NOTES ON FISHES COLLECTED IN FLORIDA IN 1892. 
213 
25 . Mugil trichodon Poey. Fantail Mullet. Commou about Key West, beiug more of a salt-water 
than a brackish- water species. It is smaller than either of the preceding species, reaching a 
length of about 12 inches, bnt is more robust, and with a broader, fan-like caudal fin. Also 
a good food-fish. Examples from Key West. 
SPHYR.a3NID.S3, 
26 . Sphyreena guaguanche Cuvier & Valenciennes. Sennet. Not common, and is found in deeper 
water than the S. picuda, and is a much smaller species. The coloration is also quite different, 
having dark blotches or patches along the lateral line. Examiiles from Key West. 
27 . Sphyreena picuda Bloch & Schneider. Barracuda. Abundant along the keys. It reaches a 
length of 6 or 7 feet, and is a very fierce, voracious fish, of pike-like habits. It is esteemed as 
a good food-fish at Key West. It is usually “grained ” in the shallow bays by the fishermen. 
I have seen them fully 6 feet in length in such situations. Several specimens from Key West. 
ECHENEIDID.®. 
28 . Echeneis naucrates Liunajus. Suckfish. Common everywhere in Florida. Nearly every shark 
or ray when caught has from one to a half dozen attached. The host suffers no inconvenience 
whatever from this curious fish, which finds abundant food in the crumbs from the shark’s 
table, whether from fragments cut off' by the shark’s teeth wliile feeding or when ejected 
from an overcharged stomach. It often attaches itself to the bottom of vessels, when it is 
easily caught with hook and line, it Ijeing very voracious. It has no more especial fondness 
or affinity for sharks or other large fi.shes than for the keel of a boat; it is merely a matter of 
convenience. I know nothing of its qualities as a food-fish. Specimens were procured at 
Key West. 
ELACATIDiE. 
29. Elacate Canada (Linn.). Cobia. Not common about the keys or on the west coast. It is a very 
fierce ami rapacious fish. It is not used for food in Florida. I obtained a line example at 
Key West about 5 feet long. It is called “cobi-o'” by the fishermen. 
XIPHIID.$. 
30. Istiophorus americanus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Spiikefisli. Rare. I obtained a fine specimen 
at Key West about 8 feet in length. The immense dorsal fin folds like a fan and is received 
in a groove along the dorsum. Coloration was bluisli brown, with very dark round spots on 
dorsal fin. The fishermen call it “pikefish” and “spiketish,” from the resemlilance of the 
“sword” to a pike. I'hey also affirm the prevalent idea, that the dorsal fin is used as a sail. 
SCOMBRIDiE. 
31 . Scomberomorus maculatiis (Mitchill). Spanish Mackerel. Abundant in the spring along the 
keys and coast, swimming in schools ar the surface. In the bays it is usually accompanied by 
schools of sea trout ( Ciinoscion nebulosus), feeding on the small fry of pilchards, anchovies, 
silversides, etc. It spawns in the spring. It is one of the best food-fishes, and many from 
Florida now find their way to the New York markets. I saw a Cape Ann schooner engaged 
in taking Spanish mackerel with seine boat and mackerel purse seine. It is one of the most 
graceful and typical fishes, and withal is a good game-fish, taking the ily or bait at the surface 
very readily and greedily, and when hooked gives considerable sport to thq angler. It grows 
to a length of 2 feet. Specimens were obtained at Key West and Tampa. 
32 . Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier). Kiurifislt. Common along the keys and reefs, where it is taken 
by the fishermen by trolling from the fishing smacks under sail. It is esteemed as the best 
food-fish taken to Key West. It runs usually from 8 to 10 pounds, but occasionally reaches 
40 poiruds in weight and 5 feet in length. The entire catch is consumed at Key West, excejjt 
a few that are shijrped on ice to Havana. A few are now finding their way to eastern markets, 
where the fish will in time become deservedly popular. I obtained specimens at Key West, 
where it was brought in such quantities at one time that a 10-j)oimd fish sold for 15 cents. 
