GROl PERS OK THE GULF OF MEXICO. 413 



named Mycfcropemi brnimcn, M. ,nlcn>h')>ix. mul M. stomiax, is said by Mr. Stearns to be common 

 in company with the Red Grouper, although not so abundant. It spawns in June and July, at 

 sea and in the inlets. As a food-fish if is considered superior to the Red Grouper, although it is 

 not more readily sold. It attains a weight of fifty pounds. Professor Jordan is of the opinion that 

 the form recently described by Goode and Bean as M. xtomias is the adult of that previously char- 

 acterized by them under the name M. microlepis. 



The Rock fish of Key West, which has not yet been identified, is said by Mr. Stearns to be 

 very common, and is sold almost every day in the market. The average weight is four or five 

 pounds, the maximum twenty-five to thirty. There appear to be, from Mr. Steams' notes, at Key 

 West, as well as in Bermuda, various local forms closely related to this, one of which is known by 

 the name ''Gag"; another fish of this genus, Mycteropercn falcata, is called at Pensacola by the 

 name '-Scamp." It is common oft' the Florida coast, living near the bottom in company with the 

 other species of Groupers. It is fomid on the coast all the year round, and is caught with hook 

 and line. It seldom exceeds the. weight of twenty pounds, and the average size is much smaller. 

 It is considered an excellent table fish. 



Several of these fishes, whose relations have not yet been deternined, have been taken along 

 the Atlantic coast, particularly at the mouth of the Chesapeake and at Wood's Holl, Massachusetts. 



There are several other species belonging to this family which have been observed, none of 

 which, however, are of any economic importance. 



138. THE SERRANOID FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



By DAVID S. JORDAN. 

 THE JEW-FISH STEREOLEPIS GIUAS. 



This species is everywhere known as the "Jew-fish." It is also sometimes called the "Black 

 Sea Bass." It reaches a weight of five hundred pounds, being the largest food-fish on the coast. 

 It ranges from the Faralloues to below San Diego, and is generally abundant in deep water about 

 the islands, but from its great size is seldom taken. It feeds upon smaller fishes, and is voracious. 

 It is often taken by swallowing a white-fish when the latter is on the hook. Its flesh is of excellent 

 quality, and those small enough to be available always bring a very high price in the market. 



THE CABRILLA SERRANUK CLATIIRATUS. 



This species is called at Monterey, where it is not common, the " Kelp Salmon"; farther South 

 it is known to the "Americans" usually as "Rock Bass," and to the Italians and Spaniards as 

 ''Cabrilla," a name applied to other species of Sen-anus in the Mediterranean. The Chinese call 

 it "Lockee Cod" ( Rock Cod). It reaches a length of eighteen inches and a weight of about five 

 pounds. It ranges from San Francisco to Cerros Island, being very abundant about the Santa 

 Barbara Islands, where it is taken in large numbers. It lives in water of no great depth, chiefly 

 about, the rocks. It feeds on squid, Crustacea, and small fishes. It is an excellent food-fish, similar 

 in quality to the related Atlantic species. 



THE JOHNNY VERDE SERRANUS NEBULIFER (Grd.) Steind. 



This species receives the name "Rock Bass" and "Cabrilla" with the other species. The 

 distinctive Spanish name of "Johnny (Juan) Verde" is also in frequent use, especially at San 

 Pedro. It reaches a length of twelve to twenty inches and a weight of about five pounds. Most 

 individuals seen are, however, small, not averaging two pounds. It has been taken at Monterey. 

 but it is common only from San Pedro southward to Magdalena Bay. So far ,1s known to us, it 

 agrees in habits and value with the preceding. 



