YOUNG OF SOME MARINE FISHES IN LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY, VA. 83 



BREVOORTIA TYRANNUS (Latrobe). Menhaden; Fatback 



Distribution. — Young menhaden were taken four times during May 1929 and 

 April 1930 near Old Point Comfort. The scarcity of young indicates that spawning 

 probably occurs outside of the area of collection, although a limited number of men- 

 haden eggs were taken during late summer. The occurrence of these young fish in 

 early spring indicates that some spawning occurs during the winter months, as suggested 

 by Hildebrand and Schroeder (1927). 



Description. — The young menhaden were from 20 to 24 mm. in length. The 

 young of the species have been described by Kuntz and Radcliffe (1918). 



ANCHOVIELLA MITCHILLI (Cuvier and Valenciennes). Anchovy 



Distribution. — Young anchovies were taken from July 6 to Sept. 13, 1929, and 

 from May 16 to Sept. 13, 1930. The larval and postlarval young were the most 

 numerous of all species of fishes in the plankton. The separation of A. mitchilli from 

 its relative, A. epsetus, is difficult if not impossible for young under 5 mm. Conse- 

 quently, numbers of young A. epsetus may be represented in the collections of A. 

 mitchilli. According to the relative abundance of eggs and adults of the two species 

 in lower Chesapeake Bay, however, mitchilli far outnumbers epsetus. 



Description. — The size range of the young extended from 2.5 to 20.0 mm. The 

 young of A. mitchilli have been described by Kuntz (1914) and the young of A. epsetus 

 by Hildebrand and Cable (1930). 



CONGER CONGER (Linnaeus). Conger eel 



Distribution. — A leptocephalus, probably that of C. conger, was taken on Apr. 18, 

 1930, at Station J. 



Description. — The larva measured 100 mm. in length and possessed 150 + 

 myomeres. 



LOPHOPSETTA MACULATA (Mitchell). Windowpane 



Distribution. — -The young of the windowpane flounder were taken during April 

 and May 1930, at stations nearest the sea. The appearance of young only during 

 April and May suggests an early spring spawning season in the region of Chesapeake 

 Bay. 



Description. — The young ranged from 2 to 10 mm. in length. They are quite 

 distinctive in appearance. Several stages of the young have been described by 

 Bigelow and Welsh (1925). 



ETROPUS sp. Etrope 



Distribution. — Planktonic young of this small flatfish were taken principally in 

 July 1929. 



Description. — This fish ranged in length from 2.5 to 13 mm. Although the correct 

 generic identification of the young was possible through counts of fin rays of the larger 

 specimens, doubt exists as to the specific identity owing to the probable presence of 

 two species of the genus in the Chesapeake Bay area — namely, E. crossotus and E. 

 microstomus. 



