92 FISHEEY BULLETIN OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



the latter do have a series of ventral chromatophores that greatly resemble compa- 

 rable markings on the sea trout. The ventral chromatophores on the croaker are more 

 numerous, however, and more evenly spaced than on the young sea trout. A percep- 

 tible difference in the shape of the head and snout is also evident in the two species. 

 Larval and young croakers have been described by Welsh and Breder (1923), Pearson 

 (1029), and Hildebrand and Cable (1930). 



MENTICIRRHUS AMERICANUS (Linnaeus). Kingfish; Whiting 



Distribution. — The young of Menticirrhus americanus were secured abundantly 

 from June 12 to Sept. 13, 1929, and from July 21 to Sept. 2, 1930. The largest collec- 

 tions were made at Stations A, B, and C. 



Description. — The length-range of young extended from 1 .5 to 7 mm. Young fish, 

 3 to 7 mm. long, are characterized by profuse jet-black chromatophores scattered over 

 the entire body. Under 3 mm. pigmentation is restricted to an area along the median 

 line of the body. The jaws at all sizes are tipped with black. Fin-ray counts are 

 possible at 5 mm. 



The young of M. americanus may be confused with the young of M. saxatilus, a 

 closely related species. However, a comparison with a description of young saxatilus 

 by Welsh and Breder (1923) and of americanus by Hildebrand arid Cable (1934) 

 indicates that the fish from Chesapeake Bay most probably represent the young of 

 americanus. 



CYNOSCION REGALIS (Bloch and Schneider). Gray sea trout; Weakfish; Sqneteague 



Distribution. — Over 4,000 young gray sea trout were taken in plankton hauls 

 from May 25 to July 25, 1929. The majority of fish were secured at Stations A, B, C, 

 and D during the latter half of June 1929. In 1930 planktonic sea trout were taken 

 from May 21 to Aug. 1. The seasonal distribution of the young sea trout thus 

 corresponds closely for 2 successive years (table 1 and fig. 23). 



The young of the gray sea trout were taken in 55 subsurface tows, with an average 

 of 67 fish to a tow, and occurred in 13 surface tows, with an average of 25 fish to a 

 tow. While more subsurface than surface tows were made, a comparison of simul- 

 taneous surface and subsurface hauls at the same station indicates that in most 

 instances the subsurface tow contained far more young fish than the surface tow. 



The planktonic sea trout decreased in abundance at those stations farther within 

 the bay, compared with localities nearer to the sea. However, protected coves and 

 creeks in the vicinity of Lynnhaven Roads yielded large quantities of young fish 

 (8 mm. and over) just leaving the planktonic existence for a semidemersal life. The 

 young fish were found on the bottom, where they were readily obtainable by trawl 

 and seine. Various creeks from Lynnhaven Roads to the York River also had their 

 complement of young sea trout during early summer, all young probably originating 

 on spawning grounds off the entrance to the bay. 



Description. — The planktonic sea trout ranged from 1 .5 to 7 mm. in length. At 

 a length of 1.8 mm. they are characterized by a very elongated slender body and by a 

 large eye covering most of the side of the head (fig. 16). The larval fin fold is 

 entire but the pectorals are differentiated, although indistinct. The greatest depth of 

 the body is contained 4.0 to 4.5 times in the length to the end of the notochord. A 



