XIII 



THE BONEFISH 



{Albula vulpes) 



THIS fish must not be confounded with the 

 ladyfish {Elops saurus). The latter is to 

 be found all along both the east and west 

 coast of Florida and bears the local names 

 of ladyfish, bonefish, bonyfish and big-eyed 

 herring, but it has no resemblance to the 

 true bonefish either in appearance or in its 

 method of fighting, for it is a high and lofty 

 jumper, whereas the true bonefish never 

 leaves the water when hooked. 



The bonefish {Albula vulpes) has fifteen 

 rays on the dorsal fin and eight on the anal 

 fin, whereas the ladyfish (Elops saurus) has 

 twenty rays on the first dorsal fin and 

 thirteen on the anal fin. The latter is a slim 

 fish with delicate silver scales and has no 

 streaks. 



[141] 



