YOUNG OF SOME MARINE FISHES IN LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY, VA. 99 



HYPSOBLENNIUS HENTZ (Le Sueur). Blenny 



Distribution.- — The planktonic young were found widely distributed from May 

 8 to Sept. 13, 1929, and from May 16 to Nov. 22, 1930. The greatest abundance 

 was noted during June and July. This young blenny occurred in more plankton 

 hauls than any other species, but the number taken in any one tow was never large. 



Description. — The length-range of the young extended from 2 to 8 mm. The 

 larvae may be distinguished by the elongated black pectoral fins and the series of 







Figure 24. — Astroscopus guttatut. From a specimen 4.9 mm. long. 



black dots along the ventral edge of the body posterior to the vent. Fin-rny counts 

 are not definite untd the fish reaches 8 mm. in length. 



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



RISSOLA MARGINATA (De Kay). Cusk eel 



Distribution. — The young of the cusk eel were taken from July 1 to Sept. 13, 

 1929, and from July 21 to Oct. 3, 1930. 



jgure 25. — Astroscopus guttatus. From a specimen 23 mm. long. 



Description. — The length range of young extended from 2 to 7.5 mm. The 

 young are undescribed but can be distinguished by an extremely elongated body that 

 possesses two narrow, parallel black lines along the ventral edge. 



GOBIESOX STRUMOSUS Cope. Oysterfish; Clingfish 



Distribution. — The spawning of the oysterfish occurs principally in the spring. 

 Young fish were taken from May 2 to Aug. 1, 1929, and from May 6 to Aug. 29, 

 1930. The largest collections were obtained during May. Hildebrand and Schroeder 

 (1928) recorded adult fish with well developed gonads during AprU and May in 

 Chesapeake Bay. 



