COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISHES OF CHILE 293 



Sub-Order MUGILOIDEI 

 Family Mugilidae 



a.—Miigil cepJialus (L.), (LISA; 100 tons). Lives in schools near 

 the beaches, and enters the estuaries of the rivers of the central region, 

 where it is sometimes found in extraordinary quantities. 



Family Atherinidae 



45.— Austrome7iidia laticlavia (Val., 1835). 



46.-A. regia (Humboldt, 1833). 



The numerous Chilean species of this family, known by the com- 

 mon name of PEJERREYES, constitute a systematic problem not yet 

 solved. They are found all over the Chilean coast as well as in fresh 

 water. They are very much appreciated and the annual catch is about 

 500 tons. 



ORDER GOBIESOCIFORMS 



Family Gohiesocidae 



47.— Syciases sanguineus (Muller et Troschel, 1843). 



48.— S. chilensis (Brisout de Barneville, 1846). 



49.—Sycyogaster inarmoratus (Jen., 1842). 



These three species live attached to the rocks in the breakers area, 

 from Chiloe as far as Peru. They are known by the common name of 

 PEJE-SAPOS, and the fine flesh is very much appreciated. 



ORDER BATRACHOIDIFORMS 



Family Batrachoididae 

 50.-Aphos porosus (Cuv. et Val., 1837), (BAGRE DE MAR). 

 Reaches the coast to spawn in the fissures of the rocks near the inter- 

 tidal zone, around the middle of Spring, and leave the coast by the 

 end of the Summer. During this period it is caught in large quantities 

 in its lurking places to the end of poles. Its flesh is of excellent quality, 

 but it is very little known in the market. 



