28 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Sarda sarda, Bonito. 
Seventy-five bonito from a trap at Cedar Tree Neck on June 18, 1900, were reported to be the 
first arrivals of the season, and throughout the summer on almost every clear day the schools were 
breaking at the surface from Gay Head to Woods Hole. On account of the peculiar flavor of its flesh 
the bonito has not found a ready market, but it is growing in favor. In 1900 there was a considerable 
demand for it, and it brought even better prices than the squeteague. The indications are that the 
bonito may largely supplant the latter as an article of food. 
Scomberomorus maculatus, Spanish Mackerel. 
This delicious food-fish, once quite abundant in Buzzards Bay, is now very scarce. One was 
taken in the Fish Commission trap in 1898, and three were caught at different times during the summer 
of 1900 in the trap in Vineyard Sound. These were all small fish, weighing 1.5 to 2 pounds. 
Trichiurus lepturus, Cutlas-fish. 
A specimen 3 feet 8 inches in length was caught in a trap off Newport. Several smaller specimens, 
which were also caught in Narragansett Bay, were sent to the Rhode Island Fish Commission. In 
October one was taken in a trap at Menemsha. 
Pomatomus saltatrix, Blue-fish. 
In a note on the abundance of the squeteague reference is made to the gradual decrease in the 
numbers of blue-fish which enter the waters of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. Simultaneously 
with this change there has occurred another, equally difficult to explain, in the time of their arrival. 
Some twenty years ago the fish were sure to be taken i n t he traps the first or second week in May, while 
recently they may be as late as the middle of June. The presence of large schools of blue-fish off 
Nantucket and No Mans Land all summer makes it evident that they have not completely deserted 
our coast; but just why so few come inshore and why they are so much later in their arrival is not 
apparent. In spite of the scarcity of mature fish the young have been very abundant everywhere, 
and particularly at Katama Bay, where undoubtedly they have destroyed many of the rare bright- 
colored southern forms referred to in Biological Notes No. 1. The rate of growth of the young, as 
found in Katama Bay in 1900, is as follows: July 27th, 3 inches; August 8th, 3 to 5 inches; August 29th, 
5 to 7 inches; September 24th, 7 to 9 inches; October 3d, 8 to 11 inches. 
Centropristes striatus, Sea Bass. 
It is to be regretted that, this gamy fish is decreasing so rapidly in numbers. In a short time it 
will probably become a rare species in this locality. Hand-lining, even on the spawning-grounds off 
Hyannis, was remarkably poor this season, and the abundance of the young does not give promise for 
the coming year. As a rule the first adults appear in their seasonal migration during the first 
or second week in May, when the water has reached a temperature of 48° to 50° F. However, in 
spite of the cold of 1900, they appeared at Cuttyhunk and Menemsha Bight on April 28 — with one 
exception the earliest arrival recorded in twenty-five years. Formerly the young were abundant 
everywhere, but at present they are restricted to a few localities — Katama Bay, Quisset Harbor, and 
Wareham River. The first fry were seined July 31 and measured three-fourths of an inch in length. 
On the 20th of October young fish 2 to 3 inches long were very plentiful in Katama Bay. 
liobotes surinamensis, Flasher, Triple-tail. 
The Rhode Island Fish Commission has in its possession a specimen of Lobotes weighing 6 
pounds and measuring 22 inches in length, caught on September 10 in a trap off Prudence Island, 
Narragansett Bay. This inhabitant of all tropical seas is a very rare visitor in the waters of southern 
New England. Not more than six specimens have been recorded from this vicinity in the last 
twenty years. 
Stenotomus chrysops, Soup. 
The catch of scup this year has been good, but not extraordinary. The first arrivals were taken 
off Newport April 21, at Cuttyhunk April 26, and five days later at Woods Hole. This was an average 
arrival, although the water was 2° to 3° F. below the average. The adult fish usually leave in October, 
while the young may remain a month or more longer. Hundreds of the latter are killed every year 
by the sudden changes of temperature. 
The growth of fry as observed at Woods Hole is as follows: July 3d, 0.5 to 1.5 inches; August 
2d, 1.5 to 2 inches; September 6th, 2 to 3 inches; September 29th, 3 to 4 inches; November 1st, 4 inches. 
