FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
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scales moderate, rather thin, cycloid, seven rows on cheeks; dorsal fin rather high, the anterior 
rays not reaching tips of the posterior ones when deflexed, origin of fin a little behind base of ventrals 
and about equidistant from the adipose fin and middle of eye; adipose fin small, its base about as 
long as pupil of eye, situated over anterior half of anal base; caudal fin forked, the lobes of about 
equal length; anal fin rather long and low, the median rays shortest, its origin about equidistant from 
end of base of dorsal and base of caudal; ventral fins long, the inner rays about 1.5 times as long as 
the longest rays of the pectoral, inserted about equidistant from tip of snout and vent; pectoral 
fins rather small, 2 to 2.1 in head. 
Color of two specimens 9J4 and 13 inches in length, brownish or olivaceous above, lower sides 
and below silvery white; operculum yellowish above; chin white; dorsal plain or pale yellow; adi- 
pose pale with dusky spot posteriorly; caudal dusky or yellowish, lower lobe darkest; anal white; 
ventrals white, pale yellow at base; pectorals plain, yellowish or light green. The young usually 
have more or less distinct dark crossbars on the back. 
Six large specimens of this species, ranging from 234 to 330 millimeters (9J4 to 13 inches) in length, 
form the basis for the foregoing description. The young of this fish was not seen during the investi- 
gation. This species is the only one of the genus known from Chesapeake Bay and therefore is 
easily distinguished by its elongate form, depressed head, low, pointed snout, very large mouth, 
and the presence of an adipose fin. 
In regard to the food of this fish, Smith (1907, p. 139) says: 
“ The lizard fish has a formidable mouth and it is a voracious feeder; small fish constitute its principal food, but crabs, shrimp, 
worms, and other animals are also eaten.” 
The contents of five stomachs of specimens taken in Chesapeake Bay consisted exclusively 
of small fish, as many as three being contained in one stomach. Three of these small fish, taken 
from three different stomachs, could be recognized as young weakfish ( Cynoscion regalis ). The 
others were too fragmentary to be identified. 
The lizard fish is found on sandy shores and it is a bottom species. In some localities, 
because of this habit of living on the sand, together with the general shape of the body, this fish 
is known as the “sand pike.” 
Its spawning habits appear to be unknown. 
This species is not common in Chesapeake Bay. During an entire season (April to November, 
1921) of shore collecting not a single specimen was taken. From September 23 to October 27, 
1922, at Ocean View, Va., 18 fish were caught in 11 of a total of 32 hauls of 1,800-foot seines on 10 
different dates, the highest catch in one haul being 5. Nearly all these fish had gilled themselves 
far out on the wings of the seine and very few were taken in the bunt. These specimens were 
11 to 13J4 inches in length. The only other lizard fish taken during the present investigation 
(a fish 9}4 inches long) was caught with hook and line on September 1, .1922, far up the bay at 
Chesapeake Beach, Md. Fish of the following lengths and weights were secured: Eleven inches, 
b }/2 ounces; 12 inches, 7J^ ounces; 12)^ inches, 8H ounces; 13 inches, 10 ounces. The lizard fish 
is reported to reach a length of 2 feet. As a food fish it has no value. 
Habitat . — Massachusetts to Brazil. 
Chesapeake localities. — (a) Previous records: Tide waters of the Potomac and along the shore 
of the southern end of the eastern peninsula, St. Charles Island, St. Jeromes, and Cape Charles 
City, Va. ( b ) Specimens in collection: Chesapeake Beach, Md., September 1, 1922, hook and 
line; Ocean View, Va., September and October, 1922, 1,800-foot seine. 
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