Alphestes 



GENUS ALPHESTES BLOCH &- SCHNEIDER 



This genus differs from Epinephehts chiefly in the presence of a 

 strong antrorse spine on the lower limb of the preopercle. There are 

 but 2 known species, only one of which [Alphestes afer) is of much 

 importance. This species, I^nown as the cherna or guaseta, is found 



■A ^ y. J^'^^^^^^-i 



> -:3 



from Cuba to Brazil, and has been recorded also from Africa and the 

 Falkland Islands. It is common about Porto Rico, where it reaches a 

 foot or more in length and is reo^arded as a o;ood food-fish. 



Colour in life, yellowish brown, paler below; upper part of side 

 with about 7 longitudinal stripes of dark brown from head to tail, 

 these becoming rows of round orange spots below; 6 dark inconspic- 

 uous vertical bars on body; head with many smaller orange-brown 

 spots; lower part of head and breast with pale bluish spots; fins 

 brownish; ventrals olive edged with darker; other fins obscurely 

 barred; inside of mouth pale. 



The other species [A. miiltigiitiatus) is very close to A. afer, from 

 which it differs in the more slender head, more prominent chin, and 

 the colouration, which is dark olive-brown, the body and head pro- 

 fusely covered with round spots of darker brown about half size of 

 pupil; spots on posterior part of body confluent in horizontal streaks; 

 breast and front of head with few spots; a very faint mustache above 

 maxillary; dorsal and caudal dusky-olive, nearly plain; anal with 2 

 dusky cross-bands; pectoral yellowish, with ^ dusky cross-bands, its 

 edge pale; ventrals dusky. 



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