MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 219 



to Brazil and from Cape San Lucas to Peru, but it is chiefly tropical. The young 

 are common in the fall north to New York (via the Gulf Stream). 



threadfish: AJectis ciliaris— Color Plate 2 



Size: Up to 7 inches including fins. Body usually not larger than 2 inches 

 in diameter. 



Distribution: Cosmopolitan in tropical seas. Drifts north in warm currents. 



Identification: The dark bands on an intensely silver body and long dorsal 

 and anal fins identify it. 



Habits: This is a somewhat mysterious little fish. It is much more common 

 beneath the surface than reported in most books, though it is by no means really 

 plentiful. In the young the dorsal and anal fin extensions are like bands and 

 are three times the body length. As the fish sits under ledges in reefs, these fins 

 ripple to create a truly exquisite picture. As the fish grows older, the fins wear 

 down and become shorter and thinner. It is not a timid fish and may be 

 approached quite closely in contrast to most jacks. 



PAPAGALLOS: Family Nematistiidae 



roosterfish: Nematistius joectoralis 



Size: Up to 3 to 4 feet. 



Distribution: Gulf of California to Panama. 



Identification: The extremelv long dorsal spines are unmistakable. The color 

 is a beautiful, iridescent, silvery blue, darker on the back. 



Habits: This is a very beautiful and stately fish which swims singly inshore 

 or offshore. It is predacious and very much like the jacks in habits. The dorsal 

 is held erect only when the fish is excited, lying in a groove on the back at 

 other times. 



BLUEFISH: Family Pomatomidae 



BLUEFiSH (taylor, snapper) : Poviatomtis saJtatrix 



Size: Up to 4 feet or more. 



Weight: Averages 1 to 5 pounds. Up to 25 pounds or more. 



Distribution: Cape Cod to Venezuela and most warm seas, but not found off 

 Europe or the West Coast of North America. Very erratic in appearance and 

 abundance. 



Identification: Basslike shape and bluish color. Large mouth and head. There 

 are no scales on the lateral line. 



Habits: This living chopping machine is one of the most voracious of all fishes. 

 Schools travel constantly, destroying schools of fishes in their way. They are 

 common off channels and outside beaches in the warmer months, but their 

 continual movement makes their appearance extremely variable. Jordan (1908) 

 gives a good account of this species. Favorite foods are weakfish and the herrings. 

 Bluefish spawn in the spring and early summer. Not much is known of its habits 

 even though much has been written of it and it has been a favorite of anglers 

 and gourmets for vears. 



