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While this part was passing through the press, the diagnoses of the
new genera and species described herein on pages 431, 437, 448, 456,
525, 811, 815, 821, 823, 824, 834, 864, 873, 879, 919, 923, 925, 927, 934,
958, 994, 995 appeared in the Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xx, p. 66 sqq.
Key Hi B:
July 1927.
a ae a es
ae ee . —e
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 419
These remarkable fishes are marine and carnivorous. They possess
considerable powers of swimming, but usually attach themselves to
sharks and other fishes, whales, turtles or boats, and are thus carried
about. They do no harm to the animal to which they attach them-
selves...
The Remora was known to the ancients and was by many thought
While this part was passing through the press, the diagnoses of the
new genera and species described herein on pages 431, 437, 448, 456,
525, 811, 815, 821, 823, 824, 834, 864, 873, 879, 919, 923, 925, 927, 934,
958, 994, 995 appeared in the Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), xx, p. 66 sqq.
Ke BSB.
July 1927.
Gen. PHTHEIRICHTHYS Gill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 239.
Body slender and elongate. Sucking-disc with 10 laminae. Pec-
toral pointed. Caudal fin convex.
Phthewrichthys lineatus (Menz.).
Striped Sucker-fish.
1791. Menzies, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., vol. i, p. 187, pl. xvii, fig. 1.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 382.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Mid. Amer., vol. iii, p. 2268.
Disc twice as long as wide, about equal to length of head and 64
in length of body. D X (=laminae on disc)+33. A 33. Maxilla
reaching to or slightly beyond level of nostrils.
Length.—Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Dark above, lighter below, sides with one or two whitish
bands ; fins, especially the caudal, with light margins.
Locality.—Table Bay.
Distribution.—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 28
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 419
These remarkable fishes are marine and carnivorous. They possess
considerable powers of swimming, but usually attach themselves tc
sharks and other fishes, whales, turtles or boats, and are thus carried
about. They do no harm to the animal to which they attach them-
selves..
The Remora was known to the ancients and was by many thought
to be the cause of the sudden retardation of ships and boats, whence its
Greek name of “ ship-holder ” (see Gudger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9),
wok nm, 191S8; p. 271).
Fam. ECHENEIDAE.
With the characters given above.
The family is widely distributed in all tropical and warm seas.
Key to the South African genera.
lL. Pectoral acute.
a. Laminae on disc 10 . ; e : ; : . Phthetirichthys.
b. Laminae 20-28 . : ‘ : : : é ‘ Leptechenets.
2. Pectoral rounded : 5 ; , ; : : : . Echenets.
Gen. PHTHEIRICHTHYS Guill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 239.
Body slender and elongate. Sucking-disc with 10 laminae. Pec-
toral pointed. Caudal fin convex.
Phtheirichthys lineatus (Menz.).
Striped Sucker-fish.
1791. Menzies, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., vol. i, p. 187, pl. xvii, fig. 1.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 382.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Mid. Amer., vol. iii, p. 2268.
Disc twice as long as wide, about equal to length of head and 64
in length of body. D X (=laminae on disc)+33. A 33. Maxilla
reaching to or slightly beyond level of nostrils.
Length.—Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Dark above, lighter below, sides with one or two whitish
bands ; fins, especially the caudal, with light margins.
Locality.—Table Bay.
Distribution.—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
VOL xxl PART 2. 28
420 Annals of the South African Museum.
A somewhat rare species which has been recorded as taken on
barracudas (Sphyraena). There are only two specimens in the South
African Museum.
Gen. LEPTECHENEIS Gill.
1864. Guill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad., p. 60.
Body slender and elongate. Sucking-disc with 22-28 laminae
(sometimes only 21). Pectoral pointed, caudal fin more or less convex
in young, crescentic in adult.
Leptecheneis naucrates (Linn.).
Sucker-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 261.
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 107 (habits) (Echeneis
remora non Linn.).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 405 (references and synonymy).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 181 (references and
synonymy).
Disc 24 times as long as broad, 4—44 in length of body. Length of
head 5-54 in length of body. D XXII-XXVIII+4+ 32-41. A 32-38.
Lower jaw very prominent. Maxilla reaching to level of nostrils.
Length.—Up to 800 mm.
Colour.—Brownish both above Ee below, a blackish band edged
with white from snout through eye and along sides to tail; pectorals
and ventrals blackish ; dorsal, anal, and caudal with light margins.
Locality. False Bay ? East London to Natal.
Distribution.—Warm seas.
Common on sharks and other large fishes.
Gen. EcHeNEIS (Artedi) Linn.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 14.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad., p. 239 (Remora).
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., 1895, p. 490
(Remorina).
Body shorter and more robust than in the preceding genera.
Sucking-dise with 13-18 laminae.
Pectoral rounded, the rays soft and flexible. Caudal fin sub-
truncate.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 421
Key to the South African species.
1. D XII—-XIIJI+17-22 (Remorina) . : ; ; : : . albescens.,
2. D XV-XVI-+29-32 . , ; , : : brachyptera.
3. D XVII-XVIII-+- 22-24
remora.
Echeneis albescens Temm. and Schl.
Grey Sucker-fish.
1850. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 272, pl. cxx,
fig. 3.
1860. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 401 (clypeata).
1860. Id., Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, pp. 376, 377 (clypeata and
albescens).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 258., pl. Ivui, fig. 2.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii
(1903), p. 494.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 404 (clypeata).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 131 (clypeata).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
1925. Jordan and Hubbs, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 294 (Re-
mMorina a.).
Disc 14 times as long as broad, 2#-3 in length of body. Length of
head 4 in length of body. D XII-XIIJI+17-22. A 20-22. Length
of ventral equal to or less than postorbital part of head. Angle of
mouth below or slightly behind nostrils.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Uniform grey-brown.
Locality.— East London and Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Gulf of California.
One of the specimens was found attached to a Devil-fish (Manta)
caught at Hast London.
Echeneis brachyptera Lowe.
1839. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 89.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ui, p. 378.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. de l’Afr. Austr., p. 73 (laevis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 258, pl. lv, fig. 3.
Dise not quite twice as long as broad, about 31 in length of body.
Length of head about 41 in length of body. D XV-XVI+29-32.
422 Annals of the South African Museum.
A 25-27. Length of ventral rather more than postorbital length of
head. Angle of mouth reaching almost to level of anterior margin of
eye. Lower jaw more or less angular.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Uniform grey-brown.
Locality.—Table Bay.
Distribution.—Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.
Echeneis remora Linn.
Remora ; Sucker-fish ; Lootsman.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 260.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 406 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 133 (references and
synonymy).
Disc twice as long as broad, 24-3 in length of body. Length of
head about 33 in length of body. D XVII-XVIII+22-24. A 25.
Length of ventral greater than postorbital length of head. Angle of
mouth reaching almost to level of anterior margin of eye. Lower
jaw rounded. (Plate XVIII, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 375 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brown or blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.— Warm seas.
Division 18. XENOPTERI.
Sucker fishes ; Cling-fishes.
Air-bladder absent. No mesocoracoid. Head and anterior part of
body broad and depressed, hind part of body compressed. Skin
naked. Operculum reduced to a spine-like projection. Gill-arches
reduced. Allfins without spines. Dorsalandanalfarback. Pectoral
large. Ventrals jugular, of 4-5 rays, forming the sides of a large
ventral adhesive disc which may be single or divided into two portions.
Gill-openings narrow. Branchiostegal rays 5-6. Gills 3 or 3}.
Pseudobranchiae well developed. Teeth incisiform or villiform in
both jaws, none on vomers or palatine.
Marine, carnivorous fishes of small size living between tide-marks
or in shallow water in tropical and temperate regions. They cling
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 423
to rocks by means of the ventral sucking-disc and considerable force
is usually required to dislodge them ; the best way to capture them is
to slide them suddenly sideways, at the same time pulling them away
from the rock. If they are in a rock-bound pool the water may be
poisoned. They live a long time out of water.
A single family.
Fam. GOBIESOCIDAE.
With the characters given above.
In those species whose breeding habits are known the eggs are
attached in some sheltered position such as a crevice in the rocks or
the inside of an empty mussel-shell. The young are at first pelagic
and only come inshore when the ventral sucker begins to develop.
The male has a conical papilla behind the vent which serves as an
intromittent organ as in the Blennies.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Head very broad. A short caudal peduncle : - . Chorisochismus.
2. Head not very broad. Dorsal and anal fins confluent with the caudal
Lepadichthys.
Gen. CHORISOCHISMUS Barnev.
1846. De Barneville, Rev. Zool., p. 409. .
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. de l’Afr. Austr., p. 72 (Athaena).
Ventral disc single, 7.e. the posterior half has no free anterior margin.
Head very broad and depressed. A short caudal peduncle. Oper-
culum with a blunt spine. Gills 34. Gill-membranes united to the
isthmus. Jaws with a single series of large conical or incisiform
teeth in front, with a band of smaller granular teeth behind them.
A South African genus with one species.
Chorisochismus dentex (Pall.).
Sucker-fish ; Klip-zuiger.
1779. Pallas, Spicil. Zool., vol. vii, p. 6, pl. 1.
1861. Castelnau, loc. cit., p. 72 (dentex and fimbriatus, and Athaena
fascvata).
1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. ii, p. 193, pl. u1, figs. 17-20
(egg and larva).
424 Annals of the South African Museum.
1914. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 106 (habits).
1916. Id., ebid., vol. 11, p. 13, fig. 10 (egg and larva).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 143 (references).
Greatest breadth of head about equal to its length, and 24-24 in
length of body. Hye 14-1? in snout, 43-5 in length of head. Mazxilla
reaching to below anterior margin or anterior third of eye. Anterior
nostril with a short fringed tentacle. Lips papillose within. D 8-10.
A 7. Dorsal arising in advance of anal. (Plate XVIII, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Uniform or variously mottled, rsually more or less reddish,
but to a great extent harmonising with the rocks and weeds among
which it lives.
Locality.— Table Bay, False Bay, Mossel Bay, Knysna. The eggs
are attached to stones and shells.
Gen. LEPADICHTHYS Waite.
1904. Waite, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. v, No. 3, p. 180.
Ventral disc single. Head not very broad. Dorsal and anal fins
confluent with the caudal fin.. Operculum without apparent spine.
Gills 3. Gill-membranes united to isthmus. Jaws with a single series
of incisor teeth.
This genus is found in Australia and South Africa.
Lepadichthys coccinotaena Regan.
Natal Sucker-fish.
1921. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 2.
Greatest breadth of head 54, length of head 34, in length of body.
Eye 2 in snout, 53 in length of head. Maxilla reaching to midway
between tip of snout and eye. D 12-13. A 10-11. Dorsal arising
a short way in advance of anal.
Length.—Up to 40 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, a scarlet stripe from upper lip through eye to
operculum.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
In colour this species appears to resemble exactly the Australian
L. frenatus, but differs in having fewer rays in the dorsal and
anal fins.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 425
Division 19. PERCOMORPHI.
Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic). No mesocoracoid.
Ventral fins of a spine and 5 rays, or variously reduced ; thoracic,
subthoracic, or jugular in position. Dorsal and anal fins normally
with spines. Operculum well developed, and gill-openings usually
large.
This division is by far the largest and it is difficult to construct a
comprehensive definition for the whole division. It is difficult even
to form definitions for the component groups and the following key
contains scarcely any characters which are exclusively confined to any
one group.
A little study, however, will soon enable the student to place a par-
ticular fish in its correct group by the general “ facies.”” The Silver-
fish and Rock-cod, the Jacopever and Gurnard, the Klip-fish, the
Dikkop, the Snoek and Mackerel, are easily recognisable and will serve
as the typical members of their respective groups, and with which the
student will soon learn to associate the other members.
Synopsis of the growps.
I. No suborbital stay or process extending from below eye towards preopercle.
A. Ventrals thoracic, subthoracic, or jugular. Scales usually ctenoid
Percoidez.
p- 426.
B. Ventrals thoracic. Body compressed. Scales minute. Anal spines 2-3.
Mouth small, not protractile : : : : Teuthidoidei.
p. 776.
C. Ventrals thoracic. Body compressed. Scales minute. Anal spines 7.
Ventrals with 2 spines and 3 intervening rays : Siganorder.
p. 784.
D. Ventrals thoracic or subthoracic. Dorsal and anal fins often with de-
tached finlets posteriorly. Strong swimmers, living in the open
ocean , : : : : ; : : Scombroidei.
p. 786.
E. Ventrals thoracic or subjugular, often united to form an adhesive disc.
Usually small fishes with cylindrical bodies and large heads, often
depressed. Shallow, coastal waters, sometimes in estuaries and
rivers ; p : ; 2 ; : P . Gobioider.
p- 808.
F. Ventrals jugular or mental, often reduced or absent. Coastal and deep-
~ water fishes : : : , ‘ ‘ : Blennioidei.
p. 831
426 Annals of the South African Museum.
G. Ventrals abdominal or subthoracic, often reduced or absent in adult.
Scales small, cycloid, often deciduous, or absent. Teeth in the gullet
behind pharynx. Pelagic or deepsea . ° . Stromateoidet.
p- 889.
II. A bony stay extending from below eye to preopercle. Head usually with
bony knobs or prominences, often heavily armoured : Scleroparei.
p- 899.
Group PERCOIDEI.
1913. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xii, p. 111 (classi-
fication).
Body usually oblong, with scales which are typically ctenoid.
Lateral line present. Head usually laterally compressed, cheeks and
opercles scaly. Dorsal fin various, but always with some spines in
front which are typically stiff and pungent. Anal usually short, with
spines in front, rarely without spines. Ventrals thoracic, subthoracic,
or jugular. No bony stay for preopercle. Air-bladder usually present.
Pseudobranchiae as a rule present.
It should be understood that the above is a very general definition
and many of the characters may be modified in the various families.
The arrangement of the families, especially the families of the
Perciformes, is purely for the sake of convenience, though Regan’s
order has been adhered to as far as possible.
Key to the South African families.
I, Gills 4, a slit behind 4th, or if only 34 (Uranoscopidae) then head depressed,
armoured, with vertical mouth.
A. Ventrals absent (in 8. African species) (Ammodytiformes) Ammodytidae.
B. Ventrals present, with 4—5 soft rays.
1. Anal with only 1-2 feeble spines.
a. Pectoral narrow, with oblique base. Angle of preopercle with
asingle spine. Two separate dorsals (Champsodontiformes).
i. With scales ; 4 j ; Champsodontidae.
ii. Without scales . : ‘ ; Chiasmodontidae.
b. These characters not combined. Base of pectoral vertical.
i. Ventral fins close together (Z'rachiniformes).
a. Mouth vertical or very oblique.
* Head armoured, gills 34 . Uranoscopidae.
** Head not armoured, gills 4 . Trachinidae.
6. Mouth horizontal or nearly so.
* Spinous dorsal very short . Pinguipedidae.
** Spinous dorsal equal to soft dorsal
Opisthognathidae.
ii, Ventral fins widely separated. Head and body depressed
(Callionymiformes) : ; . Callionymidae.
PLATE XVIII.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Echeneis remora Linn. (original) . : ; : . 422
2. Champsodon capensis Regan (original) . : ; . 432
3. Chorisochismus dentex (Pall.) (original) ; : ; : . 423
4. Ammodytes capensis n. sp. (original) . : ; ; : : . 431
5. Chiasmodon niger Johns. (after Alcock) ; ; : ; . 434
6. Pleuroscopus pseudodorsalis n.g. et sp. (original) . ; ; . 437
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate XVIII.
sixty Oger
error = i ‘ 5 Re “ : - 2 R . ier <a a
=. Zee Us hla =
a
Neill d& Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 427
2. Anal with more than 2 spines.
a. Lower pectoral rays simple (Cirrhitiformes).
i, D X 11-14 5 : : , : Cirrhitidae.
i. D XVI-XIX 23-33 —. : ; . Chilodactylidae.
6. Lower pectoral rays branched. Body compressed. Ventrals
not wide apart. Gill-openings not reduced. (Perci-
formes) . i ; . key to families (vide infra).
II. Gills 34. Head and body more or less compressed.
A. A single nostril on each side (Pomacentriformes) . . Amphiprionidae.
B. Two nostrils on each side (Labriformes).
. 1. Teeth separate, usually canine-like . - : . Labridae.
2. Teeth coalesced to form a pair of plates like a beak . Scaridae.
Key to the South’ African families of Perciformes.
I. Without scaly process in axil of ventral fin.
A. Fins with spines (sometimes absent in anal fin).
1. A-single dorsal fin (see footnote *).
a. Teeth normal, separate.
i, Anal spines (if present) 3.
a. Scales smooth. Mouth not very oblique.
* Dorsal and anal fins not in a sheath.
+ Five ventral rays : . Serrandae.
+7 Two to four ventralrays Plesiopidae.
** Dorsal and anal fins in a sheath Kuhlidae.
B. Scales hard, rough (text-fig. 20). Mouth very
oblique. Pseudobranchiae very large
Priacanthidae.
ii. Anal spines 2 . : : . Branchiostegidae.
iii. No anal (or dorsal) spines. Body elongate. Dorsal
and anal confluent with caudal . . Cepolidae.
b. Teeth fused to form two prominent cutting edges, like a
parrot-beak . ; : : . Hoplegnathidae.
2. Two dorsal fins (see footnote *).
a. Maxilla concealed . ‘ ‘ ; A Sillaginidae.
b. Maxilla exposed.
i, Anal spines normal, contiguous with soft rays.
a, Dorsal spines low and feeble.
* Canine teeth in both jaws . Pomatomidae.
** Teeth villiform, in bands [Rhachycentridae.]
fb. Dorsal spines well developed : A pogonidae.
ii. Two anal spines separate from rays . Carangidae.
B. No spines in the fins : ; ‘ Coryphaenidae.
II. With or without scaly process in axil of ventral fin. Caudal never forked
Sciaenidae.
i
* Apolectus among the Carangidae has a single long dorsal, with the spines
rudimentary, at least in adult. The anal spines are also indistinct.
428 Annals of the South African Museum.
III. With scaly process in axil of ventral fin (absent in Pristipomoides of the
Lutianidae, and in some Monodactylidae).
A. Two nostrils on either side.
1. Two dorsal fins : : : ; : : . Mullidae.
2. One dorsal fin.
a. All teeth absent. Mouth strongly protractile
Emmelichthyidae.
b. Teeth present.
i. Body strongly compressed, often elevated. Usually no
vomerine or palatine teeth.
a. Maxilla broad. Caudalforked. Scales cycloid.
* D and A with articulated rays, scaly
Bramidae.
** T) and A with unarticulated spines, not
scaly, but with conspicuous basal
sheath . : : Pteraclidae.
f. Maxilla not broad, more or less concealed. Caudal
rounded, truncate, or emarginate.
* Gill-membranes more or less attached to
isthmus. Gill-rakers rudimentary.
Soft dorsal and anal scaly.
{ Pectoral faleate. Scales cycloid
Drepanidae.
+t Pectoral short. Scales ctenoid.
§ Anal spines 3.
t Gill-membranes broadly at-
tached to isthmus
Chaetodipteridae.
ti Gill-membranes narrowly at-
tached to isthmus
Chaetodontidae.
§§ Analspines4 . Scatophagidae.
** Gill-membranes free from isthmus. Gill-
rakers well developed. Soft dorsal and
anal scaleless . . Histiopteridae.
ii. Body moderately compressed, or sometimes strongly
compressed and elevated. Maxilla not broad, often
wholly or partly concealed.
a. No pseudobranchiae k ‘ Liognathidae.
fb. Pseudobranchiae present.
* Gill-membranes broadly united, but free from
isthmus. Withcanine teeth Lethrinidae.
** Gill-membranes scaly, and united to isthmus
Girellidae.
*** (Gill-membranes free from isthmus.
+ Caudalrounded . . Lobotidae.
+t Caudal forked or emarginate (at least
in adult, young sometimes trun-
cated or rounded).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 429
Families of Perciformes—III, A, 2—continued.
§ Vomerine and palatine teeth pre-
sent (minute and often decid-
uous in Scorpididae).
t Ventrals small or reduced.
Body elevated
Monodactylidae.
{i Ventrals well developed.
§ Dorsal deeply notched
Centropomidae.
4 Dorsal not, or not
deeply, notched.
* Soft dorsal and
anal about
equal.
° Branchio-
stegal mem-
brane scaly
Kyphosidae.
°° Branchio-
stegal mem-
brane scale-
less
Lutianidae
Scorpididae.
*X Soft dorsal much
shorter than
anal
Pempheridae.
§§ Vomerine and palatine teeth
absent.
~ Caudal emarginate
Plectorhynchidae.
{i Caudal forked.
{| Teeth villiform
Maenidae.
qj Teeth strong, incisor-
like in front, more
or less molar-like
laterally, with o1
without canines
Sparidae.
B. A single nostril on either side. : : é ; . Cichlidae
F.W.F.
430 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 1. AMMODYTIDAE.
Sand-eels.
1904. Guill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 28, p. 159 (affinities).
1906. Jordan, zbid., 30, p. 715.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. i, A 3, p. 16 (post-larval stages).
Body elongate, naked, or wholly or partly covered with small cycloid
scales. Head long. Eyes lateral. Mouth rather large, protractile.
Lower jaw projecting. Maxilla excluded from border of upper jaw.
Teeth small or wanting. Vomer prominent, sometimes with denti-
form tubercles. Gull-openings wide, membranes separate or united,
free from isthmus. Pseudobranchiae large. Gill-rakers long and
slender. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Vertical fins without spines.
Caudal small, free, forked. Pectorals rather small, inserted low down.
Ventrals, if present, jugular, consisting of 1 spine and 3 soft rays.
No air-bladder. Usually only 1 pyloric caecum. Lateral line single.
A small family, about whose systematic position there has been
much discussion, consisting of 5 genera and about twice as many
species from the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern
Hemisphere, and India.
The Sand-eels or Launces are small carnivorous fishes living on
sandy shores and swimming in shoals. By means of their sharp-
pointed snout they are able to bury themselves with great rapidity in
the sand. |
The eggs are demersal, being attached to sand-grains, but if dis-
lodged they become planktonic.
Sand-eels are excellent as food, but are seldom captured in South
African waters in sufficient quantity.
Gen. AmmMopyTEs (Art.) Linn.
1738. Artedi, Genera Pisc., p. 16.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 247.
Body either completely scaled and with numerous oblique folds of
the skin; or with scales only on the posterior third and without any
oblique folds of skin. Lateral line following line of back. A fold of
skin along each side of the belly. Premaxillae protrusible. Jaws
toothless. omer prominent but unarmed. Dorsal fin elongate, with
50-70 rays, much longerthananal. Ventralsabsent. Gill-membranes
separate.
Northern Pacific and Atlantic, Mediterranean.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 43]
Ammodytes capensis Nn. sp.
Cape Sand-eel.
1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 159 (siculus ?).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 94 (stcwlus non Gnthr.).
Depth 133-14 in length, equal to length of mandible, and 3 in length
of head, which is 43-42 in length of body. Hye 2 in snout, equal to
interorbital width, 74 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below
anterior margin of eye, or a little further. D 49-51. A 24-26.
Margins of dorsal and anal undulate. Pectoral slightly longer than
lower jaw. Scales on posterior part of body only, commencing about
at level of middle of anal; no oblique folds of skin. Lateral line con-
sisting of a closed canal, opening by a series of 46 pores above the line
and twice as many below; open pores ceasing at a distance from base of
caudal equal to about twice the depth of body. (Plate XVIII, fig. 4.)
Length—Up to 165 mm.
Colour.—Bluish or greenish above, more or less silvery, a brilliant
silver lateral stripe.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay, “ Kaffrarian ”’ coast.
Type in South African Museum.
This species has already been recorded from South Africa as provi-
sionally the same as the Mediterranean and N. Atlantic species siculus
Swains. (=cicerellus Raf.). Hxamination of several specimens, how-
ever, convinces me that it should be regarded as specifically distinct.
The numbers of dorsal and anal rays are very constant and distinctly
less than in siculus. The number of pores in the lateral line in siculus
is not given by either Ginther or Smitt; there may possibly be a
difference in this respect also between the northern and southern
forms.
Fam. 2. CHAMPSODONTIDAE.
Body rather elongate, with small rough ctenoid scales. Head not
very long. Eyes subdorsal ; a small hair-like filament over each eye.
Mouth large. Lower jaw projecting. Maxilla excluded from upper
border of mouth. Teeth slender, in 1 or 2 series in jaws; vomerine
teeth cardiform, in 2 patches; palatine teeth absent. Giull-openings
very wide. Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus. Pseudo-
branchiae rather small. Gill-rakers moderately long. Gills 4, a slit
behind 4th. Angle of preopercle with a strong spine; margin of
opercle denticulate. Two dorsals, the Ist of 5 spines. Anal with
1 feeble spine. Caudal free, forked. Pectorals small, with oblique
432 Annals of the South African Museum.
bases. Ventrals rather large, of 1 spine and 5 rays, inserted slightly in
advance of pectorals, close together. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca
moderate in number. Lateral line double, with transverse branches.
Carnivorous fishes from shallow or moderately deep water in the
Indo-Pacific and Australian regions.
Gen. CHAMPSODON Gnthr.
1867. Ginther, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 102.
1895. Ogilby, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., (2), 10, p. 320 (Centropercis).
1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond. Zool., (2), vol. xu, pt. 3, p. 242
(synopsis of species).
1922. McCulloch, Austr. Zool., vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 100.
With the characters of the family.
McCulloch is perfectly justified in uniting Centropercis with Champ-
sodon. The Cape species shows naked transverse bands and naked
abdominal area, though these naked areas are not so large as in
C. nudivittis (Ogilb.). Regan neither mentions nor figures these
features for the Cape species, though the figure of C. sechellensis shows
the naked abdominal area. These naked areas are best observed when
the fish is partially dried.
Champsodon capensis Regan.
1908. Regan, loc. crt., p. 244, pl. xxvii, fig. 2.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, pt. 3,
p. 84.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 101.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 318.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii., p. 58.
Depth 54-6, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Eye slightly
less than snout, greater than interorbital width, 4—5 in length of head.
Premaxilla doubly notched in front. Preorbital with 2 divergent
downwardly directed spines. Preopercular spine not extending more
than half-way towards base of pectoral. Maxilla extending slightly
beyond vertical from hind margin of eye. Teeth in lower jaw in a
double series, those of the outer row much smaller and more irregular.
Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D V+119-20. AI17.
Ventrals extending to vent. Scales ctenoid on head and _ body,
absent only from opercular margin, from a subtriangular area between
vent and bases of pectorals and ventrals, from the narrow transverse
bars occupied by the sensory pores and papillae, and from a narrow
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 433
strip along bases of dorsals and anal. The naked transverse bars are
not continuous across the lateral lines (as they appear to be in C. nudi-
vittis). Each pore on the lateral lines, in the transverse series, and on
the head has beside it a small outstanding papilla. Pyloric caeca 9.
(Plate XVIII, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Yellowish or light brownish, more or less
silvery. Back darker, often a series of dark spots or bars along sides.
Locality.—F alse Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, 14-240 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
Fam. 3. CHIASMODONTIDAE.
Body elongate, naked, or with fine spinuloid scales. Head elongate,
depressed. Eyes lateral. Mouth very large, reaching beyond eyes ;
lower jaw slightly longer than upper. Premaxilla not protractile.
Both jaws with long, unequal teeth, the front ones movable; teeth
on palatine similar to those on jaws; vomerine teeth usually absent.
Opercle reduced. Giull-openings very wide. Gill-membranes united
only quite anteriorly. Preopercle with a small spine at its angle.
Gills 4, a small foramen behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae absent.*
Gill-rakers absent. Two dorsals, the lst of 10 spines, much shorter
than 2nd. Anal without or with a very feeble spine, similar to
2nd dorsal. Caudal free, forked. Pectorals slender. Ventrals thor-
acic, of lspineand 5rays. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca absent.
Lateral line single.
This family contains a few carnivorous deep-sea fishes. The enor-
mous gape of the mouth and the distensibility of the belly enables
them to swallow other fishes larger than themselves.
The position of this family is a little uncertain. Weber assigns
6 genera to it, including Champsodon.
Gen. CHIASMODON Johns.
1863. Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 408.
1864. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. v, p. 435 (Chiasmodus).
With the characters of the family. Nostrils in the middle of the
snout. No spine on angle of preopercle.
* Alcock (1899) states that the pseudobranchiae are well developed in a specimen
from the Indian Ocean, which he at first named Ponerodon vastator, but later
identified as Chiasmodus niger. For this and other reasons Brauer (1906) doubts
whether the Indian Ocean fish really belongs to the genus Chiasmodus. Weber
(1913) is of the same opinion and considers Ponerodon as a well-established genus.
434 Annals of the South African Museum.
*Chiasmodon niger Johns.
1863. Johnson, loc. cit., p. 408.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 292, figs. 264, 264a.
1899. Alcock, Cat. Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus., p. 50.
1900. Zd., Illustr. Zool. “‘ Investigator,” pl. xxviii, fig. 3.
1906. Brauer, Wiss. Ergebn. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1, p. 254.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 12 (Chiasmodus n.) (references).
Depth 44, length of head 34-3}, in length of body. Hye 43-53, in
length of head, 2 in snout, about half interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching almost to angle of preopercle. Vomerine teeth absent.
D X+1 28. A 27-29. P 12-13, equal to length of head without snout.
Ventrals about half length of pectorals. Skinnaked. Branchiostegals
7 or 8. (Plate XVIII, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 162 mm.
Colour.—Black or violet-black.
Locality.—Offt Table Bay, 1500 fathoms.
Distribution.—North and Middle Atlantic, West Indies, 312-1500
fathoms.
A second species, C. subniger Garm., occurs off the Gulf of California
at 919 fathoms, characterised by the presence of vomerine teeth, and
‘‘ fine spinuloid scales presenting a pilose appearance.’’ Alcock notes
the thick mucous with which the skin of C. nage: ‘is covered, and it is
possible that this species also possesses very fine spinulose scales
which have been overlooked. ;
Weber (1913, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 147) diagnoses a third
species which is apparently differentiated from C. mger by having
9 pectoral rays instead of 12-13, and 6 branchiostegals instead of
7 or 8.
Fam. 4. URANOSCOPIDAE.
Stargazers ; Puffers.
Body elongate, subcylindrical, naked or with very small, cycloid
scales which are often arranged in oblique series. Belly always naked.
Head large, broad, with the bones exposed, giving it an armoured
appearance. Eyes small, as a rule dorsally situated. Mouth vertical
or nearly so, lower jaw prominent. Teeth villiform or conical on
jaws; usually 2 separate patches on vomer (but sometimes continu-
ous); teeth on palatines. Opercle large. Preorbital and 1st sub-
orbital bones forming a shelf. Premaxilla protractile. Maxilla
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 435
broad, without supplemental bones, excluded from margin of upper
jaw, exposed. Gill-openings wide. Gill-membranes nearly separate,
free from isthmus. Gulls 34, no slit behind last. Pseudobranchiae
present. Spinous dorsal very short or absent. Soft dorsal and anal
moderately long. Caudal free, truncate. Pectorals broad. Ventrals
jugular, close together, of 1 spine and 5 rays. Air-bladder absent.
Pyloric caecain moderate number. Lateral line single, usually high up.
Carnivorous, bottom-dwelling fishes from shallow or moderately
deep water in warm regions.
An account of the habits of Stargazers is given by Guill (Smiths.
Mise. Coll., vol. xlviu, p. 404, 1907). These fishes le almost completely
buried in the sand or mud, with only their eyes and mouths projecting.
Any unwary fish or Crustacean coming within reach is immediately
snapped up by the powerful jaws. Several species possess a curious
long worm-like filament attached to a membrane or “ valve ”’ just
inside the lower jaw. This filament is used as a decoy to lure prey
within reach of the jaws. It is very mobile and is thrust out between
the lips and waved about, coiled and uncoiled, so that its resemblance
to a real worm is exceedingly close. Those species of Stargazer which
do not possess this filament have perforce to wait until their prey
approaches near enough to be seized.
The eggs are pelagic. For the post-larval stages see Fage (1918,
Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. u, A 3, p. 122).
Key to the South African genera.
1. Spinous dorsal present ‘ : : : : : ‘ Uranoscopus.
2. Spinous dorsal absent : : ° : - : - Pleuroscopus.
Gen. UraANnoscopus Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 250.
Body scaly. Scales imbricate, arranged in oblique rows. Top of
head almost entirely bony. Ramus of lower jaw not dilated.
Hyes dorsal. Opercles free all round, with small fringe. Gill-openings
extending upwards and forwards in front of suprascapular region.
A strong humeral spine, but no fringed appendage. Acute down-
wardly directed spines on preopercle, and a similar spine on subopercle.
Two or three spines pointing forwards on the pelvis. Spinous dorsal
present, consisting of 4 flexible spines. Membrane inside the lower
jaw frequently with a protrusible filament. Lateral line running close
to base of soft dorsal.
WOr. Skt. PART 2. 29
436 Annals of the South African Museum.
Uranoscopus archionema Regan.
Stargazer.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 190 (occidentalis non Agassiz).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 414 (occidentalis non
Agassiz).
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 417.
1921. Id., cbid., p. 417, footnote (haplostoma).
Depth 4-44, length of head 23 (young)-3, in length of body. Hye
4-5 in length of head, subequal to interorbital width, and a little
greater than snout. Bones of upper surface of head roughly granular,
with blunt radiating ridges. Depth of suborbital equal to or slightly
ereater than that of naked space below it. Four to five preopercular
spines, | or 2 of them often double, so that there may be 7 spines in all.
Two, sometimes 3, blunt preorbital spines. Two divergent supra-
clavicular spines, the inner short. Humeral spine externally grooved,
3-4 in length of head. Anterior nostril tubular. Upper and lower
lips fringed with papillae. Intralabial membrane or “ valve ”’ usually
with a small, pointed, median projection, which, however, is variable in
size and may be quite obsolete. Teeth in lower jaw in a single series,
but with a few additional inner ones at the symphysis, increasing in
size posteriorly, the hindermost 2 usually conspicuously larger than the
others ; the band in the upper jaw narrowing to a single row of teeth
posteriorly ; palatines with a single row ; vomerine patches separate
or forming a continous transverse band. D III .I 13, 3rd and 4th
soft rays longest. A 13-14, length of its base equal to its distance
from hind end of base of ventrals or from the 3 spines on pelvis.
P 17-18. Scales in 52-56 oblique rows. Pyloric caeca 9.
Length.—Up to 330 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or brownish, the upper part of the body usually
with numerous round pale spots, the dark ground colour forming a
reticulate pattern; spinous dorsal black with a narrow whitish border ;
pectoral greyish with light margin.
Locality.—Mossel Bay, Algoa Bay, East London, Natal and Zulu-
land coast, 27-120 fathoms.
Types of archionema and haplostoma in British Museum ; topotypes
of archionema in South African Museum.
Examination of a large series of specimens shows that all the char-
acters relied upon for distinguishing haplostoma are inconstant and are
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 437
neither sexual nor age differences. The length of the base of anal is
sometimes less than its distance from hind end of base of ventrals.
PLEUROSCOPUS nN. g.
Body scaly. Scales thickened, subtubercular, not imbricate except
at base of tail, but scattered more or less closely on the surface, not in
pits. Top of head almost entirely bony. Interorbital very broad.
Ramus of lower jaw dilated near symphysis, but without spinose
projection. LHyes lateral, each surmounted by a strong supraorbital
tubercle. Opercle not free above, without fringe. Gill-openings
not extending above upper end of pectoral base. A strong humeral
spine, but no fringed appendage. No spines on pre- or sub-opercle.
A group of conical tubercles on the pelvis. Spinous dorsal absent,
but represented by a series of short, immovable tubercles. Soft dorsal
and anal short. Membrane inside lower jaw without filament.
Lateral line obscure, running nearly in middle of side. Vent far back.
The remarkable fish, for which this genus is proposed, is distin-
guished from all other Uranoscopids by the laterally placed eyes, the
series of tubercles representing the last trace of the obsolete spinous
dorsal fin, and the very short soft dorsal and anal fins. In most other
respects it resembles Gnathagnus Gill from Japanese and Australian
seas.
Pleuroscopus pseudodorsalis n. sp.
Spotted Puffer.
Body depressed anteriorly, compressed posteriorly. Depth 44,
length of head 22, in length of body. Greatest width of head 74 of
length. Bones of head strongly granular, naked areas very narrow.
Hye subequal to snout, 24 in interorbital width, 4% in length of head.
Suborbital as deep as vertical diameter of eye. Preorbital without
projecting spines. Lower margin of preopercle and _ subopercle
without spines, but with irregularly spaced granular tubercles which
are larger than the other granules on head. Two short and low
occipital ridges distant from one another one eye-diameter. Humeral
spine about as long as eye-diameter, its base overlapped by the flat
bluntly pointed posterior end of the granulose supraclavicular. A
low, horizontal ridge across the upper part of opercle. Lower jaw
granular, the granules largest near the symphysis; inner margin of
ramus expanded near symphysis. Teeth in lower jaw ina single series,
subequal ; 2 rows in upper jaw, smaller than those in lower jaw except
438 Annals of the South African Museum.
the 2 median pairs; a single row on palatine, and a transverse single
row of 8 on vomer. Lips not frmged. Intralabial membrane with
entire margin without protrusible filament. Gill-rakers obsolete.
Branchiostegals 6, enclosed in thick fleshy folds. Anterior nostril
with short, pointed filament on its posterior margin. D [X+II 8.
The 1st dorsal is represented by 9 short, conical, bifid or multifid,
immovable tubercles, commencing in a line with apex of humeral
spine, distant about 7 mm. one from another. The 2nd dorsal com-
mences about the same distance from the last immovable tubercle ;
the Ist spine is very short (4 mm.), but is freely movable and connected
by membrane with the 2nd, which equals half the eye-diameter in
length ; 4th soft ray longest, twice the eye-diameter. A II 8, opposite
soft dorsal, the 2 spines feeble, short, Ist about half eye-diameter, 2nd
injured, 5th ray longest, about equal to 4th ray of dorsal. P 21-22.
Caudal rounded-truncate. Scales about 60 between base of humeral
spine and base of caudal ; each scale has a central tubercle with radiat-
ing ribs, which are often granulose; towards caudal peduncle the
scales become more or less distinctly arranged in transverse rows, and
slightly imbricate on base of caudal ; scales present on base of pectoral,
but absent from belly, which is corrugate and rugulose and probably
distensible. Chin naked, the skin in front of the pelvic tubercles
forming transverse, lobate, and lamellate folds. Distance of vent
from opercle nearly equal to its distance from base of (median) caudal
rays. Pyloric caeca 10. (Plate XVIII, fig. 6.)
Length.—330 mm.
Colour.—Grey below, slaty-blue above with round black spots
which extend along the body and sides of head, soft dorsal and
pectoral similarly spotted, caudal and anal greyish, a silvery sheen on
opercle and lower jaw, pupil black with a narrow light ring round it,
iris black.
Locality. West coast, off Table Bay, probably about 200 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
The Museum is indebted to Mr. Austen of Cape Town for this inter-
esting and unique specimen. He obtained it from one of the trawlers,
but was unable to give the exact locality or depth at which the fish
was caught.
Fam. 5. TRACHINIDAE,
W eevers.
Body elongate, cylindrical, with very small cycloid scales arranged
in oblique rows. Head moderate, not very broad, not armoured.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 439
Kyes lateral, but high up and capable of being turned upwards.
Mouth very oblique. Teeth villiform or cardiform on jaws, palatines,
vomer, and sometimes pterygoids. Opercle moderate, with a strong
spine. Subocular shelf well developed. Premaxilla protractile.
Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone. Gill-openings wide.
Gill-membranes free fromisthmus. Gulls4,a slit behind 4th. Pseudo-
branchiae present. Dorsal elongate, with a few spinesin front. Anal
long, with 2 spines. Caudal free, truncate. Pectorals moderately
broad, the lower rays simple. Ventrals jugular, close together, of
l spine and 5rays. Air-bladder absent. Pyloric caecafew. Lateral
line single.
This family contains a single genus represented in the shallower
waters of the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The record of a
species from Chile is doubtful.
Weevers are usually found along sandy coasts. Though more
active than the Stargazers, they spend most of their time buried in
the sand. They are able to cause painful wounds with the dorsal
and opercular spines. All these spines are grooved for the conveyance
of the poison which is secreted in glands at their bases. The opercular
glands are particularly large.
The eggs are pelagic.
The flesh of the Greater Weever is excellent, and these fishes are
frequently brought to the Paris markets.
Gen. TRACHINUS Art.
1738. Artedi, Ichthyol., vol. 1, p. 74.
With the characters of the family.
*Trachinus draco Linn.
The Greater Weever.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 250.
1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., vol. i, p. 128, pl. iv, fig. 3.
1907. Gill, Smiths. Misc. Coll., vol. xlvii, p. 413 (habits).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 142 (references).
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. ii, A 3, p. 121 (post-larval
stages).
Depth about 5, length of head a little over 4, in length of body.
440 Annals of the South African Museum.
Hye about 5 in length of head, 2-3 small spines above anterior angle
of eye. Preorbital spine short, more or less obtuse. D VI(-—VII)
28-32. A II 30-32. P 15-16, axil with a broad dermal scaleless
flap. Scales in about 80 rows. Cheeks and opercles scaly. Pyloric
caeca 6.
Length.—Up to 370 mm.
Colour.—Brownish with bluish oblique stripes and spots irregularly
arranged on body and head, spinous dorsal black, soft dorsal and anal
yellowish with pale bluish margin, caudal dusky.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—West coast Europe, Mediterranean, west coast of
Africa as far south as Guinea coast, Madeira.
This species is included here on the authority of Giinther, who
records (1860, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 234) a large stuffed
specimen from Cape seas presented by Sir Andrew Smith. So far
as I am aware it has not been met with since either during the course of
the Marine Survey or otherwise. There is a mark in the South African
Museum copy of Giinther’s catalogue, in W. L. Sclater’s handwriting,
indicating that there was a specimen of this species in the Museum,
but either the specimen has been destroyed or Sclater was mistaken
in his identification, as there is no such fish in the Museum collections
now.
T. araneus C. and V., a Mediterranean species, has been recorded
from Mossamedes by Guimaraes (J. Sci. Math. Lisbon, vol. ix,
1882).
Fam. 6. PINGUIPEDIDAE.
Body elongate, cylindrical, with ctenoid scales. Head not armoured.
Eyes lateral or subdorsal. Mouth moderate, nearly horizontal.
Teeth in jaws villiform, with canines, teeth on vomer and usually on
palatines. Premaxilla protractile. Maxilla concealed under pre-
orbital. Opercle usually with 1 or 2 spines. No subocular shelf.
Gill-membranes united, free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th.
Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal elongate, with a few spines in front.
Anal long, with 1(2) spine. Caudal free, rounded or truncate or forked.
Pectorals without simple rays. Ventrals below or somewhat in ad-
vance of pectorals, of 1 spine and 5 rays. Air-bladder absent.
Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line single, complete and continuous.
Small or moderate-sized fishes of tropical seas. Only one genus in
South African waters.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 44]
Gen. PARAPERCIS Blkr.
1863. Bleeker, Versl. k. Ak. Amsterd., vol. xvi, p. 361.
No palatine teeth. Middle 3rd and 4th dorsal spines highest, last
spine conspicuously shorter than Ist ray, forming a notch.
This genus is confined to the Indo-Pacific region. Good eating,
but usually caught only in small numbers.
Key to the South African species.
a. Flanks without ocelli : : ; : . nebulosa.
6. Flanks with 3 or more yellow, black-centred ocelh : . hexophthalma.
Parapercis nebulosa (Q. and G.).
Sand-smelt.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 179, pl. xxxvii
(maculata).
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Freyc. Poiss., p. 349.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 237.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
Dolo.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 414.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 34.
Depth 64-64, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Hye 13-2
in snout, equal to or slightly greater than interorbital width, 43-5?
in length of head. Snout depressed. Lower jaws slightly projecting.
Maxilla extending to below anterior margin of eye. Teeth in a single
row on both jaws and on vomer, with canines in jaws. Margin of
preopercle and opercle entire, or the former feebly crenulate. A
moderately strong spine on opercle. D V 21-22, 3rd and 4th spines
longest, 5th much shorter, equal to Ist. A I 17-18. P 15-16.
Caudal rounded-truncate, the upper and lower rays in large specimens
(? 3) prolonged into filaments. Pyloric caeca 4. Scales: 11. ca. 85;
5-6
te: a: Whole head, except snout, scaly.
Length—Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, with about 8 dark irregular cross-bands, indistinct
dorsally, more distinct on lower side of a light or whitish band which
runs from pectoral to middle of caudal, head mottled, a black spot on
upper part of base of caudal, which is barred with darker spots, dorsal
442 Annals of the South African Museum.
light, indistinctly spotted, ventrals dusky. Giinther says that the
spinous dorsal is partly or completely black.
Locality.—Natal coast, down to 25 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian seas to Australia.
Parapercis hexophthalma (C. and V.).
Ocellate Sand-smelt.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 271.
1829. Id., ibid., p. 272 (polyophthalma).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 239.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xx, p. 816
(polyophthalma).
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 263, pl. lvu, fig. 4.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv,
p. 466.
Depth 54-634, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Hye 14-2 in
snout, equal to or rather less than interorbital width, 44-5 in length
of head. Snout depressed. Lower jaw slightly projecting. Maxilla
extending to below anterior margin of eye. Teeth in bands in jaws
and on vomer, with canines in jaws. Margins of preopercle and
opercle entire. Opercle with a short spine. D V 19-22, 3rd and 4th
spines longest, 5th equal to 2nd. AI17-18. P17. Caudal rounded-
a
truncate. Scales: 1.1. 60-65 ; ltr. a Whole head except snout
scaly. - (Plate XIX, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, brownish, or greenish-yellow, with short, irregular
dark vertical streaks and irregular, broken, longitudinal lateral stripes,
belly yellowish, unspotted, 3-7 yellow, black-centred ocelli on lower
part of side, spinous dorsal with a black spot in front, soft dorsal and
anal mottled with yellow and with 2—3 rows of black dots, caudal barred
with black dots and with a large black blotch at its base, pectorals and
ventrals unspotted, head with dark brown or black oblique lines from
eye across opercles. When there are more than 3 ocelli the streaks
on head are broken up into dots.
Locality.— Mozambique, 1-3 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific region.
A closely allied species, P. cancellata (C. and V.), is also recorded
from Mozambique by Playfair and Giinther (Fish. Zanz., p. x).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 443
Fam. 7. OPISTHOGNATHIDAE.
Body elongate, moderately compressed, with small cycloid scales.
Head large, naked, not armoured. Lyes rather large, lateral but high
up. Mouth large, horizontal. Maxilla long, broad, exposed, with
supramaxillary bone. Premaxilla protractile. Teeth villiform or
cardiform in jaws, sometimes also on vomer; none on palatines.
Opercle unarmed. No subocular shelf or a very narrow one. Gill-
Openings very wide. Gill-membranes free from isthmus. Gills 4,
a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal long, continuous,
the spinous and soft portions subequal. Anal with 2 weak spines.
Caudal free, rounded or lanceolate. Pectorals moderately broad.
Ventrals in advance of pectorals, close together, of a spine and 5 rays.
Air-bladder present. No pyloric caeca. Lateral line single, high up,
incomplete, ending about in middle of body.
Moderate-sized tropical fishes, often brightly coloured, usually fre-
quenting rocky bottoms in shallow or moderately deep water.
The Pseudochromididae, once considered to be closely allied to this
family, are now regarded as more or less closely related to the
Serranidae. Opisthognathus is sometimes included in the Pseudo-
chromididae, but Regan’s opinion (1913) is here followed.
Gen. OPISTHOGNATHUS Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim.
Dorsal spines normal, not transversely forked.
The genus Gnathypops Gill has been proposed for those species in
which the maxilla is of moderate length. The different species, how-
ever, show gradations in the length of the maxilla, and as this is the
only distinguishing feature, the subdivision of the original genus seems
unjustified.
Key to the South African species.
1. Maxilla not extending to hind edge of preopercle (Gnathypops) muscatensis.
2. Maxilla extending nearly to pectoral (Opisthognathus) . . nigromarginatus.
Opisthognathus muscatensis Blgr.
1887. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 662, pl. liv, fig. 1.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann.S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 251.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 348.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 263.
444 Annals of the South African Museum.
Depth 44-42, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye nearly
twice snout, a little greater than interorbital width, 4-44 in length
of head. Maxilla extending to about half-way between orbit and hind
margin of opercle, or not quite so far, rounded posteriorly. Teeth in
a fairly broad band near symphysis, with an outer row of enlarged
teeth continued along posteriorly ; no vomerine teeth. D 25-27,
about 10 of them spinose. A 15-17. Caudal rounded. Lateral line
ending below about the 15th dorsal ray. (Plate XIX, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Brown, marbled and spotted with darker, head speckled,
upper and lower jaws bordered with blackish, chin also blackish,
dorsal with dark blotches and stripes, a black, white-edged spot
between 3rd—7th spines, anal with dark stripes and a blackish margin.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Muscat, Persian Gulf.
*Opisthognathus ngromarginatus Riipp.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fisch., p. 114, pl. xxviii, fig. 4.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 498
(sonnerati).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 254.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 69.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 266, pl. lvu, fig. 5.
Depth 42, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye twice snout,
4 times interorbital width, 4 in length of head. Maxilla extending to
base of pectoral fin, posteriorly bluntly pointed. Teeth as in muscat-
ensis. D 24-26, about 14 spinose. A 15-18. Caudal rounded.
Lateral line ending below middle of dorsal fin.
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish marbled with brown, margin of upper jaw black,
dorsal spotted, with a black, white-edged spot between 4th-8th spines,
anal with dark margin.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas.
Fam. 8. CALLIONYMIDAE.
Dragonets.
Body elongate, cylindrical, depressed anteriorly, naked. Head
broad and depressed. Eyes directed upwards. Mouth small.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 445
protractile, horizontal. Lower jaw not prominent. Maxilla con-
cealed, without supramaxillary bone. Teeth small, on jaws only,
none on palate. Preopercle with a strong spine at the angle. Gill-
openings very narrow. Gill-membranes broadly joined to isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae well developed. Two
dorsal fins (occasionally united at base) ; spinous dorsal of 3-4 slender
flexible spines. Soft dorsal and anal similar, the latter without dis-
tinct spine. Caudal free, more or less lanceolate. Pectorals small.
Ventrals larger than, and in advance of, pectorals, of a spine and
5 rays. Air-bladder absent. Pyloric caeca absent. Lateral line
present, often duplicated. Male with external papilliform prolongation
of the genital tube.
Small fishes living in shallow and moderately deep water in tem-
perate and tropical regions. They are noted for their strong sexual
dimorphism. The males are differently coloured and have a higher
dorsal fin than the females. Holt (1898, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 281) has
described the courtship and pairing. The eggs are pelagic. This is
the only known case among the Bony Fishes where there is a definite
sexual intercourse followed by the laying of pelagic eggs. As a rule
where such intercourse occurs, the fishes are viviparous.
The South African fauna contains one species widely distributed
from the West coast round as far as East London. From Natal two
species are known, and one from Mozambique. It is probable that
further species, identical with or allied to Indo-Pacific species, will be
discovered in Natal. The South African Museum possesses two speci-
mens which are different from any of the species described in this
work, but they are too young to be identified with certainty.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Lateral line simple.
a. Preopercular spine with recurved denticles . : : Callionymus.
b. Preopercular spine simple . : 4 ; 3 . Calliurichthys.
2. Lateral line with transverse branches . : ; : Paracallionymus.
Gen. CALLIONYMUS Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 249.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. u, A 3, p. 126 (characters and
post-larval stages).
Gill-opening reduced to a small foramen opening dorsally. Lateral
line single, simple. Preopercular spine very large, hooked at tip,
446 Annals of the South African Museum.
with one or more recurved denticles above, and a small antrorse spine
at its base (the latter often covered by the skin). Ventral fins entire,
without detached outer ray. Caudal usually rounded, not very
elongate.
This genus is nearly cosmopolitan.
Key to the South African species.
1. Male without dark cross-bands. Female with lst dorsal uniform blackish. No
spot at base of pectoral ! . marleyi.
2. Male with dark cross-band from 1st domed to Pentoral Pernale with bluish
lines on Ist dorsal. A dark spot at base of pectoral : marmoratus.
Callionymus marleyi Regan.
Marley's Dragonet.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 2, p. 77 (cooper: non
Regan 1908).
1919, 1d), ibid. vol. uy pta4ep: 201) fee:
Length of head (to gill-opening) 4 in length of body. Eyes narrowly
separated, equal to snout, 34 in length of head (to gill-opening).
Premaxillary band of teeth produced backwards laterally. Preoper-
cular spine nearly straight, with 3-5 denticles in addition to apical
hook. Top of head behind eyes pitted. Gull-openings small, dorsal.
D IV+9; spinous dorsal in ¢ not strongly elevated, tips of spines
only slightly projecting beyond membrane, Ist and 4th longest, a little
shorter than head; in 9 Ist and 2nd longest, half length of head.
A 9. Caudal rounded, not longer than head.
Length.—Up to 95 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish-grey with darker dots and rings, a lateral series
of small dark spots, spinous dorsal in 3 light with linear markings, in
2? uniform blackish, soft dorsal with longitudinal series of dark dots,
caudal spotted, usually a black spot larger than the others at end of
lower rays.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
This species was at first confounded with C. cooperi from the Maldive
Islands, but is distinguished by the less elevated spinous dorsal in @,
and the backward extensions of the premaxillary band of teeth.
It is possible, however, that fully adult males of C. marleyi have not
yet been observed.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 447
*Callionymus marmoratus Pet.
Banded Dragonet.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 255.
1858. Bianconi, Spec. Zool. Mosamb., p. 263, Pisc., pl. ix (perelegans).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, p. 150.
Length of head about 4 in length of body. lEHyes about half a
diameter apart, subequal to snout, about 34 in length of head.
Preopercular spine somewhat curved, with 2 denticles. Giull-openings
somewhat lateral. DIV-+8-9; spinous dorsal in ¢ strongly elevated,
tips of spines projecting far beyond membrane, Ist and 2nd longest,
reaching base of caudal; in 9 not elevated. A 7-8. Caudal rounded,
nearly half length of body.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, spotted and variegated with blackish, 3 with
a broad black band from spinous dorsal to pectoral, spinous dorsal in
$ brownish with pearly or bluish oblique vermiculate lines, a violet
spot near margin of membrane between 2nd and 3rd, and another
between 3rd and 4th spines, in 2 brown with interrupted bluish lines,
soft dorsal and caudal with rows of spots, pectoral with a semicircular
dark spot at base.
Locality.— Mozambique.
MNstribution.—EHast coast of Africa.
Gen. CALLIURICHTHYS J. & F.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 941.
Gill-opening reduced to a small foramen opening dorsally. Lateral
line single, simple. Preopercular spine long, simple, pointed, some-
times serrulate but without recurved denticles. Ventral fins without
detached rays. Caudal usually very elongate, lanceolate, more so in
male than female.
An Indo-Pacific genus, which is not well differentiated from
Callionymus.
Calliurichthys gardinert Regan.
Long-tailed Dragonet.
1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc., 2nd ser. Zool., vol. xii, pt. 3, p. 248,
oli, 2O-o-¢ Anas
Length of head (to gill-opening) 4 in length of body. Eyes con-
tiguous, slightly less than snout, 34 in length of head. Top of head
448 Annals of the South African Museum.
with a group of granular tubercles behind each eye, with a smaller
median group of 2 granules behind. Snout quite smooth. Maxilla
not extending to below anterior margin of eye. Preopercular spine
as long as eye, slightly curved, sharply pointed, with 4-5 small
serrations on its inner edge, and an antrorse spine at its base. Gill-
openings dorsal, their width apart slightly greater than length of
snout. D IV+9; spinous dorsal not elevated, tips of spines not
projecting far beyond membrane, Ist spine longest, almost equal to
length of head, last soft ray reaching to base of caudal. A8. Caudal
lanceolate, 24 times length of head.
Length.—Up to 220 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Pale, a dark spot near upper margin of
membrane, between 3rd and 4th dorsal spines, anal with a dark
margin.
Locality.— Natal coast, 20 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean.
A single specimen, 115 mm. in length, which is described above, has
been provisionally identified with Regan’s species. With almost
equal justice, it might have been assigned to the closely allied mal-
divensis. The specimen appears to be a young g, without the fila-
mentous prolongation of the lst dorsal spine. There is no dark patch
on throat. More material of both sexes is required to make the
identification certain.
PARACALLIONYMUS ND. g.
Gill-opening reduced to a small foramen opening dorsally. Lateral]
line single, with lateral transverse branches, those above being longer
than those below the line. Preopercular spine short, simple, sharply
pointed, without any denticles or serrations and without antrorse
spine at its base. Ventral fins without detached rays. Caudal
lanceolate, moderately long.
The institution of a new genus for the single South African species
1s justified in view of the unique development of the lateral mucous
system. The preopercular spine is also different from that in the other
genera.
Paracallionymus costatus (Blgr.).
Cape Dragonet,
1898. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 9 (juv. 9).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv., p. 143.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 449
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii
De alr.
Length of head 33-34 in length of body. Eyes narrowly separated,
equal to snout, 3 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below
anterior margin of eye. Preopercular spine 4 diameter of eye, curved,
unicuspid. Snout and top of head smooth. D IV+9-10, the two
fins contiguous at base in g, well separated in 9; spinous dorsal in 3
elevated, tips of spines produced as filaments far beyond membrane,
2nd and 3rd spines longest, reaching base of caudal, Ist # length of
2nd, 4th 4 length of 1st and slightly longer than head ; in 2 low, Ist
spine longest, nearly 4 length of head, other spines graduated ; last
soft ray in ¢ reaching base of caudal. A 9. Caudal lanceolate, in 2
as long as distance from tip of snout to base of pectoral, in ¢ half as
long again. Lateral line with 33-35 branches above, and 25-29
below ; each superior branch has very short accessory projections
posteriorly, each of which ends in a pore; each inferior branch opens
directly by a pore at its lower end. (Plate XIX, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 150 mm. (g and Q).
Colour (as preserved).—Brownish or greyish, speckled with darker
dots and irregular spots, the latter mainly along the sides, above and
below the lateral line; spinous and soft dorsals in 3 pale, spinous
dorsal in 9 black with white stripe along 2nd dorsal spine, soft dorsal
with narrow black margin ; anal in both sexes light with dark margin,
tips of rays white, caudal unspotted, inner ventral rays dusky.
Locality.— West coast (off St. Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay, Table
Bay), off Cape Point, False Bay, and Agulhas Bank to East London,
30-250 fathoms.
Type (juv.) in British Museum; cotype (juv.) and plesiotypes of
adult ¢ and 2 in South African Museum.
>
Fam. 9. CIRRHITIDAE.
1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, p. 260 (definition).
Body compressed, oblong, with moderate-sized cycloid or ctenoid
scales. Eyes lateral, moderate. Mouth small, terminal, protractile.
Maxilla narrow, not concealed, without supramaxilla. Teeth conical
or villiform, on jaws and on vomer, sometimes present on palatines.
Preopercle entire or serrate. Gill-membranes united, free from isth-
mus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. One
dorsal fin, spinous portion well developed, with 10 spines and 11-14
rays. Three anal spines. Caudal free, rounded or subtruncate.
450 Annals of the South African Museum,
Pectorals with the lower 5-8 rays simple. Ventrals well behind base
of pectoral, of a spine and 5rays. Air-bladder large and complicated.
Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line complete and continuous.
Carnivorous fishes from the coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific
region.
Key to the South African genera.
1. No teeth on palatine . ; ; 2 Paracirrhites,
2. Teeth on palatine.
a. Profile of head convex : : : ; . Cirrhitus.
b. Profile of head incurved at nape . : : A . Cuirrhitichthys.
Gen. PARACIRRHITES Blkr.
1875. Bleeker, Verh. k. Ak. Wet., vol. xv, p. 5.
Snout not produced. Profile of head convex. Some of the teeth
on jaws canine-like ; no teeth on palatines. Scales on body and head
rather large, cycloid. Pectoral fins not extending back as far as
ventrals.
If P. cinctus Guthr. (=fasciatus Benn.) should prove to belong
properly to this genus, the name will have to be changed to the
earlier Amblycirrhitus Gill 1862.
Key to the South African species.
1. Head spotted ; a broad black stripe on posterior half of body . forsters.
2. Head not spotted, but with a large ocellus enclosing the eye . : arcatus.
*Paracirrhites forstert (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 191.
1874. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, p. 69, pl. xlix, fig. A.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 148, pl. ccexlix, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 144, pl. xxxv, fig. 4.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 450, pl. Ixvu.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 133 (references).
Depth 22, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye twice in snout,
6 in length of head. Anterior nostril with a large fringed flap. D X11.
5-6
104183
A III 6. Simple pectoral rays 7. Scales: 1.1. 48-50; ltr
Five series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 450 mm.
PLATE XIX.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Parapercis hexophthalma (C. and V.) (after Day) . : : : . 442
2. Opisthognathus muscatensis Blgr. (after Boulenger) . : : . 443
3. Paracallionymus costatus (Blgr.) 3, with portion of lateral line enlarged
(original) . : ; : : : : : 5 ; . 448
4, Cirrhitus marmoratus (Lac.) (after Bleeker) . ‘ : . ; . 452
Ama 7S, Afr Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate XIX.
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 451
Colour.—Reddish or olivaceous, a broad black stripe along posterior
half of body, a whitish or yellowish band from base of pectoral to
caudal, with several alternate yellowish and bluish stripes below ;
head, throat, chest, and base of pectoral with red and black spots ;
outer margin of spinous dorsal dusky, membrane of soft dorsal and
anal dusky. .
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies,
Pacific Ocean.
The only record of this species in South African waters is a stuffed
specimen in the British Museum presented by Sir Andrew Smith,
though there is every probability of its being found within our area.
*Paracirrhites arcatus (C. and V.).
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 74.
1848. Richardson, Voy. Samarang. Fish., p. 26, pl. v, figs. 3-5.
1874. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, p. 70, pl. xlix, figs. B, C.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 144, pl. ccci, fig. 3.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
p. 450, pl. lxix.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 133 (references).
Depth 24-23, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 14 in snout,
5$ in length of head. Anterior nostril with fringed flap. D X 11.
A III 6. Simple pectoral rays 7. Scales: 11. 50; 1.tr. =
6-7 series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous or brownish, with longitudinal reddish or
brownish lines, a broad white or pinkish stripe on posterior half of
body; an oval orange or scarlet ocellus enclosing and extending
behind eye, sometimes bluish or greenish within; 3 orange bars with
bluish intervening spaces across lower angle of opercle.
Locality.—Cape of Good Hope.
Distribution.—Mauritius, East Indies, Pacific Ocean.
The inclusion of this species in the fauna-list rests on Richardson’s
statement. There is, however, considerable doubt whether the
locality given by Richardson is correct, as it is known that Captain
Belcher, the commander of H.M.S. Samarang, relied to a large extent
on his memory instead of labelling his specimens (see Tomlin, Ann.
me. Air. Mus:, vol. xx, pt. 4, p. 310, 1925).
VOL: XX, PART 2. 30
452 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. Crrruitus Lac.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. v, p. 3.
(This name was altered to Cirrhites by Cuvier and Valenciennes,
and accepted by most later writers.)
Snout not produced. Profile of head convex. Some of the teeth
on jaws canine-like; teeth present on palatines. Scales cycloid,
those on body rather large, those on head small. Pectoral fins not
extending back as far as ventrals.
Cirrhitus marmoratus (Lac.).
1801. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iti, p. 492, pl. v, fig. 3.
1803. Id., ibid., vol. v, p. 3 (maculatus).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vin, p. 142, pl. ccexliv, fig. 5.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
p. 452, pl. Ixx.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 347 (references).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (maculatus).
Depth 23-3, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye twice in
snout, 54-5? in length of head, equal to interorbital width. Anterior
nostril with fringed flap. Hind margin of preopercle finely denti-
culate. D X 11. A ITI 6. Simple pectoral rays 7. Scales: LL
(Plate XIX, fig. 4.)
4-5
AO tre
9-11
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Body blotched and marbled with bluish, white, olivaceous,
and brownish, the white often forming 5 irregular cross-bars; head
either yellowish with dark irregular bands, or bluish with yellowish-
brown irregular bands; spinous dorsal, base of soft dorsal, anal, and
caudal with reddish or brownish spots.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies,
Pacific Ocean.
This species is common among coral reefs and along rocky coasts,
and is a good food-fish.
Gen. CIRRHITICHTHYS Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Natur. Tydsskr. Ned. Ind., vol. x, p. 474.
Snout somewhat pointed, but not strongly produced. Profile of
head more or less strongly incurved on nape. Canine teeth few or
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 453
none; teeth on palatines. Scales cycloid (or feebly ctenoid), rather
large on body and head. Pectoral fins extending back beyond
ventrals. First dorsal soft ray often elongated.
Key to the South African species.
1. Depth 23 in length of body ; : : : ‘ : . aprinus.
2. Depth 34 in length of body : , : oxycephalus.
Cirrhitichthys aprinus (C. and V.).
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 76.
1853. Bleeker, Natur. Tydsskr. Ned. Ind., vol. iv, p. 106 (graphido-
pterus).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, pp. 73, 74.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 146, pl. ceciii, fig. 1.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth 24-22, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 14 in snout,
4-41 in length of head, slightly greater than interorbital width.
Anterior nostril with fringed flap. Hind margin of preopercle strongly
denticulate. Preorbital denticulate posteriorly (but frequently entire
in South African specimens). D X 12, Ist soft ray elongated (in
adult). A III 6. Simple pectoral rays 6. Scales: Ll. 38-42;
-
eG ps
Length—Up to 90 mm.
Colour.—Rose or reddish, with 5-6 irregular dark brown or blackish
cross-bars, which are frequently broken up into series of round or
irregularly shaped spots; head and dorsal and caudal fins also spotted.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
L.tr Four series on cheek.
*Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Natur. Tydsskr. Ned. Ind., vol. x, p. 474.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 75.
1874. Id., Fische d. Siidsee, p. 71.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 147, pl. cccliui, fig. 1.
Depth 34, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye slightly greater
than snout, 34 in length of head. Anterior nostril with fringed flap.
Hind margin of preopercle strongly denticulate. Preorbital not
454 Annals of the South African Museum.
denticulate. D X 12, Ist soft ray (in adult) elongated. A III 6.
Simple pectoral rays 6. Scales: 1.1. 40; Ltr.
10-11
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, with 5 irregular dusky and interrupted cross-bands,
extending on to base of dorsal fin.
Locality.— Durban (= Port Natal, Giinther).
Distribution.—East Indies, Marshall Islands.
Fam. 10. CHILODACTYLIDAE.
1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vii, p. 261 (definition).
Body compressed, oblong, with moderate-sized cycloid scales. Eyes
lateral. Mouth small, terminal, protractile. Lips thick and fleshy.
Maxilla not concealed, without supramaxilla. Teeth villiform on
jaws, none on vomer or palatine. Preopercle entire. Guill-membranes
united, free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudo-
branchiae present. One dorsal fin, spinous portion well developed,
with 16-19 spines and 23-33 rays. Three anal spines. Caudal free,
forked. Pectorals with the lower 5-7 rays simple. Ventrals well
behind base of pectoral. Air-bladder large, with many lobes. Pyloric
caeca few. Lateral line complete and continuous.
Carnivorous fishes inhabiting South Africa, Tristan d’Acunha,
South America, St. Paul Island, and the tropical parts of the Pacific,
extending to Japan, China, and Australasia.
The eggs and spawning habits are unknown. As regards the young
stages, the discovery of a very interesting young specimen has enabled
me to assign to their true systematic position certain small fishes
which Giinther believed were the young of Evistius hutton (Platy-
stethus huttond Gnthr., 1889, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxxi, p. 13, pl. u,
fig. 4). Giinther had three specimens, one from Australian seas, one
from the southern Indian Ocean between Australia and the Cape,
and one from 34° 8. 12° E., which he thought might well be the young
of three distinct species. In this he was probably right, but they
are certainly not species of “ Platystethus.” Giinther would have
recognised this himself if his specimens had not apparently had all the
scales rubbed off, as Hvistius huttoni has 90 scales in the lateral line.
The proof that these small fishes are the young of Chilodactylids is
afforded by a specimen 58 mm. long of P. grandis, which combines
the characters of the very young with those of the adult (wde
wnfra).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 455
Another interesting specimen is a young C. fasciatus, 50 mm. long
(vide infra), and thus smaller than the specimen of P. grandis, but in
a more advanced stage.
CQ.
Fic. 19.—a, lateral line scale, and 6, ordinary scale of young Palunolepis brachy-
dactylus; c, scale of young Chilodactylus fasciatus. In all the figures the
posterior margin is to the right.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Scales small; 6 series in sheath along base of dorsal fin . Chilodactylus.
2. Scales moderate ; 1-2 series in sheath . : : : : Palunolepis.
Gen. CHILODACTYLUS Lac.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. v, p. 5.
Anterior profile not steeply inclined. Head scaly, without tubercles.
Breast and belly rounded in adult. Scales rather small, concentrically
striate ; those on cheeks, opercles, and breast considerably smaller,
feebly developed, more or less papilliform. Six rows of small scales
forming the sheath along base of dorsal fin; 3-4 rows forming sheath
along anal. No naked groove between sheath and body scales.
Dorsal spines evenly graduated. Anal short, spines not very strong,
anterior rays considerably longer than the posterior ones.
The type species of this genus is C. fasciatus. The genus is thus
peculiar to South Africa, the other species being assigned to allied
genera.
Chilodactylus fasciatus Lac.
Banded Steenklip-vis or Steenvis.
1801. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 6, pl. i.
1862. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. d’Afr. Austr., p. 12 (multiradiatus).
456 Annals of the South African Museum.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 79 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 249.
Depth about equal to length of head, 3-34 in length of body. Eye
equal to or less than interorbital width, 1? in snout, 42-5 in length
of head. Anterior nostril with 2 fringed flaps. Maxilla extending
to below posterior nostril. D XVIIJ-XIX 23-24, spines graduated
up to about 10th, which is 34 in length of head. A III 9. Simple
pectoral rays 5, the 2nd longest, reaching nearly or quite to vent.
Gill-rakers 13 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales: 1.1. (75)80-85.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or rusty, irregularly marbled with darker, the
marbling usually forming 4-5 cross-bands extending on to base of
dorsal, the portions above the lateral line more or less alternating
with the portions below; soft dorsal with a few spots, caudal with
several oblique cross-bars, lips and the simple pectoral rays pinkish
or orange.
Locality.— Table Bay, False Bay to Algoa Bay and East London,
down to 40 fathoms.
This fish is not uncommon near rocky ground, and is a good food-
fish.
C. multiradvatus Cast. is merely a colour variation.
A young specimen 50 mm. long shows all the characters of the adult,
but is more compressed in the thoracic and abdominal regions and
has a sharp ridge along the chest and belly ; and the scales are verti-
cally striate with jagged free margin (text-fig. 19¢). It was caught off
Great Fish Point (near Port Alfred) in 30 fathoms on 30th August.
PALUNOLEPIS n. g.
Anterior profile not steeply inclined. Head scaly, without tubercles.
Breast and belly rounded in adult. Scales moderately large, rough
and granulose in centre with a smooth margin; those on cheeks,
opercles, and middle line of breast smaller, well developed, not papilli-
form. Sheath along base of dorsal fin composed anteriorly of 1 row,
posteriorly of 2 rows, of scales; sheath along anal of l row. A naked
groove between the sheath and the body scales. Dorsal spines
evenly graduated. Anal short, spines not very strong, anterior rays
considerably longer than the posterior ones.
The fretted appearance (as if sand-blasted) of the scales and the
naked groove below the dorsal sheath are very distinctive features
which appear to be absent in all the other genera of this family.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 457
Key to the South African species.
1. Soft dorsal rays 22-23 : : : : : . grandis.
2. Soft dorsal rays 29-31 ; : : : : ‘ . brachydactylus.
Palunolepis grandis (Guthr.).
Greater Steenklip-vis.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 79.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 80.
Depth about equal to length of head, 2£-34 in length of body.
Eye equal to-(juv.) or less than interorbital width, twice or a little
less (juv.) in snout, 4 (juv.)-5 in length of head. Anterior nostril
with 2 fringed flaps. Maxilla extending to below nostrils. D XVII-
XVIII 22-23, spines graduated to 5th spine, which is 4 length of head.
A III 9. Simple pectoral rays 6, 2nd longest, reaching to or beyond
vent. Gill-rakers 12-13 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales: 1.1.
50-53. (Plate XX, fig. 1.)
Length.— Up to 950 mm.
Colour.—Uniform grey or brown, the naked groove below dorsal
sheath darker.
Locality — False Bay and Agulhas Bank, down to 40 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
This fish is but rarely caught by the trawlers as its habitat is near
rocky ground. Nor isit often caught by rod and line. It is excellent
eating.
A young specimen, 58 mm. long, resembles in shape Giinther’s
figure (see under brachydactylus); the body is compressed and the
prominent breast and belly are cultrate. Dorsal and anal fin sheaths
and the naked dorsal groove distinct. The scales still show the
vertical striation, but some show traces of the characteristic surface
sculpturing ; the anterior margin is becoming lobulate, the posterior
free margin entire, not serrate as in C. fasciatus (supra). The colour
appears to have been silvery, dark brown on back, with 3 dark patches
on the spinous dorsal, similar to the smaller specimens assigned to
brachydactylus (infra). D XVII 22. A III 9. Lower pectoral rays
just becoming thickened and prolonged. This specimen was caught
in a rock-pool at Kalk Bay (False Bay) on 26th June.
458 Annals of the South African Museum.
Palunolepis brachydactylus (C. & V.).
Lesser Steenklip-vis.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 361.
1889. Giinther, Challenger Rep., vol. xxxi, p. 14, pl. 1, fig. I (young ;
Platystethus huttoni part).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 79 (references).
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 416 (Chilodactylus
brevispinis).
1922) Norman, 7b0d.,. (9), vol. 1x, ps o2i:
Differs from grandis only in having 29-31 soft dorsal rays, and the
longest pectoral ray never reaching beyond the vent.
Length.—Up to 370 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or brownish, with 6-7 whitish spots along the sides,
which disappear rapidly when preserved ; lips and lower pectoral rays
pinkish.
Locality.— Table Bay, False Bay and Agulhas Bank to East London
and Natal.
Type of brevispinis in British Museum.
I have examined a series of all ages from 90 mm. upwards of both
grandis and brachydactylus and find no other differences than those
given above. The latter species does not grow to such a large size as
grandis. Chilodactylus brevispinis does not appear to differ in any way
from brachydactylus.
A number of young specimens, 15-35 mm. in length, were caught in
surface tow-nettings off Cape Point (HE. by N. 45 miles) on 19th August,
together with Myctophum coccoi. They agree exactly with Giinther’s
figure. D XVIII 27-30. A III 9-10. Scales with closely set
vertical striae, anterior margin straight, lateral line tubes straight,
wide, simple (text-fig. 19 a, b). A brown stripe along upper part of
back and head, rest of head and body silvery, 3 black patches on
spinous dorsal.
Fam. 11. SERRANIDAE.
Sea Bass ; Rock-cod.
Body oblong, with moderate or small scales, usually ctenoid.
Mouth moderate or large, not very oblique, protractile. Maxilla
usually not entirely concealed, with or without a supplemental bone
(supramaxilla). Second suborbital with an internal lamina or shelf
supporting the eye. Teeth villiform or cardiform in jaws and usually
|
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 459
on palate. Nostrils paired. Gnill-membranes free from isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. A _ single
dorsal fin, often deeply notched, the spinous portion usually well
developed. Anal spines either 3, or wanting altogether (1 weak spine
in Owstoma). Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without
axillary process. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca numerous
or few (absent in Pseudochromis). Lateral line single or double.
One of the largest families of fishes. Carnivorous, mostly marine,
and nearly cosmopolitan. Very few species descend to great depths.
Some of the Rock-cods grow to a very large size, some species of
Epinephelus reaching a length of 10 or 12 feet.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Lateral line single.
A. Anal with 3 well-developed spines.
1. Without supplementary bone on maxilla.
a. Dorsal fin not notched.
i. Lateral line not close to base of dorsal fin.
a. Gill-rakers short, far apart . : . NSerranus.
6. Gill-rakers long, close set. : . Anthias.
ii, Lateral line along base of dorsal fin. Callanthias.
b. Dorsal fin notched. ; 5 , ‘ . Therapon.
2. With supplementary bone on maxilla.
a. Inner teeth depressible.
i. Dorsal spines 6-8. Anal spines feeble . Plectropoma.
ii. Dorsal spines 9-11. Anal spines strong Epinephelus,
6. Inner teeth not depressible.
i. Strongly compressed. Head naked and rugose above
Aulacocephalus.
ii. Not strongly compressed.
a. Opercle with strong horizontal ridge . Polyprion.
6. Opercle without ridge.
* Anterior nostrils fringed . Acanthistius.
** Nostrils not fringed . : . Dinoperca.
B. Anal without spines.
1. D II-IV 23-25 : , : : : . Rhypticus.
2. D VI-VII 13-15 : : : ; : Grammistes.
C. Anal with 1, dorsal with 3 feeble spines : : : . Owstonia.
II. Lateral line double (interrupted) : : ; : . Pseudochromis.
Gen. SERRANUS Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. ii, p. 276.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 274.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. ii, A 3, p. 26 (post-larval stages).
460 Annals of the South African Museum.
1926. Opinion 93, Intern. Comm. Nomencl., Smiths. Misc. Coll.,
vol ixamn, p79,
Scales ctenoid. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone.
Teeth villiform in jaws, usually with more or less enlarged canines ;
teeth on vomer and palatines, none on tongue. Preopercle serrated.
Gill-rakers not very elongate, usually slender and far apart. Spinous
and soft portions of dorsal subequal, not divided by a notch. Anal
with 3 spines. Caudal truncate or emarginate. Lateral line single,
not close to dorsal profile.
Coasts of Europe, Africa, America; islands of St. Helena and
St. Paul.
Some of the species are normally hermaphrodite (e.g. cabrilla and
hepatus), whereas others are unisexual (e.g. novemcinctus).
In the Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, 1859, Giinther gives Cape of
Good Hope as a locality for S. hepatus, but in the 2nd ed., 1895,
Boulenger does not admit this. Nor does Boulenger record S. cabrilla
from South Africa. These two species are therefore not admitted here
to the South African fauna-list.
Key to the South African species.
1. Gill-rakers 21-22 ‘ : ; ‘ : ; : . novemcinetus.
2. Gill-rakers 11 . ; : : ‘ . ; : : knysnaensis.
*Serranus novemcinctus (Kner). :
1865. Kner, “ Novara ”’ Fische, p. 17, pl. 11, fig. 1.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 124 (references). (
Depth 3-33, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 4-53, ;
interorbital width 5%, in length of head. Lower jaw projecting, with
strong canine teeth. Maxilla reaching to below centre or posterior
third of eye. Preopercle with serrations obsolete on lower margin.
Middle opercular spine largest. Gull-rakers long, 21-22 on lower part
of anterior arch. D X 14, lst and 2nd dorsal spines shortest,
the others not very unequal. A III 7, lst and 2nd anal spines
equal. Caudal feebly emarginate. Scales 85-90; lateral line 65-77 ;
6-7
uf
22-25
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with 9-10 darker cross-bands.
Locality.—Cape Town.
Distribution.—St. Paul Island, Indian Ocean.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 461]
Some of the localities in the account of the fishes of the “‘ Novara ”’
appear to be somewhat doubtful, and it may be that this species has
been erroneously included in the South African fauna-list.
Serranus knysnaensis Gilch.
1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 2, pl. xix.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep, vol. in, p. 124.
Depth 34, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye very slightly
greater than interorbital width, 44 in length of head. Lower jaw
projecting, with strong canine teeth. Maxilla reaching to below
centre of eye. Preopercle with moderate serrations on lower margin.
Middle opercular spine largest. Giull-rakers long, 11 on lower part of
anterior arch. D X 13, 1st and 2nd dorsal spines shortest, the
others not very unequal. A III 7, lst anal spine shortest. Scales
83, those on opercle smaller than those on body; lateral line 72;
8
tr
28
Length.—175 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown, apparently uniform.
Locality.— Knysna.
Type in South African Museum.
This seems to be arare fish, as no further records have been published,
and the type still remains unique in the Museum collections.
Gen. AntTHIAS Bl.
1792. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. vi, p. 97.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, ed. 2, p. 320.
1910. Jordan and Richardson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxvii,
p. 469 (Sacura subgenus).
1911. McCulloch, Sci. Res. “ Endeavour,” vol. i, p. 50.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. ii, A 3, p. 31 (post-larval stages).
Scales ctenoid. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone.
Teeth villiform in jaws, with canines; teeth on vomer, palatines, and
sometimes on tongue. Preopercle serrated. Gill-rakers long, slender,
and close together. Spinous and soft portions of dorsal subequal,
not divided by a notch. Anal with 3 spines. Dorsal and anal more
or less scaly. Caudal emarginate. Lateral line single, rather high,
but not close to base of dorsal fin, curved or forming an angle below
hinder dorsal rays.
462 Annals of the South African Museum.
Jordan and Thompson (1914, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 4, p. 251)
have instituted the genus Franzia for Anthias nobilis and other species
in which the spinous as well as the soft portion of the dorsal fin is
scaly.
If this genus is accepted, Anthias squamipinnis should be transferred
to it.
Small brightly coloured fishes from tropical and subtropical seas.
Key to the South African species.
1. Third dorsal ray not produced.
a. Lateral line 40-44.
i. Without longitudinal stripes : ; : . sguamipinnis.
ii. With longitudinal stripes. : : : ; manadensis.
b. Lateral line 37 . P : : : : 5 F ; huchtii.
2. Third dorsal ray produced as a filament (Sacura) . : i . natalensis.
Anthias squamipinnis (Peters).
1855. Peters, M. B. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, p. 429.
1873-76. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, pp. 18, 19, pl. eclxxxvin,
figs. 1, 4 (chirospilus and lepidolepis).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 133, pl. xvu, fig. 1.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 329
(references).
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 458.
Depth 23-3, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye slightly
greater than snout, 3-33 in length of head. Serrae of preopercle
slightly enlarged at angle, which is rounded. Tongue smooth.
D X 17-18, 1st and 2nd spines shortest, 3rd longest and sometimes
produced in a long filament. A III 7-8, lst shortest, 2nd about as
long as but stronger than 3rd. Soft dorsal and anal pointed behind.
Caudal emarginate, outer rays more or less filamentous. Scales
present on snout, interorbital and maxilla, spinous and soft dorsal
‘
2-3
and anal; 1.1. 40-44; Ltr.
15-
Gill-rakers 26, on lower part of
anterior arch.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Red or rosy, a broad bluish or violet stripe from eye to
base of pectoral; spinous dorsal, caudal, and outer half of ventral
rosy ; inner half of ventral violet, pectoral with red blotches, soft
dorsal and anal violet, with rosy spots, upper part of iris violet.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 463
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies.
The elongation of the 3rd dorsal spine may possibly be a character-
istic of adult males; Sauvage (loc. cit. p. 134) considers that it is
not a specific character.
Anthias manadensis Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Ind. Neerl., vol. i, No. 6, p. 39.
1873-76. Id., Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 19, pl. cclxxxviii, fig. 5.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 329.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 458.
Similar to squamipinnis, but 3rd dorsal spine not longer than 4th,
soft dorsal and anal rounded behind.
Colour.—Red or rosy above, golden on sides, with rose-coloured
longitudinal stripes, fins yellow or orange with white (or blue) edge,
soft dorsal dotted with yellow.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
It seems not unlikely that this form may prove to be the female
of squamipinmes.
There is a specimen from Natal in the South African Museum which
is indistinguishable from squamepinms morphologically, but which
differs slightly in coloration. It is orange, without stripes, with a
narrow violet streak from eye to base of pectoral, fins pale yellowish,
soft dorsal dotted with orange.
*Anthias huchtit Blkr.
1857. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Ind. Neerl., vol. ii, p. 38.
1873-76. Id., Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vu, p. 17, pl. cexe, fig. 1.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 329.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 458.
Depth 24, length of head 34-34, in length. Eye 3-3 in length of
head. Serrae of preopercle slightly enlarged at angle, which is
rounded. D X 17, lst and 2nd spines shortest, 3rd slightly longer
than 4th. A III 7. Caudal emarginate, outer rays more or less
produced. Scales on soft dorsal and anal, snout, interorbital, and
3
maxilla; 1.1.37; Ltr. a Gill-rakers 25 on lower part of anterior arch.
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
464 Annals of the South African Museum.
Colour.—Rosy, more or less brownish on back, with or without
ill-defined cross-bands, a broad pale streak from eye to base of pectoral.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
*Anthias (Sacura) natalensis Fowl.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 226,
text-fig. 2.
Depth 2, length of head nearly 3, in length of body. Eye 44 in
length of head, about equal to snout. Maxilla reaching to below
centre of eye. Serrae of preopercle minute. Tongue (?) smooth.
D X 18, Ist and 2nd spines shortest, 4th and 5th longest, 3rd ray
produced in a filament which reaches base of caudal. A III 8, spines
short, 3rd 34 in length of head. Ventral rays not produced. Caudal
9
lunate, lobes filamentous. Scales: 1.1. 42; ltr ae Gill-rakers 24 on
lower part of anterior arch.
Length.—438 mm. |
Colour.—Uniform pale brown, probably rosy in life.
Locality.— Natal coast, 25 fathoms.
Type in Philadelphia Academy of Sciences.
Allied to the Japanese margaritaceus Hilg.
Gen. CALLANTHIAS Lowe.
1839. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 76.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 333.
1899. Ogilby,. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. xv," p. 175 (Ane.
gramma).
1919. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. ii, A 3, p. 33 (post-larval stages).
Scales ctenoid. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone.
Teeth villiform in jaws, with canines; a few teeth on vomer and
palatines, none on tongue. Preopercle not serrated. Gill-rakers very
long and slender. Spinous portion of dorsal longer than soft portion,
not divided by a notch. Anal with 3 spines. Dorsal and anal not
scaly. Caudal emarginate. Lateral line single, running close to base
of dorsal fin and lost on upper surface of caudal peduncle or under
last dorsal rays.
Mediterranean and neighbouring parts of Atlantic, Australasia,
west coast of S. America.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 465
*Callanthias allporti Guthr.
1876. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4), vol. xvi, p. 390.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 335, pl. xv.
1899. Id., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. i, p. 346 (plate: nec
Steindachner).
1911. McCulloch, Sci. Res. “‘ Endeavour,” vol. i, p. 51.
1921. Waite, Rec. S. Austr. Mus., vol. u, pt. 1, p. 91, fig. 137.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 13.
Depth 22 (adult)-3y5 (young), length of head 33-42 (adult), in
length of body. Hye 23-34 in length of head, greater than snout.
Lower jaw not projecting. Canines strong. Vomerine teeth often
small or absent. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Gill-
rakers 26 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 10-11, spines
graduated. A III 10. Height of vertical fins varying with age
(McCulloch). Caudal slightly emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 42-43, ending
il
P8220)
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Uniform red, vertical fins with violet margins.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—S. and 8.EH. Australia, Tasmania.
on caudal peduncle ; |.tr
Gen. THERAPON Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., vol. 11, p. 295.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iii, p. 138
(Datnia) and p. 145 (Pelates).
1876. Bleeker, Arch. Neerl. Sci. Nat., vol. xi, p. 267 (Mesopristes).
1915. Boulenger, Freshw. Fish. Afr., vol. i, p. 113.
1916. Ogilby and McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. v, p. 99.
Scales ctenoid. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone.
Teeth villiform in jaws, with an outer series of canines; small teeth
on vomer and palatines. Preorbital usually serrated. Preopercle
serrated. Opercle with the lower spine usually strong. Supra-
scapula as well as the coracoid usually exposed and denticulate.
Gill-rakers short, stout. Spinous and soft dorsal divided by a notch.
Anal with 3 spines. Dorsal and anal with a scaly sheath at base.
Caudal rounded, truncate, or emarginate. Lateral line single, not
close to dorsal profile.
Moderate-sized fishes from the Indian and Pacific Oceans, sometimes
466 Annals of the South African Museum.
entering rivers. The species are somewhat dissimilar in external
appearance, and several genera have been proposed.
Key to the South African species.
1. Body ovate.
a. Lower opercular spine very strong (Therapon).
i. 7-8 scales between lateral line and spinous dorsal . . theraps.
ii. 14-15 scales between lateral line and spinous dorsal - jarbua.
b. Opercular spines feeble (Pelates) . : : : . quadrilineatus.
2. Body elevated. Lower opercular spine not strong and prominent (Mesopristes,
syn. Datnia) : . : : : A : : . argenteus.
*Therapon theraps C. and V.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 129,
pl. li.
1913. Weber, “ Siboga ” Exped. Monogr., 57, p. 255, fig. 64 (colour
variations of young).
1916. Ogilby and McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. v, p. 102.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 131 (references).
Body ovate. Depth 34, length of head 34-4, in length of body. Eye
equal to snout, 34 in length of head, a little greater than interorbital
width. Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Pre-
orbital serrated. Lower opercular spine very strong. Suprascapular
and coracoid strongly denticulate. D XII 10, 3rd—5th spines longest.
A III 8-9. Caudal forked. Scales: 1.1. 50-55, 7-8 between lateral
line and dorsal ; 5-6 series on cheek. Nostrils close together.
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—In adult, silvery with 3 (sometimes 4) black longitudinal
stripes (usually straight), a large black blotch between 3rd and 7th
dorsal spines, soft dorsal with dark margin, anal with a dark band,
caudal with 2 oblique dark bands on each lobe; in the young reddish-
brown with 5 vertical silvery cross-bands; these silver cross-bands
gradually break up into spots and then become longitudinally elon-
gated, spreading over the whole side and restricting the dark colour
to the 3 stripes found in the adult.
Locality.— False Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, China, Australia,
and Western Pacific.
Giinther’s record of a specimen from False Bay seems to be the
only record of this species in South African waters.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 467
*Therapon quadrilineatus (B1.).
1797. Bloch, Ausland. Fische, vol. iv, p. 63, pl. coxxxviil, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 70, pl. xviu, fig. 5.
1916. Ogilby and McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. v, p. 125.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 233.
Body ovate. Depth 22-34, length of head 34-3}, in length of body.
Kye 3-34 in length of head, 1-14 in snout. Maxilla reaching to below
anterior margin of eye. Preorbital slightly serrated. Opercular
spines feeble. Suprascapular not denticulate. D XI-XII 10, 5th
spine longest. AJIT 10. Caudal forked. Scales: 1.1. 65-70; 11-15
between lateral line and spinous dorsal; 4—5 rows on cheek.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with 5 olive-brown or blackish
longitudinal straight stripes, a blackish spot on shoulder, a black
blotch between 3rd—7th dorsal spines ; soft dorsal with a black band
along middle ; pectorals, ventrals, and anal yellow; caudal yellowish
with dark edge or darker rays, but no bands.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies to China and N. Australia.
Therapon jarbua (Forsk.).
Sea Tiger-fish.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 50.
1790. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. iv, p. 80, pl. ccxxxviii, fig. 1 (servus).
1915. Boulenger, Freshw. Fish. Afr., vol. i, p. 113, fig. 86.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 130 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 346 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 232.
Body ovate. Depth 23-33, length of head 3-3, in length of body.
Eye 3 (young)—3? in length of head, subequal to snout in adult, and
to interorbital width. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third or
centre of eye. Preorbital serrated, serrae obsolete in large indi-
viduals. Lower opercular spine very strong. Suprascapula and cora-
coid strongly denticulate. D XI-XII 10-11, 3rd—5th spines longest.
A III 7-9. Caudal forked. Scales: 1.1. 80-90, 13-15 between lateral
line and dorsal; 8-10 series on cheek. Nostrils close together.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with 3 longitudinal (usually curved)
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 31
468 Annals of the South African Museum.
dark or black stripes, a black blotch between 3rd—7th dorsal spines ;
soft dorsal with dark margin; caudal with a central horizontal dark
stripe and 2 oblique bars on each lobe. The young do not differ
from the adults in coloration.
Locality.— Natal coast, Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Indian seas, China, Australia, Western Pacific.
*Therapon argenteus (C. and V.).
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 139,
pl. liv (Datnia argentea).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 71, pl. xvi, fig. 7 (Datnia argentea).
1916. Ogilby and McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. v, p. 115
(synonymy).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 132 (references).
Body elevated, profile from lst dorsal spine to the sharply pointed
snout almost straight. Depth 23-22, length of head 23-3. Eye
shorter than snout, 34—44 in length of head, greater than interorbital
width. Maxilla not reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Pre-
orbital serrated. Lower opercular spine not very strong, not produced
beyond edge of opercular flap. Suprascapula and coracoid denticu-
late. D XII 10, spines strong, 4th and 5th longest. A III 8-9, 2nd
spine strong and long. Caudal forked. Scales: 11. 55-56; 7-8
between lateral line and spinous dorsal ; 8-9 series on cheek. Nostrils
moderately close together.
Length.—Up to 270 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker on back, a narrow black edge to the spinous
dorsal; soft dorsal and anal dusky. In the young 3 narrow longitudinal
dark stripes on the sides.
Locality.— Cape seas.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, Australia.
Giinther’s record of a specimen in the British Museum appears to
be the only record of this species in South African waters, and it seems
doubtful! if the species should really be admitted to the fauna-list.
Gen. PLECTROPOMA Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 1, p. 277.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 159.
Scales very small, more or less ctenoid. Mouth large. Maxilla
exposed, with supplemental bone. Teeth in jaws in several series,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 469
the inner ones depressible ; canines strong; teeth on vomer and pala-
tines, none on tongue. Preopercle entire or finely serrate, lower
margin with antrorse spines. Opercle with 3 spines. Gill-rakers
moderate. Dorsal with 6-8 spines, spinous portion nearly as long as
soft, not divided by a notch. Anal with 3 very feeble, flexible spines.
