CHAPTER XX 



THE SURMULLETS, THE CROAKERS AND THEIR 



RELATIVES 



HE Surmullets, or Goatfishes: Mullidae. The Mullida 

 (Surmullets) are shore-fishes of the warm seas, of mod- 

 erate size, with small mouth, large scales, and possess- 

 ing the notable character of two long, unbranched barbels 

 of firm substance at the chin. The dorsal fins are short, 

 well separated, the first of six to eight firm spines. There 

 are two anal spines and the ventral fins, thoracic, are formed 

 of one spine and five rays. The flesh is white and tender, 

 often of very superior flavor. The species are carnivorous, 



FIG. 289. Red Goatfish, or Salmonete, Pseudupeneus maculatus Bloch. 

 Family Midlidce (Surmullets.) 



feeding chiefly on small animals. They are not voracious, 

 and predaceous fishes feed freely on them. The coloration is 

 generally bright, largely red or golden, in nearly all cases with 

 an under layer, below the scales, of red, which appears when 

 the fish is scaled or placed in alcohol. The barbels are often 

 bright yellow, and when the fish swims along the bottom these 

 are carried in advance, feeling the way. Testing the bottom 



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