CHAPTER II 



THE BASS FAMILY 

 {Serranida) 



The bass family is composed mostly of marine 

 fishes, nearly all of which are good game- and 

 food-fishes. These will be described among the 

 fishes of the East Coast and Florida in subse- 

 quent pages. It is the most typical group among 

 the percoid (perchlike) fishes. Only two species 

 of the family inhabit fresh water, — the white-bass 

 and the yellow-bass. 



The fishes of this family are characterized by 

 an oblong body, large mouth, brushlike or bristle- 

 like teeth, sometimes with canines ; one or two 

 dorsal fins, the first always composed of spiny 

 rays ; the anal fin, always with three spines ; 

 scales adherent and rough (ctenoid) ; preopercle 

 usually serrate ; opercle with flat points or spines ; 

 cheeks and opercles always scaly; premaxillary 

 protractile ; dorsal and ventral outlines do not 

 always correspond ; caudal fin not deeply forked ; 

 its peduncle stout. 



85 