Caudal truncate or emarginate. Lateral line single, the tubes straight,
very short.
A small genus of Indo-Pacific fishes distinguished from the following
genus, Epinephelus, by the antrorse spines on the preopercle and the
feeble anal spines.
*Plectropoma maculatum (Bl.).
1790. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. iv, p. 48, pl. ccxxvii.
1873. Giinther, Fische d. Stidsee, p. 10, pl. x.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, pp. 25, 26, pl. cexci, fig. 3;
pl. cexevi, fig. 3 (Paracanthistius leopardinus and maculatus).
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 160
(synonymy).
Depth about equal to length of head, 34-4 in length of body.
Hye 5-74 in length of head, 14 (young)—3 in snout, slightly less than
interorbital width. Preopercle with 3-4 antrorse spines. Gill-
rakers 9-10 plus rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D VII-
VIII 11-12, 3rd or 4th spines longest, nearly 4 length of head, margin
of soft dorsal not concave. A III 8,-1st spine rudimentary, 3rd
longest, margin not concave. Caudal truncate or feebly emarginate.
Seales: |r. 120-145: elie aiata ; LI. 80-106.
60-80
Length.—Up to 1060 mm.
Colour.—Yellow, brownish, or reddish, with or without dark cross-
bands, numerous black-edged blue spots which may be smaller or
larger, or elongated streak-like; pectoral and ventrals sometimes
with a black blotch at base.
Locality.—Mozambique coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Gen. EPINEPHELUS BI.
Rock-cods.
1793. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. vii, jee lille
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 162.
470 Annals of the South African Museum.
1926. Opinion 93, Intern. Comm. Nomencl., Smiths. Misc. Coll.,
vqollel be-all ep ares
Scales small, cycloid or ctenoid. Mouth large. Maxilla exposed,
with supplemental bone. Teeth in jaws in 2 or more series, the inner
ones depressible ; canines more or less developed ; teeth on vomer and
palatines, but none on tongue. Preopercle serrated. Opercle with
1, 2, or 3 spines. Gill-rakers varying in length. Dorsal with 9-11
(or 12) spines, spinous and soft portions of dorsal subequal, or the
former longer, not divided by a notch. Anal with 3 strong spines.
Caudal emarginate, truncate, or rounded. Lateral line single, the
tube with ascending tubule, rarely branched.
A very large genus of moderate- or large-sized fishes from temperate
and tropical seas. They are all valuable food-fishes.
In South Africa the genus is well represented on the Natal coast ;
at the Cape only one species occurs as an occasional visitor.
Regan (1917, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 458) has recorded
E. australis Blgr. from Natal, and adds in a footnote, “ Perhaps
identical with H. melas Peters.” #. australis is an Australian species,
and melas, regarded by Boulenger as an insufficiently diagnosed
species, has not yet been recorded from South African waters. Gil-
christ and Thompson’s specimen of melas is really minmiatus (q.v.). I
therefore omit both australis and melas from the fauna-list.
Key to the South African species.
I. Dorsal spines 1X.
A. Scales above lateral line 10-15.
1. Lateral line 75-82. Brown . : : : . taentops.
2. Lateral line 65-75. Red . 4 ‘ ; : . sonneratt.
3. Lateral line 50-55. Brown ‘ : : : : argus.
B. Scales above lateral line 7-10.
1. Pectoral dark, with yellow edge . ‘ 5 . hemistictus.
2. Pectoral light . ’ 4 : : : ; - morniatus.
II. Dorsal spines XI.
A. Teeth in 2 series on side of mandible.
1. Anal rays 8.
a. Caudal truncate or emarginate.
i. Scales above lateral line 20-25. Pectoral yellow
flavocaeruleus.
ii. Scales above lateral line 11-16.
a. Dorsal rays 14-15. 1.1. 60-72.
* Longest dorsal spine } head.
t+ Scales above 1.1. 13-16 praeopercularis.
tT Seales above 1.1. 18-20 albomarginatus.
** Longest dorsal spine 3-3 head . morrhua.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 471
B. Dorsal rays 16-17. L.1. 52-60.
* Two strong spines on angle of preopercle
diacanthus.
** Serrae merely enlarged on angle of preopercle
maculatus.
6. Caudal rounded.
i. Scales above 1.1. mostly cycloid.
a. Ll. 55-60 . ‘ ; : ; é gilbert.
B. L.1. 78-82 . ; : : andersont.
ii. Scales above 1.1. mostly aieHoid : grammatophorus.
2. Analrays9. Dorsalrays14 . : : - . modestus.
B. Teeth in 3 or more series on side of mandible.
1. Lower opercular spine further back than upper.
a. 3rd—5th dorsal spines much longer than last.
i. Scales 85-110, ae. 1.]. 55-60. : ASCENSIONIS.
35-43
12-17 2
ii. Scales 100-120, , l.1. 60-80 . F : gigas.
42-55
6. Dorsal spines subequal from 3rd or 4th.
i. Eye 4-53 in head.
a. Red, spinous dorsal black-tipped . . fasciatus.
6. Brown, reticulated . ; : merra.
ii. Eye 5-8 in head. Brown, Saathed : . taurvina.
2. Lower opercular spine not further back than upper.
a. Dorsal rays 15-16. Interorbital width 7-8 in head
caeruleopunctatus.
b. Dorsal rays 13-15. Interorbital width 4-7 in head.
i. L.]. tubes not branched . : . fuscoguttatus.
ii. L.J. tubes branched . : : : lanceolatus.
As the species of this genus are often difficult to identify, the follow-
ing colour synopsis may be found useful. It is only applicable to
fresh adult specimens; young individuals in many cases differ
considerably from the adults, being lighter in colour and more dis-
tinctly spotted or marked, whereas the adults tend to grow darker and
more uniform in coloration. Preserved specimens lose their colour and
markings to a large extent, especially the red, orange, and blue colours.
1. Ground colour red.
Blue spots (dark spots if preserved) . : : . miniatus.
D IX. ;
Blue network on head. 3 ; : . sonneratt.
D XI. _ Spinous dorsal tipped with blaok ‘ s 5 . fasciatus.
2. Head red, body brownish ; head with blue spots and lines _. grammatophorus.
3. Ground colour brown.
With pale (bluish or whitish) spots or blotches.
LX. : : : : ; . taeniops, argus, hemistictus.
105-4 ne : : ; ‘ : ascensionis, caeruleopunctatus.
With dark spots . . praeopercularis, morrhua, diacanthus, maculatus,
andersoni, tauvina, fuscoguttatus.
472 Annals of the South African Museum.
4, Brown, with light honeycomb or polygonal network.
Scales cycloid . : A ; : : : gilbertt.
Scales ctenoid . ; : ‘ , : : ; : merra.
5. Uniform brown : : ; ; ' . modestus, gigas, lanceolatus.
6. Pectoral fin yellow.
DIX. Edge only of pectoral yellow. ; : P hemistictus.
D XI. Pectoral wholly yellow . : flavocaeruleus, albomarginatus.
* B pinephelus taeniops (C. and V.).
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. 11, p. 370.
1881. Steindachner, Denkschr. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. xliv, p. 20,
ple es,
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 120 (references).
Depth 3-31, length of head 24-3, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in
length of head, less than snout, but greater than interorbital width.
Teeth in 3-4 series on sides of mandible ; canines strong. Preopercle
very finely serrated, serrae scarcely enlarged at angle. Gill-rakers
10-11 plus 6-8 rudiments on lower part of anterior arch, longest
longer than gill-fringes. D IX 15, 3rd longest, 4 length of head.
A III 9 (rarely 10), 2nd and 8rd spines equal. Caudal rounded.
10-12
Scales ctenoid, except on head: Lr. 125-130; Ltr. rare
; Ll. 75-82.
Length.—Up to 320 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown, with small blue, black-edged spots, a blue
horizontal streak below eye ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal edged with
blue. .
Locality.—South African seas.
Distribution.—West coast of tropical Africa. Said to stray to the
Bahamas and Florida coast, but not reckoned in the American fauna.
Its occurrence in South African waters is also doubtful, but it may
possibly be found off the coast of Angola and may occasionally come
still further south.
Epinephelus sonnerati (C. and V.).
Sonnerat’s or Scarlet Rock-cod.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 299.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 25, pl. vu, fig. 1.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 333 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 228.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 473
Depth 22-3, length of head 22-33, in length of body. Eye 5-7 in
length of head, 2 in snout, about equal to interorbital width. Teeth
in 3-5 series on sides of mandible; canines moderate. Preopercle
feebly serrated. Gill-rakers 9-12 plus 5-6 rudiments on lower part
of anterior arch, longest about equal to gill-fringes. D IX 15, 3rd
spine longest, about +-4 in length of head. A III 9, 2nd and 3rd
spines equal. Caudal rounded. Scales ctenoid, except on head :
11-14
; Ll. 65-75.
43-52
Length.—Up to 540 mm.
Colour.—Red, with a more or less distinct bluish network on head,
body and fins with or without small bluish or whitish spots, all the
fins edged with black. |
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
Fowler (1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 220) records
a specimen from Delagoa Bay under the name awrantius C. and V.
His description differs from that of Boulenger (1895, Cat. Fish. Brit.
Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 193), mainly in the scale-counts, though it
should be noted that Fowler’s scale-counts, especially that of the
scales in a transverse direction, are often considerably greater than
those of Boulenger and other authors. Boulenger, from an examina-
tion of the type of awrantius, gives the scales as: lr. 90-105;
ir. £10—140 ; I.tr.
*Epinephelus argus (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 311.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 43, pl. eccxlu, fig. 3.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 189
(synonymy). .
Depth 22-3, length of head 23-34, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in
length of head, 14-2 in snout, greater than interorbital width. Teeth
in 4-5 series on sides of mandible ; canines rather strong. Preopercle
finely serrated. Gill-rakers 8-9 plus rudiments on lower part of
anterior arch, longest nearly as long as gill-fringes. D IX 15-16,
ard or 4th spine longest, nearly 4 length of head. A III 9, 2nd and
ord spines equal. Caudal rounded. Scales ctenoid: lr. 95-110;
474 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—Up to 430 mm.
Colour.—Dark reddish-brown or blackish, with more or less distinct
vertical cross-bars; head, body, and fins with small, round, black-
edged blue spots; dorsal, anal, and caudal with yellowish margins.
Locality.— Mozambique coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific Ocean.
*Hpinephelus hemistictus (Riipp.).
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische Roth. Meer., p. 109, pl. xxvii, fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 329 (references).
Depth equal to length of head, 23-3 in length of body. Eye 5-54
in length of head, less than snout, greater than interorbital width.
Teeth in 2-3 series on side of mandible ; canines moderate or strong.
Preopercle very finely serrated, serrae scarcely enlarged at angle.
Gill-rakers 9-10 plus rudiments on lower part of anterior arch, longest
nearly as long as gill-fringes. D IX 14, 3rd or 4th spine longest,
nearly 4 length of head. A III 9, 2nd and 3rd spines equal. Ventrals
reaching vent. Caudal rounded. Scales ctenoid, except on head :
-39
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown, head and lower half of body with blue,
black-edged dots; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal blackish, dotted
with blue, with narrow white edge; pectoral blackish, broadly edged
with yellow.
Locality.—Zululand coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa.
Jr. 95-110; L.tr. 5 bi50=55:
35
Epinephelus mimatus (Forsk.).
Red-spotted Rock-cod.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 41.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 24, pl. vi, fig. 2.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3,
p. 220 (melas non Peters).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 331 (references and
synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 221
(Cephalopholis m.).
ian, PLATE XX.
FIG.
1. Palunolepis grandis (Gnthr.) (original photo) SOR ON iy. 0h 3
2. Epinephelus albomarginatus Blgr. (after Boulenger) : a ae
_ ——-33.. Acanthistius sebastoides (Cast.) (original photo) . eae .
4. Plesiops nigricans (Riipp.) (after Day) . Sue se Ae? eee
’ ag " J ie an i f ,
ok Wu a i iP ¥ ‘
Plate XX.
pam. Air, Mus, Vol. X XI.
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 475
Depth 23-3, length of head 22-34, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in
length of head, about equal to interorbital width and less than snout.
Teeth in 2-3 series on side of mandible; canines moderate. Pre-
opercle finely serrated, serrae scarcely enlarged at angle. Gill-rakers
9-10 plus several rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D IX
15-16, 3rd spine longest, 4 length of head. A III 9, 2nd and 3rd
spines equal. Ventrals not reaching vent. Caudal rounded. Scales
8-10
40-45
ctenoid, except on head: I|.r. 105-115; |.tr. ; Ll. 50-60.
Length.—Up to 410 mm.
Colour.—Orange or red, with blue, black-edged spots ; unpaired fins
spotted ; pectoral orange at base, shading off into golden; ventrals
crimson, with upper edge blue.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
The specimen, doubtfully identified by Gilchrist and Thompson as
melas Peters, proves to belong to this species. The description is
erroneous in several points, though there is no doubt that the specimen
I have examined is the identical one described by these authors.
Epinephelus flavocaeruleus (Lacep.).
Yellow and Blue Rock-cod.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 367.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 15, pln fies Te
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 327 (references and synonymy).
Depth 22-24, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 4-6 in
length of head, 14-13 in snout, 14-13 in interorbital width. Teeth
in 2 series on side of mandible; canines small. Preopercle finely
serrated, serrae slightly enlarged on angle which is rounded and
shghtly produced. Gill-rakers 16-18 on lower part of anterior arch,
nearly as long as gill-frmges. D XI 15-17, 3rd or 4th spine longest,
2-4 length of head. A III 8, 2nd spine a little shorter than 3rd.
Caudal emarginate. Scales ctenoid, except on head: Lr. 130-150;
ee
tr. eo 65-75.
Length.—Up to 460 mm.
Colour.—Pale lilac to dark purplish-blue, with or without dark dots on
body and fins; fins wholly or partially yellow, pectorals uniform yellow.
476 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
The ground colour and the extent of the aoe colour on the
unpaired fins varies bonsideual Ds
E'pinephelus praeopercularis Blegr.
1887. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 654.
1895. Id., Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 207, pl. v.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 333.
Depth 3-34, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Hye about
equal to interorbital width, 44-54 in length of head, less than snout.
Teeth in 2 series on side of mandible; canines strong. . Preopercle
finely serrated, concave above the produced angle which bears several
strong spines. Gill-rakers 15-16 (11 plus rudiments) on lower part
of anterior arch. D XI 14-15, 3rd spine longest, 4 length of head.
A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines about equal. Caudal truncate in adult,
13-16
rounded in young. Scales mostly ctenoid: lr. 120-125; Ltr. 15 BR
Ll. 65-72.
Length.—Up to 800 mm.
Colour.—Brown, sides spotted or dotted with black, one or two
dark streaks from eye across opercle, unpaired fins blackish with
narrow white border.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Persian Gulf.
This species seems doubtfully distinct from morrhua. Boulenger
separates the two forms on the relative lengths of the longest spine,
morrhua having a longer spine than praeopercularis. Gilchrist and
Thompson, however, describe two specimens of morrhua (1909, Ann.
S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 217) with a relatively short spine, and
one specimen of praeopercularis (1914, ibid., vol. xiii, pt. 3, p. 66) with
a relatively long spine. From personal inspection I can confirm this.
The main difference between the specimens is the smaller size of the
scales in the specimen identified as praeopercularis, a difference which
is clear at the first glance.
Epinephelus morrhua (C. and V.).
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 434.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India., p. 21, pl. v, fig. 1.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 477
1910. Jordan and Richardson, Proc. U.S: Nat. Mus., vol. xxxvii,
p. 454, fig. 11.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 332 (references and synonymy).
Depth 3-34, length of head 24-23, in length of body. Eye less than
interorbital width and than snout, 5-54 in length of head. Teeth in
2 series on side of mandible; canines strong. Preopercle finely
serrated, concave about angle which is produced and bears several
strong spines. Gill-rakers 15-16 on lower part of anterior arch, as
long as gill-fringes. D XI 14-15, 3rd or 3rd and 4th spines longest,
2-2 length of head. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines equal. Caudal
truncate in adult, rounded in young. Scales mostly ctenoid:
12-15
45-55
Length.—Up to 540 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with undulating oblique stripes or series of dots,
being the remnants of well-marked stripes in young; 3-4 oblique
streaks on head ; soft dorsal and caudal usually spotted.
Locality — Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans to Japan.
Pee iOa—115; ltr. ; 1.1. 60-65.
Epinephelus albomarginatus Blegr.
White-margined Rock-cod.
1903. Boulenger, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. in, pt. 3, p. 65, pl. iv.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, zbid., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 216.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 325.
Depth about equal to length of head, 3 in length of body. Eye
equal to snout, 4 in length of head, slightly greater than interorbital
width. Teeth in 2 series on side of mandible ; canines strong. Pre-
opercle finely serrated, slightly concave above angle which bears 3-5
strong spines. Gill-rakers 13-15 on lower part of anterior arch, as
long as gill-fringes. D XI 14, 3rd—5th spines longest. A III 8, 3rd
spine longest. Caudal subtruncate. Scales ctenoid, snout scaly,
18-20
maxilla naked: I.r. 110-120; Lr. ; 1.1. 63-65. (Plate XX, fig. 2.)
Length.— Up to 320 mm.
Colour.—Reddish-brown, with numerous small round spots, belly
unspotted ; pectoral yellow, other fins dark, edged with white; soft
dorsal and caudal more or less distinctly spotted.
478 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality. East London, Natal, and Zululand coast.
Type in British Museum.
*Epinephelus diacanthus (C. and V.).
Two-spined Rock-cod.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 319.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 209, pl. i, fig. 4.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 209
(synonymy).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
1925. Fowler, Proc: Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 222.
Depth 3-34, length of head 24-3, in length of body. Eye greater
than interorbital width, 44-54 in length of head, slightly less than
snout. Teeth in 2 series on side of mandible; canines moderate.
Preopercle finely serrated, angle often produced, armed with 2-5,
usually 2, very strong spines. Giull-rakers 15-16 on lower part of
anterior arch, not longer than gill-fringes. D XI 16-17, 3rd or 3rd
and 4th spines longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines about equal.
Caudal subtruncate in adult, rounded in young. Scales mostly
5
ctenoid : l.r. 105-120; I.tr. ——; 1]. 52-60.
40-46
Length.— Up to 520 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with or without dark spots, with 5-6 dark vertical
cross-bands, fins unspotted, dark at ends, often a dark streak across
cheek.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, China, Japan.
Epinephelus maculatus (Bl.).
Spotted Rock-cod.
1790. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. iv, p. 96, pl. cexlii, fig. 3.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vu, p. 50, pls. cclxxxv, fig. 1;
eclxxxvi, fig. 3; cclxxxix, fig. 2; ccciv, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 14, pl. u, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 330 (references and synonymy).
Depth 34, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in length
of head, greater than interorbital width, less than snout. Teeth in 2
:
.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 479
series on side of mandible ; canines strong. Preopercle finely serrated,
serrae enlarged on slightly produced angle. Gill-rakers 10-12 plus
4-6 rudiments on lower pait of anterior arch; long, slender, longer
than gill-fringes. D XI 16-17, 3rd or 4th spine longest. A III 8, 3rd
spine longest. Caudal subtruncate in adult, rounded in young.
12-15
——; |]. 53-56.
40-45
Scales mostly ctenoid: Lr. 105-110; L.-tr.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with round’ dark spots, pectoral and often also the
other fins spotted; young with black spots and large bluish-white
blotches, the largest being a cross-bar in front of dorsal and a vertical
bar on hind half of spinous dorsal descending to lateral line.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
*Hpinephelus gilberti (Rich.).
Gilbert's Rock-cod.
1842. Richardson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ix, p. 19.
1091; Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 75, pl. wim, fig. 1
(cylindricus).
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 220
(references and synonymy).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth 33-33, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Hye equal
to snout, 5 in length of head, greater than interorbital width. Teeth
in 2 series on side of mandible; canines moderate. Preopercle
serrated, angle slightly produced, with enlarged serrae. Gill-rakers
15-17 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 16-17, 3rd or 4th spine
longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal. Caudal rounded.
10-12
: ek oo—O0:
38-40
Scales mostly cycloid: lI.r. 95-110; l.tr
Length.— Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brown or blackish, with a pale polygonal network on head
and body, unpaired fins with large dark spots, pectoral dark with
narrow white edge, caudal also with narrow white edge.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean, East Indies, North Australia.
480 Annals of the South African Museum.
Epinephelus andersoni Blgr.
Anderson’s Rock-cod.
1903. Boulenger, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. iii, pt. 3, p. 66, pl. v.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, zbzd., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 218.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 325.
Depth 34-44, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye equal to
interorbital width, 6 in length of head, less than snout. Teeth in
2 series on side of mandible; canines small. Preopercle serrated,
serrae coarser at angle. Gull-rakers 16 on lower part of anterior arch,
shorter than (most of them much shorter than) gill-fringes. D XI 15,
3rd and 4th spines longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines equal.
14-17
Caudal rounded. Scales mostly cycloid: |r. 105-110; l-tr. aeiee
1.1. 78-82.
Length.—Up to 395 mm.
Colour.—Pale purplish brown, with dark spots forming 5-7 longi-
tudinal series, usually 2 oblique dark stripes from eye across opercle,
dorsal and caudal spotted.
Locality.— East London, Natal, and Zululand coast.
Type in British Museum.
Epinephelus grammatophorus Bler.
Streaked Rock-cod.
1903. Boulenger, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 64, pl. i.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, zbid., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 222.
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 329.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 224 (rivu-
latus non C. and V.).
Depth 3-32, length of head 23-23, in length of body. Eye 4-43 in
length of head, less than snout, greater than interorbital width.
Teeth in 2 series on side of mandible; canines strong. Preopercle
serrated, serrae at angle enlarged. Gill-rakers 15 on lower part of
anterior arch, nearly as long as gill-fringes. D XI 16-17, 3rd and
4th spines longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines equal. Caudal
10
rounded. Scales ctenoid: lr. 85-95; |.tr. if ; Ll. 65-70.
Length.—Up to 330 mm.
Colour.—Red on head and front part of body, becoming brown
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 48]
posteriorly, 3 broad irregular vertical bands, a red oval patch at base
of pectoral, thin irregular blue (dark brown in preserved specimens)
lines radiating from eye over snout, cheek, and opercle; fins dark
reddish brown.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
Epinephelus modestus G. and T.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3,
p. 218.
1917. Jd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 332.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 224.
Depth 24-3, length of head 23-22, in length of body. Eye equal
to interorbital width, 5-6 in length of head, less than snout. Teeth
in 2 series on side of mandible ; canines small. Preopercle serrated,
serrae at angle enlarged. Gill-rakers 17 on lower part of anterior
arch (Fowler). D XI 14-16, 3rd spine longest. A III 9, 3rd spine
longest. Caudaltruncate. Scales ctenoid: Lr. 102-118; Ltr. a
Ll. 68-74.
Length—Up to 407 mm. (type, 281 mm.).
Colour.—Uniform brown, darker above, anal with broad whitish
margin.
Locality Pondoland and Natal coast.
Type in South African Museum.
I have seen only the type specimen ; it might well be considered as
an example of praeopercularis with an extra analray. The preopercle,
however, is scarcely concave above the angle.
Epinephelus ascensionis (Osb.).
Ascension Island Rock-cod.
1771. Osbeck, Voy. China, vol. u1, p. 96.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 116 (references and
synonymy).
Depth 3-34, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye less than
snout and than interorbital, 43-6 in length of head. Teeth in 3 series
on side of mandible ; canines moderate. Preopercle finely serrated,
serrae at angle slightly enlarged. Gill-rakers 15-18 on lower part of
anterior arch, slightly shorter than gill-fringes. D XI 16-17, 4th or
482 Annals of the South African Museum.
5th or 3rd—5th spines longest, 4-2 length of head. A III 8, 2nd and
3rd spines subequal. Caudal subtruncate in adult. Scales mostly
9-13
"35-42
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brown or olivaceous, with more or less distinct orange
spots, whitish irregular blotches on sides, head, and fins ; fins more or
less distinctly spotted like the body, with fine whitish edges.
Locality.—Table Bay and False Bay.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic.
This species seems to be only an occasional visitor to these coasts.
A few specimens have been taken alive and placed in the Aquarium at
St. James (False Bay), where they have lived for considerable periods.
ctenoid : Lr. 90-110; Ltr ; Ll. 55-60.
Epinephelus gigas (Briin.).
? 1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 285 (Labrus guaza).
1768. Briinnich, Ichth. Massil., p. 65, No. 81.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 270,
jl -o-e-abie
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 118 (gwaza) (references
and synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 327 (guaza) (references and synonymy).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth nearly equal to length of head, 25-3, in length of body.
Kye less than snout, 5(young)-8 in length of head, interorbital
width 44 (adult)—6 (young). Teeth in rather narrow bands in young,
broader in adult; canines small (or obsolete in old specimens).
Preopercle serrated, serrae enlarged at angle. Gill-rakers moderately
elongate, 15-16 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 14-16, 4th
or 5th spine longest, 3-4 length of head. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd
spines equal. Caudal rounded or subtruncate. Scales mostly cycloid
above lateral line, in old specimens nearly all cycloid: Lr. 100-120;
12-17
5 ; 1.1. 60-80.
22-55
Length.—Up to 900 mm.
Colour.—Adult, uniform dark brown; young often with grey, yellow,
or red irregular marbling, fins edged with white.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, Angola.
eur
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 483
In Rep. Natal Fisheries for 1919 (1920, p. 45) Robinson states that
the record catch in Natal for Rock-cod is a specimen weighing 415 lb.,
which he identifies as this species. Since, however, gigas does not
reach so large a size, the identification is probably erroneous; it is
more likely that the specimen should have been identified as lanceo-
latus (vide infra).
Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsk.).
Red or Banded Rock-cod.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 40.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vil, p. 66, pl. ccexxvi, fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Maus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 326.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 223.
Depth 3-34, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Lye greater
than interorbital width, 4-5 in length of head, about equal to snout.
Teeth in 3 series on side of mandible; canines small. Preopercle
serrated, serrae at angle enlarged. Gill-rakers moderate, 15-16 on
lower part of anterior arch. D XI 16, 3rd and 4th spines longest.
A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal. Caudal subtruncate in adult.
Scales ctenoid: lr. 100-120; Ltr. eam 1.1. 50-62.
36-42
Length.— Up to 330 mm.
Colour.—Bright red, with or without more or less distinct dark
vertical cross-bands, with or without bluish-white spots, membrane
between dorsal spines broadly tipped with black.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans to Japan and
Australia.
Epinephelus merra (B1.).
Honeycomb Rock-cod.
1793. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. vii, p. 17, pl. cccxxix.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 14, pl. ui, fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 330 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 222.
Depth 3-3, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye greater
than interorbital width, 4-54 in length of head, equal to or less than
snout. Teeth in 3-4 series on side of mandible; canines small or
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 32
—<
—— 9» en
484 Annals of the South African Museum.
moderate. Preopercle serrated, serrae enlarged at angle. Gill-
rakers moderate, 15-17 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 15-17,
4th or 5th spine longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal.
Caudal rounded, subtruncate. Scales mostly ctenoid: l.r. 95-120;
yaya Use
a eae 39_44 5 sede 55-70.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with a honeycomb network of fine pale lines ;
white spots may be present in addition, the pectoral may be dark
spotted or unspotted.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans to Australia.
Epinephelus tauvina (Forsk.).
Variegated Rock-cod.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 39.
? 1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 3 (Serranus chabaudt).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 19, 20, pl. iv, figs. 2, 3 (malabaricus
and salmoides).
1907. Stead, Add. Fish-fauna N.S.W., No. 1, p. 8, pl. i.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 120 (references and
synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 333 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 225.
Depth 3-33, length of head 25-3, in length of body. Eye less than
snout, greater than interorbital width, 5 (young)-8 on length of head.
Teeth in 3 series on side of mandible; canines small. Preopercle
serrated, serrae enlarged on slightly produced angle. Gill-rakers
moderate, 9-11 plus 5-8 rudiments on lower part of anterior arch.
D XI 15, 3rd or 4th spine longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines
subequal. Caudal rounded. Scales mostly ctenoid: lr. 100-120;
12-15
ltr. —— ; lL. 60-70.
34-45
Length.—Up to 1270 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with darker spots or markings, or 5-6 more or less
regular cross-bands frequently with black and white dots in addition,
fins spotted ; old specimens nearly uniform.
Locality.— Natal coast.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 485
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans to Australia.
Castelnau’s Serranus chabaudi, which Boulenger doubtfully identifies
with this species, came from Algoa Bay ; the description is inadequate
for certain determination.
Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus (Bl.).
Blue-spotted Rock-cod.
1790. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. iv, p. 94, pl. cexlii, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 16, pl. ii, fig. 3 (tumilabris non
C. and V.).
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 246
(references and synonymy).
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 4, p. 197.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvui, p. 224.
Depth 3-34, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Hye 43-54 in
length of head, greater than interorbital width, which is 7-8 in head,
about equal to snout. Teeth in 3-4 series on side of mandible ;
canines small. Preopercle finely serrated, serrae slightly enlarged at
angle. Guill-rakers short, 15-18 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI
15-16, 3rd or 4th spine longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines equal.
Caudal rounded. Scales mostly ctenoid: l.r. 105-110; Ltr. ae
Ll. 55-65.
Length. Up to 560 mm.
Colour.—Dark purplish-brown, with more or less distinct whitish
or bluish spots; maxillary groove edged with black.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific seas.
Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsk.).
Marbled Rock-cod.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 42 (summana var. fuscoguttata).
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische R. Meer., p. 108, pl. xxvii, fig. 2.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vil, p. 57, pl. cceevii, fig. 3.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 249
(references and synonymy).
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ii, pt. 4, p. 197.
Depth nearly equal to length of head, 24-34 in length of body. Hye
486 Annals of the South African Museum.
5 (young)-7 in length of head, interorbital width 4-7. Teeth in broad
bands in adult; canines small. Preopercle finely serrated, serrae
slightly enlarged at angle. Gill-rakers short, 16-18 on lower part of
anterior arch. D XI 13-15, 3rd or 4th spine longest. A III 8, 2nd
spine about as long as 3rd. Caudal rounded. Scales mostly ctenoid
15-20
in young, cycloid in adult: lr. 110-145; Ltr. amy 1.1. 55-70.
Length.— Up to 900 mm.
Colour.—Brown with dark spots, irregular marblings, with or with-
out numerous small black dots, 4-5 large dark blotches along base of
dorsal, and one on dorsal surface of caudal peduncle ; markings very
indistinct in adult, often almost uniform.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
Epinephelus lanceolatus (B1.).
1790. Bloch, Ausl. Fische; voli iv, p: 92, pl celsar, foe
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 18, 101, pl. iv, fig. 1.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 119 (references and
synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 329 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 223.
Depth equal to length of head, 23-31 in length of body. Eye
5 (young)—12 in length of head, interorbital width 4-54, in length of
head, snout very short. Teeth in broad bands in adult; canines
small. Preopercle finely serrated, serrae somewhat enlarged at angle.
Gill-rakers moderate, 14 on lower part of anterior arch, D XI 14-15,
last spine longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal. Caudal
rounded. Scales cycloid or feebly ctenoid, tubes of the lateral line
mostly with several diverging tubules: Lr. 100-110; |.tr. a
].]. 58-67.
Length.—Up to 3600 mm. (12 ft.).
Colour.—Young, yellowish with 4 dark cross-bands, fins spotted
with blackish-brown ; half-grown with indistinct cross-bands, head
and body with fine reticulation, spots on fins more numerous; old
specimens uniform brown or blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 487
Gen. AULACOCEPHALUS T. and S..
1844. Temminck and Schlegel, Faun. Jap. Poiss., p. 15.
Body strongly compressed. Head naked and rugose above.
Scales very small, strongly ctenoid, separated from each other by
naked skin. Mouth large. Maxilla exposed, with supplemental
bone. Teeth villiform, in bands in jaws and on vomer and palatines,
but none on tongue. Preopercle serrated. Opercle with 3 strong
spines. Gill-rakerslong. Spinous dorsal longer than soft, latter much
higher than last spines. Anal with 3 spines. Caudal truncate.
Lateral line single, tubes long and straight, on the naked skin and
terminating on the scales.
A single widely distributed species.
Aulacocephalus temmincki Blkr.
Yellow-stripe Rock-cod.
1844. Temminck and Schlegel, loc. cit., p. 15, pl. v, fig. 2.
1857. Bleeker, Verh. Batav. Gen., vol. xxvi, p. 12.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 325 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 225.
Depth 3, length of head 24-23, in length of body. LHye less than
snout, 5-7 in length of head, about equal to interorbital width. Gill-
takers 17-18 on lower part of anterior arch. DIX 12. A III 9.
Scales: 1.1. 73-75. Lateral line strongly curved.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Dark purplish-brown; a yellow, black-edged stripe run-
ning along base of dorsal fin and extending through eye on to snout.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Japan, Siam, Mauritius.
Gen. PoLyPrRIon Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. i, p. 282.
Scales small, rough, ctenoid. Mouth large. Maxilla exposed, with
supplemental bone. Teeth villiform, in broad bands in jaws, on
vomer, palatines, and tongue. Preopercle serrated. Opercle with a
strong spine and a strong horizontal ridge. Gill-rakers long. Spinous
portion of dorsal much longer than the soft, rays higher than last
spines. Anal with 3 spines. Soft dorsal and anal scaly at base.
eae
,
488 Annals of the South African Museum.
Caudal rounded or truncate. Lateral line single, tubes straight and
occupying whole length of scale.
Large fishes living in rather deep water, though often ascending
towards the surface. They are fond of associating in the neighbour-
hood of wrecks and floating timber. In the Mediterranean they are
highly esteemed as food-fishes.
The only other species, P. prognathus, is found in the Southern
Pacific Ocean, and is distinguished by a more elongate body. Though
included in previous lists of South African fishes, owing apparently
to a misplaced reference, there is no record of its occurrence in these
waters. The specimens I have examined are all referable to the
Atlantic form.
Polyprion americanus (Bl. Schn.).
Bafaro ; Stone-bass ; Wreck-fish.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 205.
1892. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., vol. 1, p. 47, fig. 12.
1913. Waite, Tr) N.Z. Inst7) volxly; ps 215, pls, va
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 114 (references and
synonymy).
Depth 23-34, head about the same, in length of body. Eye 44-54
in length of head, 14-14 in snout and in interorbital width, the latter
3-34 in length of head. Head flat above, with serrated ridges in
young, which gradually become obsolete in adult ; a strong median
longitudinal bony ridge on the occiput. Gill-rakers 7-8 plus rudi-
ments on lower part of anterior arch. D XI—XII 11-12, 3rd (or 4th)
to 6th (or 7th) spines longest, 24-32 in length of head, shorter than
longest soft rays. A III 9-10, 3rd spine longest. Dorsal and anal
spines striated, and in the young also serrated. Pectoral about half
length of head. Caudal rounded in young, truncate in adult. Scales :
1) ee 2S 1 7820
liz, 105-135 + Ltr. ose
Length.—Up to 2100 mm. (7 ft.).
Colour.—Bluish-grey above, lighter on sides with a silvery sheen,
belly white, fins blackish.
Locality. Off Table Bay, Agulhas Bank, 30-150 fathoms.
Distribution.—North and Middle Atlantic, Mediterranean, New
Zealand.
Local fishermen often distinguish a smaller “‘ Yellow’ Bafaro and
a larger “‘ Black”? Bafaro. It seems improbable that there are two
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 489
species here, especially as the ordinary (“ Black ’’) Bafaro is known
to be much lighter in colour or blotchy in the young state.
Gen. ACANTHISTIUS Guill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 236.
Scales small, cycloid or ctenoid. Mouth large. Maxilla exposed,
with supplemental bone. Teeth in broad villiform bands in jaws,
with an outer series of enlarged canines ; teeth on vomer and palatine,
none on tongue. Preopercle serrated, with strong antrorse spines on
lower border. Opercle with 3 strong spines. Gill-rakers long.
Spinous portion of dorsal longer than soft, the latter higher than
last spines. Anal with 3 spines. Caudal rounded or truncate.
Lateral line single, the tubes bi- or tri-furcate.
A genus confined to the Southern Hemisphere.
Acanthistius sebastoides (Cast.).
Orange-spotted Rock-cod.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 3.
1881. Steindachner, 8. B. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lxxxii, p. 201, pl. 1.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 114 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 221.
Depth 24-3, length of head 24-3, in length of body. Hye equal to
snout, 44-5 in length of head, a little greater than interorbital width.
Lower jaw not projecting. A fringed flap on anterior nostril. Pre-
opercle with 3 antrorse spines on lower margin. Gill-rakers 7-8 plus
rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 15-16, 3rd or 4th
spine longest. A III 7-8, 2nd and 3rd spines equal. Pectoral very
broad, symmetrical, thick and fleshy, especially the lower rays.
17-18
; LJ. 55-60.
45-50
Caudal truncate. Scales ctenoid: |.r. 90-105; I.tr.
(Plate XX, fig. 3.)
Length—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or reddish with darker marbling, numerous
close-set small round orange dots on head and body.
Locality.— Table Bay, False Bay to East London, and Natal.
Gen. Dinoperca Blgr.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 153.
Scales small, ctenoid. Mouth rather large. Maxilla exposed, with
490 Annals of the South African Museum.
supplementary bone. Teeth in villiform bands in jaws, with an outer
enlarged row; teeth on vomer and palatine, none on tongue. Pre-
opercle serrated. Opercle without conspicuous spines. Gill-rakers
long. Spinous and soft portions of dorsal about equal. Anal with
3 spines. Caudal truncate or slightly emarginate. Lateral line
single, tubes straight.
Indian seas and Natal.
Dinoperca queketti Bler.
Blackfish.
1903. Boulenger, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. iii, p. 63, pl. i.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 325.
Depth 24-24, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye equal to
or slightly greater than snout, 3 (young)—4 in length of head, inter-
orbital width #-4 diameter of eye. Serrations on preopercle coarser
at angle. No fringed flap on nostrils. Gill-rakers as long as gill-
fringes, 27-28 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 17-18, 3rd—5th
spines longest, 11th longer than preceding ones. A III 11-13, spines
feeble, 3rd longest. Soft dorsal and anal densely scaly, high anteriorly,
the posterior margins being vertical. Caudal slightly emarginate.
isi
noi 30K
Length.—Up to 410 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or blackish, with irregular lines of small
silvery white spots; young specimens lighter, with 4 indistinct dark
oblique cross-bands.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
Scales: Lr. 80-85; l.tr ].1. 55-58.
Gen. Ruypticus Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, vol. ii, p. 144.
Body elongate, strongly compressed. Scales very small, cycloid,
embedded in the skin. Mouth large. Maxilla exposed, with sup-
plemental bone. Teeth in villiform bands in jaws, and on vomer
and palatine; none ontongue. Preopercle and opercle each with 2-3
strong spines. Gill-rakers short. Dorsal long, the few spines short
but strong. Anal without spines. Ventralssmall. Pectoral rounded
‘
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 491
Caudal rounded. All the fins thickly covered with minute scales.
Lateral line single, tubes straight.
Tropical and subtropical seas.
*Rhypticus saponaceus (Bl. Schn.).
Soap-fish.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 310.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 126 (references).
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser.,
vol. xv, pt. 2, p. 480, pl. xlvii.
Depth 23-3 (32 in young), length of head 3-34, in length of body.
Hye equal to (young) or less than (adult) snout, 44 (young)—6 in length
of head ; interorbital width 4-2 diameter of eye. Lower jaw strongly
projecting. Preopercle with 2-3, opercle with 3, spines. Gill-rakers
7-8 plus rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D III 23-25, soft
portion elevated and rounded behind. A 16-17. Scales: 1.1. 85-90.
Length.—Up to 270 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or purplish, with or without more or less
distinct lighter spots or mottlings, fins dark.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic.
A specimen in the British Museum presented by Sir A. Smith seems
to be the sole record of the Soap-fish in South African seas. In the
South African Museum copy of Boulenger’s “‘ Catalogue of Fishes in
British Museum” there is a mark against this species (p. 348) made
by Mr. P. L. Sclater when he was Director, and signifying that there
was then a specimen in the Museum. This specimen, if correctly
identified, has disappeared.
Gen. GRAMMISTES Art.
1758. Artedi in Seba. Thes., vol. ui, p. 75.
Scales very small, cycloid, obtusely keeled, enveloped in the slimy
coating of the epidermis. Mouth large. Maxilla exposed, with
supplemental bone. Teeth in villiform bands in jaws, and on vomer
and palatine; none on tongue. Preopercle with 2-3, opercle with 3,
spines. Arudimentary dermal appendage on chin. Gill-rakers short.
Spinous dorsal as long, or nearly so, as soft dorsal, a deep notch
between the two portions. Anal without distinct spines. Caudal
rounded. Lateral line single, tubes straight.
A single Indo-Pacific species.
Og
492 Annals of the South African Museum.
Grammistes sexlineatus (Thunb.).
White-lined Rock-cod.
1792. Thunberg, Vet. Ak. Handl., vol. xiii, p. 142, pl. v.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 70, pl. cecxxxvii, fig. 5
(orventalis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 28, pl. 1x, fig. 1 (orientalis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 336 (references). :
Depth 24-22, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye about
equal to snout and to interorbital width, 43-5 in length of head.
Gill-rakers 7-8 plus rudiments on lower part of anterior arch.
D VI-VII 13-15. A 9-11. Scales: 1.1. 63-70.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or blackish, with 3-9 white or yellowish
longitudinal streaks.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific Ocean.
The coloration, keeled scales, and slimy covering render this fish
easily recognisable.
Gen. OwstoniA Tanaka.
1908. Tanaka, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, vol. xxiii, p. 47.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., in, p. 69 (Para-
sphenanthias).
1924. Id., abed., vii, p. 24 (Owstomia err. typ.).
Scales cycloid. Mouth very oblique. Maxilla exposed, without
supplemental bone. Jaws with a single row of canine teeth, with
2 rows at symphysis of lower jaw fitting into a depression in upper.
No teeth on vomer or palatines. Angle and lower margin of pre-
opercle serrated. Spinous portion of dorsal consisting of 3 weak
spines, soft portion long. Anal with 1 weak spine. Caudal elongate,
lanceolate. Lateral line running along base of dorsal fin, uniting with
its fellow in front of dorsal, and ending below last dorsal ray.
This genus was placed in the Opisthognathidae by Tanaka, in a
separate family near the Opisthognathidae by Jordan. As Gilchrist
points out, it is very closely allied to Sphenanthias Weber 1913,
which is regarded by its author as a Serranid. Sphenanthias differs
in having 9 dorsal spines, ctenoid scales, and the lateral lines of the
two sides not confluent in front of the dorsal.
South Africa and Japan.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 493
*Owstoma weberi (Gilch.).
1922. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 69, pl. x, fig. 2.
Depth 3, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 24 in length
of head. Lower margin of preopercle with strong antrorse spines
concealed beneath the skin. DIII 20. AI15. Scales (according to
the figure): l.ser. about 38; 1|.tr. about 17.
Length.—Not stated.
Colour.— Uniform brilliant crimson. —
Locality — Natal coast, 180-190 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
This species has a larger eye and apparently fewer scales than the
Japanese species totomiensis, but the description is too brief for a
detailed comparison.
Gen. PsEUDOCHROMIS Riipp.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirb. Fische, p. 8.
1915. McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. in, p. 47.
Scales moderate, ctenoid. Mouth moderate. Maxilla exposed.
Teeth in a single row laterally, an outer enlarged row anteriorly in
jaws; teeth on vomer and palatine. Preopercle entire. A single
dorsal with a few spines. Anal with 3 spines. Caudal rounded or
truncate. Lateral line double, 7.e. interrupted, the anterior portion
running high up near the dorsal fin.
Small fishes from Indian and East Indian seas. Together with a
few other genera, this genus is often included in a separate family,
the Pseudochromidae, but in Regan’s (1913) opinion there is no real
justification for separating them from the Serranidae.
*Pseudochromis natalensis Regan.
1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus,., vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 167.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, ibid., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 347.
Depth of body equal to length of head, 32 in length of body. Hye
equal to snout, 4 in length of head ; interorbital width 6 in length of
head. Maxilla nearly reaching to below centre of eye. Gill-rakers
10 on lower part of anterior arch. D III 26, 3rd spine longest.
A III 17, 2nd spine stronger than but about equal in length to 3rd.
1
Caudal rounded. Scales: Lr. 48; Ltr ; 4-5 series on cheek.
494 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—90 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, back darker, snout and vertical fins blackish.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
Fam. 12. PLESIOPIDAR.
In general similar to the Serranidae, but with only 2-4 rays in the
ventral fin, the Ist being simply bifid and often thickened and pro-
duced. Supramaxilla present. One to four lateral lines.
A small family of Indo-Pacific-Australasian fishes.
Gen. PLEstops Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. ii, p. 266.
Body compressed. Scales large, ctenoid. Mouth moderate. Maxilla
exposed. Teeth villiform in jaws, with slightly enlarged canines ;
teeth on vomer and palatines, none on tongue. Preopercle and
opercle entire, without spines. Gill-rakers short. A single dorsal,
membrane deeply notched between the spines, spinous portion much
longer than soft. Anal short, with 3 spines. Ventral with 4 rays, Ist
thickened and produced, 3rd and 4th small and slender. Caudal
rounded. Two lateral lines.
Plesiops mgricans (Riipp).
Long-fin.
1828. Ruppell, Atl. Fische Roth. Meer., p. 15, pl. iv, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 128, pl. xxxi, fig. 5.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 335 (references and synonymy).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 3-3} in length of
body. Eye 34-44 in length of head, snout about equal to interorbital
width. Snout convex, obtuse, jaws equal. D XI-XII 6-7, spines
increasing in length to last, which is nearly } length of head, and $
longest soft ray. A III 6-8. Ventral with Ist ray prolonged, reaching
2
10
origin of anal. Scales: upper 1.1. 28-30; lower 1.1. 14-16; Ltr.
(Plate XX, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 190 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or blackish, uniform or each scale with a
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 495
bluish spot, a more or less distinct blue or black, light-edged ocellus
on opercle and base of pectoral, fins dark.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Fam. 13. KUHLITDAE.
Body oblong, compressed, with large ctenoid scales. Mouth large,
protractile. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone. No sub-
ocular shelf. Teeth villiform in jaws and on palate. Nostrils paired.
Gill-membranes free fromisthmus. Gills 4,aslit behind 4th. Pseudo-
branchiae well developed. A single dorsal, notched between spinous
and soft portions, the former well developed. Anal spines 3. Dorsal
and anal fins in a well-developed sheath. Ventrals thoracic, with a
spine and 5 rays, without axillary process. Air-bladder present.
Pyloric caeca moderately numerous. Lateral line single.
Gen. KuuHiia Gill.
fsoh. Gill, Proc. Ac: Sci. Philad., p. 48.
1906. Fowler, zbid., vol. lvii, p. 512 (Boulengerina non Dollo).
1912. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xlu, p. 655 (Safole).
1913. Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. 1, p. 374 (revision).
1915. Boulenger, Cat. F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. 11, p. 92.
With the characters of the family.
An Indo-Pacific genus of small or moderate-sized fishes, some of
which are frequently found entering rivers.
The limits of some of the species are difficult to define, and Boulenger
and Regan are not in agreement on this matter.
Key to the South African species.
1. Scales: 1.1. 40-45. Gill-rakers 16-19. Caudal with 2 dark spots (young) or a
dark margin (adult) . : : : : . rupestris.
2. Scales: 1.1. 50-56. Gill-rakers 23-28.
a. Caudal with 5 longitudinal dark bands , : 5 . taentura.
6. Caudal with dark posterior margin ; : : ; : malo.
Kuhlia rupestris (Lacép.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pp. 252, 273.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 67, ‘pl XVill, fig. 1 1 (Dules marginatus).
a el —
496 Annals of the South African Museum.
1915. Boulenger, Cat. F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. iii, p. 93, femae
(references and synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thomson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 321 (references and synonymy).
Depth 24-38, length of head 22-34, in length of body. Snout 2-14
diameter of eye, which is 34-54 in length of head ; interorbital width
3-33 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below middle of eye
(young) or beyond. Gill-rakers 16-19 on lower part of anterior arch.
D X 11, 4th or 5th spine longest, 4-2 length of head, last spine much
longer than penultimate. A III 10, base longer than its distance from
caudal. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 11. 40-45; Ltr. z (Plate
XO hie. L)
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Bluish or olive above, silvery below, some or all of the
scales with a dark spot, soft dorsal and anal usually with one or more
series of spots; soft dorsal and each lobe of caudal in young with a
dark spot, spreading to form broad marginal bands in adult, with
narrow white edging.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Kuhla taenura (C. & V.).
Stripe-tail.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iti, p. 114.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 67, pl. xvi, fig. 2 (Dules argenteus).
1915. Boulenger, Cat. F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. 11, p. 95, fig. 77 (refer-
ences and synonymy).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 112 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol i, pt. 4,
p. 322 (references).
Depth 23-3, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Snout 3
diameter of eye, which is 23-3} in length of head, and equals inter-
orbital width. Maxilla extending to below anterior margin or third
of eye. Gill-rakers 23-26 on lower part of anterior arch. D X 9-11,
4th or 5th spines longest, 3-} length of head, last spine as long as or
longer than penultimate. A III 10-11, base as long as, or slightly
longer than, its distance from caudal. Caudal deeply forked. Scales: ~
1. 50-55; Ltr, ——.
1.1. 50-55 etd
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 497
Length Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker on back; tip of soft dorsal black; caudal
with 5 black bands, one along middle rays, and 2 pairs converging
posteriorly.
Locality.—East London and Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
*Kuhlia malo (C. & V.)
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vu, p. 479.
iva peoumenser, Cat. E.W. Wish. Air., vol. im, .p. 96, fig. 78
(references and synonymy).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 111 (references and
synonymy).
Depth 24-34, length of head 3-32, in length of body. Snout 4-2
diameter of eye, which is 24-3 in length of head ; interorbital width
3 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below anterior margin
or fourth of eye. Giull-rakers 25-28 on lower part of anterior arch.
D X 11, 4th or 5th spines longest, $—3 length of head, last spine longer
than penultimate. A III 11-12, base much longer than its distance
4—7
from caudal. Caudal deeply forked. Scales: 1.1. 50-56; Ltr. os
Length.—Up to 235 mm. . 3
Colour.—Silvery, back darker, caudal with dark posterior edge.
Locality.—South African seas.
Mstribution.—Indo-Pacific to Queensland.
A specimen in the British Museum apparently constitutes the
only record for these waters. Regan identifies this specimen with
his splendens, from the fresh waters of Rodriquez and Mauritius.
Boulenger regards splendens as a synonym of malo.
Fam. 14. PRIACANTHIDAE.
Big-eyes.
Body oblong-ovate, compressed, with small rough ctenoid scales,
which have the posterior border more or less thickened to form a
hard plate. Mouth large, very oblique or almost vertical. Lower
jaw prominent. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone. No
subocular shelf. Teeth villiform in jaws and on palate ; none on tongue.
Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit
498 Annals of the South African Museum.
behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae very large. A single dorsal fin, not
notched, spinous portion rather longer than soft. Anal spines 3.
Ventrals thoracic, with a spine and 5
rays, without axillary process, inner ray
joined to abdomen by membrane. Air-
bladder large. Pyloric caeca few.
Lateral line single.
A small family of carnivorous fishes
from tropical and subtropical seas, chiefly
from deep water. Its external distin-
guishing features are the peculiar scales
(text-fig. 20) and the large pseudo-
branchiae. Osteologically it is charac-
terised by the abbreviation of the posterior part of the skull and
a reduction in the number of vertebrae.
Fic. 20.—Scale of Priacan-
thus arenatus.
Gen. PRIACANTHUS Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 1, p. 281.
Scales very small, 70-120 in longitudinal rows. Dorsal spines in-
creasing in length posteriorly. None of the spines in the fins very
strong, often spinulose and roughened or feebly striate. Preopercle
with a more or less developed spine, without a submarginal row of
denticles.
Key to the South African species.
1. Tenth dorsal spine not more than twice as long as 2nd.
a. Dorsal soft rays 12-13, anal 13-14 ‘ . é : . cruentatus.
b. Dorsal and anal rays 14-15 . : : ; u 5 . hamrur.
2. Tenth dorsal spine more than twice as long as 2nd ‘ : é boops.
Priacanthus cruentatus (Lacép.).
Big-eye.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 522, pl. u1, fig. 3.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vu, p. 13, pl. eccli, fig. 5 (carolinus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 48, pl. viii, fig. 2 (blochzt).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 229, fig. 94.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 337 (references and synonymy). :
PLATE XXI.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Kuhlia rupestris (Lac.) (after Day) : . . : : ; . 495
2. Priacanthus cruentatus (Lac.) (after Day) : : a : . 498
3. Branchiostegus doliatus (C. and V.) (after Day) . . : ' . 502
4. Acanthocepola abbreviata (C. and V.) (after Day) . t : : . 503
Plate: 3 XT
eRe TT,
Vol
OF)
Ann. S. Afr. Mus
:
so
OME,
.
SX
Hidiaw mee ==
4
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 499
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser.,
vol. xv, p. 488, pl. lil.
Depth 24-23, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Snout 4-3
diameter of eye, which is 23-2 in length of head. Preopercular spine
rather strong, serrated. Gull-rakers 16-18 on lower part of anterior
arch. D X 12-13, last spine 12-2 times as long as second and 2-4
length of head. A III 14. Spines rather strongly spinulose. Caudal
eee (Pe OT A 2)
truncate. Scales: 1.1. 62-76; L.tr.
48-56
Length.—Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Red, silvery below, soft dorsal and anal and caudal with
more or less distinct red or grey spots, back often with indistinct
dark cross-bars or blotches.
Locality.— Algoa Bay, Natal coast.
Distribution.—Circumtropical.
Priacanthus hamrur (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 45.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. vu, p. 13, pl. cecliu, fig. 3.
edo. Goulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. i, p. 355
(references and synonymy).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson,’ Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 148 (arenatus non. C. and V.).
1917. Ld., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 337 (arenatus non
C7and V.):
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 12 (alalaua
non Jord. and Everm.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 227.
Depth 24-34, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Snout 4-2
diameter of eye, which is 24-24 in length of head. Preopercular spine
strong in young, indistinct in old specimens. Gill-rakers 18-23 on
lower part of anterior arch. D X 14-15, last spine 14-13 times as
long as 2nd and 3-2 in length of head. A III 14-15. Spines feebly
spinulose or merely striate. Caudal truncate in young, crescentic in
adult, the lobes more or less produced. Scales: 1.1. 75-85 ; ltr. ——
Length.— Up to 360 mm.
Colour.—Red, silvery below; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal usually
(especially in young) blackish towards margins; ventrals with black
membrane, white rays.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 33
500 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—EKast London, Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay,
Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas to China and Japan.
*Priacanthus boops (Forst.).
1801. Forster in Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 308.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., pp. 119, 127, pl. xiv, fig. 1;
pl. xvi, fig. 3 (macropus and alticlarens).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 127 (references).
Depth 23-28, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Snout 3-3
diameter of eye, which is 24-23 in length of head. Preopercular spine
relatively smaller in adult than young. Gill-rakers 18 on lower part
of anterior arch. D X 12-13, last spine 23-3 times as long as 2nd
and 2-3 length of head. A III 12-13. Caudal truncate. Scales:
10-12
45-53,
Length.—Up to 480 mm.
Colour.—Red, silvery below, fins with narrow blackish edge, ventrals
black between the rays.
Locality.—Cape of Good Hope.
Distribution. — South Atlantic, Indian, and Western Pacific
Oceans.
Sir Andrew Smith’s specimen in the British Museum appears to be
the only record of this species from South Africa.
1.1. 50-66; Ltr.
Fam. 15. BRANCHIOSTEGIDAE.
Body more or less elongate, with small ctenoid scales. Mouth
terminal, protractile. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental bone.
Subocular shelf present. Teeth villiform in jaws, a blunt canine often
present on hind end of premaxilla ; palate toothless. Nostrils paired.
Gill-membranes united but free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind
4th. Pseudobranchiae present. A sifigle dorsal fin, spinous portion
less developed than soft. Anal long, with 1 or 2 spines. Ventrals
thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process. Air-bladder
present. Pyloric caeca few or none. Lateral line single, continuous.
Moderate or large fishes from temperate and tropical seas.
To this family belongs the Tile Fish (Lopholatilus) of the North
American coast, which was destroyed, presumably by a sudden change
in temperature of the water, in vast quantities in 1882. It was believed
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 501
to have become extinct, as it was not rediscovered in its old haunts
until a decade later.
Gen. BRANCHIOSTEGUS Raf.
1815. Rafinesque, Anal. Nat.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 368
(Latilus).
1925. Jordan and Hubbs, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 248.
Body rather elongate. Soft dorsal and anal rays in moderate
number. Pectoral with middle ray longest, those below it abruptly
shorter. Preopercle denticulate. No fleshy appendages on nape or
lips. Pyloric caeca few.
Key to the South African species.
1. No cross-bars. Base of dorsal black. Lateral line 60-65 . japonicus.
2. Numerous cross-bars. Lateral line 100-115 : . doliatus.
Branchiostegus japonicus (Hout.).
1782. Houttyn, Holl. Maats. Weet. Haarlem, vol. xx, p. 311.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 369
(argentatus).
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 489
(references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 348 (argentatus).
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 15.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 249
(argentatus).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 34-4 in length of
body. Eye 14 in snout, 4 in length of head, equal to or slightly less
than interorbital width. A few canines at symphysis of jaws, at
hind end of lower jaw, and one at hind end of upper jaw. Gill-rakers
11-12 on lower part of anterior arch. DVII14. AII11-12. Caudal
subtruncate. Scales: 1.1. 60-65.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Crimson or rose-coloured, a black medio-longitudinal
streak from -interorbital to dorsal fin, membrane of dorsal black at
base.
502 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast, 20-60 fathoms.
Distribution.—Seas of China and Japan.
This is a common food-fish in Japan.
Fowler’s description varies a little from the above, especially as
regards the coloration.
Branchiostegus doliatus (C. and V.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 371,
plexes.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 348. .
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu, p. 15.
Depth 33-33, length of head 33—-3$, in length of body. Hye 24-3
in length of head, greater than snout, which equals interorbital width.
Canine teeth at symphysis of jaw, on hind end of lower jaw, and one
at hind end of upper jaw. Gill-rakers 10-11 on lower part of anterior
arch. DVI15-16. AII12. Caudal truncate or slightly emarginate.
(Plate XXT, fig: 3.)
_ Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Rose-coloured, silvery, with numerous dark vertical cross-
bars on upper part of body, a dark opercular spot.
Locality.—Natal coast, 50-183 fathoms.
Distribution.—lle de France, Indian Ocean.
Fam. 16. CEPOLIDAE.
Band-fishes.
Body very elongate, strongly compressed, with small cycloid scales.
Mouth oblique, protractile. Maxilla exposed, without supplemental
bone. Subocular shelf absent, or very narrow. Teeth villiform in
‘jaws; none on palate. Nostrils paired. Gull-membranes separate,
free from isthmus. Gills 4. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal and
anal very long, without spines, confluent with the reduced caudal.
Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process.
Air-bladder large. Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line very obscure or
absent.
The Band-fishes are aberrant Serranids (Regan, 1913), perhaps most
nearly related to the Branchiostegidae (Jordan and Fowler, 1903).
They inhabit the tropical and subtropical shores of Europe and Asia,
and are all of a bright red colour.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 503
Gen. ACANTHOCEPOLA Blkr.
1874. Bleeker, Teach Ak. Amsterd., vol. viii, p. 369.
Preopercle armed with 4-8 blunt spines. Dorsal rays simple,
indistinctly articulate.
* Acanthocepola limbata (C. and V.).
Black-spotted Band-fish.
1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 402
(limbata and marginata).
1854. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxvi, p. 109 (mesoprion).
1888. Day, Fish. India Suppl., p. 796 (¢ndica).
1889. Zd., Fauna Ind. Fishes, vol. i, p. 329 (andica).
1902. Jordan and Evermann, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 363,
fig. 26 (mesoprion).
1903. Jordan and Fowler, zbid., vol. xxvi, p. 792, fig.
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 9-12 in length of body.
Hye twice snout, 14 times interorbital width, 22-3} in length of head.
Preopercle with 6-8 spines. D and A very long, more than 90 rays
(ca. 105). Scales very small (over 300); no lateral line.
Length.—Up to 325 mm.
Colour.—Red, uniform, an oval black spot on dorsal fin between
8th and 11th rays, anal (and sometimes also dorsal) with a narrow
dark margin.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Japan, Formosa, India.
This species is introduced into the fauna-list with some doubt.
The late A. W. Baily, a well-known resident of Delagoa Bay and a
keen fisherman, showed me in 1912 a specimen which had been dried
as a curio. Mr. Baily assured me it had been caught in Delagoa
Bay; he was unwilling to part with the specimen, and at the time
I only took rough notes. On Mr. Baily’s death, a few years later,
inquiries failed to elicit any information as to the whereabouts of the
specimen.
The presence of the preopercular spines and the black spot on the
dorsal lead me to identify it with the Japanese species.
The figure on Plate XXI is that of an allied species, A. abbreviata
C. and V., without a black spot on the dorsal fin.
504 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 17. HoPLEGNATHIDAE.
Body oblong, moderately compressed, with very small ctenoid
scales. Mouth not protractile. Maxilla not concealed. Subocular
shelf present. Teeth in jaws united into a sharp trenchant edge (like
the beak in the Scaridae), the internal flat basal portion in upper jaw
with a few tubercles or granules ; none on vomer or palatines. Nostrils
paired. Guill-membranes broadly united but free from isthmus. Gills
4, a shit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. A single dorsal fin.
Anal spines 3. Soft dorsal and anal scaly at their bases. Ventrals
thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process. Caudal trun-
cate or emarginate, scaly. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few.
Lateral line single.
This family contains a single genus with a few species from South
Africa, Japan, Australia, and the Peruvian coast.
The relationships of this family are not very clear, though evidently
there is no connection with the Scaridae, the peculiar parrot-like jaws
being a perfectly independent development.
Contrary to Regan’s statement (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xu,
p. 130, 1913) there is no free scaly process in the axil of the ventral
fin; consequently, for the sake of convenience, this family is grouped
with the other families without axillary processes, but without any
suggestion as to possible relationships to them.
Gen. HoPLEGNATHUS Rich.
1840. Richardson, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 27 (Oplegnathus).
1842. Id., Trans. Zool. Soc., vol. i, p. 144 (corrected spelling).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 35 (Ichthyorhamphos).
1900. Waite, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. iii, p. 212.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 76.
1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 168.
With the characters of the family.
The genus is divided into two: Hoplegnathus proper, with the
spinous dorsal nearly or quite twice as long as the 11—14-rayed soft
portion, and interorbital space naked : conway? and woodwardi, South
Africa and Australia.
Scarostoma Kner, with the spinous dorsal slightly less than or not
more than 12 as long as the 15—21-rayed soft portion, and interorbital
space scaly : fasciatus, punctatus, insignis, robinsoni, Japan, Peru, and
Natal.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 505
It should be noted that the number of soft dorsal rays in the various
species forms a continuous series from 11-21, and that the character
of the opercular spine, mentioned by Regan, is unreliable.
Key to the South African species.
1. Interorbital space scaleless ‘ : : ; : : . conway.
2. Interorbital space scaly : : ; , . robinsont.
Hoplegnathus conwayi Rich.
Parrot-fish ; Pappegaai-vis ; Bastard Galjoen.
1840. Richardson, loc. cit., p. 27.
1842. Id., loc. cit., vol. 11, p. 144, pl. vu, fig. 1.
1861. Castelnau, loc. cit., p. 35 (Ichthyorhamphos papper), and (?)
note on p. 7 (Scarus sp.).
1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. im, p. 56,
fig. (algoensis) (young).
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 75 (papper) (references).
Depth 2 (juv.)—22 (adult), length of head 22 (juv.)—3} (adult), in
length of body. Hye 24 (juv.)—54 (adult) in length of head, in adult
slightly less than snout, and 2 in interorbital width. Preopercular
margin serrulate in young. Opercular spine pointed in young,
pointed or more or less rounded in adult, sometimes the edge is
irregularly worn, appearing to be serrate. Gill-rakers 15-17 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XII 11—-13(14), spinous portion nearly or
quite twice as long as soft portion, middle spines longest, 3 length of
longest rays in young, but not more than half in adult, margin of soft
fin straight or somewhat concave in adult. A III 11(-12), 3rd spine
longest, nearly twice shortest (last) ray in young, but scarcely longer
than it in adult, soft fin similar to soft dorsal, longest ray about equal
to longest dorsal ray. Ventrals reaching to vent in young, only half-
way between their bases and vent in adult. Caudal slightly emar-
ginate. Scales: 1.1. 70-77; ca. 25-27 between 1.1. and origin of dorsal.
Interorbital space scaleless. Pyloric caeca 5. (Plate XXII, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Head and back very dark brown or bluish blackish, cheeks,
breast and belly silvery, fins dark; soft dorsal, anal, and ventrals
blackish. Young (up to 150 mm.) yellow, with a dark vertical band
through eye, and a broader one connecting the soft dorsal and anal ;
axil of pectoral dark ; fins light, except the ventrals, the greater part
of the anal, and a part of the soft dorsal, which are dark.
506 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Algoa Bay to Natal.
The type of conway originally in the Haslar collection does not
appear to be in the British Museum, that of pappez is probably lost,
and that of algoensis appears likewise to be lost.
That the habitat of the original specimen of conwayi was unknown,
though considered by Richardson to be Australia, is no reason for
not adopting that specific name. The South African fish agrees
exactly with Richardson’s description, and conwayi has never been
found in Australia. Its place there is taken by the striped species
woodwardt.
The food of the Parrot-fish consists of Echinoderms, Crustacea, and
Gorgonia corals.
Allied species in Japan are valued as food-fishes, but in South
African waters the fish is too uncommon to have any importance.
It was probably a head of this species that Castelnau saw in the
South African Museum and referred to the genus Scarus (Castelnau,
loc. cit., p. 7. Note at end of systematic index).
*Hoplegnathus robinsoni Regan.
1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 168.
1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, ibid., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 348.
Depth 1?, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 4 in length of
head, less than snout and than interorbital width. Preopercular
margin serrate. Opercular spine pointed. D XI 21, spinous portion
much less than twice as long as soft portion, middle spines longest,
nearly 4 length of head, anterior soft rays much the longest, a little
longer than head. A III 15, 3rd spine longest, anterior rays the
longest, similar to soft dorsal. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 110 ima
longitudinal series. Interorbital space scaly.
Length.—150 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with 5 black subvertical cross-bands, the first
through eye, the last at base of caudal fin, which has a black
edge.
Locality. —Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
This species, which is known only from the type, is very similar in
colour-markings to the Australian woodwardi, and, to a lesser extent,
to the Japanese fasciatus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 507
Fam. 18. SILLAGINIDAE.
Smelts.
Body elongate, with moderate-sized ctenoid scales. Mouth small,
terminal, little protractile. Maxilla concealed beneath the enlarged
preorbital. Subocular shelf present. Teeth in villiform bands in
jaws and on vomer. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes united, but
free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae
present. Two dorsal fins, lst short, 2nd long. Anal similar to 2nd
dorsal, with two small spines. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5
rays, without axillary process. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca
few. Lateral line single.
A small family of Indo-Pacific coastal fishes, which in Australia
and Japan are of commercial value. They frequently ascend tidal
rivers.
Neither the Natal name of Smelt nor the Australian name of Whiting
has any reference to the European fishes of the same names.
Gen. S1LnLaGo Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 1, vol. 11, p. 258.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 486.
With the characters of the family.
Four other genera have been instituted, which seem, however,
scarcely worthy of full generic rank.
Key to the South African species.
1. Ventral fin with slender spine.
a. Uniform . : : : : q E : : ’ sthama.
b. With blackish lateral blotches : : : ; f . maculata.
2. Ventral fin with thickened, curved spine : : ; : chondropus.
Sillago sihama (Forsk.).
Smelt.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 70.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 265, pl. lvii, fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 348 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 248.
508 Annals of the South African Museum.
Depth 53-64, length of head 34-4, in length of body. Eye 14 in
interorbital width, 2 in snout, 5 in length of head. Gill-rakers 7-9
plus 2-3 rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D XI-+I 20-21,
2nd spine not very elongate, about 3 length of head. A II 23-24.
Spine of the ventral fin normal, slender. Caudal emarginate. Scales :
L.1. 69-70 ; 1.tr.
—5
ae Cheek scales cycloid. (Plate XXII, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous above, lighter below, with a silvery sheen.
Locality.— Durban Bay, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas to Japan.
Frequents sandy bays.
*Sillago maculata Q. and G.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie Zool., p. 261, pl. lin, fig. 2.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. ccclxxxix, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 265, pl. Iviui, fig. 4.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 248.
Depth 52-53, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Hye 2?
(Day), 32-4 (Fowler) in length of head, 14-1? in snout. Gill-rakers
10 on lower part of anterior arch. D X—XI-+I 19-21, 2nd spine
rather less than 4 length of head, 3rd—5th subequal to one another.
6
A IT 20-23. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 70-72; Ltr. RET
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Greyish above, white below, with a silvery lateral band
and irregular dark blotches along side; upper half of Ist dorsal
blackish, 2nd dorsal and anal greyish along margins.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, to 8.E. Australia.
Frequents sandy bays and estuaries.
S. aeolus J. and E. 1902 from Formosa appears to be closely allied.
Sillago chondropus Blkr.
1849. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxu, p. 61.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 348 (references).
Depth 53-64, length of head 4~44, in length of body. Eye 14 in
interorbital width, 24 in snout, 64—7 in length of head. Gill-rakers 7
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 509
plus 2-3 rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D XI-+I 20-21,
2nd spine not very elongate, about } length of head. A IJ 22-23.
Spine of the ventral fin shortened and much thickened, curved.
Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 70; L-tr. Cheek scales ctenoid.
es
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Uniform light greenish-brown above, lighter below, with
a silvery sheen.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indian Archipelago.
Fam. 19. PoMATOMIDAE.
Body oblong, compressed, with moderate-sized cycloid scales.
Mouth large, oblique. Maxilla exposed, with supplemental bone.
A subocular shelf. Preopercle with a membranous flap produced over
the subopercle. A single series of strong canine teeth in each jaw ;
an inner series of small depressed teeth in upper jaw ; villiform teeth
on vomer, palatines, and tongue. Nostrils paired. Gull-membranes
separate, free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudo-
branchiae present. Two dorsal fins, the lst of about 8 weak, low
spines, depressible in a groove; 2nd dorsal similar to anal, elongate,
both scaly. Anal spines 1-2, very small and often hidden in skin.
Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process.
Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca very numerous.
A single species found in nearly all warm seas and known by various
names: Bluefish, Skipjack, etc.
Gen. Pomatomus (Lacép).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 436.
With the characters given above. Preopercle slightly notched above
angle, lower margin finely serrated.
Pomatomus saltator (Linn.).
Elft (Cape) ; Shad (Natal).
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. i, p. 293.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 225,
pl. celx.
510 Annals of the South African Museum.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 41 (Lemnodon conidens).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, pp. 128, 129 (references
and synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 338 (references and synonymy).
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 56, p. 291.
1921. Waite, Rec. 8. Austr. Mus., vol. ii, p. 103, fig. 159.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 25 (references
and synonymy).
Depth 34-4, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye equal
to snout and to interorbital in young, twice in these distances in
adult, 4(young)—7 in length of head. Maxilla reaching to below
posterior third of eye in young, beyond hind margin of eye in adult.
Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D VII-VIII+I1
24-26. A II 26-28, lst spine very small, often concealed. Scales :
Il. 90-100 ; Ltr. z (Plate XXII, fig. 3.)
19-20
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish or greenish above, a blackish blotch at base
of pectoral.
Locality.—Port Nolloth and Table Bay (occasional), False Bay to
Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Nearly all temperate and tropical seas.
The habits of the Elft are not too well known. The eggs are pelagic
and it seems probable that the spawning grounds lie in the deeper off-
shore waters. The young migrate inshore and appear in immense
shoals. On the East coast of America they appear in early summer
and follow the shoals of menhaden (one of the Clupeidae) northwards.
At the Cape they appear at the same season (September—November)
in the shoal waters of False Bay. Later in the season (December—
March) the adults appear, and at the same time the younger fish
seem to disappear. At Delagoa Bay I have seen large Elit caught
in October.
The Elft caught in Table Bay have probably been over-carried
round the Cape Point in pursuit of their prey. Those appearing at
Port Nolloth, however, are more likely stragglers from Atlantic shoals
further to the north. I have no records of its occurrence from Wal-
fish Bay or other localities on the coast of South West Africa, though
Pellegrin (1914, Ann. Inst. Oc., vol. vi, pt. 4, p. 68) records it from
Praya Amélia in Angola.
Its food appears to be chiefly mackerel, maasbankers, sardines,
—-—
————EEEOe ee ee
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 511
harders; and at certain seasons young pelagic cuttle-fish (Loligo).
The Port Nolloth captures are recorded as feeding chiefly on Pipe-fish.
An interesting account of the Elft, from the angling point of view,
was published by Mr. C. L. Biden, in “ Sporting World and Outdoor
Life,” vol i, No. 2, pp. 16, 17; No. 3, p. 43; No. 4, pp. 34, 35, Cape
Town, 1922, from which several of the facts given above are taken.
Fam. 20. RHACHICENTRIDAE.
1909, Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. ii, p. 68.
Body elongate, subcylindrical, with very small smooth scales. Head
broad, depressed. Mouth large, slightly protractile. Maxilla ex-
panded posteriorly. No suborbital shelf. Teeth villiform, in bands
in jaws and on vomer, palatine, and tongue. Nostrils paired. Gills 4,
a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Spinous dorsal of 8 low,
equal, separate and depressible spines. Soft dorsal and anal rather
long. Anal spines 2, weak. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays,
without axillary process. Air-bladder absent. Pyloric caeca branched.
Lateral line single.
A single genus and species.
Gen. RHACHYCENTRUM Kaup.
1826. Kaup, Isis, vol. xix, p. 89 (Rachycentron).
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 328
(Elacate).
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. and N. Amer., vol. i,
p- 948 (Rachycentron).
With the above characters.
*Rhachycentrum canadus (Linn.).
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 491.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 256, pl. lv, fig. 2 (Elacate nigra).
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. and N. Amer., vol. 1,
p. 948 (references).
1920. Robinson, Rep. Nat. Fish., 1919, p. 48 (Hlacate migra: Pro-
digal Son).
Depth about 7, length of head about 33-4, in length of body. Eye
about 9 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below anterior margin
of eye. Lower jaw projecting. D VIII+I 26-35. A II 25-29.
512 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pectoral somewhat falcate. Caudal rounded in young, then obliquely
truncate and in adult emarginate. (Plate X XVII, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 1500 mm. (5 ft.).
Colour.—Brownish, silvery below, a dark longitudinal stripe along
base of dorsal and another along side ; fins dark, with blackish edges ;
edges of caudal lobes whitish.
Distribution.—Tropical parts of Atlantic, Indian seas to Japan.
This species is included here solely for the sake of compdrfison. Mr.
R. Robinson’s identification is probably erroneous, as there is another
fish, Elagatis bipinnulatus (p. 562), which bears the same colloquial
name “ Prodigal Son,”’ and the generic name (Hlacate) might easily be
confounded with Hlagatis.
Fam. 21. APOGONIDAE.
Cardinal Fishes.
Body oblong or elongate, with rather large cycloid or ctenoid scales.
Mouth large, oblique, protractile. Maxilla exposed. Subocular shelf
present or absent. Teeth villiform in jaws, and on vomer and palatines;
canines sometimes present in jaws. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes
free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae
present. Two dorsal fins (sometimes almost contiguous at base),
spinous dorsal with 5-9 spines. Anal fin short, with 2 or 3-4 spines.
Ventral fins thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process.
Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few or moderately numerous.
Lateral line single.
Small or moderate-sized fishes, chiefly from the Indo-Pacific region ;
some are found in fresh waters and others are deep-water forms.
As there is considerable divergence of opinion as to the systematic
position of Scombrops, Acropoma, and allied forms, I have included
them in the present family, following Jordan and Snyder (1901).
Regan (1913) places Acropoma in the Serranidae, Scombrops in the
Pomatomidae. Jordan (1923) makes separate families of the Scom-
bropidae and Acropomatidae. The value of the anterior position of
the vent as a character in Acropoma is lessened by Radcliffe’s (1912)
discovery of certain species of Chilodipterus (Paramia) showing inter-
cradations between the two extremes.
The name of the family should be as above, because Apogon has
page precedence over Chilodipterus.
Oral gestation occurs in several species of Apogon and Chilodipterus
(vide infra).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 513
Key to the South African genera.
I. Vent normal in position (not far in front of origin of anal fin).
A. Anal spines 2. Soft dorsal and anal short (Chilodipterinae).
1. No canines in jaws.
a. Palatines with teeth. Preopercle with a double ridge
Apogon.
b. Palatines toothless. Preopercle without a double ridge
Epigonus.
c. All teeth absent : : 5 : . Parahynnodus.
2. Canines in jaws.
a. First dorsal with 6 spines . ; ; . Chilodipterus.
b. First dorsal with 9 spines . ‘ . Synagrops.
B. Anal spines 3-4. Soft dorsal and anal athe indie (Scombropinae).
1. Canines in upper jaw. Vertical fins scaly . : Scombrops.
2. Only a pair of canines at symphysis. Vertical fins scaleless
Neoscombrops.
IJ. Vent far in front of anal fin, between the ventrals (Acropomatinae) Acropoma.
Gen. ApoGon Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. in, p. 411.
1901. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxii, p. 894.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. 11, A 3, p. 37 (post-larval stages).
Body oblong, with large ctenoid scales. Villiform teeth on jaws,
vomer, and palatines; no canines. Preopercle with a double ridge,
z.e. a submarginal ridge as well as the margin, the latter sometimes
serrate in the young. Soft dorsal and anal short. Anal with 2 spines.
Vent close in front of anal.
Numerous species in warm seas, mostly brightly coloured, the colour
and markings often being a valuable aid to identification.
In several species the male has been observed to carry the eggs in
the mouth until they hatch.
Key to the South African species.
I. First dorsal with 6 spines.
A. Anal with less than 10 soft rays.
1. Depth of body not more than twice in length . nigripes.
2. Depth more than twice in length.
a. Dark band from eye to pectoral . : . warrent.
6. Dark band from eye to upper margin of erele: above pectoral
sangiensis.
B Anal with more than 10 rays.
1. Without cross-bars . ; 2 ‘ ‘ macropterus.
2. With cross-bars ; : . : : lineolatus.
514 Annals of the South African Museum.
II. First dorsal with 7 spines (lst often very small).
A. Caudal rounded ; : : : : ; : - queketti.
B. Caudal emarginate.
1. Without longitudinal or transverse markings ; monochrous.
2. With longitudinal stripes.
a. Lateral line 23-28.
i. One stripe on each side.
a. Shallower. Second dorsal with a dark bar
frenatus.
fb. Deeper. Second dorsal with rows of spots
kallopterus.
ii. Two stripes on each side. : . quadrifasciatus.
iii. Five to six stripes on each side . . melanotaenia.
b. Lateral line 36-39. Seventeen stripes . ; . natalensis.
3. With transverse bands.
a. One band on caudal peduncle. 5 : : aureus.
b. One band from each dorsal fin. : : . bifasciatus.
c. Three bands and ocellus above pectoral fin . : duops.
A. fasciatus (White) has been recorded from Mozambique (Peters,
Wieg. Arch., 1855, p. 234), but as several forms have been included
under this name and as the synonymy of these longitudinally banded
forms is in a state of considerable confusion, it seems best not to in-
clude it in the actual fauna-list. The true fasciatus (White) is a New
South Wales fish.
A. roseus Fischer (1885, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Aust., vol. ii, p. 66)
from Mozambique is not an Apogon but an Ambassis (see p. 644).
Apogon nigripes Playf.
Black-fin Cardinal-fish.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 19, pl. v, fig. 1.
Depth at least $ length of body, length of head 2} in length of body.
Hye 24-22 in length of head. Lower jaw projecting. Preopercle finely
serrated on margin and submarginal ridge. Suprascapula serrated.
D VI-+1 8, 1st spine short, 2nd strong, equal to length of head with-
out snout. A II 8. Ventrals with the first 2 or 3 rays elongate,
reaching to middle of anal. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1]. 22-23.
Length.—Up to 115 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with silvery cross-bands, 1st dorsal, anterior
part of 2nd dorsal and anal, and upper and lower lobes of caudal
dusky, ventrals blackish.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Zanzibar.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 515
I found this species fairly common at Mozambique. It is easily
distinguished from all other South African species by its deep body
and the long dark ventral fins.
*Apogon warren Regan.
Warren's Cardinal-fish.
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 251, pl. xii.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 341.
Depth of body equal to length of head, 2$ in length of body. Hye
34 in length of head. Lower jaw shorter than upper. Preopercle ?
D VI-+I1 9, 1st spine short, 2nd much stronger and a little longer
than 3rd. AII 8. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 25.
Length.—50 mm.
Colour.—A dark band from eye to base of pectoral and an elongate
dark spot on caudal peduncle.
Locality.—Kosi Bay, Zululand.
Type in British Museum.
Very closely allied to the following species, sangiensis, but differing
in the position of the dark band on the head.
*Apogon sangiensis Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. xii, p. 375.
1876. Id., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 95, pl. cecxix, fig. 4.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 64, pl. xvu, fig. 3.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 229.
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 458.
Depth of body equal to length of head, 22 in length of body. Eye
3 in length of head. Jaws equal. Outer edge of preopercle very finely
serrated. D VI-+1 9, lst spine short, 2nd stronger but a little shorter
than 3rd. A II 8-9. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 24-25.
Length—Up to 85 mm.
Colour.—Golden, a dark band from snout through eye to upper edge
of opercle (above base of pectoral), a dark spot on base of caudal fin,
upper margin of Ist dorsal black, anal more or less spotted with blue.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 34
516 Annals of the South African Museum.
Apogon macropterus C. and V.
Orange-spotted Cardinal-fish.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. u, p. 160.
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. in, p. 724 (macropterovdes).
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 245 (bleeker7).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 103, pl. ccexlvi, fig. 2
(synonymy).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 64, pl. xvii, fig. 4 (synonymy).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagas. Poiss., p. 141.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth of body equal to length of head, 22-23 in length of body.
Hye 22-3 in length of head. Lower jaw slightly projecting. Angle
of preopercle serrate, inner ridge rectangular, with a small projecting
point. D VI+I 9, 2nd and 3rd spines about equal, 2nd not very
stout. A II 14-17. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 23-25.
Length—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white, with a pinkish tinge, with or without a
series of orange spots along side; fins pinkish, usually a black spot at
base of caudal fin.
Locality.— Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Specimens from Natal have the Ist dorsal spine scarcely less than
the 2nd in length, whereas those from Mozambique agree more with
Bleeker’s figure in having the lst spine only 4-4 as long as the 2nd.
The Mozambique specimens were coloured like Playfair and Giinther’s
var. b. (Fish. Zanzibar, p. 21).
One of the Mozambique specimens, 75 mm. in length, has the mouth
full of eggs.
* A pogon lineolatus C. and V.
Barred Cardinal-fish.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 160.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 47, pl. xu, fig. 1.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 244.
1870. Klunzinger, Verh. k.k. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xx, p. 710.
1921. Brit. Mus. Rep., p. 118 (Delagoa Bay).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 219.
Depth 3, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 24 in length of
head. Lower jaw slightly projecting. Outer margin of preopercle
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 517
serrate, inner ridge subquadrate. D VI+I 9, 2nd spine twice Ist,
not longer than 3rd. AII 14. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 26.
Length—Up to 75 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or reddish silvery, 12-13 darker narrow cross-
bars, a black spot at base of caudal fin; fins pinkish, 2 blue horizontal
stripes through eye.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Red Sea.
Apogon queketti Gulch.
Quekett’s Cardinal-fish.
1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 206, pl. xiv.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 340.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 13.
Depth 22-3, length of head 24-22, in length of body. Hye 32-4 in
length of head. Jaws about equal, or lower slightly projecting. Pre-
opercle with both margins entire in young and adult, but in latter outer
margin has 4 more or less distinct crenulations on the rounded angle.
D VII-+I1 8, spines graduated to 4th, which is longest. A II 8.
Caudal rounded. Scales: 1.1. 25-26. (Plate XXIV, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—About 7 longitudinal lines of dark spots, 3 dark cross-
bands, most marked in young, across the caudal peduncle, a dark
vertical band from lower margin of eye, a black patch on Ist dorsal
between 4th and 6th spines; 2nd dorsal, anal, and caudal with dark
margins.
A young specimen is brown, without any trace of dark spots or
bands, but with the black spot on Ist dorsal, and the pectoral speckled.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast, down to 42 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
This is the only species of Apogon in these waters which has a
rounded caudal fin. This feature and the spot on the lst dorsal
renders it easily identified.
Apogon monochrous Blkr.
Plain Cardinal-fish.
1856. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Indo-Neerl., vol. i, p. 34.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 236:
518 Annals of the South African Museum.
1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 168.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, ibid., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 340.
Depth 23, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 3 in length of
head. Jaws about equal. Outer edge of preopercle and suprascapula
serrated: D VII-+I 9-10, lst spine very short, 2nd half 3rd, which
is longest and strongest. A II 8-9. Caudal emarginate. Scales:
Ileal
Length.—Up to 115 mm.
Colour.—Golden, minutely dotted with brown, fins darker.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Hast Indies, Fiji Islands.
Giinther (Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 22) considers that this species
is synonymous with the earlier fuscus of Quoy and Gaimard (Voy.
Freyc. Zool., p. 345).
Apogon frenatus Val.
One-stripe Cardinal-fish.
1832. Valenciennes, Nouv. Arch. Mus., p. 57, pl. iv, fig. 4.
1833. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 32 (vittiger).
1873. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 19, pl. xix, fig. A.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 89, pl. ccexli, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 58, pl. xvi, fig. 4.
1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., 2nd ser. Zool., vol. xu, pt. 3,
p. 225 (vetteger).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 227.
Depth 3-34, length of head 23-22, in length of body. Eye 3 in
length of head. Jaws equal. Outer edge and inner ridge of preopercle,
suborbital, and suprascapula serrate. D VII-+I 9-10, lst spine very
short, 2nd half length of 3rd, which is longest, and about half length
of head. A II 8. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 25 (Giinther
gives 27-28).
Length.— Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or reddish, a dark longitudinal band from snout
to caudal peduncle, ending in a dark spot at base of caudal fin, mar-
gined above and sometimes also below by a more or less distinct pale
band, Ist dorsal blackish in front, a dark band along base of 2nd dorsal
and of anal, and along upper and lower margins of caudal.
Locality.—Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Mauritius, Indian seas, East Indies, New Guinea.
_————
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 519
*Apogon kallopterus Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Indo-Neerl., vol. 1, p. 33.
1876. Id., Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 89, pl. ccexxxvil, fig. 2.
1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 168.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, zbid., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 340.
Very similar to the preceding species but: depth 2? in length of
body, 2nd dorsal not higher than Ist, lst dorsal with dark vertical
bars, 2nd dorsal with several rows of dark spots.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
It seems very doubtful whether this form is specifically distinct from
frenatus.
*Apogon quadrifasciatus C. and V.
Two-stripe Cardinal-fish.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. u, p. 153.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 88, pl. cecxxxv, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 59.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 226.
(Non Jordan and Snyder, 1900, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxi,
p- 353).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 22 in length of body.
Kye 22-34 in length of head. Lower jaw slightly projecting. Pre-
opercular margin serrate, inner ridge entire. Suprascapula serrate.
D VII-+I 9, Ist spine very short, 2nd about 4 length of 3rd, which
about equals 4th. AII 8. Caudal emarginate. Scales: |. 25-26.
Length—Up to 105 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with 2 dark longitudinal bands, the lower
from snout through eye to caudal fin, the upper from eye to upper
part of caudal peduncle, no median band from interorbital to origin
of dorsal, a faint dark band along base of 2nd dorsal and anal fins.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Apogon melanotaenia Regan.
Five-stripe Cardinal-fish.
1905. Regan, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xvi, p. 320, pl. C, fig. 4.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 458.
520 Annals of the South African Museum.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 13.
Depth 22-3, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 23-3 in
length of head. Lower jaw shorter than upper. Suprascapula and
outer edge of preopercle serrate. D VII-+I 9, 1st spine very short,
2nd half length of 3rd, which is longest. A II 8. Caudal emargin-
ate. Scales: 1.1. 23-25.
Length. Up to 80 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with 5-6 black longitudinal stripes; 1st begins
as a median stripe on interorbital, divides and runs along base of dorsal
fins, uniting again on caudal peduncle ; 2nd from above eye to upper
part of base of caudal; 5rd from eye to middle of base of caudal, where
it ends in a spot; 4th from snout through pectoral to lower part of
base of caudal; 5th (often very faint) from lower jaw to anal; some-
times a faint additional stripe between the 2nd and 3rd extending to
below 2nd dorsal; a dark band on base of 2nd dorsal and anal.
Locality.— Natal coast, 0-33 fathoms.
Distribution.—Zanzibar, Nicobars, Mekran, and Kurrachee.
Apogon natalensis G. and T.
Natal Cardinal-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. §. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 49:
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 340.
1919. Regan, ibid., vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 197, fig. 1 (polylepis).
Depth 22-22, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Eye equal to
snout, 33-4 in length of head. Jaws equal. Preopercular edge very
finely serrate, the ridge entire or (smaller specimen) very finely serrate.
Suprascapula very finely serrate. D VII-VIII+I1 9-10, lst spine
very short, 2nd about half length of 3rd, which is subequal to 4th.
A II 8-9. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 36-39; Ltr. =
Length.— Up to 190 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with about 17 longitudinal dark stripes, Ist
dorsal black, a black spot at base of pectoral, margins of 2nd dorsal
and anal more or less dusky.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.— Kurrachee.
Type in South African Museum ; of polylepis in British Museum.
A. polylepis is clearly a synonym. The type has 5 scales between
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 521
spinous dorsal and lateral line, not 4 as in the original description.
The species is closely allied to noordzieki and multitaencatus.
Apogon aureus (Lacép.).
Annulate Cardinal-fish.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. iv, pp. 253, 273.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische Roth. Meer., p. 48 (annularvs).
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 490;
1830, vol. vi, p. 553 (rosevpinnis).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vu, p. 92, pl. cccxxxvii, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 61, pl. xvi, fig. 8.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 142.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 228.
1916. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 168 (annularis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, zbid., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 340 (annularis).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 24 in length of body.
Hye 23-3 in length of head. Lower jaw very slightly projecting.
Outer edge of preopercle serrate. D VII+I 9, Ist spine very short,
2nd about half length of 3rd, which is about equal to 4th. A II 8.
Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.]. 25-27.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Rosy or golden, a broad dark band round the caudal
peduncle at base of caudal fin, sometimes a blue stripe through eye
across opercle, Ist dorsal tipped with blackish, 2nd dorsal and anal
with narrow dark margins, in var. rosevpinnis C. and V. a violet band
along base of anal.
Locality — Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Easily distinguished from all other South African species by the
annular band on the tail. A. menesema Jenkins appears to be closely
allied (see Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 215, pl. xii, and fig. 86, 1905).
Ostorhinchus fleurieu Lacép. and Dipterodon hexacanthus Lacép.
cannot be included in the synonymy of this species, as the descriptions
of the dentition are not those of an Apogon at all.
*Apogon bifasciatus Riipp.
Two-banded Cardinal-fish.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 86, pl. xxii, fig. 2.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 81.
522 Annals of the South African Museum.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 62, pl. xvi, fig. 9.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 143.
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ui, p. 197.
Depth 24-23, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head. Lower jaw slightly projecting. Outer edge and inner ridge
of preopercle finely serrate. D VII+I 9, lst spine very short, 2nd
x length of 3rd, whichis longest. AII8. Caudal emarginate. Scales:
LJ. 25 (27-28).
Length—Up to 165 mm.
Colour.—Silvery or bronzy, a dark vertical cross-bar from Ist dorsal
to middle of side, a similar one from 2nd dorsal, a black spot at base
of caudal fin, 1st dorsal and anal blackish, a dark bar along base of
2nd dorsal.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas to China.
*A pogon duops nom. nov.
Ocellate Cardinal-fish.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 14, pl. 1, fig. 2
(Amia ocellata nom. preocc., Weber, 1913).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 24 in length of body.
Hye 3 in length of head according to figure (text says 7, which is clearly
an error). Jaws about equal. Outer border of preopercle serrate.
D VII-+I 9, Ist spine short, 2nd $ length of 3rd, which is longest.
A Il 8. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 24.
Length.—80 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, 3 black vertical cross-bands ; Ist and 2nd from
the two dorsals respectively, the 3rd on middle of caudal peduncle ; a
purple, white-edged ocellus in Ist band between lateral line and axil
of pectoral ; dorsals, anal, and ventrals blackish ; pectorals and caudal
yellowish.
Locality.—Natal coast, 27 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
Very close to, if not merely a variety of, wninotata S. and R. (1912,
Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xl, p. 436, pl. xxxiv, fig. 3) from the Philip-
pines. The preopercular margin is stated to be entire in uninotata,
but that seems to be the only structural difference. The presence or
absence of dark bands can well be merely a varietal character.
The new specific name is in allusion to the two “ eyes,” one on
each side.
