1941 CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS j6q 



Peristcdion longispathum Goode and Bean 



Apparently common at depths of no to 283 fathoms. Records of its capture in 

 14 different hauls with the otter trawl were found, and as many as 20 to 40 

 specimens were taken in single hauls. The largest one was 205 mm. long. 



Concerning color I found the following: "Good deal of yellow with the red 

 on back. Both dorsals dark-margined. Pectorals with a subterminal dark line 

 on a red ground." 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 3 specimens, re- 

 spectively 146, 170, and 175 mm. long: Head in standard length (both measured 

 without rostral processes) 2.4 to 2.6; depth 5.3 to 6.3; anal base 2.4 to 2.5. Eye in 

 head (measured between bases of rostral processes and tip of opercular spine) 

 4.8 to 5.1; snout (without processes) 2.2 to 2.4; interorbital 6.0 to 6.2; width of 

 head 1.6 to 1.7; rostral process 2.7 to 3.1; ventral 2.0 to 2.25; pectoral 2.1 to 2.3. 

 D. VIII-18 to 20; A. 20 to 22; P. n +2; scutes in lateral line 4 + 28 or 29 + 1; 

 gill rakers 20 to 22. 



Rostral processes long and thin; longest barbel if laid straight back generally 

 reaching opercular margin, and about twice diameter of eye; ventral reaching 

 origin of anal, adherent to abdomen by membrane for half its length; pectoral 

 reaching a little beyond origin of anal. 



West Indies to Florida, in rather deep water. S. F. H. 



Peristedion miniatum Goode 



Not rare south of Tortugas, where it occurs in about 150 to 300 fathoms. 



In several specimens examined, the fin formulas are D. VIII, 18^ or 19V2; 

 A. 19 to 20^ . In a specimen 200 mm. long, the head is depressed and expanded 

 posteriorly; rostral processes parallel, slight, gently recurved dorsally, not longer 

 than vertical diameter of orbit; a pair of small spines at base of rostral processes; 

 a pair between anterior nasal apertures, and 2 on preorbital margin before angle 

 of mouth; spines on orbital margin stronger than in other species here discussed; 

 the 3 pairs at vertex very sharp and strong; suborbital ridge distinct; ridge before 

 preopercular spine armed with 2 strong, bladelike teeth; another strongly devel- 

 oped tooth in line with preorbital margin; ventral to this one, still 2 others; all 

 scutes in lateral line armed with strong spines; 32 scutes to base of caudal, in- 

 cluding 4 in the arch; long barbels at angles of mouth reaching pectoral base; 

 mandible with several smaller barbels. W. H. L. 



Concerning the color Dr. Longley has the following: "Ventral fins and 

 branchiostegal membranes red. Outer half of pectoral dusky, with an irregular 

 dusky bar. Webs of first dorsal near outer margin with a series of spots; second 

 dorsal narrowly red-margined." 



Head in standard length (both measured without rostral process) 2.7 and 2.75 

 in 2 specimens 220 and 230 mm. long; depth 5.2, 6.0; anal base 2.3, 3.4. Eye in 

 head (measured from bases of rostral processes to tip of opercular spine) 5.2, 

 5.3; snout (without process) 2.1, 2.1; interorbital 5.4, 6.1; width of head 1.4, 1.6; 



