The Channel Fishes 321 



of crustaceans, commonly called beach-fleas, that 

 are good baits for small-mouthed fishes along 

 the Florida coasts, among which may be men- 

 tioned the beach-flea (Orchestia); the sand-bug 

 (Hippo) ; the gribble (Limnoria) ; also the shrimp 

 (Gammarus) ; and the prawn (Palamonetes). 



THE GRUNT FAMILY 

 (Hcemulidoe) 



The grunts have an oblong body, more or less 

 elevated and compressed ; head large, its sides 

 usually scaly ; mouth low and horizontal, usually 

 curved ; sharp or pointed teeth ; dorsal fin single, 

 with a marked angle at the junction of the spiny 

 and soft portions ; the dorsal spines ten or twelve ; 

 anal fin with three spines, the second one the 

 largest ; caudal fin concave. The coloration is 

 bizarre and usually brilliant, with the lips and 

 inside of the mouth bright red or scarlet. They 

 are all good pan-fishes, and from their habit of 

 emitting vocal sounds when caught are called 

 " grunts." They feed on crustaceans, small fishes, 

 and the innumerable marine invertebrates that 

 inhabit the coral reefs and coralline rocks. 



Hcemulon plumiert. The Common Grunt. Body moderately elon- 

 gate; the back elevated and somewhat compressed; head 

 long, the sharp snout projecting ; head 2| ; depth 2f ; eye 5 ; 



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