PLATE XXII.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Sillago sihama (Forsk.) (after Day) ; : : ‘ : : = soe
2. Hoplegnathus conwayi Rich. (original photo) : : : : . 505
3. Pomatomus saltator (Linn.) (after C. and V.) , : ‘ ; . 509
4, Parahynnodus robustus n.g. et sp. (original) . . - : ; . §25
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate XXII.
r
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 523
Gen. Ericonus Raf.
1810. Rafinesque, Appendice, p. 64.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichth., p. 232.
Body rather elongate, with moderate-sized, deciduous, cycloid
scales. Villiform teeth on jaws, present or absent on vomer, palatines,
and tongue, but typically present on vomer and palatine in adult.
Preopercle without submarginal ridge, angle broadly rounded.
Opercle with usually 2 feeble spines. Soft dorsal and anal short, the
latter with 2 spines. Vent close in front of anal.
A genus of Atlantic deep-sea fishes.
Key to the South African species.
1. Depth 43 in length . : : ; i : ; ‘ . macrops.
2. Depth 32in length . : ; : : : : ‘ . telescopus.
*Enigonus macrops G. and v. B.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 14, pl. 1, fig. 3.
Depth 44, length of head about 3, in length of body. Hye 24 in
length of head, not quite twice length of snout. Maxilla extending to
below anterior third of eye. No teeth on vomer or palatines. Opercle
with 1 spine. Preopercle rounded but not produced backwards.
D VII-+1 9, 1st spine short, 2nd about 2 length of 3rd, 4th longest ;
spine of 2nd dorsal about equal to eye. A II 9.° Caudal emarginate.
4
Scales: 11.50; Ltr. —.
10
Length.—Up to 198 mm.
Colour.—Not stated.
Localhity.—Off west coast (30° 12’ 8., 14° 25’ E., and 31° 58’ S.,
16° E.), 510-670 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
This species is very probably the immature form of telescopus.
Epigonus telescopus (Risso).
1810. Risso, Ichth., p. 301, pl. ix, fig.-31, and ed. 2, p. 387.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 171,
pl. xxiv, and 1830, zbid., vol. vi, p. 495.
524 Annals of the South African Museum.
1856-44. Valenciennes in Webb and Berthelot, Ichth. Iles Canar.,
Deo. Olea:
1881. Moreau, Hist. Nat. Poiss. France, vol. ii, p. 387.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichth., p. 232.
Depth 33, length of head 22, in length of body. Eye equal to inter-
orbital width, 3 in length of head, 14 times the snout. Maxilla ex-
tending to below anterior third of eye. Teeth in narrow bands on
jaws, becoming a single series posteriorly ; those on palatines in bands
in several serles, twice as wide as bands on jaws; a circular patch on
vomer; none on tongue. Lower jaw not projecting. Both nostrils
ovate, without raised rims. Whole head, including snout, scaly.
Gill-rakers 15 on lower part of anterior arch, long and stout. Angle
of preopercle rounded and produced backwards, with some very
minute and feeble serrations. D VII-+I 10, lst spine not quite 4
length of 2nd, 4th longest, equal to eye. A II 9. Caudal forked.
Soft dorsal and anal scaly. Scales: 1.1. 55 (the last 4 or 5 on tail) ;
ee
11
Length.—Up to 560 mm.
Colour.— Uniform blackish, including mouth and branchial chamber
and peritoneum. :
Locality.—Off Saldanha Bay, 500 fathoms.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, Canaries, Madeira. According to
Valenciennes (1836-44, loc. cit.) occurs also at St. Helena.
The above description is taken from a very fine specimen, 500 mm.
in length, brought in by a trawler from approximately the same locality
as the preceding species, which it much resembles superficially. It is,
however, distinguished by its robust build, deeper body, and dentition.
It is possible that macrops is the immature form of telescopus.
The character of the dentition seems to be variable, as I am informed
by Mr. J. R. Norman, of the British Museum, who has examined several
specimens. Dr. Pellegrin, to whom I owe the reference to Moreau, has
examined three adults in the Paris Museum, all of which possess the
palatine teeth. The absence of palatine teeth has been regarded as
diagnostic of the genus in spite of the descriptions given by Cuvier
and Valenciennes (loc. cit., vi), and Moreau.
In the former description the number of pyloric caeca is given as
22. The present specimen, though otherwise in excellent condition,
has the internal organs in too poor a condition to determine the number
of pyloric caeca.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 525
PARAHYNNODUS nN. g.
Body rather elongate, with moderate-sized ctenoid scales. Head
scaleless. Eyeverylarge. No teeth in the jaws, or on palate or tongue.
Preopercle with submarginal ridge; outer margin thin, quadrate, en-
tire. Opercle with a low horizontal ridge ending in a spine. Maxilla
narrow, concealed beneath the narrow preorbital, except the posterior
end. First dorsal with 7 spines; 2nd dorsal with 8rays. Anal with 2
spines and 8 rays. Anal arising below posterior third of base of 2nd
dorsal. Caudal (?) emarginate. Vent close in front of anal. Lateral
line pores simple.
Close to Hynnodus Gilb. (1905, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxin,
pt. 2, p. 617), and especially to Scepterias Jord. and Jord. (1922, Mem.
Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 44), but differing in the complete absence of
teeth, fewer soft dorsal and anal rays, and slightly larger scales. Gil-
bert’s description of the lateral line scales in Hynnodus does not apply
to those of the Cape species.
Parahynnodus robustus n. sp.
Depth 42, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 24, snout 44,
interorbital width 4, in length of head. Maxilla extending to below
anterior third of eye. Lower jaw projecting, ending in 2 small points ;
2 pores below. Gill-rakers 22 on lower part of anterior arch; long,
strong, and closely set. D VII-+I 8, 1st spine very short, 3rd longest,
: 3
slightly longer than eye. A II 8. Scales: 1.1. 48; Ltr. i Pyloric
caeca 5. (Plate XXII, fig. 4.)
Length —170 mm.
Colour (preserved).—Pale, mouth and branchial chamber also pale,
peritoneum brown.
Locality. Off Cape Point, 460 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
The single specimen is well preserved, though the tail is broken, and
most of the scales except those along the lateral line are lost.
Gen. CHILODIPTERUS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iii, p. 539 (Chezlodipterus).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 144 (Paramia).
1912. Radcliffe, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xli, p. 441.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 239.
526 Annals of the South African Museum.
Body oblong, with large, deciduous, ctenoid scales. Villiform teeth
in jaws, and on vomer and palatines ; canine teeth also in jaws. Pre-
opercle with a submarginal ridge, outer edge serrate. Opercle without
spine. Soft dorsal and anal short. Anal with 2 spines. Caudal emar-
ginate. Vent about midway between anal and ventrals.
Tropical and subtropical small fishes from the shallow waters of the
Indo-Pacific region, distinguished from Apogon by the canines in the
jaws and the usually shallower body.
As in Apogon, oral gestation of the eggs by the male occurs in some
species of this genus.
Chilodipterus quinquelineata C. and V.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 167.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vu, p. 105, pl. eecxxvi, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 66.
1901. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxi, p. 907.
Depth 34-34, length of head 23-22, in length of body. Eye longer
than snout, 3 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below posterior
third of eye. D VI+I19. A II 8-9. Vent distant from anal 4 dis-
tance between anal and bases of ventrals. Scales: 1.1. 25.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, 5 black longitudinal stripes on each side, the
middle 3 starting on the head, the uppermost on each side unites
before and behind the dorsal fins to form a median stripe, base of
caudal yellowish, tip of 1st dorsal blackish.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Red Sea, Indian seas, East Indies, Western Pacific.
Gen. SYNAGROPS Gnuthr.
1883. Doderlein, Denkschr. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. xlvii, p. 5
(Melanostoma nom. preocc.).
1887. Giinther, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxu, p. 162.
1889. Alcock, J. As. Soc. Beng., vol. lviii, p. 296 (Parascombrops).
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichth., p. 236 (Hypoclydonia) and
p. 922.
1899. Alcock, Cat. Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus., p. 24.
1912. Radcliffe, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xl, p. 444.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 195.
Body rather elongate, with rather large, deciduous, cycloid scales.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 527
Villiform teeth in jaws, on vomer and palatines; strong canines in
jaws. Preopercle without submarginal ridge, its angle produced, with
fine serrations. Opercle with 2 spines. Soft dorsal and anal short.
Anal with 2 spines. Dorsal, anal, and ventral spines often serrate.*
Vent close in front of anal.
A deep-sea genus from the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
*Synagrops natalensis Gilch.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 111, p. 69.
Depth 4, length of head 3, in total length. Eye 33, snout 43, in
length of head. Lower jaw with 5 canines at side, 3 smaller ones in
front, and 1 at symphysis. DIX+I110. A II 8. Outer edge of
spine of ventral fin not serrate. Scales: 1.1. ca. 33.
Length.—Not stated.
Colour.—Not stated.
Locality.— Natal coast, 233 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
Gen. ScomBrops T. and S.
1846. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 118.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichth., p. 235.
HO Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxi,
p. 910.
Body elongate, with small, thin, cycloid scales. Strong canines
in jaws; a patch on vomer, and 2-3 series of sharp teeth on palatines.
Preopercle without submarginal ridge, its edge not serrate. Opercle
with 2 feeble spines. First dorsal with 8 feeble spines ; 2nd dorsal and
anal rather long. Anal with 3 spines. Vertical fins scaly. Vent not
far in front of anal fin.
A deep-sea genus from Japan and the West Indies.
Scombrops dubius Gilchr.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ui, p. 66, pl. x1,
fig, I’.
Depth 33-4, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 3-3§,
interorbital width 44-42, snout 4 in length of head. Lower jaw slightly
* Jordan (1922, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 44, footnote) places S. serratospinosa
Smth. and Rad. with serrated dorsal spines in a separate genus, Maccullochina.
528 Annals of the South African Museum.
projecting. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Giull-rakers 13-
15 on lower part of anterior arch, the anterior ones mere rudiments.
D VIII+I 138, 3rd spine longest, nearly 4 length of head. Space
between the dorsals (measured from spine to spine) about 4 in length
of head. A III 13. Pectoral 12-12, ventral 2, in length of head.
Scales: 1.1. 53-55. Pyloric caeca 8.
Length.—Up to 360 mm.
Colour (preserved).—Grey or brownish, with a violet tinge.
Locality False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Algoa Bay, Natal, 26-207
fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
The characters given by Gilchrist as differentiating this species from
the Japanese species boops are not too satisfactory, as Gilchrist him-
self indicated. But when to these characters is added the fact that
dubius has only 8 pyloric caeca as against 18 in boops (Giinther,
Challeng. Rep., vol. xxu, p. 14, 1887), the validity of the species would
seem to be assured. The West Indian species oculatus Poey has 10
pyloric caeca.
The stomachs of the specimens in the South African Museum
contain remnants of other fishes and of Squids (Loligo).
Gen. NEOScOMBROPS Gilch.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 67.
Body oblong, with thin, deciduous, cycloid scales. Villiform teeth
in jaws, with a pair of canines at symphysis of upper jaw, a similar
pair and a lateral series in lower jaw ; a patch on vomer, and a single
series on each palatine. Preopercle without submarginal ridge, angle
rounded, feebly denticulate. Opercle with 2 feeble spines. First dorsal
with 9 spines, 2nd rather long. Anal short, with 3 spines. Vertical
fins scaleless. Vent (?) normal.
A South African genus distinguished from Scombrops by the absence
of lateral canines in the upper jaw and by the scaleless fins.
Neoscombrops annectens Gilch.
1922. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 68, pl. xi, fig. 2.
Depth 34-34, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 3, snout
31, in length of head, the snout equal to the interorbital width.
Maxilla extending to below centre of eye. D IX-+I 9, 1st spine very
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 529
short, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th longest. A III 7. Caudal emarginate.
Scales: 1.1. 47. Four between lateral line and Ist dorsal.
Length.—180 mm. (S.A.M.).
Colour (as preserved).—Purplish brown.
Locality.—Natal coast, 62-260 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
In a specimen in the South African Museum the head is greater than
depth of body; Gilchrist’s figure does not quite correspond with his
description.
Gen. Acropoma Schl.
1846. Schlegel in Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss.,
p. dl.
1901. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiii,
p9Lt.
1909. Lloyd, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. ii, p. 159 (Synagrops).
Body oblong, with moderate-sized, deciduous, cycloid or ctenoid
scales. Villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer and palatines; small
canines at the symphysis of the jaws. Preopercle with a submar-
ginal ridge, outer edge entire or serrate. Opercle produced backwards
in a long membranous flap, with denticulate edge. Soft dorsal and
anal short. Anal spines 3. Vent far forward, nearer base of ventrals
than anal.
An Indo-Pacific deep-sea genus.
* Acropoma cynodon Regan.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 415.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 69.
Depth nearly 4, length of head 23, in length of body. Snout a little
shorter than eye, which is 34 in length of head. Lower jaw projecting.
Maxilla extending to below centre of eye. A pair of strong canines in
upper jaw. Preopercular edge serrate. Gill-rakers 16 on lower part
of anterior arch. D IX+I 10, almost contiguous, 3rd spine longest.
ATII 7. Caudal emarginate. Scales: 11. ca. 47.
Length.—165 mm.
Colour.—Reddish (2).
Locality.— Natal coast, 130-230 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
530 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 22. CARANGIDAER.
Horse-mackerels, Maasbankers, Albacores.
Body oblong or elongate, or short and deep, more or less com-
pressed, with well-developed cycloid scales, or scales reduced and
embedded in skin, or absent altogether. Caudal peduncle slender.
Mouth moderate, more or less oblique, usually protractile. Maxilla
not concealed. Subocular shelf present. Teeth generally small.
Adipose eyelids often well developed. Nostrils paired. Gill-mem-
branes usually not united, free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind
4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Two dorsal fins, contiguous, or more
or less separate, spinous portion weak, spines short, usually depressible
in a groove, soft portion long. In Apolectus a single long dorsal. Anal
short or long, with 2 spines separate from the rest of the fin. Detached
finlets at hinder end of dorsal and anal often present. Ventrals
thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process. Caudal
forked. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca usually numerous.
Lateral line single, sometimes armed with bony scutes larger than the
other scales of the body.
A large family represented in all temperate and tropical seas. Many
of the species are pelagic and of wide distribution.
The eggs are in all cases, as far as yet known, pelagic, and the young
often undergo considerable changes before reaching the adult shape.
Although most of the species are valued as food in all parts of
the world, the only one of economic importance is the Maasbanker
(Trachurus trachurus).
Key to the South African genera.
J. Two dorsal fins.
A. Lateral line armed (at least in part) with scutes (Caranginae).
1. Body scaly.
a. Lateral line armed throughout. 3 F . Trachurus.
b. Lateral line armed only on hinder part.
i. Several detached finlets behind both dorsal and anal fins
Megalaspis.
ii. One finlet only . ‘ ‘ ‘ : Decapterus.
iii. No detached finlets.
a. A deep furrow on isthmus . : : Selar.
6. No furrow on isthmus : i . Caranz.
2. Body naked (apparently ; scales embedded), very deep and com-
pressed.
a. Soft dorsal and anal anteriorly elongate, rays filamentous
Alectis,
b. Soft dorsal and anallow . ; : : : Vomer.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 531
- B. Lateral line without scutes.
1. Dorsal and anal uD in length, usually strongly falcate (T'rachy-
notinae) . ‘ ; Trachynotus.
2. Dorsal and anal not, or ole aiehaly. falente
a. Anal shorter than dorsal (Seriolinae).
i. No finlets.
a. Dorsal spines connected by membrane.
* Ll. with single slight curve.
+ Snout conical . , Seriola.
T7 Snout short and blank Zonichthys.
** Ll. with double curve ‘ ; Lichia.
6. Dorsal spines free - . Naucrates.
ii. One detached finlet behind both aaneal and anal
Elagatis.
b. Anal equal to dorsal. Several finlets (Scomberoidinae)
Ohorinemus.
II. A single long dorsal fin, spines rudimentary, ventrals obsolete in adult
A polectus.
Gen. TRAcHURUS Raf.
1810. Rafinesque, Ind. d’Itt. Sic., p. 20, and Caratt., p. 41.
1920. Nicholls, Bull. Amer. Mus., 42, p. 477.
Body elongate-oblong, rather compressed, with scales. Jaws, palate,
and tongue with very fine teeth, usually in single series. First dorsal
moderately high, preceded by a forwardly directed, procumbent spine.
Anal about as long as soft dorsal. No finlets. Pectoral long, falcate.
Lateral line armed with scutes throughout its length; an accessory
branch running along base of dorsal to its hinder end. Posterior
adipose eyelid well developed.
Trachurus trachurus Linn.
Maasbanker ; Horse-mackerel.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 298.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 11,
pl. cexlvi.
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iu, p. 9, fig. 5 (egg and larva).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 388 (references and synonymy).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 99 (references and
synonymy).
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 290 (semispinosus).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 24 (references
and synonymy).
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 35
532 Annals of the South African Museum.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 214 (semi-
Spinosus).
Depth 4-44, length of head 31-32, in length of body. Eye subequal
to snout, and to interorbital width, 33-34 in length of head. Maxilla
extending to below anterior quarter of eye. Gill-rakers 48-50 on
lower part of anterior arch. D I+ VIII+I1 30-34. A II+I 27-30.
Scales: 1.1. 70-77, of which 38-42 are spinose; height of scutes 2
diameter of eye. (Plate XXIII, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Greenish or bluish above, silvery below, opercular spot
and axil of pectoral blackish, iris very brilliant silvery, with a blue
tinge.
Locality. Off St. Helena Bay, Table Bay, False Bay, and Agulhas
Bank to Natal, Zululand, Delagoa Bay, down to 100 fathoms.
Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic. The Australian and Japanese
forms are now considered as separate species.
Nicholls (loc. cit.), without, however, material for comparison, thinks
that the Cape form should be distinct on account of geographical
reasons. This view is not acceptable.
In the North Atlantic the Horse-mackerel migrates inshore for
spawning during the summer months (June-August), and it appears
that in South Africa the inshore migration occurs at about the
corresponding season, or somewhat earlier (October—January).
The young fry have been observed to prefer the neighbourhood of
jelly-fishes, under the umbrella of which they take shelter (Meek,
Migrations of Fish, 1916, p. 316).
Gen. MEGALASPIS Blkr.
1851. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxiv.*
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 147.
Body elongate-oblong, somewhat compressed, with scales. Jaws,
palate, and tongue toothed. Ist dorsal moderately high. Anal about
as long as soft dorsal. Dorsal and anal each with several detached
finlets. Pectoral long, faleate. Shoulder-girdle without a furrow at
its junction with isthmus. Lateral line with very high scutes, which
are absent, however, anteriorly. Adipose eyelids well developed.
This genus contains only the following species.
* The name Megalaspis was used in the same year by Angelin for a Trilobite
(Palaeont. Suec., I, i, 1851). I am unable to discover which author has
priority.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 533
Megalaspis cordyla (Linn.).
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 483.
1797. Bloch, Ichth., vol. x, p. 40, pl. ecexlvi (rottler7).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 387 (rottlerz) (references).
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 147, pl. xv, fig. 1.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 214.
Depth of body equal to length of head, slightly less than 4 in length
of body. Eye equal to or slightly greater than snout, about equal
to interorbital width, 32-34 in length of head. Giull-rakers about 20
on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII+I1 10-11+8-9. A II+I
8-10+6-8. Scales: 1.1. 50-54 spinose scutes on straight part, their
height 14-2 times diameter of eye.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a black opercular spot, hind margin
of caudal and tips of spinous and soft dorsals blackish, rest of fins
yellowish, upper half of pectoral dusky.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan and N.E. Australia.
Gen. DECAPTERUS Blkr.
1851. Bleeker, Natuurk. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. i, p. 352.
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. iii, p. 58.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carnegie Mus., vol. xv, p. 148.
Body elongate, more or less compressed, with scales. Teeth feeble.
First dorsal moderately high. Anal about as long as soft dorsal.
Dorsal and anal each with a single detached finlet. Pectoral long,
falcate. Shoulder-girdle with a shallow groove at its junction with
isthmus. Lateral line with scutes only on posterior straight part.
Adipose eyelids well developed.
Key to the South African species.
1. Teeth on tongue obsolete. Anal with 24-26 soft rays . : . russelli.
2. Teeth present in a band on tongue. Anal with 28-30 rays.
a. Palatines not toothed.
i. Upper jaw toothed anteriorly : : : ‘ . muroadsi.
ii. Upper jaw toothless . : : : : : macrosoma.
b. Palatines toothed : 5 : : 5 . : ; lajang.
534 Annals of the South African Museum.
* Decapterus russelli (Riipp.).
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 99.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 44
(kurra).
1860. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 427 (kurva).
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. iii, p. 59, pl. xix (references
and synonymy).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (kurra).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 149, pl. xv, fig. 2.
Depth 5, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 5 in length of
head, 1 in snout. Maxilla extending scarcely to below anterior
margin of eye. Teeth in a single series on jaws; two small patches
and a median strip on vomer; palatines, but not tongue, toothed
(sometimes a very small patch on latter near hinder end). Opercular
membrane sharply serrate, but indistinctly so in young. Gill-rakers
31-32 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII+130-32+1. AII+I
24-26+1. Pectoral equal to head without snout. Scales: Ll. 45
spinose scutes on hinder part of line, their height just over half diameter
of eye.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, opercular spot black; snout, back,
and all fins tinged with red; caudal with yellow margin.
Locality.— Natal coast. :
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and N.H. Australia.
*Decapterus muroadsi (Schl.).
1844. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 108, pl. viii,
stag, AE
1884. Steindachner and Déderlein, Denkschr. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol.
xlvili, p. 37, pl. iv, fig. 1 (sanctae-helenae non C. and V.).
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 152, pl. xvi, fig. 1.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 213 (sanctae-
helenae).
Depth about 44, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Hye 55 in
length of head (Wakiya; Fowler gives 34), less than snout. Maxilla
scarcely reaching to anterior margin of eye. Teeth in a single series
on the jaws, those on upper jaw only at anterior end; a transverse
band on vomer ; palatines and tongue toothed. Opercular membrane
not serrate. Gill-rakers 28 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII+I
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 535
31-33-+1. A II+I1 26-28+1. Pectoral a little longer than head
without snout. Scales: 1.1. 33 scutes on hinder part of line, their
height equal to $ eye-diameter.
Length.—Up to 335 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, opercular spot black, a reddish or
yellowish streak from snout to caudal, fins brownish.
Locality — Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Japan.
The true Atlantic sanctae-helenae C. and V. appears to be distin-
guished by a series of black spots along the side.
*Decapterus macrosoma Blkr.
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. i, p. 358.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 258.
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 153, pl. xvi, fig. 2.
Depth 54, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 5 in length of
head, 12 in snout. Maxilla extending to below a point midway be-
tween posterior nostril and anterior margin of eye. Teeth very feeble,
none in upper jaw or on palatines, a single series in lower jaw, a trans-
verse band on front part of vomer, a band on tongue. Opercular
membrane bluntly serrated, feebly so in young. D VIII+132-35-+1.
A II+128-30-++-1. Pectoral greater than head without snout. Scales :
1.1. 27 spinose scutes on hinder part of line, their height 2 diameter of
eye.
Length. Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, opercular spot black.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies, tropical Pacific, Japan.
Decapterus lajang Blkr.
1855. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. v, p. 302.
1860. Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 425.
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 155, pl. xvii, fig. 1.
Depth 54-54, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye 44-43 in
length of head, 14 in snout. Maxilla extending almost to below
anterior border of eye, its hinder end concave and expanded down-
wards. Teeth obsolete in upper jaw, in a single series in lower jaw
and on palatines, a transverse and a median longitudinal series on
vomer, a band on tongue. Opercular membrane not serrated. Gill-
536 Annals of the South African Museum.
rakers about 32 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII+ 1 34-35+1.
A II+I 28-30+1. Pectoral equal to head without snout. Scales:
l.1. 28 spinose scutes on hind part of line, their height just over half
diameter of eye.
Length.—Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, opercular spot black.
Locality.—Simon’s Bay in False Bay.
Distribution.—East Indies, tropical Pacific, Japan.
A single specimen in the South African Museum, measuring 175
mm. in length, agrees with Wakiya’s description. It was caught in
the trek-nets at the end of March 1911.
This species is very closely allied to the preceding and the other
species of the genus, but is distinguished by the character of the
dentition.
Gen. SELAR Bleeker.
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. 1, p. 359.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 431 (Lrachurops).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 159.
Body elongate, more or less compressed, with scales. Jaws, palate,
and tongue toothed. Shoulder-girdle with a deep longitudinal furrow
at its junction with isthmus. First dorsal moderately high. Anal
about as long as soft dorsal. No detached finlets. Pectoral long,
faleate. Lateral line not strongly curved, with scutes on its posterior
portion. Breast scaly. Adipose eyelids well developed.
Key to the South African species.
1. Scutes 34-36. ’ ‘ ; ; crumenophthalmus.
2. Scutes 39-47.
a. Depth 2}in length . ; ¢ : ‘ , : kalla.
6. Depth 3} in length . ; ; ; : é : : affinis.
c. Depth 3$in length . : : ; : : tabulae.
*Selar crumenophthalmus (BL.).
1793. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. vii, p. 77, pl. ccexliii.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie Zool., p. 359 (mauritianus).
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 97, pl. xxv, fig. 4 (macrophthalmus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 217, pl. xlix, fig. 1.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxviii,
p. 187, fig. 71 (synonymy).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 537
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 398.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 458.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, pp. 159, 160, pl. xviii,
figs. 2, 3 (mauritianus and macrophthalmus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 214.
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser
vol. xv, p. 335.
Depth 34-34, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 34-34
in length of head, about equal to snout and to interorbital width.
Maxilla extending to below centre of eye. Teeth ina very narrow band
in upper, in a single series in lower, jaw; very weak on palate and
tongue. Gill-rakers 23-27 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII+1
23-26. A II-+I 20-23. Pectoral 14-1} in length of head. Scales :
Ll. scutes 34-36 (Day, 27-32), commencing under 9th or 10th dorsal
ray. Lateral line scarcely curved.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, opercular spot very faint.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Circumtropical.
There is some doubt as to whether the Atlantic form (erwmeno-
phthalmus) should include the Indo-Pacific, or whether the latter should
be separated under the name mauritianus ; but see Fowler (1919, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 209).
ve
Selar kalla (C. and V.).
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 49.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 219, pl. xlix, fig. 5.
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. iii, p. 62, pl. xx (references
and synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 383 (references).
1917. Jordan and Starks, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 4438 (calla).
1925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, Pi 2p. oll.
1925. Id., Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 215.
Depth 23-23, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head, slightly greater than snout and than interorbital width. Teeth
in a single row in jaws. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of
eye. Ventral profile more strongly curved than dorsal. Gill-rakers
27-28 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII-+I1 23-24. A II+I
19-20. Pectoral longer than head, nearly equal to depth of body.
538 Annals of the South African Museum.
Scales: 1.1. scutes 40-45, commencing below 4th or 5th dorsal ray.
Lateral line moderately curved. |
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a black opercular spot, caudal
yellow, other fins pale, dorsal with dusky margin.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas to China and N.E. Australia.
*Selar affinis (Riipp.).
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 49, pl. xiv, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 219, pl. xlix, fig. 4 (references and
synonymy).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
paldo, te. (6:
1917. Jordan and Starks, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 448.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 25.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 200, pl. xxx, fig. 1.
Depth 34-34, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Eye 4-5 in
length of head, slightly less than snout and than interorbital width.
Teeth in a single row in jaws, except at symphysis. Maxilla reaching
to below anterior margin of eye. Dorsal and ventral profiles equally
curved. D VIII+I 23-24. A II+I 19-21. Pectoral longer than
head and equal to depth of body. Scales: 1.1. scutes 42-47, com-
mencing below 6th or 7th dorsal ray. Lateral line moderately
curved.
Length.— Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with a series of short vertical bars,
a black opercular spot, fins yellow, soft dorsal posteriorly, with dusky
margin.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to N.W. Australia.
Selar tabulae n. sp.
Depth about equal to length of head, 34 in length of body. Eye 14
in snout and in interorbital width, 4 in length of head. Lower jaw
projecting. Teeth very small, uniserial and nearly obsolete in jaws,
in narrow bands on vomer, palatines, and tongue ; the vomer has a
transverse anterior and a median band. Maxilla reaching to below
anterior margin of eye, or slightly further. Posterior adipose eye-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 539
lid well developed. Gill-rakers 55 on lower part of anterior arch.
DI+VIII+I 38. A II+I 30. Pectoral falcate, equal to length of
head. Scales: 1.1. scutes 39, commencing below 6th or 7th dorsal ray,
their margins denticulate. Lateral line moderately curved. Breast
and whole of head, including interorbital, but not the snout, scaly.
Length.—410 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a black opercular spot, spinous
dorsal blackish, soft dorsal and anal dusky.
Locality.—Table Bay,
Type in South African Museum.
This species appears at first sight near to D. sanctae-helenae C. and
V., but apart from the absence of the black lateral spots it has no
detached finlet behind dorsal and anal fins, and has longer falcate
pectorals.
Gen. CaRANX Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. in, p. 57.
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. i, p. 66.
1924. McCulloch, zbid., vol. vii, p. 67 (key to Australian species).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 162.
Body oblong or ovate, compressed, with scales. Dentition various.
Shoulder-girdle not furrowed. First dorsal moderately high, preceded
by a forwardly directed procumbent spine. Anal about as long as
soft dorsal. Soft dorsal and anal often falcate anteriorly. No de-
tached finlets. Pectoral long, faleate. Lateral line moderately curved,
with scutes on its posterior straight portion. Adipose eyelids more or
less developed. Breast with or without scales.
The subdivision of this genus is fraught with difficulty, as all the
characters which have been used by various authors appear liable to
considerable variation and intergradations. Conservative authors, in
fact, have not accepted the separation of such genera as Decapterus,
Selar, etc. The course here adopted in separating certain distinctive
forms is admittedly done for the sake of convenience.
Key to the South African species.
I. Teeth present.
A. Teeth in villiform bands in both jaws.
1. Breast scaly. : ‘ : ‘ ‘ 3 : equula.
2. Breast naked.
a. Gill-rakers 16-17. Scutes 25-28 : : chrysophrys.
b. Gill-rakers 23-24. Scutes 25-28 : : malabaricus.
c. Gill-rakers 21. Scutes 17-25 : : ' . armatus,
540 Annals of the South African Museum.
B. Teeth in upper jaw in a narrow band with an outer enlarged series, in
lower jaw uniserial with some larger ones intermixed.
1. Breast scaly.
a. Gill-rakers 15. Scutes 30-35 : : . _ forsteri.
b. Gill-rakers 18. Scutes 34-38 ‘ ; : melampygus.
2. Breast scaleless except an oval patch in front of ventrals.
a. Scutes 33-37. 2 : , : : . carangus.
b. Scutes 28-30. f : : : F . tgnobilis.
C. Teeth uniserial in both jaws.
1. Snout not twice diameter of eye f : : . djeddaba.
2. Snout twice diameter of eye : ; é : : dentex.
II. Teeth absent (at least in adult) . d : : ; ; . speciosus.
Caranz equula T. and 8.
1844. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 111, pl. Ix,
oe
1857. Bleeker, Verh. Batav. Gen., vol. xxvi, p. 102.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 166, pl. xix, fig. 3.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 214 (dasson).
Body compressed. Depth 2,4,, length of head 3, in length of body.
Eye 4 in length of head, 14 in snout and in interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to, or slightly beyond, front margin of eye. Teeth in villi-
form bands in jaws and on vomer, palatines, and tongue. Adipose
eyelids feebly developed. Gill-rakers 19-20 on lower part of anterior
arch. D I+VIII+I 23-25. A II+I 21-23. Anterior rays of soft
dorsal and anal not falcate. Pectoral as long as, or slightly longer
than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes 26(—28), rather feebly armed, com-
mencing below about the 15th dorsal ray. Breast scaly.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish-silvery, darker above, with 5-6 broad, dark,
vertical bars, more distinct in young, with or without a dark opercular
spot, spinous dorsal dusky, soft dorsal and anal with a submarginal
dark stripe, leaving the margin light.
Locality — Agulhas Bank, 30 fathoms; Natal coast, 40 fathoms.
Distribution.—East Indies and Japan.
Fowler’s description evidently applies to this species.
Caranz chrysophrys C. and V.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 77,
pl. cexlvi.
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., p. 366 (chrysophryoides).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 328, pl. xxxi, fig. 4.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 541
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 242
(chrysophryovdes).
1909. Id., ibid., p. 244 (Carangichthys typus non Blkr.).
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. ii, p. 77, pl. xxiv.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 384 (chrysophryoides).
1917. Id., ibid., p. 8388 (Carangichthys typus non Blkr.).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 180, pl. xxiv, fig. 1.
Body strongly compressed. Profile of head and breast trenchant
(in adult). Depth 14 (young)—24 (adult), length of head about 3, in
length of body. Eye 4 in length of head, 14 in snout, about equal
to interorbital width. Teeth in villiform bands in both jaws, and on
vomer, palatines, and tongue. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
quarter of eye. Adipose eyelids feebly developed. Giull-rakers 16-17
on lower part of anterior arch. D I+ VIII+I 18-20. A II-+I 16-
17. Anterior portion of soft dorsal and anal falcate, the longest rays
in each about equal, 4—? depth of body (longer in young than adult).
Pectoral longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes 25-28, rather feebly
armed, commencing below about middle of soft dorsal. Breast
naked.
Length—Up to 315 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, soft dorsal and anal dusky, with
or without a small dark opercular spot, but the opercle below the
position of the spot has an irregular dusky patch, ventrals blackish in
young.
Locality.— Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Formosa and N.E. Australia.
The genus Carangichthys was instituted by Bleeker for a juvenile
form with denticulate preopercle. This character, however, is common
to the young of many species of Caranz. Gilchrist and Thompson’s
specimen belongs to this species.
*Caranz malabaricus (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 31.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 221, pl. v, fig. 2.
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 178, pl. xxiii, fig. 3.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 216.
Body strongly compressed. Profile of nape elevated. Depth 2,
length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 34-4 in length of head,
1f in snout. Teeth in villiform bands on both jaws, and on vomer,
palatines, and tongue. Maxilla extending to below anterior border of
OQ
542 Annals of the South African Museum.
eye. Adipose eyelids feebly developed. Gill-rakers 23-24 on lower
part of anterior arch. D I+ VIII+I 22. A JI+I1 18-19. Anterior
portion of soft dorsal and anal falcate, dorsal a little higher than anal,
about 4 depth of body. Pectoral longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes
25-28, feebly armed, commencing below about middle of soft dorsal.
Breast naked.
Length. Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, soft dorsal and caudal with blackish
margins, a black opercular spot, axil black.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.— Indo-Pacific to Formosa.
Distinguished from chrysophrys by the more elevated nape, shorter
snout relatively to eye, and number of dorsal and anal rays.
Caranz armatus (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., vol. xu, p. 53.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fisch., p. 102, pl. xxv, fig. 8 (ciliaria).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 223, pl. li, fig. 2 (references and
synonymy).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 169, pl. xx, fig. 1 and
p. 170, pl. xx, fig. 2 (schlegelc nom. nov. for ciliaris C. and V.); p. 171,
pl. xx, fig. 3 (plumbeus) ; p. 172, pl. xxi (ciliaris Riipp.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 217.
Body strongly compressed, Profile of head trenchant, the nape
prominently elevated. Depth 1;°5-2y'5, length of head 34-34, in length
of body. Eye 34 in length of head, about equal to snout and to inter-
orbital width. Maxilla reaching to below middle of eye. Teeth in
narrow villiform bands in jaws and on vomer, palatines, and tongue.
Adipose eyelids feebly developed. Gill-rakers 21 on lower part of
anterior arch. D I+VIII+I 20-21. A II+I1 16-17. Soft dorsal
and anal anteriorly strongly falcate, the 1st ray of each produced into
a long filament, middle rays of dorsal filamentous and produced in ¢.
Scaly sheath at base of dorsals and anal very prominent. Pectoral
considerably longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes 17-25, feebly armed
(and therefore permitting considerable latitude in counting at the
anterior end), commencing below about the posterior third of soft
dorsal. Breast naked. Two oblique ridges or keels on each side of
base of tail.
Length.— Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, spinous dorsal and ventrals usually
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 543
blackish, 1st rays of soft dorsal and anal black, pectoral yellowish,
a black opercular spot, axil black ; young vertically banded.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas to Formosa, and
N.E. Australia.
Caranz forstert C. and V.
King-fish (Natal).
21824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie Poiss., p. 358, pl. Ixv, fig. 4
(sexfasciatus).
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 105.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 131, pl. lxxxiv
(hippos non Linn.).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 216 (hippos non Linn.).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 329, pl. xxx, fig. 3.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 240
(hippos non Linn.).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 395.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 385 (latws non Agass.)
(synonymy not applicable to this species).
1917. Jordan and Starks, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 442.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 2, p. 76 (hippos).
1921. Gilchrist, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. x, p. 24 (djeddaba non
Forsk.).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 184, pl. xxv, figs. 3 and
4 (sexfasciatus Q. and G.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 216 (sez-
fasciatus). |
Depth 24-23, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Hye 4-44 in
length of head, subequal to snout, slightly less than interorbital width.
Teeth in a narrow band in upper jaw, with an outer enlarged series,
in a single row in lower jaw; teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue.
Maxilla reaching to below posterior third of eye. Posterior adipose
eyelid well developed. Giull-rakers 15-16 on lower part of anterior
arch. D I+VIII+I 20-21. A II+I 16-17. Anterior portion of
soft dorsal and anal shortly falciform, longest dorsal ray at least twice
in depth of body. Pectoral longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes
30-33, commencing below 3rd dorsal ray. Breast completely scaly.
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above; dorsals, anal, and caudal dusky ;
=
544 Annals of the South African Museum.
pectoral bright yellow ; no dark opercular spot or a very small one;
young usually with broad, dark, vertical cross-bars.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Wakiya (loc. cit.) identifies this species with sexfasciatus Q. and G.,
and Jordan, who revised the paper, seems to imply his agreement in a
footnote on p. 191, though in earlier papers (1909, Mem. Carn. Mus.,
vol. iv, p. 179, and 1917, loc. cit. supra) he and his collaborators have
retained the name forsterv. It is quite certain, however, that this
form is distinct from the true hippos Linn. of the Atlantic.
The examples from Dar-es-Salaam, referred to by Gilchrist (loc. cit.
supra) as living in captivity in the St. James Aquarium, are now in
the South African Museum, and belong to this species.
Caranz melampygus C. and V.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 116.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 133, pl. Ixxxvi.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 192, fig. 73.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 386 (references).
1924. McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. viii, p. 70, pl. xi, fig. 2.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 192.
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool ser.,
vol. xv, p. 353.
Depth 24-22, length of head 35-34, in length of body. Eye 33-43
in length of head, less than snout, about equal to interorbital width.
Teeth in a narrow band in upper jaw, with an outer enlarged series,
in a single row in lower jaw; teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of eye. Posterior adipose
eyelid well developed. Gill-rakers 18 on lower part of anterior arch.
DI+VIII+I 21-23. AII+118-19. Anterior portion of soft dorsal
and anal falciform, longest dorsal ray 14 in depth of body. Pectoral
slightly longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes 34-38, commencing
below 3rd dorsal ray. Breast completely scaly, except near isthmus.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with or without small dark dots ;
dorsals, anal, and caudal dusky, no dark opercular spot.
Locality — Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
A Monograph ofthe Marine Fishes of South Africa. 545
Caranz carangus (Bl.).
King-fish (Natal).
1788. Bloch, Ichthyol., p. 340.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 215, pl. 1, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 325.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 384 (references).
Depth 24-23, length of head 33-34, in length of body. Eye 34-4 in
length of head, equal to snout and to interorbital width. Teeth in a
narrow band in upper jaw, with an outer enlarged series, in a single
series in lower jaw; teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue. Maxilla
reaching to below middle of eye. Posterior adipose eyelid narrow.
Gill-rakers 16-17 on lower part of anterior arch. D I+ VIII+I 20-
22. A JI+I1 16-18. Anterior portion of soft dorsal and anal falcate,
longest dorsal ray 13-1? in depth of body. Pectoral considerably
longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes 33-37, commencing below 5th
or 6th dorsal ray. Breast naked, with an oval patch of scales in front
of ventrals.
Length.— Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, lst dorsal and margin of soft dorsal
and of caudal dusky, opercular spot, if present, small.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, tropical Atlantic.
Distinguished from melampygus by the incompletely scaly breast
and lower soft dorsal.
I am inclined to think that Fowler’s specimen from Delagoa Bay,
which he records (1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p.
216) as C. sansun (Forsk.) is conspecific with the specimens I have
seen from Natal and Delagoa Bay, and here regarded as carangus.
Jordan and Evermann (1905, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
p. 190) regard sansun as a synonym of ignobilis.
*Caranz ignobilis (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 55.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 188, fig. 72.
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 193, pl. xxvii, fig. 3.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 215.
Depth a little over 2, length of head 34—34, in length of body. Eye
546 Annals of the South African Museum.
35-38%, In length of head, 1-1} in snout. Teeth in a single series in
both jaws, rather strong, canine-like ; teeth on vomer, palatines, and
tongue. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Adipose eyelid
narrow. Giull-rakers 15 on lower part of anterior arch. D I+VIII+I
19-21. A II+I 16-17 (Jord. and Everm., 19). Anterior portion of
soft dorsal and anal falciform, about 4 depth of body. Pectoral longer
than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes (27)28-30, commencing below about
6th dorsal ray. Breast naked below, with a small patch of scales in
front of ventrals.
Length.— Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, no black spot on opercle, or only
a faint dusky spot, dorsal fins and caudal greyish.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.
Caranz djeddaba (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., vol. xii, p. 56.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 218, pl. xlix, fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 385 (references).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 199, pl. xxix, fig. 1.
1925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, p. 316.
Depth 22-3, length of head 34-4, in length of body. Eye about
equal to snout and to interorbital width, about 4 in length of head.
Teeth minute, uniserial in both jaws, in narrow bands on vomer,
palatines, and tongue. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of eye.
Posterior adipose eyelid well developed. Giull-rakers 26-28 on lower
part of anterior arch. D I+ VIII+I 22-25. A II+I 19-22. Soft
dorsal and anal not falcate. Pectoral slightly longer than head.
Scales: 1.1. scutes 45-58, commencing below Ist dorsal ray. Breast
scaly.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, fins yellowish, spinous and soft
dorsals and caudal dusky, a black opercular spot.
Locality Natal, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas to Formosa.
Caranz dentex (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 30.
1827. Geoffr. St. Hilaire, Descr. Egypte. Poiss., pl. xxiii, fig. 3 (luna).
. ae i
t
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 547
1836-44. Valenciennes in Webb and Berthelot, Iles Canar. Poiss.,
p. 57, pl. xii (analis).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 441.
1911. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, p. 39
(natalensis).
1911. Zugmayer, Res. Sci. Monaco, fasc. xxxv, p. 106.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 65.
1915. Clark, Sci. Res. “ Scotia,” vol. iv, p. 396.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 387 (natalensis).
Depth 24-34, length of head about 22-3, in length of body. Eye
5-6 in length of head, 2-24 in snout, not quite 2 in interorbital width.
Lower jaw shorter than upper. Teeth in a single series in jaws and on
tongue ; none on vomer or palatines (a single row on palatines in
natalensis). Maxilla scarcely reaching vertical from anterior border
of eye. Adipose eyelids feebly developed. Gill-rakers 23-27 on lower
part of anterior arch. D J+ VIII4+I 24-27. A II+I1 20-22. Soft
dorsal and anal not falcate. Pectoral about as long as head. Scales: ©
1.1. scutes 24-28, commencing below about the middle of soft dorsal.
Breast and whole of opercle, except margin of preopercle, scaly.
Length.—Up to 825 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a black opercular spot, fins yellowish
or greyish.
Locality — Table Bay, Natal coast.
Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic to Mediterranean.
Type of natalensis in South African Museum.
Jordan and Evermann (1896, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. i, p.
927) record this species under the name guara Bonn 1788, and suggest
with some doubt that it may be the same as the earlier adscensionis
Osbeck 1757.
The occurrence of true dentex in South Africa rests on the ‘ Scotia ”
record (Table Bay), and the British Museum specimen from Durban.
The original description of natalensis is faulty in several respects.
Re-examination of the type specimens (330 and 230 mm.) leaves little
doubt that they should be assigned to dentex. Mr. J. R. Norman of
the British Museum, who has seen a cotype, is disposed to agree with
this conclusion.
The group, however, which is represented in the Atlantic by dentez,
is represented in the Indo-Pacific by the analogous species platessa
C. and V., georgianus C. and V., and delicatissimus Déd., and future
investigation of more abundant material may show that the Natal
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 36
548 Annals of the South African Museum.
“dentex’’ should really be assigned to one or other of the latter
species.
*Caranx speciosus (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., vol. xii, p. 54.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
Pao ole esa
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. ii, p. 67, pl. xxi (synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 387 (references and synonymy).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 209, pl. xxxi, fig. 3.
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. xv, p. 361.
Depth 23-22, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 32-5 in
length of head, 14—2+4 in snout, slightly smaller than interorbital width.
Lower jaw shorter than upper. Teeth, none in adult ; in young, some-
times minute granular teeth in jaws. Maxilla reaching to below front
border of eye. Adipose eyelids feebly developed. Giull-rakers 19-21
on lower part of anterior arch. D I+ VIJI+I1 19-21. A II+I 15-17.
Soft dorsal and anal not falcate. Pectoral about as long as head.
Scales: 1.1. scutes 10-18, feebly armed, commencing below the pos-
terior dorsal rays. Breast scaly.
Length.—Up to 900 mm.
Colour.—Silvery-golden, darker above, with 10-12 alternately broad
and narrow vertical cross-bars, not quite reaching ventral profile, the
bars becoming nearly or quite obsolete in the adult ; sometimes a black
opercular spot, fins yellowish, spinous dorsal and edge of soft dorsal
dusky, tips of caudal lobes black.
Locality.— Zululand coast.
Distribution.—EKast coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific seas to Panama,
W. and N.E. Australia.
Gen. ALECTIS Raf.
1815. Rafinesque, Analyse Nat., p. 84.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. 1,
evel:
1920. Nichols, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. xlu, p. 285.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 212.
Body ovate, deep, strongly compressed, more or less covered with
minute embedded scales, the skin apparently naked. Teeth in villi-
form bands in jaws and on vomer, palatines, and tongue. Spinous
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 549
dorsal represented by short, rudimentary spines, disappearing more
or less with age. Soft dorsal and anal equal, the anterior rays of both
very elongate and filiform, becoming shorter with age. No detached
finlets. Pectoral falcate. Ventrals long in young, shorter in adult.
Lateral line curved, with scutes only on posterior portion on caudal
peduncle. Adipose eyelids rudimentary.
Not essentially different from Caranz, but easily distinguished by
the deep rhombic form, apparently naked skin, and filiform dorsal and
anal rays. The change in form at different ages is often extremely
great, and makes the differentiation of species often merely a matter
of personal opinion.
The genus is found in all tropical seas.
Key to the South African species.
1. Preorbital less than diameter of eye . : ; f ‘ on) eoharis:
2. Preorbital nearly twice diameter of eye : : : ; . mdicus.
Alectis ciliaris (B1.).
Thread-fish.
1788. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 29, pl. exci.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 129, pl. xxxiil, fig. 2 (fasciatus).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 200, fig. 78.
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. ui, p. 88, pl. xxvii (refer-
ences and synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 384 (references).
1920. Nichols, loc. cit., p. 286.
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 213, pl. xxxu, fig. 4; p. 214 (endicus C.
and V. non Riipp.); p. 215 (temmoncki); p. 216, pl. xxiii (breviven-
tralis).
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. xv, p. 364.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 218
(Blepharis c.).
Depth 1 (young)—14 (adult), length of head 23-23, in length of body.
Hye 24 (young)—34 in length of head, equal to (adult) or greater than
(young) snout. Profile almost evenly convex, with an occipito-nuchal
prominence. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of eye. Pre-
orbital less than diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 3-15 on lower part of
anterior arch. D VI+118-19. AII+I 15-16. Anterior 6 or 7 rays
550 Annals of the South African Museum.
of soft dorsal and anterior 4 or 5 of anal produced in long filamentous
streamers, often several times the length of the body, becoming shorter
in adult. Pectoral shorter than head in young, longer in adult.
Ventral reaching anterior third of anal in young, not reaching origin
of anal in adult. Scales: 1.1. scutes 10-15, feeble and often very
indistinct.
Length—Up to 247 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with 6-7 dark vertical bands on upper part of
body in young, a dark opercular and supraorbital spot, the latter ill-
defined ; a dark blotch on bases of anterior soft rays; filamentous
dorsal and anal rays black, except the lst in each fin, which is white ;
ventrals black in young, other fins yellowish.
Locality. False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Natal.
Distribution.—Circumtropical ; crimtus from the Atlantic coast of
N. America being considered synonymous.
Alectis indicus (Riipp.).
Straight-nosed Thread-fish.
1788. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. vi, pl. excii, fig. 1 (gallus non Linn.).
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 128, pl. xxxiu, fig. 1.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 145,
pl. ecli, and p. 168, pl. ccliv (major= young).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 224, pl. hi, fig. 3 (gallus non Linn.).
1908. Stead, Edible Fish. N.S.W., p. 88, pl. lviii (gallus non Linn.).
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. ii, p. 83, pl. xxvi (refer-
ences and synonymy).
1920. Nichols, loc. cit., p. 286. .
1924. Wakiya, loc. cit., p. 217, pl. xxxiv, fig. 1 (major).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sei. Philad., ‘vol. Ixxyu)>po ame
(Scyris 7.).
Depth 1} (young)—1,%, length of head 22 (young)—34, in length of
body. Eye 34(young)-4$ in length of head, less than snout.
Profile with an occipito-nuchal prominence, below which it is
straight or even slightly concave. Maxilla reaching to below
anterior margin of eye. Preorbital almost or quite twice diameter of
eye. Gill-rakers 22-23 on lower part of anterior arch. D VI+I1 19.
A II+I 16. Anterior dorsal and anal rays filamentously produced,
becoming shorter in adult. Pectoral equal to (young) or longer than
head. Ventral very long in young, reaching to end of caudal; in
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 551]
adult not reaching origin of anal. Scales: 1.1. scutes 8-12, weak and
eften indistinct.
Length— Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bronzy above, with 5-6 more or less distinct dark
vertical bands in young, a dark opercular spot, nuchal ridge black,
filamentous dorsal and anal rays and ventral in young black, caudal
yellowish.
Locality. Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Formosa and H. Australia.
A much larger species than ciliaris, and easily distinguished in all
stages by the deeper preorbital and larger number of gill-rakers.
Gen. VoMER C. and V.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1x, p. 189.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. 1,
p- 933.
1918. Nichols, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. xxxviii, p. 669.
Body deeply ovate, strongly compressed, profile especially anteriorly
sharp and trenchant, head gibbous above eye ; with minute embedded
scales, skin apparently naked. Teeth minute in jaws, and on vomer,
palatines, and tongue. Spinous dorsal with low and feeble spines,
becoming to a large extent obsolete in adult, as do the two detached
anal spines. Soft dorsal and anal low, not falcate. No finlets. Pec-
toral falcate. Lateral line curved, with some feeble scutes at posterior
end. Adipose eyelids rudimentary. |
Distinguished from the preceding genus by the low dorsal and anal
fins, and from the similarly shaped genus Selene by the same character
and by the presence of scutes on the caudal peduncle.
Tropical and temperate Atlantic and Pacific coast of America.
Nichols (loc. cit.) regards all the so-called species as geographical
races of one species: setepinnis. The West African form is here
given specific rank, distinguished by the slightly greater number of
dorsal and anal rays.
Vomer dorsalis Gill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 436.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, loc. cit., p. 934.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 130, text-
fig. (Selene gibbiceps).
1918. Thompson, zbzd., vol. iv, p. 101 (Selene gibbiceps).
552 Annals of the South African Museum.
1918. Nichols, loc. cit., p. 669.
Depth 13-14, length af head 24, in length of body. Eye 44 in length
of head, 2 in es Profile prominently gibbous above eye, concave
below. Maxilla reaching to below anterior nostril. Gill-rakers 32 on
lower part of anterior arch. D VIJ-VIII+I 24-25. A II+I 19-20.
Pectoral slightly longer than head. Scales: 1.1. scutes about 18, very
feebly armed.
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, nuchal ridge and an ill-defined
blotch on opercle blackish, caudal yellowish green.
Locality.—Walfish Bay.
Distribution.—Senegal to mouth of Congo.
Type of Selene gibbiceps in South African Museum.
As regards the number of gill-rakers, this specimen resembles de-
clivifrons Hildebr. 1925 from Panama, which is considered distinct
from setipinnis, which has 24-27 gill-rakers (1925, Meek and Hilde-
brand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., vol. xv, p. 367).
Gen. TRAcHYNoTUS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 78.
Body ovate-oblong, compressed, with small cycloid scales. Snout
conical or blunt. Villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer and palatines ;
becoming obsolete with age. Spinous dorsal of 6 low spines, connected
by membrane in young, but free and often becoming obsolete in adult,
preceded by a forwardly directed procumbent spine. Second dorsal
and anal long, anteriorly more or less faleate. No finlets. Pectoral
short. Lateral line without scutes, moderately curved. No keel on tail.
In the young the preopercle is armed with 3 large spines, which
later are absorbed into the substance of the preopercle and disappear.
The spinous dorsal is a perfect fin, but becomes obsolete in the adult.
The teeth and pseudobranchiae also often disappear more or less
completely with age. These young forms have been described under
the names Doliodon and Bothrolaemus.
Pelagic fishes of the tropical and temperate seas, in many parts
valued as food-fishes.
Key to the South African species.
1. Dorsal and anal not faleate , . : , : ' . glaucus.
2. Dorsal and anal anteriorly falcate.
a. Body deep, uniform . : : : : : ‘ ovatus.
b, Body ovate, with 3-5 indistinct eae ‘ ; : ; . russellit.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 553
*Trachynotus glaucus (Linn.).
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, vol. i, p. 494 (not glaucus Bloch).
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 358,
pl. cexxxiv.
1836. Valenciennes in Webb and Berthelot, Iles Canar. Poiss.,
poe, pl pan, fis. 1.
21889, Giinther, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxxi, p. 9, pl. 1, fig. G
(young).
1896. Collett, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fasc. x, p. 24.
1903. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xu, p. 349.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 104.
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 199 (Caestomorus g.).
Depth 23-3, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Eye less than
snout, 4-4? in length of head. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. Snout conical. Gill-rakers 28-31 on lower part of
anterior arch. D I+ V—VI-+I 24-27. A II4I1 23-25. Soft dorsal
and anal not strongly elevated or falcate anteriorly. Pectoral equal
to length of head without snout. Lateral line very little curved above
pectoral.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.— Uniform dusky, darker above, or with indistinct vertically-
ovate spots on sides; tips of soft dorsal and anal and of caudal lobes,
black.
Locality — Cape seas, Algoa Bay.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, West Africa, Ascension, St. Helena,
Brazil.
Castelnau’s statement that this fish is very rare in Cape waters
seems to be perfectly true, as it has not been recorded since his
time.
Jordan and Hubbs (1917, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 463) have
adopted Klein’s genus Glaucus 1775 for this species. If accepted the
family name will have to be changed to Glaucidae.
Trachynotus ovatus (Linn.).
Pampano.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. i, p. 296.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 234, pl. hi, fig. 2.
1916. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. v, p. 154, pl. xix (references
and synonymy).
554 Annals of the South African Museum.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 391 (references and synonymy).
Body deeply ovate, dorsal profile strongly arched. Depth 13-2,
length of head 34-4, in length of body. Hye 4-44 in length of head,
slightly less than snout. Snout very blunt, its anterior profile vertical.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers 12
(Ogilby, 9) on lower part of anterior arch. D I+VI+I 18-23.
A II+I 16-20. Soft dorsal and anal more or less strongly falcate
anteriorly. Pectoral 14-14 in length of head. Lateral line gently
curved.
Length.—Up to 760 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white, bluish above, lobe of soft dorsal and upper
caudal lobe blackish.
Locality.—Natal, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to N.E. Australia.
Trachynotus russellii C. and V.
Moonfish.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vill, p. 436
and p. 437 (oblongus).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 484 (oblongus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 233, pl. 51B, fig. 3.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 187
(oblongus).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 391 (oblongus).
Body ovate. Depth 24-22, length of head 34, in length of body.
Kye about 4 in length of head, and about equal to snout. Maxilla
reaching to below centre of eye. Snout subconical. Gill-rakers 12-13
on lower part of anterior arch. D I+ VI-+I 22-23. A II+I 20-21.
Soft dorsal and anal falcate anteriorly. Pectoral equal to length of
head without snout. Ventrals reaching to vent. Lateral line nearly
straight.
Length.—Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white or yellowish, bluish or greenish above, 3-5
indistinct, dark, oval blotches on side above the lateral line ; lobes of
soft dorsal, anal, and caudal blackish.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 555
Gen. SERIOLA Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 1, p. 315.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. 1,
p. 901.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 222.
Body oblong, moderately compressed, with small cycloid scales.
' Snout conical. Teeth villiform in bands in jaws, and on vomer,
palatines, and tongue; the width in front of the band in upper jaw
greater than that in lower jaw. Gill-rakers moderately numerous,
well developed. Spinous dorsal of 5-7 low spines connected by mem-
brane, preceded by a horizontal spine. Soft dorsal and anal slightly
elevated, not, or only slightly, falcate anteriorly; the anal much
shorter than soft dorsal, with the 2 preceding spines very small,
obsolete in old specimens. No finlets. Pectoral short. Ventrals long,
connected by a double membrane to centre and sides of belly. Lateral
line without scutes, slightly curved, sometimes with a slight keel on
caudal peduncle. Pyloric caeca numerous or very numerous (Cuvier
and Valenciennes, 50; Wakiya, up to 500).
Moderate or large fishes inhabiting all warm and temperate seas,
migratory in habits. They are of graceful build and powerful
swimmers, and are valued as food and sporting fishes.
Owing to their wide distribution, it seems probable that many of
the nominal species described by various authors will be united when
a revision of the genus is undertaken.
Key to the South African species.
1. Upper part of opercle not scaly . : 3 : ; é . lalandi.
2. Upper part of opercle scaly ; : ; : d B bonariensis.
Seriola lalandii C. and V.
Yellow-tail, Geel-staart, Albacore, Halfcord.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 208.
1856. Pappe, Syn. Edib. Fish. C.G.H., p. 23 (Scomber capensis).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 40 (Lichia pappei).
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 9 (eggs).
1918. Thompson, ibid., vol. iv, p. 101 (references and synonymy).
Head conical, profile not steep. Depth 34-4, length of head 33-44 in
length of body. Eye 5-6 in length of head, 2 in snout. Maxilla
556 Annals of the South African Museum.
reaching to below anterior border of eye, or a little further. Gill-
rakers 14-15 on lower part of anterior arch. D I+VII+I 32-34.
A II+I 20-22. Soft dorsal and anal not falcate anteriorly. Pectoral
twice in length of head. Ventrals longer than pectoral, inserted below
- hind end of base of pectoral. Cheek, but not opercle, scaly.
Length.—Up to 1800 mm. (6 ft.).
Colour.—Silvery white, bluish above, with a yellow or golden longi-
tudinal band from snout to caudal peduncle, dorsal and anal dusky,
with yellowish margin, pectoral yellowish, ventrals and caudal
yellow-olivaceous.
Locality.—Port Nolloth, Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank.
Distribution.—Tropical and temperate Atlantic.
Like all the members of this genus, this species is migratory,
appearing on the Cape coasts from about October onwards through-
out the summer. It is rare on the west coast, but appears in vast
shoals in False Bay and off the Cape Point.
From an angling point of view it is one of the gamest fishes, and
some interesting notes on this subject appeared in “ Sporting World
and Outdoor Life,” April and May 1922, by C. L. Biden. The record
catch appears to be one of 55 lb.
Seriola bonariensis C. and V.
Braxlian Yellow-tail.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 211.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 464.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Head subconical. Depth a little over 3, length of head 32, in length
of body. Eye nearly 14 in snout, 44 in length of head. Marxilla
reaching to below anterior third of eye. Guill-rakers 17 on lower part
of anterior arch. D I+VII+I 29(-31). A JI+I 18(-21). Soft
dorsal and anal slightly falcate anteriorly. Pectoral twice in length
of head. Ventrals longer than pectoral, inserted below middle of
base of pectoral. Cheeks and upper part of opercle scaly. No keel
on caudal peduncle. Pyloric caeca about 20.
Length.—Up to 360 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white, darker bluish-grey above, a dark band from
nape through eye to preorbital, more or less distinct ; young usually
with dark cross-bars.
Locality.—Natai coast.
Distribution.— Brazilian coast, West Indies, (? Mediterranean).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 557
This species has been considered synonymous with falcata C. and
V., and both of them with the Mediterranean rivoliana C. and V. (see
Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. i, p. 905, 1896,
and Ribeiro, Arch. Mus. Nac. Rio Janeiro, vol. xvu, p. 30, 1915).
Its inclusion in the South African fauna-list rests solely on Norman’s
record, unless the specimen (360 mm.) above described belongs to
this species. There is a close resemblance between this fish and the
Hawaiian sparna Jenk. 1903, with which it may perhaps be more
properly identified.
Gen. ZONICHTHYS Swains.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Classif. Fish., vol. 1, p. 248.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 230 (Serzolina).
Similar to Seriola, but the head about as deep as long, with strongly
convex and steep profile, the snout short and blunt, scales largely
concealed in the skin and visible only posteriorly, gill-rakers few,
short, more or less knob-like and rudimentary, pyloric caeca com-
paratively few (about 20), width in front of the bands of teeth in
upper and lower jaws equal.
A few species from the Indo-Pacific region and the West Indies.
Zonichthys ngrofasciata (Riipp.).
Black-banded Y ellow-taal.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 92, pl. xxiv, fig. 2.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 215
(binotata), p. 216 (ruppelliz), and p. 217 (dussumiert).
1844. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 116 (inter-
media).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 465.
1871. Klunzinger, Abh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 450.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 227, pl. li, fig. 6.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 230, pl. xxxviii, fig. 1
(entermedia).
Head as deep as long, profile strongly convex. Depth 22-3, length
of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye about equal to snout, 4-44 in
length of head. Maxilla reaching to below posterior third of eye.
Width in front of bands of teeth in upper and lower jaws equal.
Profile of snout steep, nearly vertical. Gill-rakers 8-9 on lower
part of anterior arch, short and stout, the lower ones more or less
rudimentary, none on upper part of arch. D I+V-VI-+I 31-35.
558 Annals of the South African Museum.
A II+115-17. Soft dorsal and anal not falcate anteriorly. Pectoral
§ length of head. Ventrals much longer than pectorals, especially in
young, reaching to, or nearly to, vent. Skin smooth, scales visible
only posteriorly. Pyloric caeca 20-22.
Length.—Up to 360 mm. (700 mm., Klunzinger).
Colour.—Yellowish, white below, bluish-grey above, uniform, but
in the young with 5-7 dark irregular cross-bars, running obliquely
forwards and downwards from above; fins olivaceous, tips of dorsal
and anal blackish, upper (inner) surface of ventrals black, caudal
yellowish, the lobes dark in young.
Locality. Algoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies to
Japan.
Wakiya (loc. cit.) places intermedia in a new genus Seriolina, charac-
terised by the knob-like gill-rakers. He distinguishes, on what seem
to me to be characters variable with age, intermedia from nigrofasciatus ;
but in any case both forms should be placed in the same genus, and for
this purpose it would seem that Zonichthys Swainson 1839 is available.
Gen. LicHta Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 255
(Porthmeus= young).
1903. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xu, p. 348.
Body oblong, compressed, with small ovate, cycloid scales. Snout
conical, more so in young than adult. Teeth villiform, in rather broad
bands in jaws and on palatines, in a rhomboid or ovate patch on vomer
and tongue. Gill-rakers few, stout. Spinous dorsal of 7 spines, con-
nected by membrane in young, but free in adult, preceded by a
horizontal spine. Soft dorsal and anal nearly equal in length, their
anterior portions elevated and falcate. Pectoral short, ovate. Ven-
trals shorter than pectoral. Lateral line without scutes, running in
an ascending curve above pectoral and in a descending curve in the
middle of the side, becoming straight posteriorly ; without keel on
caudal peduncle. Pyloric caeca numerous. |
‘A single species, widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean, and of
migratory habits.
The young were originally described as belonging to a different
genus and species : Porthmeus argenteus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 559
Inchia amia (Linn.).
Leer-vis ; Garrick (Natal).
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, vol. i, p. 495.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., vol. ix, p. 256, pl. celxiv
(Porthmeus argenteus).
1850. Cuvier, Régne Anim. IIl. Poiss., pl. liv, fig. 3.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 104 (references).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth (between origin of soft dorsal and anal) 23-33, length of head
34-44. Eye 5-54 in length of head, about 1$ in snout. Lower jaw
prominent. Maxilla reaching to below hind margin of eye, or a little
beyond. Gill-rakers 7-9 on lower part of anterior arch. DI-+VII+I
20-21. A II+J 20-21. Pectoral equal to postorbital part of head or
a little longer. (Plate XXIII, fig. 2.)
The Porthmeus stage (up to about 100 mm.) has the greatest depth
of the body between the spinous dorsal and ventrals, 3-34 in length of
body, length of head 23-3. Snout pointed, lower jaw very prominent.
Hye 34-4 in length of head, greater than, or equal to, snout. Angle
of preopercle with a spine, the lower and hinder margins with several
‘denticulations ; all these are completely lost in adult ; in a specimen
100 mm. even the spine is practically obsolete. The anterior soft
dorsal and anal rays are much less elevated than in adult, in very
young scarcely elevated at all.
Length —Up to 1800 mm. (6 ft.).
Colour_—Grey or plumbeous, passing into cream or white on belly,
greenish or bluish on back, soft dorsal and anal greyish, the anterior
portions darker, caudal plumbeous, pectoral and ventrals light, the
lateral line distinctly, especially on the descending curve, outlined
with black. The Porthmeus young is silvery, bluish above, with several
more or less distinct dark, irregular cross-bands, which are frequently
represented by oval or round spots, spinous dorsal black, soft dorsal
and anal longitudinally banded with black, caudal and pectoral
yellow, lateral line not outlined.
Locality—Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank to East London
and Natal.
Distribution.—Mediterranean and west coast of Africa ; occasionally
extending to N.W. Europe.
The Leer-vis seems to arrive at the Cape somewhat later than the
Yellow-tail (Biden, ‘“‘ Sporting World and Outdoor Life,” April 1922,
p. 12), and is found throughout the summer season in varying numbers
a —————— a
it ce ms
560 Annals of the South African Museum.
up to about May. The young (Porthmeus) are common at the same
season and are frequently seen in the rock-pools along the shore of
False Bay or washed up on the beach.
Gen. NAUCRATES Raf.
1810. Rafinesque, Carrat. Nuovi Gen., p. 44. ‘
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 247
(Nauclerus=young).
1844. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror Fish., p. 52 (Xysto- ©
phorus=young).
1880. Liitken, Spolia Atlant., p. 504 (young stages).
Body elongate-oblong, not much compressed, with small cycloid
scales. Snout somewhat blunt. Teeth villiform, in bands in jaws
and on vomer, palatines, and tongue. Gill-rakers moderate in number.
Spinous dorsal of 4-5 low, disconnected spines in the adult; in the
young the spines are connected by membrane. Soft dorsal and anal
slightly elevated anteriorly, the latter much shorter than former.
Pectoral short, ovate. Ventrals a little longer than pectoral. Lateral
line without scutes, gently curved; a strong keel on either side of
caudal peduncle. Pyloric caeca moderate in number.
A single cosmopolitan species in tropical and temperate seas.
The young stages (Xystophorus and Nauclerus) not only have a
perfect spinous dorsal fin, but are without the keel on the caudal
peduncle; like the young of several other members of this family
they have spinous processes on the supraorbital, suprascapula, and
preopercle.
Naucrates ductor (Linn.).
Pilot-fish ; Lootsman.
1758: Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 295.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 229, pl. h, fig. 2.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 102 (references and
synonyms).
1918. Gilchrist, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. i, p. 114 (eggs and
spawning habits).
1922. Norman, ibid., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 38, fig. 2 (andzcus).
1926. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xv, p. 34, pl. i (young).
Depth 34 (adult 9)—44, length of head 33-34, in length of body. Eye
6-64 in length of head, about 2 in snout. Maxilla reaching to below
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 561
anterior border of eye. Gill-rakers 16-17 on lower part of anterior
arch. D IV(III-V)+I 26-28. A II+I1 16-17. Pectoral equal to
postorbital part of head.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, blackish or bluish above, with 5-7 broad, dark
vertical bars, the hinder ones extending on to the soft dorsal and anal
fins, tip of pectoral dark, tips of caudal lobes light.
Locality —Off Table Bay, Agulhas Bank, Natal coast.
Distribution.—Cosmopolitan, pelagic.
The Pilot-fish has become one of the best-known fishes through the
writings of numerous travellers and naturalists. In its young stages
it swims about under and in the neighbourhood of jelly-fishes, Portu-
guese Men-of-war (Physalia), Turtles, floating wreckage, and Sargasso
weed. The adults, however, seem to prefer the company of sharks or
ships, which they follow with great persistency, the customary ex-
planation being that the association with sharks rested on a mutual
benefit whereby the Pilot-fish obtained scraps of food in return for
piloting the shark to the food.
A far more plausible explanation has been put forward by Gilchrist
(loc. cit.) based on the character of the eggs. It was found that each
ege was furnished with a long filament and that by means of these
filaments the eggs hung together and adhered to objects with which
they came in contact. Gilchrist therefore suggested that the eggs
were laid so as to adhere to the skin of the shark or other object, and
that the anxiety of the Pilot-fish to keep close to the shark was due
to solicitude for its eggs similar to that exhibited by Blennies and other
fishes which guard their eggs.
This very plausible suggestion is, however, discountenanced by an
observation on the structure of the egg, diametrically opposed to that
given by Gilchrist. A ripe female received at the Museum was found
to contain eggs which possessed no filaments, but, on the other hand,
possessed an oil-globule and floated in sea-water. They were, there-
fore, typical pelagic eggs (Barnard, “‘ Nature,”’ vol. cxviii, 14th Aug.
1926).
No explanation of these opposing observations has yet been given,
and the question can only be solved by the examination of further
material.
Gen. Evacatis Benn.
1840. Bennett, F. D., Narr. Whaling Voy., vol. ii, p. 283.
1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 196 (Seriolichthys).
562 Annals of the South African Museum.
Body elongate, with small cycloid scales. Snout pointed. Teeth
villiform in jaws, and on vomer and palatines. Gill-rakers in moderate
number. Spinous dorsal of 6 low spines connected by membrane.
Soft dorsal and anal slightly elevated anteriorly, the latter shorter
than former, each with 1 detached finlet (composed of 2 rays) behind.
Anal spines almost or quite obsolete. Pectoral short, ovate. Ventrals
of about same length as pectoral. Lateral line without scutes, very
shghtly curved ; no keel on caudal peduncle.
A single circumtropical species.
Elagatis bipinnulatus (Q. and G.).
Runner ; Prodigal Son.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie Zool., vol. i, p. 363, pl. lxi,
fig. 3.
1876. Giinther, Fische d. Stidsee, vol. ii, p. 136, pl. xe, fig. 13.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 228, pl. li, A, fig. 1.
1907. Stead, Add. Fish Fauna, N.S.W., No. 1, p. 17, pl. v.
1918. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 390 (references).
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 233, pl. xxxvu, fig. 2.
1925. Meek and Hildebrand, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser.,
vol. Xv, p. 393:
Depth 33-44, length of head 33 to nearly 4, in length of body. Hye
51-54 in length of head, 2 in snout. Maxilla reaching to vertical from
midway between nostrils and front margin of eye. Gill-rakers 26 on
lower part of anterior arch. D VI-+I 25-27-42. A (II)+I1 17-42.
12-16
Pectoral about 4 length of head. Scales: 1.1. 95-105; Ltr. ane
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, plumbeous or bluish above, 2 blue longitudinal
bands along sides, caudal yellow.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Circumtropical.
Gen. CHORINEMUS C. and V.
1800. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, pl. xx, fig. 3 (Scombéroide
commersonnien, figure only).
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 367.
Scomberoides cannot be accepted, not for the reason given by Cuvier
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 563
and Valenciennes (liable to confusion with Scomber or Scombroidei),
nor because it is based only on a figure (though an easily recognisable
figure) without locality, but for the intrinsic reason that the words
in the caption of the figure were used in a popular sense, were not
Latinised, and are not comparable with e.g. “‘ Les Trachinotes,”’ which
latter term was used with a definite generic conception.
Body elongate-oblong, compressed, with small elongated scales,
more or less embedded in the skin. Snout conical. Premaxilla not
protractile, except in young. Teeth villiform, in bands in jaws and
on vomer, palatines and tongue; small canines sometimes present in
front of jaws. Gull-rakers in moderate number. Spinous dorsal of
6-7 spines, connected by membrane in young, but nearly free in adult,
preceded by a horizontal forwardly directed spine. Soft dorsal and
anal equal in length, anterior rays rather elevated, posterior rays
penicillate and nearly or quite disconnected to form finlets. Anal
spines strong. Pectoral short, ovate. Ventrals about as long as pec-
toral, connected to middle line of belly and depressible in a groove.
Lateral line without scutes, slightly but somewhat angularly curved
above pectoral; no keel on caudal peduncle.
A few species of circumtropical distribution.
Key to the South African species.
1. Maxilla extending well behind eye - : : - lysan.
2. Maxilla not extending beyond hind margin of eye.
a. Seales lanceolate : F : : ‘ 3 : sancti-petri.
b. Scales needle-like : : : : ; : : . . tol.
Chorinemus lysan (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., No. 67, pl. liv.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 392 (references).
1919. Regan, zbid., vol. ii, pt. 4, p. 198.
1924. Wakiya, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xv, p. 238.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 218.
Depth about 3, length of head 44-42, in length of body. Eye 4-5 in
length of head, equal to or rather greater than snout, which is rather
blunt. Usually a few canines in front of jaws. Maxilla scarcely
widened behind, rounded, extending well beyond hind margin of eye.
Gill-rakers 11 on lower part of anterior arch. D I+ VII+I 19-20.
A II+I1 18. Scales lanceolate.
VOL. XXI, PART 2, 37
564 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length —Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white, bluish above, 6-8 dark oval spots along
side, fins pale greyish, pectoral yellowish.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan.
Chorinemus sancti-petri C. and V.
Five-fingers ; Queenfish ; Sanct Pieter Vis.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. viii, p. 379,
pl. cexxxvi.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 331 (synonymy).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 186.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 392 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvun, p. 213.
Depth 33-33, length of head 44-44, in length of body. Eye 43-54
in length of head, 14-12 in snout, which is moderately pointed.
Canines absent in adult, small in young; vomerine teeth in a tri-
angular or pear-shaped patch. Maxilla widened posteriorly, truncate,
extending to below hind margin of eye. Giull-rakers 16-17 on lower
part of anterior arch. D I+ VII-+I 20-21. A II+I1 18-19. Scales
lanceolate.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white, bluish above, a bluish band from occiput
to pectoral, a series of 6-8 small dark, oval spots above, and a second
series of 3-5 less-distinct spots below the lateral line, fins yellowish, a
blackish blotch on the elevated portion of soft dorsal, tips of caudal
lobes usually dusky.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
The synonymy of this species is in some confusion, and besides
Sauvage (loc. cit. supra) reference should be made to Weber (1913,
Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 390). The description given above is
based entirely on South African specimens.
Chorinemus tol C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss,. vol. vill, p. 385.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 390 (synonymy).
Depth 3§-4}, length of head 44, in length of body. Eye 5}-5} in
length of head, 13 in snout, which is pointed. A few of the front teeth
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 565
in jaws slightly enlarged. Maxilla expanded posteriorly, truncate,
reaching to below centre of eye, or hind margin of pupil. Gill-rakers
19-20 on lower part of anterior arch. D I+VII+I 19-20. A II+I
17-18. Scales needle-like, giving the skin a striated appearance.
Length. Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Silvery white, bluish above, 6-8 oval, dark, but often in-
distinct, spots, the anterior ones cut by the lateral line, fins yellowish
tips of elevated portion of dorsal blackish.
Locality—East London, Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.
The synonymy of this species is also confused. The above descrip-
tion is based on South African specimens only. The species is easily
distinguished from the other two species found along our coasts, by
its more slender body and needle-like scales.
Gen. APOLECTUS C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss:, vol. vili, p. 438
(non Bennett, 1831).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 397 (Stromateus part).
Body ovate, compressed, with scales. Teeth small, in a single row
in jaws; none on palate or tongue. A single long dorsal fin, with
rudimentary spines anteriorly. Anal long. No detached finlets.
Pectoral faleate. Ventrals jugular in young, obsolete in adult. Lateral
line curved, with a few keeled scales posteriorly on the caudal peduncle.
No adipose eyelids.
This genus was regarded by Giinther as a synonym of Stromateus,
but lacks the characteristic pharyngeal teeth of the Stromaterdae, and
in all essentials is a Carangid. Cuvier and Valenciennes recognised its
affinity to Trachynotus. Fowler includes it in the Carangidae, though
Jordan (Classif. Fish, p. 184) places it in a separate family, Apolectidae,
adjoining the Carangidae.
Apolectus mger (Bl.).
1785. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. xu, p. 93, pl. cdxxii.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. viii, p. 439,
pl. cexxxvui (A polectus stromateus).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 401.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 247, pl. liii, fig. 4.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 218.
566 Annals of the South African Museum.
Depth 2-24, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye 44-6} in
length of head, 14-2 in snout. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. Gill-rakers 14 on lower part of anterior arch. D
(II-V) 42-46. A (II) 35-39. Dorsal and anal scaly, the anterior
portion elevated, more or less falciform, especially in young. Pectoral
longer than head. Scales: 1.1. 110-120.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Deep brown, greyish or purplish-grey, dorsal and anal
with black margins, caudal grey with dark margin ; in young, caudal
yellow with 1-3 black cross-bars.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Mstribution.—Indian seas, East Indies to China.
An excellent edible fish. Distinguished from the true Stromateus
(Butterfish) by the coloration, slight keel on caudal peduncle, and
falcate pectoral.
Fam. 23. CoRYPHAENIDAE.
Body elongate, strongly compressed in adult, with small cycloid
scales. Forehead elevated in adult male. Mouth large, oblique, not
protractile. Maxilla narrow. Teeth cardiform in jaws and on vomer
and palatines ; villiform on tongue. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes
free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae absent.
A single long dorsal fin, not strongly elevated, without spines. Anal
similar, but shorter. Pectoral short. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and
5 rays, without axillary process, and partly received into an abdominal
groove. Caudal strongly forked. Air-bladder absent. Pyloric caeca
very numerous. Lateral line distinct, somewhat angularly bent above
pectoral.
A single genus, with two species of large, powerful, widely dis-
tributed pelagic fishes.
Gen. CORYPHAENA Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 261.
With the family characters.
Coryphaena hippurus Linn.
Dolphin-fish.
1758. ‘Linné, loc. cit., p. 261.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 278,
pl. colaavit
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 567
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 248, pl. li.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 209, figs. 219, 220,
220a, 2206.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 121 (references and
synonymy).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 43-53 in length of
body. Eye 5-64 in length of head, 2 in snout. Maxilla reaching to
below centre or posterior margin of eye. Profile of head nearly vertical
in adult male, less elevated in female and not at allin young. D 55-65.
A 25-27. Ventrals inserted below base of uppermost pectoral ray.
(Plate X XVI, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 1800 mm. (6 ft.).
Colour.—Greenish or bluish, darker above, with golden iridescence,
belly whitish, with a yellowish or golden band, small black or dark
blue spots scattered over the body, dorsal and anal dark bluish, caudal
yellowish.
Locality.—Cape seas, Table Bay, False Bay.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indo-Pacific.
The young is cylindrical, less compressed and without the ridge-
like profile of the head. The eye is relatively large, greater than
the snout. There are irregular, dark, vertical cross-bars on the body.
The changes in form, from the young up to the adult, have been
described by Liitken (1880, Spolia Atlantica *), who has also detailed
the specific differences between this species (the Large Dolphin-fish)
and the Lesser Dolphin-fish (C. eqguisetis Linn.).
The Dolphin-fish is a very powerful swimmer and preys on the
Flying-fish and other fishes which congregate in shoals. The flesh is
excellent eating.
Fam. 24. ScIAENIDAE.
Meagres, Drums, Croakers.
Body oblong or rather elongate, with cycloid or more or less ctenoid
scales. Mouth moderate or rather large, somewhat protractile. Maxilla
wholly or partly concealed under preorbital, without supplemental
bone. Subocular shelf, if present, slender. Teeth usually villiform,
with or without an enlarged series or canines ; none on vomer, pala-
tines, or tongue. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes free from isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae usually present. Dorsal
* A translation, without figures, is given in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (5), vol. vii,
pp. 1-14, 107-123, 1881.
568 Annals of the South African Museum.
fin deeply notched or divided into spinous and soft portions, the latter
much the longer. Anal typically much shorter than soft dorsal, spines
1 or 2. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with or without
axillary process. Caudal variable, never forked. Air-bladder usually
present, usually large with lateral processes. Pyloric caeca usually
few. Lateral line single, the tubes often branched.
A large family of warm-water fishes which are important from an
economic point of view. Most of the species are of rather large size,
though the flesh is not everywhere regarded as of the highest quality ;
the large size of the air-bladder makes it valuable for the manufacture
of isinglass, though of an inferior quality. They are also good sporting
fishes.
An interesting peculiarity of many of the species is their power of
producing sounds which can be often plainly heard when the fish is
some distance below the surface. The production of this noise, which
has been termed “‘ drumming,” and which has given rise to various
names for these fishes, such as Drums, Croakers, Grunters, is usually
considered to be due to muscular action on the air-bladder.
The species of this family are present in all warm seas, except around
the Pacific Islands. Some frequently enter estuaries and rivers, but
none are deep-water dwellers.
Key to the South African genera.
1. No barbels on chin.
a. Poresonchin . : ; : ; i ‘ . Sciaena.
b. No pores on chin
i. Canines in front of both jaws ; ale at : . Otolithus.
ii. Canines in upper jaw only . : : : . Cynoscion.
i. No canines : : Atractoscion.
*. A single barbel on chin : : : : : ‘ . Umbrina.
Gen. Scramna (Artedi) Linn.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 289.
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxix,
p. 244.
1918. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. vi, p. 69.
Body more or less elongate. Cleft of mouth usually oblique. Snout
usually with conspicuous pores or slits. Similar pores on chin. No
barbels. Lower jaw equal to upper, or slightly shorter. Bands of
teeth in jaws villiform with the outer (upper jaw) and inner (lower
jaw) rows enlarged, but no true canines. Gill-rakers few. Pseudo-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 569
branchiae present. Dorsal deeply notched. Outer ray of ventral
often prolonged as a filament in young. Caudal varying, truncate,
rounded, rhomboid. Lateral line tubes simply bifurcate or many-
branched. Air-bladder present.
Attempts to subdivide the genus (Pseudosciaena, Corvina, Johnius,
etc.) have not been very successful owing to the intergrading of
characters.
Key to the South African species.
1. Tubes of the lateral line arborescent.
a. Anal spines weak : : : : : : ; hololepidota.
b. Anal spines strong. 5 . 5 . ; : soldado.
2. Tubes of the lateral line Giimoate:
a. Enlarged teeth in both jaws : : : : : ; vogleri.
b. Enlarged teeth in upper jaw only 5 3 , 5 . belengeri.
Corvina stellifer Bl., a West Indies and Brazilian species, is not
admitted here, as it seems probable that Bloch erroneously gave the
Cape as the locality of his original specimen. It has never been
authentically recorded from South African waters.
Corvina punctata Cast. 1861 is not a Sciaenid at all, as it has three
anal spines.
Sciaena hololepidota (Lacép.).
Kabeljaauw (Cape) ; Cob (East London) ; Salmon-bass (Natal).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iii, p. 517, pl. xxi, fig. 2.
1803. Id., wbid., vol. v, p. 685 (aquila).
1849. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisc., pl. xv.
1875. Haly, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4), vol. xv, p. 269 (margaritifera).
1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 191 (egg).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 349 (references), and p. 350 (margaritifera).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 76 (references).
1918. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. vi, p. 70, pl. xxi (subsp.
antarctica).
1923. Von a. Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 16 (aquila).
Depth 32-3,%, length of head 31-34, in length of body. Eye 44
pees) Th (adult) in length of er 1 (young)—2 (adult) in snout,
less than interorbital width. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye,
or a little beyond, not completely concealed beneath preorbital. Teeth
in narrow bands, uniserial posteriorly, the outer row in upper jaw,
the inner in lower jaw, enlarged, conical. Upper jaws slightly over-
lapping lower. Angle of preopercle serrulate in young. Géill-rakers
570 Annals of the South African Museum.
9-10 and a few rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D X.I
27-28, Ist short, 3rd or 4th spine longest, soft dorsal not scaly. A II
7, 2nd spine weak. Caudal rounded in young, subtruncate in adult.
Scales ctenoid : 1.1. 51-55 (excluding those on caudal fin) ; |.tr. —
(11-12 above if counted obliquely). Lateral line tubes with several
branches. Pyloric caeca 8-10. (Plate XXIII, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 1600 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, iridescent bluish or greenish above, white on belly,
the silvery lustre less noticeable in large examples, which are more
greyish ; young often with oblique dark stripes above the lateral line
corresponding with the series of scales; fins greyish, ventrals white,
axil of pectoral blackish.
Locality.—Luderitzbucht and west coast to Table Bay, False Bay
to Natal and Delagoa Bay, down to 200 fathoms.
Distribution —N. and 8. Atlantic, Mediterranean, Madagascar,
Mauritius, and E. coast of Australia.
Type of margaritifera in British Museum.
This species is known in Europe as the Meagre or Maigre, and in
Australia asthe Jew-fish. It is everywhere regarded as a valuable food-
fish, though large examples tend to become coarse. The Australian
fish has been given the subspecific title antarctica Cast., but there are
no specific differences between it and the Atlantic form. Lacépéde
first described the species from Mauritius.
On the French coasts it is protected by law.
At the Cape the Kabeljaauw is one of the most important fishes
economically. Adults appear mostly during the winter months, and
spawning takes place from October to December; immature fishes
are abundant during the summer months and often enter the mouths
of rivers in pursuit of the shoals of Harders, Sardines, Maasbankers,
etc.
*Sciaena soldado (Lacép.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pp. 344, 390.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 94
(males).
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 242 (dorsalis).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. ecclxxxv, fig. 3 (miles).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 185, pl. xlin, fig. 5 (meles) (synonymy).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 350, pl. xvii, fig. 3
(dorsalis).
Ty ode i ‘ vee ay : Tee hy Se. ¥
ait ern f wOpene, Cas : are
ie af ne Ly ie : :
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PLATE XXIII.
FIG.
1. Trachurus trachurus Linn. (after C. and V.) .
2. Lichia amia (Linn.) (original photo) . 5
3. Sciaena helolepidota (Lac.) (after Ogilby) . |
4. Umbrina capensis Pappe (original photo) ..
4q
‘ ‘ . :
f vn 3 ‘ih : ant “~ :
7 7? h
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI. Plate XXIII.
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 571
1918. Ocilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. vi, p. 81, pl. xxiv
(synonymy).
21925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, p. 320
(males).
Depth 3-34, length of head 33-33, in length of body. Eye 45-5 in
length of head, equal to interorbital width, less than snout. Maxilla
reaching to below posterior third of eye, completely concealed under
preorbital. Snout not overhanging upper jaw, which equals lower.
Teeth villiform, with an enlarged series in both jaws. Angle of pre-
opercle serrulate. Gill-rakers 8, with some rudiments, on lower part of
anterior arch. D IX—X.I 27-32, Ist spine very short, 2nd and 3rd
longest, soft dorsal scaly at base. A II 7, 2nd spine very strong and
nearly as long as first ray. Caudal wedge-shaped. Scales ctenoid :
8
Pip te i= ltr. i Lateral line tubes with several branches.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, belly white; margins of fins, except
ventrals, usually dark.
Locality.—Quilimane, Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, 8. and E. Australia.
It is doubtful whether Fowler’s description applies to the true
soldado. He gives the number of gill-rakers as 15, and there are
several other points of difference between his description and those
of Day and Ogilby.
Sciaena vogleri (Blkr.).
Lesser Salmon-bass.
1853. Bleeker, Nat. Tijds. Ned. Ind., vol. iv, p. 253.
1874. Id., Verh. Ak. Amsterd., vol. xiv, p. 35.
1876. Id., Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. ecclxxxvi, fig. 4.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 186, pl. xlv, fig. 1.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 183
(parva).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 350 (parva).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 319 (marleyz).
1922. Id., abid., p. 321.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 247 (parva
and marley).
Depth about equal to length of head, 3-34 in length of body. Eye
44-42 in length of head, equal to or less than snout, and interorbital
572 Annals of the South African Museum.
width. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye, completely concealed
under preorbital. Teeth villiform, with an outer enlarged row in both
jaws. Upper jaw slightly longer than lower, snout rounded but not
overhanging upper jaw. Angle of preopercle finely serrulate. Gill-
rakers 12 and some rudiments on lower part of anterior arch.
D X.I 27-31, Ist spine very short, 2nd—4th subequal, base of soft
dorsal scaly. A II 7, 2nd spine stout. Caudal wedge-shaped
6
(rhomboid). Scales ctenoid : 1.1]. 48-50; Ltr. a Lateral line tubes
bifurcate. Pyloric caeca 7-9.
Length.—Up to 270 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, spinous dorsal blackish, especially
at margin, soft dorsal and caudal dark grey, a dark axillary spot some-
times present.
Locality.—Pondoland and Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, down to 50
fathoms.
DMstribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Type of parva in South African Museum; of marley: in British
Museum.
The very similar S. sina C. and V. is recorded from Delagoa Bay
(Fowler, 1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 247). From
Day’s (Fish. Ind., p. 186) descriptions of the two species it is difficult
to find any specific differences, though the figure of sera shows a rather
more prominent or inflated snout.
*Scraena belengert (C. and V.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 120 and
p. 122, pl. evi (lobata).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 303.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 191, pl. xliv, fig. 5.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth about equal to length of head, 33-32 in length of body. Eye
34-3? in length of head, about equal to snout, and to interorbital
width. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye, completely concealed
under preorbital. Teeth viliform, with an enlarged series in upper
jaw, but none in lower. Snout rounded and overhanging upper jaw,
which is slightly longer than lower. Angle of preopercle serrulate.
D IX-X .I 27-32, 1st spine very short, 2nd and 3rd longest, soft
dorsal scaly at base. A II 7, 2nd spine stout. Caudal wedge-shaped.
«
i
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 573
6
Scales ctenoid: 1.1. 48-52; Ltr. ae Lateral line tubes bifurcate.
Pyloric caeca 5(8).
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, often some dark blotches on back
(lobata) ; dorsal, caudal, and anal fins black, opercle with a dark blotch.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Gen. OTOLITHUS Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2., vol. ii, p. 172.
1918. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. vi, p. 62.
Body more elongate as a rule than in Sciaena. Cleft of mouth
oblique. Pores on snout, but none on chin. No barbels. Lower jaw
projecting beyond upper. Maxilla completely (or almost) concealed
under preorbital. Bands of villiform teeth in jaws (anteriorly only
in lower jaw) with an enlarged series, two strong curved canines in
upper jaw and one (median) in lower jaw, an additional smaller one
often present alongside one or other of the canines. Gill-rakers few.
Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal deeply notched. Caudal rhomboid
or rounded. Lateral line tubes simply bifurcate or arborescent. Air-
bladder present.
As here used in the restricted sense, the genus is distributed over
the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
Otolithus ruber (Schn.).
Long-toothed Salmon-bass.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 75, pl. xvii.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 60,
pl. cil.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 350 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 246.
Depth 33-4, length of head 3-31, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in
length of head, 1-14 in snout and in interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to below posterior third of eye, completely concealed, ex-
cept lower hind angle, under preorbital. Preopercular margin serrulate.
Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D X . I 28-30, Ist spine
short, 3rd longest. A II 7, spines weak. Caudal rhomboid in young,
574 Annals of the South African Museum.
more rounded inadult. Scales ctenoid: 1.1. 50-54; |.tr.
7
Ts Lateral
line tubes strongly arborescent. Pyloric caeca 5.
Length.—Up to 750 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with reddish sheen.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indian seas, Malay Archipelago.
Day states that the shoulder-flap or scale is entire, but this is surely
an error.
Gen. Cynoscion Gill.
1862. ‘Gill, Procsy Ac. Nat. Sei. Philad:, p. 18.
Body elongate. Cleft of mouth oblique. Snout with pores. No
barbels. Lower jaw projecting. Teeth in narrow bands, with 1-2
canines in upper jaw; no canines in lower jaw. Gill-rakers few,
strong. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal deeply notched. Last ray
of anal nearly opposite last ray of dorsal. Caudal truncate or emar-
ginate. Air-bladder present.
Chiefly in American waters, where on account of their tender flesh
they are known as Weak-fishes. Distinguished from Otolithus by the
absence of canines in lower jaw.
*Oynoscion nebulosus (C. and V.).
Courbina ; Spotted Weak-fish (America).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 79.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. N. Amer., vol. ui, p. 1409,
fig. 563 (synonymy).
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 44.
Depth 4, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 64 in length of
head. Maxilla reaching to below hind margin of eye. Gill-rakers 7
on lower part of anterior arch. D X.I 25-27, 3rd and 4th spines
10
longest. A II 10, spines weak. Scales: 1.1. 70-75; Ltr. Th
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, body posteriorly with numerous
round, black spots; dorsal and caudal fins similarly marked.
