430 REPORT OF THE 



Family POMATOMID^. Bluefishes. 

 139. Bluefish ; Snapper {Pomatonius saltatrix Linnaeus). 



The Bluefish is described by Mitchill under the name of Horse Mackerel. He 

 said, "young ones are taken plentifully with the hook at our wharves by the 

 boys in August." The largest one mentioned by him was 13 inches long and 

 weighed about 14 ounces. The name Bluefish was in use at the time of his report 

 (1815). 



DeKay says the Bluefish is a common inhabitant of New York waters from May 

 until late in the autumn. It is readily caught with the hook baited with any bright- 

 colored substance. He saw individuals weighing 20 pounds. He states that the 

 young is known as Snapping Mackerel. According to DeKay the Bluefish was 

 unknown upon the New York coast until about 18 10, when a few appeared. He 

 noticed also that with the gradual appearance of Bluefish there was an equally 

 gradual disappearance of the Weakfish. 



Ayres states that no fish is more highly prized by fishermen or of more impor- 

 tance to them. He reports the Bluefish as very abundant and taken with nets in 

 great numbers, sometimes three or four hundred at one haul. Ayres used with 

 great success for their capture a hollow cylinder of bone about 4 inches long. He 

 states also that the average weight on the north shore was i^ pounds, but on the 

 south side they sometimes weigh 12 or 14 pounds. According to this author, the 

 chief food on arrival and for the greater part of the summer is the Sand Launce ; 

 later they feed on Silversides, small species of Herring, and on Shrimps, commenc- 

 ing on Siirimp just before their departure, in October. 



In 1898 young Bluefish were abundant from July to September in Peconic Bay 

 and Great South Bay. 



Both young and adult fish were common in Great South Bay and adjacent 

 waters in the summer of 1901. The smallest individual, taken in July, measured 

 31/^ inches. In the first half of September the lengths varied from 3^ to 7^ 

 inches. Young Bluefish /^{j^ inches long were caught in August. Adults were 

 found feeding upon Eel and Silverside. 



A very large and troublesome parasite often attacks the gills of the young; it 

 resembles the so-called "Salve Bug" of the Gloucester fishermen which is found on 

 the Halibut. 



A single young Bluefish, 7^ inches long, was seined in the fresh portion of 

 Swan River, September 9, 1901, along with Yellow Perch, Banded Pickerel, Pirate 

 Perch, Mud Minnow, Branch Alewife, young Eel and Common Silverside. 



