FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 21 



11. Grass Porgy, Calamus arctifrons Goode & Bean. This species is also common 



about Key West. While all the other species of this genus are usually 

 found on rock bottom, this is most abundant on grassy bottom, as its common 

 name indicates. It seldom exceeds 2 pounds in weight, averaging not over 

 half a pound. 



12. Jolt-head Porgy, or Bajonado, Calamus bajonado (Bloch & Schneider). This is 



the most important of all the species of Key West porgies. It reaches a 

 weight of 8 or 10 pounds, and an average of 5 or 6 pounds on the reef, but 

 smaller in the ••bay. - ' Its maximum length is about 2 feet. It frequents 

 smooth, rock bottom, upon which it spawns in July and August. It is found 

 throughout the year. At Miami the name of this fish is by some corrupted 

 to "juffle-head porgy." 



13. Bream, Lagodon rhomhoides (Linnaeus). A common, small pan-fish. 



14. Bream, Archosargus unimacul (Bloch). Less common than the preceding. 



15. Chub, Eypho8us sectatrix (Linnaeus). Not widely distributed about Key West, 



but very abundant in certain places. It is found all the year round about 

 the shoals in the channels, and is said to school in the summer. It attains a 

 weight of 9 pounds, with an average of 3 or 4 pounds. It is one of the 

 gamiest fishes of Key West and is well worth the angler's attention. 



16. Rock Hind, Epinephelus adscensionis (Osbeck). Said to be very common on rocky 



elevations in deep water. It reaches a maximum weight of 15 or 16 pounds, 

 but the average of those brought in does not exceed 2 or 3 pounds. It will 

 take any kind of bait, and probably spawns in the fall. 



17. Nassau Grouper, Epinephelus striatua (Bloch). Common; reaches a weight of 50 



pounds or more, but those brought to the market seldom exceed 10 pounds. 

 They are found all the year round and are said not to school. 



18. Red Grouper, Epinephelus morio I ( uviir & Valenciennes). One of the important 



food-hshes of Key West. Found at all times, chiefly on rock bottom and 

 about the reef. They are said not to school. The maximum weight is 20 to 

 25 pounds, the average from 8 to 15 pounds. They spawn in March among 

 the rocks. They are voracious and will take any kind id' bait. 



19. Black Grouper, Garrupa nigrita (llolbrook). This large grouper is not uncom- 



mon about Key West. It reaches a weight of 400 or 500 pounds. 



20. Jewfish, Promicrops guttatus (Linnaeus). This is one of the largest fishes of 



this region. The weight of those caught usually runs from 100 to 250 

 pounds, though the maximum is as threat as 400 or 500 pounds. Those 

 weighing more than 250 pounds do not sell well, as they are said to be too 

 coarse and dry. without much fat. These fish are common in summer in rather 

 shallow water about rocky shoals, old wrecks, and the like. Cold weather 

 seems to drive them away into deeper water. They probably spawn in 

 August, when they collect into schools and go to some place with rough, 

 rocky bottom. One spawning-ground is said to be located in the channel 

 about 1 mile from the fort. They feed upon crabs, crawfish, and fish. One 

 example, weighing about 250 pounds, was seen. 



21. Yellow-fin Grouper, Mycteropei'ca venenosa (Linnaeus). 'Ibis grouper is not 



uncommon and is a good food-fish. Its maximum weight is about 20 pounds, 

 the average about 6 pounds. It is present throughout the year. 



22. Scamp, Mucteroperea falcat a phenax Jordan A- Swain. Common throughout the 



year; most abundant on the reef. It reaches a weight of 10 or 12 pounds, 

 averaging about 2 or 3 pounds. Nothing was learned of its spawning habits. 



23. Gag, Mycteroperca microlepis (Goode & Bean). Common; reaches a weight of 10 



pounds or more, the average being about 2 pounds. It is found at all times, 

 and is a good food-fish. 



* At Key West the fishing-grounds of that portion of the Gulf of Mexico adjacent 

 to the Florida coast are called "the bay." 



