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 {Orchestid); the sand-bug 

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

 [Gammarus) \ and the prawn {Palcemonetes). 



THE GRUIfX FAMILY 

 (HcBmulidce) 



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 plutnieri. The Common Grunt. Body moderatdy elon- 

 gate; the back elevated and somewhat compressed; head 

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



