.

Plate
47.
§
05
CO
X
<
AUCHENOPTERUS
FAJARDO
EVERMANN
&
MARSH.
TYPE.

Plate
48.
<D
"O
$
~o
fO
CD
X
<
Antennarius
scaber
(Cuvier).

Plate
49.
§
TD
CD
X
<
Antennarius
nuttingii
Garman.
Murcielago

—

Plate 50
ABBT3.EYIAT IOKS
Meiirrmla Cetera or Shades OlhwqrwKtiea
2Y.fbrMud, bh. for blfuzk hrd,. for hard
S. - Sand & - grey aft. soft
e-.-- Gravel dk. - dark the. fine.
Shm Sheds gn.. - Sfrsc.ro era. coarse
B. . Pebbles &r. . brow71, Irk-... broken.
^0.. Specks Ji#. « bla& rly. - rorJcy
|c. - m. &. - tight sik,. »•
The plane, ofreference is Mean I.ow'Water
Average time ofHigh"Wafer after Moons Meridian passage...
Aserago time ofLaw ^9ater after "Moons MerMhaa passage....
Average height, ofB3ghWater above the plane ofreference...
2 20
.JLIffc. |
The predicted time. and. height of die tide can H obtained thorn the TXDJ& TABLES
published annually by the United States Coast and. Geodetic Surety.
M/e:
UnferfineHfigures referfinumberofdredging Sfa.
US.fir'sb Commission Skeamerf/sfi Hawk /839.
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KLBVATIOKS
^ elevations are referred to high, water and are
expressed, vn.rrid.rcsand by contour lines showing
successive differences of 4- metres.
BUOYS
$ /lco’ Buoy, to be. left- in entering, on. Starboard hard
f Black Bui>y. to be left. in. entering, on, Fort hand
$ Black and Red horiaordaL s'tripes. .. BangerBuoy
f Black and WhJs perpendicular stripes _Channel Buoy
C N.-or S. signides Can... Bun. or Spar.
SOUNDINGS
Ha Soundings are. expressed in feet and show the depth, at me
low water
The S foot curve is shoWn. thus : - • - -
„ 28 „
" " ”
’’
... ...
- IS* 29'
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SAN JUAN HARBOR
PORTO RICO
Nate - ft?# titotneJre or.WOO mams*3280.83 ft~ x&ofa, sennae yule nearly. One, statute, mite *1609.3$ metres.
,„4|bb®.
4%hv> s*i¥*
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/ic/ap/ecr from c/iorZ/Vo.SOS Z'S. Coas/ §- Geoc/efc Surrey /Yc?s/hno/on, D. C.
Z/cZcZ/ZZoniS by (Z.S.frsZ) Commission Z899

Note: '
19ton, D.C
i

Plate 51.
MONA ISLAND.
From a. Survey by Captain O.ICuhfal in.1892
ITVVF4CMIM5“ ffi« about 2 ftet
FtayanynntchimncyZcU.18' 2'JS'iV:tong 67’Sl[30’\\
'
AGUADILLA BAY
From the Spanish Porlulann, 1618 .
Aguadillai
MAYAGTTK/ HAY
Moiillo
From n survey in 1890 liy the
Depni'Uncul of PuLlii; lVoilis ForIn Hi
01>K. Spot ® Lnt-lfriL' GCN. Iiou^.GTOy'Ot
GoihI Anchorage off Our center of the Uinu in 10 to Iff fathoms
Much swell anil turf wUJ> Oic wind al SNE
The coast fine and soundings shown in hairline an from earlier
surveyslgt theFrench Government in 18'iCc.nd lo/CaptOKuhfnl tn 1891
.North Capi
ji-tlnvestCo^
.Barrio ouc
SarclinnoAnch ij
MONA I
aibeax 175f«et mijh.
GOSS Jl jj.
l 'n ii;o ono C.nifco Pt.
-A
CC Julio.) sj '
Fin ilrl Al^nnubp/
Wei Jijucro
iifrnt Mimclllf
6osa
FULilela ifcxi
P“del*Mese«o NSW
PUERTO
DE GUANICA
Sooth Side of Porto Rico.
From ttUS Government Survey in
Government Surveyinl87 &.
P'.“ ile la Mesela. I ^
at J
.
7.
‘ fj ’ f,
5
.’
\\Long 6o 53' 42 1
View of the Entrunoe. distant 3 miles.
Hunk
F'a del]
I'.'ile 2
Caiia Gorila'
La Laja
Fronton deLtlire
Pfcnlo ('nmiiaji
UnOer/;neis}i,7rs/-vSrr/ammiierof'yrec/?;nf s/a. AdaptedFrom charttV°372 ttgdrographic Office Washington, D. C.
U. S.Ssi Commas/onS/eamer S/s/> //arr/r /899. Additions t>g Id.S.Fish Commission,/899.



>Pt Mar Pt Labadoro
y^PLBogu lli
PtPuerto
. Pi.Cerro Gordo J\F¥aile >AN JUAN
I’tBorinfluen
Chivato
Quebrt lArecibo ^uaon«a°^Tu^t
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O
6098
.oamo
Gub^amlla'
Pl.Molino
Plate:52
SS 00S5<W 65 30
M&0
GEOGRAPH ICAL POSITION*
Longitude West
ram Greenwich.
PORTO RICO
Statute Miles
BBBaBaaaaEaa^
Note . One. kilometre, or 1000 metres = 3280.83 ft-
8
ofa. statute mile nearly. One statute, mile^1609.35 metres
Note
Underlinedfiguresrefertonumber of
dredgine sbalions U. S.f/sfr Commission
Steamedris/r NarrA/rr 1899
Eft 28 30
^ Cockvu*rix»
?.* L s ' ;\7/ ^ x 22 *IfWjsta »a~o» * %'"*<=»' Savin, rj$ "8K^T i
I7£- w ? 13 »
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Buei 1
230 Co s
<3 B n 18 «0£/ 0SOBZO^O comp a
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it gflgz . o£2££15 14 w 13 13 13
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de <^abo Rojo
i2 n
565
1Mi0
9J» MS>
1351 837
325
1600 *4&01535 162314520
_
1508
140
'A5
745 Orappler Monk- £1 J>4
360
%
«* ST
SANTA CH.TTZ X. s\
450 /;-(!#
Investxq.itorBank,
1243
’**- INC^
ALt SOUNDINGS SN FATHOMS
TIDES
1303
s Iha {lane o^swfewsoce i» Mean LowWater. - r~“ h '*
\ \ Average time ofHS^Water after Moons Meridian
passage | «
‘ 2|
Average.ftme ofLow Water after Mckw^ Meridian passage |
2 20
Average height ofHi^iWatet aberv^e the plane of reference
i 1 * 1 £i
2” A ! 6', 05 ta
I 26
|
12 (8
0 .8 ft. I 2,0 ft
67*00 66*30'
j?aapZee/from cfarf/Vo.910 LZ.S.Coas/ <f Ceoafef/cSc/rvej/ ffash/npfon, D. C