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 {Orckesiia); the sand-bug 

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

 {Gammarus) ; and the prawn {PalcEmonetes). 



THE GRUNT FAMILY 



{Jiamulida) 



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 plumieri. The Common Grunt. Body moderately elon- 

 gate ; the back elevated and somewhat compressed ; head 

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



