WRASSES. 



15 



(Uentrolabrus) Gbfjs, Boh. Fa., p. 47ii; Limjedoro, tSv., 



Norg. Fiskar, I, pag. 452. 

 Obs. NiLSSON lias given this species the name Srnamiiid iSnultra 

 (a translation of the Small-mouthed Wrasse (^(Jrenilabrus microstoma) 

 of THOJirsoN and Yarrell), but we can find no sufficient reason for 

 the rejection of the name which has formerly been given it in <Sean- 

 dinavian Fishes. » 



The great(vst length tliat the Siiiall-inouthed \\'ra.sse 

 seems to attain is about 150 mm., and it is generally 

 from 100 to 125 mm. in length. We also inter that 

 it does not attain a mueh larger size from the fact that 

 in specimens only 100 mm. in lengtii tlie generative 

 organs are fully developed. In common with the Scale- 

 rayed Wrasse it is distinguished from the other Scan- 

 dinavian wrasses by the possession of 5 (sometimes 4) 

 spinous rays in the anal fin, while the others as a rule 

 have only 3. In its general shape too it has several 

 peculiar and distinctive features, notably the strong 

 compression of the body, the sharpness of the dorsal edge, 

 the handsome elliptical sha})e of the body -with the pro- 

 duction of the snout, the small size of the mouth, the 

 almost complete uniformity in depth of the dorsal and 

 anal fins, both of Avhich terminate in a somewhat sharp 

 corner, and lastl}' the very slight increase in breadth 

 towards the extremity of the caudal fin. The length of 

 the head is a little under ^4 o^" tlie total length and 

 much less than the greatest dejjth of the body. The 

 jaAV-teeth form a simj^le row and are comparatively 

 small. The margin of the preoperculum is very clearly 

 denticulated. In the lateral line there are from 35 to 

 37 scales with an entire posterior margin and pierced 

 by a raised duct, the end of \vhich is bent obliquely 

 upwards. On the tail the ducts are almost confluent. 

 The curve of the lateral line at the extremity of the 

 dorsal fin is sharper than in the other Scandinavian 

 wrasses. Above the lateral line there are 3 large rows 

 of scales and one smaller roAv; belo^\' the line there are 

 10 rows. The scales are so thin that with a magnifying 

 glass one can see the striate root of one scale through 

 the scale overlapping it. The scales whit'h cover the 

 tail advance a little over the base of the caudal fin, but 

 there are no rows of scales on the membrane between 

 the rays of the fin. The dorsal fin consists of 18 or 19 

 hard, pungent rays with deeply indented membrane and 

 membranous flaps at the tip, and not more than H or 

 7 soft rays divided at tlie point and with the membrane 

 at the margin entire. It is orange in colour with a 

 tinge of gviw in the posterior part, and lietween the 



rays there are two rows of blue spots, the one at the 

 base and the other halfway up. The membranous flaps 

 and the extreme margin of the soft-rayed ])art are blue. 

 The anal fin which is of almost the same shape, mark- 

 ing, and coloiu' as tlie dorsal, consists either of 5 hard, 

 pungent rays and 7 soft rays divided at the point and 

 the last of them cloven to the base, or of only 4 spi- 

 nous rays and 8 soft; in the latter case the first soft 

 ray is not divided at the tip. The pectoral fins yellow, 

 transparent and made up of 2 simple and 12 branched 

 rays. The ventrals dirty-white and made up, as usual, 

 of one spinous and 5 soft rays. The caudal fin gray 

 with 13 yellowish In-own rays (the up])ermost and the 

 lowest undivided) and t^vo rows of blue spots on the 

 fin-membrane; the extreme margin edged with blue. 



The principal colour of the body is olive with a 

 tinge of }'ellow at the sides and towards the belly a 

 gloss of bright gamboge, which is peculiar to this spe- 

 cies. The belly is dirty-white and is without spots. 

 The edges of the scales, with the exception of those on 

 the belly and head, are blue, darker at the top than at 

 the bottom, and thus form crescent-shaped spots which 

 greatly enhance the beauty of this little fish. The head 

 is yellowish brown -with the forehead of a darker shade 

 and the gill-cover yello^vish; along it there generall}' 

 run 6 violet bands, like reins, in the direction shown 

 in the figure. The iris is reddish brown with a narro^^• 

 ring of lighter hue next the pupil, which is of a 

 beautiful shifting green. 



In its internal organs this species corresponds to 

 the preceding one. 



The Small-mouthed Wrasse seems to be exclusively 

 an inhabitant of the northern seas. The statement that 

 it is found in Greenland, however, is only based on a 

 vague conjecture of Fabricius and, as far as we know, 

 has not been confirmed in later times. In Scandinavia, 

 at least in Sweden, it occurs more rarely than any other 

 species of the wrasses. South of Bohuslan it has never 

 yet been met with on the coasts of Scandinavia. Its 

 mode of life resembles that of its kindred species, Imt 

 it is more confined to the seaward side of the islets 

 and has never been found far up the fjords; that is the 

 case at least in the island-belt of Bohuslan. In the 

 places thev frequent they are found in small companies. 



To the fisherman this little species is of no espe- 

 cial value. 



(Fries, Smitt.) 



