CHAPTER XIX 

 THE BASS AND THEIR RELATIVES 



HE Cardinal-fishes. Apogonidae. The Apogonida or car- 

 dinal-fishes are perch-like fishes, mostly of small size, 

 with two distinct short dorsal fins. They are found in 

 the warm seas, and many of them enter rivers, some even in- 

 habiting hot springs. Many of the shore species are bright red 

 in color, usually with black stripes, bands, or spots. Still others, 

 however, are olive or silvery, and a few in deeper water are 

 violet-black. 



The species of Apogon are especially numerous, and in 

 regions where they are abundant, as in Japan, they are much 



FIG. 252. Cardinal-fish, Apogon retrosetta Gill. Mazatlan. 



valued as food. Apogon imberbis, the "king of the mullet," is 

 a common red species of southern Europe. Apogon maculatus 

 is found in the West Indies. Apogon retrosella is the pretty 



"cardenal" of the west coast of Mexico. Apogon lineatus, 



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