Bastard Margaret; Ronco 



of soft dorsal, where it joins the fifth; fourth, which is usually indis- 

 tinct, from eye across opercle and disappearing on middle of side; 

 the fifth and plainest from eye along middle of side, crossing lateral 

 line, and joining third ends at base of caudal above lateral line; other 

 lines on side more or less broken and indistinct; head dark grayish 

 purple; an inky black spot on inner lower edge of opercle; lower jaw 

 flesh-colour, with numerous fine dark specks; dorsal, caudal, anal, and 

 pectoral yellow, dusky at base; ventrals dark; inside of mouth flesh- 

 colour. 



Hcemulon bonariense, the black grunt or ronco prieto, is found in 

 the West Indies and south to Buenos Ayres. It is not known from 

 Florida, and does not appear to be common anywhere. In Porto Rico, 

 where it is known as ronco prieto or arrayado, it is fairly frequent and 

 is highly esteemed. 



Colour in spirits, pearly gray, centre of each scale brownish black, 

 these coalescing and forming very sharply defined continuous undu- 

 lating stripes, about 16 between front of dorsal and front of anal, the 

 sixth extending from the scapular scale to last dorsal spine; base of 

 caudal blackish; other fins dusky. 



Bastard Margaret; Ronco 



Hcemulon parra (Desmarest) 



This grunt, also known as sailor's-choice, ronco bianco, ronco 

 prieto, and arrayado, occurs from southern Florida to Brazil. It has 

 been recorded from many places in southern Florida, the Tortugas, 

 Cuba, Porto Rico, Jamaica, and Brazil. It is an abundant fish about 

 Key West, where it collects in schools in July and August, when it 

 spawns on rock bottom. It reaches 2 pounds in weight and is a good 

 food-fish. 



Colour in spirits, dark brown, centre of each scale on upper part 

 of body dark brown surrounded by silvery; free edge of scales paler 

 or purplish brown ; lower part of sides and under parts more silvery, 

 but with numerous fine dark specks everywhere; head and fins dark. 



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