50 Big Game Fishes 



including Porto Rico, now an American colony, 

 the list would be larger. Among the small 

 snappers, resembling the gray snapper, is the 

 schoolmaster, Lutianus apodus, easily recognized 

 by its reddish brown and orange colors and 

 whitish stripes. I have taken twelve-pounders 

 on the edge of a little channel near Bird Key, 

 and have seen individuals on the edges of the 

 channels which were doubtless much larger. As 

 a hard fighter and vigorous fish it is unexcelled. 



Another gamy snapper is the red tail, Lutianus 

 synagris (Linn.), and seen directly from the 

 water it is one of the most beautiful of all fishes. 

 As it comes in on the line after a vigorous play, 

 it appears olive-hued; then as it reaches the 

 surface and the sun plays upon it, rose, scarlet, 

 silver, gold, deep maroon, and almost every color 

 flash and blend to add to its beauties. Even the 

 lips are vivid red, its eye or iris a flame of 

 scarlet, marking the fish as a fitting companion 

 to the gorgeous parrot and angel fishes of the 

 reef. 



