CONCERNING YOUNG BLUEFISH 



By J. T. Nichols, 

 Ame7ican Museum of Natural History, New York City. 



It is my purpose to call attention to the value of having 

 in museums extensive collections of the young of differ- 

 ent fishes, and to the fact that such collections of young 

 fishes are of prime importance in studying the habits of 

 the species. 



Unfortunately the American Museum of Natural His- 

 tory in New York has meager collections of such ma- 

 terial, yet they will illustrate my meaning. 



Young Bluefish, known as Snappers, abound in the in- 

 shore waters about New York in summer. They are 

 extensively fished for with light rods for sport and food, 

 and they are a most excellent panfish, tasting like the 

 adult Bluefish, but sweeter and more delicate. To catch 

 them, a light rod is used ; the hook is kept usually two or 

 three feet below the surface, baited with smaller fish 

 alive or dead, Fundulus or Menidia generally preferred; 

 but at times they bite voraciously on clam or worm bait. 



Fishing commences in August, when the Snappers are 

 about 41/2 inches long (without tail fin). The Museum 

 has specimens 41/2 inches, Cold Spring Harbor, Long 

 Island, August 12th; and 4%, from the same locality in 

 August. They grow rapidly and in September reach a 

 length of 7 inches, with a weight of say 3 ounces. Speci- 

 mens from Sandy Hook, October 8, 1897, are 6i/4 and 7^/4 

 inches long; one from the Hudson River, September 24, 

 1881, 71/. inches long. 



On August 22, 1913, Dr. William H. Wiegmann of New 

 York, found young Snappers being caught abundantly at 

 Sheepshead Bay, and at the writer's request made meas- 

 urements of 49 individuals. Five were 13 to 13.5 cm. 

 (51,4 in.), six 16.5 cm. (GV- in.), eight 17 cm. (634 in.), 

 thirty 17.5 to 18 cm. (7 in.) long. 



The gap in sizes between the five smallest and the 

 others is noticeable. In this connection we may note a 

 similar gap in fish at Lloyd's Point, on July 30. 



