FISHES OF CHESAPEAKE BAY 
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line arched like the back; scales small, ctenoid; dorsal fins contiguous, the third spine somewhat 
produced, equal to or longer than head in adult, proportionately shorter in young; the soft part of 
fin anteriorly somewhat elevated; caudal fin with concave margin in adult, round in young; anal 
fin with three short spines, the soft part similar to that of dorsal; ventral fin inserted under base of 
pectorals, one or more of the outer rays sometimes produced, reaching to or beyond origin of anal; 
pectoral fins very short, 1.45 to 1.6 in head. 
Color variable, from grayish to greenish and yellowish; sides with four to six black, vertical 
bands, the first on head and passing through the eye, the last on caudal peduncle; these bars some- 
times becoming obscure in large examples; fins mostly grayish green to dusky, the membranes at- 
tached to the produced spine of dorsal and the ventrals often black; caudal fin with a blackish bar 
at base, the remainder of the fin being plain translucent in small specimens. 
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Thirteen small specimens, ranging in length from 55 to 120 millimeters (2V<; to 4 % inches) 
were preserved, and adult fish frequently were observed in the Norfolk markets. This fish is 
readily recognized by the very deep and strongly compressed body, which is nearly as deep as long. 
The sides bear from four to six broad, black bands. 
The food contained in four stomachs of small specimens (68 to 82 millimeters) consisted chiefly 
of vegetable debris with a few minute crustaceans intermixed. Smith (1907, p. 335) says: “It 
frequents rocky patches, wrecks, and piling in search of food, which consists of small crustaceans, 
worms, etc.” 
Spawning takes place during the summer. Fish with well-developed roe were taken at Cris- 
field, Md., on May 26, 1916. Smith (1907, p. 335) says: “At Beaufort (N. C.) ripe male and 
female fish have been found early in June. The eggs are quite small, being less than 1 millimeter 
in diameter.” 
The same author believes that fish about 3 inches long, wdiich may be seined in August, are the 
young of the year. Young fish, probably the product of the same year’s hatch, were seined in the 
Chesapeake at Ocean View, Va., during 1922, as follows: September 18, 1 fish, length 55 millimeters 
