THE ROSE-FISH AND ITS ALLIES. 



on the hook, and is thus taken. Like other large fishes, it is subject to 

 the attacks of the hag-fish {Polistrotrema). As a food-fish it holds a high 

 rank, being considered rather superior to the rockfish. From its great 

 abundance, it is one of the most important fishes on the Pacific coast. 



Zaniolepis latipinnis ranges from San Francisco northward in deep water. 

 It reaches a length of about a foot, and is of no economic value. 



The bright-colored little fish, Oxylebius pictus, ranges from Santa Bar- 

 bara to Vancouver's Island, living among rocks near shore. It reaches 

 a length of six inches, is rarely taken and is then used only for bait. 



THE BESHO'O". 



The Beshow, Anoplopoma fimbria, is generally known in Puget Sound 

 by the name of " Horse-mackerel." . At San Francisco it is usually 

 called "Candle-fish." In the market it is sometimes fraudulently sold 

 as Spanish mackerel. It reaches a length of twenty inches and a weight 

 of five pounds. It ranges from Monterey northward to Sitka, in rather 

 deep water, and is generally common, especially northward. At Seattle 

 it is one of the most abundant fishes, but in the San Francisco market it 

 is seldom seen in large numbers. It feeds on crustaceans, worms, and 

 small fishes. 



In the Straits of Fuca it, reaches a much larger size tha/i has been 

 noticed elsewhere. It is here very highly valued by the Indians, accord- 

 ing to Mr. Swan. It is called by the Indians "Beshow." and is the 

 "Black-cod," of recent writers. Mr. James G. Swan has given a full 

 report upon its habits in a recent Bulletin of the Fish Commission.* and 

 has forwarded some of the salted fish for examination. The writer is not 

 prepared to give to Anoplopoma a position as yet among the finest of 

 American fishes, although it is no doubt an excellent kind for local 

 consumption. 



*Vol. V. 18S5, pp. 225-34. 



