FISHERIES OF KEY WEST. 11 



17. Caranx crysos (Mitchill). Hard-tail; Jurel; Runner; Jack; Cre- 



valle. 



This species is taken throughout the year about Key West under 

 the same conditions as is C. hippos. It is a food fish of importance 

 locally but is smaller in size than G. hippos. Large numbers of half- 

 pound fish are commonly found in the live cars about the fish 

 wharves. Maximum weight, about 3 pounds; average, one-half 

 pound. 



Range. — Ipswitch Bay (Mass.) to Brazil. Common south of 

 Maryland, entering lower Chesapeake Bay, where it rarely takes the 

 hook but is rather common in pound-net catches. 



18. Caranx latus Agassiz. Horse-eye jack; Jurel; Runner. 



This species is less common about Key West than C. hippos or 

 C. crysos. It is taken in small numbers by trolling, and sometimes 

 a small school is captured in a Spanish-mackerel net. As a food 

 fish it is not as highly regarded as the other species of Caranx. The 

 maximum size is not known, but the average is not over one-half 

 pound at Key West. 



Range. — Virginia to Brazil. 



19. Vomer setipinnis (Mitchill). Moonfish. 



This little fish is caught very infrequently and only during the 

 winter. It is taken on the bottom with hook and line and is es- 

 teemed as a food fish. The maximum weight is about 1 pound, and 

 the average is one-third of a pound. 



Range. — Halifax (Nova Scotia) to Uruguay; not common north of 

 Virginia. The young are common in lower Chesapeake Bay during 

 the summer and fall. 



20. Selene vomer (Linnaeus). Moonfish; Lookdown. 



This species is often confused with Vomer setipinnis but may be 

 distinguished from the latter at a glance by the prolongation of the 

 first rays of the dorsal and anal fins. Around Key West it is some- 

 Avhat more plentiful than Vomer. It is taken chiefly in the winter 

 and is highly esteemed as a food fish. The annual catch is very 

 small. Maximum weight, about 2 pounds; average, one-half pound. 



Range. — Casco Bay (Me.) to Uruguay; not common north of 

 Chesapeake Bay. 



21. Trachinotus glaucus (Bloch). Gaff-topsail pompano. 



This species is seldom taken at Key West and is confused by fisher- 

 men with other species of pompano. It may be identified by the long 

 anterior rays of the soft dorsal and anal and by the presence of four 

 black vertical bars on the back and sides. It is utilized for food, 

 but the annual catch is negligible. Maximum weight, about 2 

 pounds; average, one-half pound. 



Range. — Virginia to Panama ; generally common along east coast 

 of Florida and in Porto Rico. 



