^6 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



base of soft dorsal. Margins of dorsal and anal fins and tips of caudal lobes 

 orange; outer rays of caudal black; axil of pectoral black, with pigment extend- 

 ing to anterior face of base of fin. The fish shows an apparent tendency to be 

 darker in holes than in the open. 

 Atlantic coast of tropical America northward to Florida. W. H. L. 



Chromis enchrysurus Jordan and Gilbert 



This species was taken only once, when 20 specimens, 75 to 115 mm. long, 

 were secured in one haul with the otter trawl in 40 fathoms. 



The fish were slaty blue on the back, and the soft dorsal, caudal, anal, and 

 pectorals were yellow. 



The specimens were taken on August 4, 1931, and were in breeding condition. 



W. H. L. 



Two additional records were found, however, among Dr. Longley's field data, 

 perhaps made after the foregoing was written. Three specimens, 62 to 106 mm. 

 long, were taken south of Tortugas in 40 fathoms, and in another haul 10 more, 

 58 to 93 mm. long, were secured at the same depth. 



Gulf of Mexico, off Florida. S. F. H. 



Chromis insolatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 



Common on rocky bottom east of East Key, and near the northern end of 

 Loggerhead reef, but rather rare elsewhere. 



Color bluish, though variable in shade; sometimes clear and bright, sometimes 

 almost black and appearing blue ventrally only. It has a white-spotted phase in 

 which there is a white bar on the nape, a white spot under the spinous dorsal, 

 and a larger one below the point of union of spinous and soft dorsal fins. 



The teeth are fixed, conical, and in several rows; D. XIII,i3; A. II, 12; pectoral 

 reaching base of anal. 



Toward the end of June 1927, a dozen displaying signs of breeding were 

 visible at once at Loggerhead shoal. The condition of the ovaries of a speared 

 female confirmed the view that breeding was in progress. At East Key on July 2 

 on rocky bottom, in perhaps 15 feet of water, fish showing signs which indicated 

 breeding were seen. Two fish displayed breeding colors, and a proprietor's in- 

 terest in areas sharply defined. I cut out the nests, which were in holes in rocks. 

 I could find nothing, even on viewing the chips of the nests through a reading 

 glass, but the fish were so positive in their reactions and rushed in with such 

 spirit to drive away marauders that I gathered up all in a pail and brought them 

 in. On microscopic examination it became clear that the eggs were hard to find 

 because they were not closely enough concentrated to form masses like those of 

 Abudefduj and Pomacentrus. 



On July 18 breeding apparently continued, as a fish, appearing to guard eggs, 

 fed above the spot where they should have been hidden, went into its shelter and 

 fanned the spot where the eggs presumably lay, and persisted in the same round 

 of activity as long as observed. On July 27 some individuals were seen as if still 

 guarding eggs. The duration of spawning, however, was not determined. 



