THE SHORE FISHES OF PERU 387 



cirri at nape well separated at median line; dorsal fin notched, with 

 about 12 spines and 17 to 22 soft rays; anal with 2 spines and about 

 17 to 23 soft rays, the spines in adult males bearing fleshy bulbs; 

 ventral with 4 rays. 



Two species are recognized herein, one of which had not previously 

 been reported from Peru. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES 



a. Pectoral fin about as long as head, 3.8 to 4.5 in length; color uniform grayish 

 brown (adults), or light brown with a series of dark blotches on back and 



another along middle of side (young) gigas (p. 387) 



aa. Pectoral fin shorter than head, 5.4 in length; color pale olivaceous (probably 

 yellowish in life), back with a continuous dark band, and another dark 

 band along middle of side eques (p. 389) 



SCARTICHTHYS GIGAS (Steindachner) 

 BORRACHO; SUENO 



Salarias gigas Steindachner, 1876, p. 172, Callao, Peru (original description). 

 "iSalarias rubropunctatus Jordan and Gilbert (probably not of Cuvier and 



Valenciennes), 1883b, p. 628, Pearl Islands, Panama and Callao, Peru 



(notes). 2< — Nichols and Murphy, 1922, p. 513, North Chincha Island, Peru. 

 Alticus gigas Evermann and Radcliffe (in part), 1917, p. 146, Lobos de Afuera, 



Chincha Islands, Ballestas Lsland, and Independencia Bay, Peru (synonymy; 



description). — Nichols and Murphy, 1922, p. 513, South Chincha Island, Peru 



(explanation of the application "borracho"). 



Head 3.4 to 4.3; depth 3.3 to 4.1 ; D. XII, 17 (occasionally IG or 18); 

 A. II, 17 to 19; P. 14; vertebrae 32 or 33 (two specimens dissected). 



Body compressed, its greatest thickness about two-thirds its depth; 

 head compressed, nearly as deep as long, its dorsal outline steep in 

 advance of eyes (especially in small specimens), gently convex from 

 eyes to origin of dorsal; caudal peduncle short, much compressed, 2.6 

 to 3.6 in head; snout very blunt, 2.3 to 3.0; eye placed high, 3.8 to 6.1 ; 

 interorbital flat or slightly concave, 7.9 to 16; mouth rather small, 

 horizontal, slightly inferior, the lower jaw being included; maxillary 

 generally reaching under middle of eye, 2.7 to 3.3 in head; teeth in 

 jaws in a close-set series, with an outer row of teeth set far apart, only 

 about half as long as the teeth in the main row, and largely covered by 

 the gums; the teeth all somewhat movable; a fixed canine posteriorly 

 in lower jaw, occasionally missing on one or both sides, probably 

 broken, also easily overlooked in small examples; no teeth on vomer 

 or palatine, though provided with a bony edge; upper lip fringed; a 

 tuft of tentacles about as long as pupil behind anterior nostril ; a flat, 



" As the specimens recorded by Jordan and Gilbert are not available for examination at present, their 

 identity remains doubtful. There is nothing in the brief account offered that is in disagreement with the 

 specimens herein described as S. gigas, except the statement that canine teeth were absent; these may have 

 been broken or possibly were overlooked. Several specimens (U. S. N. M. No. 88792) from Juan Fernandez, 

 the type locality of S. rubropunctatus, have Leen examined and are believed to be that species. These have 

 nOtably longer pectoral and caudal fins than gigas, the forehead is broader and rounder, and a longer fringe of 

 cjrri is present at the nape. A distinct canine tooth is present in posterior part of lower jaw. 