Locality.—Mossamedes (Pellegrin).
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, S.E. coast of
United States.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 575
Gen. ATRACTOSCION Guill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 18.
1918. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. vi, p. 66.
Body elongate as in Ofolithus. Cleft of mouth wide, oblique. Snout
conical, with pores. No pores on chin. No barbels. Lower jaw pro-
jecting beyond upper. Maxilla not concealed under preorbital. Bands
of villiform or cardiform teeth in jaws, with an enlarged series in
upper and lower jaws, but no canines. Gill-rakers few, very short and
stout, especially in adult. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal deeply
notched. End of base of anal almost below last dorsal ray (further
back than in Sciaena or Otolithus). Caudal emarginate. Lateral line
tubes arborescent. Air-bladder present.
This genus was originally instituted for the Cape species. Ogilby
has associated with it the Australian species atelodus Gnthr., which
is here considered identical with aequidens.
Atractoscion aequidens (C. and V.).
Geelbek ; Cape Salmon ; Teraglin (Australia).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 66.
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xi.
1867. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (3), vol. xx, p. 60 (atelodusy.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 350 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 77 (references).
1918. Ogilby, loc. cit., p. 67 (atelodus) (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 16.
Depth 4-44, length of head 33-34, in length of body. Eye 5-7 in
length of head, 14-2 in snout, 14-14 in interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to below hind margin of eye. Preopercular margin with some
widely spaced short spines, disappearing with age. Gill-rakers 8-9
on lower part of anterior arch (in adult so short as to be only knobs).
D X .I 27-31, 1st spine short, 3rd or 3rd and 4th longest. A II 9,
14-17
25-29
Lateral line tubes (in adult) arborescent on anterior part of body,
trifurcate on hinder part. Pyloric caeca 5.
Length—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish above, belly white, edges of both jaws and
spines weak. Scales ctenoid (often feebly so): 1.1. 75-80; Ltr.
576 Annals of the South African Museum.
of opercle bright yellow, fins greyish, anal and ventrals white, a black
axillary spot.
Locality Table Bay, False Bay and Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay
and Natal, down to 30 fathoms.
Distribution.—Coast of New South Wales.
I have examined a specimen of the Australian atelodus from the
Australian Museum and can find no characters which will distinguish
it from aequidens. Ogilby’s description applies exactly to Cape
specimens, except that the scales are said to be cycloid and rather
more numerous below the lateral line. The former character is variable
as the scales are never strongly ctenoid and often very feebly so; as
regards the latter difference Mr. Whitley informs me that none of the
specimens he has examined have 33 scales below the lateral line, but
25-30.
The Geelbek or Cape Salmon is one of the commonest and most
valued food-fishes in these waters. Both here and in Australia its flesh
is esteemed superior to that of the Kabeljaauw (Jew-fish) in flavour.
Adults seem to appear inshore, in False Bay and other localities,
during the summer months, but neither here nor in Australia is there
any definite information as to the spawning season or the whereabouts
of the spawning grounds.
Gen. UMBRINA Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Réegne Anim., p. 297.
Body oblong-ovate. Snout prominent, with conspicuous pores.
Similar pores on chin. A single rather thick-set barbel on chin.
Lower jaw included. Bands of villiform teeth in jaws, the outer series
in upper jaw enlarged; no canines. Gill-rakers few, short, lower ones
often rudimentary. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal deeply notched
or divided into two; Ist spine very short. Anal spines strong, Ist
short. Caudal truncate, emarginate, or rounded. Lateral line tubes
more or less branched. Air-bladder present.
Warm seas, sometimes entering rivers.
Key to the South African species.
I. Scales cycloid . ‘ , : ; fuscolineata.
II. Scales ctenoid.
A. Dorsal rays 24-26.
1. Numerous oblique dark stripes. : : : . capensis.
2. Oblique pale streaks . ; ; : i . robinsoni.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 577
B. Dorsal rays 27-30.
1. Height of spinous dorsal more than half length of head sinuata.
2. Height of spinous dorsal less than half length of head.
a. With dark more or less oblique stripes : striata.
6. Uniform . , : : ; : : . macroptera.
Umbrina fuscolineata von B.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 181
(dussumieri non C. and V.).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 351 (dusswmerz non
C. and V.) (not the references).
192-2 Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec: Rep., ‘1, p. 15,
pl. iv.
Depth about equal to length of head, 33-33 in length of body. Eye
43-5 in length of head, 14 in snout, 1} in interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to below anterior third of eye. Depth of preorbital equal to
eye-diameter. Barbel about } diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 8-9 on
lower part of anterior arch, the lower ones mere knobs. D X.I 26,
2nd spine or 2nd and 3rd longest, about $ depth of body. A II 7,
2nd spine moderately strong, equal to interorbital width, 2 longest
ray. Caudalrounded. Scales cycloid: 1.1. 50-55 ; L-tr. . Lateral
6
14-16
line tubes bifurcate. Pyloric caeca 7-8.
Length.—Up to 210 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, silvery below, a dark band over nape to pectoral,
top of head and of caudal peduncle dark, some dark horizontal stripes
on sides below lateral line, opercle dark (bluish), a black axillary
spot, pectoral bluish.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast, 20-30 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
The specimens described by Gilchrist and Thompson as dussumieri
are undoubtedly the same as von Bonde’s fuscolineata ; although con-
siderably faded they still show traces of the dark stripe over the nape
and shoulders. Gilchrist and Thompson noted certain differences
from the typical dussumieri, but the chief difference lies in the lower
spinous dorsal, which in dussuwmeri is much higher, being nearly or
quite equal to the depth of the body.
It is to be noted that the dark band over the nape and shoulders is
found also in kuhli C. and V., a species which is considered by Day as
synonymous with russellz, a species with ctenoid scales.
578 Annals of the South African Museum.
Umbrina capensis Pappe.
Baardmann.
1853. Pappe, Synops. Ed. Fish. C.G.H., ed. 1, p. 16, and ed. 2, 1866,
jee Oe
? 1860. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 274 (cirrhosa non
Linn.).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’ Afr. Austr., p. 10.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 3dl. .
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 78.
¢1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 15.
Depth 24-3, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 4-4? in
length of head, 14 in snout, 14 in interorbital width. Maxilla reaching
to below centre of eye. Depth of preorbital not quite equal to eye-
diameter. Barbel about 4 eye-diameter. Giull-rakers 8-9 on lower
part of anterior arch; the lower ones mere knobs. D X.I 24-25,
3rd spine or 3rd and 4th longest, about 4 length of head and = depth
of body. A II 7, 2nd spine stout, 3 in head, 34 in depth of body, and
3-2 longest ray. Caudal subtruncate (adult). Scales ctenoid (in-
9-11
16-2ee
line tubes with 3-5 branches. Pyloric caeca 8. (Plate XXIII, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Greyish above, whitish below, with silvery sheen, with
17-20 more or less distinct dark, oblique, somewhat wavy streaks
narrower than the intervals; axil of pectoral dark, spinous dorsal and
ventrals blackish, other fins greyish, soft dorsal with dark margin.
Locality.—False Bay and Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay, down to 50
fathoms. Natal ?
Distinguished from striata by the more numerous and more oblique
stripes, and fewer number of dorsal rays.
This species is very close to the European cirrhosa, a specimen of
which was recorded from Algoa Bay by Giinther. This identification
seems to be erroneous. The true cirrhosa is distinguished from the
Cape form by having 2-3 dorsal rays less, but chiefly by the greater
height of the spinous dorsal, which is 3 of the length of the head and
of the depth of the body. The stripes appear to be much less distinct
in capensis than in cirrhosa; neither Pappe nor Castelnau mention
them, and they are not blue bordered with black in the living fish, as
cluding those on head and breast): 1.1. 52-55; ltr Lateral
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 579
described for cirrhosa. Moreover, cirrhosa is stated to have 65 scales
in the lateral line.
Although recorded from Natal by von Bonde, I rather suspect that
these specimens should be referred to the species here called striata.
U. canariensis Val. occurs on the west coast of Africa as far south
as Angola (see Pellegrin, 1914, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 44).
Steindachner considers this a variety of cirrhosa (Denk. Ak. Wiss.
Wien, vol. lxv, p. 7, pl. u, fig. 1, 1882).
Umbrina robinson G. and T.
Robinson’s Tassel-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thomson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 182.
1911. Id., ibed., vol. xi, p. 38 (angustilineata).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 351.
Depth 3-34, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 4-5 in length
of head, 14-14 in snout, 14-14 in interorbital width. Maxilla reaching
to below anterior third of eye. Depth of preorbital slightly less (young)
or slightly greater (adult) than eye-diameter. Barbel about } eye-
diameter. Gill-rakers 9-10 on lower part of anterior arch, the lower
ones mere knobs. D X.I 24-26, 3rd-spine (or 3rd and 4th) longest,
about = depth of body or length of head. A II 7, 2nd spine strong,
about = length of head. Caudal subtruncate. Scales ctenoid (in-
Lateral line tubes
8-9
cluding head and breast): 1.1. 49-52; Ltr. i
with 3-5 branches. Pyloric caeca 7.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, probably with silvery sheen in life, with narrow
wavy, oblique, light streaks, much narrower than the interspaces ;
opercle often with dark blotch, all the fins dark brown, especially the
spinous dorsal, ventrals, and anal, which are blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Types of robinsoni and angustilineata in South African Museum.
The type of angustilineata is a smaller specimen with the light
streaks more distinct, but in no way differs from robinsoni.
Umbrina sinuata Day.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 182, pl. xlvi, fig. 1.
1889. Id., Fauna Ind. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 109, fig. 48.
1908. Gilchrist and Thomson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 182
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 38
580 Annals of the South African Museum.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 351.
Depth 3 or a little less, length of head 3 or a little more, in length of
body. Eye 34 (young)-54 in length of head, equal to interorbital
width, and about equal to snout. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
third of eye. Depth of preorbital 3-2 eye-diameter. Barbel about 4
eye-diameter. Gill-rakers 8—9 on lower part of anterior arch, the lower
ones mere knobs. D X.J 27-29, 3rd spine or 3rd—4th longest, 2-3
length of head, and depth of body. A II 7, 2nd spine strong, 2 in
length of head, 24 in depth of body. Caudal rounded or wedge-shaped.
7
Scales ctenoid: 1.1. 44-50; Ltr. ce Lateral line tubes bifurcate, the
hinder ones simple (at least in young).
Length.—Up to 420 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or brownish, with silvery sheen, with 9 wide
sinuous, oblique, dark bands, the bands wider than interspaces ;
opercle and axil blackish, spinous dorsal and ventrals black, soft
dorsal and anal with black margins, caudal with dusky margin.
According to Day the bands are more numerous in adult, being the
outer edges of the wide bands of the young.
Locality.—Natal coast, 26 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian seas, Persian Gulf.
The occurrence of this species in South African waters rests on the
single small specimen described by Gilchrist and Thompson ; it is in
very poor condition and shows no coloration except on the spinous
dorsal and ventrals.
Umbrina striata Blgr.
Striped Tassel-fish.
1887. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 660.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 181.
1911. Id., cbid., vol. xi, p. 58 (erratum).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban. Mus, vol. i, pt. 4, p.-351.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 248
(Sciaena s.).
- Depth 22-3, length of head 3-35, in length of body. Eye 33-44 in
length of head, in young slightly greater than in adult ; 13-1} in snout
and interorbital width. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of
eye. Depth of preorbital } (young)—j eye-diameter. Barbel about }
eye-diameter. Gill-rakers 7-8 on lower part of anterior arch, the lower
ones mere knobs. D X. I 27-28, 3rd and 4th spines longest, about 4
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 581
length of head, and rather less than $ depth of body. A II 7, 2nd spine
stout, 4 length of head and 2 depth of body, or sometimes a little
shorter, 2 longest ray. Caudal rounded in young, subtruncate in
adult. Scales ctenoid (including those on breast and head): 1.1. 49-51;
7-8
often simple in young. Pyloric caeca 7-8.
Length.— Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, whitish below, with silvery sheen, with 9-12 more
or less distinct wavy, sometimes anastomosing, dark streaks, oblique
on back, more or less horizontal on sides, narrower than the intervals ;
opercle and axil of pectoral more or less blackish, spinous dorsal and
ventrals dark, other fins (as preserved) greyish ; soft dorsal with dark
margin.
Locality.— East London and Natal coast.
Distribution.—Persian Gulf.
I very much doubt whether the Natal fish will prove to be the same
as that from the Persian Gulf, as the proportions are considerably
different, though it should be noted that striata was described from a
single dry specimen.
This species is distinguished from capensis by having the stripes,
especially the lower ones, more or less horizontal: thus the stripe
which begins near the axil of the pectoral runs to the upper surface
of the caudal peduncle or to the hinder rays of the soft dorsal, whereas
in capensis the corresponding stripe runs to the middle of the soft
dorsal.
l.tr Lateral line tubes with 3-4 branches, the posterior tubes
Umbrina macroptera (Blkr.).
1853. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. iv, p. 254.
1874. Id., Verh. Ak. Amsterd., vol. xiv, p. 60.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 182.
1917. Jordan and Starks, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 454.
1925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, p. 320.
Depth 34-34, length of head 32-34, in length of body. Eye 44 in
length of head, slightly less than snout, and nearly 14 in interorbital
width. Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Depth of preorbital
# eye-diameter. Barbel very short, less than 4 eye-diameter, some-
times almost obsolete. Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch,
the lower ones rudimentary. D X.I 28-30, 2nd spine or 2nd—4th
longest, 24 in depth of body. A II7, 2nd spine stout, not quite } depth
of body, $ longest ray. Caudal rounded, wedge-shaped. Scales ctenoid
582 Annals of the South African Museum.
Lateral line tubes
4
(except on head and breast) : 1.1. 46-50; Ltr. Er
with 3-4 branches. Pyloric caeca 8 (Day, 11).
Length.—Up to 230 mm. |
Colour.—Greyish, silvery below, the sides with numerous minute
dots, axil of pectoral and a blotch on opercle blackish, spinous dorsal
blackish, other fins greyish or yellowish, dotted.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, Malay Archipelago.
Fowler’s scale-count of 8 scales below lateral line is evidently
taken further back than Day’s or my own.
Fam. 25. MULLIDAE.
Surmullets ; Red mullets.
Body oblong-elongate, with large cycloid or slightly ctenoid scales.
Mouth small, subterminal, protractile. Maxilla partly concealed
by preorbital, without supplemental bone. Subocular shelf strong.
Teeth villiform in the jaws and often on vomer and palatines. Nostrils
paired, far apart. Guill-membranes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit
behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Branchiostegals 4. Two long
unbranched barbels on the chin. Two dorsal fins, both short. Anal
short, with 1-2 spines. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with
axillary process. Caudal forked. Air-bladder usually present, simple.
Pyloric caeca few or moderately numerous. Lateral line single, the
tubes often branched.
Tropical and subtropical seas, extending into temperate waters ;
sometimes entering estuaries. Hggs pelagic. The Surmullets are noted
for their brilliant colours. Though not reaching a large size, they are
valued as food-fishes of excellent flavour.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Vomer and palatines with teeth . t : ‘ ; . Upeneus.
2. Vomer and palatines without teeth.
a. Teeth in jaws in bands or several series , : : . Mulloides.
b. Teeth in jaws in a single series. : : ; ; Parupeneus.
Gen. UPENEUS Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, p. 157 (part).
1849. Bleeker, Verh. Batav. Gen., vol. xxii, p. 63 (Upeneordes).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 583
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 397 (Upeneordes).
1868. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterd., vol. 1, p. 345.
1907. Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxu, p. 97, and footnote
by Jordan, p. 88.
Vomer and palatines with teeth. Teeth in the jaws in villiform
bands. Snout comparatively short, maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. Interorbital nearly flat, the eye touching or nearly
touching the dorsal profile.
Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Key to the South African species.
1. Caudal with oblique dark bars.
a. A black lateral stripe. First dorsal fin scarcely higher than 2nd _ tragula.
b. No dark lateral stripe. First dorsal fin distinctly higher than 2nd
vittatus.
2. Caudal without oblique dark bars d : : : : ‘ bensast.
*U peneus tragula Rich.
1846. Richardson, Ichthyol. China, p. 220.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. ccexcn, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 121, pl. xxx, fig. 4.
1907. Snyder, loc. cit., p. 100 (references).
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, p. 200.
Depth 4, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Eye 4 in length
of head, equal to interorbital width, 1$ in snout. Maxilla reaching to
below anterior margin or anterior third of eye. Barbels scarcely
reaching angle of preopercle. Gull-rakers 12 plus 4-5 rudimentary
ones on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII-+I 8, lst spine minute
or obsolete, 2nd longest, 2-2 depth of body, Ist dorsal scarcely
higher than 2nd. ATI 7, spine feeble. Scales ctenoid, some on snout
2 !
and preorbital : 1.1. 30-32; L.tr. ae Lateral line tubes arborescent.
Pyloric caeca 6.
Length—Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Silvery or golden, reddish above, with dark dots and a
dark or blackish lateral stripe from snout through eye to caudal, Ist
dorsal with broad black margin, caudal with oblique dark bars, pec-
torals, ventrals, and anal with reddish or dark bands.
Locality.— Natal. coast.
Disiribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
it
,
|
584 Annals of the South African Museum.
Upeneus vittatus (Forsk.).
Bar-tailed Surmullet.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 31.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. ccexcii, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 120, pl. xxx, fig. 2.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 219, pl. xxvu, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 365 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 23.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 246.
Depth 32-33, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Eye 33-33
in length of head, equal to interorbital width, 14-14 in snout. Maxilla
reaching to below anterior third of eye. Barbels not reaching to angle
of preopercle. Gill-rakers 11-12 plus some rudiments on lower part
of anterior arch. D VIII+1 8, 1st spine minute, 2nd and 3rd longest,
3 depth of body, 1st dorsal distinctly higher than 2nd. A I 7, spine
feeble. Scales ctenoid, some on snout and preorbital: 1.1. 37-39;
2
lebrs = Lateral line tubes arborescent. Pyloric caeca 11. (Plate
SOV: fie, 1.)
Length.— Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Golden, reddish above, with 2—4 yellow, orange, or reddish
lateral stripes, Ist dorsal with black margin and 1-2 dusky bands,
caudal with oblique black bars.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, to 40 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Upeneus bensasi (T. and 8.).
1845. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 30, pl. xi, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 121, pl. xxx, fig. 5.
1907, Snyder, Proc. U.S, Nat. Mus., vol. xxaiy poy ee:
Depth 32-4, length of head 3}-34, in length of body. Eye 4-44 in
leneth of head, 14 to nearly 2 in snout, 14-14 in interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye, or a little beyond.
Barbels reaching to angle of preopercle, or a little beyond. Gill-rakers
13-14 plus a few rudiments on lower part of anterior arch. D VII
+I 8 (true Ist spine obsolete), apparent Ist or Ist and 2nd spines
longest, } depth of body, Ist dorsal a little higher than 2nd. A I 6,
spine feeble. Scales ctenoid, some on snout and preorbital : 1.1. 32-24 ;
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 585
2
Li. a Lateral line tubes arborescent. Pyloric caeca 15 (Snyder).
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, darker above, lighter below, with faint yellow lines
or reddish spots, spinous dorsal dusky, soft dorsal and caudal with
reddish bars, those on caudal oblique, pectorals, ventrals, and anal
yellowish.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan.
Gen. MuLLOIDEs Blkr.
1848. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxu.
1852. Id., Nat. Tijds. Ned. Ind., vol. iii, p. 697.
Vomer and palatines without teeth. Teeth in jaws in several rows
or narrow bands. Snout comparatively long, maxilla not nearly
reaching to below anterior margin of eye.
Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Mulloides auriflamma (Forsk.).
Yellow-stripe Surmullet.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 30.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 406 (flavolineatus).
1870. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xx, p. 742.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. ccexciv, fig. 3 (flavo-
lineatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 122, pl. xxx, fig. 6 (flavolineatus).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 231 (flavolineatus).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 163
(U peneus quekett).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 364 (references) and
p. 365 (U. queketti).
Depth 4-43, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Hye 33-4 in
length of head, equal to or slightly less than interorbital width, 13-2
in snout. Maxilla reaching to below a point about midway (or a little
more) from tip of snout to anterior margin of eye. Barbels reaching
to angle of preopercle. Gill-rakers 14-15 and some rudiments on
lower part of anterior arch. D VII-+I 8, the true lst spine quite
obsolete, anterior (2nd) spine longest, 14-14 in depth of body. ATI 6,
586 Annals of the South African Museum.
spine feeble. Scales ctenoid, none on preorbital : 1.1. 36-38 ; 1.tr. a7
Lateral line tubes arborescent. Pyloric caeca 17-18.
Length—Up to 325 mm.
Colour.—Pale golden or silvery, deeper orange or reddish above, a
deep yellow lateral stripe from eye to caudal, fins pinkish; head and
body often (? breeding season) with reddish spots of varying size.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.
Types of Upeneus quekett: in South African Museum.
Klunzinger (loc. cit.) states that in the Red Sea these fishes spawn
during the months of June to August, when they arrive inshore and
in the harbours in large shoals.
Gen. PARUPENEUS Blkr.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, vol. ii, p. 157 (Upeneus part).
1863. Bleeker (quoted from Jordan, Classification ; the Ind. Zool.
gives 1887, Klunzinger).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 294.
Vomer and palatines without teeth. Teeth in jaws in a single
series, rather strong and unequal. Snout moderately long, maxilla
not reaching to below anterior margin of eye.
Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Key to the South African species.
1. Lateral line tubes with very short branches. No dark markings . cyclostomus.
2. Lateral line tubes arborescent.
a. A dark lateral stripe and a spot on caudal peduncle.
i, Last dorsal and anal ray prolonged. Gill-rakers 24 . macronema.
ii. Last dorsal and anal ray not prolonged. Gill-rakers 16-17 barberinus.
b. No dark lateral stripe.
i. A dark saddle over caudal peduncle. : : . fraterculus,
ii. A dark spot on caudal peduncle . : : . . indicus.
iii. A dark spot below gap between dorsal fins . c pleurostigma.
*Parupeneus cyclostomus (Lacép.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iui, p. 404, pl. xix, fig. 3.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 60, pl. xlv, fig. A
(chryserythrus non Lacép.).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 125, pl. xxxi, fig. 2 (luteus).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 587
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. ccexciii, fig. 2 (chrysedrus
non Lacép.).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 226. pl. xxvi, fig. 4
(synonymy).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth 34-34, length of head 24-34, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in
length of head, 24-34 in snout. Barbels reaching to, or nearly to,
base of ventrals. D VIII+I 8, 1st spine short, 2nd or 2nd and 3rd
longest, about 2-3? depth of body. AI6, spine feeble. Scales ctenoid :
2
Ee 30's) Ltr. = Lateral line tubes with very short lateral tubules.
Length.—Up to 340 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or orange-yellow, paler below, head with bluish
stripes from snout to opercle, fins yellowish, soft dorsal and anal with
3-5 bluish bands.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Parupeneus macronema (Lacép.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, pp. 383, 404, pl. xin,
fig. 2.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. ccexcei, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 123, pl. xxxi, fig. 1.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 224.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 245 Ge
spilurus non Playf.).
Depth 34-34, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 44-5 in
length of head, 2-24 in snout. Barbels reaching to angle of preopercle
or beyond. Gill-rakers 24 on lower part of anterior arch. D VII-
VIII+I1 8, lst spine minute or obsolete, 2nd rather strong, 3rd and
4th longest, 3 depth of body ; soft dorsal lower than spinous, last ray
the longest, often reaching nearly to caudal fin. A I 6, spine feeble,
last ray prolonged similarly to that of soft dorsal. Scales ctenoid :
2
LI. 29-30 ; tr: = Lateral line tubes arborescent.
Length.—Up to 295 mm.
Colour.—Rosy or salmon, a dark brown band from snout through
eye to below end of soft dorsal, and a brown spot in middle (7.e. on the
24th-25th scales of the lateral line) of caudal peduncle, fins pinkish
588 Annals of the South African Museum.
or yellowish, soft dorsal, anal and ventrals banded, a deep violet band
along base of soft dorsal, caudal with dark edging.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Parupeneus barberinus (Lacép.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iu, p. 406, pl. xiui, fig. 3.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 57, pl. xlii.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cccxciu, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 124.
1907. Snyder, Proc) U.S: Nat. Mus:, vol. xxx, p. 92:
Depth 33-33, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 44-54 in
length of head, 2-24 in snout. Barbels reaching to angle of preopercle.
Gill-rakers 16-17 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII+I 8, Ist
spine minute, 3rd longest, } depth of body; spinous dorsal a little
higher than soft, the anterior rays of which are higher than the
posterior ones. A I 6, spine feeble, last ray not prolonged. Scales
2
etenoid: 1.1. 29-31; Ltr. = Lateral line tubes arborescent. Pyloric
caeca 17-18.
Length—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Pink or salmon or reddish, bluish and yellowish streaks
more or less distinct, or simply a brown band from eye to tip of snout,
a dark brown stripe from eye to below end of soft dorsal and a brown
spot at end (7.e. on 27th and 28th scales of the lateral line) of caudal ~
peduncle, fins pinkish, soft dorsal and anal more or less distinctly
banded.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan.
Parupeneus fraterculus (C. and V.).
East African Surmullet.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 524.
1866. Playfair in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 41, pl. v,
fig. 4 (dispilurus), and p. 41, pl. v, fig. 3 (pleurotaenia).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 125, pl. xxxi, fig. 3 (d¢spilurus).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii
(1903), p. 261, fig. 109.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 164
(indicus non Shaw).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 589
1909. Id., ibid., vol. vi, p. 229 (natalensis).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 364 (natalensis).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (spilurus
non Blkr.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 246.
Depth 3-34, length of head 3-3}, in length of body. Eye 44-5 in
length of head, 12-24 in snout. Barbels reaching a litle beyond angle
of preopercle. Gill-rakers 17-18 on lower part of anterior arch. D
VIII+1 8, 1st spine short, 3rd and 4th longest, about } depth of body.
; 2
A16,spine feeble. Scales ctenoid: 1.1. 29-31; L.tr. = Lateral line
tubes arborescent, especially the anterior ones. Pyloric caeca 22.
Length —Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or carmine, a large golden blotch on side of back
between the end of soft dorsal and a blackish saddle-like band over the
upper part of caudal peduncle, scales on upper parts often with orange
spots, often purplish band on snout to eye, dorsal purplish or
dusky ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal more or less distinctly banded
or mottled.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa to Red Sea.
Type of natalensis in South African Museum.
In the localities above given this species is the commonest species
of the family in South African waters. The specimens examined are
clearly identical with Playfair’s specimens from further up the East
African coast, and for these reasons it seems to me that Norman’s
specimen should also be identified as dispilurus rather than as the
Japanese spilurus.
Parupeneus indicus (Shaw).
1803. Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. iv, pt. 2, p. 614.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cccxciv, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 126, pl. xxxi, fig. 4.
1907. Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxii, p. 93 (references
and synonymy).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 296.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 364 (references, except Gilchrist and Thompson, 1908).
Depth 34-32, length of head 33-33, in length of body. Eye 44 in
length of head, 2 in snout. Barbels reaching to angle of preopercle.
Gill-rakers 17 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII-+I 8, 1st spine
590 Annals of the South African Museum.
minute, 3rd longest, 2-3 depth of body; soft dorsal a little lower
than spinous, its last ray not prolonged. A I 6, spine feeble, last ray
2
not prolonged. Scales ctenoid: 1.1. 30; ltr. = Lateral line tubes
arborescent.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or olivaceous, an oval golden-yellow blotch on
lateral line below interspace between the dorsals (fading after death),
and a brown spot near end (7.e. on about the 26th and 27th scales of
lateral line) of caudal peduncle, a dark band (violet with yellow mar-
gins) from eye to tip of snout, spinous dorsal dusky or purplish, soft
dorsal and anal faintly barred.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.
*Parupeneus pleurostigma (Benn.).
1831. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. i, p. 59.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 58.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1x, pl. ecexciii, fig. 3.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 229.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
p. 260, fig. 108.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu.
Depth 33-33, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 4-5 in
length of head, 12 in snout. Barbels reaching to or a little beyond
hind margin of preopercle. Gill-rakers 18 on lower part of anterior
arch. D VIII+I1 8, Ist spine minute or obsolete, 2nd spine 1¢ in
length of head ; soft dorsal lower than spinous. A I 6, spine feeble.
2
Scales ctenoid : 1.]. 29-31; 1.tr. = Lateral line tubes arborescent.
Length.—Up to 225 mm.
Colour.—Red, paler below, a round or oval black spot on lateral line
below the space between the 2 dorsal fins, with a more or less distinct
silvery spot behind it; Ist dorsal with dark margin, a dark band
along base and some violet bars on 2nd dorsal, anal banded, pectorals,
ventrals, and caudal yellowish or rosy.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Mauritius, Zanzibar, East Indies, 8. Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 591
Fam. 26. EMMELICHTHYIDAE.
1924. Chabanaud, Bull. Soc. Zool. Tr., vol. xlix, p. 248 (Diptery-
gonotidae).
Body oblong or elongate, with moderate or rather small ctenoid
scales. Mouth oblique, strongly protractile. Maxilla broad, scaly,
with supramaxilla slipping under preorbital. Teeth absent, or
minute and deciduous. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes free from
isthmus. Gills 4, a sht behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present.
Spinous and soft portions of dorsal fin connected, shallowly or deeply
notched ; or separate, with 1—4(5) disconnected spines between them.
Anal short, with 3spines. Base of soft dorsal and anal scaly posteriorly.
Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal
forked. Lateral line single. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few.
A small family of moderately deep-water fishes previously known
from Australasia, Chile, East Indies, Hawai, and Japan, and now
recorded from South Africa. They all have a compact and neat
aspect (whence Richardson’s name for the type genus), and in a living
state are brightly coloured.
The true generic position of Boxaodon cyanescens Guich. (Chile) and
Dipterygonotus leucogrammicus Blkr. (Kast Indies) seems a little
doubtful. Hrythrocles scintillans Jord. and Thomps. (Hawaii) may
require a new generic name, as it differs from HL. schlegeli Blkr. (Japan)
in having the two dorsals narrowly united, without any disconnected
spines.
The family name Dipterygonotidae, adopted by Chabanaud, is in-
admissible, as Hmmelichthys is the earliest genus.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Disconnected spines between spinous and soft dorsal fins . Emmelichthys.
2. Spinous and soft portions continuous . : : : . Plagiogeneion.
Gen. EMMELICHTHYS Rich.
1845. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, p. 47.
1848. Guichenot in Gay. Hist. Chile Zool., vol. ii, p. 208 (Boxaodon).
Body elongate, slightly compressed. Dorsal spines 14, the last
connected with soft dorsal, the preceding 4 disconnected. Last
dorsal and anal ray produced, longer than preceding ones. Preopercle
broadly rounded, hind (vertical) margin sloping downwards and back-
wards, not concave. Preorbital strongly projecting, rounded anteriorly.
592 Annals of the South African Museum.
No lateral ridge on caudal peduncle. Teeth completely obsolete. A
long scaly process between bases of ventrals.
Emmelichthys nitidus (Rich.).
1845. Richardson, loc cit., p. 47, pl. xxix, figs. 7, 8.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 395.
1907. Stead, Add. Fish-fauna N.S.W., No. 1, p. 16.
1911. McCulloch, Zool. Res. “ Endeavour,” vol. i, p. 66.
Depth 4 or a little more, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye
4 in length of head, equal to snout, and equal to or slightly less than
interorbital width. Maxilla rounded behind, reaching to, or nearly
to, below centre of eye. Hind margin of preopercle and opercle
minutely denticulate. Gull-rakers 27 on lower part of anterior arch.
D IX+IV-+I 9-10; Ist spine 4-3 length of 2nd, which is nearly
as long as 3rd and 4th, the latter slightly the longest, disconnected
spines short, last about $ length of the spine adjoining the soft rays.
8-9
A III 10. Seales: 1.1. 96-100; 1.tr.
20-23
Top of snout scaleless.
(Plate XXIV, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 470 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Golden, with silvery sheen, pale longitudinal
streaks from head to tail showing through the scales.
_ Locality.—Simonstown, False Bay, 1891. There isa second specimen
in the South African Museum collection without exact locality.
Distribution.—W. and S8.E. Australia, New Zealand.
The two South African specimens, 470 and 350 mm. in length,
accord fully with Richardson’s description and figure, though he does
not state the actual number of gill-rakers.
Gen. PLAGIOGENEION Forbes.
1890, Horbes, Ir. N-Z. Inst., vol. sexu, pr aire.
1914. McCulloch, Zool. Res. “‘ Endeavour,” vol. 11, pt. 3, p. 103.
Body oblong, moderately compressed. Dorsal fin continuous,
spines 12, the penultimate as long as the ultimate one. Last dorsal
and anal ray not produced. Preopercle broadly rounded, vertical
margin gently concave. Preorbital projecting, somewhat angular
anteriorly. No lateral ridge on caudal peduncle. A single row of
minute teeth in each jaw, more or less obsolete ; sometimes a few on
vomer. A short scaly process between bases of ventrals.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 593
Plagiogeneion rubsginosus (Hutton).
1876. Hutton, Tr. N.Z. Inst., vol. viii, p. 209.
1890. Forbes, cbid., vol. xxu, p. 273.
1913. Waite, 2bed., vol. xlv., p. 218, pl. vu.
1913. Id., Rec. Canterb. Mus., vol. 11, pt. 1, p. 18.
1914. McCulloch, Zool. Res. “‘ Endeavour,” vol. 11, pt. 3, p. 104.
Depth 3, length of head a little over 3, in length of body. Eye 3in
length of head, 14 times snout, a little greater than interorbital width.
Maxilla angularly truncate behind, reaching to below anterior third
of eye. Hind margin of preopercle minutely denticulate, of opercle
smooth, entire. Lower margin of preorbital serrate. Gill-rakers 27
on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 10, spines graduated to 4th,
which is longest. A III 9. Scales: 1.1. 68-71 (plus a few on base of
12
tail) ; L.tr. at Snout completely scaly.
Length. Up to 365 mm.
Colour.—Uniform silvery with delicate salmon-pink tinge on body
and fins, iris silvery, pupil black.
Locality —Off Cape Peninsula (33° 17’ S., 17° 26’ E.), 180 fathoms.
Distribution.—New Zealand, 8.E. Australia.
The single South African specimen, 280 mm. long, obtained by a
trawler in 1925, agrees with McCulloch’s Australian specimen in
having the base of soft dorsal distinctly less than half length of spinous
dorsal, and the ventral spine arising below the 2nd—3rd dorsal spines.
The caudal is scaly only at the base.
Neither Waite’s description of rubsginosus nor McCulloch’s descrip-
tion of macrolepis mention serrations on the preorbital, though there
is a suggestion of such in Waite’s figure.
Fam. 27. BRAMIDAE.
Body oblong, more or less elevated, strongly compressed, with large
or small, adherent, cycloid scales. Scales normal or more or less
lobate ; in the young with a median ridge or spine, which disappears
in adult, but may persist in some half-grown examples. Mouth
moderate, very oblique, protractile. Maxilla broad. Teeth cardiform,
in bands in jaws, and sometimes on vomer and palatines. Nostrils
paired. Giull-membranes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind
4th. Pseudobranchiae present. A single dorsal fin, long, often
elevated in front, anterior 3-4 spines simple, short, the remaining ones
594 Annals of the South African Museum.
articulated, and branched. Anal similar to dorsal. Both dorsal and
anal scaly, but without definite basal sheath. Ventrals thoracic, of
a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Pectoral moderate or
rather long. Caudalforked. Air-bladder present or absent. Pyloric
caeca few. Lateral line present or obsolete.
A family of pelagic fishes, often descending to considerable depths,
and widely distributed. Noticeable changes occur during growth,
the young having spinose scales, while in the adult the spines are
frequently lost.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Scales small. Dorsal and anal not falcate . ; : : : Brama.
2. Scales large. Dorsal and anal falcate . : ; . Paractes.
Gen. Brama BI. Schn.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 98.
1810. Rafinesque, Caratteri, p. 53 (Lepodus).
Palatine and vomerine teeth present, but often obscure or lost with
age ; the outer series of teeth in the jaws more or less enlarged. Scales
small, without spines in adult. Dorsal and anal moderately elevated
anteriorly. Lateral line obsolete, or sometimes visible posteriorly.
Air-bladder large. Preorbital at least half diameter of eye.
Brama raw (BL).
Sea-bream ; Bull-eye.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 99.
1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., vol. i, p. 77, pl. vi, fig. 1, text-fig. 23.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 122 (references).
1918. Schmidt, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. 1, A 6 (post-larval stages).
Depth 2 (or a little over), length of head 33-4, in length of body.
Eye equal to snout, and to interorbital width, 33-34 in length of head.
Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Vomerine and palatine teeth
often obscure or lost in adult. Gill-rakers 12 on lower part of anterior
arch, their inner margins spinulose. D III 30-33, longest anterior
rays a little over $ length of head. A II 26-27, longest anterior
rays a little over $ length of head. Pectoral about } depth of body.
Caudal deeply forked. Scales: lat. ser. 80-95, without spines in
adult. Whole head, except snout, inter-, supra-, and pre-orbital, and
lower jaw, scaly. Pyloric caeca 4. (Plate XXIV, fig. 3.)
3 .- —— a
PLATE XXIV.
FIG.
. Upeneus vittatus (Forsk.) (after Day)
. Emmelichthys nitidus (Rich.) (after Richardson)
. Brama raii (B1.) (after Smitt)
. Ambassis urotaena Blkr. (after Day)
. Apogon queketti Gilch. (after Gilchrist)
o fF WwW PS Ke
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 595
Length Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, darker along back, with silvery sheen, especially
on belly and the scales covering the fins; vertical fins blackish,
pectoral and ventral yellowish, iris black-brown, pupil light.
Locality Table Bay, Agulhas Bank.
Distribution.—Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, Japan, New
Zealand, down to 500 fathoms.
The young has a deeper body, the ventral profile being much more
convex than the dorsal, the scales bear a central hooked spine, and
the preopercular angle is spinose.
An excellent food-fish.
Gen. TARACTES Lowe.
1843. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 82.
Palatine and vomerine teeth present. Scales rather large, without
hooked spines in adult. Dorsal and anal fins strongly falcate in adult.
Lateral line obsolete. Preorbital less than half diameter of eye. A
transverse groove above and below on caudal peduncle at base of
caudal.
Taractes longipinnis (Lowe).
Long-finned Sea-bream.
1843. Lowe, loc. cit., p. 82 (half-grown).
1843. Id., cbid., p. 83 (asper=young). 7
1863. Johnson, zbid., p. 36 (princeps, adult).
Not Smitt, Skand. Fish., vol. i, p. 80, fig. 24 (=raschi1 Esmark).
Depth 1% to nearly 2, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Hye
32-4 in length of head, slightly greater than snout. Maxilla reaching
to below centre of eye. D III 31-32. A II-III 25-26. Both strongly
falcate, the Ist ray equal to length of body in half-grown, half length
of body in adult, the succeeding rays rapidly decreasing. Scales:
lat. ser. 41-45, those on body in young and half-grown with recurved
spines, those on caudal peduncle with antrorse spines, the change of
direction occurring under the last dorsal rays, 2 series of spinose scales
on each side of caudal peduncle. In adult no spines on scales. Whole
head, except snout, inter-, supra-, and pre-orbital, and lower jaw, scaly.
Pyloric caeca 5 (Johnson).
Length—Up to 825 mm. .
Colour.—Blackish-grey, iridescent coppery, iris dark brown, pupil
pale grey (Johnson).
VOL. XXI, PART 2. o9
596 : Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality—Simonstown, False Bay, 1876.
Distribution.—Madeira.
The South African specimen is half-grown, 350 mm. long, and con-
sists of a dried half-skin, otherwise in excellent condition. The scales
are spinose and the longest dorsal and anal fins rays equal to length of
body. The transverse grooves on caudal peduncle are present as in
princeps, and the broad flat keel on either side mentioned by Johnson
is indicated by the two rows of spines.
There seems little doubt that Johnson described the adult of Lowe’s
longipinnis, which was a half-grown specimen 456 mm. long. T. asper
was founded on a young specimen, length not stated.
On the other hand, 7. raschii Esmark 1861 would seem to be a
different species, as his specimen measuring 334 mm. (or about 400
mm. including tail) is much shallower in the body (depth 24 in length),
and the dorsal and anal] fins very much less elevated, than in the South
African specimen of 350 mm.
Fam. 28. PTERACLIDAE.
Body oblong, more or less elevated, strongly compressed, with rather
large, thin, adherent, cycloid scales. Scales lobate, with persistent
median ridge or spine. Mouth moderate, very oblique, protractile
only in young. Maxilla broad. Teeth cardiform in a single row or in
bands in jaws, present or absent on vomer, palatine; absent on
tongue. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes free from isthmus. Gills
4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. A single dorsal fin,
very long, very high, composed wholly of spines, which are simple,
non-articulate, unbranched (except the last one), the anterior ones
often short and graduated. Anal similar to dorsal. Both dorsal and
anal scaleless, but with a conspicuous basal sheath consisting of a
single row of large scales. Ventrals jugular, of a spine and 5 rays,
with axillary process. Pectoral moderate. Caudal forked. Air-
bladder small. Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line obsolete, or nearly so.
A small family of pelagic fishes closely related to the Bramidae and
remarkable for their elevated sail-like dorsal and anal fins. Very few
specimens are known, and most of the species are known only from
single specimens.
The scales are notable in being more or less lobate; those on the
sides of the body and caudal peduncle each bearing a hooked spine,
which fits into a notch in the preceding scale, as in the genus Taractes
in the family Bramidae. }
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 597
Key to the South African genera.
1. Dorsal fin beginning on snout in front of eye : ; . Pteraclis.
2. Dorsal fin beginning behind eye . : é : : : Pterycombus.
Gen. PTERACLIS Gron.
1763. Gronovius, Zoophyl., p. 136.
1772. Id., Acta Helvetica, vol. vu, p. 44.
1800. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 512 (Oligopodus).
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 359.
1901. Jordan and Snyder, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, vol. xv, p. 306
(Bentenia).
1919. Jordan, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xu, pp. 331-333.
Body rather elongate. Dorsal fin beginning far forward on snout in
front of eye, with 2-4 graduated spines in front, the Ist elongate spine
more or less conspicuously thickened. Anal similar. No teeth on
palate.
Bentema has one of the dorsal and anal spines notably thickened,
Pterachis apparently has the spines not or only shghtly thickened. The
distinction seems scarcely of generic importance, especially when so
little is really known about these forms. Jordan remarks that the two
are in other respects very close to one another.
Key to the South African species.
1. Depth 3iin length . : : ; 5 : . ocellatus.
2. Depth 43 in length : ; . velifera.
* Pteraclis ocellatus C. and V..
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 363, pl. cc'xxi,
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., III. Poiss., pl. Ixvi, fig. 2.
1919. Jordan, loc. cit., p. 332, pl. lvii (after C. and V.).
Depth of body equal to length of head, 34in length. Eye 3 in length
of head. Maxilla reaching nearly to below hind margin of eye. D
XLV-XLVI, commencing at a distance from premaxillary symphysis
equal to about eye-diameter, Ist spine very short, 2nd and 3rd rather
longer, 4th elongate, 3 length of body, 7th about as long as body,
succeeding ones gradually decreasing. A XLII, commencing below
hind margin of preopercle, 1st spine short, succeeding ones graduated
to 5th, which equals longest dorsal spine. Scales: l.ser. 50-52;
tr.ser.17. Lateral line apparently distinct.
“5 ——_
A
a
—_a So a a a
598 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—70 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, dorsal and anal fins blackish, with a blue spot at
top of dorsal, pectoral and caudal yellow.
Locality.—Mozambique Channel, 30° S. lat.
Type in Paris Museum.
Pteraclis velifera (Pall.).
1767. Pallas, Spicil:; vol) van, p.19, pl an; fig. 1
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 370 (guttatus).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 411.
1919. Jordan, loc. cit., pl. lv (after Bonnaterre).
Depth (not including fin sheaths) 44, length of head 5, in length of
body. Eye 4 in length of head, a little larger than snout. Maxilla
reaching to below hind margin of pupil. Teeth in a single series in
both jaws, 4-5 in a single row on each palatine, 2 in a longitudinal
line on vomer. Gill-rakers 6 on lower part of anterior arch, widely
spaced, with spinules on their inner edges, a smaller one just above
bend. Dca. LV, commencing at a distance from premaxillary sym-
physis equal to 4 eye-diameter, lst spine very short, 2nd 10 mm., 3rd
15 mm., 4th 23 mm., equal to eye, 5th stout, about 110 mm., other
spines mutilated. Aca. L, lst apparently lost, 2nd 20 mm., 3rd stout,
80 mm., other spines mutilated. Scales strongly lobate: l.ser. ca. 50;
tr.ser. 16 or 17 (not including fin-sheaths). The scales from behind
pectoral each with a hooked, backwardly directed spine. Whole head,
except snout and lower jaw, scaly.
Length.—520 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Traces of silver on body, dorsal and anal
fins blackish.
Locality.— St. Helena Bay.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean.
This old and rather badly mutilated specimen from the Old Museum
collection described above seems to be referable to Pallas’ species.
Lowe’s P. papilio from Madeira is excluded as having considerably
fewer dorsal and anal spines. In any case it is certainly referable to
Bentenia as defined by Jordan, having one spine in both the dorsal and
anal fins notably enlarged.
Gen. PTERYCOMBUS Fries.
1837. Fries, K. Ver. Ak. Handl. Stockh., pp. 14, 22.
1892. Smitt, Skand. Fish., vol. i, p. 72.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 599
1919. Jordan, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xu, p. 331.
Body short. Dorsal fin beginning behind eye, with 10-13 graduated
spines in front, none of the spines thickened. Anal with about 4 short
graduated spines, the next spine abruptly longer. No teeth on palate
or tongue.
Centropholis Hilg. 1878 may possibly be synonymous with this
genus, the difference in height of the anal scarcely being a generic
character, judging by the figures of P. brama and C. goodei given by
Jordan (loc. cit., pls. lvii and Iviii), though the former appears to have
a few (? 3) short anal spines followed by one abruptly longer. The
present species differs from both in having falcate dorsal and anal fins,
but is nearer to Pterycombus.
Pterycombus falcatus n. sp.
Depth (at level of vent, and not including scaly sheath of dorsal)
24, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye nearly twice snout,
slightly greater than interorbital width, 34 in length of head. Maxilla
reaching to below centre of eye. Gill-rakers 7 on lower part of anterior
arch, the front one shorter than the others, one small one just above
the bend, all set with spinules on their upper (inner) edges. D XLIX,
commencing above hind margin of eye, the anterior spines very short,
but gradually increasing in length to 8th which equals diameter of
eye, 9th nearly twice 8th, 10th 22 times 8th, 11th 3 times 9th, 12th-
14th 2 length of body, the succeeding spines decreasing rapidly to the
last, which equals diameter of eye. A XLI, commencing below scaly
base of pectoral, lst spine very short, 2nd twice Ist, 3rd twice 2nd,
4th 24 times 3rd, 5th and 6th abruptly longer, equal to longest dorsal
spines, succeeding spines decreasing rapidly to last, which is equal to
last dorsal spine. P 20, upper two rays spine-like, stouter than the
others, longest equal to length of head. Ventral slightly longer than
diameter of eye. Scales: 48 along middle of side from point of opercle
(not counting small scales on base of caudal), 20 from dorsal to vent
behind pectoral (not counting sheath scale) ; nearly all the scales with
a hooked spine directed backwards, except those on the hind part of
body and caudal peduncle, the change of direction occurring at the
level of about the 43rd dorsal spine. Four rows of spiniferous scales on
each side of caudal peduncle. Whole head, except snout, interorbital,
supraorbital, anterior part of preorbital, lower jaw, and angle of pre-
opercle, scaly. Dorsal, anal, and caudal completely scaleless. (Plate
Sex, fig. 1.)
600 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—300 mm.
Colour.— Uniform bright silver, the fins (as preserved) pale horn-
colour, the tips and margins of dorsal and anal brownish, iris silvery,
pupil presumably black.
Locality.—Cape seas, exact locality lost, but very probably cast
ashore in Table Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Although very closely related to the North Atlantic P. brama Fries
1837 this specimen appears to represent a distinct species, charac-
terised by the falcate dorsal and anal fins. Compare the figures given
by Smitt (loc. cit., p. 73, fig. 21) and Shufeldt (Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.,
vol. xxv, pl. 1, and reproduced in Jordan, loc. cit., pl. lv). Smitt
also states that the caudal fin is scaly as in Brama, thus affording
another mark of distinction. The type specimen of P. brama is 384
mm. long, so that it would seem the present specimen does not
represent the adult form of the N. Atlantic form.
The specimen is also very similar to Centropholis ledanoisi Belloc
(1926, Bull. Mus. d’Hist. Nat. Paris., p. 271) from the N. Atlantic,
and may possibly prove to be synonymous. C. ledanoisi, however,
has slightly different proportions and scale- and fin-formulae, and non-
falcate dorsal and anal fins. Belloc makes no mention of the hooked
spines on the scales, and his figtire is too indistinct to allow one to
judge whether they are present or not. Belloc says two of his
specimens were “‘confondus par les pécheurs”’ with examples of
Brama raw; this would seem scarcely possible if the scales were
hooked.
The specimen is in perfect condition, except that the pyloric caeca
were decomposed and impossible to count.
Fam. 29. DREPANIDAE.
Similar to the following family Chaetodipteridae, but with the mouth
protractile, no subocular shelf, elongate, faleate pectoral fins, and
cycloid scales. Dorsal spines 9. Pseudobranchiae small, concealed.
Caudal rounded or somewhat wedge-shaped.
A single Indo-Pacific genus and species.
Gen. DREPANE C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vu, p. 129.
With the characters of the family.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 601
Drepane punctata (Gmel.).
Sickle-fish ; Concertina-fish.
1793. Gmelin in Linné, Syst. Nat., p. 1243.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 116, pl. xxix, fig. 5.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 57, figs. 9, 10 (var.
africana Osorio).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 371 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, p. 321.
fa25.0. roc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 251.
Dorsal profile of head gently convex, often slightly concave in the
nuchal region, and old individuals with a prominent interorbital bump.
Depth not quite equal to length, length of head 3 in length of body.
Hye 3—4 in length of head, 14-14 in snout, 1-14 in depth of preorbital.
Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D (VIII-)IX 21-22,
lst 3 spines (especially lst) very small, 4th longest, as long, or nearly
as long, as head. A III 18-19. Longest soft rays of dorsal and anal
about as long as head. Pectoral elongate, falcate, reaching base of
caudal fin. Scales: 1.1. 50-55; Ltr. = (Plate XXVI, fig. 2.)
Length.— Up to 375 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with a golden or violaceous sheen, uniform or
with a series of narrow vertical black bars or series of spots, prominent
in young but obsolescent in adult ; fins pale or yellowish, soft dorsal
oiten with a longitudinal series of dark spots, one between each ray,
often also with a dusky margin like the anal fin.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Australia, west coast of Africa south-
wards to Angola.
A common fish, eaten by the native races in most parts, but not
esteemed by Europeans.
The var. africana Osorio merely has uninterrupted black bands,
and is found among the Natal specimens as well as elsewhere, and is
not peculiar to the West African coast.
Fam. 30. CHAETODIPTERIDAE.
(E'phippidae).
Body deep, strongly compressed, with small ctenoid scales. Mouth
small, terminal, not, or scarcely, protractile. Maxilla mostly con-
602 Annals of the South African Museum.
cealed. Subocular shelf broad (Chaetodipterus) or very feeble (Plataz).
Teeth pointed or tricuspid, movable, in bands in jaws; teeth occa-
sionally on vomer, but none on palatines. Nostrils paired. Gill-
membranes broadly united with isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th.
Pseudobranchiae present, small, sometimes concealed. Gill-rakers
very short. A single dorsal fin, deeply notched in Chaetodipterus,
with 3-9 spines, folding into a grove or more or less completely hidden
in a scaly sheath. Anal with 3 spines. Soft portions of dorsal, anal,
and caudal scaly. Pectoral short. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and
5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal truncate or emarginate. Air-
bladder present. Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line single.
Small fishes from warm seas, allied to the Chaetodontidae, found
mostly on rocky shores or among coral reefs, carnivorous.
Key to the South African genera.
1. One or more of the dorsal spines elongate. ; : . Chaetodipterus.
2. All the dorsal spines short, concealed . : : é : : Platax.
Gen. CHAETODIPTERUS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 503.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim. (Hphippus).
Dorsal fin deeply notched between spinous and soft portions, the
former with 9 spines folding in a groove, the Ist two short, the 3rd or
srd—5th elongate, flexible. Soft dorsal and anal moderately pro-
longed in young, more or less falcate in adult. Caudal emarginate.
Pseudobranchiae concealed.
Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Like the Chaetodonts the species of this genus pass through a
Tholichthys stage (see p. 607). During the course of growth remark-
able changes in the body-form and coloration occur, which have led
to the institution of several nominal species.
The Asiatic species have smaller scales and have been separated
under the genus Ephippus. As this appears to be the only difference,
the necessity for the two genera may be questioned. In any case,
Chaetodipterus is the older name, and must determine the family
name.
Key to the South African species.
1. Scales : l.tr. saa. : _ goreensis.
od
i ‘
2. Scales: l.tr. — : . , : ‘ : : . , . orbis.
15
“a ne OF
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 603
Chaetodipterus goreensis (C. and V.).
Spade-fish.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 125,
pl. clxxvii.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 228
(faber, non Broussonet).
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 55, figs. 7, 8.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 367 ( faber, non Broussonet).
Dorsal profile of head nearly straight, except for a slight antorbital
prominence, meeting the ventral profile at an angle of 90° or a little
more. Depth 12-14, length of head 33, in length of body. Hye 33-32
in length of head, 14 in length of snout, slightly less than interorbital
width, and 14 to nearly 14 in depth of preorbital. Teeth all tricuspid,
the cusps subequal, or the centre one slightly larger than the laterals.
Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D IX 20, Ist two spines
short, 3rd—5th elongate, the 3rd longest, nearly twice length of head.
A III 17-18. Anterior rays of dorsal and anal subequal, and nearly
as long as head. Ventrals reaching vent, Ist ray filamentously pro-
longed, reaching origin of anal fin. Scales: 11. ca. 45; Ltr. (from
12-13
23-24
Length.— Up to 230 mm.
Colour._—Silvery, top of head brownish, 5-6 faint brownish vertical
bands, a series of longitudinal streaks along each row of scales, ap-
pearing (as preserved) either darker or of a more brilliant silver ac-
cording to the angle at which the light strikes ; fins dusky, the elongate
dorsal spines and their membranes burnished silver, lobe of soft anal
brownish, ventrals blackish.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Tropical west coast of Africa.
The above description is taken from the specimen identified by
Gilchrist and Thompson as faber, and another slightly smaller. These
specimens are certainly not referable to faber (Atlantic coast of tropical
N. and 8. America), and should possibly be considered as a new species.
They approach, however, very closely to goreensis, differing only in the
extra anal rays and scales in transverse series (goreensis : A III 15-16.
10-11
origin of dorsal to vent)
Scales: L.tr
604 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pellegrin (loc. cit.) figures two stages. The younger, 74 mm., has the
3rd dorsal spine only slightly longer than the head, and the cross-
bands very distinct. The larger, 162 mm., has the 3rd—6th dorsal
spines elongate, the 3rd and 4th extending to the base of the caudal,
and the cross-bands less distinct. Cuvier and Valenciennes describe
and figure a specimen a foot long, which has the 3rd (2nd as they count)
dorsal spine about as long as the head.
If the Natal specimens be considered as goreensis, it would seem
that the dorsal spines increase in length and flexibility from the
young up to the half-grown fish, and then decrease again in old
individuals.
The distribution may be compared with that of Drepane punctata.
According to a MS. name in the Museum register book, Gilchrist
and Thompson apparently intended to describe this species as dis-
tinct under the name “ robinsoni,” and if the specific distinctness were
confirmed, this name might be suitably employed to mark the interest
displayed by Mr. R. Robinson in collecting our South African fishes.
*Chaetodipterus orbis (Bl.).
1785. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. ii, p. 81, pl. xxun, fig. 2, and Bloch ©
Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 232, pl. cei, fig. 2.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, p. 20, pl. ccclxy)igjee@
(references).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 115, pl. xxix, fig. 4.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Profile evenly convex, passing into the ventral profile without any
angle. Depth 14, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 24 in
length of head, slightly greater than snout, than interorbital width,
and than depth of preorbital. D IX 19-20, 1st two spines very short,
3rd—5th elongate, the 3rd longest, 14 times length of head. A III
15-16. Longest soft dorsal and anal rays subequal, about § length of
7
head. Scales: 1.1. 42; St oe (Plate XX VI, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 190 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, greyish or greenish above, young with 4 dark
cross-bands, fins diaphanous or whitish with dusky margins.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas to Malay Archipelago.
Easily distinguished by the even curve of the front profile and the
smaller number of scales in transverse series.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 605
Gen. PLatTax Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim.
Dorsal fin not notched, the spinous portion with 3-7 (usually 5)
spines increasing in length posteriorly and almost completely con-
cealed in a scaly sheath. Soft dorsal and anal usually much pro-
longed or falcate. Caudal truncate. Ventrals very long in young,
becoming shorter in adult. Pseudobranchiae small, but not concealed.
Indian seas to Japan and Australia.
The form of the body undergoes remarkable changes, in consequence
of which several nominal species have been instituted. P. novem-
aculeatus McCull. (1916, ““ Endeavour ”’ Sci. Res., vol. iv, p. 188, pl.
lv, fig. 1) has 9 dorsal spines and would appear to be a Chaetodipterus.
Willey (Spolia Zeylan., vol. u, p. 52, fig., 1904) records the re-
semblance of a young P. vespertilio to a leaf, both in colour and in its
habit of sinking inertly on its side through the water.
Key to the South African species.
1. Anterior profile of head evenly convex; vomerine teeth; 40-45 scales from
beginning of lateral line to Ist dcteal spine : . terra.
2. Anterior profile angular at snout; no vomerine eet: : 25- 30 scales from
beginning of lateral line to lst dorsal spine. : : . vespertilio.
Plataz teira Forsk.
Sea-bat.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 60.
Heri. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, p. 73, pl. ccelxxix, fig. 2 (adult),
pl. ccelxxxu, fig. 1 (young).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 235, pl. li, B, fig. 4.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 526
(references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 371 (references).
Anterior profile of head evenly convex, snout not projecting. Depth
about equal to length in adult, greater than length in young, length of
head 3-4 in length of body. Eye 24-4 in length of head, about 14 in
snout, and 1} to nearly 2 in interorbital width. The three cusps of the
teeth about equal. A small patch of pointed teeth on the vomer. Gill-
rakers 8-9 on lower part of anterior arch. D V 28-34. A III 24-28.
The soft dorsal and anal very elevated and falcate in young, becoming
shorter and more obtuse in adult. Ventrals reaching to base of caudal
606 Annals of the South African Museum.
or beyond in young, in adult not much longer than length of head.
Scales: L.1. ca.60; 40-45 between beginning of 1.1. and 1st dorsal spine.
(Plate XX XI, fig. 6.)
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, greyish, or brownish, with 3 dark vertical bands,
one through eye, one through base of pectoral, and the third and
broadest covering the posterior half of the body (but not the caudal
peduncle), these bands conspicuous in young, but disappearing in
adult ; fins yellowish or fuscous, tips of dorsal and anal more or less
blackish, ventrals black.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan and Australia.
*Platax vespertilio (Bl.).
1785. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. i, p. 67, pl. cxeix, fig. 2.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol: 1x, p. 74; pl. ccelxax aie
pl. ccclxxx, figs. 2, 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 236, pl. h, B, fig. 5.
1903. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lv, p. 161.
Anterior profile angular, the profile of snout and chin meeting at
an obtuse angle. Depth about equal to length in adult, greater in
young, length of head 3-43 in length of body. Hye 24-34 in length
of head, 1-14 in interorbital width. The median cusp of the teeth
stronger than the lateral ones. No vomerine teeth. Gill-rakers on
lower part of anterior arch. D V 35-38. A III 26-29. The soft dorsal
and anal not so elevated as in fevra, becoming more obtuse in adult.
Ventrals long in young, shorter in adult. Scales: Ll. ca. 60; 25-30
between beginning of |.l. and 1st dorsal spine.
Length— Up to 310 mm.
Colour.—Sunilar to that of teira, but the dark bands usually not
so prominent, especially the hindmost one, which is usually only a
- narrow band, usually a dark cross-band on base of caudal.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Fam. 31. CHAETODONTIDAE.
Butterfly or Coral Fishes.
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg. Berl., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, Hit. 5, p. 1
(revision).
Body ovate-oblong or deep ovate, compressed, with large, moderate,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 607
or small, more or less ctenoid scales. Mouth small, terminal, pro-
tractile. Maxilla small, mostly concealed. Subocular shelf present.
Teeth setiform, in narrow bands in jaws, none on vomer or palatines.
Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes more or less attached to isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae well developed. Gill-
rakers very short. A single dorsal fin, with well-developed spinous
portion. Anal with 3(-4) spines. Soft dorsal and anal densely scaly.
Pectoral short. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary
process. Caudal usually truncate or rounded-truncate. Air-bladder
present. Pyloric caeca few or in moderate number. Lateral line
single.
A numerous family of tropical carnivorous fishes, particularly abun-
dant among coral reefs, and notable for their varying and brilliant
coloration and markings.
The young pass through a stage called the “ Tholichthys,” in which
the head is covered with enlarged bony shields and there are strong
suprascapular and preopercular spines.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Preopercle unarmed (adult). Scales comparatively large.
a. Fourth dorsal spine greatly prolonged, filamentous 2 . Heniochus.
6. Fourth dorsal spine not prolonged : : : : . Chaetodon.
2. Preopercle with a strong spine. : : ‘ : ; Holacanthus.
Gen. HEentocuus C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 92.
Body elevated, with bony protuberance on either forehead or neck,
or both, in adult. Snout short. Preopercle unarmed. Dorsal spines
11-13, the 4th greatly elongate and filamentous. Anal spines 3.
Scales moderate sized. Pyloric caeca few.
Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
Heniochus macrolepidotus (Linn.).
Coachman ; Angle-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 274.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 110, pl. xxviii, fig. 3.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 542.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 370 (references).
608 Annals of the South African Museum.
1923. Ahl, Arch. f. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, p. 33.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 252
(acuminatus).
Depth 14-12, length of head 24-34, in length of body. Eye 34-34
in length of head. A granulose or spinulose projection at upper
anterior margin of orbit in adult; none on neck. D XI-XII 23-27,
4th spine ending filamentously, equalling or often exceeding length of
10-12
eo
fish, = AU TTT 17-18; Seales: 1:1. 48-55: Ltr.
Length.—Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Silvery or yellowish-white, snout and a bar across fore-
head blackish, one broad black band from origin of dorsal through
pectoral to belly, another from hind part of spinous dorsal to hind
part of anal, filament of dorsal fin white, soft dorsal, pectorals, caudal,
and anterior half of soft anal yellow, ventrals and anal spines black.
Locality.— Natal, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
This fish gets its first vernacular name from the Greek name of the
genus, and the second from the resemblance of the 4th dorsal spine
to an angler’s rod, though it does not use this filamentous streamer ~
as does the Angler-fish (Lophius).
Gen. CHanTopon (Art.) Linn.
1738. Artedi, Genera, p. 51, (non binomial).
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 272.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, p. 189.
1868. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 457 (Tholichthys, larva).
1923. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xiv, p. 1 (key to Australian
species.)
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, p. 44.
Body deep, very strongly compressed, without protuberances on
head. Snout short. Preopercle unarmed. Dorsal spines 12—13(14),
the middle ones higher than the front or hind ones, none of them
elongate. Anal spines 3. Scales large or moderate sized. Pyloric
caeca few.
All tropical seas.
Various attempts have been made to subdivide this large genus,
but none of them appear to be successful. So far as the South African
fauna is concerned, any subdivision is quite unnecessary as the species
are so few.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 609
Key to the South African species.
I. Scale-rows below 1.1. as well as those above running obliquely upwards and
backwards.
A. One of the dorsal rays prolonged ; , ; ; : setifer.
B. None of the dorsal rays prolonged.
1. A dark wedge-shaped band from opercle to base of spinous dorsal
lunula.
2. No dark wedge-shaped band between opercle and dorsal.
a. Ocular band about equal to eye-diameter.
i. No black spot on back 5 vagabundus.
ii. Two black triangular spots on back . : falcula.
6. Ocular band much narrower than eye-diameter . melanotus.
II. Scale-rows below 1.1. horizontal.
A. Soft dorsal and anal black 5 : ‘ . xanthocephalus.
B. Fins yellow . ; : : : : : marley.
III. Scale-rows below 1.1. running obliquely downwards and backwards kleint.
Chaetodon setifer BI.
Whip Butterfly-fish.
1785. Bloch, Ichth., pl. cdxxvi, fig. 1.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 225.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 106, pl. xxvu, fig. 3 (awriga var.
setifer).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 364, pl. xlvu.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus,, vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 369 (references and synonymy).
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, p. 147 (auriga), and
p. 148 (subsp. setzfer).
Profile concave above snout, which is pointed. Depth 14-13%,
length of head 23-34, in length of body. Eye 3-32 in length of head.
D XII-XIIIT 23-26, 6th ray (5th and 6th or 6th and 7th sometimes)
prolonged beyond the others as a filament, increasing in length with
age. A III 20-21. Scales: 1.1. 40-44; l-tr. (origin of dorsal to belly)
Rows below as well as those above 1.1. running obliquely
upwards and backwards. (Plate XXVI, fig. 6.)
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery or yellowish, with 5-6 dark narrow stripes running
obliquely upwards, and 9-10 obliquely downwards, a black band from
nape through eye to angle of interopercle, narrower and fainter above
Ce antinntieeel SS ~<: silences eb — ee
610 Annals of the South African Museum.
eye than below; fins yellow, a large black ocellus on about the 7th—
14th dorsal rays, soft dorsal with narrow black margin, anal with
white margin and a fine black submarginal line, a white bar edged
with brown across caudal.
Locality —Natal and Zululand coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
C. auriga Forsk. 1775 is mentioned in Playfair and Giinther (Fish.
Zanz., p. vill) as occurring at Mozambique. This species resembles
setifer in the filamentous dorsal ray, but instead of the round or oval
ocellus it has “ an oblique cuneiform blackish band from the origin of
the soft dorsal to the posterior part of the anal.” C. setzfer is often
regarded (Day ; Weber; Ahl) as a variety of the older species.
Chaetodon lunula (Lacép.).
Lunate Butterfly-fish.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pp. 507, 510, 513.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Stidsee, vol. i, p. 42, pl. xxxiui, figs.
A-D (adult and young).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 366, pl. liv (adult), and fig. 160 (young).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 368 (references).
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, p. 114.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 251.
Profile concave, snout pointed. Depth 13-13, length of head about
3, in length of body. Hye 22-3 in length of head. D XII 23-24.
AUIIETee1G." Seales 1136-40 aeet
I cales r 17-19
Rows below 1.1. running
obliquely upwards and backwards.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Yellow ; a black band from interorbital through eye to
lower margin of preopercle, wider than eye; behind this a silvery
white band from nape over opercle; a narrow triangular or wedge-
shaped black bar from 6th and 7th dorsal spines to upper margin of
opercle, bordered above and below with white ; oblique series of red
spots, more or less united, following the lines of scales on sides; fins
yellow, spinous and soft dorsal and anal with black margins, a reddish
band along middle of soft dorsal and anal, an ill-defined black band
starting from origin of dorsal and running along base of dorsal to
. PLATE XXV.
FIG. TRXT-PAGE
1. Pterycombus falcatus n. sp. (original photo) ‘ : 5 - 699.
2. Dipterodon capensis C. and V. (after C. and V.) . ; : ‘ . 635
3. Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsk.) (original photo) 3 : . ; . 633
Plate XXV.
Ann S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXL.
Neill & Co., Ltd.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 611
caudal peduncle, where it ends in an enlarged well-defined ocellus ;
caudal with a red, followed by a black cross-bar and a white margin.
In the young the upper half of the body is more or less suffused with
blackish, and there is a black ocellus on the soft dorsal, which gradually
migrates to the margin and is eventually absorbed into the black
margin, as in vagabundus.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to China and Australia.
Chaetodon vagabundus Linn.
Wandering Butterfly-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 276.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 105, pl. xxvu, fig. 1.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 532.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 369 (references).
1923. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xiv, p. 3, pl. i, figs. 1, 2
(young).
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. Ixxxix, p. 153.
Profile concave above snout, which is pointed. Depth 14-14, length
of head 24 (young)—34, in length of body. Eye 23 (young)-34 in
length of head. D XII-XITI 25-26. ATIII 20-21. Scales: 1.1. 40-45;
5-6
. eave
upwards and backwards.
Length —Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Silvery or yellowish, with a series of 6 narrow dark stripes
running obliquely from head to base of spinous dorsal, the lowermost
abutting against about 11 similar stripes running in the reverse direc-
tion to the base of anal; a blackish vertical stripe from origin of dorsal
through eye to angle of interopercle, equal in width to eye; fins yellow,
a black band from upper part of anterior dorsal rays across the soft
dorsal and caudal peduncle on to hind end of anal, soft dorsal with
black margin, anal with white margin and narrow black submarginal
band, caudal with two black cross-bars. In the young there is a large
black ocellus on the soft dorsal, which is gradually pushed outwards
until it becomes merged in the black margin seen in the adult.
Locality. Natal and Zululand coasts, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 40)
Ltr Rows below as well as those above 1.1. running obliquely
612 Annals of the South African Museum.
The application of the name is not clear; it is not a more widely
distributed species than, e.g. setifer.
*Chaetodon falcula Bl.
Two-spot Butterfly-fish.
1785. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. ix, p. 102, pl. cdxxv (pl. cdxxvi,
fig. 2).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 104, pl. xxvi, fig. 5.
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, p. 170.
Profile concave, snout prominent, pointed. Depth about 14, length
of head 22, in length of body. Eye nearly 4 in length of head.
D XII-XITI 24-28. A Wl 21223) “Seales : 1.1. 25(-28)\G shee i
Scales below I.1. running obliquely upwards and backwards.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Reddish-lilac, becoming pale yellow posteriorly and on the
fins ; several narrow, dark, vertical streaks ; 2 large triangular black
patches on back, the first from 2nd—5th dorsal spines to lateral line
or a little below, the second at end of spinous and beginning of soft
dorsal to a little below lateral line; a black band, shghtly narrower
than eye-diameter, from interorbital through eye to chest; a black
band on caudal peduncle ; soft dorsal and anal and caudal with black
intramarginal band and white margin.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
*Ohaetodon melanotus Bl. Schn.
Black-backed Butterfly-fish.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 224.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 108, pl. xxvii, fig. 1.
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. Ixxxix, p. 128 (references).
Profile concave, snout pointed. Depth 14, length of head 3, in
length of body. Eye 3 in length of head. D XII-XIII 19-22.
A i 16-202) Seales: I. 374050 Nor: moe Rows below Ll.
running obliquely upwards and backwards.
Length.—Up to 157 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, brownish-black above, with dark oblique lines
,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 613
following the rows of scales; a black band, much narrower than eye,
from interorbital through eye to chest, a black more or less interrupted
band over caudal peduncle; fins yellow, soft dorsal and anal and caudal
with a narrow black intramarginal band, margin white or greyish.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to China.
*Chaetodon xanthocephalus Benn.
Black-finned Butterfly-fish.
1832. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 182.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 246 (nigripinnis=juv.).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 32 (nigripinnis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 104, pl. xxvi, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 260, pl. xxix, fig. 4
(negripinnis).
1898. Jatzow and Lenz, Voeltzkow’s Reise. Abh. Senckenb. Ges.,
vol. xxi, p. 503 (nigripinnis).
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. lxxxix, p. 68.
Profile nearly straight or slightly concave above snout, which is not
very pointed. Depth 13, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 34
in length of head. D XIV 24. ATIII 23. Scales: 1.1.36. Rows below
the 1.1. horizontal.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Yellow, a narrow black band from nape through eye to in-
teropercle, becoming obsolete in adult ; pectorals, ventrals, and caudal
yellow, a large black patch covering the soft dorsal and posterior 5
spines, a similar patch on the anal, soft dorsal and anal margined with
yellow.
Locality Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, India.
Chaetodon marley Regan.
Marley’s Butterfly-jish.
1921. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. iii, pt. 1, p. 1.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 23.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 251.
Profile slightly concave above the pointed snout. Depth 14-14.
length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 3-34 in length of head.
614 Annals of the South African Museum.
i
D X11 23-25. A. TIT 17-19. Seales: 11.4045: Ltr. Tis Rows
on lower half of body horizontal.
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, each scale on body with a lemon-yellow centre,
forming lines, oblique on upper half, horizontal on lower half, of body ;
a dark median stripe from snout to interorbital; a dark, light-edged
band from nape through eye to interopercle, slightly narrower than
eye ; a broader dark band from 3rd—5th dorsal spines through pectoral
to ventrals, and a similar band from junction of spinous and soft
dorsal to middle of anal, at the dorsal end of the latter band on last
spine and first 3 rays an oval black ocellus; a dark bar on caudal
peduncle ; fins pale yellowish, soft dorsal and anal with a narrow
black-and-white border, ventrals dusky, caudal with a dark, light-
bordered cross-bar, convex anteriorly.
Locality False Bay, Agulhas Bank to East London and Natal,
down to 50 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
Closely related to the Atlantic striatus Linn., under which name
specimens have been in the South African Museum for many years.
It seems to be specially common at Mossel Bay.
Chaetodon kleini Bl.
Klein's Butterfly-fish.
1785-95. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. iv, p. 7, pl. xxvui, fig. 2.
1797. Bloch, Ichth., pl. cexvii, fig. 2.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 225.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, p. 45, pl. ceelxxin, fig. 3.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasce. Poiss., p. 258.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 368.
1923. Ahl, Arch. Naturg., Abt. A, vol. Ixxxix, p. 144.
Profile concave above snout, which is pointed. Depth 14, length
of head 3, in length of body. Eye 24-3 in length of head. D XII
Rows
=—Xitt 22-25) .A-1IT 18-20... Scales: lil. S0=sSesleun:
12
below 1.1. running slightly downwards and backwards.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Yellow, snout blackish, a black band the width of the eye
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 615
from nape through eye to throat and base of ventrals, a broad band
from spinous dorsal to ventral, and a broader one from soft dorsal to
anal; these two latter bands usually present but sometimes quite
indistinct or even absent; fins yellow, soft dorsal and anal with fine
black marginal line.
Locality.—Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, to China and Australia.
A specimen from Mozambique had no trace of the two broad dusky
bands when freshly caught.
Gen. HoLAcaANTHUS Lacép.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 525.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 544.
1915. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. i, p. 99.
Body oblong or rather elevated, compressed but rather robust,
without protuberances on head. Snoutshort. Preopercle with strong
spine at angle and often serrations on lower and hind margins. Pre-
orbital often serrate, and sometimes also with strong spines. Dorsal
spines 12-15, usually increasing in height posteriorly, with or with-
out a procumbent spine in front. Anal spines 3. Caudal lunate,
truncate, or rounded. Scales small or moderate, rough, often inter-
mixed with smaller ones. Pyloric caeca in moderate number (about
22).
All tropical seas.
The genus is here diagnosed in its wide sense, as the attempts to
separate the numerous species into subgenera have not proved too
successful as yet.
The synonymy of the various species even needs extricating and
revising.
Key to the South African species.
1. Preorbital without spines.
a. Strongly curved pale bands. Caudal rounded : ; nicobariensis.
b. Feebly curved pale bands. Caudal truncate : : . striatus,
2. Preorbital with a strong spine (Xiphypops) . : ; . acanthops.
Holacanthus nicobariensis (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 219, pl. 50.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 191,
pl. clxxxii (semicirculatus).
616 Annals of the South African Museum.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 54, pl. xli, fig. B.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, p.' 69, pl. ceclxx, fig. 5 (sem#-
curculatus), and p. 69, pl. ccelxv, fig. 1 (nicobariensis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 112, pl. xxviii, fig. 6.
1915. Ogilby, loc. cit., p. 110 (semicirculatus) (references).
1918. Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. i, p. 192, fig. (sems-
circulatus) (colour changes).
Depth 13-12, length of head 32-34, in length of hody. Eye about
3 in length of head. Preorbital not denticulate. Hind and lower
margins of preopercle feebly serrated, spine short, +4 length of head.
D XITI-XIV 20-23, spines increasing in height posteriorly. <A III
19-21. Soft dorsal and anal with rounded outline. Caudal rounded.
Scales small, not mixed with smaller ones.
Length. Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Dark bluish or violaceous, with alternate whitish and
bluish narrow cross-bands more or less crescentic, and breaking up
into spots or forming a network on soft dorsal and anal fins; caudal
with pale cross-bars, the hinder ones more or less discontinuous and
vermiculate. In the young the bands are fewer and the posterior
half of the caudal is clear. The ground colour in the adult is paler,
with small dark spots. Regan (loc. cat.) states that the fully adult
fish is lepidolepis Blkr. without any cross-bands at all. Playfair and
Giinther (1866, Fish. Zanz., p. 38) also state that the adult of alternans
lacks the bars, but retains the spots.
Locality. Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to N. Australia.
H. lepidolepis Blkr., unlike alternans and semicirculatus, has the
preorbital denticulate, and the soft dorsal and anal pointedly produced.
Holacanthus striatus Riipp.
Old Woman.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 32, pl. x, fig. 2.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 161
(rhomboides).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 371 (rhombozdes).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. 1x, p. 321.
Depth 13-13, length of head 3} (not 4), in length of body. Eye
3-4 in length of head. Preorbital not denticulate, but with a small
point on antero-inferior angle. Preopercle with hind margin denti-
culate, spine at angle short, } eye-diameter, lower margin with | or
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 617
2 small points. D XII 23-24, spines increasing in height posteriorly.
A III 22-23. Soft dorsal and anal rounded-quadrangular, hind
margins vertical. Caudal truncate. Scales: large and small ones
intermixed.
Length.—Up to 290 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Dark brown, with a darker spot in the middle
of the larger scales; in half-grown examples there are several narrow,
light, vertical, slightly curved (the convexity in front) bluish lines.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Type of rhomboides in South African Museum.
H. striatus Riipp. is usually considered to be the young form of
nicobariensis (semicirculatus), but this cannot be so if the half-grown
(about 140 mm.) specimens I have seen are identified with Riippell’s
species. The differences between these specimens and nicobariensis
of similar size are found not only in the degree of curvature of the
light bands, but in the length of the preopercular spine, which is shorter
in the former, and in the fins. The dorsal spines lengthen much more
rapidly in nicobariensis, and are not so evenly graduated, the soft
dorsal and anal are rounded as compared with the squarish outline
of the Natal specimens, and the caudal is rounded.
These half-grown specimens are clearly the same species as the
adult described as rhomboides.
*Holacanthus acanthops Norm.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 318.
Depth 2, length of head 34, in length of body. Hye 2+ in length
of head. Preorbital with a strong backwardly directed spine, + length
of head. Preopercle denticulate on hind margin, angle with a strong
spine slightly more than 4 length of head. D XIV 16, 3rd spine
longest. A III 17. Soft dorsal rounded, anal obtusely pointed.
Caudal subtruncate. Scales moderate sized, 4 from origin of dorsal to 1.1.
Length.—86 mm.
Colour.—Head, back, caudal, dorsal, and pectoral fins yellow, rest
of fish dusky brown, dorsal with narrow dark edge.
Locality.— Natal coast. ;
Type in British Museum.
Allied to the Hawaiian fishert Snyder 1902, for which Jordan and
Jordan (1922, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 64) have proposed the
generic name Aiphypops.
618 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 32. ScATOPHAGIDAE.
Body deep ovate, compressed, with very small ctenoid scales.
Mouth small, terminal, not protractile. Maxilla concealed. Sub-
ocular shelf present. Teeth setiform, movable, tricuspid, in bands in
jaws; none onvomer or palatines. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes
forming a fold across isthmus, to which they are narrowly attached.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present, not concealed.
A single dorsal deeply notched between spinous and soft portions, the
former with 11 spines. Anal with 4 spmes. Ventrals thoracic, of a
spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal truncate. Air-
bladder present. Pyloric caeca about 20. Lateral line single.
A single genus, with two species, from the Indo-Pacific and
Australian regions, often entering rivers.
According to Weber (loc. cit. infra) these fishes when young pass
through a true “ Tholichthys ”’ stage like the Chaetodonts.
Gen. ScaTopHacus C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 136.
With the characters of the family.
Scatophagus argus (Gmel.).
Stront-vis.
1793. Gmelin in Linne, Syst. Nat., p. 1248.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 727; and vol. im,
pl. xxv, fig. 2 (tetracanthus).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1x, p. 21, pl. ecclxm, fei
(synonymy).
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 114, pl. xxix, fig. 3 (references).
1907. Seale and Bean, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxii, p. 246,
fig. 8 (young).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 302, pl. x, figs. 1-5
(young stages). :
1924. Hora, Mem. As. Soc. Beng., vol. vi, p. 490, fig. 5 (young).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. (250
(Ephippus tetracanthus).
Body oval in young, becoming more oblong in adult, the antero-
dorsal profile rising sharply to the origin of dorsal. Depth 14, length
of head 24 (young)-3} (adult), in length of body. Eye 24 (young)-33
y
PLATE XXVI.
FIG,
TEXT-PAGE
1. Coryphaena hippurus Linn. (original photo). : : : : . 566
2. Drepane punctata (Gmel.) (after Day) . : : ‘ ‘ -|. ‘60
3. Monodactylus argenteus (Linn.) (after Day) . ; : ; : . 640
4. Scatophagus argus (Gmel.) (after Day) . : : : s ; . 618
5. Chaetodipterus orbis (Bl.) (after Day) . : : : ‘ . 604
6. Chaetodon setifer Bl. (after Day) : : : : : . . 609
7
. Inognathus equula (Forsk.) (after Day) : : : ‘ : . 624
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXL Plate XXVI.
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 619
(adult) in length of head, equal to (adult) or greater than (young)
snout, in adult 14 in interorbital width. Giull-rakers 4—5 on lower
part of anterior arch, very short, almost rudimentary. D XI 15-16,
3rd or 4th spine longest. A IV 14-15. Outermost ventral ray
filamentously produced. Margins of soft dorsal and anal fins sub-
vertical. Scales: ca. 22 between origin of dorsal and highest part
of lJ. (Plate X XVI, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or yellowish, with silvery or violaceous or bronzy
iridescence ; elther with numerous small round spots, which may be
irregularly disposed or aggregated into more or less distinct and
continuous vertical narrow bands (typical argus), or with 6 rather
broad vertical cross-bands, the Ist through eye, 2nd across nape,
ord and 4th from spinous dorsal, 5th from soft dorsal, 6th across
caudal peduncle (var. tetracanthus) ; fins rosy or dusky, spinous dorsal
either margined with blackish or wholly blackish, ventrals dark or
hght.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Australia, entering estuaries and
rivers.
The Delagoa Bay specimens belong to the form named by Lacépéde
tetracanthus, and later by Cuvier and Valenciennes fasciatus.
The “ Tholichthys”’ larval stage has the head covered with large
bony shields right to the origin of the dorsal fins ; the postorbital is
enlarged and thickened and is followed by a strong suprascapular
spine ; the preopercle is produced at the angle with 1-3 strong spines.
The skin is covered with minute setiform scales.
Owing to its frequent habit of feeding on foul substances this fish
is usually not eaten, even by the native populations.
Fam. 33. HISTIOPTERIDAE.
1907. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxx, p. 235 (synopsis of
genera).
Body oblong, ovate, or elevated, strongly compressed, with small,
rough, ctenoid scales. Bones of the head rough with radiating striae,
granules, and spinules. Mouth small, terminal, protractile. Maxilla
exposed behind, without supplemental bone. Subocular shelf present.
Teeth villiform in jaws, and sometimes on vomer, but none on pala-
tines. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present (in Histiopterus).
620 Annals of the South African Museum.
A single dorsal fin, strongly elevated, spines 4-14, strong, rough, not
depressible in a groove, soft portion long or short. Anal spines 2-5,
soft portion short. Soft dorsal and anal scaleless. Ventrals thoracic,
of a stout spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal lunate or
truncate. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca numerous. Lateral
line single.
A small family of rather large, carnivorous fishes from Japan,
Australasia, and South Africa. Owing to the strongly marked specific
differences, a number of monotypic genera have been instituted,
which are really quite unnecessary and will probably be combined
again in the future.
These fishes are good eating, but owing to their rarity and habitat
in rather deep waters, they are not often captured.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Spinous dorsal much shorter than soft portion . : , Histiopterus.
2. Spinous dorsal much longer than soft portion.
a, D XIV, ATV <: : : : : : Pseudopentaceros.
ba Dewi ACY : i 2 ; : . : : Quinquarius.
Gen. HISTIOPTERUS Schl.
1843. Schlegel in Temminck and Schlegel, Faun. Jap. Poiss., p. 86.
1907. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxii, p. 236.
1907. Id., abid., p. 237 (Hvistias).
Body elevated. Snout produced. Dorsal high, soft portion of
dorsal much longer than spinous portion, which has 4 spines, the 3
much stronger than the 4th. Anal spines 3. Caudal truncate or
slightly emarginate. No vomerine teeth.
Japan and South Africa.
Histiopterus spinifer Gilchr.
1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. iii, p. 3, pl. xxi (young).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 134.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 412 (adult).
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., mi, p. 70.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 248.
Depth 1 (juv.)-1§ (adult), length of head 22-24 in length of body.
Eye 14-1? in snout, 33-4 in length of head, greater than or equal to
interorbital width. In the young, spinose tubercles on the median line
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 621
of occiput, and on supraorbital, preorbital, suprascapular and angle
of preopercle ; these disappear in adult. Both lips, and especially
chin, thickly set with cutaneous papillae or short barbels in adult,
feebly developed in young. Chin with 6 pores, the posterior one on
each side rather large. Gill-rakers 15-17 on lower part of anterior
arch. D IV 25-26, first 2 spines short, 3rd strongest, $(adult)—=
(juv.) depth of body, 4th more slender, in young considerably longer
than 3rd, in adult slightly longer or slightly shorter than 3rd, rays
higher anteriorly, equal to (juv.) or ? (adult) depth of body, margin
of fin straight or sightly convex. A III 9-10, 2nd spine stronger and
longer than 3rd. Ventral rays reaching to base of caudal fin in young,
to origin of anal in adult. Caudal slightly emarginate. Scales: Ll.
64-68. Pyloric caeca 5. (Plate XXXI, fig. 2.)
Length—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown, uniform in young, in adult with 5-6 obscure,
dark, broad, vertical bands; soft dorsal, anal, and ventrals blackish.
Locality—Mossel Bay to Natal, 25-230 fathoms.
Type (juv.) in South African Museum; type of adult in British
Museum.
One young specimen, scarcely larger than the type, has none of
the spinose tubercles on the head, except a slight keel on the occipital.
The stomach contents of two adult examples consists exclusively
of the skeletal plates of Ophiuroids (mainly of the genus Ophiura),
with occasional fragments of Echinoid tests.
Gen. PSEUDOPENTACEROS Gill.
1876. Bleeker (apud Jordan, Classif. Fish., p. 199, 1923).
1893. Gill, Mem. Ac. Sci. Wash., vol. vi, p. 116 (apud McCulloch
“ Endeavour ” Sci. Res., vol. iii, p. 144, 1915).
1907. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxii, p. 236 (Gilchristia).
Body oblong. Snout short. Soft portion of dorsal fin of 9-10 rays,
much shorter than spinous portion which has 14 spines. Anal spines
4. Caudal truncate or slightly rounded in young. Teeth on vomer.
Triangular space between ventrals and throat much narrower than long.
South Africa and New Zealand.
* Pseudopentaceros richardsoni (Smith).
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. S. Afr. Pisces, pl. xxi (ventral spine much
too short).
622 Annals of the South African Museum.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 212.
1890. Hutton, Tr. N. Zeal. Inst., vol. xxii, p. 277.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iu, p. 134.
1923. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xiv, p. 18, pl. iv, fig. 1
(young).
Depth 24 (young)—23 (adult), length of head 23? (young)-33 (adult),
in length of body. Eye 3 (young) to nearly 4 (adult) in length of head,
slightly greater than (young) or slightly less than (adult) snout. D
XIV 9-10, 4th or 4th—-6th spines longest, as long as head in young,
about 4 length of head in adult. A IV 8-9. Ventrals reaching vent
in young, considerably shorter in adult. Caudal truncate in adult.
Scale-counts not given by Richardson, Giinther, or McCulloch. Scales
on breast, belly, and nape tubercular or subangular, pavement-like,
not imbricate.
Length.—Up to 525 mm.
Colour.—Bluish or slaty-grey, darker above, body and head with
greenish, violaceous, or pinkish reflections, dorsal brownish, purplish
towards base, anal, caudal, and ventrals yellowish-grey; in the
young there are irregular dark markings tending to form rings on
the back and sides, spinous dorsal and anal and whole of ventrals
blackish.
Locality.— Off Cape Point.
Distribution. New Zealand.
Type (dried skin) in British Museum.
Only the type specimen is known from South African waters, the
few other known specimens coming from New Zealand.
Gen. QuINQqUARIUS Jord.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 30
(Pentaceros non Schultze 1760).
1907. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxii, pp. 236, 238.
1907. Id., cbid., p. 236 (Quadrarius).
1915. McCulloch, “ Endeavour ”’ Sci. Res., vol. i, p. 144.
Body oblong. Snout short. Soft portion of dorsal fin of 12-15 rays,
much shorter than spinous portion, which has 10-12 spines. Anal
spines 4-5. Caudal truncate or emarginate, rounded in young. Vomer
with or without teeth. Triangular space between ventrals and throat
as broad as long. !
South Africa, Japan, 8. Australia, and Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 623
*Quinquarius capensis (C. and V.).
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., vol. 11, p. 30, pl. xl.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 134.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Biol. Surv. Spec. Rep., ui, p. 70.
Depth 13, length of head 2#, in length of body. Hye 3 in length of
head. Teeth on vomer. A strong, horn-like projection above each
eye on the interorbital space. D XII 12, 3rd and 4th spines longest,
4 depth of body. A V7. Scales on throat and belly keeled, granular,
not imbricate. Pyloric caeca 9.
Length.—75 mm.
Colour.—Silvery yellow, with irregular brown markings, fins
yellowish.
Locality.—Cape seas ; Natal coast, 164 fathoms.
Type originally in the Leiden Museum, but now neither there nor
in Paris Museum.
The type is obviously a young specimen, and it is probable that the
horns above the eyes disappear in the adult.
Besides the type only one other specimen is known, namely that
obtained by the s.s. Pickle off the Natal coast. In spite of the interest
attaching to this specimen, Gilchrist (Joc. cit.) gives no details con-
cerning it.
Fam. 34. LIOGNATHIDAE.
Body ovate or oblong, compressed, with small or moderate-sized
cycloid scales, often concealed under a covering of mucus. Mouth
very protractile, the premaxillary shafts very long. Maxilla without
supplementary bone, its extremity exposed. Teeth villiform in jaws,
none on vomer or palatines. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes free
from or attached to isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudo-
branchiae absent. A single dorsal fin, more or less notched, depressible
in a basal sheath, with 8-10 spines, lst short, 2nd longest. Anal short
or rather long, with 2-5 spines, lst short, also with basal sheath.
Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal
forked. Lateral line single, sometimes incomplete. Air-bladder
present. Pyloric caeca few or rudimentary.
A family of small coastal fishes from tropical and subtropical seas,
sometimes ascending rivers. They are eaten by the native populations,
but have no economic value.
624 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Gill-membranes attached to isthmus. Anal hie with 14 rays (Liognathinae).
a. No canines : ; : P i . Liognathus.
b. Canines present . é : : ; : , ; Gazza.
2. Gill-membranes free from Sfianni: Anal short, with 7-9 rays (Gerrinae)
Xystaema.
Gen. Liognatuus Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 448.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim. (£quula).
Gill-membranes united with isthmus. Bony ridges on top of head,
occiput, and nape. Mouth typically horizontal, when protracted
pointing downwards, sometimes oblique. Dorsal spines 8. Anal
spines 3, 2nd much stouter than 3rd, 14 rays. A series of more or
less prominent spines along bases of soft dorsal and anal. Pectoral
short. Teeth minute, no canines. Scales very small. Head scaleless.
Skin more or less slimy.
Indian seas and Malay Archipelago, often ascending rivers.
Key to the South African species.
. Breast naked. Mouth horizontal ; : . : : ; equula.
. Breast scaly. Mouth oblique. : : : ; : . insidiator.
noe
LInognathus equula (Forsk.).
Slimy.
1795. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 58.
1797. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. cdxxvii (edentulus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 238, pl. lu, fig. 1 (edentula).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.1, pt. 4, p. 352.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 218 (refer-
ences and synonymy).
Dorsal profile rather more convex than ventral. Depth 1}-14,
length of head 3$~-3}, in length of body. Eye 2%-32 in length of
head, subequal to snout and to interorbital width. Two spines above
the eye. Supraorbital ridge and lower margin of preopercle feebly
denticulate. Mouth horizontal. Gill-rakers 14-15 on lower part of
anterior arch. D VIII 15-16, 2nd spine about ? length of head, 3rd
and 4th serrate on their anterior basal margins. A III 14. Scales:
Ll. (tubes) about 60. Breast naked. (Plate XXVI, fig. 7.)
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 625
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, soft dorsal and base of pectoral usually greyish.
Locality.— Natal, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
TInognathus insidiator (Bl.).
Spotted Slimy.
1797. Bloch, Ichth., pl. cxcii, figs. 2, 3.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 504.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 242, pl. li, C, fig. 5.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu (Secutor
TUCONVUS).
