FISHES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF WOODS HOLE. 
99 
NOMEIDiE. Tlys Nomeids. 
117. Nomeus gronovii (Gmelin). Portuguese Man-of-war-fisli. ( * t) 
First noticed in 1889, when specimens were taken in Vineyard Sound, on July 6, July 23, anti 
August 12. Since then observed only in 1894, when there were many “Portuguese men-of-war” in 
Vineyard Sound . For several days in July there were often several dozen of the “men-of-war” in 
sight at one time off Tarpaulin Cove, and under these the fish were numerous. Sometimes a dozen 
would be found under one “man-of-war,” and 21 were collected by the Commission on July 31, all 
about 6 inches long. 
CORYPHiENIDJE. The Dolphins. 
118. Coryphasna hippurus Linnseus. “Dolphin.” (* t) 
Large specimens are very rare in Vineyard Sound, and none has been seen since about 1890. In 
past years some 3 feet long have been taken in traps at Menemsha. Young fish from 2 to 12 inches 
long are obtained nearly every year in the floating gulf- weed; four or five were secured in 1897 in 
Vineyard Sound, in July and August. 
CENTROLOFHIDiE. The Rudder-Fishes. 
119. Centrolophus niger (Gmelin). Blackfish; Black Ruff. (*) 
A specimen of this southern European species was taken at Dennis, Mass., about 25 miles east of 
Woods Hole, on November 23, 1888. 
120. Falinurichthys perciformis (Mitchill). “Rudder-fish”; “Polefish.” (* t §) 
Common from last of June to October. Observed in gulf-weed and other floating objects. As 
many as a hundred small and medium-sized fish may sometimes be found under a box, barrel, or tub. 
It is often seen around pound-net poles and has received the name of “polefish ” among the local fisher- 
men. The largest specimens are taken in traps at Menemsha, and are 15 or 16 inches long. 
STROMATEIDJE. The Butter-Fishes. 
121. Rhombus paru (Linnseus). Harvest-fish; “ Long-finned Butter-fish.” (t) 
Usually rare, but occasionally common. As a rule only 3 or 4 are taken in a season, but one year 
300 or 400 were obtained. Observed mostly in June and July, in company with butter-fish. 
122. Rhombus triacanthus (Peck), “ Butter -fish.” (* t §) 
Abundant. There is a noteworthy run in June, mixed with the scup. In 1896 and 1897, as many 
as 60 barrels were taken from a trap at Naushon at one lift; 30 barrels shipped from this trap to New 
York in 1897 yielded the fishermen only two 2-cent stamps ! This run lasts only 1 or 2 weeks, but the 
fish is taken from early summer to late fall. Spawning occurs in June. The butter-fish is often seen 
swimming under jelly-fish. 
TETRAGONURIDiE. The Square-Tails. 
123. Tetragonurus cuvieri Risso. Square-tail; Sea-raven. (*) 
One specimen obtained at Woods Hole November 10, 1890. 
SERRANIDiE. The Sea Basses. 
124. Roccus lineatus (Bloch). “ Striped Bass”; Rockfish. (* t) 
Not common. Arrives about May 1, and leaves about November 1. Most numerous in June. 
Apparently does not spawn in this section. Smallest weigh half a pound; largest 65 pounds. 
125. Morone americana (Gmelin). “ White Perch.” (* f §) 
Abundant in fresh-water ponds of the region connected with salt water. Spawns in ponds in May 
and June. In October specimens from 8 to 15 inches long are taken in nets in Buzzards Bay and 
Vineyard Sound. 
126. Epinephelus niveatus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Snowy Grouper, (t §) 
Not rare. First reported in 1895, when as many as 10 or 12 specimens were obtained in the Woods 
Hole region. 1 In 1897 several others were taken in summer and fall; one was caught August 7 in a 
dredge in Vineyard Sound in 6 fathoms of water and in November several were taken in a fyke net in 
Great Harbor. All have been of small size (3 inches or less), and most of them have been brought 
up in lobster pots. A number have also been secured in Rhode Island waters. 
SeeRept. U. S. F. C. 1894, p. 171. 
