H a w aiian F i s h e s 35 



tical egg case with silky filaments attached to it. The skia of these fishes 

 is smooth. 



The chimaera family is of no value as food. They are of interest only 

 because of their ancient pedigree and curious form. 



Of seven known species, only one is recorded from the Hawaiian 

 Islands. 



Hawaiian Chimaera 



Also known as the Elephant Fish or Rat Fish 



12-1 Chimaera gilberti Garman 



This chimaera is of a uniform pur- 

 plish or plum color throughout and 

 measures about three feet in length. 

 It was taken off the Island of Kauai 

 in deep water between 957 and 1,067 

 fathoms. Only a single specimen is 

 known. 



Drown from Gilbert 



THE TARPON FAMILY 



Also known as the Ten-Pounder or Giant Herring Family 

 13 Family Elopidae 

 The tarpons are large, herring-like fishes with an oblong, somewhat 

 compressed body. Their head is bony and naked, the eyes are large, and 

 the body is covered with large, smooth, silvery scales. In life the tarpons 

 are of a metallic blue color and when viewed in the water look greenish 

 in color. 



The young tarpons develop from a rather curious ribbon like larva 

 and pass through a series of stages before finally reaching maturity. Mature 

 tarpons, when considered among fishes as a whole, are of moderate or 

 large size. 



Although the tarpon is regarded as one of the best game fishes, its 

 flesh is dry and bony and is not generally regarded as edible. It is eaten 

 by the Hawaiians and by the Japanese. 



The family is widely distributed in tropical waters, but the species are 

 usually not world wide in their distribution. 



One species of this family is known to occur in Hawaiian waters. 