Ventral profile more convex than dorsal. Depth 2, length of head
34, in length of body. Hye 24 in length of head, rather larger than
snout and interorbital width. Two minute spines above eye. Supra-
orbital ridge and lower margin of preopercle minutely denticulate.
Mouth oblique. Giull-rakers 17-18 on lower part of anterior arch.
D VIII 15-16, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal, 4 length of head. A III
14. Lateral line usually obsolete on caudal peduncle. Breast scaly,
at least in adult.
Length.— Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a series of spots forming irregular
dark vertical bars; tip of spinous dorsal, axil of pectoral, and a dark
bar from eye to throat blackish ; pectoral and caudal yellowish.
Locality.—Natal, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Fowler’s specimens would appear to be this species. The true
ruconius, 1f maintained as a separate species, differs in having distinctly
larger scales, which are very deciduous.
Gen. Gazza Riipp.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 3.
Gill-membranes united with isthmus. Bony ridges on top of head,
occiput, and nape. Mouth oblique. Dorsal spines 8. Anal spines
3, 2nd a little stouter than 3rd, 14 rays. The series of spines along
bases of soft dorsal and anal less conspicuous than in Liognathus.
Pectoral short. Teeth conical in a single row, the two front ones in
626 Annals of the South African Museum.
upper jaw and several in the lower jaw enlarged, canine-like. Scales
‘very small. Head scaleless. Skin more or less slimy. Pseudo-
branchiae small, more or less concealed. Two processes on shoulder-
girdle projecting into gill-chamber.
Indian seas to Southern Pacific, often entering rivers. Besides the
species here mentioned, which has several synonyms, there appears
to be only one other really distinct species, namely, achlamys
Jord. and Starks 1917, from Ceylon.
Gazza minuta (B1.).
1797. Bloch, lehth.,. pl. cdxxax, fie, 2:
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 96 (argentaria).
1835. Riippell, loc cit., p. 4, pl. 1, fig. 3 (equulaeformis).
1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 91
(dentez).
1844. Forster, Descr. Anim., ed. Lichtenstein, p. 288 (argentaria).
1853. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. iv, p. 260 (tapeinosoma).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 144, pl. xci, fig. B
(argentaria).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 270.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 353 (equulaeformis) (references).
1917. Jordan and Starks, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 444.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 2, p. 76.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 219.
Depth 2 (young)—2 (adult), length of head 24 (young)—34 (adult), in
length of body. Hye 22-3 in length of head, greater than snout and
interorbital width. One or two minute spines above eye. Supra-
orbital ridge and lower margin of preopercle minutely denticulate.
Gill-rakers 14-16 on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII 16, spines
slender, 2nd 2 length of head. A III 14. Scales: 1.1. (tubes) about
60. Anterior part of back scaly, breast naked.
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, often with irregular wavy, dark,
vertical bars above lateral line; axil of pectoral black, fins fleshy
or yellowish, margin of dorsal greyish.
Locality.— Natal, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, 8S. Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 627
Gen. XYSTAEMA J. and E.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, vol. 11, p. 104 (Gerres part).
1895. Jordan and Evermann, Proc. Calif. Ac. Sci., p. 471.
1907. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxu, p. 246.
Gill-membranes free from isthmus. No bony ridges on top of head.
Preopercle and preorbital entire. Dorsal spines 9. Anal spines 3,
2nd not very much stouter than 3rd, 7-9 rays. Pectoral long.
Second interhaemal spine not hollowed, not receiving end of air-
bladder ; long, spear-like. Scales moderate. Head scaly.
Key to the South African species.
A. Second dorsal spine greatly prolonged : ‘ : A punctatum.
B. Second dorsal spine not prolonged.
1. Dorsal rays higher than hindermost spines.
a. Length of head less than aig of body.
i, Ll. 35-38 i : : : ; : oyenda.
ii. Ll. 40-45 : : . acinaces.
b. Length of head about equal ie depth of polly : . oblongus.
2. Dorsal rays equal to hindermost spines : é : : rappr.
Aystaema punctatum (C. and V.).
Long-spine Pouter.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 480.
1830. Id., ibid., p. 482 (filamentosus).
1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 195 (macracanthus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 98, pl. xxv, fig. 3 (filamentosus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 351 (references).
1925. Howler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 244
(filamentosus).
Depth 2-23, length of head 3-33, in length of body. Hye 24-31
in length of head, about equal to snout and to interorbital width.
Maxilla extending to below anterior border of eye. Gill-rakers 7 on
lower part of anterior arch. DIX 10-11, 2nd spine greatly prolonged,
often reaching end of dorsal fin and exceeding depth of body; suc-
ceeding spines rapidly decreasing, rays higher than posterior spines.
5-6
APitl 7-8: Scales: 1.1. 42—45; L.tr. ae ; 3rows on cheek. Lower
pharyngeal bones not fused, without molariform teeth.
Length.—Up to 235 mm.
NOU. <x PART 2. 4]
628 Annals of the South African Museum.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish or greyish above, with numerous oblong
horizontal blue or dark spots forming irregular lines, young with more
or less distinct vertical dark bars ; snout and margin of spinous dorsal
blackish, anal and soft dorsal greyish, other fins yellowish.
Locality.—Natal, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
*Xystaema oyena (Forsk.).
Striped Pouter.
1775. Forskal, Desecr. Anim., p. 35.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 467, pl. xix, fig. 1
(longirostris).
1866. Ginther in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 110, pl. xvi,
fig. 2 (lineolatus).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 129, pl. ccclxi, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 99, pl. xxv, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 243, pl. xxxvi, A,
fig. 2.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 273.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 352 (references, sed non Gilchrist and Thompson 1909) (lineolatus).
Depth 24-23, length of head 3-32, in length of body. Hye 34-3? in
length of head, equal to snout and to interorbital width. Maxilla
extending to below anterior border of eye. Giull-rakers 6-7 on lower
part of anterior arch. D IX 10, 2nd spine not prolonged, about
4 depth of body, soft rays higher than posterior spines. A III 7.
5-6
Scales: 1.1. 35-38; Ltr. sake 3 rows on cheek. Lower pharyngeal
bones not fused, without molariform teeth.
Length.— Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with a series of more or less distinct dark longi-
tudinal stripes, margin of dorsal dusky, fins pale.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Klunzinger (1871, Verh. Zool. Bot. Gesell. Wien, vol. xx, p. 772)
states that this species comes into the shallow water in sandy bays
and harbours in large shoals to spawn (in the Red Sea during April).
They lay their eggs in the sand and mud. This latter observation
requires confirmation.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 629
When the shoals are pursued by larger fishes they bury themselves
in the sand on their sides, leaving only one eye and the tail uncovered.
Their food is said to be the sand and mud (with the contained
organisms), which the fish absorbs by burrowing with its snout, the
body being kept in a vertical position during the process.
Xystaema acinaces (Blkr.).
Pouter.
1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 194.
1876. Id., Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 126, pl. ccclxi, fig. 2.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 245.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 227
(lineolatus non Guthr.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 245.
Distinguished from oyena only by having 1.1. 40-45.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Madagascar, Hast Indies.
Sauvage (loc. cit.) expresses the opinion that acinaces and lineolatus
will very probably prove to be synonymous with oyena.
All the South African Museum specimens are rather strongly
marked, as in lineolatus, but possess the scaling of acinaces.
* Xystaema oblongus (C. and V.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 479.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 30, pl. xxiv, fig. A
(gigas).
1378-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 98, pl. xxv, fig. 2.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 244.
Depth of body about equal to length of head, 3-34 in length of body.
Hye 33-32 in length of head, 1-14 in snout. Maxilla extending to
below anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers 8 on lower part of anterior
arch. D IX 10, 2nd spine not prolonged, about 14 in depth of body.
5
peed Scales: 1.1. 46—50 >: Ltr. a ; 3-4 series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colouwr.—Silvery, darker above, dorsal fin with a blackish margin.
Locality Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, 8. Pacific.
630 Annals of the South African Museum.
Xystaema rappi nom. nov.
1861. Rapp in Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 142, pl. xxiv.
(longirostris non Lacép.).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 352 (references) (longirostris).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 79 (references) (longi-
rostris).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 244 (longi-
rostris).
Depth 2-24, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye about
equal to snout, equal to or slightly less than interorbital width, 3-34
in length of head. Maxilla reaching slightly
beyond anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers
7 on lower part of anterior arch. D IX
10-11, 2nd spine slightly longer than 3rd,
24-22 in depth of body, succeeding spines
decreasing gradually, soft rays scarcely, if
at all, higher than posterior spine. A III 7.
6
Fic. 21.—Lower pharyngeal Scales: 1.1. 46-48; ltr. ——. Three rows on
teeth of Xystaema rappt. 12
cheek. Lower pharyngeal bones not com-
pletely fused, with a regularly arranged group of flattened molari-
form teeth on the posterior portion.
Length.— Up to 240 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with a more or less distinct series of dark longi-
tudinal stripes.
Locality. Natal coast.
Type in Tibingen Museum.
This species is a close ally of abbreviatus Blkr., but is distinguished
by the more numerous scales in the lateral line and the less concave
margin of the spinous dorsal, though the margin is slightly concave,
not even as in Rapp’s figure, in which the height of the hinder spines
appears to have been exaggerated.
Fam. 35. LETHRINIDAE.
Body ovate or oblong, compressed, with moderate-sized ctenoid
scales. Mouth moderate, terminal, oblique, protractile. Maxilla
without supplementary bone, mostly concealed under the broad pre-
orbital. Anterior teeth in jaws villiform, with canines, lateral teeth
|
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 631
conical or obtuse (molariform), in a single series; no teeth on vomer,
palatines, or tongue. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes broadly united,
but free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae
present. Gill-rakers mostly reduced, knob-like. A single dorsal, the
spinous and soft portions subequal. Anal about equal to soft dorsal,
with 3 spines. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary
process. Caudal lunate or forked. Lateral line single. Air-bladder
present. Pyloric caeca few. Subocular shelf small or vestigial.
A small family of three genera, closely related to the Lutianidae,
and inhabiting the Indo-Pacific region. One species of Lethrinus is
found on the west coast of Africa.
Gen. LETHRINUS Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, p. 182.
- Head large. Snout long, pointed. Preorbital deep. Cheeks and
upper surface of head scaleless. Maxilla concealed. DX9. ATJII8.
Lateral line tubes simple.
Indo-Pacific, with one species on west coast of Africa. Excellent
food-fishes.
A large genus, but many of the so-called species are merely nominal.
Differential characters are hard to find in this genus. The formula of
the dorsal and anal fins is the same throughout. Bleeker finds the
most reliable specific characters in the relative proportions, shape of
the profile, number of scales above the lateral line, strength and length
of the dorsal spines, and height of anal compared with its length (Atl.
Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 110).
The lateral teeth, which are conical in the young, frequently become
obtuse and molariform in the adult.
Key to the South African species.
1. Depth of body less than length of head : : . miniatus.
2. Depth of body at least equal to, usually greater than, revet of head.
a. Eye moderate. Brownish with blue spots . ‘ : . nebulosus.
b. Eye large. Yellowish , : ‘ : : : . borbonicus.
In addition to the species here mentioned, Playfair and Giinther
(1866, Fish. Zanz., p. viii) record violaceus C. and V. (sic ?=virescens
C. and V.) and mahsenoides C. and V. (? =insulindicus Blkr.) from
Mozambique. In the present unsatisfactory state of our knowledge of
the limits of the species in this genus, it is sufficient merely to note
632 Annals of the South African Museum.
these records here. Fowler’s specimen of mahsenoides is probably
referable to nebulosus (vide infra).
Lethrinus minmatus (Forst.).
Long-snouted Scavenger.
1801. Forster, Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 281.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 213
(varvegatus), and p. 220 (rostratus).
1866. Playfair in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 44, pl. vil,
fig. 2 (longirostris).
1876-77. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vin, p. 117, pl. ecexxvi,
fig. 3; pl. cccxxx, fig. 2 (varvegatus) ; and p. 121, pl. cccix, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 134, pl. xxxiii, fig. 1 (rostratus), and
Da Lok.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 241 (gen-
vittatus), and p. 242 (acutus).
Depth 23-32, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Eye 34
(young)—5 (adult) in length of head, 14 (young)—2 in snout, 1 (young)
—14 in interorbital width, and 14 (adult) in depth of preorbital. Gill-
rakers 8 on lower part of anterior arch. Lateral teeth usually remaining
5-6
Pee
conical in adult. Scales: 1.1. 48; ltr
Length.—Up to 370 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous or violaceous, with irregular, more or less
distinct, narrow, vertical bands or reticulations, or scattered spots ;
dark bands from eye across preorbital and snout, dorsal mottled, often
with a dark spot at base of each spine and ray.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean, East Indies.
Although Bleeker keeps variegatus separate from miniatus on account
of the extra scale above the lateral line in the latter, it would seem
that this character is not distinctive. Bleeker’s figure (pl. cecxxvii,
fig. 3) of variegatus corresponds as regards the spots at the base of the
dorsal fin with Day’s figure of his miniatus, and Day gives 4 complete
and 2 half series of scales as against Bleeker’s 53. The difference is
more verbal than real. I have obtained specimens in the same haul
of the net, some with the basal dorsal spots, some without, though
owing to immaturity it was impossible to determine whether the
presence or absence of such spots was a sexual character.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 633
Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsk.).
Scavenger.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 52.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 289
(opercularis).
1876-77. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 119, pl. cccxxxy,
fig. 5 (opercularis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 135, pl. xxxii, fig. 2 (karwa); p. 136,
pl. xxxiu, fig. 4 (nebulosus) ; and p. 136 (opercularis).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 168
(scoparius).
1914. Id., cbid., vol. xiii, p. 69 (chrysostomus % non Rich.).
1916. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. v, p. 163 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 360 (also chrysostomus sed ? references, and scoparius).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 241 (sco-
parvus), and p. 242 (mahsenoirdes).
Depth 24 (large specimens)—22 (young), length of head 24-3, in
length of body. Eye 4(young)-5 in length of head, 14 (young)—24
in snout, 1 (young)-14 in interorbital width, and 14(young)-2 in
depth of preorbital. Gill-rakers 5-6 on lower part of anterior arch.
Lateral teeth more or less obtuse or molariform in adult. Scales:
(Plate X XV, fig. 3.)
6
fee 45 + | tr.
Ihe
Length.—Up to 750 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, olivaceous, or greyish, somewhat silvery on
belly ; head darker or violaceous above, each scale on the back and
sides with a cobalt-blue centre, suprascapular scale and some streaks
and spots on cheeks also cobalt-blue ; fins pale, the edges of the dorsal,
anal, and caudal yellowish or reddish, ventrals bluish-grey (especially
in young), lst (uppermost) and basal portion of 2nd pectoral rays
blue, distal portion of 2nd reddish, inside of mouth and opercle orange
or scarlet.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coasts, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies to N.E. Australia.
Type of scoparius in South African Museum.
The true chrysostomus Richardson appears to have only 5 scales
above the lateral line (see McCulloch, 1922, Austral. Zoologist., vol.
i, p. 87, key).
634 Annals of the South African Museum.
I have examined a large number of fresh specimens of all sizes from
the nets at Delagoa Bay, and feel sure that Fowler’s mahsenoides is
the same species.
*Lethrinus borbonicus C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 303.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 204, pl. 21,
fig. 2.
1921. British Museum Report, p. 118.
Depth 24, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 33 in length of
head, 14 in snout, and | in depth of preorbital. Lateral teeth molari-
form. Scales: 1.1. 48; ltr. ? 5 above lateral line.
Length.—175 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with silvery sheen, head brown, mouth and fins
reddish.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay (Brit. Mus.).
Distribution — Reunion.
This species seems to be distinguished by the large eye and short
snout.
Fam. 36. GIRELLIDAE.
Body oblong-ovate or ovate, compressed, with moderate-sized or -
small ctenoid scales. Mouth small. Maxilla for the most part con-
cealed under the preorbital, without supplemental bone. Subocular
shelf present. Jaws with bands of incisor teeth ; vomer and palatines
toothless. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes scaly, joined to isthmus.
Gills 4, a sht behind 4th: Pseudobranchiae present. A single dorsal
fin. Anal spines 3. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with
axillary process. Caudal emarginate. Air-bladder present. Pyloric
caeca moderately numerous, large. Lateral line single.
This family, from the Indo-Pacific region, is closely allied to the
Kyphosidae, but has the maxilla concealed and the gill-membranes
united to the isthmus. Only two genera are found in South African
waters, both of which are endemic, though ranging as far as Mada-
gascar.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Dorsal notched, with 10 spines. t 4 : é ; Dipterodon.
2. Dorsal not notched, with 11 spines’. : : ‘ . Pachymetopon.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 635
Gen. DIPTERODON C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 274.
1914. Pellegrin, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr., vol. xxxix, p. 231.
Body deep ovate. Dorsal fin notched, with 10 spines. The anterior
soit rays of dorsal and anal prolonged, forming lobes. Teeth in a
single row, the front ones chisel-shaped, the lateral ones more pointed ;
usually no inner rows, but occasionally a few small conical teeth are
present, more or less concealed in fleshy pads. Opercle and whole of
preopercle scaly.
A South African genus with one species, which extends to Mada-
gascar.
Dipterodon capensis C. and V.
Galjoen.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 276, pl. clxxxvul.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr., Austr., p. 34 (coloration).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 165
(colour variation).
1914. Pellegrin, loc. cit., p. 231 (multifasciatus).
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 90 (habits).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 358 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 86 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 233.
Depth 12-2 (or a little over 2 occasionally), length of head 3-34, in
length of body. Eye 32 (young)—5 (adult) in length of head, equal to
or a little less than snout, 14 (young)—1% (adult) in interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to, or almost to, below anterior margin of eye, its
posterior end visible. Preopercle finely serrulate on hind margin and
angle. Giull-rakers (12)14-15 on lower part of anterior arch. D X
(17)18-23, 4th spine (or 4th and 5th) longest, 2-24 in length of head.
A III 13-15, 2nd and 3rd spines about equal. Longest anal rays
usually slightly longer than longest dorsal rays, about 14 in length of
head. Scales: 1.1. 75-85; ltr. ca. 30 above lateral line. Pyloric caeca 14.
(Plate XXV, fig. 2.)
Length.— Up to 650 mm.
Colour.—Grey, lighter or darker, often strongly silvery, belly silvery
white; either uniform or with more or less distinct, dark, broad,
vertical bands on the body, 5-6 in number, sometimes with intervening
narrow bands (multifasciatus) ; fins greyish, soft dorsal and anal and
ventrals blackish, anal and ventral spines white.
636 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.— Walfish Bay to Table Bay, False Bay to Natal coast,
Delagoa Bay. ;
Distribution.—Madagascar.
Types of capensis and multifasciatus in Paris Museum.
The characters used by Pellegrin for differentiating multifasciatus
are not constant; the 2nd and 3rd anal spines are about equal, de-
creasing proportionately to the size of the fish with age, and in four
specimens, all from Natal, the dorsal rays range from 18-23. One of
these has the typical alternate broad and narrow bands of multi-
fasciatus.
The coloration, though usually uniform, is variable, as already noted
by Castelnau and Gilchrist and Thompson, but the banded form is
more typical of the warmer waters in the eastern part of our area.
The contrast between the white spines of the anal and ventral fins
and the black rays is usually well marked, especially in young fishes.
The Galjoen, so called either from its resemblance to the high-built
galleons of old days, or its habit of following them (Gilchrist, Tr. 8.
Afr. Philos. Soc., vol. xi, p. 221, 1902), is found most commonly at the
Cape, especially in False Bay, where it is one of the best known food-
fishes. It is rare in Table Bay, and evidently prefers the warmer waters
of the Mozambique and Agulhas currents. Its spawning habits and
eggs are unknown.
Gen. PACHYMETOPON Gnthr.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 424.
1914. Pellegrin, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr., vol. xxxix, p. 264.
Body ovate. Dorsal fin not notched, with 11 spines. Anterior
soft rays of dorsal and anal not forming lobes. Teeth consisting of
a single row of incisors, with a band of smaller, conical ones behind
them. Opercle scaly, but the margin of preopercle naked.
Two species, one from South Africa, the other from Madagascar,
though possibly both are really the same fish.
*Pachymetopon grande Gnthr.
1859. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 424 (the figure was not published).
1870. Steindachner, 8.B. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lx, p. 135 (guenther?).
1880. Giinther, Study of Fishes, p. 406 (name only) (not Challenger
Shore Fishes as given in Thompson, 1918).
1886. Zd., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (5), vol. xvim, p. 367.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 637
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 86 (grande and guen-
thert).
Depth 3, length of head 5, in total length including caudal. Eye
44 in length of head, 14 in snout, about half the interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to below posterior nostril. Hind margin of pre-
opercle minutely serrulate. D XI 11, 5th spine highest, 23 in length
of head, soft rays nearly as high. A III 10, 2nd and 3rd spines about
equal in length, 2nd the stronger, rays equal to those of dorsal.
Scales: 1.1. 70 (Steindachner)-80 (Giinther counted above the 1.1.) ;
11-138
“oo
Length.—500 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Uniform greyish, but Giinther thinks it
may have been red in life, with dorsal, anal, and ventral blackish.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Type of grande in British Museum.
I have not seen the type or any other specimen. Giinther’s remark
(loc. cit., 1886, p. 367) that Cape naturalists “ would have no difficulty
in obtaining other examples” has not come true. Neither the Cape
Government Survey nor the Union Government Survey obtained a
specimen.
Like Giinther, both Steindachner and Pellegrin had only a single
specimen. Thus three species have been instituted on three specimens.
Giinther considers guentheri to be the same as grande, and I cannot
help thinking that Pellegrin’s gibbosum is also the same. The scales
in the lateral line and even transversely, both in this genus and in
Dipterodon, are difficult to count accurately (Giinther, loc. cit., 1886,
p- 368), and the difference between the prominence “ across the fore-
head ” (Giinther) and the “ gibbosité nuchale ” (Pellegrin) may be
only a verbal one, or if real may be due to difference in age or sex.
The distribution is not incompatible with there being only the one
species, in view of the distribution of Dipterodon capensis.
P. gibbosum Pellegr. from Madagascar, measured 257 mm., and
Ler.
8
had D XI 12 and scales 1.1. 63; 1.tr. =
Fam. 37. LOBOTIDAE.
‘Agreeing with the Lutianidae (p. 646), but without subocular shelf,
and without any teeth on the vomer or palatines. Maxilla concealed
638 Annals of the South African Museum.
throughout its length. Soft dorsal and anal lobate. Caudal
rounded.
Three genera from warm seas. Meek and Hildebrand (Field Mus.
Nat. Hist., zool. ser., vol. xv, p. 484, 1925) apparently do not admit
the necessity of Jordan’s genus Verrugato 1923 for the Pacific species
pacificus Gilb.
Gen. Losotses Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, vol. 11, p. 177.
Snout very short. Mouth moderately protractile, the premaxillary
shafts not very long, not reaching frontals. Teeth in villiform bands,
with an outer row of larger conical teeth in front. Preopercle strongly
serrate. Anal spines not very strong, graduated.
A single widely distributed species.
Lobotes surinamensis (Bl.).
Triple-tail.
1790. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. vii, pl. cexli.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 84, pl. xxi, fig. 5.
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxix,
p. 436 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 324 (references).
Depth slightly over 2, length of head nearly 3, in length of body.
Eye (according to age) 6-82 in length of head, 1-2 in snout, 1-23 in
interorbital width. Maxilla extending to below hind margin of eye.
Preopercle with strong serrations, those at angle more or less spinate.
Gill-rakers 13 on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 15. ATIII 11.
9-10
16-18
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Slaty-grey, with bronzy or silvery sheen; fins similarly
coloured, except pectoral and margin of caudal, which are pale
yellowish.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—All warm seas.
An excellent food-fish, but seldom caught in South African waters.
Scales: 1.1. 42-45; I.tr.
(Plate XXVII, fig. 1.)
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 639
Fam. 38. MONODACTYLIDAE.
Body ovate or very deep, strongly compressed, with small or
moderate ctenoid or cycloid scales. Mouth very oblique, protractile.
Maxilla exposed posteriorly, without supplemental bone. Subocular
shelf present or absent. Teeth villiform in jaws and on vomer,
palatines, and tongue. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes free from
isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. The
single dorsal and the anal long, the former with 5-8, the latter with
3 graduated spines, both covered with scales. Ventrals thoracic, of
a spine and 5 rays, small or vestigial or absent, with or without
axillary process. Caudalforked. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca
numerous. Lateral line single.
A small family of small fishes comprised in two genera, one of which
extends from the shores of South and East Africa to Southern Asia and
Australia, while the second, Schuettea Steind. 1866 (syn. Bramichthys
Waite 1905), is exclusively from Australia.
Regan maintains the genus Pseftus as distinct from Monodactylus
on account of its abnormally deep body, the presence of a subocular
shelf, and the ankylosis of the pelvic bones.
Gen. Monopactyuus Lac.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 131.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vu, p. 240
(Psettus).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 44 (Stromatoidea).
1915. Boulenger, F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. ii, p. 119 (Psettus).
Scales small, ctenoid. Body ovate or very deep. Ventrals either
small but normally developed, or reduced with 2-4 rays.
The species of this genus are often found in estuaries and in rivers
several miles from the sea.
Key to the South African species.
1. Body ovate. VI5. Gill-rakers 20-24 : ; falciformis.
2. Body subcircular. VI2-4. Gill-rakers 17-19 . , : . argenteus.
Monodactylus falciformis Lac.
1801. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, pl. 5, fig. 4; and 1802,
ibid., vol. iti, p. 132.
640 Annals of the South African Museum.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 44 (Stromatoidea
layardt).
1915. Boulenger, F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. iii, p. 120, fig. 89.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 366 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep. vol. iv, p. 96 (references).
Body ovate. Depth 1} (adult)-2 (young), length of head 22-33, in
length of body. Eye 2-23 in length of head, about twice snout, and
11-14 times interorbital width. Gill-rakers 20-24 on lower part of
anterior arch. D VIII 27-30. A III 27-30. Anterior rays of dorsal
and anal forming obtuse lobes. V I 5, small but well developed.
Scales: 1.1. 50-60.
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, brownish above, lobes of the dorsal and anal fins
blackish ; young with 7-10 dark vertical cross-bands, the broadest
across the caudal peduncle, and a dark-border to the dorsal and
anal fins.
Locality.— Algoa Bay to Natal and Zululand, Delagoa Bay, entering
rivers.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, to China and
Polynesia.
Monodactylus argenteus (Linn.).
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10; and L766, 2bid.) edu
p. 461.
1915. Boulenger, F.W. Fish. Afr., vol. ii, p. 121, fig. 90.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 365 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 95 (references).
Body subcircular. Depth 14-1}, length of head 3-33, in length of
body. Eye 24-3 in length of head, twice the snout, and equal to or
a little greater than interorbital width. Gill-rakers 17-19 on lower
part of anterior arch. D VIII 28-30. A III 29-32. Anterior rays
of dorsal and anal forming somewhat acute lobes. V I 2-4, very
small. Scales: 1.1. 50-60. (Plate XXVI, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 210 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, brownish above, lobes of dorsal and anal fins
blackish ; young with two dark vertical bands, one through the eye,
the other from nape through base of pectoral to between ventrals
and anal. |
Locality —Knysna and Natal coast, entering rivers.
———
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 641
Distribution.—EHast coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies to
Polynesia and Australia.
Distinguished from falciformis by the deeper body and in the
young by the presence of only two cross-bands.
Fam. 39. CENTROPOMIDAE.
(Ambassidae.)
Body oblong or elongate, with ctenoid or cycloid scales of variable
size. Mouth moderately protractile. Maxilla broad, exposed, with
or without supplementary bone. Teeth villiform, in bands in jaws
and on vomer and palatines. Nostrils paired. Gull-membranes free
from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present.
Preopercle often with a double ridge. Spinous and soft portions of
dorsal fin separate or united, subequal, the former of 7-9 spines. Anal
as long as, or a little shorter than soft dorsal, with 3 spines. Vent-
rals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal
forked. Lateral line single, extending on to caudal fin. Air-bladder
present.
The genus Ambassis has usually been included in the family
Ambassidae, but as Regan now groups the genera Centropomus,
Lates, etc. with Ambassis in a single family, the family name is taken
from the earliest genus.
Only one genus in South Africa.
Gen. AmBassis © and V.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii,
p. 175.
Opercle without spine. Preopercle with double denticulated ridge.
Preorbital usually denticulate. No supramaxilla. Dorsal fins con-
nected, a recumbent forwardly directed spine in front of spinous
dorsal, which has 7 spines, the Ist very short, 2nd strong. A basal
sheath of scales along dorsals and anal. Scales cycloid, sometimes
minute and deciduous. Canines sometimes present. Lateral line
continuous, interrupted or partly obsolete.
Small coastal fishes of the Indo-Pacific region, often entering
estuaries and rivers, some species exclusively fluviatile.
642 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African species.
1. Seven to nine median scales in front of dorsal fin.
a. Inner ridge of preopercle serrate . : ; urotaenwa.
b. Inner ridge of preopercle smooth, with Sale" two spines at angle natalensis.
2. Eleven to fourteen median scales in front of dorsal fin.
a. Lateral line continuous ; : : : : : commersont.
b. Lateral line interrupted : : ; : ‘ - gymnocephalus.
* Ambassis urotaenia Blkr.
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. ii, p. 257
1877. Id., Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 135, pl. ccexliv, fig. 2 ; pl. eccli,
fig agile
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 55, pl. xv, fig. 8.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 216.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 130 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 339 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxviui, p. 220.
Depth 24-23, length of head 24, in length of body. Hye 24 in
length of head, twice length of snout. Teeth on tongue, no canines.
Preorbital serrate. Preopercle with both edges serrate. Inter-
opercle smooth. Gill-rakers 21 on lower part of anterior arch.
2-3
Do Vil. 9-10.: ANI 9=t0.) Sealeseo ly 2i-2s re al (not
including fin sheaths). One (Day) or two (Bleeker) rows on cheek ;
7-8 in front of dorsal fin. Lateral line more or less interrupted.
(Plate XXIV, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
Colour.—Translucent yellow, with a bright silver longitudinal band
from eye to caudal; fins yellowish, tip of spinous dorsal and a longi-
tudinal band on each lobe of caudal blackish.
Locality — Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, entering rivers.
Distribution.—Indian seas and Kast Indies.
Ambassis natalensis G. and T.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 148.
1917. Jd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 339.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 220
(ambassis ? non Lacép.).
Depth 23-3, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 3 in length
:
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 643
of head, snout 3-£ eye. Teeth on tongue; no canines. Preorbital
serrate. Preopercle with outer edge denticulate, inner ridge smooth
except for 2 spines at angle. Interopercle smooth. Gill-rakers 20-22
on lower part of anterior arch. DI.VII.110. ATII10. Scales:
2
ee 2 eo Ltr. 5 ; 2rows on cheek ; 9(—10) in front of dorsal. Lateral
line continuous.
Length—Up to 65 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish (as preserved), without silver lateral band, but
with a narrow, dark, longitudinal streak on hinder part of body to
base of caudal fin; tip of spinous dorsal and membrane between
2nd and 3rd spines blackish.
Locality.—Natal coast, entering rivers.
Type in South African Museum.
The above is an emended description, the original description being
erroneous in one or two points, notably the number of scales above
the lateral line.
Fowler considers this as the same as A. ambassis Lacép., and
possibly the earlier safgha Forsk.
Ambassis commersoni C. and V.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ul, p. 176.
pl. xxv.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vin, p. 136, pl. ccclii, fig. 1.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 113, pl. xli, A, fig. 6.
1915. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. i, p. 112, fig. 85.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth 24-23, length of head 2-3, in length of body. Eye 24
(young)—34 in length of head, as long as or greater than snout. Teeth
on tongue; no canines. Preorbital serrate. Preopercle with both
edges serrate. Interopercle smooth, or with 1-2 serrations. Guill-
rakers 17-19 on lower part of anterior arch. DI. VII.110. ATII 10.
3
Scales: 1.1. 28-29:; L.tr. é > 2rows on cheek; 12-13 in front of dorsal.
Lateral line continuous.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with bright silver band from eye to caudal ;
membrane between 2nd and 3rd dorsal spines blackish.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
VOL, XX, PART 2, 42
644 Annals of the South African Museum.
The figure given by Cuvier and Valenciennes, and copied by
Boulenger, shows a deep suborbital with 5 rows of scales, which is
in conflict with Boulenger’s description. If the figure is correct then
commerson, of Boulenger and Sauvage, is an entirely different fish.
The South African Museum specimen agrees with Boulenger’s
description.
Fischer’s Apogon roseus (1885, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Aust., vol. u,
p. 66) from Mozambique is too inadequately described for specific
determination, though it is clearly an Ambassis, and may very prob-
ably be this species.
*Ambassis gymnocephalus (Lac.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, pl. xxiii, fig. 3; vol. iv,
p. 216.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 181;
vol. vi, p. 503; vol. ix, p. 431 (dussumiert).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 138, pl. ccclii, fig. 3
(synonymy).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 54, pl. xv, fig. 6.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 217.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (dussumert).
Depth 23-24, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head, greater than snout. Teeth on tongue; no canines. Pre-
orbital serrate. Preopercle with both edges serrate. Interopercle
smooth. DI. VII.1 9-10. AIII 9-10. Scales: 1.1. 27-29; l.tr. a
2 rows on cheek, 14 in front of dorsal. Lateral line interrupted.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with a bright silver band from eye to caudal ;
fins yellowish; membrane between 2nd and 3rd dorsal spines
blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas and East Indies.
Fam. 40. KyPHOSIDAE.
Rudder-fishes.
Body oblong-ovate, compressed, with small ctenoid scales. Mouth
small, moderately protractile. Maxilla exposed, without supple-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 645
mental bone. No subocular shelf. Jaws with an outer series of
strong incisors, implanted with more or less conspicuous roots, with
a narrow band of villiform teeth behind them; villiform teeth on
vomer, palatines, and usually tongue. Nostrils paired. Gill-
membranes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudo-
branchiae present. A single dorsal fin. Anal spines 3. Soft dorsal
and anal scaly. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with
axillary process. Caudalforked. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca
numerous. Lateral line single.
Small fishes, of no great value as food-fishes, found in all tropical
seas. Herbivorous, feeding on seaweeds and algae.
These fishes obtain their name of Rudder-fishes from their habit
of following ships.
Gen. KypHosus Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 114.
1803, Id., bid., vol. iv, p. 429 (Pimelepterus).
1912. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xhi,
p. 594.
1920. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xii, p. 56.
Top of head scaly. Preopercle feebly serrulate. Incisors strong,
with conspicuous roots; teeth present on tongue. Gill-rakers long.
Spinous and soft portions of dorsal about equal. Anal similar to,
not higher than, soft dorsal. Caudal moderately forked. Junction
of gill-membranes forming an angle. The skin covering the branchi-
ostegals scaly.
Most of the species of this genus are found in the Indo-Pacific
region.
Kyphosus fuscus Lacép.
Rudder-fish : Bastard Jacob Piver (Cape) ; Blue-fish (Hast London) ;
Butter-bream (Natal).
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 484.
1838. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische. p. 34, pl. x, fig. 3.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, p. 70
(conerascens non Forsk.).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 113 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 324, and p. 323 (cinerascens non Forsk. Only the 1914
reference).
1918. Regan, zbed., vol. 1, p. 76.
646 Annals of the South African Museum.
Depth 2%, length of head 33-33, in length of body. Eye 33-34 in
length of head, 14 in interorbital width. Preorbital scaleless. Gill-
rakers 20 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 12~-13(14), none of the
soft rays as high as the highest spine. A III 11-13, anterior rays
10-12
19-22
as long as the longest dorsal spine. Scales: 1.1. 64-69; Ltr.
(Plate X XVII, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, paler and silvery below, head violaceous, a
series of more or less distinct longitudinal stripes, which in preserved
specimens are paler than the ground colour.
Locality.— False Bay to Natal and Zululand.
Distribution. —Red Sea, Indian seas, East Indies, to Hawatian
Islands.
Although frequent in Natal, this fish seems to be rare further west-
wards. According to Castelnau it feeds on molluscs, and its flesh
is good eating.
The specimen identified by Gilchrist and Thompson as cinerascens
is not that species, which is characterised by having the anterior
soft dorsal rays higher than the spines.
The species of this genus are all very closely allied, and it is perhaps
possible that oblongior C. and V. and lembus C. and V. will eventually
be united with fuscus.
Fam. 41. LUTIANIDAE.
Body oblong or ovate, compressed, with moderate-sized, more or
less strongly ctenoid scales. Mouth moderate or large, nearly hori-
zontal, protractile. Maxilla long, typically without supplementary
bone. Teeth villiform or conical, sometimes molariform, but never
incisiform, on jaws, vomer and palatines, and usually also tongue ;
sometimes deciduous. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes free from
isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present.
Dorsal fin single, more or less notched between spinous and soft
portions, sometimes almost separated into two. Anal spines 3.
Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process
(except in Pristipomoides). Caudal emarginate or forked. Lateral
line single. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few. A strong sub-
ocular shelf.
A large family chiefly inhabiting warm seas. All are good food-
fishes, but few have any great economic importance.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 647
Key to the South African genera.
1. Soft dorsal and anal scaleless (Htelinae).
a. All teeth villiform. Pectoral short : : ; . Apsilus.
b. Canines present in jaws. Pectoral falcate . . Pristipomoides.
2. Soft dorsal and anal scaly (Lutianinae).
a. No canine teeth : , ‘ : : } : Caesio.
6. Canine teeth present . ; : ; ; . Lutianus.
Gen. APSILUS C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 548.
1922. Jordan and Jordan, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 50 (key to
genera of Etelinae).
All the teeth viliform, no canines, minute teeth on tongue. Pre-
opercle entire. Caudal fin, but not the soft dorsal or anal, scaly.
Dorsal not deeply notched, spines 10. Analrays 8. Last dorsal and
anal ray not produced. Pectoral short. No transverse groove
between interorbital and occipital.
*Apsilus fuscus C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 549, pl. elxviii bis.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 82.
1870. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Gesell. Wien, vol. xx, p. 705.
1917. Jordan and Starks, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 450 (name
only).
Depth 3, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 4% in length
of head, 14 in snout (in figure, 34 and 1 respectively). D X 10,
4th or 5th spine longest. A III 8. Caudal deeply forked. Scales:
ll. 65; I.tr. 20; 6 series of scales on cheek.
Length —Up to 325 mm.
Colour.—Brown, lighter below, dorsal mottled with darker.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Cape Verde (C. and V.), Red Sea, Réunion, Ceylon.
I have seen a specimen in the British Museum from Delagoa Bay
ex coll. Gilchrist.
Gen. PRISTIPOMOIDES Blkr.
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. iii, p. 574.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 237 (Platyinius).
1903. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxu,
p. 182 (Bowersia).
648 Annals of the South African Museum.
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxix,
p. 459 (part).
1922. Jordan and Jordan, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, pp. 48, 50.
Canines in jaws on outer side of villiform bands, villiform teeth on
vomer and palatines; tongue smooth. Preopercle feebly dentate.
Caudal fin, but not dorsal or anal, scaly. Dorsal not deeply notched,
spines 10. Anal rays 8. Last dorsal and anal ray prolonged. Pec-
toral long, falcate. A transverse groove between interorbital and
occipital.
An Indo-Pacific genus, extending to the West Indies, if Platyinius
be considered synonymous.
Pristipomoides filamentosus (C. and V.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 508.
1833. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc., vol. i, p. 127 (mites). gee
1870. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool Bot. Gesell. Wien, vol. xx, p. 703.
1879. Castelnau, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. ii, p. 373 (voseus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 345 (references).
1917. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xi, p. 173, pl. xxx (roseus).
Depth about 34, length of head 34-4, in length of body. Hye 43-44
in length of head, 14-14 in snout and in interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to below anterior margin or anterior third of eye. Depth of
preorbital 14 in eye (longitudinal diameter). Preopercle obscurely
serrate at angle. Gill-rakers 14 on lower part of anterior arch. D X
11, 4th spine longest. A III 8. Caudal deeply forked. Scales:
6-7
El. 61=62 1 -tr. ae 7 rows on cheek.
Length.—Up to 750 mm.
Colour.—Pink or reddish above, silvery below, basal part of each
scale bluish, small blue and yellow lines over head, preorbital, and
snout; spinous dorsal bluish and yellowish at base, pinkish and
yellowish towards margin, soft dorsal with two rows of orange spots,
ventrals and anal white, pectoral pale yellow, caudal light pink.
(Klunzinger and McCulloch).
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea, islands of Indian Ocean, New South Wales.
The Natal fish agrees so well with McCulloch’s description of Aprion
roseus, that there is little doubt the two are identical. McCulloch does
not mention teeth on the tongue, which is therefore presumed to be
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 649
smooth, bringing this fish within the genus Pristipomoides. On the
other hand the palatine teeth are quite obsolete in the Natal fish.
P. wolescens J. and E. (1903, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
p. 183; and 1905, zbid., vol. xxii, p. 236, fig. 97) from Hawaii is exceed-
ingly close to, if not identical with, this species, in spite of certain
slight differences in the descriptions.
The axillary process of the ventrals is obsolete in the Natal fish,
likewise in the figure of violescens, and McCulloch specifically mentions
its absence in roseus.
Gen. Carsio Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 85.
1923. Nicholls, Amer. Mus. Nov., No. 94, p. 2 (Clupeolabrus
=young).
1925. Chabanaud, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr., vol. 50, p. 151.
Teeth in one or several rows in both jaws, without canines, some-
times minute teeth on vomer, none on palatines or tongue. Preopercle
entire or minutely denticulate. Soft dorsal and anal scaly, caudal
more or less so; sometimes spinous dorsal also scaly. Dorsal not deeply
notched, spines (9)10-13, usually very slender. Anal rays 10-13.
Last dorsal and anal ray not prolonged. Pectoral moderate or rather
long. A row of crenulate scales from suprascapula to occiput, with
a shorter row in front and parallel with it, above the posterior border
of orbit.
Indian seas to the Hast Indies.
Key to the South African species.
1. Maxilla almost completely concealed below preorbital. A black spot in axil of
pectoral . : : : ; : : : : . axillaris.
2. Maxilla not concealed. A golden band along side; a dark band along each
caudal lobe 5 : d ‘ : : 5 : coerulaureus.
Caesio axillaris Blgr.
Windtoy.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., pl. 31 (Cantharus brama).
1900. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, p. 10, pl. 1.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 83 (apzllaris sic).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 22.
Depth 24-23, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Eye 3}-4
650 Annals of the South African Museum.
in length of head, 1-1} in interorbital width, equal to (young) or a
little less than snout. Teeth in a single row; no vomerine teeth.
Maxilla extending to below posterior nostril, almost completely con-
cealed beneath the preorbital, the depth of which is a little over 4
(adult) diameter of eye. Guill-rakers 21-22 on lower part of anterior
arch. D XI 12, spines strong, middle spines longest, spinous portion
naked. <A III 11, 3rd spine slightly longer than 2nd. Pectoral as
long as head. Caudal crescentic. Scales: 1.]. 64-65; l.tr. ma
Length.—Up to 320 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish above, a black spot in axil of pectoral,
snout brownish, fins rosy.
Locality. Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank, to 43 fathoms.
Type in British Museum ; cotype in South African Museum.
A rare fish, occasionally extending into Table Bay; according to
Castelnau following or as a precursor of high winds. This may perhaps
indicate the origin of the local name.
Boulenger (loc. cit.) states that C. lunaris C. and V. occurs at the
Cape, but on what evidence does not appear. C. lunaris differs in
having a scaly spinous dorsal, 2nd anal spine longer than 3rd, and
black tips to the caudal lobes.
Caesio coerulaureus Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. 1, p. 86.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,‘ vol. vi,
p. 434.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 392.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 39, pl. ceexlvn, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 170, pl. xvi,
fig. 2.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, p. 76.
Depth 34-34, length of head 3-3}, in length of body. Eye 33-4}
in length of head, equal to or slightly less than snout, and also inter-
orbital. Teeth in 1 or 2 rows; no vomerine teeth. Maxilla reaching
to below anterior margin of eye, not concealed under the narrow pre-
orbital, depth of which (opposite end of maxilla) is 4 diameter of eye.
Gill-rakers 24-25 on lower part of anterior arch. D X 14-15, spines
slender, spinous portion scaly. A III 12-13. Pectoral shorter than
head. Caudal crescentic. Scales: 1.1. 63-65; Ltr. TET
.
PLATE XXVII.
FIG.
TEXT-PAGE
1. Lobotes surinamensis (Bl.) (original photo) . : : : - - 638
2. Kyphosus fuscus Lac. (original photo) : - 2 : - . 645
3. Lutianus duodecimlineatus (C. and V.) (after Sauvage) . : : . 6538
4. Rhachycentrum canadus (Linn.) (after Day) . 5 : : : ~ aLE
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI. Plate X XVII.
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 651
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Bluish, silvery below, with a broad, golden-yellow band
from opercle to tail above the lateral line, fins rosy, ventrals white,
caudal with a longitudinal dark bar along each lobe, pectoral with a
black axillary spot.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
The closely allied species chrysozona C. and V. appears to be con-
stantly distinguished by the golden lateral band running below the
lateral line, and the caudal lobes having black tips but no longitudinal
bars.
Gen. Lutianus BI.
Snappers.
1790. Bloch, Ichth., vol. iv, p. 107 (later spelling: Lutjanus).
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. u, p. 410
(Diacope non Hiibn. Lepidoptera).
1828. Id., abid., p. 441 (Mesoprion).
1850. Cantor, Malay Fish., p. 12 (Genyoroge).
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxix,
p. 445 (synonymy).
Teeth in villiform bands in jaws, with usually an outer enlarged
series, and 2—4 canines in front of upper jaw ; villiform teeth on vomer
and palatines, and also one or more patches on tongue. Maxilla mostly
concealed under preorbital. Preopercle finely serrate on hinder mar-
gin, entire or with a shallow or deep notch into which fits a more or
less pronounced knob situate on the interopercle. Soft dorsal and
anal scaly. Dorsal not deeply notched, spines 10-12, not slender.
Anal rays 7-9. Last dorsal and anal ray not prolonged. Pectoral
moderate. No transverse groove between interorbital and occipital.
A row of crenulate scales from suprascapula to occiput, with a shorter
row in front of it.
Tropical and subtropical seas. Species numerous, and mostly
valued as food.
Key to the South African species.
I. Preopercle with deep notch receiving the strong interopercular knob. Vomerine
teeth in a A-shaped band. No lingual teeth (Genyoroge).
A. Interorbital scaly. Dorsal profile not elevated.
1. Longitudinal blue bands rather broad . : : . kasmira.
2. Longitudinal blue bands narrow ; : duodecimlineatus.
652 Annals of the South African Museum.
B. Interorbital scaleless. Dorsal profile elevated.
1. With broad black bands. D XI sebae.
2. Head with blue lines, body with blue aoeckbne. DX. rivulatus.
3. Without black bands. D X.
a. Vertical fins with yellowish or whitish margins.
i. Scales: lser. below 1.1. 65 . ‘ : gibbus.
ii. Scales: l.ser. below 1.1. 46-48 , : waigiensis,
6. Vertical fins with black margins . : aurantiacus.
II. Preopercle with shallow notch. Interopercular knob absent or very feeble
(Mesoprion).
A. Scales above 1.1. in oblique rows.
1. No lingual teeth, D XI . : : : - erythropterus.
2. With lingual teeth. D X.
a. Vomerine teeth in a A-shaped band or triangular patch. No
black spot on side.
i. Scales in l.ser. 60. No silvery spots on side lineatus.
ii. Scales in L.ser. 52-54. Two silvery spots on side bohar.
b. Vomerine teeth in a patch with a median posterior projection.
A black spot on side . ; : fulviflamma.
B. noe above |.]. in rows parallel with dorsal Avanie
. Vomerine teeth in a A-shaped band or triangular patch. A black
spot on side : : . : ; johnt.
2. Vomerine teeth with a median stator projeeeions No black spot
on side. . ; ; : : : gemobra,
Lutianus kasmira (Forsk.).
Blue-banded Snapper.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 46.
1790. Bloch, Ichth., pl. cexxxix (quinquelineatus or quinquelinearis),
and pl. cexlvi, fig. 2 (bengalensis).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 55, pl. cecu, fig. 3;
pl. cccxxxiil, fig. 4 (bengalensis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 33, pl. x, fig. 4 (bengalensis).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 97, pl. xi aig
(bengalensis).
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxix,
p. 446.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 248 (remarks on
synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 341 (bengalensis), and p. 345 (quinquelinearis) (references).
Depth 24-23, length of head 24-24, in length of body. Hye 3§-3%
in length of head, a little less than snout, interorbital width 1} in eye.
Vomerine teeth on a A-shaped band. Tongue smooth. Maxilla ex-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 653
tending to below anterior third of eye. Preopercle deeply notched.
Interopercular knob strong. Preorbital depth 3 vertical diameter of
eye. Gull-rakers 13-14 on lower part of anterior arch (the lower 4
rudimentary). D X—XI 14, 4th spine longest. A III 7-8. Scales:
l.ser. 60-66 (below 1.1.) ; 8-9 between spinous dorsal and 1.l.; 7 rows on
cheek. Interorbital scaly. Scales above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 265 mm.
Colour.—Lemon-yellow, with 4 blue, black-edged bands on each
side, the lowest running from snout under eye to caudal, the others
running obliquely from behind eye to base of dorsal, often one or two
additional blue bands on lower part of opercle and on belly, often a
more or less distinct black spot between lateral line and anterior soft
dorsal rays (this spot and the black edging to the blue bands more
distinct in preserved than living specimens), fins yellow.
Locality.— Natal, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, Japan, Australia.
The synonymy of this species, as of several others in the genus, 1s
considerably involved. The dorsal spines appear to vary from 10-12.
According to Bleeker and Day this species is characterised by having
no pyloric caeca, but see Weber (loc. cit. swpra). In one specimen I
have observed two caeca.
The rather wide lateral bands, with their crenulate black margins,
are eminently characteristic.
Lutianus duodecimlineatus (C. and V.).
Narrow-striped Snapper.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 529.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 96, pl. xii,
fig. 3.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, p. 65
(quinquelinearis non Bloch).
Depth 24-22, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 33-33
in length of head, slightly less than snout, slightly greater than inter-
orbital width. Vomerine teeth ina A-shaped band. Tongue smooth.
Maxilla extending to below anterior third of eye. Preopercle deeply
notched. Interopercular knob strong. Preorbital depth 3 vertical
diameter of eye. Gill-rakers 12-13 on lower part of anterior arch
(the lower 3 rudimentary). D XI 13-14, 4th spine longest. A III 8.
Scales: ler. (below 1.1.) 52-56; 9-10 between spinous dorsal and
654 Annals of the South African Museum.
L.l.; 7-8 rows on cheek. Interorbital scaly. Scales above lateral
line in oblique rows. (Plate XXVII, fig. 3.)
Length.— Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Orange-yellow, with 6 narrow lilac or blue streaks, all
of which begin behind opercle, the two lower ones horizontal, the others
running obliquely upwards to base of dorsal fin ; a more or less distinct
dark spot between lateral line and anterior soft dorsal rays.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.— Madagascar region.
Distinguished from kasmira by the narrow blue streaks on the sides ;
the 3rd and 4th streaks, which run above and below the dark patch,
arise from a short common base immediately behind the opercle at
a level between the two flat opercular spines.
*Lutianus sebae (C. and V.).
Seba’s Snapper.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,. vol. un,
p. 411.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 62, pl. ccel, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India., p. 30, pl. ix, fig. 3.
Dorsal profile elevated. Depth 24-24, length of head 23-22, in
length of body. Eye 34-4 in length of head, 14 in snout, greater than
interorbital width. Vomerine teeth in a A-shaped band. Tongue
smooth. Maxilla extending to below anterior third or centre of eye.
Preopercle deeply notched. Interopercular knob strong. Preorbital
depth equal to or slightly greater than long diameter of eye. D XI
15-16, 3rd spine longest. A III 9-11. Middle rays of soft dorsal
and anal elevated into a point. Scales: l.ser. (below 1.1.) 58-60;
8-9 between spinous dorsal and 1.1.; 6 rows on cheek. Interorbital
scaleless. Scales above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.— Up to 900 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, each scale with a light spot, with 3 broad black
bands, first from origin of dorsal through eye to snout, second from
spinous dorsal to ventrals, third from soft dorsal, curving downwards
to lower half of caudal; ventrals, lower half of anal, and tips of caudal
black.
Locality.—Mozambique coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas to East Indies, N. and E. Australia.
ae
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 65:
Or
Or
*Lutianus rivulatus (C. and V.).
Blue-speckled Snapper.
1828. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 414,
pl. xxxviil.
1828. Id., ibid., pp. 424, 445 (coeruleopunctatus and alboguttatus).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. vin, p. 73, pl. ccexlvii, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 37, pl. xi, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 104.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 228.
Dorsal profile elevated. Depth 23-24, length of head 24-22, in
length of body. Eye 43-6 in length of head, 15-23 in snout. Vomer-
ine teeth in a triangular patch or A-shaped band. Tongue smooth.
Maxilla extending to below anterior margin of eye. Preopercle deeply
notched. Interopercular knob well developed. Preorbital depth
equal to or a little greater than long diameter of eye. D X 15-16,
3rd—5th spines longest. A III 8-9. Scales: Lser. (below 1.1.) 50-54 ;
8-9 between spinous dorsal and 1.l.; 6-7 rows on cheek. Inter-
orbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length—Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous or reddish, with indistinct dusky vertical bars
(6-7) across upper half, each scale with a small white or bluish spot ;
a silvery spot on lateral line below anterior dorsal rays; head with
numerous longitudinal wavy bluish lines; fins rosy or yellowish, or
dorsal slaty with whitish margin, and ventrals dusky.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, and East Indies
to Japan.
Closely allied to the preceding species.
*Lutianus gibbus (Forsk.).
Gibbous Snapper.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 46.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vin, p. 59, pl. ccexv, fig. 3 (buton-
ensis or bottonensis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 43, pl. xi, figs. 2, 3.
Dorsal profile elevated. Depth of body about equal to length of
head, 24-22 in length of body. Hye 34(young)-—4+ (adult) in length
of head, 1-14 in snout, equal to interorbital width. Vomerine teeth
656 Annals of the South African Museum.
in a A-shaped band. Tongue smooth. Maxilla extending to below
anterior margin of eye. Preopercle deeply notched. Interopercular
knob strong. Preorbital depth equal to long diameter of eye (adult).
D X 14-15, 3rd—5th spines longest. A III 8-9. Scales: Lser. (below
1.1.) 65; 7-8 between spinous dorsal and 1.].; 5-6 rows on cheek.
Interorbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Crimson ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with white or yellow
margins ; pectoral and ventral yellowish, latter with dark tip.
Locality — Mozambique coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas to East Indies.
Lutianus waigiensis (Q. and G.).
Yellow-margined Snapper.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, p. 307.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 69, pl. ccexlix, fig. 2
(marginatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 44, pl. xii, fig. 5 (marginatus).
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus:, vel) saan
p. 457, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 344 (marginatus).
Dorsal profile elevated. Depth of body about equal to length of
head, 24-23 in length of body. Eye 34-4 in length of head, 14-14
in snout, greater than interorbital width. Vomerine teeth in a A-
shaped band. Tongue smooth. Maxilla extending to below anterior
third or centre of eye. Preopercle deeply notched. Interopercular
knob strong. Preorbital depth # vertical diameter of eye. D X
13-14, 4th spine longest. A III 8-9. Scales: l.ser. (below 1.1.)
46-48; 7-8 between spinous dorsal and |.1.; 6-7 rows on cheek.
Interorbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or purplish, each scale with a yellow spot form-
ing oblique streaks above lateral line, horizontal ones below, with or
without a dark lateral spot ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with yellow
margins; submarginal area deep violet or black; pectoral and
ventral yellowish.
Locality.— Natal and Mozambique coasts.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, to Japan.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 657
This species is very similar in coloration to gibbus, but is distin-
guished by the larger scales and narrower preorbital.
*Tutianus aurantiacus C. and V.
Black-margined Snapper.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 534
(analis non C. and V., zbed., vol. 1, p. 452, 1828. West Indies).
1830. Id., cbid., p. 535 (aurantiaca).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 103, pl. xiii, fig. 2
(analis).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (analis).
Dorsal profile elevated. Depth 24, length of head 22, in length of
body Eye 4 in length of head, 14 in snout Vomerine teeth in a
A-shaped band. Tongue smooth. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. Preopercle deeply notched. Interopercular knob
strong. Preorbital depth equal to vertical diameter of eye. D X 14,
3rd and 4th spines longest. A III 8. Scales: 11. 65 (Sauvage).
Interorbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, with golden-brown bands along sides, dorsal
with black margin, caudal brownish, pectoral pale, ventrals and anal
yellowish.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution —Madagascar region, Southern Pacific.
Weber (1913, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 252) refers this species
and flavipes C. and V. with doubt to marginatus (=waigiensis). It
may be synonymous with flavipes, but scarcely with marginatus.
Sauvage, who has presumably compared the types, does not admit
the identity with flavipes. In any case the name analis C. and V.
1830 is already preoccupied by analis C. and V. 1828, and must give
place to aurantiacus C. and V.
Lutianus erythropterus (Bl.).
Ruby Snapper.
1790. Bloch, Ichth., vol. vii, p. 93, pl. ecxlix.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 58, pl. ccci, fig. 1 (chirtah)
(not erythropterus Blkr.).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 32, 746, pl. x, figs. 1, 2.
658 Annals of the South African Museum.
1911. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxix,
p. 453 (synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 342 (references).
Dorsal profile elevated. Depth 2-22, length of head 23-3, in length
of body. Eye 3-5 in length of head, 14-12 in snout, equal to or
slightly greater than interorbital width. Vomerine teeth in a A-shaped
band. No teeth on tongue. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. Preopercle shallowly excavate. No interopercular
knob. Preorbital depth equal to or 14 times (adult) long diameter
of eye. Gill-rakers 8-9 plus 3-4 rudiments on lower part of anterior
arch. D XI 13-15, 3rd spine longest. A III 9-10. Scales: Lser.
(below 1.1.) 63-70; 9-10 between spinous dorsal and lateral line ;
6-7 rows on cheek. Interorbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line
in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, lighter below; a broad blackish band from
origin of dorsal to eye; a black transverse band margined with
white or pink on caudal peduncle; dorsal with blackish base and
margin; ventrals partly or wholly black; pectoral and caudal pink-
ish, latter with narrow black margin; young with several longi-
tudinal blackish lines along sides, becoming obsolete in adult.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, (Japan 2).
Lutianus lineatus (Q. and G.).
Yellow-streaked Snapper.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, p. 309.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 69, pl. ccciv, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 101.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 344 (references).
Dorsal profile rather elevated. Depth 2}-23, length of head 23-3,
in length of body. Eye 34-4} in length of head, 14 im snout, 1-2
times in interorbital width. Vomerine teeth in a A-shaped band.
Tongue with an oblong band of minute teeth in adult. Maxilla
reaching to below centre of eye. Preopercle in adult slightly excavate
above angle. No interopercular knob. Preorbital depth equal to
vertical diameter of eye. D X 13-14, 4th and 5th spines longest.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 659
A III 8-9. Scales: lLser. (below 1.1.) 60; 8-9 between spinous dorsal
and 1.l.; 7 rows on cheek. Interorbital scaleless. Scales above
lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Salmon coloured, shading to yellowish below, purplish
above, each scale with a yellowish spot forming oblique streaks above
and horizontal streaks below lateral line, dorsal and caudal purplish
especially towards margins, other fins yellowish.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
In coloration and general appearance this species is close to waigiensis
and flavipes, as Bleeker remarks, but is distinguished by the shallow
preopercular notch, the lingual teeth, and number of scales.
Sauvage considers that lineatus as described and figured by Bleeker
is not the same as lineatus Q. and G.
*Tutianus bohar (Forsk.).
Two-spot Snapper.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 46.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 64, pl. cccxlviii, fig. 4.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 44, pl. xi, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 341 (references).
Depth 22-23, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 34-32
in length of head, 14-14 in snout, equal to or greater than inter-
orbital width. Vomerine teeth in a A-shaped band or triangular
patch. Tongue with one or two patches of teeth. Maxilla reaching
to below centre of eye. Preopercle with a shallow excavation. In-
teropercular knob, if present, feeble. Preorbital depth 4-2 long
diameter of eye. D X 14-15, 4th spine longest. A III 8-9. Scales :
Lser. (below 1.1.) 52-54; 7-8 between spinous dorsal and lateral line ;
7-8 rows on cheek. Interorbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line
in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with a reddish or purplish tinge, two silvery-
white spots on back above lateral line, the one below end of spinous, the
other below end of soft, dorsal; dorsal, front part of ventrals and anal,
and a longitudinal band along each caudal lobe blackish ; pectoral light.
Locality.— Natal and Mozambique coasts.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, 8S. Pacific.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 43
660 Annals of the South African Museum.
Lutianus fulviflamma (Forsk.).
Johnny.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 45.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 65, pl. cccxliv, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 41, 783, pl. xu, fig. 6.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, p. 459.
1921. Gilchrist, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. x, p. 24 (yohni non BI.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 228 (john
non Bl.).
Depth 22-3, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Eye 3-4 in
length of head, 14-14 in snout, equal to or slightly greater than in-
terorbital width. Vomerine teeth in an arrow-head or lozenge-shaped
patch. A patch of teeth on tongue. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
third of eye. Preopercle with shallow excavation. Interopercular
knob absent. Preorbital depth slightly less than vertical diameter of
eye. Gill-rakers 7-8 plus 3-4 rudiments on lower part of anterior
arch. D X 13-14, 3rd—5th spines longest (2-24 in depth of body).
A {II 8-9. Scales: l.ser. (below LJ.) 48-50; 5-6 between spinous
dorsal and lateral line ; 6rows on cheek. Interorbital scaleless. Scales
above lateral line in oblique rows.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or rosy, with golden streaks along each series of
scales, those above lateral line oblique, those below horizontal, a black
blotch on lateral line below anterior soft dorsal rays; fins yellowish,
more or less suffused with pink.
Locality.— Natal, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique, Port Amelia.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, 8. Pacific, Australia.
This species is evidently often confused with johni. It appears to
be far commoner than johni in South African waters. The colora-
tion and the oblique rows of scales above the lateral line constitute
a ready means of distinguishing the two species.
The closely allied species russelli Blkr. has been recorded from
Mozambique by Playfair and Giinther (Fish. Zanzibar, p. vu, and
also under notata, p. 15, 1866). It is distinguished by its lower dorsal
spines (24-3 in depth of body) and by having the greater part of
the lateral blotch above instead of below the lateral line. It must
be confessed that the characters supposed to separate these two
species are not altogether constant, but see also McCulloch, 1915,
‘“‘ Endeavour ”’ Sci. Rep., vol. iii, pt. 3, p. 142.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 661
*Lutianus johni (Bl.).
Black-spot Snapper.
1802. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. ix, p. 97, pl. ecexvui.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. vin, p. 49, pl. ccexxxviui, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 42, pl. xi, fig. 1.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 125 (references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 343 (references).
Depth 24-23, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Eye 34-4 in
length of head, 14 in snout, greater than interorbital width. Vomerine
teeth in a A-shaped band or a triangular patch. A patch of teeth on
tongue (at least in adult). Maxilla extending to below centre of eye.
Preopercle with shallow excavation. No interopercular knob. Pre-
orbital depth equal to vertical diameter of eye. D X 13-14, 4th and
5th spines longest. A III 8-9. Scales: l.ser. (below 1.1.) 45; 6-7
between spinous dorsal and lateral line; 7-8 rows on cheek. Inter-
orbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line in rows parallel with dorsal
profile.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, lighter below, scales above lateral line each
with a dark centre, forming dark streaks parallel with dorsal profile,
a black blotch on lateral line below anterior soft dorsal rays, fins
greenish or yellowish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, 8. Pacific.
Giinther’s old record from “ Cape seas”’ and Regan’s record from
Natal appear to constitute the only records of this species from South
African waters. It has evidently been confused with fulviflamma, to
which species should rightly belong the colloquial name of “Johnny.”
Lutvanus gembra (Bl.).
Rock Salmon.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 236, pl. li.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 74, pl. cccxxiv, fig. 3;
pl. coexxxin, fig. 1 (argentiemaculatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 37, pl. xi, fig. 5 (argentimaculatus),
and p. 45, pl. xi, fig. 6 (yapillr).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 87.
662 Annals of the South African Museum.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 146
(salmonovdes).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 252 (argentimaculatus)
(remarks on synonymy).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 343 (references), and p. 345 (salmonoides).
Dorsal profile rather elevated. Depth 22-22, length of head 23-3,
in length of body. Eye 34-54 in length of head, 13 (young)-1¢ in
snout, greater than (young) or equal to (adult) interorbital width.
Vomerine teeth in a triangular patch with a median posterior pro-
jection (arrow-head shaped). Tongue with one or two patches of
teeth. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third or centre of eye.
Preopercle with shallow excavation. No interopercular knob. Pre-
orbital depth equal to, or slightly greater than, long diameter of eye.
Gill-rakers 7-8 plus 2-3 rudiments on lower part of anterior arch.
D X 13-15, 3rd, 4th, and 5th spines longest. A III 8-9. Scales:
l.ser. (below 1.1.) 41-44; 5-7 between spinous dorsal and lateral line ;
8 rows on cheek. Interorbital scaleless. Scales above lateral line in
rows parallel with dorsal profile.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, lighter below, purplish or brownish above ; young
with 6-9 narrow, vertical silvery bars, which become obsolete in adult ;
dorsal, caudal, and anal more or less margined with orange, front of
ventrals and anal pale.
Locality.—East London, Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Type of salmonoides in South African Museum.
A good sporting and table fish.
Fam. 42. SCORPIDIDAE.
Body ovate or ovate-oblong, compressed, with small or very small
ctenoid scales. Mouth small or large, moderately protractile. Maxilla
more or less exposed posteriorly, without supplemental bone. Sub-
ocular shelf present. Teeth villiform in bands in jaws, the outer row
sometimes somewhat lanceolate ; vomer, palatines, and tongue usually
with teeth. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes free from isthmus.
Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. A single dorsal
fin, with well-developed spinous portion. Anal spines 3. Soft dorsal
and anal scaly. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 663
process. Caudalforked. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca numerous
or in moderate number. Lateral line single.
A family whose headquarters are in the Australasian region ; there
are two representatives in South Africa, and two in the Eastern Pacific
(Juan Fernandez and California).
Key to the South African genera.
1. Mouth small _ . : : S ; A : ‘ : -. WScorpis.
2. Mouth large. : : fs : : ; : : Parascorpis.
Gen. Scorpis C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 503.
1917. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. x1, p. 175.
Body oblong-ovate. Mouth small, terminal. The outer series of
teeth in the jaws more or less enlarged ; minute teeth on vomer, pala-
tines, and tongue. Preopercle serrated. Gull-rakers moderate. Dorsal
spines 8-10, in a slight groove, increasing in length posteriorly ; soft
portion longer than spinous portion, the anterior rays subfalcate,
forming a more or less prominent lobe. Anal spines graduated, the
soft rays similar to those of the dorsal. Caudal scaly.
Australia, Juan Fernandez, and South Africa.
Scorpis lithophilus G. and T.
Stone-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 162.
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol.1, pt. 4, p. 365.
Depth 2, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Hye 3-34 in length
of head, equal to snout, 14 in interorbital width. Snout obtuse.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior quarter or third of eye. Whole
head, except interorbital space, snout and chin, scaly. Giull-rakers 12
on lower part of anterior arch. D VIII 20. A III 23-24. Anterior
rays of anal slightly longer than those of dorsal, equal to length of
pectoral and 2-4 length of head. Scales: 1.1. 90-95. (Plate XXVIII,
fig. 1.)
Length— Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Slate-grey, ventrals white (in preserved specimen grey), a
small semicircular black spot on edge of opercle.
Locality.—Natal coast, among rocks.
Type in South African Museum.
664 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. Parascorpis Blkr.
1875. Bleeker, Arch. Néerl., vol. x, p. 380.
1895. Boulenger, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, vol. 1, p. 145.
1899. Id., Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. i, p. 379 (Atyposoma).
Body ovate. Mouth large. Lower jaw projecting. Villiform teeth
in the jaws, the outer ones sometimes slightly larger, in old individuals
all the teeth sometimes enlarged, granular, and the bands do not meet
when the jaws are closed, but remain exsert and visible; teeth on
vomer and palatines, if present, minute, deciduous; usually absent.
Preopercle serrate on lower margin and angle. Opercle with a flat
spine. Maxilla exposed. Gill-rakers numerous, long, slender, spinu-
lose. Dorsal spines 11-12, in a very shallow groove, the middle ones
highest. Soft dorsal a little longer, or a little shorter, than spinous
portion. Anal similar to soft dorsal, the anterior rays not forming
lobes. Second and 3rd anal spines about equal. Caudal scaly. Pyloric
caeca very numerous.
South Africa.
Examination of a considerable series, including one identified by
Boulenger himself as P. typus, shows that there is some little variation
in some of the characters relied upon by Boulenger in distinguishing
his genus Atyposoma from Parascorpis, and that the two are clearly
synonymous. The type of Atyposoma is a badly stuffed specimen (too
fat and consequently not deep enough in the body), which evidently
misled Boulenger in several respects, especially as he states that at
the time Parascorpis was not known to him except from Bleeker’s
description and figure.
Parascorpis typus Blkr.
Milk-fish ; Melk-vis.
1875. Bleeker, loc. cit., p. 381, pl. vu.
1899. Boulenger, loc. cit., p. 379, pl. 9 (Atyposoma gurney).
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 127.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 325.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 94 (Alyposoma gurney?).
Depth 2-24, length of head 22-25, in length of body. Eye 5-6 in
length of head, 14-1? in’snout, 14-1? in interorbital width. Maxilla
extending to below centre or posterior third (sometimes hind margin)
of eye. Depth of preorbital 3-3 in eye-diameter, minutely serrulate
y
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 665
in young specimens. Preopercle more or less distinctly, but not always
finely, serrate. Gull-rakers 36 on lower part of anterior arch. D
XI-XITI 15-17, longest spines 24-34 in length of head. A III 13-15,
2nd and 3rd spines subequal. Scales: Lser. (above 1.1.) 130-150; Ltr.
(above 1.1.) 25-30; 11. 55-70. Whole head, including snout, chin, and
maxilla, soft dorsal (but not spinous dorsal), anal, and caudal scaly.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Grey or slaty, darker above, silvery white below; fins
greyish, except ventrals, which are whitish.
Locality.— False Bay and Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay, 30-40
fathoms. Also Kosi Bay, Zululand (Brit. Mus.).
Type of Atyposoma gurneyi in South African Museum.
As the feeble dentition and the long and numerous gill-rakers would
lead one to suspect, this fish is a plankton-feeder, the stomach contents
consisting of Huphausiacea and other minute Crustacea.
Fam. 43. PEMPHERIDAE.
1913. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. ii, p. 60.
In general characters closely resembling the Monodactylidae (p. 639),
but the dorsal fin much shorter than the anal, and not scaly. Ventrals
well developed, with axillary process. Air-bladder and pyloric caeca
usually present (absent in Leptobrama). Body ovate, or (in Lepto-
brama) oblong. Scales ctenoid or cycloid.
Small fishes from the tropical and temperate seas of the Indo-
Pacific and West Atlantic Oceans.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Scales ctenoid.
a. Dorsal spines 6, anal 3 5 : : : 5 : Pempheris.
6. Dorsal spines 5, anal 2 : : : : : . Parapempheris.
2. Scales cycloid . : : : : : : : : Liopempheris.
Gen. PEMPHERIS C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vu, p. 296.
1911. Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xl, p. 528 (Catalufa).
Scales ctenoid, adherent. Eye large, without adipose eyelid. Pre-
orbital entire. Maxilla dilated posteriorly. Teeth in jaws in narrow
bands, none on tongue. Preopercle with 1-3 flattened spines at
angle. Anal originating behind base of dorsal, scaly, with more
666 Annals of the South African Museum.
than 30 soft rays. Gill-rakers numerous, long. Air-bladder and
pyloric caeca well developed.
Indo-Pacific and West Atlantic.
There is considerable difference of opinion among various authors
as to the synonymy of the species. The character of the scales is
not mentioned by earlier authors, and it is only presumed that the
three species included here in this genus have ctenoid scales.
Key to the South African species.
1. Scales in lateral line more than 50.
a. Front of dorsal fin, margins of anal and caudal, and axil of pectoral
blackish . : : : : : , : . otaitensis.
b. Fins without black markings ; ‘ ; ; : . mangula.
2. Scales in lateral line less than 50 : E , A ; . schwenki.
*Pempheris otaitensis C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 304,
pincexer:
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, p. 8, pl. ccclxxxi, fig. 1.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 286.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 320 (references, but ? not those of owalensis).
Depth 24, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 2 in length
of head. Outer premaxillary and mandibular teeth not larger than
the others, and not projecting outwards. Vomerine teeth in an
angular band. D VI 9-10. A III 39-40. Scales: 11. 55-63.
Length.—Up to 181 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or fuscous, silvery white below ; fins yellowish,
dorsal blackish in front, axil of pectoral blackish, margin of anal and
caudal black.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Polynesia, East Indies, China.
*Pempheris mangula C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, vol. vii, p. 304,
p. 306 (nesogallica), and p. 308 (malabarica).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 175, pl. xlu, fig. 3, and Suppl., p. 788
(malabarica).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 285.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 667
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 227.
Depth 22, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 2-24 in length
of head. Outer premaxillary and mandibular teeth not larger than
the others ; not projecting outwards. DVI9. A III 40-46. Scales:
ll. 58-64.
Length. Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Fuscous, reddish or violaceous above, silvery white below ;
fins rosy, without black markings.
Locality — Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas.
*Pempheris schwenki Blkr.
1855. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vin, p. 314.
1877. Id., Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, p. 8, pl. ceclxxxni, fig. 3.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.
Depth 24, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 2-21 in length
of head. Outer premaxillary and mandibular teeth not larger than
the others, not projecting outwards. D VI 9-10. A III 36-37.
Scales: LI. 45.
Length.—Up to 120 mm.
Colour.—Fuscous, silvery white below; fins rosy, top of dorsal and
margin of caudal blackish, base of anal blackish or violaceous.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
Gen. PARAPEMPHERIS von B.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 11.
Similar to Pempheris, but with 5 dorsal and 2 anal spines, anal
rays less than 30, and preopercle not denticulate.
* Parapempheris argenteus von B.
1923. Von Bonde, loc. cit., p. 11, pl. un, fig. 2.
Depth 22, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head. Teeth in a single row in jaws and on vomer and palatines.
Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. DV9. A II 23. Scales:
eI TS.
Length.
Up to 70 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, yellowish posteriorly ; snout and scales on nape
with black spots ; each lobe of caudal with a black blotch.
668 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.— Natal coast, 33 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
Gen. LiopEMPHERIS Ogilby.
1913. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. ii, pp. 62, 66.
Sumilar to Pempheris, but the scales are cycloid and more or less
caducous.
Indian seas, East Indies, Australia.
Liopempheris russelli (Day).
1878-88. Day, Fish: India, p. 175, pl. xl, fig. 2 (molucca non
C. and V.), and Suppl., p. 788.
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, p. 245 (molucca non C.
and V.).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 320 (molucca non C. and V. Not the references).
Depth 2, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 24 in length
of head. Gill-rakers 20 on lower part of anterior arch. D VI 9.
A IIT 40-42. Scales: 11. 55-57. (Plate XXXI, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Fuscous, with minute dark specks, silvery below; fins
orange or rosy, upper part of dorsal blackish, axil of pectoral usually
dark, anterior part of anal and margin of caudal dusky.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas.
There is probably little justification for Day’s change of name, but
it may stand until a revision of the whole family has been under-
taken.
Fam. 44. PLECTORHYNCHIDAE.
(= Pomadasidae, Pristipomatidae.)
Body oblong, with moderate-sized, more or less ctenoid scales.
Mouth moderate or large, horizontal, protractile. Maxilla without
supplementary bone, slipping for nearly its entire length under the
preorbital. No subocular shelf. Teeth villiform or conical, but not
canine-like ; none on palatines or tongue, and usually none on vomer.
Nostrils paired. Gull-membranes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit
behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal fin single, often
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 669
deeply notched, or even divided into two ; spines 9-14, usually strong,
depressible, in a sheath. Anal spines 3. Soft dorsal and anal more
or less scaly. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5rays. With axillary
process. Caudal more or less emarginate. Air-bladder present.
Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line single.
A family of numerous carnivorous fishes from warm seas, most of
them valuable as food-fishes.
The family name is often given as Pristipomatidae or Haemulidae.
Strictly speaking, as Plectorhynchus is the oldest genus, the family
name should be Plectorhynchidae.
Key to the South African genera.
1. No median pit or groove on chin.
a. Suborbital unarmed . : : : : : . Plectorhynchus.
6. Suborbital with strong spine and serrations . : : . Scolopsis.
2. A median pit or groove on chin . i : : : : Pomadasys.
Scolopsis monogramma K. and v. H. is recorded from Mozambique
by Playfair and Giinther (1866, Fish. Zanz., p. vii), but on whose
authority is not apparent. This genus, characterised by the strong
spine and serrations below the eye, is certain to be discovered in
Portuguese East African waters, and is therefore included in the
above key.
Gen. PLECTORHYNCHUS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 135.
1817. Oken, Isis., p. 1783 (Diagramma).
Chin with pores, but without central pit or groove behind symphysis.
Nobarbels. Preopercle serrate. Preorbital without free hind margin,
more or less scaly. Suborbital without spine or serrations. Dorsal
spines 9-14; no procumbent spine in front. Soft dorsal and anal
scaly at base. Anal rays 6-9. |
Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean, W. Africa. A genus in which the
species often vary considerably in coloration at different ages, and
which consequently contains many nominal species.
Key to the South African species.
I. Profile more or less elevated.
A. Second dorsal spine abruptly longer than Ist. D IX-X 21-23. Scales
small (Spilotichthys) . : ; ‘ E : ‘ pictus.
670 Annals of the South African Museum.
B. Dorsal spines graduated.
1. Dorsal spines not very strong.
a. D XII-XIIT 18-21.
i. With white longitudinal bands. : . lineatus.
ii. Uniform or with orange spots (reticulate when preserved).
Natal : : ; ; ; ; griseus.
iii Uniform. Angola . é : . mediterraneus.
6. D XI 16-17 : : : : ; : - chubbt.
2. Dorsal spines very strong (Huelatichthys) . : CASSIS PiNUs.
II. Profile not elevated (Diagrammella) . ; : ‘ J . macrops.
Plectorhynchus pictus (Thunb.).
1792. Thunberg, Kon. Vet. Ak. Handl., vol. xii, p. 141, pl. v, fig. 1.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische Roth. Meer., p. 126, pl. xxxu, fig. 2
(punctatum Cuv.).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. vii, p. 24, pl. cccxxix, fig. 4
(adult); pl. ccexxxi, fig. 2 (juv.); and pl. ccc, fig. 1 (half-grown
as punctatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 81, pl. xxi, fig. 3, and p. 83, pl. xxi,
fig. 4 (punctatum).
1912. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xl, p. 546
(synonymy).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (punctatum).
Depth 24-3, length of head 3-33, in length of body. Hye 3-32 in
length of head, equal to (young) or less than snout, greater than
interorbital width. Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of
eye. Gill-rakers 11-13 on lower part of anterior arch. D IX-X
21-23, 2nd spine longest, more than twice Ist, and 3-1 length of
head. A III 6-7, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal. Caudal rounded in
young, truncate or emarginate in adult. Scales strongly ctenoid :
l.ser. (below 1.1.) 85-95. Hinder portion of preorbital scaly.
Length.—Up to 390 mm.
Colour.—Young: white, with two broad black longitudinal bands,
one along back, the other from eye to caudal, often subdivided by
white streaks; spinous dorsal, margin of soft dorsal, anal, and
ventrals blackish ; caudal with black central longitudinal band, and
an oblique black band above and below. In half-grown specimens
the bands begin to be broken up into oval or roundish spots, and the
adult is silvery-greyish, with more or less distinct spots over the body
and fins.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 671
This species undergoes remarkable changes in coloration during
growth, the adult appearing to be an entirely different fish from the
young, unless a series of all ages is examined. The long 2nd dorsal
spine and the small scales are characteristic.
* Plectorhynchus lineatus (Linn.).
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, p. 293, and Mus. Fred.,
pr. mxxn tis: 4, 1764.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 125, pl. xxxi, fig. 2
(albovittatus).
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. vii (albovittatus).
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xx, p. 736
(albovittatus).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. vin, p. 16, pl. cccxxix, fig. 2
(albovitiatus) ; p. 19, pl. ccevi, fig. 4 (lineatus) ; and p. 19, pl. cccxvu,
fig. 3 (lessont).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 78, pl. xx, fig. 5 (references and
synonymy).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 278.
gr.,
Depth 22-23, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 23-3 in
length of head, less than snout. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. D XII—XIII 18-20, spines graduated to 3rd or 4th.
A III 6-8. Caudal subtruncate. Scales: lLser. (below 1.1.) 65. Hind
portion of preorbital scaly.
Length Up to 360 mm.
Colour.—Brownish above, yellowish below, with 3-6 silvery-white
longitudinal bands; fins yellowish, soft dorsal, anal, and caudal
with fuscous bands or spots, spinous dorsal in young usually un-
spotted.
Locality.—Mozambique (Playfair and Giinther).
Distribution.—Indian seas, Kast Indies.
Weber (loc. cit.) does not admit albovittatus to the synonymy of
lineatus.
Plectorhynchus griseus (C. and V.).
Greyskin.
1350; Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v,
p. 306.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 334 (reticulatus).
672 Annals of the South African Museum.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 81, pl. xxi, fig. 2.
1887. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 656 (jayakart).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 155
(durbanensis).
1916. McCulloch, Sci. Res. “ Endeavour,” vol. iv, pt. 4, p. 185,
pl. lin (retvculatus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 355 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, pp. 228, 229
(durbanensis, foetela, and reticulatus).
Depth 23-22, length of head 3-32, in length of body. Eye 22
(young)—4(5) in length of head, 1-2 in snout. Maxilla reaching to
below nostrils or anterior margin of eye. Giull-rakers 16-19 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XII-—XIII 18-21, spines graduated to 3rd,
4th, or 5th, which is $-4 length of head. A III 7-8. Caudal truncate
25-28
of preorbital scaly. Minute scales intermixed with the ordinary scales
on opercle and body (at least in adult).
Length—Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Uniform greyish, sometimes with lighter cross-bars, fins
more or less blackish, especially upper half of pectoral and extremities
of caudal, anal, and ventrals; a distinct colour variety has in life
numerous orange, round or oval, more or less connected spots and
streaks on head, body, and vertical fins; the opercle with orange
horizontal streaks ; when preserved these spots and streaks fade to
a light brown and the coloration corresponds with that given for
reticulatus.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, China, Australia. Sometimes enters
estuaries and rivers.
Type of durbanensis in South African Museum.
The two main colour varieties occur together and are not due to
differences of age. I have seen many young and adults of both ina
fresh state from the nets at Delagoa Bay. The orange-spotted (or,
after death, reticulate) variety, however, appears to be the more
common. The specimen reported on by Gilchrist and Thompson in
1911 (Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, p. 31) is reticulate, while the type of
durbanensis is uniformly coloured. Giinther’s reticulatus should, it
seems, be placed in the synonymy of this species.
or slightly emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 58-65; Ltr. Hind portion
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 673
*Plectorhynchus mediterraneus (Guich.).
1850. Guichenot, Expl. Alger. Rept. Poiss., p. 45, pl. 3.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 321.
1912. Pellegrin, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr., vol. xxxvii, p. 292.
1914. Id., Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 47.
Depth 3, length of head 332, in total length (including caudal). Eye
3 in length of head. D XII 17, spines graduated. A III 9. Caudal
emarginate.
Colour.—Uniform greyish, fins blackish.
Locality —Mossamedes.
Distribution.—Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Canary Islands.
This fish, of which the above brief description is taken from Giinther
after Guichenot, is stated by Pellegrin to grow to a “
size,” and is protected by law on the French coasts.
considerable
Plectorhynchus chubbi (Regan).
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u1, p. 199, text-fig. 2.
Depth 24-22, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 3-34 in
length of head, subequal to snout, a little greater than interorbital
width. Maxilla reaching to below nostrils. Gill-rakers 21-22 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XI 15-17, spines graduated to 4th, 5th, and
6th, which are 2 length of head. A III 7-8. Caudal truncate or
slightly emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 60-62; ltr. 15-17 between spinous
dorsal and 1.1. Hinder portion of preorbital scaly.
Length Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Uniform greyish ; margin of spinous dorsal, a band along
soit dorsal, and extremities of caudal, anal, and ventrals more or less
blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
This species is very like the uniformly coloured variety of griseus,
but is distinguished by the fewer dorsal rays and greater number of
gill-rakers.
Plectorhynchus crassispinus (Riipp.).
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 125, pl. xxx, fig. 4.
1859. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 319 (affinis).
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vii, p. 15, pl. ccexl, fig. 4.
674 Annals of the South African Museum.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 355 (references).
Depth 2-2§, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 3-44 in
length of head, less than snout, about equal to interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to below nostrils. Gill-rakers 18-19 on lower part
of anterior arch. D XIII—XIV 15-18, spines very stout, graduated
to 4th and 5th, which are 3-2 length of head. A III 7-8, 2nd
spine longer and much stronger than 3rd. Caudal rounded. Scales:
10-12
"17-20
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Uniform dark brown, fins blackish, caudal in young
yellowish-white.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, to N.W. Australia.
1.1. 50-55; ltr
Hind portion of preorbital scaleless.
* Plectorhynchus macrops (Pelleg.).
1912. Pellegrin, Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr., vol. xxxvii, p. 295.
1914. Zd., Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 48, pl. ii, fig. 3.
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 210.
Dorsal profile not elevated. Depth about equal to length of head,
about 3 in length of body. Eye 3 in length of head, greater than
snout and than interorbital width. (Fowler : 34-4 in head, equal to
interorbital, less than snout.) Maxilla reaching to below anterior
margin of eye. Gill-rakers 20-23 on lower part of anterior arch. D
XIII 15-16, spines graduated to 6th or 7th, which is 23-22 in length
of head. A III 7-8, 2nd spine stronger but not longer than 3rd.
10-12
18-22)
Caudal emarginate. Scales: 1.1. 55-58; Ltr. Hind portion of
preorbital scaly.
Length.—Up to 360 mm.
Colour.—Violet, shading to yellow-orange below, fins violaceous.
Locality.—Mossamedes.
Distribution.—Cape Verde Islands (Fowler).
Type in Paris Museum.
Gen Pomapasys Lacép.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 515.
1817. Oken, Isis (Pristipoma).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 675
1917. Jordan and Hubbs, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 464 (Dacymba).
Chin with pores and a central pit or groove behind symphysis. No
barbels. Preopercle serrate. Preorbital without free hind margin.
Suborbital without spine or serrations. Dorsal spines 11-14, no pro-
cumbent spine in front. Soft dorsal and anal scaleless, or with a few
scales between the rays. Anal rays 7-12.
Temperate and tropical seas, sometimes entering estuaries and
rivers. Many of the species emit grunting sounds by contractions of
the air-bladder, whence their name of Grunter or Chor-chor.
Key to the South African species.
I. A black opercular spot.
A. Maxilla not reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Spines not very
strong.
1. With longitudinal rows of dark spots.
a. Dorsal rays 14; 11. 57-59 . : : : . operculare.
b. Dorsal rays 15-16; 11. 59-68 : : . suillum.
2. Uniform . : : : : : : : . bennett.
B. Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Spines very strong.
1. With interrupted dark vertical bars. ; 2 ; hasta.
2. Uniform . : : ; : : : : . guoraka.
II. No black opercular spot.
A. Dorsal profile not elevated.
1. Six to eight series of scales above L.1.
a. With dark cross-bars, often divided into squarish blotches
maculatum.
b. With numerous small dark spots . . . multimaculatum.
2. With 12 scales abovel.l. . : Bag Pg : . striatum.
B. Dorsal profile elevated (Anisotremus) . : ; : . furcatum.
Pomadasys operculare (Playf.).
Grunter.
1866. Playfair in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 24, pl. 4,
doped
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 354 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 80 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 231.
Depth about 3, length of head 23-24, in length of body. Eye 3$
(young)—4$ in length of head, 1 (young)-14 in snout, in young greater
than, in adult less than, interorbital width. Snout pointed. Maxilla
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 44
676 Annals of the South African Museum.
reaching to below posterior nostril. Gill-rakers 15-(16) on lower part
of anterior arch. D XI 14, 4th spine longest, 11th spine not, or scarcely,
longer than 10th. A III 9, 2nd spine longer and much stronger than
3rd. Scales: 1.1. 57-59; 1-tr. Lateral line tubes simple.
18-20
Length.—Up to 380 mm. ;
Colour.—Silvery, a black blotch on opercle, and numerous round,
black spots on sides ; a dark spot at base of each dorsal spine and ray ;
margin of dorsal, caudal, and front half of anal blackish.
Locality— Kast London, Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa to India.
According to Thompson’s list this fish has the colloquial names of
Spotted Steenbras at Simonsbay and Tiger at Port Elizabeth, but I
am not aware of any actual record of its occurrence west of East
London, from which locality the South African Museum has specimens.
These colloquial names should probably be applied to bennettz.
*Pomadasys suillum (C. and V.).
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 482.
1869. Steindachner, SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lx, p. 682, pl. v.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 81 (references).
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 282.
1923. Pellegrin, Poiss. eaux douces |’Afr., occ., p. 257.
Depth 22-22, length of head 23-24, in length of body. Eye 33-43
in length of head, less than snout but greater than interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to below nostrils. Giull-rakers 16 on lower part of
anterior arch. D XI-XII 15-16, 3rd or 4th spine longest. A III
8-10, 2nd spine slightly longer and much stronger than 3rd. Scales:
Li Qe tareh bins Lateral line tubes simple.
9
15-17
Length.—Up to 570 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, a black blotch on opercle, and numerous black or
dark spots on sides ; a dark spot at base of each dorsal spine and ray.
Locality —Lobito Bay.
Distribution. West coast of Africa.
This species has not been actually recorded from further south than
Lobito Bay, though there is said to be a specimen in the Berlin
Museum from ‘‘ Cape of Good Hope.”
This species is very closely allied to the preceding, but appears to
piffer in the slightly greater number of dorsal rays and scales along
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 677
the lateral line. With regard to the latter point, however, Pellegrin
6-7
14-15
gives 1.1. 50-54; I.tr
Pomadasys bennettr (Lowe).
Rock Grunter ; Chor-chor ; Vaartye.
tea owe. Ur. Zool. Soc., vol. iu, p: 176.
1836-44. Valenciennes in Webb and Berthelot, Iles Canar. Poiss.,
p. 25, pl. vu, fig. 2 (ronchus), and p. 26.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 46.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.1, pt. 4, p. 353.
1917. Jordan and Hubbs, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 465, pl. xlvii
and text-fig. 1.
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 283.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 230.
Depth 22-24, length of head 22-3, in length of body. Eye 4-43
in length of head, 14-14 in snout, 1-1} in interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to below nostrils or anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers
13-14 on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 15-17, 4th spine
longest. A III 12, 2nd spine stronger but not longer than 3rd.
7-8
Scales: 1.1. 50-55; Ltr. ae
DOOVEIE, fig: 2.)
Length.— Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, brownish or olivaceous on back; with a black
spot on opercle, otherwise uniform, though sometimes a few spots ;
dorsal brownish.
Locality.—Mossamedes, False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal and
Zululand.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, Port Said, west coast of Africa.
Not yet recorded from between Mossamedes and Table Bay.
Lateral line tubes simple. (Plate
Pomadasys hasta (B1.).
Spear-spined Grunter.
1797. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. cexlvi, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 74, pl. xix, figs. 3, 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 353 (references).
1925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, p. 319.
678 Annals of the South African Museum.
1925. Id., Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 231.
Depth 23-23, length of head 22-23, in length of body. Hye 32-4
in length of head, slightly less than snout, equal to interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers 12-13
on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 13-15, spines very strong,
ord and 4th longest, last longer than penultimate. A III 6-8, spines
very strong, 2nd stronger and longer than 3rd. Scales: 1.1. 46-52;
land
Ltr
. Lateral line tubes simple.
10-12
Length—Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with a black spot on opercle, and 5-6 interrupted
vertical dark bars; spinous and soft dorsal with dark spots ; margin
of dorsal and caudal dusky. The spots on fins and dark markings on
body often become obsolete in adults. .
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies to Australia.
* Pomadasys guoraka (Russ.).
1803. Russell, Fish. Vizag., vol. u, p. 24, pl. exxxii.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 256.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viu,p. 30, pl. cccxx, fig. 4 (argyreus),
and p, 30, pl. ccexxin, hawk:
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 75, pl. xx, fig. 1.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 232.
Depth 22-24, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 24 (young)-5
(adult) in length of head, greater than (young) or 1} (adult) in snout.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye or slightly beyond.
Gill-rakers 12 on lower part of anterior arch. D XII-XIII 11-14,
spines strong, 3rd and 4th longest, last slightly longer than penul-
timate. A III 7-8, spines strong, 2nd longer and stronger than
56
3rd. Scales: 1.1. 43-50; L.-tr. - Lateral line tubes simple (?).
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a blackish opercular spot, snout
dark, dorsal grey with darker margin; in the young an indistinct
dark band along middle of body, and the greater part of opercle
suffused with darker.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Closely allied to hasta, but with slightly fewer scales.
= ‘
_ SS See
—s
a
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 679
Pomadasys maculatum (B1.).
Blotched Grunter.
