a single set on January 16, 35 leptocephali and 6 elvers in a set on January 21, 

 1958. Both leptocephali and elvers appeared in decreasing numbers in most sets 

 until the 7th of March. Identification was made by raising leptocephali to the elver 

 stage in an aquarium, 



OPHICHTHYIDAE Snake Eels 



Mystriofhis mordax (Poey) Spotted Snake Eel 



During the month of October 1955, three large eels were brought to the 

 laboratory for identification. These fish, ranging in length from 78.0 to 105.5 cm., 

 proved to be spotted snake eels. All were taken by hook and line in the immediate 

 vicinity of South Jetty, approximately 3/4 of a mile from the lagoon. On October 

 28, 1955, a 75.0-centimeter specimen was caught in the basin by an angler. 



With their imposing array of teeth, spotted snake eels rival morays in 

 viciousness of appearance. Evidently their occurrence in Galveston waters is very 

 sporadic, as there has been only one incidence of capture reported other than 

 those of October 1955. Following the publication of an article on the species in a 

 local newspaper, illustrated with a picture of the largest specimen, a sportfisher- 

 man reported that he had caught a 4-foot eel "some years ago" off the South Jetty. 

 From his detailed description, the fish in question was undoubtedly a spotted 

 snake eel. 



BELONIDAE Needlefishes 



Strongylura marina (Walbaum) Needlefish, Silver Gar, 



Billfish 



Needlefish, in small schools of 5 to 10 fish, were observed on many occasions 

 "patrolling" the waters of the basin and channel adjacent to the culverts, usually 

 when there was an abundance of larval or juvenile menhaden, or other small, 

 schooling fish. The average size was approximately 25.0cm. One 44.5-centimeter 

 specimen, captured on February 19, 1954, was a nearly riped female, which 

 indicates that spawning of the species in local waters probably occurs in early 

 spring. 



HEMIRHAMPHIDAE Halfbeaks 



Hyporhamphus unifasciatus (Ranzani) Common Half beak 



Juvenile and young halfbeaks were observed occasionally in the vicinity of 

 the culverts from June to mid -October. They were most abundant throughout 

 June and July, and like needlefish, occurred in groups of 5 to 10 fish. Except for 

 a single specimen measuring 15 cm., dip-netted on October 1, 1954, the halfbeaks 

 captured or seen were between 3 and 4 cm. in length. 



SYNGNATHIDAE Pipefishes and Seahorses 



Syngnathus sp. Pipefish 



Single, immature pipefish, 2-6 cm. in length, were taken by plankton net on 

 four different occasions, all in early spring. Several species are known to occur 

 in inshore waters of Texas, the most common being the southern pipefish, S. scovelli 

 (Evermann and Kendall), but as identification of these very young specimens was 

 not possible, they are listed as Syngnathus sp, 



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