572 
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
development. For example, in specimens of boleosoma 10 mm long the spinous dorsal 
is equally as well or even better developed than in specimens of oceanicus (?) 15 mm 
long. Specimens of this group of Gobionellus, with the very slender body, range in 
length from 9.0 to 18 mm. If smaller ones are contained in the collection they were 
not recognized as different from boleosoma. Only 15 specimens were collected in the 
vicinity of Beaufort. In addition 23 specimens, taken by the United States Fisheries 
schooner Grampus off the eastern coast of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico, are 
at hand. 
SPAWNING 
The time and place of spawning remain largely undetermined, as the eggs and 
very small larvae have not been taken. Since two of the common local species of 
gobies ( Gobiosoma bosci and Gobionellus boleosoma) are known to spawn in the usual 
habitat occupied by the adults, it seems reasonable to expect this species to do like- 
wise. However, the number of adults taken locally is too small to admit of a definite 
statement in regard to their habitat. The examples at hand were taken on rather 
muddy bottom, two in Newport River and one along the shores of Fivers Island. 
The young were collected at Beaufort over such a long period of time that it is impossi- 
ble to judge definitely when spawning takes plane, the specimens having been taken in 
February, April, August, September, October, November, and December. Since 
these young generally were taken with those of G. boleosoma, a species known to spawn 
throughout the summer, it seems probable that the spawning period of G. oceanicus 
may extend over the same period of time. 
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE YOUNG 
Specimen 9.0 mm long— Only one specimen of this, the smallest size recognized, is 
at hand. It was taken by the Grampus at latitude 27°39', longitude 83°36' on Janu- 
ary 24, 1917. This fish differs from boleosoma of the same size in the extremely slender 
body, the depth being contained in the standard length about 9.7 times (as compared 
with 7.3 times in boleosoma). The bases of the dorsal and anal rays are visible in 
part, but the rays themselves are almost wholly undeveloped. Twelve or 13 fulcra 
can be counted in each fin, the posterior ones being feebly and very probably in part 
undeveloped, whereas in boleosoma the rays are quite well formed at this size. Pec- 
toral fins are evident, although without definitely formed rays. The ventral disk, 
already well formed in boleosoma of this size, is not evident (fig. 71). 
Specimens 14 mm long. — The body remains very slender, the depth being contained 
in the standard length about 9.0 times. The soft rays of the dorsal and anal are now 
well developed and easily enumerated, each fin having 14 or 15 rays. However, 
generally only two or three spines have become visible in the first dorsal, this fin being 
scarcely as well developed at this size as it is in specimens of boleosoma only 10 mm long. 
The pectoral fins are well developed and have definite rays, but the ventral disk is 
rudimentary, whereas it is long and prominent in specimens of boleosoma when only 
10 mm long (fig. 72). 
