I$() GIANT FISHES 



The Peto is an excellent food-fish, and is captured by 

 trolling. It is so greedy that it can be readily attracted by 

 either natural or artificial baits. In Japan the lure sometimes 

 consists of a model made of wood or canvas to imitate a flying- 

 fish or mackerel. It is not well known as a sporting fish, but a 

 fish weighing 124I lb has been captured on rod and line. 



This species is named after its discoverer, Solander, an 

 early explorer. 



GASTEROCHISMA. 



Before leaving the family Scombridae, mention may be 

 made of a rare Bonito-like oceanic fish, Gasterochisma melampus, 

 found in the more temperate waters of the Southern Hemi- 

 sphere. It has been recorded from South Africa, Argentina, 

 the Falkland Islands, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, 

 but nothing is known of its habits and it has no commercial 

 value. It grows to a length of 5 or 6 feet. This fish may be 

 readily distinguished from the other members of the family 

 dealt with in this chapter by the rather large, smooth scales, 

 which cover the whole body and extend on to the head, and 

 the slender peduncle of the tail, which has two keels on each 

 side. The size and shape of the fins changes considerably as 

 the fish grows, and individuals of different ages have been 

 erroneously described as distinct species or even distinct 

 genera. 



LOUVAR. 



(Genus Luvarus.) Fig. 52. 



Another rare and remarkable oceanic fish, the Louvar 

 (Luvarus imperialis), is also entitled to brief mention here. 

 This fish, which grows to a length of 6 feet, is quite unlike any 

 other Scombroid, and is placed in a distinct family (Luvaridae). 

 It has a plump body, blunt head, tiny and almost toothless 

 mouth, and rough scales which form a kind of scurf on the 

 smooth skin. The general coloration is pinkish-silvery and 

 the fins are bright scarlet. It is widely distributed in tropical 

 and temperate seas, and is a very occasional visitor to the 

 southern coasts of the British Isles. Nothing is known of its 



