Genus Morone 



(144) Morone americana (Gmelin) 1789 

 White perch, sea perch 



Specimens: 



The white perch is present throughout the year in many brackish 

 ponds and tidal rivers of Rhode Island. The writer examined white 

 perch from the Pawcatuck and Pettaquamscutt Rivers, Ninigret 

 and Winnapaug Ponds. Specimens examined ranged from 7 to 12 

 inches (TL). Horton collected white perch in Pettaquamscutt 

 River on August 8, 1957. 



Economic Importance: 



The chief fishery for this food fish is centered at the Pettaquam- 

 scutt River. During 1957, 273 pounds of white perch, valued at S37, 

 were recorded from Rhode Island ports. 



Genus Epincpliclus 



(145) Epincpliclus niveatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes) 1828 

 Snowy grouper, spotted grouper 



Specimens: 



Tracy (1910) mentions three members of this tropical species 

 from Rhode Island in the United States National Museum. They 

 are a 2.5 inch (TL) specimen from Tiverton; and two which measure 

 3 and 3>.25 inches (TL) from Point Judith. 



Genus Ccntropristcs 



(146) Centropristes striatus (Linnaeus) 1758 



Sea bass, black bass, tallywag, black harry, black perch 



Specimens: (PLATE 48) 



This species is common in spring, summer and fall around rocks 

 and wrecks in Rhode Island waters. They are found in depths rang- 

 ing from two fathoms to rather deep water. Trawlers and trap 

 fishermen take considerable quantities of sea bass along with hook 

 and line fishermen. A 17-inch sea bass was taken by the author, 

 July 17, 1952, off Weekapaug, R. I. An 18-inch sea bass was taken 

 July 12, 1957, off Block Island by E. C. Shanks. 



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