FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
255 
higher than the spines; caudal fin round; anal fin with three graduated spines, the soft part similar 
to that of dorsal; ventral fins long, reaching beyond origin of anal, inserted under base of pectorals; 
pectoral fins short, 2 in head. 
Color in life red; dorsal red, the spinous part edged with yellow, a few blackish dots on the soft 
rays; caudal fin pale, with blackish reticulations; anal red, edged with black; ventrals red at base, 
the rest of fins dusky or black; pectorals plain red. Color in spirits light brownish, with the dark 
marking on fins remaining as in the fresh specimen. 
A single specimen 70 millimeters ( 2 % inches) in length was taken, and it forms the basis for 
the foregoing description. The species is readily recognized by the deep body, very short snout, 
vertical mouth, large eye, moderately large scales, and the red color. The small specimen at hand 
differs somewhat from described specimens in having two enlarged spines at angle of preopercular 
margin, instead of having no spines at this place. It also differs in the much longer ventral fins and 
in the very deep body. These differences, however, may all be due to age. 
This fish is principally a West Indian species that sometimes strays northward and occasionally 
is taken in considerable numbers on the coast of Massachusetts. Apparently it is very rare in 
Chesapeake Bay, and it was unknown to the fishermen who captured the specimen in hand. The 
largest individual of this species recorded was only 11 inches long. 
Habitat . — West Indies to Massachusetts; occurring northward only as a straggler. 
Chesapeake localities. — (a) Previous records: None. ( b ) Specimen in collection: From Ocean 
View, Va., captured September 26, 1922. 
Family LXHI. — LOBOTIDiE. The tripletails 
Body oblong, compressed; back elevated; anterior profile more or less concave; head moderate; 
snout short; eye small, anteriorly placed; mouth moderate, oblique; lower jaw projecting; teeth 
in the jaws pointed, small, none on vomer and palatines; preopercle serrate; scales of moderate size, 
rather strongly ctenoid; dorsal fin long, continuous, with 12 strong spines, the soft part elevated; 
caudal fin rounded; anal fin with three graduated spines, the soft part similar to that of dorsal and 
opposite it. This family consists of a single genus. 
108. Genus LOBOTES Cuvier. Tripletails 
The characters of the genus are included in the family description. A single species of wide 
distribution occurs on the Atlantic coast of the Americas and is not uncommon in Chesapeake Bay. 
139. Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch). Tripletail; Flasher; “Lumpfish”; “Strawberry bass.” 
Eotocentrus surinamensis Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IV, 1790, p. 98, PI. CCLXIII; Surinam. 
Lobotes surinamensis Uhlerand Lugger, 1876, ed. I, p. 135; ed. II, p. 115; Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900, p. 1235, PI. CXCIV, 
fig. 51C; Fowler, 1912, p. 58. 
Head 2.9; depth 2.05; D. XII, 16; A. Ill, 12; scales 48. Body deep, compressed; back elevated; 
anterior profile concave over the eyes; head moderate; snout tapering, 4.15 in head; eye 5.05; inter- 
orbital 3.45; mouth moderate, oblique; lower jaw projecting; maxillary reaching middle of eye, 
2.65 in head; teeth in jaws small, pointed; preopercular margin strongly serrate, the serrse at angle 
much enlarged, longer than pupil; scales moderate, strongly ctenoid, extending more or less on the 
base of all the soft fins; dorsal with strong spines, the soft part much higher than the spines; caudal 
fin round; anal fin with three strong, graduated spines, the soft part shorter but similar in shape 
to soft dorsal; ventral fins long, reaching vent, inserted slightly behind base of pectorals; pectoral 
fins short, 1.95 in head. 
Color brownish black, with darker blotches below base of dorsal and anal; pectoral fins pale; 
other fins all brownish to blackish; caudal with a broad, pale margin. (The pale pectoral and pale 
margin of the caudal are probably characteristic of young fish only.) The color becomes darker 
after death. Large fish examined by us in Norfolk fish markets were black everywhere on body 
and fins. Young fish are sometimes marked with yellow and browrn. A specimen observed at 
Key West had the yellow and brown colors of an autumn leaf. 
A single specimen, 175 millimeters (6J^ inches) long, was preserved, and it forms the basis 
for the foregoing description. This species is easily recognized by the deep, compressed body and 
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