California White Sea-bass 



the presence of numerous round black spots on the body posteriorly. 

 It becomes more abundant southward until, off the coast from North 

 Carolina to Georgia, it is one of the most common food-fishes. Owing 



to its shape and spots, it is known on the Southern coast as salmon or 

 spotted sea-trout, names wholly inappropriate. Spotted squeteague 

 is a much better name. 



Among the commercial fishes of Indian River this species ranks 

 fourth. Though it is present throughout the year, the largest catches 

 are made during the latter part of winter and early spring. The 

 average weight is 2 to 4 pounds, though the maximum is much 

 greater; we have seen an example at Fort Pierce, Indian River, weigh- 

 ing \j\ pounds. 



The spotted squeteague is more migratory in its habits than its 

 relatives. At Beaufort it appears from the South in the spring and 

 passes through the inlets on the flood-tide. Early in May they pro- 

 ceed northward, extending their journeys as far as Long Island. On 

 the North Carolina coast they are perhaps more abundant than any 

 other species, excepting, of course, the mullet. 



As a game-fish this species is scarcely inferior to the common 

 squeteague. 



California White Sea-bass 



Cynoscion nobilis (Ayres) 



This important game-fish is perhaps most abundant about Santa 

 Catalina, but ranges north to San Francisco, and occasionally even to 



458 