1797. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. ceexxvi, fig. 2.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 27, pl. cceviii, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 74, pl. xix, fig. 5.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 230.
Depth 22-22, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 34-4 in
length of head, equal to interorbital width, equal to or slightly less
than snout, which is blunt. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
border of eye. Gill-rakers 13-14 on lower part of anterior arch.
D XII(—XIITI) 12-14, 4th spine longest, last spine longer than penul-
timate. A III 7, 2nd spine stronger and longer than 3rd. Scales :
7-8
12-14
Length.— Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with 4 dark cross-bars, sometimes divided into
large blotches; spinous and soft dorsal dusky, light along base ;
snout and margins of dorsal and caudal blackish.
Locality. Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Ll. 52-56; Ltr. Lateral line tubes simple.
Pomadasys multumaculatum (Playt.).
Bull-grunter.
1866. Playfair in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 23, pl. iii,
fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 354 (references).
Depth 23-3, length of head 25, in length of body. Eye 43-5 in
length of head, 14-14 in snout, 1-14 in interorbital width. Snout
pointed. Maxilla reaching to below nostrils. Gull-rakers 12 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XII 13, 3rd spine longest, ultimate spine
longer than penultimate. A III 7, 2nd spine longer and much
Lateral line tubes
6-7
stronger than 3rd. Scales: 1.1. 50-54; ltr.
anteriorly bifurcate, but most of them simple.
Length— Up to 300 mm.
680 Annals of the South African Museum.
Colour.—Silvery ; head, body, and dorsal fin with small dark spots ;
on the body a spot at base of each scale.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa.
This species is lable to confusion with operculare, but the spots
are smaller, the scales larger, and the anal rays fewer.
Pomadasys striatum (G. and T.).
Striped Grunter.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. §. Afr. Mus., vol. vi,
p. 153.
1917. fd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 354.
Depth 23-24, length of head 24-3, in length of body. Eye.34 in
length of head, equal to interorbital width, slightly less than snout.
Maxilla reaching to below posterior nostril. Gull-rakers 10-11 on
lower part of anterior arch. D XI—-XII 13-14, 5th or 4th and 5th
spines longest, last spine not longer than penultimate. A III 6, 2nd
spine stronger and slightly longer than 3rd. Scales: ll. 58-62;
12
Ltr. i Lateral line tubes mostly bifurcate.
Length.— Up to 190 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with three dark, longitudinal stripes, the upper
one following the dorsal profile, the middle one from above orbit
following lateral line to end of soft dorsal, where it meets the lower one
which runs horizontally from eye to caudal.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
I have seen only the type and one other example of this species.
The scales are more numerous than is stated in the original description.
In general aspect this fish resembles a Plectorhynchus rather than a
Pomadasys, but it possesses the characteristic median pit on the chin.
It is sharply distinguished from all the other South African species
by the large number of scales in transverse series. In coloration it
is very similar to stridens Forsk. (figured by Day, Fish. India, pl. xvi,
fig. 8 as nageb), and might pass as a variety but for the more numerous
scales above and below the lateral line.
Fowler’s specimen (1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu,
p. 230) may be stridens ; it is certainly not striatum.
es
ae ae
tS ee Se
SEE ea a a =
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 681
Pomadasys furcatum (Bl. Schn.).
Banded Grunter.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 187, pl. xl.
1876. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. viii, p. 26, pl. ccclii, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 73, pl. xix, fig. 2.
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol.1, p. 251, pl. xxxix (taeniophorus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 354 (taeniophorus).
Dorsal profile elevated, especially in adult. Depth 23-24, length
of head 3-34, in length of body. Hye 23-34 in length of head, equal
to or slightly longer than snout and equal to interorbital width.
Snout blunt. Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin or anterior
third of eye. Gill-rakers 12 on lower part of anterior arch. D XII
(—XIIT) 14-16, 3rd or 4th spine longest. A III 7-9, 2nd spine longer
. Lateral
18-19
and much stronger than 3rd. Scales: 1.1. 54-60; Ltr.
line tubes anteriorly bifurcate, posteriorly simple.
Length.—Up to 380 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with 5-6 dark longitudinal bands, more or less
bifurcating anteriorly ; spinous dorsal dusky, soft dorsal dusky or
with a series of spots, margin of caudal dusky.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Type of taeniophorus in British Museum.
Characterised by the high dorsal profile and blunt snout.
Fam. 45. MAENIDAE.
Body oblong, with moderate-sized ctenoid scales. Mouth very
protractile. Maxilla almost completely concealed under the pre-
orbital. Subocular shelf small. Teeth villiform in jaws and sometimes
on vomer, none on palatines or tongue. Nostrils paired. Gill-mem-
branes free from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae
present. A single dorsal fin, not notched, the spinous portion longer
than the soft. Anal about equal to the soft dorsal, with 3 spines.
Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal
forked. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line single.
A small family closely allied to the Sparidae, comprising two genera:
682 Annals of the South African Museum.
Maena Cuv.* from the Mediterranean, and Marsis from the Medi-
terranean, Hastern Atlantic, Ceylon, and South Africa.
Gen. MaRSIS nom. nov.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. ii (Smaris non Latreille 1796,
Arachn.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 403
Smaris).
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 387 (Smavis).
No vomerine teeth.
Key to the South African species.
1. No black spot at base of caudal fin. ATJIII7-8 . ; ; . australis.
2. A black spot at base of caudal fin. A IIT 15 ; ; 3 melanurus.
Marsis australis (Regan).
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 416 (Smaris a.).
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 70 (Smarvs a.).
Depth 3-34, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head, a little greater than snout, which equals interorbital width.
Maxilla extending to below anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers 18-20
on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 9-10. A III 7-8. Scales:
6
1]. 58-60 ; L.tr. Th Pyloric caeca 3. (Plate XXVIII, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 270 mm.
Colour.— Uniform (as preserved).
Locality.— Natal coast, 114-192 fathoms.
_ Type in British Museum ; topotypes in South African Museum.
* Marsis melanurus (C. and V.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 422.
1882. Steindachner, Denk. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. xliv, p. 26, pl. 11, fig. 2.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 51.
D X 16 (C. and V.) or D XII 15 (Giinther). A III 15-16. Scales:
8
1B of a yee i 2 re Pyloric caeca 7.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
* Not the same as Maenas Klein (inadmissible under Opinion 21, Intern. Comm.),
or Maenas Hiibn. 1816 (Lepidoptera).
me w Do
PLATE XXVIIL
. Scorpis lithophilus G. and T. (original photo)
. Pomadasys bennett (Lowe) (original photo)
. Marsis australis (Regan) (original photo)
. Sparus durbanensis (Cast.) (original photo)
TEXT-PAGE
663
677
682
688
Plate XXVIII.
Ann, S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI.
Neill & Co., Lid.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 683
Colour.—Leaden, with yellowish reflections above, silvery below,
a large black spot at base of caudal fin and a smaller one at base of
pectoral, fins olivaceous.
Locality.—Mossamedes (Pellegrin).
Distribution.—Gorée, Cape Verde.
Fam. 46. SPARIDAE.
Body oblong or ovate, more or less elevated, compressed, with rather
large, feebly crenulate (never truly ctenoid) scales. Mouth rather
small, nearly horizontal, moderately protractile. Maxilla slipping
under preorbital for most of its length, without supplemental bone.
Teeth villiform, conical, incisor-like, or molariform; none on vomer
(except Evynnis) or palatines. Nostrils paired. Gull-membranes free
from isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present.
Dorsal fin single, sometimes deeply notched. Anal spines 3. Ventrals
thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal more or
less emarginate or forked. Lateral line single. Air-bladder present.
Pyloric caeca few. A strong subocular shelf.
A large family of carnivorous shore fishes, especially abundant in
tropical and subtropical waters ; a few species entering estuaries and
rivers.
So far as is known all the species reproduce by means of pelagic
eggs, with the possible exception of Caranthus.
Most of the species are valued as food, and especially in South
Africa the family is one of the most important economically.
From an angling point of view several species provide excellent
sport on the Cape and Natal coasts.
Key to the South African genera.
I. With molar teeth.
A. Molars strong, lateral.
1. A front row of incisors.
a. Incisors vertical or nearly so : . : E Sparus.
6. Incisors oblique, protruding : 3 ; . Diplodus.
2. Four to six strong caninesinfront . : : : Pagrus.
3. Teeth in cardiform bands, without incisors or canines . Pagellus.
B. Molars very small in a single lateral series. A row of oblique protruding
incisors in front : : ; ; : : : Charax.
C. Molars small, forming the innermost row of a band of teeth.
1. Outer row incisor-like, crenulate ‘ : a; . Crenidens.
2. Outer row conical, but no canines : 2 y . Boopsidea.
684 Annals of the South African Museum.
Il. Without molar teeth.
A. With canines in front : ; ; Dentex.
B. Broad band of teeth in front, outer row largest, but no canines.
1. Teeth lanceolate
2. Teeth tricuspid :
C. A single series of broad incisors in front.
1. No inner rows of teeth. Both nostrils pore-like
2. An inner band of small teeth. Posterior nostril slit-like
. Caranthus.
Tripterodon.
. Box:
Gymnocrotaphus.
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Fic. 22.—Diagrams of dentition (left side upper jaw) of Sparoids. a, Sparus
globiceps ; b, Pagrus nasutus; ec, Diplodus cervinus; da, Dentex undulosus ;
e, Caranthus emarginatus ; £, Boopsidea inornata ; g, Gymnocrotaphus curvidens ;
h, Pagellus mormyrus. Incisor teeth represented by ovals with lines through
them; canines and larger conical teeth by circles with central dots ; molars
by plain circles, ovals, or oblongs ; small circles and dots represent minute
conical teeth.
Gen. Sparus (Art.) Linn.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 35.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 277.
Four to six compressed incisors, implanted vertically or nearly so,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 685
in both jaws; a series of molars at the sides, 4—5 in upper, 2-3 in lower
jaw, of which the innermost series is always the largest. In the young
the hindmost 3 or 4 molars of the inner row are more or less trans-
versely oval or oblong, forming a kind of pavement ; in the adult, of
some species at least, the last 1 or 2 of these molars become very large,
longitudinally oval, and flat-topped. Cheeks scaly. Interorbital
scaleless. Posterior nostril a narrow slit.
The dentition, scaleless interorbital, and slit-like posterior nostril
are clean-cut characters separating the species of this genus, of which
auratus is the genotype, from those of Pagrus (Chrysophrys).
Key to the South African species.
1. Incisors even, the median pair not markedly larger than the others.
a. Body shallower, with vertical black bars ; ‘ . globiceps.
b. Body deeper, with more or less distinct lomprt celine lines : sarba.
2. Incisors unequal, the median pair much larger and more prominent than the
others : ; : ; 4 é ; . a durbanensis.
Sparus globiceps (C. and V.).
White Stumpnose.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 100.
1861. Steindachner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xi, p. 180
(Sargus natalensis).
1907. Schultze, Abh. Deutsch. Seefisch. Ver. Berl., vol. ix, p. 9,
pl. u (after Bloch).
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, p. 253, pl. xl (Sargus nigro-
fasciatus).
1914. fd., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 100 (habits).
1915. Clark, Sci. Res. “ Scotia,” vol. iv, p. 396 (nzgrofasciatus).
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. in, p. 4, fig. 1 (egg and larva).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 359 (nzgrofasciatus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 92 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 19.
Profile of head sloping, convex, gibbous in front of eyes. Depth
24-22, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 34 (young)—4$ (old)
in length of head, 14-12 in snout, 14-1} in interorbital width, a little
greater than (young) to about equal to depth of preorbital. Pre-
orbital longer than deep, not reaching down to angle of mouth, lower
margin straight (young) or somewhat concave (adult); 4-6 incisors
686 Annals of the South African Museum.
in each jaw, contiguous, even the middle ones not markedly larger
than the others; 4-5 series of molars in upper, 2-3 in lower jaw, the
inner series always largest, in young transversely oval or oblong, in
adult the hindermost 1 or 2 longitudinally oval and very large. Gill-
rakers 8-9 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 11-12, 3rd—5th spines
longest. A III 10-11, 2nd spine rather shorter but stouter than 3rd.
Seales: 11. 58-61; Mtr.
; 6(-7) series on cheek; limb of pre-
14-16
opercle and whole of interorbital scaleless.
Fic. 23.—Outlines of heads of : a, Sparus globiceps (400 mm.) ; b, S. sarba (350 mm.) ;
and c, S. durbanensis (550 mm.) (diagrammatic). a, b, ¢ are the respective
centres of arcs drawn between the first dorsal spine and the tip of the upper
jaw.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, greyish above, whitish below ; 5-7 narrow vertical
black bars, which often disappear with increasing age ; often more or
less distinct longitudinal dark lines, margins of opercle and axil of
pectoral usually dark, a golden or bronzy band between eyes; fins
greyish, dorsal often with darker margin, iris golden. ;
Locality.—Coast of South West Africa, Saldanha Bay, Table Bay,
False Bay, and Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay and Natal, down to 40
fathoms.
Type of Sargus ngrofasciatus in British Museum.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 687
The White Stumpnose is a well-known and valuable Cape fish,
occurring often in vast shoals. It does not appear to extend regu-
larly far to the east, preferring the colder waters of the west
coast.
It is very similar to the Mediterranean C. aurata; aurata is said to
have a deeper preorbital, but this feature is variable according to age.
Sparus sarba Forsk.
Silver Bream (Natal) ; River Stumpnose (Eastern Province).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 31.
1843. Temminck and Schlegel, Faun. Jap. Poiss, p. 67, pl. xxxi
(aries).
21861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 25 (natalensis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 142, pl. xxxiv, fig. 6.
21881. Steindachner, SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. Ixxxili, p. 30,
pl. 3 (Sargus holubi).
1912. Jordan and Thompson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xli, p. 581,
fig. 9 (ares).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 361 (natalensis), and p. 362 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 21 (Sargus
holubi).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 234 (nagro-
fasciatus non Regan).
1925. Id., ibid., p. 237, fig. 4 (natalensis).
Profile of head convex, snout rather steeply inclined, interorbital
rather prominent. Depth 2-23, length of head 3-34, in length of body.
Kye 3-44 in length of head, 1-2 in snout, 1-1? in interorbital width,
greater than (young) to 14 in (adult) depth of preorbital. Preorbital
longer than deep, not reaching down to angle of mouth, lower margin
slightly concave in young, more so in adult. Four to six incisors in
upper, 6-8 in lower jaw; 4 series of molars in upper, 3 in lower jaw,
the inner rows larger than the outer. Gill-rakers 8 on lower part of
anterior arch. D XI 12-13, 4th spine longest. A III 11, 2nd spine
stronger than 3rd. Scales: 1.1. 56-64; 1. tr. are ; 5-6 series on cheek;
13-15
limb of preopercle almost or quite scaleless ; interorbital scaleless.
Length.— Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with golden or brownish longitudinal stripes, often
a dark spot at beginning of lateral line ; fins yellowish or greyish,
688 Annals of the South African Museum.
margin of dorsal usually with narrow dark edge, iris yellow, axil of
pectoral often dark.
Locality.— Algoa Bay, East London, Natal and Zululand coast,
Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas to China and Japan.
The young often enter estuaries and lagoons.
In general aspect and details closely resembling the White Stump-
nose (S. globiceps) ; in fact, it is extremely difficult to separate the
young of the two species. The adults, and the half-grown also, though
less satisfactorily, can be distinguished by the following features: in
sarba the body is more elevated, the profile from tip of snout to origin
of dorsal is an are of a circle whose centre lies on the belly, midway
between base of ventrals and vent, the antorbital bulge scarcely, if at
all, transgresses the line of this arc (see fig. 23 b); the incisors are
more conical, less chisel-edged ; the hindmost inner molars do not
become (even in a specimen 350 mm. long) greatly enlarged and
longitudinally oval; the longitudinal streaks on the body are more
pronounced.
The black spot on the lateral line, it may be noted, occupies the
same position as does the first black cross-bar in globiceps.
Steindachner’s Sargus holubi appears to belong here. It is said to
have cloudy black cross-bands, though Regan (1908, Ann. Natal Mus.,
vol. 1, p. 254) states that it is uniform. Specimens identified at the
British Museum by Boulenger certainly belong to sarba.
Sparus durbanensis (Cast.).
White Biskop (Cape) ; Sandstompkop (Mossel Bay) ; Brusher (Natal).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 18.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi,
p. 230.
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 359.
Profile of head sloping, nearly evenly convex. Depth 24-3, length
of head 32-34, in length of body. Eye 6-64 in length of head, 2-23
in snout, 23-3 in interorbital width, 14-14 in depth of preorbital.
Preorbital longer than deep, its lower margin slightly concave. Four
incisors in each jaw, the middle pair much larger than the others,
curved, the upper pair overlapping the lower lip when mouth closed ;
molars in 4-5 series in upper, 2-3 in lower jaw, the hindermost
ones of the inner row very large. Gill-rakers 8-9 on lower part
of anterior arch. D XI 11, 3rd—5th spines longest. A III 10.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 689
6-7
14-16
and whole of interorbital scaleless. (Plate XXVIII, fig. 4.)
Length.— Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, sometimes with a bluish tinge above, fins whitish
or greyish; young with 6-7 longitudinal narrow brownish stripes,
which disappear in adult.
Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Algoa Bay to Natal.
The White Poenskop or Biskop is a fine sporting fish. It is
frequent on the Agulhas Bank, less so in False Bay, and is only a
winter visitor on the Natal coast.
It is perhaps a little doubtful whether this species should be included
in Sparus or Diplodus. The incisors are certainly rather more
obliquely implanted than in the White Stumpnose, but not nearly
so obliquely as in typical Diplodus, and they have rounded, not square,
chisel-like edges ; the molars are quite similar to those of globiceps.
In general facies, moreover, this species is a Sparus and not a
Diplodus.
Scales: 1.1. 59-61; l.tr ; 7 series on cheek ; limb of preopercle
Gen. DrpLopus Raf.
1810. Rafinesque, Ind. d’Ittiol. Sicil., p. 54.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 1, p. 272 (Sargus non Fabr. Diptera).
A single front row of strong incisors, implanted more or less
obliquely, and several lateral rows of rounded molars in both jaws.
Cheek scaly. Posterior nostril more or less slit-like. Tubes of the
lateral line in some cases bifurcate towards the hinder end of body.
Omnivorous fishes of moderate size from the Mediterranean,
warmer parts of Atlantic, and southern and eastern coasts of Africa
to India; often entering, especially when young, estuaries and
lagoons.
The dentition closely resembles that of Sparus, but the incisors
are implanted more or less obliquely, and they are more markedly
chisel-edged.
Key to the South African species.
1. Broad black vertical bands. Lips thick and fleshy : : . cervinus.
2. A large black blotch on caudal peduncle. Dark bands, if present, narrow.
Lips not thick and fleshy . : ; s rondeleti var. capensis.
D. aurwentris (Peters), from Mozambique, is not included here, as
Steindachner’s later description (Ichth. Beitr., vol. v, p. 156, 1876)
is not available.
690 Annals of the South African Museum.
Two species previously placed in this genus, holubi and nigro-
fasciatus, are here transferred to Sparus.
Diplodus cervinus (Lowe).
Zebra ; Wilde-Paard ; Streep-dasje.
1841. Lowe, Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. 11, p. 177.
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xxii, fig. 1 (Sargus
hottentotus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 359 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 87 (references).
Profile sloping. Depth 2-24, length of head 24 (young)-3 or 34,
in length of body. Hye 3 (young)—5$ in length of head, 1 (young)—23
in snout, | (young)—2 in interorbital width, twice the depth (young)
or 13 in depth of preorbital. Preorbital entirely concealing maxilla.
Lips very thick and fleshy, especially in large examples. Incisors
oblique, 12 in upper, 8 in lower jaw; molars small, in two series in
both jaws. Gill-rakers 9-10 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI
12-13, 4th spine longest, about $ (young) to about 4 length of head.
A Itt. Scales 1. G0=68s slit: = ; 4-5 series on cheek; limb
of preopercle naked. Tubes of lateral line bifurcate on hinder part
of body and caudal peduncle.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Silvery (young) or more greyish in adult, with 5-6 broad
black vertical cross-bands, the lst through the eye, the 2nd through ~
shoulder, the 6th (often faint or even absent) across caudal pedunele ;
snout black; dorsal, anal, and ventrals blackish.
Locality.—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay to East London
and Natal.
Distribution.—Cap Blanc, Madeira, Canary Islands.
Type of Sargus hottentotus in British Museum.
The Zebra is a gregarious fish, going about in small shoals. It is
very common in False Bay, though large examples are rarely caught
inshore.
Diplodus rondeleti (C. and V.).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 14,
pl. ex:
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 52.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 691
var. capensis Smth.
Dasje (Cape) ; Black-tail (Natal).
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xxin, fig. 2.
1887. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 658.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 96
(habits).
1916. Gilchrist, zbzd., vol. in, p. 5 (egg).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 359.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 87 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 233.
Profile sloping. Depth about 2, length of head 23-34, in length of
body. Eye 24 (young)-54 (adult) in length of head, greater than
(young) to 1} in snout, greater than (young) to 24 in interorbital
width. Depth of preorbital 24 in eye-diameter (young), slightly
greater than eye in adult. Preorbital with lower margin straight or
slightly concave, completely concealing maxilla. Lips not thick and
fleshy. Incisors oblique, 8 in both jaws; molars in 3-4 series in
upper, 2-3 in lower jaw. Grill-rakers 9-10 on lower part of anterior
arch. D XII 14 (Giinther gives XI-XII 12-15 fo- rondeleti and
XII 14-16 for capensis), 4th and 5th spines longese, 2-4 length of
nena. A Itt 13-14. Scales: Ll. 66—74;- ltr 5—6 serles on
16-18 °
cheek ; limb of preopercle naked. Tubes of lateral line simple.
Length.—Up to 370 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, often light or dark greyish in old examples, with
more or less conspicuous silvery or dark longitudinal streaks along
the rows of scales, and 4-5 narrow dark cross-bars, which vary in
intensity, and are often scarcely visible; a broad black band across
the caudal peduncle (sometimes faint or absent) ; fins pale or greyish,
axil of pectoral more or less distinctly dark.
Locality.— Mossamedes (typical form), Saldanha Bay, False Bay to
Natal and Zululand, often entering estuaries and lagoons.
Distribution.—Madagascar, Arabian coast, Persian Gulf.
The typical form occurs in the Mediterranean, Madeira, Canary
Islands, and on the coast of Angola. The var. capensis has been
recorded also from Bermuda and St. Helena, but these records would
seem more applicable to the typical form. The variety is said to
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 45
692 Annals of the South African Museum.
differ from the typical form in the series of incisors forming a rather
stronger curve and in the indistinctness of the dark cross-bars (Bou-
lenger, loc. cit., 1887). The latter feature, however, is a very variable
one, and it is doubtful whether capensis should be maintained even
as a variety.
Type of capensis in British Museum.
The Dasje lives in shoals and is very common in False Bay and
further eastwards, but appears to be unknown in Table Bay, though
I have seen a specimen from Saldanha Bay.
Gen. Pacrus Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 1, p. 272.
1817. Id., cbid., p. 272 (Chrysophrys).
21839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fishes, vol. ui, p. 221 (Chr ysoblephus).
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 465.
21860. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. xxi, p. 61 (Pagrichthys).
Four to six strong canines in both jaws (usually 4 in upper, 6(-8)
in lower), a series of more or less strong molars at the sides, with inner
series of smaller molars in both jaws ; molars in (1)2—5 series in upper,
2-5 in lower jaw. Cheeks and interorbital scaly. Preorbital deep.
Posterior nostril oval.
Carnivorous fishes from warm seas, often growing to a large size,
and all valuable food-fishes.
There is really no hard and fast distinction between the genera
Pagrus and Chrysophrys ; the former has only two series of molars
in the upper jaw, and the scaling on the interorbital continued further
forward. With regard to Chrysoblephus, I have not seen Swainson’s
work, but Jordan and Thompson (1912, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol.
xli, p. 580) state that the median molars are very large, and give
gibbiceps as the type species. This species, however, is one which
does not possess this character, though globiceps does. I am unable
to say whether a lapsus calami, or a misidentification on the part of
Swainson, or a confusion of the hindermost with the innermost molars,
is responsible for this discrepancy. In any case, Chrysoblephus must
fall into synonymy, either of Pagrus or Sparus.
The identity of Pagrichthys castelnaui Blkr. (loc. cit., p. 61) remains
doubtful. The genus seems to have been founded on a mutilated
specimen with only 2 anal spines. The fin formula is given as D XI
10-11. A II 8-9. Scales in 1.1. 40.
A considerable amount of synonymy has arisen in regard to the
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 693
South African species of this genus, and it is hoped that the present
work will help towards the elucidation thereof.
The most curious case is the confusion between the Roman and
the Dageraad, whereby the former with a broad forehead has come
to be known as cristiceps, and the latter with high occipital and
nuchal crest as laticeps. Pappe and Castelnau seem to have been
the originators of this reversal of names, which has been followed
by later writers. Cuvier and Valenciennes’ descriptions are perfectly
clear as regards the shape of the head, and when read with the actual
specimens before one are quite unmistakable.
Comparison also of further material from the Cape and Natal has
shown that, with two exceptions, the supposed new species of Chryso-
phrys described by Gilchrist and Thompson are untenable.
P. unicolor Q. and G. has been omitted from the fauna-list as its
presence in these waters rests solely on the doubtful record of Giinther
(1859, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 468).
Key to the South African species.
T. Molars in 2 series in upper jaw (Pagrus).
A. None of the dorsal spines elongate, flexible.
1. Pink. Ten series of cheek scales : : : . .aniarius.
2. Brewnish. Sixteen series of cheek scales . : - nasutus.
B. Third to fifth or sixth dorsal spines elongate, flexible, filamentous.
1. Profile high. Third to seventh spines filamentous . spinifer.
2. Profile sloping. Third to fifth spines filamentous . ehrenbergi.
II. Molars in 3 or more series in upper jaw (Chrysophrys).
A. Nine or more series of scales between lateral line and origin of dorsal fin.
1. Scales small: 1.1.73 . : : . : : . dentatus.
2. Seales moderate : 1.1. 55-67.
a. Profile steep.
i. Occiput and nape more or less gibbous, often strongly so.
a. Scaling on cheek extending forwards under eye
gibbiceps.
6. Scaling on cheek not extending forwards under eye
anglicus.
ii. Occiput and nape forming a sharp ridge. Body (in adult)
roughly triangular in shape . é . cristiceps.
b. Profile sloping. Forehead broad, with a blue (dark) band
laticeps.
B. Five to seven series of scales between lateral line and origin of dorsal fin.
Scales rather large: 1.]. 40-50.
1. Head with 2 black cross-bars. Scales |.]. 48-50 . . bifasciatus.
2. Lighter or darker grey. Scales 1.]. 43-46 . : berda.
|
694 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pagrus laniarius C. and V.
Panga (Cape) ; Dik-bekje (Port Elizabeth).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 163.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 21.
1866. Pappe, Syn. Ed. Fish. Cape., ed. 2, p. 14.
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 6 (egg).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 362.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 88.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 20.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 237.
Profile of head sloping, gently and evenly convex. Depth 24-24,
length of head 3 or a little less, in length of body. Hye 33—4 in length
of head, 14-14 in snout, subequal to
interorbital width, greater than (young)
or equal to (adult) depth of preorbital.
Preorbital scaleless, its posterior margin
sloping downwards and forwards to angle
of mouth, lower margin straight. Gill-
rakers 13 on lower part of anterior arch.
Four canines in upper, 6 in lower jaw,
the outermost ones strongest and pro-
jecting, especially those in upper jaw
which curve outwards (sideways). D XII
10, spines strong, not filamentous, 4th
and 5th longest. A III 8, spines stout,
2nd and 3rd about equal. Scales: LJ. 55
Fic. 24.—Outline of head of
“jek 8 !
Pagrus lamarius to show _6Q- ].tr, —; 9-10 series on cheek ; limb
shape of preorbital and 18
forward limit of scaling :
(diagrammatic). of preopercle entirely scaly.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
OColour.—Silvery-rose, with or without faint yellowish or bluish
longitudinal stripes, fins pale rosy.
Locality— Table Bay, False Bay, and Agulhas Bank to Algoa
Bay, down to 45 fathoms.
The Panga is a very common fish on the markets. It seems to be
somewhat rare in Table Bay, but is abundant on the Agulhas Bank.
The outwardly curving canines are distinctive.
Fowler’s description of the colour is too vivid for a living specimen,
the mauve tints only appearing after death.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 695
Pagrus nasutus (Cast.).
Black Biskop or Poenskop (Cape) ; Musselcrusher (Natal).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 24.
1903. Boulenger, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. i, p. 67, pl. 7 (nigripinnis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 362 (nigripinnis).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 88 (nigripinnis).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 20 (mgrr-
pinnis).
Profile of head sloping, gently convex. Depth 24—24, length of head
25, in length of body. Hye 44-5 in length of head, 12-2 in snout, 14
in interorbital width, slightly less than depth of preorbital. Pre-
orbital scaleless, its hind margin nearly vertical, the postero-inferior
angle behind the angle of mouth, lower margin concave, at least in
adult. Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Four canines
in each jaw, sometimes also 2 small median ones in lower jaw ; a row
of large conical molars on sides, with smaller series within. Snout in
large specimens thick and prominent, forming a “ nose” depending
over the upper lip. D XII 10, spines strong, not filamentous, 3rd—5th
longest. A III 8, spines stout, 2nd and 3rd about equal. Scales:
10-12
21-24
scaly. (Plate XXIX, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, irregularly blotched with darker, white below,
fins greyish or blackish, ventrals pale (rosy) or dark, iris golden.
Locality. False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, down to 40 fathoms.
Type of nigrvpinnis in British Museum.
Castelnau’s description of nasutus is quite unmistakable, and exactly
fits two large specimens in the South African Museum, except for the
slight discrepancy in fin formula (D XI 10, and A II 9), which may
well have been due to a miscount. Boulenger’s nigripinnis is a half-
grown example. Thompson (loc. cit., 1918) seems to have recognised
the identity of nasutus and nigripinnis, but adopts Boulenger’s later
name.
1.1. 62-65 ;- Ltr. ; 16 series on cheek ; limb of preopercle partly
The Poenskop or Musselcrusher grows to a large size, and at places
like Hermanus on the Cape coast and in Natal offers excellent sport to
the angler. It is frequent on the Agulhas Bank, but less so in False Bay.
As its name implies, this fish feeds mainly on molluscs, but also on
crabs, and takes a fish-bait.
— ee
696 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pagrus spinfer (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 32.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 138, pl. xxxiii, fig. 5.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 363 (references).
1923. Von. Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 197pheme
(ciliaris).
W925. 1d cod pau:
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 234.
Profile of head, especially in large examples, elevated, nearly
straight, with a protuberance in front of eyes. Depth 14-24, length
of head 3-32, in length of body. Eye 3-5 in length of head, 14-3 in
snout, equal to or less than interorbital width, equal to or less than
depth of preorbital. Preorbital scaleless, its postero-inferior angle
behind the angle of mouth. Four canines in each jaw, 2 series of
molars on sides. Gull-rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D
XII 10, lst 2 spines very short (scarcely projecting above the scales),
ord longest, flexible, filamentous, reaching to base of caudal, shorter
in adult, 4th—6th or 7th also flexible and filamentous. A III 8-9, 2nd
6-7
, 6-7 series
iis)
and 3rd spines subequal. Scales: 1.1. 50-55; Ltr
on cheek ; limb of preopercle scaleless.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, rosy above, faint longitudinal pink lines along
centre of each row of scales, fins pink, anal and ventrals whitish ;
young with vertical bands.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, down to 74 fathoms.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies.
Type of ciliaris in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
*Pagrus ehrenbergi C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 155.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 471.
1882. Steindachner, Denks. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. Ixv, p. 4, pl. v,
He
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 53.
Profile of head sloping. Depth 34 in total length (Ginther).
D XII 10, 1st 2 spines short but prominent, 3rd longest, flexible,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 697
filamentous, reaching to soft dorsal, 4th and 5th also flexible and
filamentous. A III 8-9. Scales: 1.1. 54.
Length.—Not stated.
Colour.—Red, the back above the lateral line with blue spots.
Locality.—Mossamedes.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, west coast of Africa, Canary Islands.
I have not seen Steindachner’s work and can give no further par-
ticulars than those contained in Cuvier and Valenciennes and Giinther.
Pagrus dentatus (G. and T.).
Dane.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi,
p: Eis.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 361.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 18.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 236.
Profile of head sloping, straight. Depth 24, length of head 3, in
length of body. Hye 4 in length of head, nearly 2 in snout, 14 in
interorbital width, 13 in depth of preorbital. Preorbital as deep as
long, reaching down to angle of mouth and completely concealing
maxilla, lower margin straight; 4 canines in upper, 6 in lower jaw,
projecting forwards, followed by a band of cardiform teeth, molars in
3—4 series in upper, 2-3 in lower jaw. Gill-rakers, according to Fowler,
12 on lower part of anterior arch (gills removed in type). D XIII
12
11, S3rdlongest. ATII9. Scales: 1.1. 73; Ltr. =e ; 10 series on cheek ;
limb of preopercle with a few isolated scales. Interorbital, as far as
vertical from posterior nostril, scaly.
Length.—250 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Pale brownish, with a series of darker
streaks along each row of scales, a dark band between eyes (below
interorbital scaling) ; in life reddish, with yellowish soft dorsal, anal,
pectorals, and ventrals.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, 25-50 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum. :
Distinguished from all other South African species by the small
scales, preorbital entirely concealing maxilla, and projecting
canines.
698 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pagrus gibbiceps (C. and V.).
Red Stumpnose.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 127,
pl. exlvu.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 97,
fig. (habits).
1916. Gilchrist, abed., vol. i, p. 5, fig. 2 (egg and larva).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p: sok:
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 92 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 18.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 234, text-
fig. 3 (Sparus lophus).
Profile of head steep, snout concave, nape gibbous, in adults (? males
only) with a more or less prominent rounded bump. Depth 22-22,
length of head 23-34, in length of body. Eye 34-44 in length of head,
13-2 in snout, 14-14 in interorbital width, equal to (young), 14-12
in (adult) depth of preorbital. Interorbital somewhat flattened in
adult or with a bump of wrinkled and pitted spongy tissue. Pre-
orbital longer than deep, extending behind angle of mouth and con-
cealing to a large extent the maxilla, lower margin more or less con-
cave inadult. Giull-rakers 10-12 on lower part of anterior arch. Four
canines in upper, 4-6 in lower jaw, outermost series of molars the
largest, the hinder ones in adults large, flat-topped, 4—5 inner series.
D XII 10 (XI 11), 3rd and 4th spines longest, 4-3 in length of head.
A III (7)8-9, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal. Scales: 1.1. 53-56; Ltr.
— ; 10-12 series on cheek, not including the patch which extends
forwards under the eye; limb of preopercle scaly.
Length.— Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Pinkish, paler below and on sides of head, broad trans-
verse alternating bands of bright red and white or pale pink, a whitish
patch in front of eyes, fins rosy. Preserved specimens often show a
dark band across the interorbital.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay and
Natal, down to 50 fathoms.
Type of lophus in Philadelphia Academy of Sciences.
The Red Stumpnose is one of the most esteemed of the Cape fishes.
It is rare in Table Bay, but frequent on the Agulhas Bank. Its habit
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 699
of blowing holes in the sand in its search for shells and Crustacea is
described by Gilchrist and Thompson (loc. czt., 1914).
The maintenance of lophus as a distinct species appears to me to
be very doubtful. It is based on a single specimen which differs from
typical gibbiceps only in the greater length of the 3rd and 4th dorsal
spines. Fowler’s count of 15 cheek scales evidently includes the patch
extending forward under the eye ; my count does not.
The length of the 3rd and 4th dorsal spines in typical gibbiceps is
4-2 the length of the head; but I have seen a specimen from Cape
ae
waters in which these spines reached # the length of the head.
a.
Fic. 25.—Outlines of heads of: a, Pagrus anglicus; and b, Pagrus gibbiceps,
showing forward limit of scaling (diagrammatic).
On the other hand, in examples from Natal, these spines are seen
even on first glance to be longer than in the majority of Cape speci-
mens. On measurement they prove to be from 3-1 length of the
head.
Where then can one draw the line between the Cape and Natal
forms ? Is it possible that temperature of the water can affect the
growth of two (or three) spines ?
It is not a question of age. Young and half-grown examples from
Cape waters show short spines ; and a Natal specimen with long spines
has the wrinkled and protuberant forehead so often seen in typical
gubbiceps.
With more extensive material I believe a complete transition would
be found between the short-spined and long-spined forms.
700 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pagrus anglicus (G. and T.).
Englishman.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 172.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 360.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 18.
Close to gibbiceps but distinguished by the following characters.
Profile very steep, snout almost vertical and straight, nape sloping.
Interorbital prominent. Preorbital as long as deep, scarcely extending
behind angle of mouth, concealing less of the maxilla than in gibbiceps,
10-11
its lower margin straighter. Scales: 1.1. 65-67 ; ltr. anes. The cheek
scales (11-12) not extending forward under eye, but ceasing on a line
from hind margin of eye to hind angle of preorbital.
Length.— Up to 470 mm.
Colour.—Pinkish, silvery below, with darker vertical bands as in
gibbiceps, a red stripe at base of pectorals, head dark red with a whitish
patch in front of eyes.
Locality.— Natal coast, down to 40 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
This species seems to be commoner on the Natal coast than gibbiceps,
and does not occur at the Cape. The scaling on the cheek serves at
once to distinguish the two species.
Pagrus cristiceps (C. and V.).
Dageraad or Daggegraat (Cape) ; Slinger (Natal).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 132.
1866. Pappe, Syn. Ed. Fish. Cape, ed. 2, p. 13 (laticeps non C.
and V.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 173
(puniceus).
1914. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 101 (laticeps non C. and V.)
(habits).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 362 (puniceus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 93 (laticeps non ~
C. and V.). ;
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 19 (puniceus).
Profile of head elevated, steeply sloping; a sharp ridge from fore-
head to origin of dorsal; in the young (150 mm.) the profile is less
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 701
elevated and the ridge less prominent. Depth, in adult greatest across
hind margin of opercle, in young further back, not quite 2 (adult)-24
(young), length of head 23-34, in length of body. Eye 3? (juv.)-53 in
length of head, 14 (juv.)—2} in snout, 1 (juv.)—2 in interorbital width,
1 (juv.)-12? in depth of preorbital. Interorbital strongly convex.
Preorbital longer than deep in young, at least as deep as long in adult,
reaching almost to angle of mouth, its lower margin straight. Gill-
rakers 10 on lower part of anterior arch. Four canines in upper, 4-6
in lower jaw; outermost molars largest, 3 inner rows in upper, 2 in
lower jaw; none of the molars even in large examples becoming
enlarged. Lips thick and fleshy, especially in adult, largely concealing
the teeth. D XII 10, 4th spine longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd
spines subequal. Scales: 1.1. 59-61; Ltr. = - ; 10 series on cheek ;
limb of preopercle scaly. (Plate X XIX, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Rose-red, deeper and more of a crimson tinge above; the
scales marked with golden and bluish reflections; lower margin of
orbit and hind margin of opercle bluish (dark in preserved specimens) ;
usually a dark spot in axil of pectoral and another at base of last
dorsal ray ; fins rosy.
Locality. Table Bay, False Bay, and Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay
and Natal, down to 50 fathoms.
Type of puniceus in South African Museum.
The Dageraad is very rarely taken in Table Bay, but is frequent
from False Bay eastwards.
The adult of this fish is easily recognised by its shape, which is
roughly that of a right-angled triangle, the belly line forming the
hypothenuse ; and the sharp frontal ridge. Young specimens may
be distinguished from specimens of laticeps of equal size by the
narrower forehead, the indication of the frontal ridge, and as a rule
the absence of the blue (or dark) band across the forehead.
The type of puniceus (250 mm.) is exactly similar to half-grown
specimens from the Cape, which show clearly the transition from the
ovate shape of the young to the triangular shape of the adult.
Pagrus laticeps (C. and V.).
Roman or Rooiman (Cape) ; Daggerhead (Natal).
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, Poiss., pl. xxxiv, fig. 2.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 122.
702 Annals of the South African Museum.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 22 (eristiceps non
Ce and: Va),
1861. Id., cbid., p. 22 (algoensis).
1866. Pappe, Syn. Ed. Fish. Cape, ed. 2, p. 13 (eristiceps non
CoandsV").
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 234
(pugicephalus).
1914. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 100 (cristiceps non C. and V.)
(habits).
1917. Ld., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 362 (pugicephalus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 91 (algoensis) and
p. 92 (eristiceps non C. and V.).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 19 (pugi-
cephalus and cristiceps non C. and V.).
Profile of head sloping, nearly straight, no sharp frontal ridge ;
forehead very broad. Depth 24-24, length of head 22-3, in length
of body. Eye 32-43 in length of head, 14-12 in snout, 14 in inter-
orbital width, slightly less than depth of preorbital. Interorbital
slightly convex. Preorbital longer than deep, not reaching down to
angle of mouth, lower margin straight. Gill-rakers 10 on lower part
of anterior arch. Four canines in upper, 4-6 in lower jaw, outermost
molars always the largest, 3-4 or 5 inner series in upper, 2—3 in lower
jaw. D XII 10 (exceptionally XI 11), 4th or 4th and 5th spines
longest. A III 8(7-9), 2nd and 3rd spines subequal in length, 2nd
9-10
——; 12-15 series on cheek;
19-21
stouter.. Scales; Ll: 59201 Ut,
limb of preopercle scaly.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Brilliant orange-red, deeper above and paler below, head
more orange ; a silvery whitish patch on side of body ; an azure-blue
band between the eyes (usually persisting in preserved specimens as
a dark band); axil of pectoral more or less dark ; sometimes a dark
spot at base of last dorsal ray (more noticeable in preserved than
in living specimens) ; fins rosy; ventrals and often soft dorsal and
anal violaceous. In the young the silvery-white patch on the side
is usually much larger than in the adult.
Locality.—False Bay to Algoa Bay, East London and Natal, down
to 36 fathoms. 3
Distribution.—Zanzibar and Mauritius (Steindachner).
Type of pugicephalus in South African Museum.
The Roman is one of the most plentiful and best-known fishes
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 703
along the coast in False Bay. The Natal fish (pugicephalus) is indis-
tinguishable.
Specimens are occasionally caught in which the ground colour is
bluish-grey instead of red, but the whitish patch is present as in
normally coloured specimens.
* Pagrus bifasciatus (Forsk.).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 64.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 141, pl. xxxiv, fig. 5.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 193, pl. xx, fig. 5
(scale).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 360 (references).
Profile of head steeply inclined. Depth about 2, length of head
a little less than 3, in length of body. Eye 43 in length of head, 14-2
in snout, 14 in interorbital width, about equal to depth of preorbital.
Preorbital longer than deep, not reaching down to angle of mouth,
its lower margin straight. Four to six incisors in each jaw, 4 series
of molars in lower, 5 in upper jaw. D XI 12-15, 5th spine longest.
A IIIT 10-11, 2nd spine strongest. Scales: 1.1. 48-50; I.tr. About
7 series on cheek.
Length—Up to 375 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with dark lines along each row of scales; head
with two black cross-bands, first through eye to angle of mouth,
second from nape along margin of opercle; a yellow band before
eyes, snout black, dorsal, caudal and pectoral yellow; dorsal spines
black, soft dorsal with narrow black edge ; ventrals and anal blackish,
the latter sometimes with a yellow band, or the last ray yellow.
Locality.— Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas.
Pagrus berda (Forsk.).
River or Mud Bream (Natal).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 32.
1852. Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac., p. 681 (vagus).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 30 (Pagrus caffer).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 140, pl. xxxiv, fig. 2, and pl. xxxv,
fig. 2.
704 Annals of the South African Museum.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 170
(robinsoni and estuarius).
1915. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iii, p. 132, fig. 96
(vagus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 361 (hasta references, and estuarivus), and p. 362 (rebinsoni).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 93 (vagus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p, 236
(robinson).
Profile of head sloping, straight; profile of chin and throat also
nearly straight and nearly horizontal. Depth 2-24, length of head
about 3, in length of body. Eye 4-5 in length of head, 14-14 in
snout, 1-14 in interorbital width, 1-14 times the depth of preorbital.
Preorbital much longer than deep, not reaching down to angle of
mouth, lower margin straight, or in adults gently concave. Four to
slx canines in upper, 6-8 in lower jaw; molars in 4-5 series in upper,
3-4 in lower jaw, the inner series largest. Gull-rakers 9-10 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XI 11-12, spines stout, 4th longest. A III
8-9; spines, especially 2nd, very strong. Scales: 11. 43-46; Ltr.
5
Te 5-6 series on cheek ; limb of preopercle scaleless.
Length_—Up to 750 mm. (Day).
Colour.—Silvery grey, lighter or darker, the scales either dark at
their bases or with dark edges; in lighter varieties a dark spot at
beginning of lateral line, fins greyish or blackish; dorsal with a
black margin, anal (in lighter varieties) with a dark band, ventrals
light or blackish. :
Locality—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay, mouth of
Zambesi Rive:.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas to East Indies, and
probably Japan. Often entering estuaries and rivers, especially
when young. |
Types of robinson and estuarvus in South African Museum.
The synonyms of this species are numerous. Jordan and Thompson
(1912, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xli, p. 583, fig. 10) adopt the name
latus Houttuyn 1782 for Japanese specimens, because they were not
absolutely convinced of the identity of latus and berda. The two
forms described by Gilchrist and Thompson are clearly synonymous
with vagus Peters, the darker form (robinsonz) corresponding with
calamara, which Day makes a colour variety of berda. The strong 2nd
anal spine was noted by Castelnau in his description of Pagrus caffer.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 705
It is possible that the variation in colour may be sexual, but the
series in the South African Museum is not long enough to decide
this point.
Gen. PaGetuus C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 169.
Teeth in front of jaws in cardiform bands, the outer row larger
than the inner rows, but without canines, passing gradually into the
lateral molars, of which there are several series, the innermost series
increasing in size posteriorly, transversely oval or oblong. Cheek
scaly. Interorbital and limb of preopercle scaleless. Preorbital deep
or shallow. Posterior nostril oval or slit-like.
Warm and temperate seas.
Three species described as belonging to this genus have not since
been recognised with certainty. These are afer Pappe, armatus Cast.,
and fascialis Cast. The first has usually been identified with the
Panga (Pagrus laniarius), though the dorsal fin formula is quite
different. Castelnau describes armatus from a single specimen,
which he says closely resembles afer, or at least a specimen which
he somewhat doubtfully identifies with Pappe’s species. He also
doubts whether he is correct in assigning his fasczalis to the present
genus. But for the different fin formula fascialis is strongly remini-
scent of a Lethrinus.
Under the circumstances these three species are omitted from the
fauna-list.
Key to the South African species.
1. Free margin of scales rounded. Posterior nostril slit-like. With black cross-
bars (at least in young).
a. Seales: 1.1. 48-50 : . ; ; : : : lithognathus.
b. Scales: 1.1. 60-65 : 3 : : ; : ; Mormyrus.
2. Free margin of scales angular. Posterior nostril oval. Red, without cross-
bars.
a. Anal rays 9. Westcoast . : : : : : . erythrinus.
b. Anal rays 10. South and east coasts . : : . . natalensis.
Pagellus lithognathus C. and V.
White or River Steenbras.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 204,
ple chi:
1907. Schultze, Abh. Deutsch. Seefisch. Ver. Berl., vol. ix, p. 9
pl. i (after C. and V.).
3
——
———— ee
706 Annals of the South African Museum.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 99 (habits).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 363 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 90 (references).
Snout pointed, profile straight. Depth 22-3, length of head about
3, In length of body. Hye 34 (young)-6 (adult) in length of head,
14-24 in snout, 1-2 in interorbital width, greater than (young) to 14 in
depth of preorbital (from orbit to postero-inferior angle). Lips thick.
Preorbital not entirely concealing maxilla, lower margin straight.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior nostril, posterior end truncate ;
in adult thick, swollen, and very hard. Posterior nostril a narrow
slit. Gull-rakers 13 on lower part of anterior arch. D XI 10, 4th
and 5th spines longest. A III 8, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal or
2nd stronger. Scales with free margin rounded: 1.1. 43-50; Ktr.
5
—; 7 series on cheek.
14
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or brownish, paler below, more or less silvery,
especially in young; 5-7 dark vertical cross-bars which are distinct
in young, but become obsolete in adult ; fins greyish.
Locality.—Coast of South West Africa, Table Bay, False Bay, and
Agulhas Bank to Natal.
The Steenbras is a well-known and valued food-fish. Apparently
it frequents mud-banks, where it pokes about with its sharp snout in
search of molluscs, crustacea, etc.
Pagellus mormyrus (Linn.).
Zee-basje ; Zeverrim ; Bontrok.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 281.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 54.
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 6 (egg and larva).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 363 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 91 (references)
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 212 and 284.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 238.
Snout moderately pointed, not so much as in lithognathus, profile
gently convex, often slightly gibbous in front of eyes. Depth 23-23,
length of head 23-3, in length of body. Eye 4 (young)—6} (adult) in
length of head, 2-3 in snout, 14-2 in interorbital width, 14-2 in depth
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 707
of preorbital. Lips not very thick. Preorbital with straight lower
margin, entirely concealing maxilla except its hind apex, which is
pointed. Posterior nostril slit-like. Giull-rakers long, 16-17 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XI 12, 3rd and 4th spines longest. A III
10, 2nd and 3rd spines about equal. Scales with free margin rounded:
6-7
"13-15
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with 10-14 dark vertical cross-bars, usually
alternately longer and shorter ; fins greyish or pale.
Locality—Mossamedes, Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay to
East London, Natal and Zululand coast, and Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, west coast of Africa, West Indies,
and Atlantic coast of tropical 8. America.
PISGO=6h:— Ltr ; 5 series on cheek.
*Pagellus erythrvnus (Linn.).
1766, Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. i, p. 469.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 170, pl. cl.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 54.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 89 (references).
Snout moderately pointed, profile nearly straight. Depth 3, length
of head 34, in length of body. Eye 44 in length of head, 12 in snout,
about equal to depth of preorbital. Lips not thick. Preorbital with
slightly concave lower margin, not entirely concealing maxilla, hind
apex of which is rounded-truncate. Posterior nostril oval, scarcely
larger than anterior one. D XII 10, 3rd and 4th spines longest.
A III 9, 2nd and 38rd spines subequal. Scales with free margin
6-7
aneular: 1.1.60; Ltr. Ae 6 series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 525 mm.
Colour.—Carmine or rosy, silvery below, fins rosy.
Locality.—Mossamedes.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and west coast of
Africa.
Pagellus natalensis Stndur.
Root Chor-chor.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, pp. 474, 475 (erythrinus
var. OF sp. n.).
1887. Boulenger, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 659 (afinis part).
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 46
708 Annals of the South African Museum.
1902. Steindachner, Denk. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lxxi, p. 134.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 4, pt. 4,
p- 363 (affinis non Bler.).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 89 (affinis non
Blgr.).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 21.(affinis non
Blegr.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 238 (affinis
non Bler.).
Snout moderately pointed, profile gently convex, in adult rather
gibbous in front of eyes. Depth 23-3, length of head 22-3, in length
of body. Eye 34-4 in Jength of head, 1-14 in snout, 1-1} in inter-
orbital width, 14 times depth of preorbital. Lips not thick. Pre-
orbital with lower margin straight in young, sinuous in adult, not
entirely concealing maxilla, hind apex of which is rounded-truncate.
Posterior nostril oval, scarcely or very slightly larger than anterior
one. Gill-rakers 11-12 on lower part of anterior arch. D XII 10,
4th spine longest. A III 10, 2nd spine slightly stronger than 3rd.
6-7
Scales with free margin angular: 1.1]. 60-65; Ltr. aie 6 series on
cheek, 6-7 across opercle.
Length.— Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Carmine or rosy, silvery below; scales on upper part of
body often with dark centres ; fins rosy.
Locality.x—Mossel Bay and Agulhas Bank to Natal and Delagoa
Bay, down to 75 fathoms.
Type in Vienna Museum.
Closely allied to erythrinus, but separated on account of the extra
anal ray.
Steindachner in describing and figuring specimens of affinis Blgr.
states that these specimens have 11 scales across the opercle, whereas
erythrinus and his Natal specimens have only 6. As all the South
African specimens which I have seen agree with Steindachner’s state-
ment, it seems probable that Boulenger did not notice this difference
in the two specimens, one from Muscat and one from the Cape, from
which he drew up his diagnosis of afinis. As the Muscat specimen is
clearly indicated as the type specimen, Steindachner’s name is
legitimately appled to the South African species if it is to be kept
separate from erythrinus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 709
Gen. CHARAX Risso.
1827. Risso, Eur. Merid., vol. in, p. 353.
A single series of trenchant incisor-like teeth in front of jaws, and
of very small molars on the sides. Cheeks scaly. Posterior nostril
oval.
One species.
*Charax puntazzo (Gmel.).
Puntazzo (Mediterranean).
1788. Gmelin in Linn. Syst. Nat., p. 1272.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 72,
pl. exliv.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 453.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 19 (capensis).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 93 (capensis).
Depth 2 or a little over, length of head 3 or a little over, in length
of body. Eye about 2 in snout and 44 in length of head. Snout
pointed. Teeth prominently projecting; 8-9 incisors in each jaw.
Preorbital deeper than eye. D XI 13-14. A III 12. Scales: 1.
55-60 ; 6-8 series above lateral line ; about 5 series on cheek. Pyloric
caeca 7.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, with 5-9 narrow blackish vertical bands and a
black blotch on each side of the caudal peduncle; dorsal, anal, and
ventrals blackish, caudal yellowish, with blackish hind margin.
Locality.— Mossel Bay.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, Canary Islands.
There is a specimen in the British Museum, sent by Dr. Gilchrist
from Mossel Bay. Castelnau states that his capensis had trifid molars
and incisors apically tridentate.
The Puntazzo appears to be mainly a vegetable feeder.
Gen. CRENIDENS C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Boiss.; vol, vi, p. of.
In both jaws two series of broad incisors, with crenulate edges, and -
behind them a band of granular molars. Cheeks scaly. Preorbital
Shallow. Posterior nostril a narrow slit.
Vegetable feeders from the east coast of Africa and Indian seas.
710 Annals of the South African Museum.
Crenidens forskalii C. and V.
White Karanteen.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 15 (Sparus crenidens).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 377, pl. clxii quat.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban. Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 358 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 85 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 243
(crenidens).
Depth about 24, length of head 33 to nearly 4, in length of body.
Eye 34-34 in length of head, equal to or rather less than snout,
1 (young)—14 in interorbital width. Depth of preorbital about 3 eye-
diameter. ‘Ten to twelve incisors in each series. Gill-rakers 9-10 on
lower part of anterior arch. D XI11. ATII9-10. Scales: 1.1. 55-59;
6
iS l6
Length.—Up to 240 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, greenish or bluish above, with narrow dark
longitudinal stripes (at least in preserved specimens); dorsal and
caudal greyish or greenish, with darker margins; anal and ventrals
yellowish ; a more or less distinct black spot in axil of pectoral.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Red Sea, India.
C. indicus Day is very closely allied, but has only 8 incisors, and
black dorsal and anal fins.
Ltr ; 3 series on cheek. Pyloric caeca 3.
Gen. BoopstDEA Cast.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 25.
In both jaws a single series of 8-10 rather small but equal, sharply
conical teeth in front, smaller and more granular ones at the sides,
and behind the front teeth 2-3 series of small granular molars, the
hindmost row being the largest. Cheeks scaly. EHyelarge. Posterior
nostril oval.
An endemic South African genus with one species.
This genus seems worthy of maintenance on account of its general
appearance, dentition, shallow preorbital, and large eye.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 711
Boopsidea inornata Cast.
Fransch Madam.
1861. Castelnau, loc. cit., p. 26.
1881. Steindachner, Ichthyol. Beitr., vol. x, p. 25, pl. 11 (Pagrus
(Chrysophrys) holub:).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 88 (Pagrus holubi).
19137 7d., thid., p. 94.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 236 (Sparus
holubi). ;
Depth 21-24, length of head 34-3, in length of body. Eye 22
(adult)—3 in length of head, greater than snout, equal to (young) or
greater than interorbital width, 3 times depth of preorbital. Lower
margin of preorbital straight. Gull-rakers 16 on lower part of anterior
arch, well developed. D XI 10-11, 4th spine longest, rather greater
than eye-diameter. A III 11, spines strong. Scales minutely ctenoid :
1.1. 63-68 ; I.tr. —— 8-9 series on cheek. Limb of preopercle,
interorbital, and snout scaleless. Pyloric caeca 4.
Length.—Up to 270 mm.
Colour.—Brown, with rosy or purplish reflections, silvery below ;
a brownish band over the upper part of the opercle, and a more or
less distinct dark spot in axil of pectoral; iris yellow or golden, fins
greyish, margin of spinous dorsal and ventrals blackish.
Locality False Bay and Agulhas Bank to East London, down to
33 fathoms.
Steindachner’s Pagrus (Chrysophrys) holubi is clearly synonymous ;
Castelnau’s fish, though incompletely described as regards fin formula,
etc., being easily recognisable.
The Fransch Madam (see Gilchrist, 1902, Tr. S. Afr. Phil. Soc.,
vol. xi, p. 219 for origin of name) is moderately common, and though
of rather small size is considered good eating.
Gen. DENTEX Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 1, p. 272.
A row of sharp conical teeth in both jaws, the anterior ones (4-6)
enlarged, canine-like, behind them several series of small, sharp teeth ;
no molars. Cheek scaly. Preorbital usually deep. Posterior nostril
oval or elongate oval, about equal to, or considerably larger than,
eS SOS
712 Annals of the South African Museum.
anterior nostril. Lateral line tubes simple, or with an ascending
branch, or bifurcate.
Carnivorous fishes, often reaching a large size, inhabiting the warm
regions of the Mediterranean, Eastern Atlantic, and Indo-Australasian
Oceans. All valuable food-fishes.
In some species, e.g. D. vulgaris, and the South African undulosus,
a large frontal gibbosity is developed in old males, similar to that in
Pagrus gibbiceps (see Pellegrin, 1914, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi,
p. 49, fig. 6).
D. macrocephalus Lacép., which has hitherto been included in the
fauna-list, is here excluded, as even if it is identifiable, it is supposed
to have come from the Indian Ocean or South Sea Islands. It seems
that Thompson (1918), or perhaps Bleeker before him, has misread
Cuvier and Valenciennes. These authors in their arrangement merely
ranged macrocephalus “ alongside of’ the preceding species from the
Cape, namely rupestris.
Key to the South African species.
I. Dorsal spines 10. Top of head naked. Limb of preopercle naked
(Gymnocranius) . : : 3 : 5 5 : . robinsoni.’
TI. Dorsal spines 11-12. Top of head scaly. Limb of preopercle scaly (Dente).
A. Scales above lateral line distinctly smaller than those below.
1. D XI; 17-18 scales on cheek . . ; é . rupestris.
2. D XII; 11-12 scales on cheek . : ‘ ; praeorbitalis.
B. Scales above lateral line not distinctly smaller than those below.
1. First 2 dorsal spines very short, 3rd elongate, more or less fila-
mentously produced . E : 5 ‘ : filosus.
2. Dorsal spines graduated.
a. Depth of body about equal to length of head. Body elongate.
i. Eye 34 or more in head. Top of head scaly as far as
vertical from anterior nostril. : argyrozona.
ii. Eye 3 or less in head. Top of head scaly only as far as
vertical from anterior margin of eye
macrophthalmus.
b. Depth of body greater than length of head. Body shorter.
i. With 6 rows of dark dots . : . lineopunctatus.
ii. With 4-6 wavy blue (or dark) bands along sides and a
black blotch below 6th dorsal spine . wndulosus.
Dentex robinsoni G. and T.
1837. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 116, pl. xxix, fig. 2 (rivulatus
non Benn. 1835).
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 226.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 713
1914. Id., ibid., vol. xii, p. 68 (rivulatus Riipp.).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 356 (rivulatus Riipp.,
references) and p. 357.
Depth 24-22, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 3-34 in
length of head, slightly less than snout, 1-14 in interorbital width,
about equal to depth of preorbital. Canines 4—6, rather variable in
size, as are the lateral teeth. Nostrils close together, the posterior one
not elongate, scarcely larger than anterior one. D X 10-11, 4th and
5th spines longest, equal to postorbital part of head. A III 9-10.
651s
17-19’
preopercle scaleless ; scaling on top of head not extending forwards
beyond vertical from hind margin of eye.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, greyish above; wavy blue lines across snout,
cheek, and opercle ; dorsal and anal fins rosy or yellowish, with deeper-
coloured margin; caudal and pectoral pinkish, ventrals yellow.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea, Ceylon, Madagascar region.
Type of robinson in South African Museum.
D. robinsoni is the same as rivulatus Riipp., but owing to the latter
name being preoccupied by Bennett (1835, Proc. Zool. Soc., vol. iii,
p- 91), Gilchrist and Thompson’s name must be adopted for this well-
known species.
The gills have been removed from the specimens in the South African
Museum, so that the number of gill-rakers cannot be given.
Scales: 1.1. 45-49; lL.tr. (4-)5 series on cheek; limb of
Dentex rupestris C. and V.
Red Steenbras.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 231.
1849. Smith, Illust. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xiv.
1853. Pappe, Syn. Ed. Fish. Cape, p. 21.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 23 (Chrysophrys lati-
ceps non C. and V.).
1869. Kner, Reise d. “‘ Novara,’ Fische, p. 61, and p. 63 (brevis).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 82 (brevis and rupes-
tris).
Profile sloping, antorbital ridges prominent, especially in large
examples. Depth about equal to length of head, a little less or a little
714 Annals of the South African Museum.
more than 3 in length of body. Eye 4 (young)-7 in length of head,
24-2? in snout, 14-14 in interorbital width, 14-2 in depth of preorbital.
Preorbital almost as deep as long in adult. Canines strong. Gill-rakers
short and stout, 8-9 on lower part of anterior arch. Posterior nostril
oval. D XI 10(-11), spines moderate, 5th longest, 24-3 in length of
head. A III 8, 2nd spine stronger, but shorter, than 3rd. Scales :
; 17-18 series on cheek; limb of preopercle
Ul
ll. 58-62; L.tr.
18-20
scaly ; scaling on top of head extending to vertical from posterior
nostril. Scales above lateral line smaller than those below.
Length.—Up to 1500 mm. (5 ft.).
Colour.—Reddish or brownish, becoming paler, pinkish or orange
or whitish below ; back with bluish, greenish, or bronzy reflections ;
jaws yellowish, a dark patch or band between the eyes, fins greyish or
reddish, ventrals pale, axil of pectoral often dark.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay, and Agulhas Bank to Natal.
The specimen recorded by Fowler (1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad.,
vol. lxxvu, p. 239) as rupestris is certainly not this species. I am in-
clined to think it should be referred to filosus, but as the description,
while giving several details, misses the essential distinguishing charac-
teristics (e.g. relative sizes of scales above and below lateral line, size
of lst 2 dorsal spines), one cannot be certain. I have never seen a
specimen of rupestris with only 8 scales across the cheek, or 15 gill-
rakers.
The Red Steenbras, though rare in Table Bay, is common in False
Bay and on the Agulhas Bank. It seems to prefer the neighbourhood
of rocks.
Dentex praeorbitalis Guthr.
Scotchman.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 368 (not figured).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 157.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 356.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 82.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 239.
Body and head compressed. Profile sloping, straight, nape convex,
gibbous. Depth 22-24, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Hye
42-62 in length of head, 2-2} in snout, equal to or greater than in-
terorbital width, 14-1? in depth of preorbital. Preorbital deeper than
long. Canines moderate to strong. Gill-rakers 17 on lower part of
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 715
anterior arch. Posterior nostril small, oval. D XII 10, 4th spine
longest, about 2 length of head. A III 8, spines moderate, 2nd and
9-1]
; ; 11-12 series on cheek ;
16-17
limb of preopercle scaly ; scaling on top of head extending to vertical
from nostrils. Scales above lateral line much smaller than those
below.
Length. Up to 500 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Greyish or reddish, each scale above lateral
line with a dark centre, forming more or less regular oblique lines of
dark dots; upper and lower margins of orbit and a bar across inter-
orbital, and a band along base of dorsal fin dark; fins pale.
In life, dark yellow, with a blue band along base of dorsal and blue
dots on body, those below larger and paler than those above lateral
line, fins yellowish with mauve or violet tints, a blue streak above
and at side of eye (from Marley’s colour-notes, quoted by Fowler).
Locality Natal coast, down to 40 fathoms.
Type (stuffed specimen) in British Museum.
This species is easily recognised by its long and narrow “ face ”’ as
seen from in front, the deep preorbita], and the marked difference in
size of scales above and below the lateral line.
3rd subequal. Scales: 1.1. 59-62; l.tr
Fowler correctly gives 11-12 series of scales across the cheek, and
then proceeds to say that there are 16 in his specimen.
Dentex filosus Val.
Witte-vis (Cape) ; Soldier (Natal).
1836. Valenciennes in Webb and Berthelot, Iles Canar. Poiss.,
p. 37, pl. vi ( flamentosus on plate, non C. and V.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 155
miles).
1914. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 128, fig. (albus).
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 50.
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 3 (albus) (egg).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 356 (filosus, references, and miles).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 82 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 22 (mules).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 240 (miles).
11925. Id., cbid., p. 239 (rupestris non C. and V.).
Depth 21-22, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Hye
716 Annals of the South African Museum.
35(young)—44 in length of head, 1 (young)—1?in snout, 4 (adult) or equal
to (young) interorbital width, greater than (young) or less than (adult)
depth of preorbital. Canines 4 in upper, 6 in lower jaw. Gill-rakers
13-14 on lower part of anterior arch. Posterior nostril elongate, oval.
D XIT 10, spines flexible, except 1st 2 which are very short; 1st $ 2nd,
which seldom exceeds 4 eye-diameter; 3rd elongate, filamentous, at
least 4 length of head, a little shorter in adult (albus), up to # length
of head, but variable; 4th or 4th and 5th also somewhat filamentous,
but shorter than 3rd, other spines successively shorter. A III 8, 2nd
and 3rd subequal, 2nd usually slightly stronger than 3rd, which is
usually slightly longer than 2nd. Ventral with lst ray prolonged as
a short filament, more pronounced in young and half-grown than in
adult. Scales: 1.1. 58-62; l.tr ; 8(7-9) series on cheek ; limb
15-16 °
of preopercle more or less scaly, but scales often nearly obsolete ;
scaling on top of head extending forwards to vertical from anterior
margin of eye or posterior nostril.
Length.—Up to 600 mim.
Colour.—Silvery pink, deeper above, whitish below; more or less
distinct dark specks or cloudy patches on top of head, back, and at
base of last dorsal ray ; 4-5 pale blue longitudinal stripes, fading very
rapidly after death ; fins rosy, dorsal and tips of caudal lobes usually
with narrow blackish margin, ventrals white ; young (100 mm.) with
4 rather inconspicuous dark (as preserved) vertical cross-bars, the Ist
across shoulder, the 4th from base of last dorsal ray.
Locality—Mossamedes, Table Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, down
to 70 fathoms.
Distribution.—Coast of Algiers and west coast of Africa, Canary
Islands.
Types of miles and albus in South African Museum.
These types, and the specimen referred by Gilchrist and Thompson
in 1911 (Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, p. 32) to filosus, have been compared
with a series from the Agulhas Bank and Natal and found to be
identical.
The identification with filosws appears to be justified, though none
of the South African specimens is as long in the body as represented
by Valenciennes. It is probable that Valenciennes described from
dried specimens (see footnote in Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1,
p. 449, regarding similar discrepancies in Valenciennes’ description of
Diplodus cervinus). Moreover, filosus has been recorded from various
localities on the west coast as far south as Angola.
— = Se a
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 717
The 3rd dorsal spine is variable. Valenciennes records a specimen
in which it measured half the total length. |
- The Witte-vis, so called because it is of a paler red than the Silver-
fish and fades very rapidly, is rare in Table Bay, but frequent in the
warmer waters of the Agulhas current.
Dentex argyrozona C. and V.
Silver-fish ; Kapenaar.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 235.
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8S. Afr. Pisces, pl. xix.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 30 (macrodens).
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 3 (egg and larva).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 356.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 81 (references).
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 291.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 22.
Depth equal to length of head, 3 or a little less in length of body.
Kye 33-42 in length of head, equal to or slightly less than snout and
interorbital width, twice or a little less than twice depth of preorbital.
Preorbital 2-23 times as long as deep. Canines strong, prominent,
curved. Gill-rakers 18—20(21) on lower part of anterior arch. Posterior
nostril oval. D XII 9-10, spines rather slender, 4th or 4th and 5th
longest, 4-3 length of head. A III 8, 2nd spine shorter than 3rd.
weales: 1.1. 60-62 ; Ltr. a 8-9 series on cheek; limb of preopercle
scaly ; scaling on top of head extending to vertical from anterior
nostril.
Length —Up to 750 mm.
Colour.—Silvery rose or pink, paler below, with several (4-6)
brilhant silver longitudinal bands, fins rosy.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay, and Agulhas Bank to Algoa Bay
and Natal, down to 70 fathoms.
One of the best-known and economically most important South
African fishes.
*Dentex macrophthalmus (B1.).
1785. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. cclxxu.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Nat., p. 337.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 227.
718 Annals of the South African Museum.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 370.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 50.
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 284.
Depth 24-22, length of head 22-23, in length of body. Eye less
than 3 (Cuv. and Val.), 34-34 (Fowler) in length of head, about equal
to snout, greater than interorbital width. Preorbital shallow. Canines
moderate. Gill-rakers 17-18 on lower part of anterior arch. D XII
10. A III 8, 2nd spine stronger and longer than 3rd. Scales: 1.1.
6
58-60 ; ltr. TE 7 series on cheek ; limb of preopercle scaly ; scaling
on top of head not extending beyond vertical from anterior border of
eye.
Length.—Up to 450 mm.
Colour.— Uniform red, silvery below.
Locality.—Mossamedes.
Distribution.—Mediterranean and neighbouring coasts of the
Atlantic.
D. maroccanus C. and V., of which there is a specimen from Angola
in the British Museum, is closely allied to this species. The distribu-
tion is the same, but maroccanus has a smaller eye and deeper pre-
5
orbital (eye 4 in head, equal to depth of preorbital) ; Ll. 47; ae ;
5-6 series on cheek.
D. cunninghamu Regan (1905, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xv,
p. 325), also from Angola, has eye 34 in length of head, depth of pre-
orbital 2 eye-diameter, 10 gill-rakers; D XII 10; A III 10; 11. 60;
6
[Leite =a ; 6 series on cheek ; 7(8) canines in upper, 11(12) in lower jaw.
Dentex lineopunctatus Blgr.
Blueskin.
1903. Boulenger, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. iii, p. 66, pl. vi.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, ibid., vol. vi, p. 156 (natalensis).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 356 (natalensis).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 240
(natalensis).
Depth 24-24, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 344
in length of head, 1-14 in snout, 1-1} in interorbital width, slightly
greater than depth of preorbital. Canines moderate to strong.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 719
Posterior nostril elongate oval. D XII 10, spines moderately strong,
4th longest, $-¢ length of head. A III 8, spines very strong, 2nd
7
slightly longer than 3rd. Scales: 1.1. 53-58; Ltr. i 7-8 series on
cheek ; limb of preopercle scaly ; scaling on top of head extending
to vertical from anterior nostril.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Pink or reddish, with a bluish tinge, with 6 rows, 3 above
and 3 below the lateral line, of small purplish or bluish spots, some
irregularly scattered spots on occiput and nape; dorsal, anal, and
ventral] fins dark or violaceous.
Locality.— Natal coast, down to 40 fathoms.
Type in British Museum; of natalensis in South African
Museum.
The gills have been removed in all the specimens I have seen, but
Fowler gives the number of gill-rakers as 13.
Dentex undulosus Regan.
Seventy-four.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 28 (rupestris non
C. and V.).
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, p. 252, pl. xl.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
Pa oot.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 83.
Profile prominently gibbose above the snout in some old specimens
(? males only). Depth 23-3 or 3§, length of head 33-34, in length
of body. Hye 33 (young)—55 (adult) in length of head, 1 (young)-2
(adult) in snout, 1-2 in interorbital width, twice the depth of preorbital
in young, 1% times in its depth in adult. Canines moderate to strong.
Gill-rakers 14-16 on lower part of anterior arch. Posterior nostril
elongate oval. D XII 10, 4th and 5th longest, equal to postorbital
9-]
part of head. A III 9. Scales: 1.1. 57-61; Ltr. —_— 9-11 series
on cheek ; limb of preopercle scaly (scattered scales in large examples) ;
scaling on top of head extending forwards to above anterior nostril.
Length.—Up to 900 mm.
Colour.—Rose red. shading to white on belly, with silvery, golden,
and metallic blue, green, or violet reflections on back; 4-6 irregularly
720 Annals of the South African Museum.
wavy, narrow, longitudinal, cobalt or ultramarine blue streaks, the
uppermost along the base of dorsal fin, each streak bordered above
and below (the uppermost one bordered
below only) with pink, a cloudy blackish
blotch on lateral line below about 6th
dorsal spine; dorsal greyish or viola-
ceous, anal pale bluish, caudal and
pectoral rosy, ventrals whitish. In pre-
served specimens the streaks become
dark, with more or less distinct light
borders.
Locality Table Bay, False Bay, and
Agulhas Bank to Natal.
Type in British Museum.
The Seventy-four, supposed to derive
its name from the resemblance of the
Fic. 26.—Outline of head of a streaks along the sides to the rows of
specimen of Dentew wndu- ons on an old man-of-war, or because
losus, 800 mm. in length,
showing frontal gibbosity one was once caught from such a vessel
and forward limit of scaling of 74 guns (see Gilchrist, 1902, Tr. S
(diagrammatic). 8 : ® i, ee
Afr. Phil. Soc., vol. xi, p. 221), is rarely
caught in Table Bay, but is abundant on the Agulhas Bank.
The beautiful coloration of this fish is not so vivid in life as shortly
after death, when the colours appear in all their brilliance.
Gen. CARANTHUS nom. nov.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., p. 278. (Cantharus, nom. preoce.
Bolten 1798, and Montf. 1808.)
Teeth in front of jaws in broad cardiform bands, becoming narrower
latterly, the outermost row largest, lanceolate, without canines or
molars. Cheek scaly. Interorbital and limb of preopercle scaly or
naked. Preorbital moderately deep or shallow. Posterior nostril
more or less slit-like. The tubes of the lateral line short, often appear-
ing bifurcate owing to there being two divergent series of pores
opening to the exterior ; in microlepis there is only a pair of pores,
being the two terminal pores in the divergent series found in other
species.
Vegetable feeders inhabiting the Mediterranean and west coast of
Europe, and the west, south, and east coasts of Africa.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 721
Key to the South African species.
1. Snout moderate, conical. Limb of preopercle scaleless.
a. Lower margin of preorbital not notched 5 : F f blochi.
6. Lower margin of preorbital notched.
i. Scales: 1.1. 68-75 : : ; : : . . lineatus.
ii. Seales: 1.1. 80-85 : : ‘ i : ‘ emarginatus.
iii. Scales: 1.1. 90-95 2 ‘ : : : . microlepis.
2. Snout short, blunt, pug-nosed : , : ; : 3 , aeneus.
Caranthus blochi (C. and V.).
Hottentot ; Hangberger.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 339.
1860. Bleeker, Nat. Tydsch. Ned. Ind., vol. xxi, p. 59 (castelnau:).
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 94.
1916. Gilchrist, abed., vol. i11, p. 6 (egg).
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 84 (references).
Profile sloping, gently and nearly evenly convex. Depth about 23,
length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 3} (young)-—5 in length of
head, 1 (young)—2 in snout, 14 (young)—2$ in interorbital width, 14
times (young) to a little over once (adult) in depth of preorbital. Pre-
orbital not concealing hinder portion of maxilla, lower margin straight
(or almost so). Gill-rakers 13-14 on lower part of anterior arch.
Outer row of teeth considerably larger than the succeeding inner
series. D X 11-12, spines stout, 4th or 4th and 5th longest, 3 (or
sometimes 4) in length of head, Ist ray longer than last spine. A III
HOE oeales:: 1.1. 64-69; |.tr. = Lateral line tubes bifurcate,
especially anteriorly ; (8-)9 series on cheek; limb of preopercle
scaleless; scaling on top of head not extending forwards beyond
vertical from posterior third or centre of eye.
Length.—Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Uniform greyish, brownish, sometimes bronzy or bluish,
sometimes lighter, sometimes darker, usually lighter or silvery below.
Locality.—Coast of South-west Africa, Saldanha Bay, Table Bay,
False Bay, Agulhas Bank.
The number of dorsal spines seems to be constantly ten.
The Hottentot is one of the commonest Cape fishes, but is more
abundant on the west coast than on the Agulhas Bank.
A single specimen in the South African Museum, 275 mm. long,
agrees with blochi in all respects except the following: the teeth are
722 Annals of the South African Museum.
rather stronger than in similar-sized specimens of undoubted blochi,
especially the inner series, the outer row not being so abruptly larger
than the succeeding rows; the preorbital, though quite straight on
lower margin, completely conceals the maxilla. The exact locality
is not recorded, but the specimen is from the collection made by the
s.s. ‘‘ Pieter Faure.” )
*Caranthus lineatus (Mont.).
1815. Montagu, Mem. Wern. Soc., vol. ii, p. 451, pl. xxiii.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 319,
pl. elx (vulgaris), and p. 333 (griseus).
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 418.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 51.
Profile sloping, evenly and gently convex. Depth about 24, length
of head 34, in length of body. Hye about 4 in length of head, slightly
less than snout, greater than depth of preorbital. Preorbital with
lower margin more or less deeply notched, exposing maxilla. D XI
12, spines slender, 4th-6th longest, about half length of head, Ist
ray not longer than last spine. A III 10. Scales: 1.1. 68-75; Ltr.
9-10
19°
V.’s figure) ; scaling on top of head not extending forward beyond
vertical from centre of eye.
Length.— Up to 450 mm.
Colour.—Silvery grey, with numerous dark longitudinal streaks ;
dorsal and anal dark grey or violaceous, ventrals brown.
Locality. —Mossamedes.
Distribution. Mediterranean, west coast of Europe and Africa,
Canary Isles.
; 6-7 series on cheek; limb of preopercle scaleless (in C. and
Caranthus emarginatus (C. and V.).
Steenje.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 338.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 94 (habits).
1915. Clark, Sci. Res. “ Scotia,” vol. iv, p. 396 (Scatharus graecus
non C. and V.).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 357.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 84 (references).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 723
Profile nearly straight to above eye, then rising more or less abruptly
to the rather strongly convex nape, at least in adult. A rather pro-
minent bulge in adult in front of orbit. Depth 25 (adult)—24 (young),
length of head 34, in length of body. Hye 3$-4 in length of head,
slightly greater than (young) or about equal to snout, 14 (young)-14
in interorbital width. Depth of preorbital about half eye-diameter,
lower margin deeply notched, exposing the maxilla. Gill-rakers 15
on lower part of anterior arch. Teeth numerous and fine, the inner
series very fine. D XI 12-13, spines slender, 4th or 5th longest,
usually nearly half length of head, but sometimes only about one-
third, lst ray not longer than last spine. ATIII10. Scales: 1.1. 80-85 ;
13
Lior, a Anterior tubes of lateral line bifurcate. Hight series on cheek;
limb of preopercle scaleless; scaling on top of head not extending
forward beyond vertical from centre of eye.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, lighter or darker, with numerous narrow blue
and yellow longitudinal streaks, back often with a bluish, bronzy, or
violaceous sheen; dorsal, anal, and ventrals greyish or violaceous ;
axil of pectoral often dark.
Localityi—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay to Algoa Bay.
Distribution.—Madagascar region (Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc.
Reoiss., p. 014, 1891).
The Steenje is rare in Table Bay, but frequent in the warmer waters
to the east.
The specimen identified as Scatharus graecus is in the British Museum.
It has a band of teeth and is therefore not a Scatharus. Clark suggests
the possibility of a confusion of labels; if such has occurred it must
have occurred after Clark’s identification, for the specimen which I
examined at the British Museum labelled Scatharus graecus ex “‘ Scotia”’
Expedition is certainly our ordinary Steenje.
Caranthus microlepis (G. and T.).
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 231.
1917. fd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 357.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 419 (Pagellus
macrolepis).
Profile sloping, gently and nearly evenly convex, but with a slight
bulge in front of eyes. Depth 25-22, length of head 3-3, in length of
body. Hye 3-34 in length of head, equal to or a little greater than
WOk. <xt, PART 2. AT
724 Annals of the South African Museum.
snout, equal to or slightly less than interorbital width, 24 times depth
of preorbital. Preorbital with lower margin notched, and except for
a very small part at the notch, entirely concealing maxilla. Gill-
rakers 16-17 on lower part of anterior arch. Teeth moderate, outer
row distinctly larger than inner rows. D XI 11-12, spines slender,
4th longest, about half length of head, Ist ray a little longer than last
14-15
Ds)
a
Tubes of lateral
spine. A III 10. Scales: 1.1. 90-95; Ltr.
line simple, but with a pair of pores showing on some, especially
the anterior ones. Hight series on cheek, limb of preopercle scaleless ;
scaling on top of head not extending further forward than vertical from
posterior third of eye. The scales are frequently lobate or even pointed
in the centre of the free margin, especially those on hinder part of
body.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Greyish or brownish, with faint traces of
lighter and darker longitudinal streaks, interorbital with a more or
less distinct dark band, fins dark or blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast, down to 30 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum; of Pagellus mucrolepis in British
Museum.
Regan says that the inner teeth are obtusely conical or molariform.
The largest of the present specimens has indications of similar blunt
teeth, though in younger examples the teeth are all sharp. Never-
theless this species is certainly a Caranthus, as is shown also by the
lateral line scales.
Caranthus aeneus (G. and T.).
Bronze Bream; Blue or Natal Hottentot.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 166.
1908. Id., zbid., vol. vi, p. 167 (natalensis).
1909. Id., abid., vol. vi, p. 231 (sémus).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 357.
Profile gently convex, a rather prominent bulge in front of eyes,
below which the snout is rather concave ; thus giving a characteristic
pug-nosed appearance. Depth 24-25, length of head 34$-33, in length
of body. Eye 3$ (young)—4$ in length of head, 1 (young)—14 in snout,
14 (young) to nearly 2 in interorbital width. Depth of preorbital 14
(adult)-14 (young) in eye-diameter. Preorbital with lower margin
straight or slightly concave (not notched), not entirely concealing
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 725
maxilla. Gill-rakers 15 on lower part of anterior arch. Teeth moderate,
outer row distinctly larger than the inner rows. D XI 11, spines
moderately stout, 4th or 4th and 5th longest, about $, or sometimes
not much more than 4, length of head, lst ray not longer than last
spine. AJII10. Scales: 1.1. 83-88; l-tr. Tubes of lateral line
20-22,
bifurcate, especially the anterior ones; 10 series on cheek; limb of
preopercle scaly ; scaling on top of head extending forward to vertical
from anterior margin of eye, or almost.
Length.—Up to 430 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or bronzy-brown, dark above, silvery below, with
(as preserved) numerous pale longitudinal streaks; dorsal, anal, and
ventrals blackish or violaceous.
Locality.—Natal coast. At certain seasons extends as far westwards
as False Bay, where it is known as the Blue Hottentot.
Types of aeneus, natalensis, and simus in South African Museum.
Examination of these types shows no differences; the verbal dif-
ferences in Gilchrist and Thompson’s descriptions are due e.g. to the
last dorsal or anal ray being counted as one on one occasion and two
on another. C. aeneus has page precedence over natalensis.
The short, blunt, pug-nosed snout easily distinguishes this species
from any of the others from these waters.
Gen. TRIPTERODON Playf.
1866. Playfair in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 42.
Similar to Caranthus, but body much compressed and elevated, and
teeth tricuspid instead of lanceolate. Tubes of the lateral line not
described. Dorsal spines short, except 3rd—5th, which are produced.
A single species.
*Tripterodon orbis Playf.
1866. Playfair, loc. cit., p. 42, pl. vu, fig. 1.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat .Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 242.
Upper profile strongly convex. Depth 14, length of head 31-33,
in length of body. Eye 34-32 in length of head, 14-2 in snout, 14 in
depth of preorbital. Teeth movable, 4 series in upper, 3-4 in lower
jaw. Gill-rakers short, 10 on lower part of anterior arch. D IX
20, lst and 2nd spines very short, 3rd—5th produced, about 4 length
of body. A III 16. Soft dorsal and anal scaly, their anterior portions
726 Annals of the South African Museum.
elevated. First ray of ventral produced in a filament reaching to
11
anal. Caudalemarginate. Scales: 1.1.52; Ltr. ae (Fowler, counting
fond
at highest point of lateral line, gives 1.1. 45; Ltr. =.)
Length.— Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, with indistinct, dusky cross-bands
and longitudinal streaks of silver along each row of scales.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.— Zanzibar.
Gen. Box C. and V.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., p. 270 (Boops).
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 346.
A single series of broad incisors in front of both jaws, those in upper
jaw notched, those in lower pointed; no molars. Lateral line very
distinct. Cheeks scaly. Preorbital shallow. Both nostrils minute,
pore-like.
Vegetable feeders from the Mediterranean, West Indies, and African
coast.
Box salpa (Linn.).
Bamboo-fish (Cape) ; Striped Karanteen (Natal).
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 470.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vi, p. 357,
pl. clxu.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 52.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 96.
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 357 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 85 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 243
(Sarpa s.).
Depth 23-8, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Eye 3}-3} in
length of head, subequal to snout, 1 (young)—1} in interorbital width.
Depth of preorbital about } eye-diameter. Gill-rakers 12-13 on lower
part of anterior arch. D XI 14-15. A III 13-14. Scales: 1.1. 73-78;
l.tr. Five series on cheek. Pyloric caeca 3-4.
162078
Length.—Up to 450 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 727
Colour.—Silvery, greenish or bluish above, with yellow or orange
longitudinal stripes, a black spot in axil of pectoral, the groove (formed
by large smooth scales) from upper angle of gill cleft to the occiput,
and a similar groove on the temporal region often deep metallic
prussian-blue, fins greyish, lateral line brownish.
Locality.—Mossamedes, Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay, and
Agulhas Bank to Natal and Delagoa Bay.
DNstribution.— Mediterranean, Canary Islands, N.W. and W. coast
of Africa.
The Bamboo-fish, or Streepje and Mooi Nootje, as it is also called,
is common in False Bay, less so in Table Bay. It is normally a vege-
tarian, but in captivity readily becomes a carnivore (Gilchrist and
Thompson, 1914). As a food-fish it is not considered particularly
good.
Gen. GYMNOCROTAPHUS Gnthr.
1859. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 432.
In both jaws a single series of broad lanceolate incisors, behind
which is a band of smaller cardiform teeth ; no molars. Cheeks scale-
less. Soft dorsal and anal with basal scaly sheath; greater part of
caudal scaly. Gill-rakers short, especially in adult. Posterior nostril
a narrow slit.
An endemic South African genus with one species.
Gymnocrotaphus curvidens Guthr.
John Brown.
1859. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 432 (fig. not published).
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 92 (habits).
1916. Gilchrist, zbed., vol. ili, p. 6 (eggs).
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 94.
Depth 2-23, length of head 34-32, in length of body. Hye 4-42 in
length of head, 2-22 in snout, 14-2 in interorbital width, 14-2 in
depth of preorbital. Giull-rakers 8-9 on lower part of anterior arch,
often reduced to 6 or 7inadult. D X12. ATIII10. Scales minutely
(6)7
Seno | 65-67 - lie,
(18)20-22
Pyloric caeca 3. (Plate XXIX,
fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 325 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish brown, darker above.and often with a purplish
tinge on head, iris blue, fins greyish.
728 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—False Bay, extending along the coast to East London.
Type in British Museum.
A vegetable or omnivorous feeder which is common in False Bay,
and is an excellent table fish. It seems to be rare, if not entirely
absent, from the Agulhas Bank.
Fam. CICHLIDAE.
Body ovate, compressed, with moderate-sized, more or less ctenoid,
or cycloid, scales. Mouth moderate or large, protractile. No sub-
ocular shelf. Teeth in jaws very variable; no vomerine or palatine
teeth. A single nostril on each side. Guill-membranes free from isth-
mus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. No pseudobranchiae. A single dorsal
fin. Anal spines 3-10. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with
axillary process. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few or none.
Lateral line single, double, or triple.
A very large family of fishes living in fresh water or brackish water
in Africa (including Madagascar), Syria, India and Ceylon, and tropical
America.
The South African representatives are dealt with in Gilchrist and
Thompson’s “ Freshwater Fishes of South Africa ” (Ann. 8. Afr. Mus.,
vol. xi, pt. 6, p. 475, 1917), based on Boulenger’s “ Catalogue of the
Freshwater Fishes of Africa,’ vol. i, 1915. Since then Regan has
revised the admittedly unsatisfactory classification (Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist., (9), vol. v, p. 33, 1920, and 2bid., (9), vol. x, p: 249, 1922)2e ime
generic arrangement is quite different from that of Boulenger and
Gilchrist and Thompson, and all but one of the 16 “ new species ”
instituted by the latter collaborators are sunk as synonyms of
previously described species.
Fam. 47. AMPHIPRIONIDAE.
(=Pomacentridae and Glyphisodontidae).
1921. McCulloch, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. vil, p. 168 (key to
genera).
Body ovate, usually short and deep, compressed, with rather large
ctenoid scales. Mouth small. Maxilla more or less concealed under
preorbital. Teeth in one or more series in jaws, conical or incisor-
like; none on vomer or palatines. Lower pharyngeal bones com-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 129
pletely united into one bone; second upper pharyngeals distinct, 3rd
and 4th united. A single nostril on each side. Guill-membranes free
from isthmus. Gills 34. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal fin single,
often notched, with numerous strong spines. Anal spines 2. Soft
dorsal and anal more or less scaly. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and
5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal rounded, emarginate, or forked.
Lateral line single, sometimes not extending to tail, or interrupted.
Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few. Subocular shelf present.
Rather small, usually brilhantly coloured, carnivorous or herbi-
vorous fishes of tropical and subtropical waters. They inhabit mostly
coral-reefs and rocky shores, and resemble in form and mode of life
the Chaetodontidae.
Notable for the single nostril on each side, a character shared by
the Cichlidae, with which the present family is considered to have
affinities.
As Amphiprion is the earliest genus, the family name should be in
accordance.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Teeth conical, or villiform.
a. Opercle as well as preopercle and preorbital serrate : Amphiprion.
b. Opercle not, preopercle and sometimes preorbital serrate . Dascyllus.
c. None of opercular bones serrate . ; : . Chromis.
2. Teeth compressed, incisor-like.
a. Preopercle serrate : : ; ‘ ; : ; Pomacentrus.
b. Preopercle smooth . : : : . Gly phisodon.
Gen. AMPHIPRION BI. Schn.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., pp. 47, 200.
Body short and deep. Scales in about 50 series. Lateral line
ceasing below end of dorsal fin. Teeth fixed, small, conical, in a
single series. Opercle, preopercle, and preorbital strongly serrate,
but without strong spines. Dorsal spines 9-11.
*Amphiprion polymnus (Linn.).
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. i, p. 291.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 121, pl. cci, fig. 2 (ephip-
pum).
1830. Bennett, Fish. Ceylon, p. 29 (clarki).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 224, pl. cxxu,
fies. C, D (ephippium).
730 Annals of the South African Museum.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 378, pl. Ixxx, figs. 1, 2 (ephippium,
frenatus, and clarki).
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 598
(references and synonymy).
Depth 12-14, length of head 33-31, in length of body. Eye 34-4
in length of head. D X-—XI 15-17, scarcely notched. A II 14-15.
Caudal more rounded in young than adult. Scales: l.ser. 50-55 ;
ees
18-19
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Variable, dirty yellow or brownish or reddish, the hinder
half of body usually darker than front half, without any bands
(ephippium), or with 1, 2, or 3 pearly, blue- or black-bordered cross-
bars, the first from nape across opercle, second from middle of dorsal,
third across caudal peduncle (when only 2 bars present the hinder-
most one is absent, when only one the foremost one persists) ; fins
all black or all yellowish ‘white, or variegated ; in var. clarkw the
dorsal and anal are black, the ventrals yellow.
Locality. —Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
Gen. DASCYLLUS CuvV.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, p. 91 (non Dascillus Latvr.
1796).
1849. Cantor, Malay Fish., p. 240 (Tetradrachmum).
Body short and deep. Scales in less than 30 series. Lateral line
ceasing below soft dorsal. Teeth fixed, small, in a narrow villiform
band, the outer row somewhat larger, conical. Preopercle and some-
times preorbital serrate, without strong spines. Dorsal spines 12-13
(17 in one species). .
If Dascyllus is to be reckoned identical with Dascillus, Cantor’s
generic name must be used.
Key to the South African species.
1. Brown, a white spot on occiput, and another on lateral line below middle of
dorsal ; the spots more or less distinct . : : : trimaculatus,
2. Greyish or yellowish, each scale with a bluish streak : marginatus.
3. Rosy, a faint dark cross-bar from origin of dorsal to pectoral . - carneus.
S
PLATE XXIX.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Pagrus cristiceps (C. and V.) (original photo) ‘ : : ; . 700
2. Pagrus nasutus (Cast.) (original photo) ‘ : : ‘ : . 695
3. Gymnocrotaphus curvidens Gnthr. (original photo) : ‘ : a
4. Thyrsites atun (Kuphr.) (after C. and V.) : ; ; : ‘ 2) 88
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. XXI. Plate 5 XxX,
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 731
* Dascyllus trimaculatus (Riipp.).
