84 FISHERY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



PARALICHTHYS sp. Flounder 



Distribution. — A fish, perhaps referable to the summer flounder, P. dentatus, was 

 taken on Nov. 28, 1930, at Station B. 



Description. — The fin rays of this fish, measuring 10 mm. in length, were differ- 

 entiated, but the eye had not completed transition. Pigmentation consisted of three 

 parallel rows of weak chromatophores lying along the dorsal, median, and ventral 

 sides of the body. Each row contained eight distinct chromatophores. The specimen 

 was too badly damaged to permit accurate fin-ray count, although the latter fell within 

 the known range of P. dentatus. 



ANCYLOPSETTA sp. Flounder 



Distribution. — Two planktonic young taken on July 12, 1929, at Station B are 

 probably referable to this genus of flatfishes. 



Description. — The young measured 5 and 6 mm. in length. The most charac- 

 teristic features of the two fish are the pronounced elongation of the first two dorsal 

 rays, the latter reaching nearly a quarter the length of the body, and the elongation 

 of one of the ventral fins into a filament extending to the vent. The other ventral 

 fin is not evident and apparently is undifferentiated. 



The pigmentation consists of a series of six chromatophores along the upper side 

 of the body ; a single chromatophore along the median line on the posterior part of the 

 body; a thin, black, continuous line along the ventral edge of the body; and many 

 branching chromatophores on the ventral surface of the abdominal cavity. The 

 fishes are symmetrical in shape. 



ACHIRUS FASCIA TUS (Lacepede.) American sole; Hog choker 



Distribution.— The planktonic young of this flatfish were taken during July 1929, 

 August 1929-30, and September 1930. Most young were obtained during July 1929 

 and August 1929-30. This seasonal distribution indicates that the species spawns 

 largely in midsummer. The greatest abundance of young was found about 1 mile off 

 Little Creek, Virginia, near Station G. The latter estuary contains many adult and 

 young fish during the summer months, and may constitute a spawning area. 



Description. — The length range of planktonic young extended from 1.5 to 4 mm. 

 At 4 mm. the fin rays are clearly differentiated and identification is easily determined. 

 The close resemblance of larval fish at 1.5 mm. to larger sizes permits ready identifica- 

 tion. A strikingly heavy black pigmentation is characteristic of all young Achirus. 

 The latter at 4 mm. in length still retain a symmetrical shape with an eye on each side 

 of the head. 



The young have been described by Hildebrand and Cable (1938). 



SYMPHURUS PLAGIUSA (Linnaeus). Tonguefish 



Distribution. — Several larval tonguefish were secured at Station A on July 9, 1929. 

 Description. — The fish ranged from 5 to 6 mm. in length. The young of this 

 species has been described by Hildebrand and Cable (1930) and is readily identified. 



SYNGNATHUS FLORIDAE (Jordan and Gilbert). Pipefish 



Distribution.- — The young of this species were taken during June, August, and 

 September 1929, and during May and July 1930, at many localities. 



