FISHERY BULLETIN: VOL. 77. NO. 1 



Table 3. — Meristics from larvae and juveniles ofSebastes crameri off Oregon, based on unstained specimens. Specimens above dashed 

 line are undergoing notochord flexion. All specimens had 8 superior and 7 inferior principal caudal fin rays and 7 branchiostcgal rays on 

 each side. 



forming 



^Nol formed 



^Posteriormost dorsal or anal spine appears as a soft ray 



^Transforming. 



^Pelagic juvenile 



5Ben1nic juvenile 



pectoral and pelvic fins, and pigment banding pat- 

 tern on the body serve to distinguish juveniles. 



General Development. — The smallest specimens 

 (8.0-9.0 mm) of S. craryieri in the series are under- 

 fi^o'.ig the final stages of notochord flexion, which i.'^ 

 completed by the time larvae are 10 mm. Trans- 

 formation from postflexion larvae to pelagic 

 juveniles is rather gradual beginning when larvae 



are about 16 mm. It is charactorized by addition ot 

 pigment beneath the second d^rs.'l fin along witli 

 initiation of structural change of ihe "prespines" 

 in the dorsal and anal fins. Tr.msformation is 

 complete in 22 mm specimens and the juvenile 

 pigment pattern is obvious. Transition from 

 pelagic to bentbic habitat probably occurs when 

 fish are 40 to 60 riim. The largest 1 elagif uvenile. 

 captured in a neuston net. was 56.9 mm and the 



1' 



