274 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
. 231. Scorpsena brasiliensis Cuvier & Valenciennes. 
Head 2.6; depth 2.66 to 3; orbit 4 in head; D. xii, 10; A. in, 5 (5.5) ; transverse rows of scales 
(oblique) about 25 to 30, (vertical) 50 to 60; tubes 25 to 30. Body short, compressed, profile convex, 
depth of caudal peduncle a little less than 4 in head. Head compressed; interorbital space narrow, a 
little more than half orbit, about 7 in head, deeply concave, deepest between preocular spines, and 
with 2 marked longitudinal ridges on frontal bones, parallel with supraocular ridges; a deep pit at 
occiput, deepest behind, its anterior side sloping back from the base of coronal (tympanic) spines, its 
posterior side nearly vertical; preocular, supraocular, postocular, and coronal (tympanic) spines 
moderate, parietal and nuchal spines sharpest, their ridges thin and sharp, exoccipital spines and 
ridges present; spine between orbit and occipital small, not bifid. Preorbital very broad with 2 sharp 
spines, no pit between anterior inferior border of orbit and suborbital stay, latter low, with 2 or 3 
small spines; uppermost preopercular spine much the longest, a small spine at its base, others very 
small or almost obsolete; opercular spines rather small, with not very prominent ridges; all ridges of 
head less prominent than in Scorpsena plumieri. Jaws equal, lower with small symphyseal knob; 
maxillary reaching posterior edge of pupil, about 2.25 in head; teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines in 
rather narrow bands. Pseud obranchise reaching down nearly to epihyal bone; gillrakers short, com- 
pressed, about 7 on anterior limb. Dorsal fin deeply notched, membrane reaching halfway up twelfth 
spine; dorsal spines slender, low, the longest equal to maxillary, about 2.25 in head; soft rays higher, 
about 1.75 in head; anal spines graduated, second a little the thickest, soft rays 1.6 in head; caudal 
truncate or very slight!}' rounded; pectoral reaching beyond origin of anal, a little shorter than head, 
its base not procurrent, 10 lower rays slightly thickened, exserted and simple, upper rays (except 
uppermost one) branched; ventrals reaching beyond vent, last soft ray attached to body for three- 
quarters of its length by a rather broad membrane. Supraocular flap long and slender, longer than 
orbit, a little more than 3 in head; preocular flap small; flaps at base of spines of preorbital and lower 
spines of preopercle, small ones on cheek, membrane of spinous dorsal, and on many of scales of 
body; larger flaps on lateral line and along base of dorsal fin. Scales large, rather smooth, with 
membranaceous edges; a few rudimentary scales on front and flap of opercle, on preopercle, and lower 
part of cheek ; breast with small scales. 
Color: Dusky-olivaceous or brownish, whitish below; a few large diffuse dark spots on side above, 
nearly as large as eye; posterior part of each scale darker, giving a slightly speckled appearance; axil 
pale, with small dark spots, which are also sparsely present along lower part of side; pectoral mottled, 
faintly banded, the lower part paler; spinous and soft dorsal and anal irregularly marbled; caudal with 
median and terminal blackish bands; ventrals dusky at tip; side of head dark with some small darker 
spots; snout, interorbital space, and tip of maxillary dark, faintly marbled; under side of head whitish 
or marbled with brownish; peritoneum white. 
This species ranges from the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States to Brazil. It has 
been recorded from Charleston, S, C., Indian River, Biscayne Bay, Key West, Pensacola, Pensacola 
