FISHES OF NEW YORK 595'^ 



Color bluish or brownish, usually with a brassy luster on 

 sides; head and back sometimes spotted with brassy; young with 

 darker blotches and markings, and often with a black blotch 

 near the middle of the dorsal fin. Some individuals are yellow- 

 ish and the young are often green. 



The cunner is known also as chogset and bergall (this changed 

 to bengal in Great Egg Harbor bay, N. J.). Mitchill gives the 

 name of bluefish as in use in New York in 1815 ; perch, sea 

 perch and blue perch are New England names given for this fish. 

 Names used with reference to its bait-stealing propensities are: 

 nipper and bait-stealer. 



The cunner is common from Labrador to at least as far south 

 as New Jersey. 



The bergall is found in Gravesend bay throughout the year. 

 In 1898, the writer found it in Peconic bay and the adjacent 

 Scallop pond; south side of Great South bay opposite Patch- 

 ogue; Fire Island inlet; Blue Point cove; and Duncan's creek. 

 In 1899, young examples were taken at Water Island ocean 

 I)each, June 6. In 1901, young of a yellow color and only If 

 inches long were seined in a creek near Fire Island inlet, August 

 15. Half grown and adults were caught at a wreck on Tobey's 

 Flat, August 14, and at Smith's Point, August 23. 



At Woods Hole Mass. the cunner is very abundant and remains 

 during the entire year. Thousands perish from cold every win- 

 ter. The fish spawns in June. The egg is about -2-6 inch in 

 diameter, buoyant, and has been hatched in the tidal cod- jar in 

 five days in water of a mean temperature of 56° F. By August 

 1 the young an inch long are observed. Outside of Gayhead 

 and Cuttyhunk the fish reaches a weight of 2^ pounds, but the 

 usual weight is from J to J pound. In February 1901, thousands 

 of cunners were killed by extreme cold at Woods Hole. 



The cunner endures captivity very well, individuals having 

 been kept three years or longer. The species is usually asso- 

 ciated with the tautog or blackfish; in many places it proves a 

 great annoyance to fishermen. In some parts of New England 

 the fish is highly esteemed, but farther south it is not in high 



