208 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Color in life: Light bluish-white above, silvery below, with about 6 faint, vertical, bluish bars. 
Found on both coasts of tropical America, and in the West Indies, north to southern Florida and 
Lower California; generally common in waters of moderate depth; entering rivers. Length a foot 
or more. A good fish, of considerable importance, reaching a larger size than most species of the 
family. Common about Porto Rico, where we obtained specimens from San Juan, San Antonio Bridge, 
Ensenada del Boqueron, and Isabel Segunda. Common in the San Juan market. 
Turdus cinereus peltatvs (the Shad), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolinas, etc., 1731, Bahamas. 
Mugil cinereus Walbaum, Artedi Piseium, 228, 1792, Bahamas; after Catesby. 
Gcrres aprion Cuvier, Regne Animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, 101, 1829, Bahamas; based on Catesby. 
Gerres zebra Muller <& Troschel, in Schomburgk, Hist. Barbados, 668, 1818, Barbados. 
Genes squamipinnis Gunther, Cat. Fishes, I, 349, 1859, Jamaica. 
Eucinostomus aprion , Poey, Fauna Puerto-Kiquena, 328, 1881; Stahl, 1. e., 77 and 163, 1883. 
Xystsema cinereum, Jordan & Evermann, 1. c., 1372, 1898. 
Genus 92. GEKRES Cuvier. Mojarras. 
Second interhtemal long and spear-shaped, not excavated and not receiving end of air-bladder; 
preopercle serrate; body elevated and more or less rhomboid in form; third or fourth dorsal spine 
and second anal spine more or less elevated. Species numerous. 
o. Preorbital entire; no distinct dark streaks along rows of scales. 
Moharra: 
b. Anal spines 2 only, soft rays 9; second anal spine 1.75; premaxillary groove broad, scaleless; body deep. 
rhombeus , 163 
Diapterus: 
bb. Anal spines 3, soft rays 8. 
c. Premaxillary groove broad, oval, andocvered with scales (these sometimes deciduous in poorly preserved specimens). 
Anal in, 8; second dorsal spine 1.25 in head; second anal spine 1.6 in head; teeth rather long and slender. 
olisthostomus , 164 
Gerres: 
aa. Preorbital serrate; a distinct dark streak along each row of scales on back and sides; bodyrhomboidal, with angular 
outlines; spines very strong; anal rays III, 8 or 9. 
d. Spines moderate, second dorsal spine two-thirds to three-fourths length of head. 
e. Pectoral as long as head, not reaching front of anal, 3 to 3.33 in body; scales 38; the longest dorsal spine 1.4 
in head brasiliamis, 165 
ee. Pectoral very long, one-sixth longer than head, 2.5 to 2.75 in body; the second dorsal spine longest, 1.5 in head; 
scales 35 embryx 
dd. Spines very high, second dorsal spine equaling head or longer; second anal spine about equal to length of head; 
lateral stripes very distinct, about 12 in number; depth of the body 2.17 in length; pectoral very long, 2.66 in 
body; scales 37 plumieri , 166 
163. Gerres rhombeus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Mojarra. 
Head 2.8; depth 2; eyed; snoutS; maxillary 2.4; mandible 1.8; interorbital 3.4; scales 6—38—10; 
D. ix, 10; A. ii, 9. Body much compressed, rhomboidal, back much elevated; profile evenly convex 
from dorsal to supraorbital, where there is a slight depression; snoyt somewhat pointed; mouth large, 
maxillary reaching vertical of posterior border of pupil, exposed portion oblong, its width about 3 in 
its length, which is 3.4 in head; preorbital and preopercle entire; gillrakers short and weak, 18 below 
angle; premaxillary groove broadly oval and without scales. Distance from tip of snout to origin of 
dorsal 2 in length; second and third dorsal spines longest, second strongest, 1.6 in head; dorsal rays 
short; second anal spine very strong, 1.9 in head; pectoral long, 1.1 in head, reaching origin of anal; 
ventrals rather long, reaching past vent, 1.6 in the head; caudal well forked, the lobes subequal, 1.1 in 
the head. 
Color in life: Silvery-white with bluish reflections, paler below; snout dusky; no dark lines along 
rows of scales; margin of dorsal tin black; other tins pale, ventrals and anal somewhat dusky. 
Found in the West Indies and along the Atlantic coast of tropical America; generally common. 
Numerous specimens from San Antonio Bridge, Mayaguez, and Palo Seco. Length 10 inches or less. 
Gerres rhombeus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VI, 459, 1830, Martinique; Jordan & Evermann, l.c., 1374, 1898. 
Moharra rhombea ?, Poey, Fauna Puerto-Riquena, 327, 1881; Stahl, 1. c., 77 and 163, 1883. 