Three-spot Coral-fish.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische Roth. Meer., p. 39, pl. viii, fig. 3.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1x, pl. cdix, fig. 8.
- 1888. Day, Fish. India Suppl., p. 801.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 266, fig. 112 (albisella).
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth 14, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye 24-22 in
length of head. Preopercle and preorbital minutely serrate. D XII
13-15, scarcely notched, 2nd and 3rd spines subequal, 3 length of
3
hedge eet fs 14 «Scales: fiser. 27: 1.tr. a
Length—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Blackish or dark brown, a white spot on occiput and another
on lateral line below middle of dorsal fin, these spots often indistinct ;
fins dark, dorsal, anal, and caudal with blackish margins.
Locality.— Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas to East Indies.
*Dascyllus marginatus (Ripp).
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische Roth. Meer., p. 38, pl. viii, fig. 2.
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. 1, p. 247 (xanthosoma).
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 81.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Sitidsee, vol. 11, p. 237, pl. cxxiv, figs.
C, D (xanthosoma).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1x, pl. cdix, fig. 3 (reticulatum).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 381, pl. Ixxix, fig. 7, and Suppl., p. 800.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 422 (synonymy).
Depth 14, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 2—23 in length
of head. D XII 14-16, not notched, 2nd spine sometimes higher
than 3rd (Giinther, zanthosoma). A II 12-13. Scales: l.ser. 25-26;
3
Lir: =.
£9
Length—Up to 75 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or yellowish, often with a dark band from origin
of dorsal to pectoral fin, each scale with a bluish streak; fins dark,
spinous dorsal and margin of soft dorsal black.
732 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Ibo (Mozambique coast).
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.
*Dascyllus carneus Fischer.
1885. Fischer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst., vol. ii, p. 71, pl. ii, fig. 5.
Depth 12, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 2% in length
of head. D XII 16, slightly notched. AII12. Scales: Lser. 27;
3(4)
ae
Length.—Up to 80 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, flesh colour ; a dark, more or less faint, cross-band
from nape through pectoral to ventrals, and a second, less conspicuous,
from soft dorsal to anal; spinous dorsal, anal, and ventrals black,
caudal and pectorals yellow.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Closely allied to xanthosoma (=marginatus), but with a different
ground colour, and the cross-band in front extending to the ventrals.
ire
Gen. CuHromis C. and V.
1815. Cuvier, Mem. Mus. d’Hist. Nat.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 493
(Heliases).
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 60 (Helvastes).
1918. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxx, p. 66 (Hoplo-
chromis).
Body oblong or ovate. Scales in 30 or fewer series. Lateral line
ceasing below soft dorsal. Teeth fixed, small, conical, in 2 or more
series, the outer row largest. Preopercle entire. Preorbital and sub-
orbital adnate to cheek, without free hind margin. Dorsal spines
12-14. Caudal more or less deeply forked, the lobes acute or rounded.
*Chromis canthurus (Blkr.).
Yellow-tail Coral-fish.
1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 107.
1871. Klunzinger, Abh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 529
(dimidiatus).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 237, pl. exxv, fig. E
(dimidiatus).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 733
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth 2, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 23 in length
of head. D XII 11-12. A II 11-12. Caudal lobes acute, more or
less filamentous. First ray of ventral filamentously prolonged.
2
10
Length—Up to 60 mm.
Colour.—Front hali or two-thirds of body dark brown, posterior
half or third yellow or whitish ; dorsal and anal anteriorly dark, pos-
teriorly light, caudal whitish, ventrals and pectorals blackish at base.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution —Red Sea, East Indies, South Pacific Islands.
Scales: l.ser. 28; Ltr.
Gen. Pomacentrus Lacép.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 508.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 600.
Body ovate or oblong. Scales in less than 30 series. Lateral line
ceasing below soft dorsal. Teeth fixed, small, more or less compressed,
the crowns entire or slightly emarginate or rounded, in one or two
series. Preopercle and usually suborbital serrate ; no strong spines.
Subopercle and interopercle entire. Dorsal spines 12-13, spinous
portion more or less scaly like soft portion.
This genus has been split up into several subgenera by Bleeker, but
it is unnecessary to detail these for purposes of identifying the South
African species.
Key to the South African species.
1. Yellow, with 5 black cross-bars . . : f : : . annulatus,
2. No black cross-bars.
a. Brownish or olivaceous. a dark spot on upper side of caudal peduncle
tripunctatus.
5. Yellow. : ‘ d : : : : 5 é . pavo.
c. Violaceous, scales with blue centres, end of dorsal, anal, and caudal yellow
sindensis.
Pomacentrus annulatus Peters.
Five-barred Coral-fish.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 265.
1862. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 18.
734 Annals of the South African Museum.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 257.
Depth 13-13, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head. Depth of preorbital 24 in eye-diameter. Giull-rakers 8-9
on lower part of anterior arch. Preopercle feebly serrated; pre-
orbital and suborbital not serrated. Teeth subtruncate, uniserial.
D XIII 12, middle spines longest. A II 12. Caudal emarginate,
9-10
and lower jaw scaleless. Two series on cheek.
Length—Up to 70 mm. (S. Afr. Mus.).
Colour.—Whitish or yellowish, with 5 black cross-bars, the first
through eye, last at base of caudal, the 3 middle ones extending on
to dorsal fin, which is otherwise whitish, with narrow black margin on
the membrane between spines; median line of snout and chin black,
caudal and pectorals yellow, ventrals and hinder part of anal black.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
The South African Museum specimens were caught actually at the
island of Mozambique.
lobes rounded. Scales: l.ser. 26-27; l.tr. . Snout, preorbital,
* Pomacentrus tripunctatus C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 421.
1830. Id., cbid., p. 428 (trilineatus).
1837. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 127, pl. xxxi, fig. 3 (bzocel-
latus).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. cdvi, figs. 1-6 (trilvneatus).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 423 (trilineatus).
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 604
(references and synonymy).
Depth 2, length of head 34, in length of body. Hye 3-4 in length
of head. Preopercle denticulate ; preorbital with 1-2 strong teeth
separated by a notch from the smaller ones on suborbital. D XIII
3
14-15. A II 14-16. Scales: l.ser. 25-28; I.tr. 5; Snout naked.
Three series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or olivaceous, each scale with 1-2 blue dots ; fine
blue lines on top of head; a dark or blue spot on opercle ; a black,
blue-edged spot on upper part of caudal peduncle, in young specimens
a similar spot on soft dorsal fin ; fins yellowish.
Locality. Mozambique.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 735
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.
P. burrought and opisthostigma Fowler (1918, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci.
Philad., vol. lxx, p. 48, fig. 19, and p. 51, fig. 20) appear to be very
closely allied, if not synonymous with this species.
*Pomacentrus pavo (Bl. Schn.).
1785. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. exeviu, fig. 1.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 228.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 227, pl. cxxiv, fig. E.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. cdviu, fig. 9.
Depth 24, length of head 33, in length of body. Hye 3 in length of
head. Preopercle denticulate ; preorbital and suborbital minutely
9
fee WXIIN IS. AID I8-1h Scales: Rser. 28-30 = Ite. =
Three series on cheek.
Length—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Yellow, each scale on body with a vertical blue streak ;
scales on head and bases of fins with blue dots; fins yellow, a dark
spot on opercle.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies.
Pomacentrus sindensis (Day).
1873. Day, Sea Fisheries Rep., Append., p. eclxii (Glyphidodon Sar
1878-88. Id., Fish. India, p. 388, pl. Ixxxu, fig. 2 (Glyphidodon s.).
1889. Id., Fauna Ind. Fishes, vol. 1, p. 383 (Pomacentrus s.).
1916. Regan, Ann. Durb. Mus., vol.i, pt. 3, p. 169 (Glyphidodon Sale
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, zbrd., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 376 (Glyphi-
dodon s.).
Depth 2, length of head 33-33, in length of body. Eye 3-31 in
length of head, greater than snout, less than interorbital width. Depth
of preorbital 3 in eye-diameter. Gill-rakers 19-20 on lower part of
anterior arch. Preopercle feebly serrated, sometimes only at angle.
Preorbital and suborbital concealed under scales. Teeth truncate, or
subtruncate, uniserial. D XIII 11-12, spines increasing slightly in
length posteriorly. A II 11-13. Middle rays of soft dorsal somewhat
produced. Caudal lobes somewhat pointed, especially the upper one
in young. Scales: l.ser. 26-27; Ltr. Snout, preorbital, and
WOT
lower jaw scaly. Five series on cheek. (Plate XXXII, fig. 3.)
736 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Violaceous, each scale on upper part of body and caudal
peduncle with a light blue centre, some blue lines on head in young;
fins dark, hind part of soft dorsal and anal and caudal yellow, ventrals
black, pectoral pale, with dark spot in axil.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas.
Gen. GLYPHISODON Lacép.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 59 (Abudefduf, a vernacular name,
not intended for use in taxonomy).
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 542.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 606.
Body short and deep. Scales in 30 or fewer series. Lateral line
ceasing below soft dorsal. Teeth fixed, compressed, crowns notched,
in a single series. Preopercle not serrate ; preorbital and suborbital
not adnate to cheek, not serrate. Dorsal spines 12-13.
A large genus which has been subdivided into subgenera.
Key to the South African species.
I. Dorsal spines 13.
A. More or less distinct dark cross-bands.
1. Dorsal rays 12-13. Cross-bars distinct : : . saxatilis.
2. Dorsal rays 14-16. Cross-bars indistinct. A black spot at base
of last dorsal ray : : ‘ ‘ : . sordidus.
B. Uniform, bi-coloured, or variously marked.
1. Dorsal rays 13-14.
a. A black blotch on caudal peduncle : : . sparoides.
b. Usually 2 black ocelli on soft dorsal. : brownriggi.
c. More or less uniform . : : : : . sculptus.
2. Dorsal rays 11 . ; : : : : ; fallax.
II. Dorsal spines 12.
A. Dorsal rays 15-16. ‘ i . f : é . leucozona,
B. Dorsal rays 18 : : ‘ ) : : : . florentulus,
Glyphisodon saxatilis (Linn.).
Banded Coral-fish ; Isibubu-lungwana (Zulu).
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 276.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 229, pl. cxxvi,
figs. A, B.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 737
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. cdviii, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 386, pl. Ixxxin, fig. 2 (coelestinus),
and p. 387, pl. lxxxiu, fig. 3 (bengalensis).
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 608
(synonymy and references).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 272, fig. 116 (abdominalis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt 4,
p- 375 (coelestinus) (references).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 345.
Depth 12-13, length of head 3-3$, in length of body. Eye 22-31 in
length of head, 1-14 in interorbital width. Snout 3-1, depth of pre-
orbital 2 (adult)—3 (young) in eye-diameter. Teeth rather slender.
Gill-rakers 17-18 on lower part of anterior arch. D XIII 12-13, 6th
—8th and 13th spines longest, penultimate spine shorter than ultimate.
A 1112-13. Middle dorsal and anal rays highest, the fins subquadrate.
4.
Caudal lobes pointed. Scales: lser. 28-30; Ltr. a: 3-4 series on
cheek. Limb of preopercle, snout, and preorbital naked ; suborbital
scaly posteriorly.
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery olive, with 5—6 blackish cross-bars which are usually
narrower, or at least not broader, than the intervals; a black spot in
axil of pectoral; fins usually light, dorsal with black edge, soft dorsal
and anal more or less blackish, caudal often with a dark band along
each lobe.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
The American species marginatus (Bl.) appears to be different, and
to have been wrongly named sazatilis.
Glyphisodon sordidus (Forsk.).
Sordid Coral-fish.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 62.
1866. Giinther in Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 83, pl. xi,
fig. 1 (adenensis).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. cdx, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, -p. 385, pl. Ixxxii, fig. 1; p. 385,
pl. Ixxxin, fig. 4 (lewcopleura) ; and p. 386, pl. Ixxxiii, fig. 5 (notatus).
eo. * Annals of the South African Museum.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 430.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 610
(references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 375 (adenensis), and p. 376 (references).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322 (notatus).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 23 (leucopleura).
Depth 13-12, length of head 23-3, in length of body. Hye 23 (young)
—34 in length of head, 1-1} in snout, 1-14 in interorbital width. Depth
of preorbital 3 (young)-14 (adult) in eye-diameter. Teeth slender.
Gill-rakers 13-15 on lower part of anterior arch. D XIII 14-16,
5th-7th spines longest. A II 14-16. Middle dorsal and anal rays
highest, the fins rounded. Caudal lobes rounded. Scales: Iser. 28
4
—29; ltr. EEE. 3-4 series on cheek. Limb of preopercle, snout, and
preorbital naked ; suborbital more or less scaly posteriorly.
Length. Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Silvery or yellowish olive, with 5 obscure, broad, dark
vertical cross-bands, some irregular black spots on occiput and nape
in adult, a black spot in axil of pectoral, and a conspicuous black spot
on upper part of caudal peduncle in axil of soft dorsal; fins dusky,
ventrals usually blackish. The bands and spots may be very faint or
absent, except the spot on caudal peduncle, which is always present.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan.
G. leucopleura is based on young specimens, and adenensis on a dried
skin in which most of the markings have evidently faded.
*Glyphisodon sparoides C. and V.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 468,
and p. 470 (margariteus).
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 44.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 432.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth 13, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 23 in length of
head, equal to interorbital width, larger than snout. Teeth small,
1
narrow. D XIII13. AII12. Scales: l.ser. 29-30; Ltr. Ti Scaling
on top of head extending almost to tip of snout.
Length.— Up to 143 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 739
Colour.—Silvery greyish or olivaceous, each scale sometimes with
a silvery dot, a large black blotch on each side of caudal peduncle.
Locality.—Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Mauritius, Fiji Islands.
*Glyphisodon brownrigg Benn.
Brownrigg’s Coral-fish.
1828. Bennett, J. W. Fish. Ceylon, p. 8, pl. viii.
1830. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 481
(antjerius), and p. 482 (biocellatus).
1855. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vin, p. 454 (antjerius).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 232, pl. cxxvii
(references and synonymy).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. cdx, fig. 2 (antjerius).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 387, 801, pl. lxxxi, figs. 4, 5 (ant-
jerius), and p. 388, pl. lxxxi, fig. 6 (modestus).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 352.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322 (antjerius).
Depth 24-24, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 24-34
in length of head. Depth of preorbital $ (adult) eye-diameter. Teeth
narrow, with a second smaller series within and alternating with
the outer row. D XIII 13, spines increasing in length posteriorly.
A II 12-14. Lobes of soft dorsal and anal rounded or subquadrate.
2
Caudal lobes rounded. Scales: l.ser. 26-28; l.tr. : ; 3 series on cheek.
Limb of preopercle, preorbital, and snout naked ; suborbital more or
less scaly posteriorly.
Length.— Up to 120 mm.
Colour.—Very variable ; brownish, olivaceous, or yellowish, bluish
lines on head, more or less continued along base of dorsal; often a
whitish vertical cross-band behind base of pectoral, or a whitish or
bluish, black-edged longitudinal band along the back; 2 black, blue-
edged ocelli on hinder portion of soft dorsal; sometimes only one
ocellus, sometimes none at all.
Locality. Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
The colour given above is more or less that of the form figured by
Bleeker as antjerius C. and V., which presumably is that of the Natal
specimen on which Norman based his record.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 48
740 Annals of the South African Museum.
Giinther (loc. cit.) gives a long list of synonyms for this very variable
fish, and the list will probably be increased when a large amount of
material has been compared.
*Glyphisodon sculptus Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 266.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 45.
Depth a little less than 2 in length of body. D XIII 14. A II 14.
Scales.2 Wiser. 25) lar whO = ip
Length.—Not given.
Colour.—Greenish above, silvery beneath.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Both this species and fallax are very imperfectly known.
*Glyphisodon fallax Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 266.
1862. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 55.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 434 (descr. copied
from Gnthr.).
Depth 2% in length of body. Eye equal to snout. D XIII 11.
A II 11. Middle rays of soft dorsal and anal and the caudal lobes
more or less prolonged into filaments. Scales: l.ser. 28; l.tr. =
two series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, head and base of soft dorsal and anal
dotted with bluish, dorsal and anal blackish, caudal and ventrals
hght.
Locality.—Mozambique.
*Glyphisodon florentulus Guthr.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 49.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth a little less than 2 in length of body. Eye greater than
snout, more than twice depth of preorbital. D XII 18. A II 15.
3
Scales: l.ser. 25; Ltr. 5
Length.—40 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 741
Colour.—Reddish-olive, with scattered bluish-white ocelli edged
with darker, a large black blotch on hind part of spinous dorsal,
soft dorsal and anal grey, caudal yellow, ventrals black.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean.
Very closely allied to leucozona, but with a larger number of dorsal
and anal rays.
Glyphisodon leucozona Blkr.
1859. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. xix, p. 338.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 49.
1871. Klunzinger, Abh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 526
(congulum).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. ix, pl. cdvu, fig. 2.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 349.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, pt. 2, p. 76.
Depth 2, length of head 34, in length of body. Hye 3 in length
of head. Depth of preorbital 3 eye-diameter. D XII 15-16, 5th-7th
spines longest, last spine shorter than penultimate. A II 12-13.
Caudal lobes rounded. Scales: l.ser. 29; L-tr. - (Gnthr.) or =
(Klunz.)
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or greenish, with bluish dots on head and body,
a whitish vertical cross-bar behind base of pectoral, a black, blue-
edged ocellus on hinder part of spinous dorsal; fins yellowish, spinous
dorsal and ventrals blackish, axil of pectoral dark.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea, Java.
A specimen, 115 mm. long, which appears to be this species, was
described by the collector as being “ dark olive, with the lobe of soft
dorsal and upper lobe of caudal yellow, also an indistinct lateral
(? vertical) band yellowish.”
Fam. 48. LABRIDAE.
Wrasses.
Body oblong or elongate, compressed, with usually large cycloid
scales. Mouth protractile. Maxilla slipping under edge of preorbital,
without supplementary bone. Teeth separate (except in the West
742 Annals of the South African Museum.
Indian Clepticus), conical or compressed, the anterior ones usually
canine-like ; frequently also a posterior canine near angle of mouth ;
none on vomer or palatines. Lower pharyngeal bones completely
united into one bone, triangular or Y-shaped, with conical, granular,
or molariform teeth; 2nd upper pharyngeals united with 3rd and
4th, similarly toothed. Nostrils paired. Lips more or less thick, with
longitudinal folds. Guill-membranes sometimes joined to isthmus.
Gills 34. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal fin single, spinous portion
usually long, spines rather slender. Anal spines 2-6. Ventrals
thoracic, of a spine and 5 rays, with or without axillary process.
Caudal rounded, truncate, or emarginate. Lateral line single, con-
tinuous or interrupted. Air-bladder present. No pyloric caeca. No
subocular shelf.
A large family of partly herbivorous, but mostly carnivorous, fishes
from tropical and temperate seas, especially abundant on rocky coasts
and coral reefs. They are usually brilliantly coloured, and all are
valued as food-fishes.
One of the European Wrasses has been observed to seek out a
sleeping place at night and lie down on its side to rest (cf. the Trigger-
fish).
Some Wrasses have demersal eggs, others pelagic eggs. In a few
cases nests are built out of seaweed, etc. for the concealment and
protection of the eggs and larval fishes.
In the identification of the species, too much reliance must not be
placed on coloration, which is variable, and often differs in the young
and adult of the same species (see McCulloch, 1913, Rec. Austr. Mus.,
WoOlise Ol)!
Key to the South African genera.
I. Lateral line continuous.
A. Lateral line evenly curved.
1. Body elongate. Cheek naked . : ‘ ‘ : Chilio,
2. Body not elongate. Cheek scaly.
a. D XII 9-11 : é ‘ : : ; Lepidaplois.
(oe VO O-41 BM Bera : ; ; . Anchichoerops.
B. Lateral line abruptly bent posteriorly.
1. Dorsal spines IX(—X]).
a. Body elongate. Scales small: 1.1. 110-120 . Hologymnosus.
b. Body moderately elongate. Scales moderately small: 1.1.
45-55.
i. Head scaly. Lower lip bilobed. Anal rays 10
Labroides.
iii Head naked. Lower lip not bilobed. Anal rays 12
Coris.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 743
c. Body oblong. Scales large: 1.]. 25-30.
i. Anterior canines well developed.
a. Preopercle entire : - ; Platyglossus.
f. Preopercle serrate : - : Pteragogus.
ii. Anterior canines not developed . : Stethojulis.
2. Dorsal spines VIII.
a. Snout prolonged, tubular . : : : Gomphosus.
b. Snout not prolonged . - d : - Thalassoma.
II. Lateral line interrupted.
A. Scales large: 1.]. 20-28.
1. Cheek and opercle with large scales’. , : . Chilinus.
2. Cheek and opercle with more or less developed patches of small
scales.
a. First two dorsal spines connected with others, though some-
times remote and somewhat elongate . Hemipteronotus.
b. First two dorsal spines elongate and entirely separate from
rest of fin . : : : : : . Inwstius.
B. Scales small: 1.1. 80-92. ‘ : : f ; Cymolutes.
Gen. Cur1Lio Lac.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 432.
Body elongate, compressed. Scales moderate. Head, including
cheek, entirely naked, except for a few rudimentary scales on opercle.
Preopercle entire. Snout conical. Teeth uniserial, without anterior
or posterior canines ; palate and floor of mouth behind teeth granular.
Dorsal with 9 spines, without basal sheath. Caudal subtruncate.
Lateral line continuous, evenly curved.
A single widely distributed species.
Chilio inermis (Forsk.).
Elongate Wrasse.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 34.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 82, pl. xxxi, fig. 4.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 407, pl. lxxxviii, fig. 4.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 644.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol i, pt 4,
p. 381 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 259.
Depth 63-7, length of head 3-34, in depth of body. Hye 23 (young)
—4 in snout, 7 (young)-10 in length of head. Gill-rakers 19-20 on
lower part of anterior arch, the lower ones very slender. D IX
13-14. ATIIT 11-12. Scales: 1.1. 45-50.
744 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or olivaceous, whitish or bluish silvery below,
a brownish lateral streak or series of spots, bluish or yellowish lines
on head, each scale often with a blue centre, sometimes a reddish
spot on middle of side; fins yellowish or greenish, dorsal and anal
mottled with pale blue.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.
Gen. LEprpAPLois Gill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 140.
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiii, p. 102
(Cossyphus non Fabr. 1792, non Dumeril 1802).
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 260
(Chaeropsodes).
Body oblong, compressed. Scales moderate. Cheeks and opercles
scaly. Preopercle usually finely serrate, at least in young. Snout
moderately conical. Teeth uniserial, the anterior ones canine-like,
the lateral ones more or less confluent into a sharp ridge; palate and
floor of mouth behind teeth granular; posterior canine present.
Dorsal with (11-)12 spines, 9-11 rays. Dorsal and anal with basal
sheath. Soft dorsal and anal not produced or falcate. Caudal
truncate or emarginate. Lateral line continuous, evenly curved.
Key to the South African species.
1. A black spot at base of pectoral . : ‘ : : : . axillaris.
2. Three to five whitish spots on back . . : : : ; diana.
3. A black blotch below soft dorsal . : : : : : . harsutus.
*Lepidaplois axillaris (Benn.).
1831. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 166.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 239, pl. exxviii, fig. E.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 617.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 377 (references).
Depth 3-33, length of head 32-32, in length of body. Eye 4-4} in
length of head, 14-13 in snout. Gill-rakers 8 on lower part of anterior
arch. D XII 10. A III 12, 1st ventral ray prolonged. Scales :”
Ll. 30-32.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 745
Length—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Anterior third brick-red, middle third pink, posterior third
orange ; boundary between red and pink oblique, between pink and
orange vertical; ventral surface greenish, spinous dorsal red, soft
dorsal, anal, and pectoral yellow, caudal orange; a black spot on
anterior 3 dorsal spines, on anterior part of soft dorsal and anal, and
another at base of pectoral.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, South Pacific.
*Lepidaplois diana (Lac.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iu, pp. 451, 522, pl. xxxu, fig. 1.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1, p. 159, pl. xxxvii, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 392, pl. lxxxvu, fig. 3.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lIxxvu, p. 258.
Depth a little over 3, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 6 in
length of head, 2in snout. D XII 10. A IIT 10-12, lst ventral ray
not prolonged. Scales: 1.1. 32-33.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Deep brick-red anteriorly and above, paler behind and
below, 3-5 yellowish or chalky-white spots (dark in preserved
specimens) above lateral line, irregularly scattered black dots on
upper part of caudal peduncle and base of soft dorsal, a small black
spot at base of caudal fin; fins reddish or yellowish, sometimes a
black spot on ventral and 2 on anal fins.
Locality. Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Red Sea, Indian seas, East Indies.
Lepidaplois hirsutus (Lac.).
Black-spot Wrasse.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 429, pl. xx, fig. 1.
1802. Id., cbid., p. 438, pl. ix, fig. 3 (macrourus).
1802. Id., abid., pp. 454, 526, pl. xxxi, fig. 2 (b¢lunulatus).
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiii, p. 141
(albotaenzatus).
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 160, pl. xxxviu, fig. 3 (b1-
lunulatus).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 240, pl. cxxix, fig. A,
and pl. cxxx (adult and juv.) (macrurus and bilunulatus).
746 Annals of the South African Museum.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 278, pl. xxiv (albotaeniatus), and p. 280, pl. xxiii (strophodes juv.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. §. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 197
(nigromaculatus).
1909. Id., ubid., p. 260 (Chaeropsodes pictus).
1911. Id., cbid., vol. xi, p. 46 (macrurus), and p. 47 (nigromaculatus).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, pp. 377, 378 (macrurus
and nigromaculatus).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322 (bslunulatus).
Depth about equal to length of head, 3 in length of body. Eye 44
(young)-6 in length of head, 14-2 in snout. Gill-rakers 13 on lower
part of anterior arch, the lower ones very small. D XI-XII 10-12.
A III 12. First ventral ray prolonged. Scales: 1.1. 30-34.
Length.—Up to 530 mm.
Colour.—Brilliant red, rosy, sometimes very pale or yellowish, with
yellow or red longitudinal streaks and lines on head and body, those
on the head often brownish and variable in extent, usually a broad
pale band across cheek and opercle, bordered above and below by a
narrow or a broad brown band; a large black blotch between soft
dorsal and lateral line, sometimes extending on to upper part of caudal
peduncle, usually extending on to soft dorsal only in young, where the
blotch extends downwards to, or on to, the anal; fins pinkish or yellow,
a black spot on anterior part of spinous dorsal, sometimes extending
along nearly whole spinous portion, sometimes a black marginal band
on anal, and a blackish spot on upper distal margin of pectoral.
Locality.— Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Types of Cossyphus nigromaculatus and Chaeropsodes pictus in South
African Museum.
There seems little doubt that all the above “ species’”’ should be
combined under one name. The extent of the black blotch is very
variable, being usually greater in the young than adult. In the type
of nigromaculatus the blotch does not touch the caudal peduncle, but
extends to below the last dorsal spine and covers the whole of the
scaly sheath at the base of the soft dorsal.
ANCHICHOEROPS N.g.
Very similar to Choerops Riipp. and to Lepidaplois, resembling the
latter in general shape, the profile being less steep and the snout less
obtuse than in the former. Differs from both genera in the consider-
a ae a
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. T4T7
ably smaller scales (1.1. ca. 50, and 13-14 between 1.1. and origin of
dorsal) and the fin formula, which is D XIII 9, A III 10-11. No
posterior canine tooth.
In other respects agreeing with Lepidaplois as defined above.
Anchichoerops natalensis (G. and T.).
Giant Wrasse.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 259
(Choerops n.).
1917. Ld., Ann. Durban Mus., vol.1, pt. 4, p. 377.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 257 (Lepr-
daplois n.).
Depth of body equal to length of head, about 232 in length of body.
Hye 7-8 in length of head, 3-34 in snout, 24-22 in depth of preorbital.
Gill-rakers 11 on lower part of anterior arch. D XIII 9, 4th spine
shortest, considerably shorter than first 3 spines, all the spines covered
in thick fleshy skin, which projects beyond apex of spine, especially
in the first 3 spines, which appear like a raised crest ; membranes
deeply incised. A III 10-11. Soft dorsal and anal scaly at base.
Caudal subtruncate. Scales: 1.1. 50-52; 13-14 between lateral line
and origin of dorsal. Cheeks and opercles with subimbricate scales,
but limb of preopercle naked. (Plate XXXII, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 750 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or brownish above, yellowish below, 3 bluish
vertical bars on back and 3 longitudinal bluish stripes on side of belly ;
opercles and cheeks with numerous small bluish and yellowish spots,
soft dorsal and anal reddish with bluish spots, caudal yellowish with
bluish stripes or spots and a blue margin, pectoral with reddish and
bluish streaks.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Type in South African Museum.
The original description contains several inaccuracies which have
obscured the true characters of this fish. The type and two other
smaller specimens all agree in the fin formula and number of scales.
This is the largest of the South African Wrasses.
Gen. HoLtogymnosus Lac.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iii, p. 556.
Body rather elongate, compressed. Scales small (110-120 in 1.1).
748 Annals of the South African Museum.
Head entirely scaleless. Preopercle entire. Snout conical. Teeth
uniserial, the anterior ones canine-like, posterior canine absent ;
palate and floor of mouth behind front teeth granular. Dorsal with
9 spines, without basal sheath. Caudal truncate or sinuous. Lateral
line continuous, sharply bent posteriorly.
Hologymnosus semidiscus (Lac.).
Banded Wrasse.
1802. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, pp. 429, 473, pl. vi,
fig. 2.
1802. Id., ibid., p. 429, pl. vi, fig. 3 (doliatus).
1802. Id., ibid., pp. 455, 526, pl. xxvii, fig. 3 (annulatus).
1802. Id., sbid., p. 556, pl. 1, fig. 3 (fasciatus).
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 96, pl. xx, figs. 1, 2 (fascratus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pl. lxxxvii, fig. 5 (not descr. p. 408)
(annulatus).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 462, pl. xlix, fig. 5
(doliatus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 382 (annulatus).
Depth 4-44, length of head 33-34, in length of body. Eye 8-9 in
length of head, 23-3 in snout. Gull-rakers 15 on lower part of anterior
arch. .D IX 12, anterior spines not prolonged. A III 12. Scales:
ib 125;
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, yellowish below, with numerous narrow yellow or
dark brown, or blue edged with brown, vertical cross-bars; often a
broad yellow or white cross-band behind the pectoral fin, bordered
with brown or black in front and behind; yellowish or bluish irre-
gular streaks on head, dorsal fin rosy or violaceous, usually with a
semicircular white spot at base between each pair of spines and rays,
anal yellowish or rosy, both dorsal and anal with blue or violet edging,
caudal rosy or violaceous, with (typically) a crescent-shaped yellow
band on hind margin.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
H. oxyrhynchus Blkr., 76 mm. in length, with three dark longitudinal
stripes, is probably the young of this species.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 749
Gen. LABROIDES Blkr.
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. i, p. 249.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 118.
Body elongate-oblong, compressed. Scales rather small. Head
with cheeks and opercles more or less scaly. Snout pointed. Teeth
minute, forming a band, with 2 canines anteriorly in each jaw, posterior
canine present. Lower lip bilobed. Preopercle entire. Dorsal spines
9. Dorsal and anal without basal scaly sheath. Caudal subtruncate.
Lateral line continuous, bent posteriorly.
Labroides dimidiatus (C. and V.).
Paradise-fish or Sea-swallow.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 7, pl. u, fig. 2 (latovittatus
non Lacép.).
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xii, p. 136.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1, p. 155, pl. xliv, figs. 1, 2 (latovit-
tatus and paradiseus).
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 548.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 243.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 393, pl. Ixxxvu, fig. 1.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 363.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth a little over 4, length of head 3 or a little more, in length of
body. Hye 3 (young)—5$ in length of head. DIX 10-12. A III 10.
Scales: 1.1. 46-53.
Length.—Up to 115 mm.
Colour.—Blue or yellow, paler below, a black longitudinal band from
snout through eye to end of caudal fin, narrow in front, gradually
broadening posteriorly so as to occupy nearly the whole width of
caudal peduncle and fin, but leaving the upper and lower rays blue
or yellow; a dark or blackish band along base of dorsal and of anal,
the latter continued along lower surface of caudal peduncle and some-
times curving up on caudal fin to join the median lateral stripe ; some-
times a dark streak across base of pectoral. Young specimens are
often almost entirely black, except for a light streak along back and
the upper and lower caudal rays.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
This little fish is at once distinguished by its colour pattern.
750 Annals of the South African Museum.
Although the caudal fin is not swallow-tailed, the light upper and
lower rays catch the eye and give the appearance of a swallow-tail ;
whence one of the vernacular names.
In coloration this fish has an exact counterpart in Aspidontus
taenvatus among the Blennies (p. 843). The resemblance is all the
‘more remarkable because in both species there are two varieties, one
with a dark stripe across the base of the pectoral, the other without.
It would be premature to claim this as a case of mimicry until obser-
vations have been made on the habits of these two species and on the
possible poisonous qualities of one or the other. It may be noted,
however, that the Striped Blenny is a herbivore, whereas the Sea-
swallow is a carnivore.
Gen. Corts Lac.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. in, p. 96.
1861. Bleeker, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 411 (Hemicoris).
Body oblong, compressed. Scales moderate (50-60 in 1.1.). Head
entirely scaleless. Preopercle entire. Snout more or less conical.
Teeth uniserial, the anterior ones more or less canine-like, posterior
canine present or absent; palate and floor of mouth behind front
teeth granular. Dorsal with 9 spines, without basal sheath. Caudal
rounded-truncate. Lateral line continuous, sharply bent posteriorly.
Key to the South African species.
1. No posterior canine. Yellow longitudinal stripes . : : caudimacula.
2. Posterior canine present. Broad dark cross-bars . ; ‘ . multicolor.
Coris caudimacula (Q. and G.).
1834. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astrolabe, vol. iii, p. 710, pl. xv,
10
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 106, pl. xxxvi, fig. 2.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 540.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 382 (references).
Depth a little less than length of head, not quite 4 in length of
body. Eye 54 in length of head, 14 in snout. No posterior canine.
D IX 12, 1st and 2nd spines slightly produced. ATJIII 12. Scales:
4
rO-53 - =<
1.1. 50-53 ; Ltr. Tt
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 751
Colour.—Reddish or violaceous, with 4 yellowish longitudinal
stripes, the 2nd beginning on snout and passing through eye, the 3rd
forms a characteristic crook-shaped bend on the opercular flap; blue
or violaceous streaks on opercle ; a large black spot at base of caudal ;
dorsal rosy, with 2 violet or blue streaks and a black spot on first
2 spines ; anal rosy or violet at base, with blue streaks.
Locality.—Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution. —Mauritius, Java, Red Sea.
*Coris multicolor (Riipp.).
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 15, pl. iv, fig. 3.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 198.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 541.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth a little less than length of head, 4 in length of body. Eye
64 in length of head, not quite 2 in snout. Posterior canine present.
D IX 12, 1st spine slightly prolonged. A III 12. Scales: 1.1. 55;
5 3
ltr. — (Klunzinger gives 50-51 and —).
20 20
Length —Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Brownish above, paler below, 6 broad brown cross-bars
or oblong patches on back, a blue band from maxilla through eye
along side, sometimes 2 additional streaks, irregular blue lines on
opercle, a yellowish irregular longitudinal bar on side of belly ; dorsal
and anal greenish at base, the outer half rosy or lilac, with longitudinal
blue or violet lines or spots ; an irregular dark patch at base of caudal.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution. Red Sea, New Hebrides.
Differs from the preceding species only in colour and the presence
of the posterior canine.
Gen. PLatyGuLossus Klein.
1740. Klein, Pisce. Misc., vol. iv, p. 40.
1837. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 16 (Halichoeres).
1862. Bleeker, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 411, 412, 413 (Platyglossus,
Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Guentheria, Hemitautoga).
Body oblong, compressed. Scales large, those on thoracic region
smaller than those on sides. Snout conical. Head naked or more
or less scaly. Preopercle entire. Teeth uniserial, with or without
752 Annals of the South African Museum.
small granular teeth behind outer row ; 2-4 anterior ones canine-like ;
posterior canine present. Dorsal spines 9. Dorsal and anal without,
or with, a more or less developed basal sheath. Caudal rounded or
subtruncate. Lateral line continuous, sharply bent posteriorly.
This rather large genus has been subdivided into several genera or
subgenera.
Key to the South African species.
1. No scales on cheek.
a. No scales on opercle . ‘ ‘ : : ; . pseudominiatus.
b. A few small scales on opercle ‘ é : . scapularis.
2. Two series of scales on cheek, and some large cates on cipennle . robinsoni.
*Platyglossus pseudoniniatus Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Indo-Ned., vol. 1, p. 63.
1862. Id., Atl. Tehth., vol. 1, p15, pl. x1 fie. 5:
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 151.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth about equal to length of head, about 34 in length of body.
Eye 44 in length of head. Canines 4 in upper, 2 in lower jaw;
small granular teeth behind outer row. DIX 11. ATIII 11. No
scaly basal sheath. Caudal subtruncate. Scales: |. 28. None on
cheek or opercle.
Length Up to 74 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, paler below, most of the scales with dark centres,
forming 3-4 cross-bands across the back; 2-4 oblique whitish or
yellowish streaks on side of belly ; a violet spot behind eye; a red
blue-edged band from snout below eye to opercle; dorsal with
purplish oblique lines and 2 black ocelli, one between first 2 spines,
the other behind first ray ; anal with oblique rosy blue-edged streaks ;
caudal with small red spots.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies.
*Platyglossus scapularis (Benn.).
1831. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 167.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 137, pl. xxxu, fig. 2 (Guen-
theria coeruleovittata).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 400, pl. Ixxxv, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 378 (references).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 753
Depth about equal to length of head, about 3 in length of body.
Eye about 6 in length of head. Canines 4 in upper, 2 in lower jaw ;
small granular teeth behind outer row. DIX11. ATII11. Scaly
sheath scarcely developed. First ventral ray prolonged. Caudal
rounded. Scales: 25-27. None on cheek; a few small scales on
upper part of opercle.
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, many of the scales with dark spots or streaks ;
a broad red blue-edged band from snout to eye, another irregularly
curved from below eye to commencement of a broad brownish or
violaceous or bluish band from shoulder to caudal; a red streak from
axil of pectoral to belly; dorsal and anal fins with a green blue-
edged band ; caudal with reddish or violaceous more or less confluent
cross-bars.
Locality.— Zululand coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Platyglossus robinsoni G. and T.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii,
p. 86.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 378.
Depth about equal to length of head, about 34 in length of body.
Eye 5 in length of head. Canines 2 (not 4) in upper and lower jaws ;
small granular teeth behind outer row. DIX 12. A III 12. No
scaly basal sheath. First ventral ray prolonged. Caudal rounded,
the uppermost ray slightly produced. Scales: 1.1. 27-28; 2 series
on cheek ; whole of opercle with rather large scales.
Length— Up to 160 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brown, 2 dark lines from mouth to eye,
1 across chin, 3 from angle of opercle curving upwards and back-
wards below eye to upper part of opercle; a black ocellus between
lst and 2nd dorsal spines; dorsal and anal with a series of dark
semicircular spots along base (1 between each pair of spines or rays),
and a dark light-edged band along middle; caudal with some dark,
light-edged, irregular cross-bars.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Type in South African Museum.
The original description is inaccurate in some respects.
754 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. PreRAGoGuUSs Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch.,:p. 261.
1856. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Indo-Ned., vol. i, p. 52 (Duymaeria).
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 551
(Duymaeria).
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 623
(Duymaeria).
Body ovate-oblong, compressed. Scales large. Cheek and opercle
scaly. Snout conical. Preopercle serrate. Teeth uniserial, the
anterior ones canine-like, a few inner granular ones ; posterior canine
present. Dorsal spines 9-11. Membranes of the anterior dorsal and
anal spines more or less produced, more so in male than female.
Uppermost dorsal and lowermost ventral scales produced so to form
a basal sheath for the dorsal and anal fins. First ventral ray pro-
duced or not. Caudal rounded. Lateral line continuous, sharply
bent posteriorly.
The genera Duymaeria and Pteragogus have been separated because
of the difference in number of dorsal spines, and the presence or
absence of a prolonged ventral ray. The latter character may well
prove to be a sexual one, like the greater or less prolongation of the
dorsal membranous lobes.
Key to the South African species.
1. Dorsal spines 10-11. First ventral ray Rar si ee
a. Opercle with ocellus . : : : opercularis.
b. Opercle without ocellus ‘ : : . taeniops.
2. Dorsal spines 9. First ventral ray not prolonged (Dugan jilamentosa.
* Pteragogus opercularis (Peters).
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 261 (Cossyphus o. non Guich.).
1862. Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 101.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 87.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 551.
Depth 34, length of head 3§ in total length (incl. caudal). Eye 4-43
in length of head. D XI 9-10, membranes between spines lobed.
A III 9-10. First ventral ray twice as long as 2nd. Scales: 1.1. 25.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or olive-green or violaceous, with numerous black
or white spots and specks, especially on forehead and lateral line ;
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 755
a large black yellow-edged ocellus on opercle, dorsal and anal
yellowish, with blue wavy lines, a black blue-edged ocellus on each
membrane behind 2nd—4th dorsal spines, ventrals yellow, caudal
yellowish or rosy, spotted.
Locality. —Mozambique.
Distribution.—Zanzibar, Red Sea.
* Pteragogus taenops (Peters).
1855. Peters, loc. cit., p. 262 (Cossyphus t.).
1862. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 102.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 86.
Similar to opercularis, and probably only a variety thereof, differing
chiefly in the absence of the opercular ocellus, and the presence of
only one ocellus on the dorsal fin, between the Ist and 2nd spines.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Zanzibar.
Pteragogus (Duymaeria) filamentosus (Peters).
Thread-fin Wrasse.
1855. Peters, loc. cit., p. 263 (Cossyphus f.).
1862. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 122.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 88.
Depth 24, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 5 in length of
body. DIX 10-11, lobes of the membranes in male strongly produced,
often as long as depth of body. A III 9-10, lobes of the membranes
between the spines prolonged. Scales: 1.1. 26.
Length.—Up to 135 mm.
Colour.—Greenish or greyish, marbled with faint darker patches,
black dots on occiput and postorbital region, lateral line irregularly
marked with black spots, fine vertical blue lines below eye, lobes of
dorsal fin anteriorly blackish, those of anal pinkish, soft dorsal more
or less mottled, anal yellowish, caudal yellow with dark dots.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Bleeker (Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 79) refers to the possibility that
this species may be the same as his nematoptera. There is also a very
close resemblance between Playfair and Giinther’s description of their
var. b. of filamentosa and Bleeker’s figure of enneacanthus (Atl. Ichth.,
vol. i, pl. xxii, fig. 4).
Fowler, (1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 258)
VOL. XXi, PART 2: 49
756 Annals of the South African Museum.
records nematopterus from Delagoa Bay, which further points to
Bleeker’s opinion being correct.
Gen. STETHOJULIS Gnthr.
1861. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. viii, p. 386.
1862. Id., Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 140.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 629.
Body oblong, compressed. Scales moderately large, those on
thoracic region as large as or larger than those on side of body. Head
naked. Preopercle entire. Teeth small, close-set, without anterior
canines ; posterior canine present. Dorsal spines 9. First anal spine
often very small. No basal scaly sheath to dorsal and anal. Caudal
rounded or subtruncate. Lateral line continuous, sharply bent
posteriorly.
The genus Hinalea Jord. and Jord. (1922, Mem. Carn. Mus.,
vol. x, p. 69) differs in the absence of the posterior canine tooth.
Key to the South African species.
1. With well-marked longitudinal reddish or violet stripes.
a. Lowest stripe interrupted in middle, but continued further along to caudal.
No black dot at base of caudal 5 : : . interrupta.
b. Lowest stripe ceasing altogether above origin of anal. A black dot at
base of caudal. 5 . 2 : : : . —- renardi.
2. With white or pale longitudinal stripes on belly and lower half of body
strigiventer.
3 With series of dark dots along belly and lower half of body.
a. Depth of body less than length of head. A dark streak above pectoral
kallosoma.
6. Depth of body equal to length of head. No dark streak above pectoral
phekadopleura.
Stethojulis interrupta (Blkr.).
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. 11, p. 252.
1862. Id., Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 133, pl. xliv, fig. 4.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. 1x, p. 322.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 259.
Depth 33-32, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye about
5 in length of head. DIX11. ATII11. Scales: 1.1. 27-28.
Length.—Up to 120 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, paler below, a reddish-violet stripe from upper
part of snout through upper part of eye along base of dorsal to caudal,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 757
a similar stripe from hind margin of eye to opercular flap, another
from upper lip below eye to margin of opercle, continued at a lower
level below root of pectoral to caudal, but interrupted in the middle
of the flank ; a triangular black patch at root of pectoral, dorsal rosy,
with narrow blue margin, caudal orange, ventrals and anal yellowish,
pectoral pale yellow or white.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East Indies.
Stethojulis renardi (Blkr.).
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. u1, p. 253.
1862. Id., Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 132, pl. xl, fig. 2.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 141.
1876-81. Id., Fische d. Stidsee, vol. 1, p. 256.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 629,
fig. 5 (psacas).
Depth of body about equal to length of head, about 3 in length of
body. Eye about 53 in length of head. DIX 11. ATII11. Scales:
1.1. 27-29.
Length.—Up to 120 mm.
Colour.—Pale brown or olivaceous, paler below, a violet line from
occiput along base of dorsal to end of fin, a similar line from snout
through eye to base of caudal, with a tiny black spot above its ter-
mination (not very distinct in life), another similar line from upper lip
below eye to axil of pectoral, and another, somewhat more reddish in
tint, from below root of pectoral, disappearing above origin of anal ;
a triangular red patch at root of pectoral, one or two dull violaceous
bars across interorbital, above which is a rather bright yellow stripe.
Locality Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies, Japan, South Pacific.
Typically marked examples are common in the shallow bays of the
mainland, opposite the island of Mozambique. The short branch of
the lateral stripe enclosing a dark spot on the opercular flap as
described by Jordan and Snyder in psacas is also present in most
examples.
*Stethojulis strigiwenter (Benn.).
1832. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 184.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1, p. 135, pl. xlii, fig. 1.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 92.
758 Annals of the South African Museum.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 397, pl. lxxxiv, fig. 7.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 631.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 370.
Depth 33, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye about 5 in
length of head. DIX11. AJIT 11. Scales: 1.1. 26-27.
Length.—Up to 108 mm.
Colour.—Dark olive-green or violaceous green, paler below, upper
part of head and back more or less reticulated, 4-6 pale rosy, yellow,
or white longitudinal bands along lower half of body, a dark bar from
upper lip below eye to margin of opercle, bordered below with red or
white or bluish, dividing the head into a dark upper and a pale lower
half; fins reddish, caudal barred, a small black spot on penultimate
dorsal ray, and a small black blue-edged ocellus at base of caudal fin
above lateral line.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Northern Australia.
Stethojulis kallosoma (Blkr.).
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. in, p. 289.
1862. Id., Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 134, pl. xiii, fig. 4.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 631,
fig. 6 (terina).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 369.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvn, p. 259.
Depth 34-33, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye about 45
in length of head. DIX11. ATII11. Scales: 25-27.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Olive-green or violaceous, upper part of head and back
more or less spotted and reticulated ; a faint rosy stripe from eye along
upper part of body to caudal (often absent) ; a pink stripe from upper
lip below eye to margin of opercle, continued above pectoral by a
black or violet, blue or white-edged streak which ceases at end of
pectoral or above origin of anal ; several series of dark spots on side
of belly and above anal; dorsal streaked or spotted with blue or
violet, other fins yellowish.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies.
It is very questionable whether this and phekadopleura are really
distinct species.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 759
*Stethojulis phekadopleura (Blkr.).
1849. Bleeker, Verh. Batav. Gen., vol. xxu, p. 8.
ieee. Sul. lehth., vol. 1, p. 134, pl. xl, fig. 5.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 255.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 369.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth about equal to length of head, about 3 in length of body.
Eye about 4 in length of head. DIX11. AJIII 11. Scales: 11. 26.
Length.—Up to 110 mm.
Colour.—Greenish violaceous, paler below, upper part of head and
back dotted and reticulated, a rosy longitudinal stripe from upper lip
below eye to pectoral and continued, though less distinctly, to the
caudal ; several rows of dark dots along side of belly and above anal,
dorsal dotted with violet, other fins uniform orange or rosy.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies, South Pacific.
Gen. GompHosus Lac.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 100.
Body oblong, compressed. Scales moderate. Snout prolonged,
tubular. Head scaleless. Preopercle entire. Teeth uniserial, canines
small, no posterior canine. Dorsal spines 8. Dorsal and anal with
basal sheath. Caudal truncate or more or less Iunate. Lateral line
continuous, sharply bent posteriorly.
Key to the South African species.
1. Violet, fins yellow ; ; ‘ 4 : ; E : . coeruleus.
2. Brownish, a dark stripe from snout through eye to opercle . : varius.
*Gomphosus coeruleus Lac.
1802. Lacépéde, loc. cit., p. 101, pl. v, fig. 1; pl. vi, fig. 1.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 86, pl. xxi, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 406, pl. Ixxxviii, fig. 3.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 382 (references).
Depth 33-33, length of head 24-24, in length of body. Eye about
8 in length of head, 4 in snout. D VIII 13. A III 11. Caudal with
lobes prolonged in adult. Scales: 1.1. 28-29.
760 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—Up to 240 mm.
Colour.—Violet or bright green, vertical fins yellow, dorsal and
anal with blue margins, upper and lower margins of caudal blue,
ventrals yellowish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, Malay Archipelago.
*Gomphosus varius Lac.
1802. Lacépede, loc. cit., p. 104, pl. v, fig. 2.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 87, pl. xxi, fig. 3 (melanotus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 403, pl. lxxxvi, fig. 6 (pectoralis).
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 650.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxi,
p. 289, fig. 125.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth 33-34, length of head 22-23, in length of body. Eye 7-9
in length of head, 34-4 in snout. D VIII 13. A III 11. Caudal
truncate, lobes slightly produced in adult. Scales: 1.1. 26-29.
Length.—Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Brown or reddish, paler below, back and top of head
dark reddish or brownish, each scale with a violet or dark basal
spot, a dark band from snout through eye to opercle, often 2 dark
stripes from behind eye, vertical fins brownish, dorsal and anal
with a narrow black or transparent border, caudal with a similar but
broader margin, pectorals yellow, ventrals whitish.
Localiaty.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific to Japan.
Gen. THALASSOMA Swains.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Classif. Fishes, vol. u, p. 224.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 179 (Jules part,
not of Cuvier 1817).
Body oblong, moderately compressed. Scales large. Head scale-
less. Preopercle entire. Snout pointed or moderately so. Teeth
uniserial, the anterior ones canine-like; palate and floor of mouth
behind teeth granular ; no posterior canine. Dorsal spines 8. First
anal spine very small. Soft dorsal and anal with a slight basal
sheath. Caudal truncate or lunate, with the angles prolonged.
Lateral line continuous, sharply bent posteriorly.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 761
Key to the South African species.
1. With reddish longitudinal bands.
a. A black spot between dorsal spines 1-3. No black vertical bars
purpureum.
b. A black spot anteriorly on anal. Black vertical bars. : dorsale.
2. Without reddish longitudinal bands.
a. A more or less distinct vertical white band behind pectoral . hebraicum.
b. Fine vertical red streaks. Middle of caudal yellow, lobes strongly produced
lunare.
c. Anterior and upper parts dark, hinder and lower parts light commersont.
Thalassoma purpureum (Forsk.).
Purple or Window Wrasse.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 27.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ili, p. 437 ( fuscus).
1802. Id., ibid., pp. 454, 526 (trilobatus).
1838. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 11, pl. in, fig. 2 (wmbro-
stigma).
1862. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Wet. Amsterd., vol. xin, p. 279 (giintherv).
1862. Id., Atl. Ichth., vol. i, pp. 92, 93, 94, pl. xxxiv, figs. 1, 2, 3
(umbrostigma, quadricolor, guinther?).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 404, pl. Ixxxvi, fig. 3.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 461 (trilobata).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 295 (purpureum), p. 299, pl. xxxiv (fuscum), and p. 300, fig. 129
(umbrostigma).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
pp- 380, 381 (purpureum and umbrostigma) (references and synonymy).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, pp. 97, 98 (gtintheri and
purpureum) (references).
Depth 3-34, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Eye 5-7 in
length of head. Gill-rakers 14-15 on lower part of anterior arch,
small and slender. D VIII 13. A III 11. Caudal truncate, or
slightly sinuous, lobes shortly produced in adult. Scales: 1.1. 27-29.
Length —Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, becoming bluish above and paler or yellowish
below ; head with pink, red, or dark spots and bands radiating from
eye; 3-4 pale red, deep red, or violaceous longitudinal bands along
sides, which frequently are connected one with another by narrow
vertical stripes, thus dividing up the ground colour into regular series
762 Annals of the South African Museum.
of characteristic vertically-oblong patches ; dorsal fin green or bluish,
with a black spot anteriorly, and a broad red or pink, blue-edged
band, or the position of the colours may ke reversed; anal green
or bluish, with a red or yellow basal band; caudal green or
bluish, with the membrane red or yellow; posterior half of pectoral
blackish.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Two colour varieties occur in South African waters: one with the
characteristic rows of vertical green patches, and one in which the
longitudinal red bands are not connected with transverse bars. The
name Window Wrasse indicates the resemblance of the former variety
to a large building with its rows of windows.
Weber (1913, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, pp. 378, 379) keeps umbro-
stigma, purpurea, and gtntheri distinct ; the former on account of the
supraopercular scaling, the two latter on account of constant differ-
ences in the colour pattern ; gtintheri having only 2 longitudinal bands,
and consequently only one row of “ windows.”
The supraopercular scaling seems to be a variable character.
*Thalassoma dorsale (Q. and G.).
Black-back Wrasse.
1834. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astrolabe, Zool., vol. ii, Poiss.,
Pitlopls xv, ie.5.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 94, pl. xxxiv, fig. 4.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 403, pl. Ixxxv, fig. 7.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth about equal to length of head, a little over 3 in length of
body. Eye 44-6 in length of head. D VIII13. ATIII11. Caudal
truncate, the lobes slightly produced. Scales: 1.1. 26-29.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, paler or silvery below, 6 black vertical cross-bars
extending to middle of side, more or less confluent above, sometimes
extending on to dorsal fin; head with broad red bands radiating
from eye, sometimes one or two reddish longitudinal bands along
side ; dorsal and anal pale yellowish, the former with a black or deep
blue band, the latter with a black spot anteriorly ; base of pectoral
with a black bar, axil black, hinder half of caudal greyish.
Locality.— Natal coast, Mozambique.
_ Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to China.
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 763
Thalassoma hebraicum (Lac.).
Collar Wrasse.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iii, pp. 455, 526, pl. xxix,
fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 404, pl. Ixxxvi, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 379 (references). ;
Depth 34-32, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Hye 5-6 in
length of head. Gill-rakers 13-14 on lower part of anterior arch,
short, stout. D VIII13. AJIII11. Caudal truncate, with the lobes
produced in adult. Scales: 1.1. 27-28.
Length.— Up to 180 mm.
Colour.—Green, darker above, each scale often with a dark vertical
mark; with a white or yellowish, dark-edged, vertical (slightly oblique)
cross-bar from first 2 dorsal spines to behind ventrals, often indistinct
in adult ; head bluish, with 3 red or violet streaks radiating backwards
from eye, the middle one curving over the cheek; dorsal and caudal
greenish, former with a black ocellus or patch anteriorly, latter with a
dark semilunar vertical bar; anal light, dorsal and anal sometimes
with a dark band, often a black spot on pectoral.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, and
Indian seas.
Thalassoma lunare (Linn.).
Yellow-tail Wrasse.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 283.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 90, pl. xxxiui, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 403, pl. lxxxvi, fig. 1.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 379 (references and synonymy).
Depth a little less than length of head, 34-32 in length of body.
Eye 5-6 in length of head. Gill-rakers 10-11 on lower part of anterior
arch, short. D VIII 13. A III 11. Caudal lunate, lobes strongly
produced in adult. Scales: 1.]. 27-28.
Length—Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Green, each scale with a vertical red mark; head green
or violaceous, with pink, red, or lilac curved bands and spots; a
similarly coloured triangular patch below base of pectoral, and a
764 Annals of the South African Museum.
stripe from gill cleft above base of ventral nearly to anal; dorsal
and anal light green at base, then a band of peacock-blue and a
marginal band of pink; caudal bright yellow in centre, each lobe
with a pink stripe bordered above and below with blue; ventrals
blue ; pectoral blue, with a large pink, red, or lilac oval spot in centre.
Locality.— Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique. :
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to China and Japan. |
A young specimen, 80 mm. long, resembles other preserved speci-
mens in having indications of the vertical marks on the scales, the
dark nebulous patch at base of caudal, bicoloured pectoral, and dark :
base with light margin to the dorsal and anal fin; but has in addition |
an irregular black patch on the basal band between the 2nd—6th |
dorsal rays.
* Thalassoma commersoni C. and V.
Bicoloured Wrasse.
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiii, p. 418.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 184 (bicolor), and
p- 508.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322 (bzcolor).
Depth 4, length of head 32, in length of body. D VIII 13. A III
11. Caudal lobes produced. Scales: 1.1. 28.
Length —Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Anterior part of body and back dark blackish olive or 4q
violaceous ; hinder part, belly, and caudal peduncle pale olive ; dorsal
with a black spot between Ist and 3rd spines, and a broad violet
band, with base and margin yellowish; anal with basal violet band ‘
and yellow margin; base and lobes of caudal blackish ; large black ;
spot on hind end of pectoral, and a black axil. .
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Mauritius.
Gen. CHILINUS Lac.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 529.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 653.
Body oblong, compressed. Scales large. Snout conical. Cheek
and opercle with large scales. Preopercle entire. Teeth uniserial,
anterior ones canine-like; no posterior canine. Dorsal spines 9,
rarely 10. Dorsal and anal with more or less developed basal sheath.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 765
Caudal rounded in young, truncate or lunate with the angles prolonged
in adult ; middle ray also sometimes prolonged. Lateral line inter-
rupted, the tubules simple or branched.
Key to the South African species.
1. Lateral line tubules simple. Dorsal spines 9.
a. A violet spot behind orbit . : ; ; : ; mossambicus.
b. No violet spot behind orbit : : t : . radiatus.
2. Lateral line tubules branched. Dorsal spines 310 : ; : . chlorurus.
*Ohilinus mossambicus Guthr.
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiv, p. 91
(radvatus, non Bl. Schn.).
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 264 (radzatus, non Bl. Schn.).
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 127.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 88.
Depth 3, length of head a little less than 3, in length of body.
D IX 9-10. A III 8. Caudal with upper and middle rays pro-
longed in adult. Scales: 1.1. 20-23. Lateral line tubules simple.
Length.— Up to 130 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brownish-olive, clouded with blackish, head
with yellow lnes radiating from eye, a violet spot behind eye, spinous
dorsal brownish-black, upper part of soft dorsal, anal, and caudal
with yellow reticulations.
Locality.—Mozambique coast.
Distribution.—Zanzibar, East Indies, New Hebrides.
Chilinus radiatus (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 270, pl. lvi.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 68, pl. xxvi, fig. 1.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 131.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 556.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 247, pl. cxxxv,
fig. A. |
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 365.
Depth 3, length.of head a little less than 3, in length of body.
DIX10. ATIII8. Caudal truncate. Scales: 1.1. 23. Lateral line
tubules simple.
Length.— Up to 290 mm.
Colour.—Reddish. or greenish, belly pinkish, each scale with a red
766 Annals of the South African Museum.
spot (if ground colour is red, these spots are of a darker or brighter
shade), head with dull red or crimson spots and lines more or less
radiating from eye, a series of dark brown or violet lines running
obliquely across cheek to lower angle of gill-cover; fins reddish or
greenish, spinous dorsal often violaceous, caudal bluish-green, iris
similar to the ground colour, with a blue horseshoe-shaped band
(Klunzinger says a bright red ring.)
Locality —_ Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies, South Pacific.
*Ohilinus chlorurus Bl.
1785. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 24, pl. celx.
1831. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc., vol. i, p. 167 (punctatus).
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiv, p. 87,
pl. ccexevi (punctulatus).
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 65, pl. xxvu, fig. 3.
1862. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 127 (punctatus),
and p. 128.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 89 (punctatus).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 11, p. 245, pl. exxxu..
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 393, pl. Ixxxu, fig. 6.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 363.
Depth 24, length of head 3, in length of body. DX9. ATIII 8.
Caudal trilobed in adult, the upper, middle, and lower rays produced.
Scales: 1.]. 22. Lateral line tubules branched.
Length—Up to 270 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, head and most of the scales on body with
yellow dots, head also with some yellow lines around the eye, the dots
may be red or pale bluish ; dorsal reddish or greenish, with a yellow
margin and a dark or greenish inframarginal band; soft dorsal and
anal more or less mottled ; ventrals, anal, and caudal with numerous
yellow dots.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, South Pacific.
Gen. HEMIPTERONOTUS Lac.
1802. Lacépade, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iii, p. 215.
1815. Cuvier, Mem. Mus. d’Hist. Nat., vol. i, pp. 324, 329 (Xyrich-
thys).
——" —_——~*
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 767
1817. Id., Regne Anim., ed. 1, p. 265 (Novacula).
Body oblong, compressed. Scales large. Head nearly scaleless ;
more or less developed patches of scales on cheek and suborbital or
supraopercular regions. Snout more or less obtuse, profile often steep.
Upper part of head high, often gibbous, or with a sharp median ridge.
Preopercle entire. Teeth uniserial, anterior ones canine-like, a few
inner granular ones; no posterior canines. Dorsal spines 9, the 2
anterior ones sometimes remote from the rest, inserted on the nape.
Soft dorsal and anal without basal sheath. Caudal rounded-truncate.
Lateral line interrupted, continued on caudal peduncle at a lower
level.
As Giinther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 169) remarks, no hard
and fast distinction can be made between the genera or subgenera
into which it has been proposed to split this genus. The most dis-
tinctive species are those with tlie first 2 dorsal spines elevated and
widely separated from the rest of the fin, which are grouped under
the genus Inwstius Gill.
This latter genus is here accepted, and for the genus Xyrichthys
(= Novacula) the earlier name of Hemipteronotus Lac. adopted.
Two or three species have been recorded from the “Cape” or
* South Africa ” which would appear not to belong really to the South
African fauna. The first is the European, Madeiran, and West Indian
novacula Linn., to which Giinther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv,
p. 170) assigns a stuffed specimen from “ South Africa.”’ The record
is preceded by a query mark.
The very similar, if not identical, argentimaculata Stndr. (1861,
Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xi, p. 134), described from two
examples in the Vienna Museum from the Cape of Good Hope, has
never since been recognised. Giinther (1862, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus.,
vol. iv, p. 170) identifies a specimen in the British Museum (ex Berlin
Museum) from Brazil with Steindachner’s species.
Ribeiro (1915, Arch. Mus. Nac. Rio de Janeiro, vol. xvii) mentions
novacula but not argentumaculata as belonging to the fauna of Brazil.
He also states that splendens Cast. 1855 extends to the Cape of Good
Hope.
On the west coast of Africa novacula has not been recorded further
south than Senegal (Pellegrin, 1914, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi,
p. 64).
Under these circumstances it seems better to exclude both novacula
and argentimaculata from the fauna-list until their presence is ascer-
tained by authentic captures. Both species (if they really are separable)
768 Annals of the South African Museum.
have a steep profile and a sharp ridge on the head, the first 2 dorsal
spines not elevated and not remote from the rest, and a silvery spot
on the side.
Key to the South African species.
1. First 2 dorsal spines remote from the rest, but connected by membrane. Profile
steep (Hemipteronotus) : . pentadactylum.
2. First 2 dorsal spines not remote from tie eae. Profile dopine (Novaculichthys)
macrolepidotum.
* Hemipteronotus pentadactylum (Linn.).
Five-finger Wrasse.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, p. 447.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1, p. 150, pl. xxx, fig. 4.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 177.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 402.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 459.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. 1x, p. 322.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 260.
Profile very steep. Upper edge of head rather obtuse. Depth 3
or a little more, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 44 in length
of head. Preorbital deep, about twice the eye-diameter. D IX 12,
the first 2 spines a little higher than the rest, flexible, remote but
connected by membrane. A III 12. Only the last 3-4 dorsal and
8-9 anal rays are branched. Outer ventral ray prolonged. Scales:
1.]. 28; 7-9 series on cheek.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Light brownish, with a reddish or greenish tinge, a row of
5-6 oval, red (white in alcohol) spots on suprascapular region, most
of the scales with a red spot at base, a blackish blotch on the side
below lateral line (covered by the end of the pectoral fin), dorsal with
oblique bluish or reddish lines, anal with 2 longitudinal and caudal
with several vertical bars of the same colour, ventrals yellowish,
median line of head with a bluish stripe.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies to China.
H. punctulata C. and V. (cf. Day, Fish. India, p. 402, pl. Ixxxvin,
fig. 2) is very similar, but lacks the spots behind the eye on the supra-
scapular region.
The vernacular name alludes to the spots which look as if made by
the five fingers of a hand.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 769
Hemipteronotus macrolepidotum (B1.).
Black-chested Wrasse.
1785. Bloch, Ausland. Fische, p. 135, pl. cclxxxiv, fig. 2.
1861. Steindachner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xi, p. 136,
pl. iv, fig. 1 (arago).
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 144, pl. xxxi, fig. 6.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol iv, p. 174.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 377.
1925 Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 259.
Profile sloping. Upper edge of head obtuse. Depth 32-32, length
of head 34-33, in length of body. Hye 5-54 in length of head. Pre-
orbital shallow, depth about equal to eye-diameter. D IX 12-13,
first 2 spines not elevated, not remote from rest. A III 12-13. None
or only the last 2-3 dorsal and anal rays branched. Outer ventral
ray usually prolonged, extending to anal. Scales: 1.1. 24-26; 2-4
rows below the eye.
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
Colour.—Rosy or light greenish, pale yellowish below, some bluish
or white spots on side behind the pectoral region, a series of black
irregular spots forming a more or less continuous longitudinal stripe
from opercle to caudal peduncle, these spots sometimes confined to
the hinder part of body ; a black patch on median line in front of bases
of ventrals, head with a dark green or violaceous bar from snout to
eye, 3 similar bars radiating backwards from eye, the lower one more
or less crescentic; all these bands with narrow white, yellow, or dull
orange borders, margin of flap of opercle dark green or violaceous ;
fins rosy or greenish, usually a dark or black spot between 1st and 2nd
dorsal spines, soft dorsal and usually anal with dark, wavy, oblique
lines or spots, caudal sometimes with dark spots forming bars, iris
yellow, with a cobalt-blue ring.
Locality — Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—East Indies.
All the living specimens IJ have seen have been of a greenish tint,
with the bars on the head dark green bordered with dull orange. In
addition there were two dull orange bars, one from the chin, the other
from a little further back, curving upwards and backwards across the
cheek, and some faint reddish chevron-shaped cross-bars on the lower
half of the body above the anal fin. Thus they agree far more with
the descriptions of Quoy and Gaimard and of Steindachner than with
Bleeker’s coloured figure.
770 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. Inustius Gill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 143.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv,
p. 654.
Similar to Hemipteronotus, but the first 2 dorsal spines considerably
elevated and completely detached from rest of fin, inserted far forward
on the occiput. Profile steep. Upper edge of head sharp.
*Inustius tetrazona (Blkr.).
Crested Wrasse.
1859. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. xvii, p. 169.
1862. Jd., Atl. Ichth., vol. 1, p. 149, pl. xxx, fig. 1.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 175.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 531.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth a little less than 3, length of head 33, in length of body. Hye
4—5 in length of head. Preorbital deep, depth nearly twice the eye-
diameter. D II+ VII 12, 1st spine about equal to depth of body, 2nd
shorter. AIII 12. Scales: 1.1. 25-28. A few very small scales below
eye.
Length.—Up to 160 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, yellowish or milky white below, with 5 broad, olive-
brown or blackish cross-bars continued on to the dorsal and anal fins,
the first across top of head and continued as a narrower and fainter
bar from eye to angle of mouth, the last across base of caudal fin, de-
tached dorsal and the ventrals black, soft dorsal with 2 black white-
edged ocelli situated in the 3rd and 4th cross-bands, caudal yellowish
or rosy.
Locality.—Natal coast. 1
Distribution.—East Indies, Red Sea. j
Gen. CyMoLUTES Gnthr.
1861. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. viii, p. 387.
1862. Id., Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 207.
Similar to Hemipteronotus, but scales small. First two dorsal spines
not elevated or remote from rest.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. rere |
Cymolutes praetextatus (Q. and G.).
1834. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astrol., Poiss., p. 712, pl. xv, fig. 4.
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiv, p. 54,
pl. ecexcii (torquatus).
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. i, p. 146, pl. xxxi, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 409, pl. xe, fig. 1.
Depth 34-4, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Hye 4-5 in
length of head. Preorbital deep, depth twice eye-diameter. Canines
prominent. DIX12. ATII12. Scales: 1.1. 73 (Day), 80-92.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Dull greenish, top of head sage-green, a dark blue-edged
slightly oblique bar across shoulder above pectoral; a series of
narrow brownish curved or angularly bent cross-bars, which are
sometimes confined to the hinder half of body or absent altogether ;
an indistinct brownish vertical bar across opercle; dorsal, caudal,
and anal greenish, with faint reddish margins; spinous dorsal often
with a black or pale violet margin, or the whole dorsal is rosy with
blue or violaceous oblique wavy bars, and the anal pinkish.
Locality. Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies.
C. lecluse Q. and G., from the Hawaiian Islands, appears to be
scarcely distinct. It is said to have a black ocellus on side below
8th dorsal spine (Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm.,
vol. xxiii, p. 327). Playfair and Giinther (Fish. Zanz., p. 102) describe
a variety of praetextatus which has a black spot below the 6th dorsal
spine. Further investigation will probably show that only one species
with variable coloration should be recognised.
Fam. 49. ScARIDAE.
Parrot-fishes.
Body oblong, compressed, with large cycloid scales. Cheeks and
opercles scaly. Three enlarged scales at base of caudal fin. Mouth
not protractile. Maxilla firmly attached to premaxilla, slipping
under preorbital. Teeth united to form a pair of sharp-edged cutting
plates, resembling the beak of a parrot, or the teeth are fixed to the
anterior edges of these plates, imbricate, with their apices more or
less distinct ; separate posterior canines sometimes present in upper
jaw. Lower pharyngeals completely united into one bone, quad-
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 50
172 Annals of the South African Museum.
rangular, concave, with transversely expanded linear teeth forming
a pavement; second upper pharyngeals united with 3rd and 4th,
similarly toothed. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes sometimes joined
to isthmus, sometimes united to form a fold across it. Gills 34.
Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal fin single, spines 9(8-10), flexible
or pungent, rays 10-11. Anal spines 2-3. Ventrals thoracic, of a
spine and 5 rays, with axillary process. Caudal rounded in young,
truncate or lunate in adult. Lateral line single, more or less sharply
bent posteriorly, more or less completely interrupted. Air-bladder
present. No pyloric caeca. No subocular shelf.
Tropical and subtropical shore fishes of brilliant coloration, and
often of rather large size (4 feet), feeding on vegetable matter, corals,
or hard-shelled molluscs. They are not greatly valued as food, and
some species are reputed to be poisonous.
There is great uniformity in the various genera and species as
regards the number of scales and the fin formulae. The former
scarcely varies except on the cheeks. The coloration is often distinc-
tive, but as in the Wrasses probably varies considerably in many
species, In consequence of which many nominal species have been
instituted.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Two to four series of scales on cheek . : : : , : Scarus.
2. A single series of scales on cheek.
a. Lateral line continuous : : : : - ‘ Scarichthys.
b. Lateral line interrupted : 5 : : , : . Callyodon.
Gen. Scarus Forsk.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 25.
1861. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Wet. Amsterd., vol. xii, p. 3 (Pseudo-
scarus).
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 216 (Pseudoscarus).
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. North Amer., vol. u,
p. 1642.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv,
p. 658.
Two or more series of scales on cheek. Upper lip single in front,
double only near angle of mouth. Teeth completely soldered together ;
one or more posterior canines present or absent. Dentigerous plate
of lower pharyngeal longer than broad. Dorsal spines flexible, the
membrane between them not excised; basal sheath more or less
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 773
developed. Pectorals triangular. Lateral line usually completely
interrupted.
As Giinther (loc. cit., p. 217) remarks, it is extremely difficult, if not
impossible, to identify with certainty preserved examples of this
genus. Detailed notes of coloration should therefore be made at the
time of capture and attached to every specimen. The fin and scale
formulae are very constant throughout the genus, viz. D IX 10.
A JI-III 8-9. Scales: 1.]. 23-27.
Key to the South African species.
1. A single scale on lower preopercular limb. : : : . guttatus.
2. Two scales on preopercular limb . : : : : . enneacanthus.
Scarus guttatus Bl. Schn.
Blue-spotted Parrot-fish.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 294.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pp. 5, 21, pl. i, fig. 3
(maculosus).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 468.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, p. 259
(natalensis).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 383 (maculosus,
references, and natalensis).
21925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 261
(collana).
Depth about equal to length of head, a little less than 3 in length
of body. Eye about 6 in length of head. Two series of scales on
cheek and a single scale on lower preopercular limb, middle series on
cheek composed of 5 scales. No posterior canine. Dorsal spines sub-
equal. Angles of caudal somewhat produced. (Plate XXXII, fig. 1.)
Length—Up to 380 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, head and body with irregular blue spots, bright
coloured streaks from mouth to eye, vertical fins edged with blue,
with blue spots along their bases, jaws whitish.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.— Mauritius.
Type of natalensis in South African Museum.
The description of natalensis discloses no real differences between
it and the specimen doubtfully identified as maculosus by Gilchrist
774 Annals of the South African Museum.
and Thompson (loc. cit., p. 258), and reference to the type specimen
removes the few slight differences that are given. Thus the lateral
series of scales is in both cases 25, though the pierced scales of the
lateral line number 2-3 more. There are only 5 scales in the middle
series across the cheek.
There would seem to be no necessity for the institution of natalensis,
especially when based on a preserved specimen. In view of Giinther’s
remarks quoted above, the specimen may be identified with guttatus,
which has already been recorded by Regan from Zululand.
Fowler’s record of collana Riipp. may also refer to this species.
*Scarus enneacanthus Lacép.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pp. 2, 6.
1803. Id., cbid., pp. 8, 12, pl. i, fig. 1 (denticulatus).
1803. Id., ibed., pp. 2, 11 (chadri).
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiv, p. 228,
pl. edi (caprtaneus).
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 228 (capitaneus).
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 106 (capitaneus).
Two series of scales on cheek and two scales on lower preopercular
limb, the middle series composed of 6 scales. First dorsal spine
shortest. Caudal rounded in young, emarginate in adult.
Colour.—Blue, vertical fins edged with lighter (Giinther) ; brownish,
with 3 rows of large whitish spots, the first of 3 spots near base of
dorsal, 2nd of about 6 spots below lateral line, 3rd also of about 6
spots from axil of pectoral; dorsal, anal, and caudal uniform brown
(Playfair and Giinther).
Locality. Mozambique.
Distribution.—Mauritius, Zanzibar.
Gen. ScarRicHTuHys Blkr.
1861. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Wet. Amsterd., vol. xii, p. 2.
B62) Td. satl. Tehth.,. vol. i, p. 15.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 212.
A single series of scales on cheek. Upper lip double in its whole
circuit. Teeth completely soldered together, those in lower jaw in
very oblique series ; no posterior canine. Dentigerous plate of lower
pharyngeal broader than long. Dorsal spines flexible, the membrane
between them excised; no scaly basal sheath. Pectorals short,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 775
rounded. Lateral lime only slightly bent posteriorly, searcely
interrupted.
Scarichthys coeruleopunctatus (Riipp.).
Brown Parrot-fish.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 24, pl. vu, fig. 3.
1862. Bleeker, Atl. Ichth., vol. 1, p. 16, pl. 1, fig. 2.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p 557.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 410, pl. lxxxvu, fig. 5.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 260.
Depth about equal to length of head, about 34 in length of body.
Eye 4(young)-5 in length of head. D IX 10. A II 8-9. Scales:
ll. 23-24.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Olive-brown, scales mostly fuscous at base, with numer-
ous small white or blue dots (dark in preserved specimens), and a
more or less continuous and regular white or blue stripe from opercle
to caudal, cheek pale, vertical fins and ventrals with small brown
spots.
Locality.— East London, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, Malay Archipelago.
A supposed second species with similar distribution, viz. auritus
C. and V., is stated by Bleeker (loc. cit., p. 16) to have been recorded
from Mozambique. It is said to differ from coeruleopunctatus by
having a broad dark band from one cheek to the other across the
throat, divided on the throat by two white bars, and other minor
characters. Bleeker, however, admits that the two are very difficult
to distinguish in the young state.
This Parrot-fish may be recognised at once by its brownish colora-
tion, very different from the brilliant colours of other Parrot-fishes.
Gen. CALLYODON (Gron.) Cuv.
1766. Gronovius, Mus. Ichth., vol. ui, p. 8.
1839. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xiv, p. 285.
A single series of scales on cheek. Upper lip single in front, double
posteriorly. Anterior teeth imbricate, more or less distinct; one
or two posterior canines. Dentigerous plate of lower pharyngeals
broader than long. Dorsal spines flexible, membrane between them
not excised; basal sheath present. Pectorals triangular. Lateral
line abruptly bent, more or less interrupted.
776 Annals of the South African Museum.
*Callyodon viridescens (Riipp.).
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 23, pl. vii, fig. 2.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 214.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 558.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 410, pl. xe, fig. 2.
1925, Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 261 (Lepto-
SCATUS V.).
Depth 25-3, length of head 3-33, in length of body. Eye 44-5 in
length of head. Usually no teeth behind the front series in upper
jaw. DIX10. ATII8-10. Scales: 1.1. 24-26.
Length.—Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous or brownish-yellow, marbled or spotted with
darker, each scale with a dark (reddish) spot or streak and whitish
specks, head with red streaks radiating from eye; dorsal and anal
and caudal with red spots or wavy lines, often a black spot between
lst and 2nd dorsal spines.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas.
Group TEUTHIDOIDEI.
Key to the South African families.
1. Tail armed with spines or plates. Teeth incisiform : 3 Teuthididae.
2. Tail unarmed. Teeth setiform . ; ‘ : : : . Zanclidae.
Fam. 1. TEUTHIDIDAE (ACANTHURIDAE).
Surgeon-fishes.
Body ovate, compressed, with minute scales, usually ctenoid, often
rough. Mouth very small, not or but slightly protractile. Maxilla
immovably united with premaxilla. Subocular shelf more or less
developed. Teeth incisor-like, in a single row in each jaw; no
vomerine or palatine teeth. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes broadly
attached to isthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae
present. Gill-rakers greatly reduced or obsolete. A single dorsal
fin. Anal spines 2-3. Ventrals thoracic, of a spine and 2-5 rays,
without axillary process. Caudal truncate, emarginate, or lunate.
Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few. Lateral line single. Caudal
peduncle armed with one or more sharp spines or bony plates.
A family of moderate-sized herbivorous fishes found in all warm
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. T77
seas, especially among coral reefs, and distinguished by their caudal
armature. The sharp, lancet-like shape of the spine has suggested
their common name.
The young stages are very different in appearance from the adults,
and have been described as separate genera.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Tail with an antrorse erectile spine on each side . : : . Teuthis.
2. Tail with a pair of immovable bony plates on each side : . Monoceros.
Gen. TEutTuHIs Linn.
1763. Gronovius, Zooph. Gronoy. (Hepatus nonbinomial).
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 507.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 59 (Acanthurus part).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. m, p. 345 (Acronurus,
young).
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 551.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 316 (Acanthurus) (fig.
of larva).
Tail with a sharp antrorse movable spine on each side. Dorsal fin
with about 9 spines, anal with 3. Soft dorsal and anal not elevated.
Teeth serrulate. Snout blunt. Ventral with 5 rays. Coloration
often brilliant.
The young stages, Acronurus, are subcircular in side view, scaleless,
the skin vertically wrinkled or corrugated, opercles and breast silvery,
the rest of the body more or less transparent.
This generic name has often been applied to the members of the
following family and Acanthurus used in its place.* The numerous
species of this genus badly require revision.
These fishes should be handled with care, as they lash their tails
from side to side when captured, and are capable of inflicting a nasty
wound.
Key to the South African species.
1. Teeth not dilated, fixed (Teuthis).
a. With dark cross-bars : . : : : : . triostegus.
6. Without dark cross-bars.
i. With a dark spot at base of last dursal and analrays . elongatus.
ii. No dark spots on last dorsal and anal rays . - nigrofuscus.
2. Teeth dilated, movable (Ctenochaetus) . ‘ : ‘ : . striatus.
* But see Opinion 93, Intern. Comm. Nomencl., Smiths. Mise. Coll., vol. lxxiii,
p- 10.
778 Annals of the South African Museum.
Teuthis triostegus (Linn.).
Barred Surgeon-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 274.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 204, pl. xlvii, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 373 (references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 252
(Hepatus t.). :
Depth not quite 2, length of head 3-4, in length of body. Eye
3-4 in length of head, 14-24 in snout. Profile of snout somewhat
concave. Teeth fixed. D IX-X 22-25. A III 20-22. V I 5.
Scales small and ctenoid on body, rudimentary on head. Caudal
spine small, without posterior process. (Plate XXXI, fig. 5.)
Length.— Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Dark greenish or slaty, more or less clouded with yellow ;
chin, throat, belly, and a narrow strip along base of anal white,
sharply demarcated from the dark colour above by a narrow irregular
dark band; 5 narrow black vertical bars, the 1st through the eye ;
caudal peduncle with 2 black spots on each side, the upper one often
connected with its fellow on the opposite side; vertical fins dusky,
anal with narrow white border, pectoral pale, ventrals white below,
dusky above.
Locality — Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
T. sandvichensis Streets should be included in the synonymy of this
widely distributed species.
Teuthis elongatus (Lacép.).
Two-spot Surgeon-fish.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 471, pl. vi, fig. 2.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 331 (b¢punctatus).
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 554
(bipunctatus). :
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiu,
p. 389 (synonymy).
Depth 2, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 4% in length of
head, 22 in snout. Profile slightly concave on snout, convex on the
interorbital. Teeth fixed, 14 in upper, 16 in lower jaw. D IX 26.
PLATE XXXI.
TEXT-PAGE
1. Liopempheris russelli (Day) (after Day) : : ; : : . 668
2. Histiopterus spinifer Gilch. (original photo) . : : ‘ . 620
3. Zanclus canesens (Linn.) (after Day) . ; ; : : : . ee
4, Siganus oramin (Bl. Schn.) (after Day) : ; : : : so es
5. Teuthis triostegus (Linn.) (after Day) . : é : ; 2) iS
6. Platax teira Forsk. (after Day) . : : : ‘ . 605
Plate XXXI.
Ann. -. Afr; Mus., Vol. X-XI.
Neill & Co., Ltd.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 779
A III 24. VI 5. Scales ctenoid on body; cycloid, more or less
rudimentary, on head. Caudal spine with posterior process.
Length.—Up to 190 mm.
Colour.— Uniform brown, with very obscure traces of fine longi-
tudinal lines, dorsal and anal fins darker than body, a black spot
at base of last dorsal and anal rays, groove containing caudal spine
margined with black, caudal fin with narrow whitish border, lips
blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—China and Pacific Ocean.
The above description is taken from a single specimen in the South
African Museum, which may be identified with the above species.
Jordan and Evermann give the depth as 2°8 in the length, but this
does not correspond with Jordan and Fowler’s description, or with
Lacépeéde’s figure, though too much reliance cannot be placed on the
latter. The specimen closely resembles Giinther’s figure of his
lineolatus (Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 112, pl. Ixxin, fig. A), a species
which Jordan and Evermann renamed atrimentatus (1903, Bull. U.S.
Bish Comm. vol. xxu, p. 198, and 1905, zbid., vol. xxm, p. 393,
fig. 171), but is darker brown in colour.
Teuthis nigrofuscus (Forsk.).
Surgeon-fish.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 64.
1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 204
(matordes).
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 109, pl. Ixix, fig. B
(blocht).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 205 (matoides) (synonymy).
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 553
(argenteus) (synonymy).
1903. Jordan, zbid., vol. xxvi, p. 695 (note on use of name argenteus).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 388, fig. 168 (gtintherz).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 372 (matordes) (references and synonymy), and p. 375.
Depth 2 or not quite 2, length of head 34-33, in length of body.
Hye 33-5 in length of head, 2-3 in snout. Profile convex, especially
in large examples. Teeth fixed. D IX 25-28. ATIII 24-28. VI5.
780 Annals of the South African Museum.
Scales small and ctenoid on body, rudimentary on head. Caudal
spine with posterior process.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or slaty, more or less mottled, sometimes
with narrow light bands across cheeks and along body; vertical fins
dark; dorsal and anal with bluish or greyish longitudinal stripes ;
caudal often with a white cross-band at base, obscure in adult;
outer half of pectoral usually yellowish, ventrals dark.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution —Indo-Pacific to Japan.
T. leucopareius Jenk. and umbra Jenk. should also probably be
added to the synonymy. This species has been identified with
Forskal’s nigrofuscus, but on this point later authors are not agreed.
South African specimens have been recorded under nigrofuscus by
Regan, and matoides by Gilchrist and Thompson.
*Teuthis striatus (Q. and G.).
Streaked Surgeon-fish.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. l’Uranie, Zool., p. 373, pl. lxin,
fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 207, pl. xlvu, fig. 2 (strigosus).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii,
p. 398, fig. 174.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 373 (strigosus) (references and synonymy).
Depth not quite 2, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 4
in length of head, nearly 2 in snout. Profile more or less convex.
Teeth movable, dilated at their ends, with three deep clefts. D VIII
27-30. A ITI 24-27. V I 5. Scales very small and ctenoid on
body, rudimentary on head. Caudal spine with posterior process.
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Coppery-red or dark brown, with numerous very fine
longitudinal pale blue lines, which bend upwards and downwards
respectively on the hinder ends of dorsal and anal fins; orange or
reddish spots on head, ventrals black-tipped, pectoral orange, often
a light band on caudal.
Locality — Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 781
Gen. MonoceErRos Schn.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 59 (Acanthurus part).
1801. Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 186.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 106 (Naso).
1815. Rafinesque, Anal. Natur. (Naseus).
1835. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x, p. 304
(Keris=young).
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 558
(Acanthurus).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr., 57, p. 320 (Naseus) (fig. of
larva).
Tail with 2 large immovable, keeled, often brightly coloured plates
in adult. Head in adult with a long bony cylindrical horn on the
forehead. Dorsal fin with 5-6 spines, anal with 2. Soft dorsal and
anal not elevated. Ventral with 3 rays. Teeth usually serrulate.
Scales minute, rough.
Indo-Pacific. The caudal plates and frontal horn are not present
in the young, but develop gradually. The lesser number of dorsal
spines, however, sufficiently distinguishes such young specimens from
members of the preceding genus.
Monoceros unicornis (Forsk.).
Umnicorn-fish.
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 63.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 118, pl. Ixxvii and
text-figs. 1-4.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, loc. cit., p. 559 (references).
Depth 14 (young)—24 (adult), length of head 34-4, in length of
body. Eye 3-54 in length of head, 14-4 in snout, according to age.
Specimens up to about 150 mm. in length usually without any trace
of horn, which develops gradually, and in old examples may pro-
ject beyond the vertical from the end of snout. Teeth not serrate.
D V-VI 28-31. A II 26-30. VI3. Caudal in old examples often
with upper and lower rays more or less produced as streamers.
Caudal scutes developed in examples of about 150 mm; the spines
on the scutes develop later.
Length.—Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous-brownish, often with a violet patch over the
pectoral spotted with lighter, caudal often bright brown or orange,
782 Annals of the South African Museum.
the bony scutes blue, dorsal and anal with blue and yellow longitudinal
bands, caudal pale olivaceous, pectorals and ventrals pale. Young,
uniform olivaceous, with the dorsal and anal fins more or less banded.
Locality.—Mozambique. .
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan.
The young specimen on which the inclusion of this species in the
fauna-list is based, is 90 mm. in length and has the teeth finely
serrulate. For this reason it may perhaps be the young of marginatus
C. and V.
Fam. 2. ZANCLIDAE.
Body ovate, elevated, strongly compressed, with minute rough
scales. Mouth small, not protractile. Snout more produced in adult
than in young. A conspicuous conical spine in front of each eye in
adult, absent in young. Teeth slender, setiform, in a single row in
jaws, sometimes a few very fine inner teeth ; none on vomer or pala-
tines. Nostrils paired. Giull-membranes broadly united across isth-
mus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-
rakers rudimentary. A single dorsal fin with 7 spines, the 3rd and,
to a lesser extent, the following spines elongated, filamentous. Anal
spines 3, anterior rays moderately prolonged. Ventrals thoracic, of
a spine and 5 rays, without axillary process. Caudal lunate. Air-
bladder present. Pyloric caeca moderately numerous (14). Lateral
line single. Caudal peduncle unarmed.
A single genus and species found along rocky coasts and coral reefs
in the Indo-Pacific region.
Gen. ZANCLUS C. and V.
1803. Lacépede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 473.
1803. Id., ibid., p. 517 (Pomacanthus).
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vu, p. 102.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, p. 549.
With the family characters.
Zanclus canescens (Linn.).
Moorish Idol.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 272.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 111, 786, pl. xxviu, fig. 4 (cornutus).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 783
fic) bleeker Atl. Tehth., vol. ix, p. 77, ‘pl. ceclxvi, figs..1, 2
(cornutus), and p. 78, pl. ceclxvi, fig. 3 (canescens).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 142, pl. xcii (ad. and
juv.) (cornutus).
1902. Jordan and Fowler, loc. cit., p. 549 (references and synonyms).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
pyoo2, pl. iva.
1906. Bryan, Occ. Pap. B.P. Bishop Mus., vol. u1, pt. 4, p. 22, fig. 2
(ruthiae).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321.
Depth about equal to length, length of head 24-23, in length of body.
Hye 24 (young)-5 in length of head. D VII 38-45, first 2 spines very
short, 3rd elongated into a filament at least equal to length of body,
sometimes (young) 24 times length of body. A III 31-36. Supra-
orbital ridge serrulate in young, developing in adult into a short,
stout, conical spine. Preorbital with a recurved spine above the angle
of the mouth in some young examples (canescens), absent in others,
but always obsolete in adult. (Plate XXXI, fig 3.)
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Anterior part of body white, posterior part white, suffused
with yellow or orange or a faint greenish tinge, upper lip and lower
jaw blackish; upper part of snout with a triangular orange patch
bordered with black, a broad black vertical band from Ist dorsal
spine through eye to ventrals, with a narrow white or bluish border
in front, and crossed by 2 narrow bluish stripes which sometimes do
not extend above level of pectorals; a second broad, vertical, black
band from anterior rays of dorsal to anterior rays of anal, with a
narrow white or bluish stripe near its posterior margin; fins whitish
or yellowish, posterior dorsal and anal rays often with a bluish longi-
tudinal stripe, caudal with a broad black cross-band, margined an-
teriorly with bluish, ventrals black. In the young the cheeks and
breast are bright silver and the black vertical bands are only faintly
indicated.
Locality.—Mossel Bay, Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Australia.
The specimen from Mossel Bay, which has been in the South African
Museum many years, is a young one 65 mm. long, with preorbital
spine and silvery breast.
There are several misstatements and contradictions in the 1902 and
1905 descriptions quoted above.
784 Annals of the South African Museum.
Group SIGANOIDEI.
Fam. SIGANIDAE.
Body ovate, compressed, with minute cycloid scales, the skin having
a very smooth and slippery feeling. Mouth very small, not protractile.
Maxilla firmly united with premaxilla. Subocular shelf more or less
developed. Teeth incisor-like, in a single series in each jaw; no
vomerine or palatine teeth. Nostrils paired. Guill-membranes attached
toisthmus. Gills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-
rakersrudimentary. A single dorsal fin, with a forwardly directed pro-
- cumbent spine in front. Anal spines 7. Ventrals thoracic, each with
an inner and an outer spine with 3 intervening rays; no axillary
process. Caudal lunate. Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca few.
Lateral line single. Caudal peduncle unarmed.
A family, with two genera, of herbivorous fishes from the Indo-
Pacific region. They show several peculiarities, one of the most
obvious being the presence of two spines in each ventral fin, from
which they get their name; they are usually grouped near the
Teuthididae.
Gen. S1ganus Forsk.
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, (Leuthis part).
1775. Forskal, Descr. Anim., p. 26.
1801. Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 206 (Amphacanthus).
1850. Cantor, Cat. Malay. Fish., p. 207 (Leuthis).
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv,
p- 560. |
With the characters of the family. Snout not produced.
The species of this genus are extremely hard to identify from pre-
served specimens, as there are scarcely any morphological characters,
and coloration and markings are the principal means of separating
the species. Consequently, there has probably been a multiplication
of nominal species, the number of which will be reduced when a re-
vision based on adequate material is undertaken. It is very probable
that there is really only one species in South African waters.
Key to the South African species.
1. Mottled darker and lighter brown : : : : : . nebulosus.
2, Brown with white spots. : : : : ‘ d : oramin.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 85
~I
Siganus nebulosus (Q. and G.).
Mottled Spinefoot.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, Zool., p. 369.
¢1828. Riippell, Atl. Fisch. Roth. Meer., p. 45 (lurida).
1908. Stead, Edible Fish. N.S.W., p. 81, pl. xlix.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 374 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 253.
Depth 24-24, length of head 33-4, in length of body. D I+XII
—XIII 10, anterior soft rays higher than posterior spies. A VII 9,
anterior rays scarcely longer than last spine. Cheek scaleless.
