532 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
The color, though somewhat variable, does not differ from that of somewhat 
smaller and larger fish. Some specimens have two dark spots on the base of the 
caudal fin which are missing in others. Many specimens have the ventral fins mostly 
black, and most individuals have a definite dark shoulder spot near the beginning 
of the lateral line, partly in and partly in advance of the second cross bar. 
Specimens 75 mm and upward in length . — Although the proportionate depth of 
large specimens is attained when the fish reach a length of 50 to 60 mm, a pronounced 
change in the shape of the head and snout takes place as the fish continues to grow. 
The upper profile becomes notably more gently elevated, and the snout proportion- 
ately much longer and more pointed. In specimens about 75 mm long the snout 
(measured from anterior margin of eye to tip of upper jaw) is contained about 2.6 
times in the head; in specimens about 100 mm in length, 2.3; and in specimens about 
225 mm long, 2.1 times. The eye, as usual, becomes proportionately smaller as the 
fish grows, but the difference in the present species is unusually great. In fish about 
75 mm long it is contained about 3.2 in head; in specimens 100 mm long, 3.5; and in 
specimens 225 mm long, about 4.5 times. The ventral filament continues to become 
shorter until it is scarcely longer than the longest rays in specimens around 100 mm 
in length, and soon disappears entirely. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE YOUNG 
It has been pointed out that the early young (larvae) were not taken. Therefore, 
we cannot state where they live. However, Rathbun (1892) stated that spawning 
apparently takes place along sandy shores. The early young presumably are pelagic 
as they are hatched from floating eggs, and would be expected to occur not far from 
where the eggs are spawned. In an extensive search made in the vicinity of Beaufort 
for the eggs and larvae none were found. All the young at hand, except the smallest 
one, were seined from eelgrass and other growths in shallow water. The smallest 
specimen, which is about 6.0 mm long (caudal fin damaged), was taken in Shackleford 
Channel along a sandy beach. However, this specimen already had fins and no doubt 
was capable of self-directive swimming. Therefore, it may not have been very near 
the place where it was hatched, though it still seemed to be pelagic. It is evident, then, 
that no new information as to the abode of the larvae can be added at this time. 
When the young attain a length of about 7 to 8 mm they settle down in shallow 
water where an abundant growth of seaweeds is present. In 1926 and 1927, before 
the eelgrass began to disappear, young sheepshead, ranging in length upward of 
8.0 mm, were common to numerous along the south shores of Pivers Island, Beaufort, 
N. C., where most of the specimens upon which the present study is based were taken 
by “cutting”, as far as possible, a bobbinet seine through dense growths of eelgrass. 
There the young remained until they reached a length of about 40 mm. Thereafter 
they seemed to become less abundant, though some stayed until they attained a 
length of 60 mm or so, when they left to occupy the habitat of the adults, which 
already has been described. 
When the young sheepshead has attained a length of about 40 to 50 mm the teeth 
are developed essentially as in the adult and thereafter they may be observed along 
stone jetties, breakwaters, around piers, and wrecks where larger fish also live. 
FOOD 
The chief food of young sheepshead, ranging from 9.0 to 55 mm in length, while 
dwelling in shallow water in weeded areas, according to the contents of 111 stomachs, 
is copepods. Those under 30 mm in length utilized ostracods, which were rarely eaten 
