1941 CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS !y x 



r. Pectoral long, at least i ray much produced, filamentous, 

 extending nearly or quite to base of caudal; serrations at 

 angle of snout with an enlarged recurved spine; spinous 

 dorsal with a large ocellated spot on margin of membrane 



between 4th and 5th spines alatus 



cc. Pectoral without produced rays, its posterior margin convex, 



sometimes failing to reach end of base of second dorsal and 



sometimes reaching to or a little beyond it; serrations at 



angle of snout without a definitely enlarged spine; spinous 



dorsal without a definite ocellus 



d. Occipital groove wanting; well developed nasal and 



ocular barbels present; opercular and preopercular 



spines short, not reaching beyond membranous border 



of opercle ophryas 



dd. Occipital groove well developed; nasal and ocular 

 barbels wanting; opercular and preopercular spines 

 long, reaching well beyond membranous margin of 



opercle microlepis 



aa. One or two dorsal spines greatly produced, filamentous (in adults); 

 body more robust, deeper; spines on head large, flaring at base; 



scales very rough, pectinate Bellator 



e. First dorsal spine, only, produced; body moderately slender, 

 depth 3.8 to 4.0; angles of snout merely serrate, without pro- 

 jections; scales only moderately pectinate, the margins not defi- 

 nitely curved outward; pectoral rather short, scarcely reaching 

 opposite middle of base of second dorsal, 2.5 to 2.8 in length . . . egretta 

 ee. First 2 dorsal spines produced; body deeper, depth 2.9 to 3.2; 

 angles of snout produced; scales strongly pectinate, the margins 

 curved outward; pectoral longer, 1.85 to 2.1 militans 



Prionotus stearnsi Jordan and Swain 



Several specimens, 100 to 130 mm. long, were taken in 40 to 50 fathoms. As 

 many as 13 fish were captured in a single haul. 



A female 130 mm. long, taken on August 7, 1932, had large ovaries with appar- 

 ently nearly mature eggs. Another, 125 mm. long, taken August 14, 1934, was so 

 ripe that the eggs came gushing when it was removed from the water. 



D. IX or X-i2 1 /4; A. \\ x /i\ scales with pores 54, about 80 vertical series above 

 lateral line. Head large, scarcely 3 in standard length; snout long, 2.0 in head. 

 Contour from snout to nape nearly straight; interorbital space slightly concave; 

 mouth large; mandible extending to anterior margin of pupil; premaxillary 

 almost half head; no groove on head behind eye; no small spine at base of pre- 

 opercular spine; pectoral short, scarcely reaching origin of second dorsal, not 

 extending beyond tips of ventrals; gill rakers 10. 



Dusky olive above; sides silvery. The dead fish with very little color; first 

 dorsal dusky; second dorsal streaked; caudal faintly barred; ventral and anal 

 plain; pectoral dark yellow above, mottled with light spots. 



The foregoing was compiled from Dr. Longley's field notes. The collection 

 contains 4 specimens, 107 to 130 mm. long. 



Gulf of Mexico. S. F. H. 



