276 • BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
first arch more or less developed; scales moderate, 5 or 6 rows between origin of 
doi-sal and lateral line, reduced in size on nape and chest, those above lateral line 
with smooth edges, those below lateral line with small spinules on margin and on 
portion of exposed part; dorsal fin long and continuous, the spines graduated, the 
last one scarcely half the length of head, proportionately somewhat shorter in the 
adult than in young; median rays of the soft portion produced in adults reaching 
opposite about middle of caudal, origin of fin slightly in advance of margin of 
opercle; caudal fin rounded, sometimes more or less truncate; anal spines strong, 
graduated, the last one much stronger and longer than the longest dorsal spine, 
the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal, origin of fin usually about an eye's 
diameter nearer base of pectorals than base of caudal; ventral fins inserted just 
behind base of pectorals, reaching to origin of anal in young, failing to reach this 
point in large specimens; pectoral fins usually reaching to or a little beyond origin 
of anal, 1.18 to 2.35 in head. 
Color of a fresh specimen, 75 millimetei-s long, greenish silveiy with bluish 
reflections above; lower parts silvery; snout greenish; sides with 6 indistinct 
dark crossbars, the third bar with a black blotch on median part of side; a black 
spot on upper half of base of caudal; ventrais slightly yellowish; all other fins 
olivaceous; iris yellow. In the young the black in each bar on the median part of 
sides is intensified and somewhat broadened, suggesting a lateral band. In large 
specimens the black bars on the sides, anteriorly at least, become very obscure, 
the black })lotch in the third bar disappears, and the caudal spot becomes obscure 
and many of the scales on the sides bear greenish specks. Two color varieties, 
"Mojarra negra" and "Mojarra plateada," which, however, show no structural 
differences and which appear to intergrade, are recognized in some localities by the 
natives. 
This common food fish is represented by many specimens, ranging from 25 to 
220 millimeters in length. The writer, however, has found it impossible to identify 
the specimens with any known form and he believes them to represent a new species. 
The species is related to C. macracantJius, of which small specimens were obtained in 
Lake Ahuachapan. The present species, however, is more slender, the anterior 
profile less steep and convex, the eye is notably smaller, and the color, while variable, 
as shown in the description, is darker and the bands are more distinct. These 
differences are most noticeable when specimens of like size are compared. 
This mojarra is one of the most important food fishes of the fresh waters of 
El Salvador, and it was taken, or reported, from nearly all waters visited. It is 
said to reach a length of about 320 millimeters. In Lake Metapan it appeared to 
be more common than elsewhere. A fisherman, who waded and used a cast net, 
caught about 24 of these fish, ranging in length from 140 to 305 millimeters, during 
4 hours' fishing, and only a few of other species. The flesh of this fish is firm and 
of good flavor. 
According to information obtained from the natives, this species spawns along 
shore in comparatively shallow water. A disagreement as to the time of spawning 
(some saying that the species spawned in May and June, others that it spawned in 
August) either shows that the spawning period is a protracted one or, more probably, 
that little is known about it. The specimens dissected, which were taken during 
