REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIAENIDAE 
53 
bb. Sides usually with black bars, the one on the nape and the one below the spinous dorsal meet- 
ing on the side forming a V; anal usually with 8 soft rays; the longest dorsal spine pro- 
duced, reaching far past origin of second dorsal; scales 91 to 96, counting vertical series 
above lateral line saxatilis 
aa. Scales on chest much smaller than on sides; pectoral fins short, failing conspicuously to 
reach tips of ventrals; dorsal spines short, none of them produced; anal usually with 
7 soft rays; scales 70 to 75, counting vertical series above lateral line; coloration normally 
plain silvery littoralis 
MENTICIRRHUS AMER1CANUS (Linnaeus) 
Menticirrhus americanus ranges from New York to Texas and apparently is 
commercially the most important species of the genus from Chesapeake Bay south- 
ward. The maximum weight reported is 2% pounds. However, the average weigh 
probably does not exceed a half pound per fish. This species is taken throughout 
the year in the vicinity of Beaufort. It becomes quite scarce, however, during the 
winter and especially during cold spells. It is most numerous in the spring when 
large catches are made with “sink nets”, 6 operated chiefly from Beaufort Inlet to 
Cape Lookout. During comparatively recent years, since the otter trawl has come 
into use locally, it is taken in the deeper waters with that gear also. In the inside 
waters it is taken chiefly with drag nets or seines. It takes the hook now and then, 
but it scarcely holds a place at Beaufort as a sport or game fish. 
SPAWNING 
Fish with well-developed roe have been seen at Beaufort from time to time from 
April to June. However, mature eggs of this species have not been secured. It is 
evident from the capture of two larvae 4.0 and 5.5 millimeters long in the tow on 
April 23 and 26 (1927) that spawning, some years at least, commences as early as 
April. The capture of young under 10 millimeters, and some under 5.0 millimeters 
in length during each succeeding month until about the middle of September shows 
almost certainly that the spawning season at Beaufort extends from April through 
August and possibly into the early part of September. (See table 1.) The principal 
spawning period, judging mainly from the abundance of the larvae in the tow, seems 
to extend from the latter part of June through July and August. Fish with large 
roe were seen most commonly during May and June. 
Spawning in the vicinity of Beaufort probably occurs chiefly along the outside 
shores of the “banks”, although it seems probable that some spawning may take 
place also within the inside waters. While the eggs if taken (in the tow) were not 
recognized, it is known that adult fish are common along the outer shores of the banks 
during the spawning season, where they no doubt congregate to carry out reproduc- 
tive activities. Furthermore, 15 of the 18 young, 5.0 millimeters and under in length 
in the collection were caught along the outside shores. The larger young, up to 20 
millimeters in length, of which many were taken, too, were much more numerous 
there than in the inside waters. It seems highly probable, therefore, that spawn- 
ing in the vicinity of Beaufort takes place chiefly in the ocean along the shores of 
the “banks.” 
Welsh and Breder (1923, p. 187) suggest that this species may have two spawning 
seasons. No evidence of more than one spawning period was secured at Beaufort. 
(See table 1.) However, the spawning season, as pointed out in a preceding para- 
« Sink nets are gill nets, weighted and sunk to the bottom (hence sink nets) in several fathoms of water. 
