34 



U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Range. — Banquereau Bank off Canso (Nova Scotia) to West In- 

 dies; also found in Bermuda and the Mediterranean Sea; uncommon 

 north of Florida ; recorded from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New 

 Jersey, Chesapeake Bay, and North Carolina. 



80. Balistes vetula Linnaeus. Turbot ; Trigger-fish. 



This species is fairly common at Key West although somewhat 

 less so than B. carolinensis, with which it is closely associated. Lo- 

 cally it is a food fish of some importance. The maximum size is not 

 definitely known but is believed to be 2 or 3 pounds; average, 1 

 pound. 



Range. — Usual range from Florida to West Indies; known from 

 Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, Ascension Island, and Porto Eico. 

 The young have been recorded from Nantucket and Woods Hole, 

 Mass. 





!$-,§-. 



Fig. 19. — Cowfish (Lactophrys triqueter). 



81. Lactophrys triqueter (Linnaeus). Trunkfish. 



This species is less common in the vicinity of Key West than 

 either L. trigones or L. tricornis. All three species are esteemed 

 alike for food. Maximum size, 12 inches; average, 9 inches. 



Range. — Usual range from North Carolina to Brazil ; Pensa- 

 cola ; rare north of Florida ; known from Bermuda and Porto 

 Rico, where it is common. The young have been recorded from 

 Katama Bay, Mass. 



82. Lactophrys trigonus (Linnaeus). Trunkfish. 



This trunkfish is comparatively common about Key West and is 

 taken throughout the 3'enr, hook-and-line fishermen catching this 

 species while fishing for grunts, porgies, and other small fishes. It 

 is sometimes found very close to shore amid sponges and other bot- 

 tom growths. While using a 100-yard collecting seine near the 

 island of Key West, about 15 adults of this species and L. tricornis 

 wore taken in one haul. It is a good food fish and is esteemed locally. 

 Maximum size, 18 inches; average, 10 inches. 



Range. — Usual range from North Carolina to Brazil ; rare north 

 of Florida. The very young, about 1 inch long, have been taken at 

 Woods Hole, Mass. 



