i94i CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS go 



spots plainly showing; anal and ventral fins bluish; two small dark spots on 

 caudal peduncle. When dead it is essentially black, with spots i or 2 mm. in 

 diameter, which may be light with dark margins and dark centers, dark with 

 light centers, or wholly light blue, and extend on the dorsal fin, but are few or 

 lacking in the pectoral axil, into which the spots of Petrometopon cruentatus 

 extend. 



West Indies to Florida. W. H. L. 



Epinephelus adscensionis (Osbeck). Rock hind 



Rock hinds 175 to 225 mm. long, and occasionally 450 mm. or more, were seen 

 about coral stacks in 1.6 to 2.2 fathoms of water, from which they do not seem to 

 venture far during the day. The resting fish often supports itself on its pectoral 

 fins so that an observer is able to see its lower surface as far back as its ventral 

 fins. 



The elements of a color pattern common among the species of its genus are 

 visible in this one. An oblique line from snout through eye to posterior margin 

 of the preopercle; dark blotches on dorsal fin from 4th to 6th and from 10th to 

 12th spines inclusive, continued ventrally by more or less definite bands slightly 

 inclined forward; two others under soft dorsal, with an additional one on caudal 

 peduncle, and another at base of caudal; irregular lighter areas between the 

 bands. The body, including ventral side, membranes between bones of jaws, 

 branchiostegal membranes, and fins covered with reddish-brown spots from 1 to 

 5 mm. in diameter; dorsal surface of eye spotted, just like adjacent surface of 

 head, spots not confined to the field exposed when eyes are in resting position, 

 but appearing on an additional area that permits the eye to be rolled out widely 

 before the apparent continuity of pattern on head and eye is interrupted. 



In coloration the fish is very changeable, being much lighter on white sandy 

 bottom away from the shadow of coral heads than if under or among them. In 

 tanks at night, or when hiding, or even when driven out over the sand in the 

 daytime, it shows the dark banded phase. W. H. L. 



This species is of minor importance as a market fish at Key West, where it is 

 taken chiefly with hook and line in rather deep water. 

 Southern Florida to Brazil. S. F. H. 



Epinephelus niveatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 



Serranus niveatus Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. nat. poiss., vol. 2, 1828, p. 380 — Brazil. 

 Serranus margaritifer Gunther, Cat. fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, 1859, p. 131 — South America. 

 Serranus conspersus Poey, Memorias, vol. 2, i860, p. 139 — Havana. 

 Hyporthodus ftavicaada Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, vol. 13, 1861, p. 98 — 



Newport, Rhode Island (young). 

 Epinephelus flavolimbatus Poey, Repertorio, vol. 1, 1865, p. 183 — Cuba. 



Poey's Epinephelus flavolimbatus has more than once been reduced to syn- 

 onymy under E. niveatus, only to be restored by later authors. I think, however, 

 it has no claim to recognition. The differences in color which persuaded Jordan 



