CHAPTER XXXV 
THE SURMULLETS, THE CROAKERS AND THEIR 
RELATIVES 
mfj|HE Surmullets, or Goatfishes: Mullide.—The Mullide 
(Surmullets) are shore-fishes of the warm seas, of mod- 
ww -*) erate size, with small mouth, large scales, and possess- 
ing ae notable character of two long, unbranched barbels 
of firm substance at the chin. The dorsal fins are short, 
well separated, the first of six to eight firm spines. There 
are two anal spines and the ventral fins, thoracic, are formed 
of one spine and five rays. The flesh is white and tender, 
often of very superior flavor. The species are carnivorous, 
Fic. 458.—Red Goatfish, or Salmonete, Pseudupeneus maculatus Bloch. 
Family Mullide (Surmullets.) 
feeding chiefly on small animals. They are not voracious, 
- and predaceous fishes feed freely on them. The coloration is 
generally bright, largely red or golden, in nearly all cases with 
an under layer, below the scales, of red, which appears when 
the fish is scaled or placed in alcohol. The barbels are often 
bright yellow, and when the fish swims along the bottom these 
are carried in advance, feeling the way. Testing the bottom 
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