FOURTEEN TELEOSTEAN FISHES AT BEAUFORT, N. C. 
439 
Specimens 110 millimeters long . — It is not until the fish attains a length of 100 
millimeters or more that it acquires the characteristic shape and color of the adult. 
At a length of 110 millimeters the back is prominently elevated; the ventral outline, 
from the chin to the vent, is straight; the snout projects prominently beyond the 
inferior horizontal mouth; and the margin of the caudal fin is approaching the 
slightly double-concave shape of the adult with the upper and middle rays longest. 
Although serrations on the opercle and preopercle are less prominent than for a 
somewhat smaller size they are larger than in the adult. The characteristic color 
of the adult, including oblique wavy bars (dark in preserved specimens, brassy to 
brownish in life) on the sides, a dark blotch on the opercle and another at the base 
of the dorsal, is well developed. The fish would be recognized readily at this size 
by anyone who knows the adult. (Fig. 58.) 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS AMONG YOUNG SCI/ENIDS 
The extremely close resemblance between young croakers and spots makes the 
following comparison appear of value in identifying small specimens. Unfortunately 
Figure 58 .—Micropogon undulatus. From a specimen 110 millimeters long 
many of the differences are only of degree and are difficult to apply unless specimens 
of like size of both species are available for comparison. 
SPOT 
LENGTH, 2.5 
Caudal portion very slender, an abrupt break 
occurring in the ventral contour between the 
abdominal and caudal parts of body. 
LENGTH, 3.5 
General development progressing slowly ; no indi- 
cations of rays in the caudal and dorsal fins. 
Notochord not bent upward posteriorly. 
Caudal portion of body very slender. 
Eye comparatively large. 
CROAKER 
MILLIMETERS 
Caudal portion of body notably deeper, the break 
in the ventral contour much less pronounced. 
* 
MILLIMETERS 
General development a little further advanced; 
indications of rays in the caudal and dorsal 
fins present. 
Notochord bent upward posteriorly. 
Caudal portion of body deeper, tapering more 
strongly posteriorly. 
Eye smaller. This difference evident only when 
specimens of even size are compared. 
