FISHERIES OF KEY WEST. 9 



With regard to this species the following is stated in " Fishes of 

 Panama," by Meek and Hildebrand, now in pre^s: "A study of ma- 

 terial available in the National Museum indicates that this genus is 

 in need of revision. We have included Serlola lalandi in our 

 synonymy, believing it to be identical with the present species. There 

 is a difference in the depth of body, but this appears to be only a 

 variation among individuals. It also seems probable that the banded 

 forms may yet prove to be the young of this s]3ecies." 



Range. — tape Cod Xo Africa and Brazil. Not common north of 

 North Carolina ; found in open seas of tropical Atlantic. 



13. Decapterus punctatus (Agassiz). Scad; Cigar-fish. 



The scad is said to be rather common on the coasts of Florida, but 

 its appearance in the Key West markets is only occasional. The 

 annual catch does not exceed a few hundred pounds. The maximum 

 size is not definitely known, but probably does not exceed 2 pounds, 

 with an average of one-half pound. 



Range. — Woods Hole (Mass.) to Brazil. Common in Bermuda 

 and West Indies; small fish sometimes rather common about Woods 

 Hole, Mass., and Long Island, N. Y. 



14. Selar crumenopthalmus (Bloch). Big-eyed scad. 



This fish is not common in the Key West markets. It is taken 

 from time to time by the hook-and-line fishermen and is considered 

 a fair food fish. Maximum weight, about 8 pounds; average, 1 

 pound. 



Range. — Both coasts of tropical America and in tropical seas gen- 

 erally ; on the Atlantic coast it is extremely rare north of southern 

 Florida. 



15. Caranx bartholomaei Cuvier and Valenciennes. Yellow jack. 



This species is less abundant than the several other species of 

 " jacks" commonly seen in the fish markets at Key West. It is com- 

 mon in the AVest Indies. The maximum weight is not definitely 

 known, but it probably does not exceed 3 pounds ; average, one-half 

 pound. 



Range. — Usual range Florida to West Indies and Panama. Known 

 from Porto Rico, but not common there; common in Cuba; rare 

 north of Florida, but sometimes straying to Woods Hole, Mass. 



16. Caranx hippos (Linnaeus). Jack; Runner; Crevalle. 



This species is i\\Q most abundant of the various species of " jacks" 

 or " runners"" that are found about Key West. It is a good food fish 

 and commands a ready sale in the markets. Fish weighing 5 or 6 

 pounds are not rare. It is taken by bottom fishing or by trolling 

 and is worthy of mention as a game fish. It is found throughout 

 the year, but is most common during the winter. Its maximum 

 weight is 20 pounds, but it seldom weighs more than 10 pounds, and 

 its average is 1 pound. 



Range. — Both coasts of tropical America, north to Lynn, Mass., 

 and Lower California ; East Indies. 



