290 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
Color of preserved specimen brownish above, lower parts silvery; sides with about nine dark 
crossbars; fins mostly plain, the dorsals and caudal with dusky punctulations. 
A single specimen of this species, 50 millimeters (2 inches) in length, which is new to the fauna 
of Chesapeake Bay, was obtained. This fish differs in several respects from specimens (4 examined) 
from the Atlantic coast of Panama. The fish from Chesapeake Bay has 29 rays in the second dorsal, 
58 transverse series of scales above the lateral line, and 11 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first 
arch. The Panama fish have 24 or 25 rays in the soft dorsal, 46 to 50 scales (enumerated in the same 
way as for the local specimen), and 5 or 6 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first arch. The smallest 
Panama fish is 160 millimeters inches) in length. The size, therefore, is too unequal to show 
comparative differences in the shape and proportions of the body, etc., if, in fact, they exist. U. 
coroides originally was described from Brazil, and although specimens from Florida and elsewhere 
have been considered identical with the Brazilian fish, the specimens in hand appear to show that 
two species may have been included. The doubtful form, U. broussonetii Cuvier and Valenciennes, 
may possibly prove to be a valid species. The material at hand, however, is too meager to show 
definitely the relationship. The Chesapeake Bay specimen, therefore, is tentatively referred to 
U. coroides. 
The species is not known to be of much commercial value anywhere within its range and prob- 
ably does not attain a large size. The largest individual seen by one of us (Hildeband) at Colon, 
Panama (where the species is occasionally taken), was only 8 inches long. 
Habitat .— -Florida to Brazil, now for the first time recorded northward of Florida. 
Chesapeake localities. — (a) Previous records: None. (Jo) Specimen in collection; Lynnhaven 
Roads, Va.; taken with seine on a sandy beach, September 27, 1921. 
127. Genus MENTICIRRHUS Gill. Whitings 
Body elongate, little compressed; head rather long; snout conical, projecting beyond the mouth; 
mouth small, horizontal; teeth in jaws in bands; a single barbel at chin; gill rakers very short; 
first dorsal with 10 or 11 slender spines; anal with a single weak spine; air bladder absent. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
a. Scales on the chest not reduced and not notably smaller than on sides; pectoral fins reaching to or 
beyond tips of ventrals. 
b. Sides normally with dark, oblique bars, the last one on nape and the first one on body, meeting 
and forming a V; soft rays of anal usually 8, sometimes 9; longest dorsal spine produced, 
reaching far beyond origin of second dorsal in adult, 3.1 to 3.85 in length; scales 91 to 96, 
counting vertical series above lateral line saxatilis, p. 290 
bb. Sides plain or with obscure dark bars, not forming a V on sides; soft rays of anal usually 7, 
rarely 8; none of the dorsal spines produced in adult, the longest not reaching far beyond 
origin of soft dorsal 4.95 to 5.95 in length; scales 86 to 90, counting vertical series above 
lateral line americanus, p. 291 
aa. Scales on chest much reduced, notably smaller than on sides; pectoral fins failing conspicuously 
to reach tips of ventrals; none of the dorsal spines produced, the longest 5.3 to 6.45 in length 
in adults; soft anal rays typically 7; scales 72 to 74, counting vertical series above lateral line; 
coloration plain silvery gray littoralis, p. 294 
160. Menticirrhus saxatilis (Bloch and Schneider). “Kingfisli”; “Roundhead”; “Sea mullet”; 
“Sea mink”; Whiting; King whiting. 
Johnius saxatilis Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, p. 75; New York. 
Menticirrhus nebulosus Lugger, 1877, p. 78; Smith, 1892, p. 72. 
Menticirrhus saxatilis Jordan and Evermann, 1896-1900, p. 1475; Smith and Bean, 1899, p. 187. 
Head 3.05 to 4.1; depth 3.65 to 4.3; D. X-I, 24 to 26; A. I, 8 (sometimes I, 9); scales 91 to 96 
(counting vertical series between enlarged scale at upper angle of opercle and base of caudal). 
Body elongate, compressed; back elevated; ventral outline nearly straight; head low; snout conical; 
projecting beyond the mouth, 2.9 to 3.5 in head; eye 2.8 to 4.6; interorbital 3.5 to 4.45; mouth 
horizontal, inferior; chin with a single short, thickish barbel; maxillary reaching opposite middle of 
