Common Sunfishes 



A genus with about 8 species which are among the most 

 difficult of our fishes to distinguish. The form of the body, de- 

 velopment of the ear-flap, and height of the spines vary with 

 age and condition, while the general appearance and the number 

 of scales and fin-rays are essentially the same in all. 



a. Pectoral fin short, obtuse, not reaching beyond front of anal, 



considerably shorter than head. 



b. Gillrakers shortish, rather firm; palatine teeth present. 



c. Opercular flap in adult very long but narrow; scales 43 to 48; 



longest dorsal spine about 3 in head; some bluish stripes 

 on head; belly red in adult; auritus, 346 



cc. Opercular flap short and broad; scales 36 to 40; longest dorsal 

 spine about 2 in head ; side with rows of red spots ; 



miniatus, 346 



bb, Gillrakers very soft and weak; palatine teeth obsolete. 



d. Dorsal spines rather long, about 2 in head; side with rows of 



bronze spots ; garmam, 347 



dd. Dorsal spines short, about 3 in head in adult; colour brilliant, 



variable ; megalotis, 347 



aa. Pectoral fin longer, more or less pointed, not much, if any, 



shorter than head, reaching to or beyond front of anal. 



e. Scales very large, about 35 in lateral line. 



/. Opercular spot short, wholly surrounded by a red margin; side 

 with conspicuous red spots; ". hiimilis, 348 



ff Opercular spot plain black; body without red spots; 



haplognathus, 348 



ee. Scales moderate or small, more than 40 in lateral line. 



g. Dorsal fin without black spot at base of last rays ; opercular flap 

 short; side with chain-like cross-bands; macrochims, 348 



gg. Dorsal fin with a large black blotch at base of posterior rays; 

 opercular flap large but not long; pallidus, 349 



