i26 Big Game Fishes 



bay among the algae-covered rocks, the home of 

 the micramoc, it was a striking object; about 

 three and a half feet in length, the body very deep, 

 colored a vivid brick-red, the base of some of 

 the fins black, a jet-black crescent at the base of 

 the tail, a dark inky blotch on the forehead pecul- 

 iar to the male, while the lower jaw was yellow. 

 Other minor tints and differences between the 

 sexes may be found, but the prevailing color is 

 red, and the catch might better be called the 

 flame fish, as it blazes its way with lurid scintilla- 

 tions, through the blue waters. It is known as 

 hogfish because its mouth is supposed to bear a 

 resemblance to that of a hog ; at least, it is very 

 large, and armed with prominent teeth which 

 project outward. The first three dorsal spines 

 are provided with long red streamers, while the 

 first rays of the soft dorsal and anal are very 

 long, which, with the outer spines of the tail 

 likewise extended, give the hogfish a gay and 

 festive air. Preserved specimens, individuals 

 found in the markets, or even in the wells of 

 smacks, convey no idea of the beauty and bril- 

 iancy of the hogfish fresh from the coral groves, 

 where aeration is perfect and the bottom highly 

 colored. 



