194 1 CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS ^i 



mm. in standard length, the rostrum enters 10.2 to 12.3 times into that dimen- 

 sion. In fish having a standard length of 40 to 50 mm. the rostrum enters the 

 standard length only 5 to 7 times. Whether the rostral groove is longer than 

 broad depends, as Beebe and Tee-Van (Zoologica, vol. 10, 1928, p. 272) observed 

 in discussing another species, on the proportions of the rostrum itself. In fish of 

 medium length or larger it is usually about as wide as high, but it may be twice 

 as high as wide, and in small fish the height is from one and one-half times to 

 twice the width. It is clear, therefore, that the proportions of the rostral cavity 

 and the length of the rostrum itself have little value as diagnostic characters. 



The very young are dark gray on the under side; older fish coppery red, with 

 much individual variation in color on the dorsal side, usually lighter or darker 

 brown, variegated with reddish orange or yellow-orange patches, disappearing 

 in preserved specimens; the chief patches behind eyes, the two sometimes meet- 

 ing across the nape to form a great U-shaped mark open to the rear; usually an 

 additional one above and behind the branchial aperture; and one about base of 

 soft dorsal fin. Even at a standard length of 50 mm. there is some, and in fish of 

 medium and large size much spotting with light-bordered dark spots in a long, 

 narrow tract from eye to gill opening. Here the spots usually are less crowded 

 than elsewhere, and more nearly circular. On sides of head, margin of disk, and 

 sides of trunk, the pattern is less open, being principally a network of light lines 

 on the dark ground. Small fish have pectorals and caudal yellow proximally and 

 dark brown distally, with a netted pattern appearing first at the base of these 

 fins and extending gradually to their tips, the yellow advancing before it at the 

 expense of the darker brown, which gives way to the lighter color on which the 

 marbling spreads. 



The stomachs of 3 specimens examined contained chiefly crustaceans and 

 mollusks. The fish clearly is not limited to food it may catch by angling with its 

 protrusible rostral tentacle and conspicuous fleshy trilobed "bait." 



With the exception of 2 specimens from Texas in the U. S. National Museum, 

 the 30 examined in collections were from Florida. A shallow-water species, the 

 greatest recorded depth at which it was taken being 37 fathoms, just outside Key 

 West harbor. These facts of distribution make it improbable that Mitchill's 

 Lophius radiatus (see reference above) is the same. W. H. L. 



The collection contains 11 specimens, 40 to 237 mm. long, which I have 

 identified as this species. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 3 specimens, 63, 70, 

 and 190 mm. long. Head, measured to gill opening and without rostral process, 

 in length, the latter also without rostral, 2.0, 2.0, 2.0; depth 5.0, 4.8, 4.8; tip of 

 upper jaw to vent 2.1, 2.2, 2.4. Eye in head 5.8, 6.0, 9.4; rostral process in advance 

 of eye 3.0, 2.8, 5.3; interorbital 6.4, 7.1, 6.0; caudal peduncle 4.8, 5.0, 4.8; pectoral 

 2.2, 2.1, 2.4. D. 5, 4, 4; A. 4, 4, 4; P. 13, 13, 13 (counted in 2 others; also 13 each). 



The color as described above remains, except of course for the red, orange, and 

 yellow, which have become pale. The black-and-white netting on the base of the 

 pectoral seems distinctive. 



Apparently known only from the Gulf coast of the United States. S. F. H. 



