121 



THK (iAME FISHKS OK THE PE15SIAN (4ULF. 



BY 



Ma.iou W. H. Lane. 

 Pakt II. 



{Continued from pac/e 748 of Vol. XXII',) 



In the previous paper (lealing with the game fishes of the Persian Gulf, 

 it will be remembered that the merits and demerits of the surface feeders 

 were fully discussed. The next group of fishes to which our attention 

 will be directed is the 



FLY TAKERS. 



Every fly angler, whose heart is in the Highlands but whose duty, busi- 

 ness or pleasure turns his footsteps to the Persian Gulf, will be delighted 

 to learn that at Jask he can also indulge in his favourite pastime. 



There is one species of fish that provides excellent sport with a loch- 

 sized trout fly. His local name is a regular jaw-cracker, and was discard- 

 ed from the very out-set. Now, among the upper angling ten at any rate, 

 he bears the homely name of 



The Tiddlek. 



This sobriquet has been handed down by each successive generation of 

 military exiles, and doubtless the practice will be continued ad infinitum. 

 Hut let lis array him for once in all his cognominal glory. Here he is :— 



Famili) = PERCID^. 



Species := Lufjanusfului/lamma. 



The characteristics of this lively little perchlet could not be adequatelj'^ 

 portrayed by means of a photograph ; a description is therefore appended 

 to assist identification. 



Teeth. — Sharp conical teeth on both jaws, villiform teeth on vomer palate, 

 and tip of tongue. 



Et/e. — Large and situated laterally, iris a brilliant yellow. 



Fins dorsal. — There is one dorsal fin, but it is divided into two portions. 

 The anterior portion is composed of 9 hard and sharp spines connected by 

 transparent membrane. The posterior portion is rayed. 



Pectoral. — Termination of pectoral reaches to about 1st third of black 

 blotch on lateral line. 



Caudal slightly forked. 



Anal. — Three spines situated anteriorly, of which the third spine is 

 distinctly longer than the second. 



Lateral line. — Curves upwards from the gills and descends gradually 

 towards the tail. 



'Scales. — Smallish in size and transparent. 



Colour. — Back of a greenish hue and belly white ; caudal coloured 

 yellowish green ; pectoral, pelvic and anal all golden ; five golden bars 

 running longitudinally from gill plates to tail ; black blotch on the lateral 

 line about .} way between the root of the tail and edge of the gill plates. 



The Tiddler is essentially a shore fish, and there are particular haunts 

 round the rocky parts of Cape .lask, and in the adjoining creek, where 

 fuhijlamma is found in shoals. The difference in level between high and 

 low spring tides is 9 feet, and it can therefore be readily imagined that it 

 is essential to select a suitable state of the tide. At low tide the favourite 

 holts are high and dry, and the Tiddler has sought other retreats : on 



IK 



