REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCIAENIDAE 
91 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE YOUNG 
It has been shown elsewhere (p. 85) that the young were taken in the general 
vicinity where the adults are permanent residents. The larvae, like the adults, 
apparently dwell at or near the bottom, for no young were taken in towings at the 
surface, whereas they appeared in bottom hauls 9 times (16 specimens, 1.9 to 15 
millimeters long), notwithstanding that many more surface than bottom hauls were 
made. The eggs, although not taken, probably are pelagic, as in other sciaenids so far 
as known. If that be true the larvae must descend to the bottom very early, as 
already indicated. The banded drum, therefore, appears to be bottom dwelling 
almost throughout life. 
GROWTH 
The number of young fish measured is too small to cast much light upon the rate 
of growth. The range in length of 87 specimens of the 0-class, taken in July is from 
3 to 70 millimeters, the average length being 34 millimeters. The range of 54 speci- 
mens taken in August is from 3 to 77 millimeters, with an average length of 54 milli- 
meters. The only other month for which a considerable number of measurements is 
available is November. However, the larger young of the season obviously are 
missing, as the 215 fish measured range in length from 15 to only 63 millimeters, 
with an average length of 44.5 millimeters. The largest specimen, which evidently 
belongs to the 0-class, taken in October is 91 millimeters long, the largest one in 
Februar}^ (no large ones of the 0-class having been taken in November, December, 
and January) is 113 millimeters, and the largest one in March is 123 millimeters 
long. While the data are quite incomplete, they do suggest a fairly rapid rate of 
growth, indicating that the largest young may reach a length of 120 to 125 milli- 
meters ( 4 % to 5 inches) when 1 year of age, although the average must be much 
smaller. 
THE WEAKFISHES OR SEA TROUTS (Cynoscion nebulosus, C. regalis, and 
C. nothus) 
Three species of sea trouts, namely Cynoscion nebulosus, C. regalis, and C. nothus 
occur on the coast of North Carolina. The two species named first are very important 
food fishes, as shown in the subsequent pages, whereas the last-mentioned one is of 
little value. The adults may be distinguished as shown by the following key. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES 
a. Soft dorsal and anal scaleless; gill rakers short, 8 on lower limb of first arch; body with round 
black spots nebulosus 
aa. Soft dorsal and anal covered with small scales; body without round black spots. 
b. Anal fin usually with 12 soft rays, sometimes 11, infrequently 13; lower limb of first arch 
most frequently with 17 gill rakers, often with 16 or 18, infrequently with 15 or 19; caudal 
fin definitely emarginate in specimens 300 millimeters (12 inches) and more in length; 
upper parts of sides usually with dark greenish wavy oblique stripes or reticulations. 
regalis 
bb. Anal fin usually with 9 soft rays, sometimes with 8 or 10; lower limb of first arch usually 
with 13 gill rakers, sometimes 12 or 14; caudal fin never definitely emarginate, the upper 
lobe in large specimens somewhat concave and the lower one rounded, pointed in fish 
under 200 millimeters (8 inches) in length; coloration generally plainer, seldom with 
dark wavy oblique lines or reticulations nothus 
The distinguishing characters of young C. nebulosus and C. regalis are pointed 
out in a separate paragraph following the descriptions of the different stages in the 
