THE ROSE-FISH AND ITS ALLIES. 271 
on the hook, and is thus taken. Like other large fishes, it is subject to 
the attacks of the hag-fish (Folistotrema). As a food-fish it holds a high 
rank, being considered rather superior to the rockfish. From its great 
abundance, it is one of the most important fishes on the Pacific coast. 
Zaniolepis latipinnis ranges from San Francisco northward in deep water. 
It reaches a length of about a foot, and is of no economic value. 
The bright-colored little fish, Oxyledius pictus, ranges from Santa Bar- 
bara to Vancouver’s Island, living among rocks near shore. It reaches 
a length of six inches, is rarely taken, and is then used only for bait. 
THE BESHOW. 
The Beshow, Axoplopoma fimbria, is generally known in Puget Sound 
by the name of ‘‘ Horse-mackerel.’’ At San Francisco it is usually 
called ‘‘Candle-fish.’” In the market it is sometimes fraudulently sold 
as Spanish mackerel. It reaches a length of twenty inches and a weight 
of five pounds. It ranges from Monterey northward to Sitka, in rather 
deep water, and is generally common, especially northward. At Seattle 
it is one of the most abundant fishes, but in the San Francisco market it 
is seldom seen in large numbers. It feeds on crustaceans, worms, and 
small fishes. 
In the Straits of Fuca it reaches a much larger size than’ has been 
noticed elsewhere. It is here very highly valued by the Indians, accord- 
ing to Mr. Swan. It is called by the Indians ‘‘ Beshow,’’ and is the 
‘* Black-cod,’’ of recent writers. Mr. James G. Swan has given a full 
report upon its habits in a recent Bulletin of the Fish Commission,* and 
has forwarded some of the salted fish for examination. The writer is not 
prepared to give to Anoplopoma a position as yet among the finest of 
American fishes, although it is no doubt an excellent kind for local 
consumption. 
“#Vol. V, 1885, pp. 225-34. 
