MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 253 



the general shape of a deep-bodied perch. When adult, especially when breeding, 

 they live solitarily or in small groups in holes in reefs or rocks that they have 

 chosen for their homes, vigorously defending these against all comers. They 

 greet the swimmer as he swims near their holes with quarrelsome curiosity and 

 will even harmlessly nip at a finger that is thrust too near. It is in this hole 

 that four hundred to five hundred eggs are laid in a circular pattern. Both 

 parents take meticulous care of the eggs, fanning and picking over them 

 continuously during incubation. Some species lay eggs in the empty shells 

 of conchs. The breeding habits of one species are given bv Breder and 

 Coates (1933). 



Demoiselles are among the most beautiful and jewellike of reef fishes. Many 

 of them, especially when young, are covered with brilliant, shining blue spots. 

 Some are very confusing, their nomenclature having not yet been straightened 

 out by ichthyologists. This is because several species show a wide and confusing 

 range of color variations, and it is not certain whether these variations are 

 species differences or not. The lateral line of demoiselles stops at the rear end 

 of the soft dorsal fin. The mouth is small although these are carnivorous fishes 

 which eat small invertebrates. They will also scavenge. These bold little fishes 

 depend upon alertness, aggressiveness, bluff, and speed for defense. Their 

 distribution is world-wide in all tropical seas. 



garibaldi: Hypsyfofs nihicundiis—Color Plate 6 



Size; Averages 8 inches. Up to 1 foot. This is the largest demoiselle. 



Distribution: Southern California to the tropics. 



Identification: The brilliant uniform gold color identifies them. The voung 

 are green with brilliant blue spots. 



Habits: This fish is ubiquitous about kelp and rock. It is a common and 

 constant companion of the underwater swimmer. 



SERGEANT MAJOR (nuISANCE, COCKEYE PILOT, PINTANO, JAQUETa) : 



Abiidefdiif saxatilis— Color Plate 6 



Size: Up to 6 to 7 inches. 



Distribution: West Indies and Bermuda to Florida. West coast of Mexico. 



Identification: The black vertical bars on a pale yellow to orange-yellow or 

 greenish ground color are distinctive. There is a dark slate-blue color phase in 

 which the vertical bars are obscured. 



Habits: This may be the most common of all demoiselles. The young swarm 

 about every reef and wharf. Adults are much more solitary and seem to stick to 

 reef areas. This is a pugnacious and curious fish, often accompanying the diver. 

 It is very easily chummed. 



beau GREGORY (yELLOW BELLY, PESCADO AZLTl) : 



Poniacentriis leiicostictiis— Color Plate 6 



Size: Up to 6 inches. 



Distribution: West Indies and Bermuda to Florida. West coast of Mexico. 



Identification: The coloration is exceedingly variable. The color plate shows 

 the most brilliantly colored phase— the so-called "jewelfish." This is, however, 

 a confusing term since the young of many other species are covered with very 



