174 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Permit or Pompano {Trachinotus rhodopus). — This large pompano, 

 AYhich attains a weight of over 25 pounds, is not uncoiunion along 

 the keys. 



Runner or Grevalle {Garanx crysos). — Very common in the inlets. 



Jaclc or CreraUe {Garanx hippos). — Very common. 



Bluefish [Pomaiomun saliatrix). — Not common, and as a rule found 

 only in the vicinity of Ca'sar Creek, in the lower part of the bay. The 

 presence of large schools of kingtish at the inlets is thought by some 

 to keep tlie bluetish out of the bay. 



iSquirrel-Jish or Sand Perch [Diplccirnm formosum). — Very common in 

 the bay adjacent to the inlets. A small but good food -fish. At Norris 

 Cut, on February 21, the iish was found in great abundance, biting 

 readily at a hook baited with couch meat ; all caught were 7 or 8 inches 

 long. 



Groupers {Epinephelus and Myeteroperea). — At least six species of 

 groupers are found in greater or less numbers in the lower part of the 

 bay and about the adjacent reefs, keys, and inlets. All are valuable 

 food-Ilshes, some being very small and others very large. Small jewfish 

 {E2)inephelus n igritn.s) occur in the bay, but the larger ones are rare; some 

 individuals weighing 250 pounds have, however, been taken in the bay. 



Sheepshead {Arehosargus probatocephaJus). — Common, and averages 

 about 4 pounds in weight, the largest being about 7 pounds. Feeds 

 largely on raccoon oysters. 



Yellow-tail [Ocyurus chrysiirus). — Common about the reefs and inlets. 



Mangrove Snapper {Lutjanus griseus). — Extremely abundant around 

 the shores of the bay and not uncommon in the fresh-water streams 

 almost as far as the Everglades. At times in February the fish was 

 found in incredible numbers under the mangrove trees, the shores for 

 miles being lined with immense bodies of snappers, in company with 

 smaller quantities of redlish, pigfish, mullet, and other fishes. The 

 average weight of the fish was probably less than a pound, but some 

 weighed 4 or 5 pounds. This fish is quite shy, and in the clear waters 

 of the region takes the hook with great hesitation. Several other 

 snappers, e. g., the schoolmaster {L. caxis) and the lane snapper {L. 

 synag7'is), are also common in the bay. 



Grunts, etc. {Ha'ninlon). — Numerous species of sparoid fishes belong- 

 ing to this genus are found iu and adjacent to the bay. They occur in 

 abundance and are all valuable as food. A number of fish belonging 

 to closely related genera also frequent tbe IMscayne region. 



lied fish or Channel bass {Sciwna ocellata). — Abundant at all seasons. 

 It is generally regarded as an excellent food and game fish. 



Spot [Leiostomns xanthnrns). — Common in bay. 



Drum {Pogonias eroniis). — Found near the oyster beds in the bay. 

 Common. By most persons it is looked on as a food-fish of little 

 value, owing to the fact that it is reported to always have "worms" 

 in its back. 



Trout [Gynoscion nebulosus). — Common. 



