MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 



299 



Fig. 180. Hog-choker sole. 



Fig. 181. Tonguefish. 



Hahits: This is a fish of soft sand or mud bottoms. It will enter brackish or 

 even fresh waters and is omnivorous on invertebrates and sea plants. 



Siviilar Species: The broad sole, Achirus harnharti, is a rare fish of Californian 

 waters. It much resembles the hog choker. 



tonguefish: Symphurus plagiusa 



Size: About 6 inches. 



Distribution: Cape Hatteras to the West Indies. 



Identification: Sinestral. The eyes are very tiny, and the shape is distinctive 

 since there is no definitive caudal fin. 



Hahits: This is a fish of sandy shores. It is common in some places and prob- 

 ably is somewhat omnivorous in food habits. 



Similar Species: The West Coast representative is Symphiiriis atricaudus. It 

 is found from central California to Baja California and is common around San 

 Diego. 



Angler Fishes: Suborder Pediculati 



Completing the list of fishes is perhaps the most extraordinary group of all. 

 The sea "toads," or "fishing frogs" as they are sometimes called, are specialized 

 for a highly carnivorous existence, but many of them catch their prev in a 

 unique way. Although several groups of animals employ lures with which they 

 attract their prey, notably the stargazer and the alligator snapping turtle, no 

 other animals have this lure attached to a "fish pole." This pole is formed of 

 the first dorsal spine, which is inserted on the snout and which overhangs the 

 mouth. These fishes wiggle the lure so as to attract curious small fishes, which 

 are snapped up when they approach closely. 



Not all anglers have such a fish pole, but the dominant ones do, so it is fairly 

 typical of the family as a whole. With this sedentary mode of fishing, there are 