Length.—Up to 330 mm.
Colour.—Brown or olivaceous, paler below, more or less distinctly
mottled and marbled, a more or less distinct dark spot behind opercle
above base of pectoral.
Locality. Kast London, Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Northern and Hastern Australia.
It is possible that lurida from the Red Sea is a synonym.
As regards the coloration, it should be noted that the mottling seen
in preserved specimens is not natural. When taken out of the water
the fish is often uniform olivaceous, which turns brown when the fish
is dead. If another fish or pieces of weed, stick, etc. happen to be
lying on top of the fish, the shaded parts do not turn brown or dark,
and when preserved these accidental ight and dark markings are
retained.
Siganus oramin (BI. Schn.).
W hate-spotted Spinefoot.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 207, pl. xlviii (guttatus
var. oramin).
1845. Temminck and Schlegel, Faun. Jap. Poiss., p. 128 (albo-
punctatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 168, pl. xl, fig. 6.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 374 (references).
1919. Regan, cbid., vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 200 (albopunctatus).
Similar to the preceding species except in colour.
Colour.—Brownish, with numerous small round white or pale
786 Annals of the South African Museum.
bluish spots, a large dark spot behind the opercle above base of
pectoral. (Plate XXXI, fig. 4.)
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas and Hast Indies to Japan.
S. albopunctatus is usually considered a synonym of fuscescens
Hout. 1782.
Group SCOMBROIDEI.
(1909. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. iii, p. 66, classification.)
Tail strongly forked, or absent. Scales usually small and thin, or
absent. Dorsal and anal spines not detached, weak and slender.
Dorsal elongate, single or divided. Ventrals thoracic or subthoracic.
Pseudobranchiae present. Premaxilla not protractile, typically pro-
duced and pointed. No bony stay for the preopercle.
Though difficult to define, the Scombroids are nevertheless easily
distinguished by their general facies. They include the Snoek, true
Mackerel, Scabbard Fish, and Sword-fish. In habits they are all rapid
and powerful swimmers, and predaceous.
Key to the South African families.
I. No long pointed rostrum.
A. Strong anterior canine teeth. Pectoral fins placed low.
1. Spinous dorsal longer than soft . : 5 ‘ Gempylidae.
2. Body strongly compressed, elongate. Spinous dorsal, if distinct,
not longer than soft . 4 5 : : Trichiuridae.
B. No strong anterior canines. Pectoral fins placed high . Scombridae.
II. A long pointed rostrum.
A. Ventral fins absent. Scales absent in adult. No teeth in adult
Xiphiidae.
B. Ventrals 1-3-rayed. Scales present. Teeth present . Histiophoridae.
Fam. 1. GEMPYLIDAE.
Body oblong or elongate, compressed. Maxilla exposed. Spinous
dorsal longer than the soft. Anal with 3 spines. Ventral fin of
1 spine and 5 rays, or reduced to the spine only. Caudal fin well
developed. Caudal peduncle not keeled. Pectoral placed low.
Strong anterior canine teeth in the jaws. Gill-membranes free from
isthmus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 787
Key to the South African genera.
1. Lateral line single (or obsolete).
a. Ventral fins well developed.
i. Detached finlets 2 : : A ‘ : : . Ruvettus.
ii. Detached finlets 6 ‘ 4 : ; : 5 . Thyrsites.
b. Ventral fins reduced to a pair of small spines ; : . Gempylus.
2. Lateral line double. : ; ; ‘ ‘ : : . Epinnula.
Gen. RuvEttus Cocco.
1829. Cocco, Giorn. Sci. Sicil., vol. xlu, p. 2.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean Ichthyol., p. 196.
Body moderately elongate. Spinous dorsal with 13-15 spines, close
to or contiguous with soft dorsal. Anal arising behind origin of soft
dorsal. Two detached finlets behind both dorsal and anal. Pectoral
slightly nearer ventral than dorsal profile. Ventral well developed.
Belly keeled. Skin with minute cycloid scales and with bony
spinose plates or tubercles. Lateral line single, but scarcely indicated ;
the skin on the body, snout, and edges of opercles permeated with fine
mucous pores.
Besides the species here mentioned there is R. tydemani Weber
1913 from the Indo-Pacific, of which R. pacificus Jord. and Jord.
1922 is a synonym. The two forms are very closely allied, the only
differences being the slightly smaller numbers of dorsal and anal
spines and rays (D XIII+15-16+2, and A 15-16+-2), and of longi-
tudinal and transverse series of spiny plates (1.1. 85, ltr. 38). The
single specimen described by Gilchrist and von Bonde from Delagoa
Bay agrees with the Atlantic form in the fin formula (the number of
spiny plates is not given) ; and indeed discloses no points of difference
which can not reasonably be ascribed to differences in age and sex
(or sexual maturity).
The Escolar (Scholar) is frequently abundant in the deep waters
off the West Indies and Madeira, and often enters the Mediterranean.
Its flesh is usually regarded as palatable, though the oil is a strong
purgative.
Ruvettus pretiosus Cocco.
Escolar ; Oul-fish.
1829. Cocco, loc. cit., p. 21.
1895. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 196, fig. 210 (references).
VOL. XxX, PARI 2. 51
788 Annals of the South African Museum.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 16 (delagoensis).
Depth 4 (juv.)-6, length of head 34 (juv.)—4, in length of body.
Eye 44-54 in length of head, 1? in snout, 14 in interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to about vertical from hind margin of eye. Upper
jaw with 3-5 canines in front ; 3 strong teeth on vomer, and a single
row on palatine. D XIV-XV+16-18+2. A 16-18+2. Gill-rakers
greatly reduced, about 8 small pairs of spines on lower part of anterior
arch, a single strong spine in the angle of anterior arch. Scales
minute, covering whole body and head, with the exception of the
interorbital space and the top of snout, both of which areas are like-
wise free of spiny plates; number of spiny plates: 1.1. ca. 120-150;
ltr. ca. 40-50. Pyloric caeca 12.
Length.— Up to 1800 mm. (6 it.).
Colour.—Dark greyish brown or blackish, lighter below. The
Delagoa Bay specimen, 380 mm., is said to be yellowish white.
Locality — Off Table Bay, Delagoa Bay, 200-275 fathoms.
Distribution.—Tropical parts of the Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Type of delagoensis in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
The number of pyloric caeca and the description of the skin are
taken from the Table Bay specimen in the South African Museum.
Gen. THYRSITES C. and V.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vin, p. 196.
Body moderately elongate. Spinous dorsal with 20 spines in a
groove, close to soft dorsal. Anal arising behind origin of soft dorsal.
Six detached finlets behind both dorsal and anal. Pectoral slightly
nearer ventral than dorsal profile. Ventral moderately developed.
Belly not keeled. Scales small. Lateral line single, abruptly curved
downwards below the hind part of spinous dorsal.
A single species widely distributed in the Southern Hemisphere,
and living in large shoals.
Thyrsites atun (Kuphr.).
Snoek ; Barracouta (Australia) ; Sverra (Chile).
1791. Euphrasen, Vet. Ac. Nya Handl., vol. xu, p. 315.
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. ii, p. 116, fig. (habits and
statistics).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 789
1916. Jd., ibed., vol. 11, p. 8 (egg).
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 113 (references).
1921. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xin, pt. 4, p. 139, pl. xxiv,
fig. 2.
Depth 72-8, length of head 4-43, in length of body. Eye 63-7 in
length of head. Maxilla reaching to level of front margin of eye.
D XVIII-XX+10-12+5-6. A III 8-10+6. (Plate XXIX, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, steely or bluish black on the upper parts.
Locality From Table Bay northwards to Mossamedes, False Bay
to Mossel Bay or as far as Algoa Bay (the eastward extension varies).
Distribution.—Tristan d’Acunha, Australia, Tasmania, New Zea-
land, Chile. Down to 40 fathoms.
Gen. GEMPYLUS Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 2, vol. 11 (fide Agassiz. Nom. Zool.).
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vill, p. 207.
1831. Lesson, Voy. Coquille, Poiss., p. 160 (Lemnisoma).
Body very elongate. Spinous dorsal very long, with 30 or more
spines, continuous with soft dorsal. Six detached finlets behind both
dorsal and anal. Pectoral slightly nearer ventral than dorsal profile.
Belly not keeled. Scales almost or quite obsolete. Ventral rudi-
mentary, reduced to a very small spine. Lateral line single.
A single widely distributed species.
Gempylus serpens C. and V.
Snake Mackerel.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, loc. cit., p. 207.
1873. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 106, pl. xviii, fig. B.
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 126, fig.
1918. Thompson, zbid., p. 116 (references and synonymy).
Depth 14-17, length of head 5-54, in length of body. Eye 31 in
snout, 6% in length of head. Strong canine teeth in front of upper
jaw. D XXX-XXXT 12-13+6. A III 12+6.
Length.—Up to 1000 mm.
Colour.—Uniform silvery, upper part of dorsal fin black.
Locality.—East London.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
790 Annals of the South African Museum.
Only a single specimen, now in the South African Museum, has been
found in these waters.
Gen. EPINNULA Poey.
1854. Poey, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, vol. i, p. 369.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 198.
Body moderately elongate. Spinous dorsal with 15 spines, con-
tiguous with soft dorsal. Anal arising behind origin of soft dorsal.
No finlets. Pectoral slightly nearer ventral than dorsal profile.
Ventral well developed. Belly not keeled. Scales minute, deciduous.
Lateral line double, the second line running near the ventral profile.
The type species, magistralis Poey, is known from the W. Indies.
*Epinnula orientalis G. and v. B.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,
p. 15, pl: iv, fig. 1
Depth 3%, length of head 3/5, in length of body. Eye 5 in length
of head. Maxilla reaching level of middle of eye. Teeth strong
anteriorly. D XVI-I 21. A III 19. Scales minute, deciduous,
absent from vertical fins (number in 1.1. ?). Lateral lines unbranched.
Length. Up to 235 mm.
Colour.—Uniform (? brownish), anterior dorsal blackish.
Locality.— Off Natal coast and Delagoa Bay, 157-275 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
Fam. 2. TRICHIURIDAE.
Body very elongate, strongly compressed. Maxilla sheathed by
the preorbital. Spinous dorsal, if distinct, not longer than the soft.
Anal with numerous short spines. Ventral fins reduced to a pair of
scale-like appendages, or absent. Caudal small or absent. Caudal
peduncle not keeled. Pectoral placed low. Strong anterior canines
in the jaws. Gill-membranes free from isthmus.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Caudal fin developed.
a. Pectoral fin broad. Ventral fins behind pectorals . ; . Lepidopus.
b. Pectoral slender. Ventral fins under pectorals F . Benthodesmus.
2. Caudal absent . ; : , ‘ : : . ’ . Trichiurus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 791
Gen. LEPIDOPUS Gouan.
1770. Gouan, Hist. Poiss., p. 185.
Body attenuate, band-like. Dorsal uniform, continuous from
behind head almost to caudal. Caudal small but well developed.
Anal spines numerous but minute. No strong post-anal spine. Ventral
represented by a minute scale-like spine situate behind the level of
pectoral. Skin naked. Gull-rakers in several series on all the arches.
Lepidopus caudatus (Euphr.).
Scabbard-fish ; Frost-fish ; Kalkvis.
1788. Euphrasen, Vet. Ac. Nya Handl., vol. ix, p. 52, pl. ix, fig. 2.
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 125, fig.
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 114 (references and synonymy).
1918. Strubberg, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. 11, A 6, p. 7 (post-larval
stages).
Depth about 154, length of head about 6, in length of body. Eye
54 in length of head. D 102-104. A 24-25. (Plate XXX, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 1600 mm.
Colour.—Uniform silvery, darker bronzy on top of head, dorsal
fin with a narrow black margin, iris bronzy brown, pupil black.
Locality.— Table Bay, False Bay, down to 200 fathoms.
Distribution.—Eastern parts of Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean,
South-east Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand.
An excellent food-fish.
Gen. BENTHODESMUS G. and B.
1881. Goode and Bean, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. iv, p. 380.
1895. Id., Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 204.
1915. McCulloch, “ Endeavour ” Res., vol. ii, pt. 3, p. 152 (sub
genus).
Body attenuate. Dorsal uniform, continuous from behind head
almost to caudal. Caudal small but well developed. Anal spines
short and numerous, preceded by a scale-like appendage. No strong
post-anal spine. Ventral represented by a minute scale-like spine,
situate under base of pectoral. Skin naked. Gill-rakers in a single
series on the Ist and 2nd arches, almost obsolete on 3rd and 4th.
McCulloch regards this at most as a subgenus of Lepidopus.
792 Annals of the South African Museum.
* Benthodesmus atlanticus G. and B.
1881. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 183, pl. 11 (elongatus non Clarke).
1895. Id., loc. cit., p. 205, fig. 215.
1917. Gilbert, Smiths. Misc. Coll., vol. lxvi, No. 18, p. 1.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,
jo LG).
Depth of body (at vent) 4 in length of head, which is 74 in
length of body. Eye 4 length of snout, which is 24 in length of head.
D 142-154. Aca. 100.
Length. Up to 1037 mm.
Colour.—Uniform silvery, head and tail darker.
Locality.—Natal coast, 250 fathoms.
Distribution.—N. Atlantic and W. Indies, 25-208 fathoms; N.
Pacific (British Columbia).
As another species (elongatus Clarke) is known from New Zealand
(Hokitika), and another (tenwis Gnthr.) from Japan, it is possible that
the Natal specimen is not correctly identified; unless all are really
only forms of the same widely distributed species.
Gen. TrRicHIURUS Linn.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 246.
Body attenuate, band-like, tapering to a point without caudal fin.
Dorsal uniform, continuous from behind head to tail. Anal spines
numerous, but minute and scarcely visible. No strong post-anal
spine. Ventral fins reduced to a pair of scales, or quite absent. Skin
naked.
The species of this genus frequent the shallower and warmer seas,
and are often found entering estuaries.
Key to the South African species.
1. D 130 ; : ; : : : f : ; : . haumela.
2. D 135 5 : : : : é ; : , . lepturus.
Prichiurus haumela (Forsk.).
Haiv-tail.
1775. Forskal, Desc. Anim., p. 72.
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 1, p. 126, fig.
1918. Thompson, ibid., vol. iv, p. 116 (references).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 793
Depth 15-17, length of head 6-7, in length of body. Eye 2} in
length of snout. D about 130. Interorbital space flat.
Length—Up to 1300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, upper parts and the margin of the dorsal fin
blackish.
Locality Agulhas Bank to Natal, Delagoa Bay, Chinde, down to
36 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian and EH. Indian seas.
Trichiurus lepturus Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 246.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 346.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. 1, p. 889. °
This species is scarcely distinct from the preceding, but appears to
have a slightly greater number of dorsal spines (135-137).
Locality.— Walfish Bay.
Distribution.—Gold Coast and Atlantic Ocean, chiefly in the western
parts.
The Walfish Bay specimen and another from the Gold Coast in the
South African Museum possess a few more dorsal spines than the
specimens from the east coast, and are therefore kept separate. It is
very doubtful, however, whether the Atlantic and Indian forms can
really be specifically distinct.
Fam. 3. SCOMBRIDAE.
Body fusiform, moderately elongate and compressed. Spinous
dorsal not longer than the soft. Anal with 1-3 feeble spines. Pos-
terior rays of soft dorsal and anal forming detached finlets. Ventral
fin of 1 spine and 5 rays, well developed. Pectoral placed high. Caudal
peduncle laterally keeled. No canine teeth in jaws. Gill-membranes
free from isthmus.
The Scombrid fishes, comprising the true Mackerels, Tunnies, Al-
bacores, are readily distinguished by their general shape and metallic
coloration, and the presence of the detached finlets behind the dorsal
and anal fins.
They are all swift swimmers, pelagic in habit, and widely dis-
tributed.
The majority are of economic importance. Their flesh is firm, oily,
and usually more or less reddish in colour.
794 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African genera.
I. No groove along the belly.
A. Caudal peduncle with 2 keels on each side. Dorsal spines 9-12.
1. Depth of body less than length of head 5 : . Scomber,
2. Depth of body about equal to length of head : Rastrelliger.
B. Caudal peduncle with a single keel on each side.
1. Scales absent except on corselet and along lateral line. Dorsal
spines 15-16 : : Gymnosarda.
2. Scales over entire body. Dorsal spines 13-26.
a. Teeth slender. Gill-rakers numerous. Corselet distinct.
i. Villiform teeth on vomer and palatine. Dorsal spines
13-14.
a. Pectoral short . . ‘ . . Thunnus.
fp. Pectorallong . : d : Germo.
ii. Vomer toothless. Palatine with one row of strong teeth.
Dorsal spines 18-22. : : : Sarda.
6. Teeth strong. Gill-rakers few. Corselet obscure
Scomberomorus.
II. A deep groove along belly : : : ; é . Gasterochisma.
Gen. SCOMBER Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 297.
Body rather elongate, somewhat compressed. Caudal peduncle
slender, with two small lateral keels on either side. Scales very small,
not forming a corselet. Mouth wide; a single row of smali slender
teeth in both jaws and on vomer and palatine. Adipose eyelids.
Dorsal fins well separated, spinous portion of 9-12 feeble spines. Five
to nine finlets behind both dorsal and anal. Pectorals and ventrals
small. Gill-rakers long and slender. Pyloric caeca very numerous.
Air-bladder small or wanting.
A few widely distributed species, everywhere highly valued as food.
The record of S. scombrus, the Common Mackerel of Europe, rests
on Bleeker’s authority. He gives the name only, and was very prob-
ably mistaken. The species does not seem to have been met with
by later investigators, and is not accepted here as being found in
South African waters.
Scomber colias Gmel.
Cape Mackerel ; Makreel.
1788. Gmelin, Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, p. 13829.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Maus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 393 (references and synonymy).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 795
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 105 (references and
synonymy).
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 290.
1919. Gilchrist and Hunter, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. vii, p. 4,
pl, fie. 6; pl. nu, fig. 7 (egg, larva).
Depth 51-53, length of head 34, in length of body. Hye 4-5 in
length of head, 14 in snout, equal to or slightly greater than inter-
orbital width. D IX+11-12+5. AJI11-12+5. Teeth in jaws and
on vomer and palatine. Maxilla reaching to or slightly beyond level
of front margin of eye. A translucent area on top of head. Posterior
border of eye with large radiating scales. No groove, or a very shallow
one, between the two dorsal fins. Gill-rakers 30-33 on lower part
of anterior arch, the longest near the bend of arch. Air-bladder
present. (Plate XXX, fig. 2.)
Length.— Up to 406 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, iridescent, bluish or greenish above, with blackish
wavy streaks and irregular blotches and spots extending slightly
below lateral line, black specks on preopercle in more than one row,
a black axillary spot.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay, Natal.
Distribution.—Both coasts of N. Atlantic, Mediterranean.
The above description is taken entirely from South African speci-
mens, and differs somewhat from other descriptions. The Cape form,
however, appears to be indistinguishable from European specimens.
The Japanese form (japonicus) and the form from the Pacific coast of
N. America (diego) are apparently also identical ; in which case the
species should really bear the name japonicus (Houttuyn 1782).
Gen. RASTRELLIGER J. and S.
1908. Jordan and Starks in Jordan and Dickerson, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., vol. xxxiv, p. 607.
Agreeing with Scomber, but the body deeper in proportion to length,
the scales larger, and the dentition feebler. The chief distinguishing
character lies in the gill-rakers, which are very numerous and very
long, so that the mouth when opened looks as if it were “ full
of feathers.” There are also osteological differences in the skull,
mentioned by Jordan and Starks.
As regards the gill-rakers, Rastrelliger bears the same relation to
Scomber as Ulua does to Caranz.
796 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African species.
1. Gill-rakers 35 on lower part of Ist arch : ; : . microlepidotus.
2. Gill-rakers 44 on lower part of lst arch . 4 . , brachysomus.
Rastrelliger microlepidotus Riipp.
Striped Mackerel.
1803. Russell, Fish. Vizagapatam, vol. i, p. 28, pl. cxxxvi (kana-
gurta).
1838. Riippell, Neue Wirb. Fische, p. 38, pl. xi, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 250, pl. liv, figs. 3-5.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, p. 394
(references and synonymy).
1925. Fowler, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, p. 316.
Depth equal to length of head, 34 in length of body. Hye about 4
in length of head, 14 in snout, subequal to interorbital width. D [X-
X+11+5. AI11-12+5. Teeth in jaws minute, none on vomer
or palatine. Maxilla reaching to level of middle of eye. No groove
between the two dorsals. Gill-rakers about 35 on lower part of arch,
the longest situate in middle of lower part of arch. Air-bladder
present.
Length. Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, iridescent, dark greenish above, a row of dark
spots along base of dorsal and (in adult) some dark longitudinal
streaks, 2-3 golden streaks along sides in adult ; fins yellowish, dorsal
and caudal tipped with black, a dark spot covered by the pectoral.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, E. Indies, Philippine Islands, China.
*Rastrelliger brachysomus Blkr.
1850. Bleeker, Makr., p. 356.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 251.
1908. Jordan and Dickerson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxiv,
p- 609, fig. 3. |
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 393 (references).
Depth 31-33, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 33-4} in
length of head, 14 in snout, 1} in interorbital width. D X-+12-+5.
A1I11-+5. Maxilla reaching to level of posterior third of eye. Gill-
rakers 44 on lower part of anterior arch.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. yi
Length—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, dark above, very similar to S. microlepidotus, with
2 shining spots above and behind each eye, posterior part of spinous
dorsal blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific seas.
I have seen no specimens of this species, which is very similar in all
respects to S. microlepidotus. The specimen reported on by Gilchrist
and Thompson in 1908 is no longer in the South African Museum
collection.
Jordan and Starks (1917, Ann. Carn. Mus., vol. xi, p. 440) identify
brachysomus with kanagurta.
Gen. GYMNOSARDA Gill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 125.
Body moderately elongate and compressed. Caudal peduncle
slender, with a single lateral keel on either side. Scales small, forming
a corselet around the anterior part of the body, but entirely absent
from other parts of the body. Mouth wide; a single row of conical
teeth in both jaws, bands of villiform teeth (usually) on palatine, no
teeth on vomer. Dorsal fins contiguous, spinous portion with 15-16
spines. Seven to eight finlets behind both dorsaland anal. Pectorals
and ventrals moderate. Gill-rakers numerous, slender. Pyloric caeca
exceedingly numerous. Air-bladder small or absent.
Gymnosarda pelamys (Linn.).
Oceanic Bonito ; Lesser Tunny ; Katunker.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 297.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
pt. 1, p. 172, fig. 64.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 110 (references).
Depth about 4, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye 6}-
75 in length of head, 2 in snout, which is sharply conical. Maxilla
reaching to level of middle of eye. D XV-XVI12+8. A I-II 12-+7.
Gill-rakers 38 on lower part of anterior arch. Lateral line making a
distinct bend below the soft dorsal.
Length.— Up to 825 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish black above, 4 brownish longitudinal
stripes on each side of the belly below the lateral line.
798 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical seas.
The Lesser Tunny is easily distinguished from the Tunny and the
true Bonito by the absence of scales on the body, except anteriorly
in the region of the corselet. Its chief food consists of Flying-fish.
Gen. THUNNUS South.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., p. 313 (Thynnus, nom. preocc. Fabricius
i)
1845. South, Encycl. Metropol., vol. v, p. 620.
Body moderately elongate and compressed. Caudal peduncle
slender, with a single lateral keel. Scales small, over the whole body,
those on the pectoral region forming a corselet. Mouth moderately
wide ; a single row of conical teeth in both jaws, bands of villiform
teeth on palatine and vomer. Dorsal fins contiguous, spinous portion
with 13-14 spines. Eight to ten finlets behind dorsal and anal.
Pectorals and ventrals moderate. Gill-rakers numerous. Pyloric caeca
exceedingly numerous. Auir-bladder small or absent.
Thunnus thynnus (Linn.).
Tunny.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat, ed. 10) py 297.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 58,
pl. cex (vulgaris).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 362.
1892. Smitt, Skandin. Fish., p. 97, fig. 28.
1895. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. 1, p. 870.
1918. Roule, Bull. l’Inst. Oc. Monaco, No. 345, pp. 1-24 (biology
and bibliography).
1926. Jordan and Evermann, Occ. Pap. Calif. Ac. Sci., vol. xii,
joe Oh
Depth 4-44, length of head 32-4, in length of body. Hye 7-8 in
length of head, 24in snout. Maxilla not reaching level of front margin
of eye. D XIII-XIV 13-14+9-10. A I-II 12+8-9.
Length.—Up to 3000 mm. (10 ft.).
Colour.—Greyish or silvery below, bluish black above.
Locality.—Table Bay, Hout Bay (Cape Peninsula).
Distribution.—Tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans,
Mediterranean.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 799
The Tunny is the largest of the Scombrid fishes, reaching a length
of 10 ft. and a weight of 1500 lbs. It is further noteworthy as being
the only fish known to be warm blooded.
The flesh of the Tunny, though oily, is excellent, and the Tunny
fisheries of the Mediterranean have been of economic importance for
centuries. The fishes segregate, especially about spawning time, in
large schools, and are chased and herded into nets.
In South African waters it appears to be only an occasional migrant,
and is here recorded for the first time. Two specimens are in the South
African Museum from the west coast of the Cape Peninsula ; the larger
specimen measures 9 ft. to the middle of the caudal fin.
Gen. GeRmo Jord.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., p. 314 (Orcynus non Rafinesque).
1888. Jordan, Proc. Ac. Sci. Philad., p. 180.
Similar in all respects to Thunnus, but with the pectoral fin very
long and falciform.
Germo alalonga (Gmel.).
Long-finned Albacore ; Germon (France).
1788. Gmelin, Linné, Syst. Nat., p. 1330.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 120,
pl. cexv.
1910. Cunningham, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pt. 1, p. 109, text-fig. 3.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 108 (references and
synonymy).
1918. Joubin and Roule, Bull. Inst. Oc. Monaco, No. 348, pp. 1-7
(food).
1926. Jordan and Evermann, Occ. Pap. Calif. Ac. Sci., vol. xu,
p. 1.
Depth 33-32, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye about
6 in length of head, 2in snout. Maxilla reaching to level of middle of
eye. D XIV 14-15+8. A II-III 12+7-8. Pectoral reaching to
origin of anal or to end of soft dorsal fin.
Length.—Up to 1000 mm. (40 inches).
Colour.—Silvery below, steely blue above, faint indications of light
stripes on sides; soft dorsal, anal, and the finlets lemon yellow.
Locality.— West coast (Saldanha Bay).
Distribution.—All warm seas.
The flesh is far inferior to that of the Tunny.
800 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. Sarpa Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. ii, p. 199.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 149
(Pelamys nom. preocc. Daudin).
Body moderately elongate and compressed. Caudal peduncle
slender, with a single lateral keel. Scales small, covering the whole
body, and forming a corselet on the pectoral region. Maxilla not
concealed by the preorbital. Mouth wide; a single row of rather
strong teeth in both jaws and on the palatine, but none on vomer.
Dorsal fins separated by a short interspace, spinous portion of 18-22
spines. Eight to nine finlets behind dorsal and anal fins. Pectorals
and ventrals moderate. Gill-rakers moderate or strong. Pyloric caeca
very numerous. Air-bladder absent.
Key to the South African species.
1. Spinous dorsal XXI-X XII 2 ; ; : 5 : s sarda.
2. Spinous dorsal XVIII : : ; : : : : . chilensis.
*Sarda sarda (Bloch).
Bonito.
1793. Bloch, Ichthyol.,-vol. x, p. 35, pl. cecxxxiv.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 149,
Piece vil.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 111 (references and
synonymy).
Depth 4, length of head 3%, in length of body. Eye about 7 in
length of head, 24 in snout. Maxilla reaching beyond level of eye.
D XXI-XXII+14-16+8-9. A I-II 18+7. Gill-rakers 11-12 on
lower part of anterior arch.
Length.—Up to 750 mm.
Colour.—Silvery below, steely blue above, with numerous dark
stripes running obliquely forwards and downwards from the
back.
Locality. —Cape seas.
Distribution.—Atlantic Ocean.
As a food-fish the Bonito is of no great value.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 801
*Sarda chilensis (C. and V.).
Pacific Bonito.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. vii, p. 163.
1850. Temminck and Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 99, pl. li
(orientalis).
1858. Girard, Pac. R. R. Survey, vol. x, p. 106 (lineolata).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 253, pl. lvi, fig. 1.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. LFS.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 321 (orientalis,
fam. Scorpididae sic).
Differs from the preceding species in having: D XVIII+14-16+
(6)7-9; A ITI 10-12+6-9.
Length Up to 900 mm.
Colour.—Silvery below, steely blue above, with about nine dark
longitudinal streaks.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan, California, Hawaiian Islands,
and Chile.
Gen. SCOMBEROMORUS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 292.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., vol. 1, p. 120 (Cybium).
Body elongate, but not strongly compressed. Caudal peduncle
moderately slender, with a single lateral keel. Scales small, rudi-
mentary, or even absent in parts, not forming a corselet anteriorly.
Maxilla not concealed by preorbital. Mouth wide; strong, com-
pressed, conical teeth in both jaws, villiform bands on vomer and
palatine. Dorsal fins contiguous, spinous portion with 12-18 feeble
spines. Soft dorsal and anal somewhat falcate, each followed by
7-10 finlets. Pectorals moderate. Ventrals small. Gill-rakers few.
Air-bladder present.
The fishes of this genus are widely distributed in warm seas, and
are variously known as Spanish Mackerel, King-fish, Cavalla, Pintado,
Sierra.
Key to the South African species.
1. Finlets 4-5. Dorsal spines 12. : : : : . flavobrunneus.
2. Finlets 9-10. Dorsal spines 16.
a. Sides with vertically elongated spots . ; - - commersont.
b. Sides with longitudinal spots : : : : : lineolatus.
802 Annals of the South African Museum.
*Scomberomorus flavobrunneus (Smth).
Yellow-brown King-fish.
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xx.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 373.
1911. Weber, Fische Aru u. Kei-Ins., p. 31.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 113 (references),
Depth 43, length of head 32, in length of body. Eye 5 in length
of head. Maxilla reaching to level of anterior third of eye. Teeth
of upper jaw much smaller than those in lower jaw. D XII 17+5.
A II 138+4. Anal arising below middle of soft dorsal. Scales small,
distinct (in dried skin).
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish brown, head and fins reddish brown, lower jaw
and operculum silvery.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—Aru Islands, E. Indies.
Type in British Museum.
This fish is stated by Smith to be caught occasionally in Cape seas,
but apparently has never been seen in recent years. In the Museum
copy of Giinther’s Catalogue is a mark opposite this species, indicating
that a specimen was in the Museum. The specimen, however, is no
longer here.
Scomberomorus commersoni (Lacép.).
Commerson’s King-fish.
1800. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 600, pl. xx, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 255, pl. lvi, fig. 5.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 395 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 112 (references).
Depth 5-7, length of head 4-43, in length of body. Eye 6} in
length of head, 2} in snout. Maxilla reaching slightly behind level
of hind margin of eye. Upper teeth not very much smaller than
lower teeth. D XVI-XVII 15-17+ 9-10. A II-III 12-14+9-10.
Anal rising below middle of soft dorsal. Scales mostly absent. Lateral
line with a distinct bend below soft dorsal, becoming horizontal below
2nd finlet.
Length.—Up to 1200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish black above, back and sides with numerous
dark, vertically elongated spots, which are more visible in the preserved
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 803
than the fresh condition ; spinous dorsal dark anteriorly, transparent
posteriorly with a black margin, anal dark, pectoral light.
Locality—EKast London and Natal coast, extending at certain
seasons westwards to Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas.
Scomberomorus lineolatus (C. and V.).
Inneolate King-fish ; Barracouda (Natal).
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viu,
p: L710,
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 395 (references).
Depth equal to length of head, 42-5 in length of body. Hye 64-7
in length of head, 24 in snout. Maxilla reaching to level of hind
margin of eye. Upper teeth not very much smaller than lower teeth.
D XVI 16+9-10. A II 14+10. Anal arising below middle of soft
dorsal. Scales mostly absent. Lateral line gently curving down-
wards, and becoming horizontal below about the 4th or 5th finlet.
Length.—Up to 1200 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, bluish black above, sides with numerous short
longitudinally elongated spots, spinous dorsal dark.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, E. Indies.
Gen. GASTEROCHISMA Rich.
1845. Richardson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. xv, p. 346.
1846. Id., Voy. Erebus and Terror, Ichthyol., p. 60.
1889. Giinther, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxxi, p. 15 (Lepidothynnus).
1903. Lahille, An. Mus. Nac. Buenos Aires, ser. 3, vol. ii, p. 376
(Chenogaster).
Body moderately elongate, rather strongly compressed. Caudal
peduncle slender, with two lateral keels oneachside. Scales moderately
large, cycloid, covering the whole body, cheeks, and postorbital part
of head. Maxilla not concealed by preorbital. Mouth wide; teeth
small, conical, in a single row in both jaws, and in patches on vomer
and palatine. Dorsal fins contiguous, spinous portion consisting of 17
long, flexiblespines. Anallow,short. Six to seven finlets behind dorsal
and anal fins. Pectorals short. Ventrals varying, sometimes very
large and broad, folding into a groove along the belly, extending from
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 52
804 Annals of the South African Museum.
the base of ventrals to the vent. Gill-arches with numerous small
teeth, but none on tongue. Pyloric caeca numerous.
A single species.
Gasterochisma melampus Rich.
1845. Richardson, loc. cit., p. 346.
1846. Id., loc. cit., p. 60, pl. xxxvu, figs. 1-3.
1889. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 15, pl. vi, figs. A, A? (Lepidothynnus
huttonc). }
1903. Lahille, loc. cit., p. 376 (Chenogaster holmberg?).
1905. Id., abed., ser. 3, vol. iv, p. 461.
1907. Stead, Add. Fish-fauna N.S. Wales, No. 1, p. 21, pl. vi.
1913. Lahille, An. Mus. Nac. Buenos Aires, vol. xxiv, p. 7, text-
fig. 2 and pls. 3, 4 (boulengeri).
1913. Waite, Tr. N. Zeal. Inst., vol. xlv, p. 220, pl. viii (references).
Depth 34-32, length of head 4, in length of body. Eye 647 in
length of head, 23-3 in snout. Maxilla reaching about to level
of centre of eye. D XVII 10-11+6-7. A II 10+6-7. Pectoral
14 (S.A. Mus. specimen) to 12 (Stead) in length of head. Ventral
24 (Richardson) or 24 (Stead) to 6 (S.A. Mus.) or 8 (Giinther).
Scales: 11:80; I-tr (S. A. Mus.). (Plate XXX, fig. 3.)
8-9
"15-16
Length.—Up to 1650 mm. (54 ft.).
Colour.—Silvery white below, bluish black above, ventral fins black.
Locality.—Table Bay.
Distribution.—New Zealand, New South Wales, Tasmania, Argentine.
A fine specimen of this species was caught in Table Bay in 1920,
measuring 3 ft. 7 in. in length, and is now mounted in the South
African Museum. It constitutes the only record of this Australasian
fish in South African waters.
In the young, up to about 16 in. in length, the ventral fins are very
large, as described by Richardson and Stead; but in the adult they
are of more normal proportions. The only description of an adult
is that of Giinther, under the name Lepidothynnus, based on a skeleton
and some notes and a drawing of a New Zealand specimen. Giinther’s
description applies well to the Cape specimen, except that he states
that the spinous and soft dorsals are well separated. This statement
is probably due to erroneous observation on the part of Giinther’s
correspondent. Unfortunately, the Cape specimen was caught while
I was away in England, and I am thus unable to give any details
as to the gill-rakers and other anatomical features.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 805
Fam. 4. XIPHIIDAE.
Sword-fishes.
Body elongate, compressed, with a long-pointed rostrum formed by
the nasals and the united premaxillae. Rostrum depressed. Lower
jaw in the young also produced, but not equalling the rostrum in
length. Maxilla with an expanded anterior and a rod-like posterior
portion. Two dorsal fins (united in the young), spines feeble and
scarcely differentiated from the rays, second dorsal and anal short,
the latter divided in adult. No detached finlets. No anal spines.
Ventral fins absent. Pectoral fins placed low. Caudal peduncle with
one lateral keel. No teeth in adult. Scales absent in adult; skin
in young covered with rough granulations. Gull-membranes free from
isthmus. Gills of peculiar structure, the laminae of each arch being
united into a single plate by reticulations. Air-bladder present.
Pyloric caeca very numerous.
A single, large pelagic species, a strong swimmer, and very pugnacious.
The Sword-fish is found in all warm seas, and in many localities is
regularly hunted, as its flesh, though dark in colour and oily, is
excellent. There are numerous accounts of its ferocity in attacking
ships and boats, both with and even without any provocation. It
feeds on other fishes such as mackerel, bonitos, etc., which swim
together in shoals.
Gen. XIPHIAS Artedi.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 29.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 248.
1923. Nicholls, Amer. Mus. Nov., No. 94, p. 1 (Phaetonichthys non
Blkr. 1879, young).
With the family characters.
Xiphias gladius Linn.
Sword-fish.
1758. Linné, loc. cit., p. 248.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 255,
pls. coxxv, ccxxvi, ccxxxi.
1881. Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. iv, p. 428 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 119 (references).
1823. Nicholls, loc. cit., p. 1, fig. (Phaetonichthys tuberculatus
=young).
806 Annals of the South African Museum.
1924. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. xiii, p. 224, fig. (young).
1926. Jordan and Evermann, Occ. Pap. Calif. Ac. Sci., vol. xii,
De (ipl:
Depth 4—4$ in length of body (from point of lower jaw). Length
of rostrum (to anterior border of eye) about 13—2 in distance from
eye to base of caudal fin. Rostrum flattened, with trenchant edges.
D ca. 40+4. Aca. 18+4. Dorsal elevated in young; the middle
part both of dorsal and anal becoming low or disappearing altogether
in older individuals. (Plate XXX, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 12 ft.
Colour.—Silvery white below, deep purplish blue above.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—Atlantic, Mediterranean, Southern Pacific (Honolulu,
New Zealand).
Fic. 27.—Xiphias yladius, young example nearly 200 mm. in length.
(After Regan.)
The Sword-fish appears to be very rare in our waters. The South
African Museum possesses a skull with rostrum and lower jaw, which
appears to be the one referred to in 1831 by Cuvier and Valenciennes
as having been sketched by Quoy and Gaimard. Castelnau refers to
it again in his 1861 Memoire, p. 42. No other record apparently
exists of the presence of the Sword-fish in South African waters.
Fam. 5. HISTIOPHORIDAE.
Sail-fishes ; Spear-fishes.
Resembling the Xiphiidae in most respects, but with ventral fins
consisting of 1-3 rays, rounded (in section) rostrum, rudimentary
teeth, scales, caudal peduncle with 2 lateral keels, and maxilla of
nearly equal width throughout its length.
Three genera, two of which are represented in South Africa.
In habits the Sail-fishes are very similar to the Sword-fish, but they
do not appear to have the same reputation for ferocity as the latter.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 807
Key to the South African genera.
1. Ventral rays 2-3. Dorsal fin single, elevated - ; : Histiophorus.
2. Ventral rays 1. Dorsal fin double : ; ; ; : . Makaira.,
Gen. HistiopHorRvuS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 374 (Lsteophorus).
Skin covered with elongate scales. Dorsal fin single, very high,
with numerous rays. Anal fin double. Ventral consisting of 2-3
elongate rays. Pectoral short. Numerous tooth-like asperities on
the jaws.
Histiophorus gladius (Brouss.).
Sadl-fish.
1786. Broussonet, Mem. Ac. Sci., p. 454, pl. x.
1831. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. viii, p. 293,
pl. cexxix (indicus).
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 42 (granulvfer).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 118 (references).
1921. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xi, pt. 4, p. 137, pl. xxiv,
ney 1,
1926. Jordan and Evermann, Occ. Pap. Calif. Ac. Sci., vol. xu, p. 38.
Depth about 64-7 in length of body (from point of lower jaw). Ros-
trum (to anterior border of eye) 23-3 in distance from eye to base
of caudal fin. Rostrum subcylindrical, granulate laterally and on
lower surface. Mandibles with similar granules. D 42-50+7. A10-
12+6-7. Dorsal fin much higher than body. Upper profile of head
straight or nearly so.
Length.—Up to 124 ft.
Colour.—Silvery white below, deep bluish above, membrane of
dorsal fin spotted.
Locality —Cape seas, St. Sebastian Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas.
Type of granulifer (skull with rostrum and lower jaw) in South
African Museum.
The only records of this species in South African waters are based
on a specimen in the British Museum and Castelnau’s granulifer.
The Sail-fish is frequently observed swimming near the surface
with its dorsal fin projecting out of the water, whence its name of
Sail-fish.
808 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. MAKAIRA Lac.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 688.
Body with scale-like scutes, covered by the skin. Two dorsal and
anal fins. Only the anterior dorsal rays elongate, the rest short.
Ventral consisting of a single slender ray, shorter than pectoral.
Numerous asperities on the jaws.
* Makara herscheli (Gray).
Herschel’s Spear-fish.
1838. Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist., vol. i, p. 313, pl. 10.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 118.
1926. Jordan and Evermann, Occ. Pap. Calif. Ac. Sci., vol. xii, p. 69.
Depth 5-6 in length of body (from point of lower jaw). Rostrum
(to anterior border of eye) about 3 in distance from eye to base of
caudal fin. Rostrum subcylindrical, granulate on sides and below.
Mandibles similarly granulate. D35-42+7. A11-12+6-7. Anterior
dorsal rays not, or but little, exceeding the height of the body,
posterior rays much shorter. Upper profile of head more or less
arcuate.
Length. Up to 134 ft.
Colour.—Silvery or greyish below, bluish above, margin of dorsal
and tip of pectoral often blackish.
Locality.— Table Bay, East London.
Type of herscheli in British Museum.
An excellent photograph of the East London specimen appeared in
the Cape Times, weekly edition, 19th June, 1907.
Group GOBIOIDEIL.
Gobies.
1911. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. vu.) paeiees
(classification).
Body naked or scaly. Spinous dorsal, when present, of a few flexible
spines. Anal similar to soft dorsal, without or with a feeble spine.
Ventrals thoracic or subjugular, each with a weak spine and 4—5 rays.
Gill-membranes attached to isthmus. No bony stay for the preoper-
culum. A more or less developed anal papilla, larger in males. No
lateral line. No pyloric caeca. Air-bladder usually absent.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 809
The Gobies form a large group. They are mostly small fishes,
carnivorous and marine. Some are found in estuaries and rivers ;
two species are known to descend below the 100-fathom line. The
majority are littoral, and the typical forms with united ventral fins
are easily distinguished.
Key to the South African families.
1. Ventral fins completely separate . . : Eleotridae.
2. Ventral fins united either at base only, or complstele fining a sucking disc
Gobiidae.
Fam. 1. ELEOTRIDAE.
Ventral fins separated, their bases not contiguous. Two dorsal fins.
Soft dorsal and anal free from caudal, which is rounded. Pectorals
well developed, upper rays without free filaments. Teeth in a single
row, or in bands, with or without canines. Giull-rakers long or reduced.
Scales cycloid or ctenoid.
Gen. ELEotrRIs Gron.
1754. Gronovius, Mus. Ichthyol., p. 16.
1763. Id., Zooph., p. 83.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 65.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. u, A 3, p. 99 (post-larval stages).
Teeth small, conical, the outer series enlarged, with or without
canines ; none on vomer. Scales moderate or small, cycloid or ctenoid.
Gill-rakers more or less reduced. Pseudobranchiae more or less re-
duced. No barbels.
This genus has been variously subdivided, but so far as the South
African fauna is concerned, it 1s quite unnecessary.
Coasts and rivers between the tropics. Boulenger (Freshwater
Fishes of Africa, vol. iv, 1916) records 14 species from African rivers.
Key to the South African species.
1. A strong spine at angle of preopercle, concealed beneath the skin. Scales:
l.ser. 60-78 ; : 2 Se Ne : : ‘ : : fusca.
2. No preopercular spine.
a. Body strongly compressed . : ‘ : : . 3 . butts.
b. Body feebly compressed.
i. Scales: Lser. 35-42. : : : : . ophiocephalus.
ii. Scales: Lser. 28 . : : t : P : delagoensis.
810 Annals of the South African Museum.
Eleotris fusca (Bl. Schn.).
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 453.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 313, pl. Ixv, fig. 7.
1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Africa, vol. iv, p. 21, fig. 14
(references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 401 (references).
Body feebly compressed. Depth 4-42, length of head 3-34, in
length of body. Head broader than deep. Eye 44 (young)—7 in
length of head, 1—2 in interorbital width, equal to or rather less than
snout. Maxilla extending to below centre or posterior third of eye.
No canine teeth. A strong spine at angle of preopercle, projecting
downwards and forwards, concealed beneath the skin. D VI-+I 8.
AI8. P 18.- Seales ctenoid: J/Ser. 60-78; trser. 17-21) Here
scaly, except on snout and chin. Gill-rakers 10 on lower part of
anterior arch, very short. Pseudobranchiae reduced.
Length.—Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or blackish, vertical fins mottled or banded.
Locality.—Natal and east coast of Africa.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
*Eleotris butvs (Ham.-Buch.).
1822. Hamilton-Buchanan, Fish. Ganges, p. 57.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 315, pl. Ixvii, fig. 3.
1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 10, fig. 6
(references).
Body strongly compressed. Depth 44-5, length of head 23-3, in
length of body. Head much depressed, broader than deep. Eye 5-6}
in length of head, 3 (young) or 4 length of snout, 1-13 in interorbital
width. Maxilla extending to below anterior third or centre of eye.
No canine teeth. No preopercular spine. D VI+18. AI8. Scales
ctenoid: l.ser. 29-32; tr.ser. 10-11. Head almost entirely scaly, with
finely serrated ridges above and a groove on each side behind eye.
Length.—Up to 1385 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, soft dorsal and caudal spotted, anal with dark
margin edged with white, Ist dorsal dark, a light or scarlet spot divided
by a black mark on base of pectoral.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, Malay Archipelago.
————=
——— | —
3
‘
PLATE XXXII.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Scarus guttatus Bl. Schn (original photo) . : : ‘ : oe ee
2 Anchichoerops natalensis (G. and T.) (original photo) . : : . T47
3 Pomacentrus sindensis (Day) (after Day) : : : ‘ : « “TSS
4 Halidesmus scapularis Gnthr. (after Gnthr.) . ‘ : : : . 870
5. Gobius nudiceps C. and V. (original photo) , : : : « HOLS
6. Eleotris ophiocephalus C. and V. (after Day) . f : ‘ : : “Si
Annes. Atr. Mus., Vol. XXL Plate AXcaIT.
Sete ss <i
ode a =f
Neill & Co. Lid.
efi
tL
Soll
bs.
am
Te
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 811
*Eleotris ophiocephalus C. and V.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xii, p. 239.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 312, pl. lxvu, fig. 2.
1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 15, fig. 10
(references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 401 (references).
Body feebly compressed. Depth 4-5, length of head 3-4, in length
of body. Head broader than deep. Eye 44-6 in length of head, equal
to or 14 in snout, 13-24 in interorbital width. Maxilla extending to
below anterior third or centre of eye. No canine teeth. No pre-
opercular spine. A series of papillae in a groove below mandible.
D VI+1 8. AI 7-8. Scales ctenoid: lser. 35-42; tr.ser. 12-14.
Head scaly, except front part of snout. (Plate XXXII, fig. 6.)
Length—Up to 260 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or blackish, with or without yellowish spots,
blotches, or irregular cross-bars ; soft dorsal and caudal spotted, anal
with light edge.
Locality — Zululand and east coast of Africa.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Eleotris delagoensis n. sp.
Body moderately compressed. Depth 44, length of head 3, in length
of body. Head about as broad as deep. Eye 44 in length of head,
slightly smaller than snout, slightly greater than interorbital width.
Maxilla extending to below anterior third of eye. No canine teeth.
No preopercular spine. D VI+18. AI9. P 21, longer than ventrals.
Scales ctenoid : l.ser. 28; tr.ser.9. Head scaly, except on interorbital,
snout, suborbital, and mandibles. First gill-cleft reduced in size. Gill-
takers 13 on lower part of anterior arch, moderately developed.
Pseudobranchiae well developed. A row of small spiniform cutaneous
projections on supraorbital, continued on to snout. Rows of papillae :
6 vertical rows below eye, with a horizontal row below them, around
lower edge of preopercle, and in a groove below mandible.
Length —58 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with irregular darker mottling ; dorsals and anal
dark, the latter with light margin.
Locality —Delagoa Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
812 Annals of the South African Museum.
This species is easily distinguished by the large scales and the rows
of papillae on the head.
Fam. 2. GOBIIDAE.
Gobies.
Ventral fins either completely united to form a sucking disc or
united only at their bases, or at least their bases contiguous. Two
dorsal fins, the soft dorsal and anal free from caudal ; or a single dorsal
which, like the anal, is confluent with caudal. Pectorals well developed,
the upper rays sometimes free, silk-like, filamentous. Teeth in a single
row or in bands, with or without canines. Scales cycloid or ctenoid.
A large family containing a multitude of forms which have been
ranged in numerous genera. Many authorities further subdivide some
of the genera, but the limits of many of these genera and subgenera
are but ill-defined. Until further studies of large collections containing
abundant material have been made, especially from the Indo-Pacific
region, it is better not to proceed too far with generic subdivisions.
The relatively small number of South African species renders such
subdivision quite unnecessary for practical purposes.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Two dorsal fins.
A. Body scaly.
1. Pectoral fins and eyes normal . : . : Gobius.
2. Pectoral fins with strong muscular bases. Eyes prominent, erectile
Periophthalmus.
B. Body scaleless (apparently) 5 . : : Gobiosoma.
II. A single dorsal fin, confluent with caudal, as is se the anal fin Ctenotrypauchen,
Gen. Gostius Art.
1792. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 28.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. i, A 3, p. 61 (dermal papillae
and post-larval stages).
Body more or less elongate, compressed behind, but usually more
or less cylindrical in front. Head often broad and somewhat depressed.
Kye high up, but not erectile. Teeth in both jaws, in 1 or more rows,
simple, some of the outer ones often enlarged, canines sometimes
present. Two dorsals, more or less close together, the Ist with 6 weak -
spines. Soft dorsal and anal rays less than 14, free from caudal.
Pectoral normal, its upper rays sometimes free, silk-like. Ventrals not
a _— on
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 813
adnate to the belly. Scales moderate or small. Head more or less
naked, cheeks naked, opercle often so. Muciferous pores or papillae
in series and groups on various parts of head.
The very numerous species of Gobius have been distributed among
many subgenera or genera, the limits of which are often ill-defined.
No satisfactory classification has yet been proposed, on account of
the perplexing gradation of forms. The genus Gobius is here construed
in a very wide and general sense. Some of the more clearly defined
subgeneric names have been added in brackets.
So far as is known all Gobies lay demersal eggs, which they attach
to stones, shells, and other objects. The eggs are usually elongate-
oval in shape, and in some cases the male has been observed to guard
them until hatched. See Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 11,
few Lole (G. nudiceps), and Tr. Roy. Soc..8. Afr., vol. vi, p. 5,
pl. 1, fig. 8, 1919 (Gobsus sp.).
Gobies are mostly small fishes, usually very abundant in rock-pools
along the shore. In South Africa the species are more abundant in
Natal than towards the Cape, and there are doubtless many species
belonging to the Indo-Pacific fauna which await discovery along the
Natal and Zululand coast.
Some Gobies are said to be poisonous. They have no special poison
apparatus, however, and it is doubtful whether their bite is any more
poisonous than that of other fishes.
Key to the South African species.
I. Without barbels.
A. Caudal fin rounded, little if at all longer than head.
1. Upper pectoral rays not silk-like.
a. Dorsal and anal branched rays 7-9.
i. Rays 8-9. Scales: lser. 30-36 . ; é giuris.
ii. Rays 9. Scales: lser. 26 . : : . dewaali.
iii. Rays 7. Scales: lser. 38 . : : durbanensis.
6. Dorsal and anal rays 10-13 (occasionally 9).
i. Scales: tr.ser. 14-22.
a. Lower jaw projecting.
* Body nearly cylindrical : . nudiceps.
** Body moderately compressed melanocephalus.
fp. Upper jaw projecting over lower. Fresh water
aeneofuscus.
ii. Scales: tr.ser. 9-12.
a. Dorsal rays 12. Scales: l.ser. 31 capistratus.
fp. D 9-10. Scales: 26-28 . : . — eriniger.
y. D 10-11. Scales: 44-46 . - . agulhensis.
814 Annals of the South African Museum.
2. Upper pectoral rays silk-like.
a. Dorsal rays 8-9. Scales: tr.ser. 12-14 » . fuscus,
b. Dorsal rays 10-11. Scales: tr.ser. 10. ; . saldanha.
B. Caudal lanceolate, longer than head.
1. Dorsal spines filiform, elongate . . : : acutipennis.
2. Dorsal spines not filiform.
a. A low crest on nape . ; : ; 3 . nuchalis.
b. Nocrest . ; : : : . ‘ . signatus.
II. With barbels.
A. Two barbels on chin. No ocellus on tail . , : . bibarbatus.
B. A series of barbels or cutaneous flaps along lower jaws. An ocellus on
tail . ‘ ‘ ; ; 3 : : : . polynema.
G. platynotus Gnthr. (1861, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. it, p. 66) is
not included. It is based on a specimen in the British Museum from
an unknown locality, and the only reason for suggesting that it may
be South African is that the specimen was presented by Sir A. Smith.
Gobius (Glossogobius) giuris Ham.-Buch.
Flat-head Goby.
1822. Hamilton-Buchanan, Fish. Ganges, p. 51, pl. xxxiui, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 294, pl. Ixvi, fig. 1.
1897. Weber, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., vol. x, p. 144 (spectabilis).
1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 24, fig. 15
(references).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 402 (references).
1917. Id., cbid., p. 403 (spectabilrs).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 129 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvun, p. 262.
(Non von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, 1923, p. 28, as
spectabilis).
Body cylindrical or feebly compressed. Depth 44-54, length of
head 3-34, in length of body. Head broader than deep. Snout
depressed. Eye 44 (young)—74 in length of head, 14 (young)—25 in
snout, equal to interorbital width in adult. Lower jaw projecting.
Maxilla extending to below anterior margin or anterior third of eye.
Teeth conical, in narrow bands, outer strongly enlarged and widely
spaced. DVI+19. AI8. Upper rays of pectoral not filamentous.
Ventrals with broad basal membrane, not reaching to vent. Caudal
rounded, as long as but rarely longer than head. Scales ctenoid ;
l. series 30-36; tr. series 9-11. Head scaleless except on occiput.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 815
Horizontal rows of fine papillae across cheeks. Tongue bilobed. No
shoulder flaps. Gill-rakers obsolete.
Length.—Up to 320 mm.
Colour.—Brown or olivaceous, with large dark blotches, usually
forming a regular series along each side, with or without dark longi-
tudinal streaks, pectoral, dorsal, and caudal spotted or barred.
Locality.—Algoa Bay to Natal, Zululand, and east coast of Africa,
entering lagoons, estuaries, and fresh water. The South African
Museum has specimens from the Sabi River Game Reserve.
Distribution.—Madagascar, Indian seas, Malay Archipelago, South
China.
G. spectabilis Gnthr. is based on large examples (? male) with extra
long caudal fins (Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 468, 1913).
*Gobius dewaali Weber.
Dewaal’s Goby.
1897. Weber, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., vol. x, p. 145.
1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 26.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 402.
Depth 44, length of head nearly 34, in length of body. Eye nearly
4 in length of head, greater than snout. Interorbital space very
narrow. Mouth subinferior. Maxilla extending to beyond posterior
margin of eye. Teeth in 2 series, with a curved canine on each side
of lower jaw. D VI+I 9. AI9. P13. Ventrals reaching vent.
Caudal rounded. Scales ctenoid: l.ser. 26; tr.ser.10. Head naked
except on gill-cover.
Length. —40 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish brown, with large dark spots forming a zig-zag
band on each side; dorsal and anal fins with dark spots; a deep
black spot on hinder third of 1st dorsal.
Locality —Umgeni and Illovo Rivers, Natal, far inland; mangrove
swamps, Durban.
This species is distinguished from al! other South African Gobies
by the very wide mouth.
Gobius durbanensis n. sp.
Durban Goby.
Body moderately compressed posteriorly. Depth 42, length of
head 3, in length of body. Head broader than high, breadth 14 in
816 Annals of the South African Museum.
length. Hye 42 in length of head, equal to snout, rather less than
interorbital width. Jaws subequal. Maxilla extending to below
centre of eye. Teeth villiform, no canines. D VI-+I 7, the two fins
narrowly separated. A I 7. P 16, upper rays not filamentous.
Ventrals not reaching vent. Caudal rounded, shorter than head.
Scales ctenoid: l.ser. 38; tr.ser. 12. Scales extending forwards on
head to behind eyes and on upper part of opercle, rest of head naked.
Obscure series of papillae on cheeks, preopercle, and opercle, and a
series round edge of preopercle continued on to lower surface of
mandible. No flap on shoulder girdle. Tongue free, rounded. Gill-
rakers and pseudobranchiae reduced.
Length.—45 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brown, with irregular darker cross-bands,
the hindmost one being on base of caudal; Ist dorsal with a blackish
band and a light margin ; other fins grey.
Locality.— Durban Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
This species is close to the Madagascar G. sxmplex Sauv. in the fin
and scale formulae, but differs in the broader head and interorbital,
and absence of canines.
Gobius nudiceps C. and V.
Common Goby ; Dikkop.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xu, p. 65.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 55.
21861. Id., cbed., p. 55 (olvvaceus).
21861. Id., ebid., p. 55 (capensis).
1874. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4), vol. xiv, p. 453 (caffer
and natalensis).
1897. Weber, Zool. Jahrb. Syst., vol. x, p. 144 (gymnauchen non
Bika);
1898. Boulenger, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 8 (gilchristz).
1916. Id., Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 27, fig. 16 (gilchristz).
1916. Id., sbid., p. 28.
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 11, fig. 7 (eggs).
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 129 (gilchristz).
1918. Id., ibid., p. 131 (references).
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ii, pt. 2, p. 77 (natalensis).
Body cylindrical or feebly compressed. Depth 4-5, length of head
3-31, in length of body. Head 14-1} as long as broad. Snout convex.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 817
Kye 4-5 in length of head, 1 (young)-1} in snout, 1-1} times inter-
orbital width. Lower jaw projecting. Maxilla extending to below
anterior margin or anterior third of eye. Teeth in bands, the outer
ones usually more or less enlarged. D VI-+I 10-13, the two fins
contiguous. AJ 9-11. P19, upper rays not filamentous. Ventrals
with a broad basal membrane, which has a short process on each
side, sometimes reaching vent, but usually not. Caudal rounded,
shorter than head. Scales ctenoid: |.ser. 55-61; tr.ser. 18-22. Head
naked. Anterior part of back in front of Ist dorsal more or less
naked. Base of pectoral fin more or less scaly. Vertical and hori-
zontal series of papillae on cheek, a series round lower margin of
preopercle, continued (in a groove) on lower surface of mandible.
Gill-rakers reduced to knobs. Tongue rounded. No flaps on shoulder-
girdle. (Plate XXXII, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 165 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or olivaceous, with dark spots and marbling,
which usually combine to form more or less regular cross-bars ; 1st
dorsal with dark streaks, 2nd dorsal spotted, the spots usually form-
ing streaks; caudal frequently spotted, anal usually plain, pectoral
sometimes spotted, usually with a black band, edged with white, at
base ; usually a black scapular spot above the axil, margins of both
dorsals whitish.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay to Hast London and Natal ;
estuaries, rock-pools, and shallow water.
Types of caffer, natalensis, and gilchristi in British Museum.
This species is the common Goby along the south coast. Examina-
tion of a large series shows that G. gilchristt cannot be maintained as
a distinct species, nor even as a variety. The scaling in front of the
1st dorsal is a very variable feature. Even if maintained as a variety,
it is questionable whether the name should not give place to Castel-
nau’s capensis.
Although the dorsal spines can never, strictly speaking, be called
filaments, their tips frequently project a short distance beyond the
membrane, and Castelnau evidently considered this a specific feature.
Previous writers, I believe, have been led astray by the thick
mucus, which in preserved material frequently covers the head and
anterior parts of the body, and thus conceals the scales in front of the
lst dorsal and on the bases of the pectorals. Preservation also has
the effect sometimes of contracting the interorbital skin, thus pro-
ducing an apparently narrower interorbital space. In young speci-
mens, of course, the interorbital is naturally narrow.
818 Annals of the South African Museum.
The Dikkop is very common in the rock-pools around the Cape
Peninsula and along the south coast; it is much rarer in Natal,
where its place is taken by the Indo-Pacific species.
The eggs are elongate-oval, 1-8 mm. by -54 mm., and are attached
in groups by one end to the under-surface of rocks, shells, and other
suitable objects.
Gobius melanocephalus Blkr.
Spotted Goby.
1849. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxii, p. 33.
1849. Id., cbid., p. 34 (personatus and grammepomus).
1861. Steindachner, SB. Ak. Wien, vol. xlii, p. 289 (littwratus).
1861. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, pp. 64, 554 (gram-
mepomus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 292, pl. lxiii, fig. 6 (personatus).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 465.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 3,
p. 81 (malabaricus non Day).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 403 (malabaricus
non Day).
Body moderately compressed. Depth 42, length of head 34, in
length of body. Head 1} times as long as broad. Hye 43 in length
of head, twice the interorbital width, nearly equal to snout. Lower
jaw slightly projecting. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of
eye. Teeth with the outer series enlarged; no canines. D VI+1 10.
A I 9-10. Upper pectoral rays not silk-like. Ventrals nearly reach-
ing vent. Caudal rounded, shorter than head. Scales ctenoid :
l.ser. 50-55; tr. ser. 14-16. Whole head and space in front of Ist
dorsal naked, upper part of opercle sometimes scaly. Vertical and
horizontal series of papillae on cheek, a H -shaped series on lower
half of opercle, a series on lower edge of preopercle continued (in a
groove) on lower surface of mandible. Tongue rounded. Gill-
rakers much reduced. No flaps on shoulder-girdle.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or greenish, head and body with dark spots and
irregular vermiculate streaks ; both dorsals with rows of dark spots,
caudal spotted, pectoral with a dark curved band on upper half at
base.
Locality — Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, Kast Indies.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 819
Gobius (Awaous) aeneofuscus Peters.
River Goby.
1852. Peters, MB. Ac. Berl., p. 681.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iu, p. 61.
1868. Peters, Reise Mossamb., vol. iv, p. 18, pl. iii, fig. 1.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 376, pl. xxxviii, fig. 1
(banana non C. and V.).
1916. Boulenger, Freshwater Fish. Afr., vol. iv, p. 30, fig. 17.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Body cylindrical or feebly compressed. Depth 5-6, length of head
33-33 in length of body. Head 14 to nearly 2 times as long as broad,
broader than deep. Snout with convex profile. Hye 4 (young)-7 in
length of head, equal to interorbital width in adult, 24 in snout.
Mouth subinferior. Maxilla extending to, or nearly to, below anterior
margin of eye. Teeth villiform, in narrow bands. D VI-+I 10.
A110. Upper rays of pectoral not silk-like. Ventrals with broad
basal membrane, ending some distance from vent. Caudal rounded,
shorter than head. Scales ctenoid: l.ser. 58-64; tr. ser. 16-18.
Head naked. Gill-rakers short, 5-6 on lower part of anterior arch.
Tongue obsolete. Two flaps on shoulder-girdle.
Length —Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous brown or greenish above, bronzy on sides,
white below, with more or less distinct dark mottling ; 2 dark oblique
lines from eye to mouth; 2nd dorsal and caudal spotted or
barred.
Locality—Sabi and White Rivers, Transvaal; Pietermaritzburg
and Durban, Natal; Senna and Tette on Zambezi River.
Distribution.—Fresh waters of East Africa and Madagascar.
*Gobius capistratus Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 251.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 36.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 356, pl. xxxviii, fig. 5.
1898. Jatzow and Lenz, Abh. Senckenb. Ges., vol. xxi, p. 507.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth 44, length of head 34, in length of body. Eyes very close
together, about 34 in length of head. Snout short, convex. Maxilla
reaching to below anterior border of eye. Teeth in the outer series
enlarged; 2 canines on each mandible. D VI-+I 12. A I 12.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 53
820 Annals of the South African Museum.
Upper pectoral rays not filamentous. Ventrals reaching origin of
anal. Caudal rounded. Scales: I.ser. 31; tr.ser. 9.
Length.—62 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, with 5 brown cross-bars on back, scales more or
less distinctly white-spotted ; a brown vertical band through eye ;
pectoral dotted with white, anterior part of spinous dorsal and caudal
spotted.
Locality. —Natal coast and Ibo, Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Zanzibar. Not yet recorded from Madagascar,
though figured in Sauvage’s work.
Closely allied, according to Giinther, to ophthalmotaenia Blkr.,
which is synonymous with cauerensis Blkr. (see Weber, Siboga Exp.
Monogr. 57, p. 460, 1913).
Gobius criniger C. and V.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xii, p. 82.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 254 (atherinoides).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 18 (atherinoides).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 288, pl. Ixu, fig. 2.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 353 (atherinordes).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 262.
Body moderately compressed. Depth 5-54, length of head 33-33,
in length of body. Head as high as broad, 14 times as long as broad.
Eye 34-32 in length of head, slightly larger than snout. Interorbital
very narrow. Jaws subequal, or lower slightly longer. Snout convex.
Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Teeth villiform,
the outer series enlarged; no canines. D VI+I19-10. AI9-10. Upper
pectoral rays not filamentous. Ventrals reaching to, or nearly to,
vent. Caudal rounded, shorter than head. Scales ctenoid: l.ser. 26—
28; tr.ser. 9-10. Head and space in front of Ist dorsal naked. Hori-
zontal series of papillae on cheek, preopercle, opercle, and postorbital ;
a series around lower edge of preopercle continued on lower surface of
mandible. Tongue rounded. Gill-rakers reduced. No shoulder flaps.
Length.—Up to 112 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, with large irregular dark blotches, the last at
base of caudal fin, both dorsal fins and caudal with rather large spots,
anal light with blackish margin, ventrals dark grey.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay, Mozambique coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies to N. Australia.
It seems fairly evident that atherinoides Peters is synonymous. The
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 821
above description is taken from Delagoa Bay specimens collected by
myself, and differs a little from the descriptions of Day and Fowler,
namely, in the absence of canines and the slightly fewer scales.
Gobius agulhensis n. sp.
Body feebly compressed. Depth 5-53, length of head 334-34, in
length of body. Head 14 times as long as broad, a little broader than
high. Eye 4 in length of head, about equal to snout. Interorbital
space very narrow. Jaws subequal. Maxilla reaching to below an-
terior margin of eye. Teeth with the outer series enlarged; no canines.
D VI-+1 11, the two fins narrowly separated. AI10. P 21, upper
rays not filamentous. Ventrals reaching to, or nearly to, vent. Caudal
rounded, shorter than head. Scales ctenoid: l.ser. 44-46; tr.ser. 11—
12. Head, whole area in front of Ist dorsal, and base of pectoral,
naked. Vertical and horizontal series of papillae on cheek and opercle,
a series round lower edge of preopercle continued (in a groove) on to
lower surface of mandible. A small flap on front margin of shoulder-
girdle usually present. Tongue free, apically rounded. Gill-rakers
reduced to 6—7 knobs on anterior arch. Pseudobranchiae moderately
developed.
Length —Up to 90 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Light brown, with darker irregular blotches
on sides, sometimes forming more or less definite cross-bars, 1st dorsal
faintly barred, with (in adult) a black blotch between 4th and 6th
spines, 2nd dorsal faintly spotted, anal usually grey, ventrals often
dusky.
Locality—False Bay, St. Sebastian Bay, Mossel Bay, off East
London, 20-40 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
Gobius (Mapo) fuscus Riipp.
Fuscous Goby.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Reise N. Afr. Fisch., p. 137.
1828. Id., zbid., p. 138 (punctillatus).
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xii, p. 57
(albopunctatus).
1837. Id., ibid., p. 58 (nebulopunctatus).
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 250 (obscurus).
822 Annals of the South African Museum.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ili, p. 17 (obscurus).
1861. Id., ibid., p. 25 (albopunctatus), and p. 26 (nebulopunctatus).
1866. Steindachner, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, p. 780, pl. xviii,
fig. 6 (obscurus).
1876-81. Giinther, Fisch. d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 172, pl. cx, fig. A
(albopunctatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 294, pl. lxiii, fig. 7 (albopunctatus).
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 359, pl. xxxvii, fig. 2
(obscurus).
1891. Id., ibid., p. 361, pl. xxxvin, fig. 3 (albopunctatus).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
pt. 1, p. 483, fig. 212 (Mapo fuscus) (references).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 466 (references)
(synonymy).
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, pt. 3,
p. 80 (obscurus).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 403 (obsewrus).
1917. Regan, zbid., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459 (nebulopunctatus).
1919. Id., cbid., vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 200 (albopunctatus).
Body cylindrical or feebly compressed. Depth 5-6, length of head
34-42, in length of body. Head longer than broad. Hye 3? (young)—
5 in length of head, 14-1} in snout, equal to interorbital width in
adult. Jaws subequal, or upper slightly overhanging lower. Maxilla
reaching to below anterior border of eye. Teeth villiform, the outer
slightly enlarged ; no canines. D VI-+I 8-9, contiguous. A I 8-9.
Upper pectoral rays free, filamentous. Ventrals reaching to, or nearly
to, vent. Caudal rounded, shorter than head. Scales cycloid, or
feebly ctenoid posteriorly : l.ser. 35-42; tr.ser. 12-14. Head naked.
Horizontal series of papillae across cheek (sometimes very faint), a
series round lower edge of preopercle, continued (in a groove) on lower
surface of mandible. Tongue bilobed. Gill-rakers short. No shoulder
flaps.
Length.—Up to 95 mm.
Colour.—Blackish or olivaceous brown, with obscure dark spots or
marbling, usually with longitudinal series of small whitish spots, both
dorsal fins and the caudal usually with dark spots, more or less
arranged in bands.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific. Jordan and Evermann state that they
can find no differences between Hawaiian specimens of this species and
the West Indian species soporator C. and V.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 823
Gobius saldanha n. sp.
? 1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 28 (spectabilis
non Gnthr.).
Body moderately compressed. Depth 5, length of head 3, in length
of body. Head longer than broad. Eye 4 in length of head, equal to
snout, twice the interorbital width. Jaws about equal (specimen pre-
served with jaws open). Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin
of eye. Teeth villiform, none enlarged; no canines. D VI-+I 11,
contiguous. AJI10. P19-+ca. 5, the upper rays filamentous. Ven-
trals reaching origin of anal fin. Caudal rounded, shorter than head.
Scales ctenoid : l.ser. 35-36; tr.ser. 10. Head, whole area in front
of 1st dorsal, and bases of pectorals naked (only a few small scales on
chest in advance of ventrals). Groups of papillae on cheek, post-
orbital, and opercle, a series round edge of preopercle continued (in a
groove) on to lower surface of mandible; 2 larger papillae in median
line on interorbital. No flap on shoulder-girdle. Tongue rounded,
apparently adnate (but this may be due to the specimen having been
preserved with the mouth widely expanded). Giull-rakers short, 6-7
on lower part ofanterior arch. Pseudobranchiae moderately developed.
Lengith.—85 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Light brown, both dorsals, anal, and ventrals
dusky.
Locality. Saldanha Bay, low tide.
Type in South African Museum.
This species would appear to have some affinity with G. jozo from
the Mediterranean and the coast of Morocco and Mauretania.
Von Bonde’s identification of a specimen also from Saldanha Bay
as spectabilis Gnthr. (=giuris, Ham.-Buch.) is probably erroneous ;
the specimen possibly belongs to this species.
Gobius acutipennis, C. and V.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xii, p. 80.
1837. Id., ibid., p. 81 (setosus).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 44 (acutipinnis sic).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 291, pl. 1xi, fig. 2 (acutipinnis sic).
Body rather compressed. Depth 444, length of head 33-4, in length
of body. Head higher than broad; height $ length. Eye 4 in length
of head, equal to or slightly less than snout, twice or 3 times the inter-
orbital width. Jaws subequal, or upper slightly overhanging lower.
Maxilla reaching to below centre or posterior third of eye. Teeth
824 Annals of the South African Museum.
villiform ; no canines. D VI-+I1 10-11, 1st dorsal high, the spines weak
and filamentous, the longest (4th) $ length of body. AJI11. Upper
pectoral rays not silk-like. Ventrals reaching to vent. Caudal lan-
ceolate, longer than head. Scales ctenoid: I.ser. 25-28; tr.ser. 6-7.
Whole head and area in front of dorsal fin naked. A series of papillae
across cheek, opercle, and postorbital, a series round lower edge of
preopercle, continued on to under surface of mandible. Tongue
rounded-truncate. Gull-rakers reduced. No shoulder flaps.
Length.—Up to 95 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, lighter below, with darker blotches along sides,
the last at base of caudal; a brown band (bluish in life) from eye to
angle of mouth, dorsal fins with grey bands and dark dots, caudal,
especially the central rays, with dark bands or spots; analand ventrals
orey.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Andaman Islands and Indian seas.
Gobius (Oxyurichthys) nuchalis n. sp.
Long-tailed Goby.
Body compressed. Depth 5-54, length of head 33-332, in length of
body. Head rather higher than broad, height 14 in length. A low
longitudinal crest from occiput to Ist dorsal. Posterior rim of orbit
prominent, a transverse groove behind it. No tentacles. Hye 34
(young)—4 in length of head, 1-14 in snout, 3-4 times the interorbital
width. Snout blunt, profile abruptly descending. Upper jaw slightly
overlapping lower. Cleft of mouth nearly horizontal. Maxilla reaching
to below posterior third or posterior margin of eye. Teeth conical, in
a single series in both jaws, but with 2-3 behind front row at symphysis
of lower jaw; no canines. D VI-+I 12-13, contiguous or almost so.
A113. P 22, upper rays not silk-like. Ventrals reaching to vent,
the margin of basal membrane fimbriate. Caudal lanceolate, longer
than head. Scales ctenoid, except those on temporal region: L.ser.
ca. 50 (no complete series remains on any of the specimens); tr.ser. 12.
Scales extending on to the temporal region nearly to hind margin of
eye, but leaving base of the nuchal crest bare. Series of papillae on
preorbital, postorbital, occipital, cheek, preopercle, and opercle, a
series round edge of preopercle continued on to lower surface of man-
dible. No flaps on shoulder-girdle. Tongue free, rounded. Gill-rakers
6 on lower part of anterior arch. Pseudobranchiae 2-3 filaments.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 825
Length.—Up to 110 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Pinkish brown, eyes black, dorsals, pectoral,
and caudal hyaline, but with indications of spots on 2nd dorsal and
of a dark spot on hind part of Ist dorsal; anal and ventrals dusky.
Locality.— Zululand coast, 36-42 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
This species is closely related to G. cristatus Day, and tentacularis
C. and V. From the former it differs in having ctenoid scales, and
from the latter in the absence of the orbital tentacle. From both it
is distinguished by the abrupt profile, the horizontal mouth, and the
lower jaw being slightly included in the upper.
*Gobvus (Oxyurichthys) signatus Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 253.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 45.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 362, pl. xxxviul, fig. 4.
1898. Jatzow and Lenz, Abh. Senckenb. Ges., vol. xxi, p. 508.
Depth 5, length of head 4, in length of body. Head rather higher
than broad. Snout very slightly convex. Hye 4 in length of head,
equal to snout, twice interorbital width. Teeth with the outer series
enlarged. D VI+I110. AI10. Upper pectoral rays not silk-like.
Caudal lanceolate, as long as or longer than head. Scales ? ctenoid :
l.ser. 30; tr.ser. 8-9. Head naked.
Length.—Up to 72 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, with irregular dark blotches, sides of head with
bluish spots, a large blackish-blue ocellus between 5th and 6th dorsal
spines, pectorals and caudal white-spotted, anal with indistinct basal
white spots, ventrals dusky.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Zanzibar.
As Weber remarks (Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 479, 1913), this
species and longimanus Weber from the East Indies are closely related,
the small number of scales being an unusual feature in a species of the
subgenus Oxyurichthys.
Gobius bibarbatus von B.
Bearded Goby.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 28, pl. vi.
Body moderately compressed. Depth 43-5 (young), length of head
826 Annals of the South African Museum.
3, in length of body. Head slightly higher than broad. Eye 4 (young)—
5 in length of head, equal to snout, twice interorbital width in young,
slightly larger than it in adult. Snout convex. Lower jaw projecting.
Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. Teeth in bands, some of
them enlarged; no canines. D VI+I113, contiguous. A113. Upper
pectoral rays silk-like. Ventrals reaching to vent. Caudal rounded,
shorter than head. Scales ctenoid: l.ser. 56-58; tr.ser. 15-16. Head,
but not the nape, naked. Vertical and horizontal series of papillae
on cheek and opercle, a series round edge of preopercle continued on
to lower surface of mandible ; 2 pores in median line on interorbital
space. Two short barbels on chin. A flap on shoulder-girdle. Tongue
free, rounded-truncate. Gull-rakers 8 on lower part of anterior arch.
Pseudobranchiae moderate.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or brownish, scales dotted with greenish, opercle
purplish ; dorsals, anal, and caudal purplish with darker cross-bars,
pectorals and ventrals dusky; some preserved specimens have
irregular dark blotches on sides.
Locality.—St. Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay, and St. Sebastian Bay,
28-50 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
The pair of barbels on the chin serves to distinguish this species at
once from all other South African Gobies.
Gobius (Parachaeturichthys) polynema Blkr.
Spot-tacled Goby.
1853. Bleeker, Verh. Batav. Gen., vol. xxv, p. 44, fig. 4.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, p. 46.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 286, pl. Ixi, fig. 8.
1901. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 103.
1925. Fowler, J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xxx, pt. 3, p. 649.
1925. Id., Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 262.
Body moderately compressed. Depth 54-53, length of head 33-44,
in length of body. Head about as high as broad. Eye 4 in length of
head, about equal to snout, twice (young) or 14 times the interorbital
width. Jaws about equal. Maxilla extending to below anterior
margin or anterior third of eye. Teeth villiform, the outer ones
slightly enlarged ; a small canine on either side of lower jaw some-
times present. D VI+I111. AI 9-10. Pectoral longer than head,
upper rays not silk-like. Ventrals reaching nearly to vent. Caudal
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 827
lanceolate, longer than head. Scales cycloid anteriorly, ctenoid
posteriorly: l.ser. 28-30; tr.ser. 8-9. Scales extending forwards on
to interorbital, cheeks, and opercles. Horizontal series of papillae
on cheeks, a series round edge of preopercle continued on to lower
surface of mandible. A series of small irregular cutaneous flaps or
barbels along lower surface of mandibles. Pseudobranchiae and gill-
rakers reduced, the latter about 8 on lower part of anterior arch.
Tongue rounded. No shoulder flaps.
Length—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Purplish brown, fins dusky or blackish; an oval, black,
white-edged ocellus on upper part of caudal fin near base.
Locality.— Zululand coast, 12-26 fathoms, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas, China, Japan.
This species is easily recognised by the ocellus on the caudal fin.
Gen. PERIOPHTHALMUS BI. Schn.
1801. Bloch Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 63.
Body subcylindrical, more or less elongate. Head large. LHyes
high up, very close together, erectile, outer eyelid very well developed.
Mouth horizontal, upper jaw overlapping lower. Teeth in 1 or 2
rows in both jaws, moderate, conical, vertical. Two dorsal fins, lst
with 4-15 flexible spines. Second dorsal and anal free from caudal.
Caudal with lower margin obliquely truncated. Bases of pectorals
very muscular. Ventrals not adnate to belly, their bases always joined,
but their tips more or less separate. Scales moderate or small, cycloid
or feebly ctenoid. Head naked, but with small scales on occiput and
opercles. Bases of pectorals scaly. Muciferous pores not conspicuous.
No barbels on chin. Gill-opening narrow. Pseudobranchiae obsolete.
This genus is confined to the tropics, and occurs on the West
African coast and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Three or four
species and numerous varieties, mostly colour varieties, are known.
These little fishes, known as Skipping or Jumping Gobies, are
remarkable for their amphibious mode of life. They spend a con-
siderable time out of water, clinging by means of their strong pectoral
fins to rocks or the roots and trunks of mangrove trees, though they
never wander far from water. When disturbed they make a sudden
jump, and skim along the surface of the water by a series of little
jumps, finally disappearing below the surface or into a hole in the mud.
They obtain their scientific name from the pair of very prominent,
erectile, goggle-like eyes, which enable them to obtain an extensive
828 Annals of the South African Museum.
survey around them. They feed on crabs and various insects,
including flies and mosquitoes, and are extraordinarily active in
their movements.
From their habit of keeping the caudal fin out of the water when
sitting on rocks, it has been suggested that respiration is to a large
extent performed by the tail (Haddon, Nature, vol. 39, 1889, p. 285),
though no more recent experiments appear to have been carried out.
A good coloured figure of one of these Gobies is given by Hickson
(1889, A Naturalist in Celebes, frontispiece), and an account of their
burrowing habits by Petit (1922, Bull. Mus. d’Hist. Nat. Paris, No. 6,
p. 404).
Periophthalmus koelreuteri Pall.
Skipping Goby.
1769. Pallas, Spic. Zool., vol. vii, p. 8, pl. ii, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 303, pl. lxiv, fig. 8.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc., p. 520, pl. xl A, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 403 (references and synonymy).
Depth 5-6, length of head 34-44, in length of body. Eye 4 in
length of head. Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of eye.
Snout with 2 triangular fleshy flaps overhanging upper lip. Teeth in
a single row; no canines. D XVI-+I 11-12; Ist dorsal spine not
produced. A [I 11. Ventrals almost entirely separated. Scales
cycloid : l.ser. 80-90. Gill-rakers obsolete.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, olivaceous, or bluish, with white or bluish dots
on head and along sides of body ; both dorsal fins with whitish dots
near base, and a black band parallel with the white margin; anal
light, caudal and pectorals sometimes spotted with brown.
Locality. — Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, Quilimane.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific and west coast of Africa.
This species is subject to considerable variation in colour and
markings. The number of spines in the lst dorsal also varies from
10-16. Specimens from West Africa are stated to be identical with
those from the Indo-Pacific.
Gen. GOBIOSOMA Gir.
1859. Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad, 1858, p. 169.
Body elongate, cylindrical. Head somewhat depressed. Eyes high
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 829
up. Mouth horizontal or oblique, lower jaw often projecting. Teeth
villiform or cardiform; no canines. Two dorsal fins, lst with 6-8
flexible spines. Second dorsal and anal free from caudal. Bases of
pectorals normal. Ventrals not adnate to belly, their bases con-
tiguous, but the rays separate. Scales usually absent; if present,
moderate, cycloid. Head naked. Muciferous pores not conspicuous.
No barbels. Gnull-opening rather narrow. Pseudobranchiae obsolete.
These small Gobies are distinguished from the true Gobies by the
absence of scales, though some individuals sometimes have scales.
Klunzinger has suggested that the scaly and naked individuals may
be the two sexes of one and the same fish. From an examination
of specimens in the South African Museum, I am more inclined to
suspect that the alleged absence of scales is more apparent than real.
Like most Gobies, these fishes exude a thick mucus when preserved,
and this may easily hide the scales so effectually that the skin appears
naked. Gentle scraping, however, reveals the presence of the scales,
which lie very closely to the body.
A more certain difference between Gobiosoma and Gobius lies in
the separation of the rays of the ventral fins, which are not united into
a disc or cup as in Gobius.
East and west coasts of N. America, West Indies, east coast of Africa,
East Indies.
Gobiosoma diadematum Riipp.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, pp. 137, 138.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 85.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 483.
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 200.
Depth 53, length of head 4, in length of body. Head depressed,
broader than high. Hye 42-5 in length of head, 14 in snout, about
equal to interorbital width. Snout conical. Mouth oblique, lower
jaw projecting. Maxilla reaching to below anterior margin of eye.
Deve 11-12, A 110. Caudal rounded. Scales: I.ser. ca. 45
(but difficult to count); tr.ser.ca.13. Gull-rakers obsolete. Tongue
rounded-truncate.
Length.— Up to 55 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, a dark oblique band from eye towards angle of
opercle, a dark cross-band below 1st dorsal fin, and other more or
less distinct cross-bands further back, the last across base of tail ;
dorsals dark with yellow margins, anal with a dark border, caudal
with yellow margin, pectorals reddish.
830 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea.
Gen. CTENOTRYPAUCHEN Stndnr.
1867. Steindachner, SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lv, p. 530.
1924. Hora, Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. xxvi, pp. 158, 159.
1920. Id, bid... Vole vill, p. Zeit:
Body elongate, compressed. Head short, compressed, profile
bluntly rounded. Eyes very small. Mouth small, oblique, lower
jaw projecting. Teeth in two or three rows in both jaws, the outer
series enlarged; no canines. A single dorsal fin confluent (like the
anal) with the caudal, which is pointed. Pectorals small. Ventrals
united, but with a distinct notch posteriorly. Scales small, cycloid,
separate anteriorly, but more or less imbricated posteriorly. Head
naked. Mucous pores distinct. A deep pit above the opercle open-
ing into a cavity distinct from the gill-cavity. Giull-opening moderate.
Pseudobranchiae and gill-rakers obsolete. No barbels.
The small eyes, pit above the opercle, and the confluent vertical
fins at once distinguish this genus from all the other South African*
Gobies. It ranges from Japan, China, and the East Indies to Natal.
Three other allied genera are also found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ctenotrypauchen barnard: Hora.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xin, p. 82
(Trypauchen vagina non Bl. Schn.).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 404 (Trypauchen
vagina non Bl. Schn. Not the references).
1926. Hora, loc. cit., p. 221, text-figs. 1, 2.
Body compressed. Depth 74-94, length of head 53-54, in length
of body. Snout 34-4 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below
anterior margin of eye. Lower jaw slightly projecting. D VI 46-51.
A I 44-47. Seales: 1.1. 65-70; l.tr.12., Head naked.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Uniform pale pinkish, becoming whitish or brownish
when preserved. }
Locality. Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, 2-14 fathoms, on muddy
bottom.
Type in South African Museum.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 831
Group BLENNIOIDEI.
Blennies.
(1912. Regan, Ann. -Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. x, p. 265,
classification).
Body naked or scaly. Spinous dorsal developed or absent. Anal
with or without spines. Ventrals jugular or mental, often reduced
or absent. No bony stay for the preoperculum.
The Blennies and Blenny-like fishes form a large group containing
littoral, shallow-water, and deep-water species. In shape they are
mostly elongate or eel-like, with the ventral fins far forward, and
often reduced to filaments.
Key to the South African families.
I. Ventrals (if present) jugular.
A. Caudal fin free.
1. Spinous and soft dorsal subequal . : : Blennudae.
2. Spinous dorsal longer than soft dorsal : : . Clinidae.
B. Caudal confluent with dorsal and anal.
1. Lips strongly developed. Littoral . : . Congrogadidae.
2. Lips not strongly developed. Deep-sea.
a. Gill-membranes more or less broadly united to isthmus
Zoarcidae.
b. Gill-membranes free from isthmus 4 : Brotulidae.*
C. Caudal and ventral fins absent. Vent at throat . . Mierasferidae.
II. Ventrals between rami of lower jaw, each reduced to a pair of filaments
Ophidiidae.
* Hoplobrotula has the ventrals inserted between the rami of lower jaw, and
in this respect resembles the Ophidiidae.
Fam. 1. BLENNIIDAR.
Body elongate, naked. Mouth not protractile, maxilla almost or
quite excluded from upper jaw. A single series of slender close-set
teeth, like a comb, in each jaw, within which canines may be developed.
Palate usually toothless. Spinous and soft portions of dorsal fin
about equal. Analwith1lor2spines. Caudal free (except in Xiphasia,
Enchelyurus). Ventrals jugular, with 1 spine and 2-4 rays. Pseudo-
branchiae present.
Mostly small-sized fishes inhabiting shallow waters, though some
descend to deep water, in tropical and temperate regions. The
majority are carnivorous and oviparous. In some cases parental care
of the eggs has been observed.
832 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Caudal free.
A. Teeth fixed.
1. Gill-opening wide. : ; : . Blennius.
2. Gill-opening reduced to a small foraon.
a. Gill-opening above root of pectoral _. : Petroscirtes.
6. Gill-opening on in front of pectoral . Aspidontus.
B. Teeth movable : : : : : - . Salarias.
II. Caudal united with vertical fine. Body eel-shaped ‘ . Atphasia.
Gen. Buennius (Art.) Linn.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 27.
Body oblong, compressed. Snout short, profile of head bluntly
rounded. Cleft of mouth small, horizontal. A curved canine tooth
on each side in both jaws, or lower jaw only, in addition to the comb-
like series of immovably fixed teeth ; canines sometimes absent. Gill-
opening wide. Gill-membranes typically forming a fold across the
throat, but in B. caprto united to isthmus without forming a fold. Dor-
sal fin entire, more or less notched, between spinous and soft portions.
Tentacles above orbits, more or less developed, sometimes absent. No
pyloric caeca. Lateral line often developed only on the anterior part
of the body, consisting of a single line of short tubes, or in the anterior
part of a double row of pores, each pair of pores being connected by a
(more or less distinct) transverse groove. Pseudobranchiae present.
If a revision of all the species of this genus were undertaken, the
characters of the lateral line and the gill-membranes might well be
used to differentiate new genera. So far as the South African fauna is
concerned, this is unnecessary at present.
Key to the South African species.
I. Lateral line a single row of tubes. A pair of tentacles on nape . Oboafilum.
II. Lateral line anteriorly a double row of pores.
A. Gill-membranes forming a fold across throat.
1. Nasal tentacle, if present, short.
a. No ocellus on dorsal fin.
i. Supraorbital tentacle long. Throat not barred cornutus.
ii. Supraorbital tentacle short. Throat with dark bars
fascigula.
b. An ocellus on dorsal fin.
i. Ocellus between Ist and 2nd dorsal spines.
a. An occipital (filamentous) crest
pu At and cristatus.
f. No occipital crest : : < scu'lyt.
. Ocellus between 3rd and 5th dorsal spines . _ ocellatus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 833
2. Nasal tentacle long . ‘ ; . hypenetes.
B. Gill-membranes joined to isthmus, not i forminig a , eb tiginbne fold across
throat 5 : 3 : : : : : : capito.
Blenmus bifilum Guthr.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, pp. 225, 561.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 414 (references).
Depth 5-53, length of head 44-4#, in length of body. Hye 14 in
snout, 332-4 in length of head, 14 times interorbital width. Profile
of head very abruptly descending. A simple short nasal tentacle ; no
orbital tentacle. A pair of slender tapering tentacles on the nape.
No canine teeth. D XI-XII 18-19, commencing above end of oper-
culum, slightly notched. A 20-22, lst ray short, not tuberculous.
Lateral line anteriorly a series of short, longitudinal tubes, obsolete
posteriorly. Gull-membranes united across throat.
Length.—Up to 75 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, with 7-8 dark cross-bands and scattered small
pearly ocellate spots; dorsal and caudal with dark spots, arranged
more or less in rows.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand.
Type in British Museum.
Blennius cornutus (Linn.).
Common Cape Blenny ; Buyjter.
1754. Linné, Mus. Ad. Fried., p. 61.
1916. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. im, p. 11, fig. 9 (eggs and
nesting habits).
1918. Thompson, zbid., vol. iv, p. 145 (references).
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 202.
Depth about equal to length of head, 32-4 in length of body. Eye
12 in snout, 5 in length of head, 14 times interorbital width. Profile
of head abruptly descending. A deep transverse groove behind orbits.
A short, fimbriate nasal tentacle ; a tapering tentacle, with a group
of shorter filaments at its base, above each eye, in ¢ extending to
commencement of dorsal fin, in 9 considerably shorter. Curved canine
teeth in both jaws, those in lower jaw larger than those in upper jaw.
D XII 17-20, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, slightly
notched. A II 19-22, the Ist two spines in § covered with thick
834 Annals of the South African Museum.
spongy skin. Lateral line anteriorly a double series of pores. Gill-
membranes united across throat, forming a fold. (Plate XXXYV, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or chestnut, sometimes faint lighter bars or
patches, belly lighter, anal fin with dark margin, lower rays of pectoral
pinkish or yellowish ; body sometimes with traces of dark marbling
or spots.
Locality— Table Bay, False Bay, Knysna to Algoa Bay and Natal.
Blennius fascigula n. sp.
Depth 44, length 34, in length of body. Eye 24 in length of head,
14 times interorbital width, greater than snout.. Profile of head very
abruptly descending. Nasal tentacle short, fringed; supraorbital
tentacle very short, 4 diameter of eye, fringed. No occipital crest.
No canines visible. D XII 23, commencing above hind margin of
preopercle, not notched, not joined to caudal. A II 20. Lateral line
anteriorly a double row of pores. Giull-membranes forming a fold
across throat.
Length.—40 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Light brown, with 5 dark transverse bars,
extending on to dorsal and anal, head and pectoral fin dotted, 3
transverse dark angular bands across throat and one across chin, a
dark cross-bar on caudal.
Locality.—*‘ Pieter Faure ”’ collection, without precise locality.
Type in South African Museum.
This little specimen does not seem to agree with any of the described
species. It has the banded throat found in tentacularis Briinn. and
paro Risso from the Mediterranean, and by this character is easily
distinguished from the other South African species.
*Blennius punctifer Regan.
Punctate Blenny.
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. 1, pt. 3, p. 254, pl. xlu.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 141.
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 414.
Depth 33-4, length of head 43-45, in length of body. Eye 3}-4 in
length of head, twice the interorbital width. Profile of head nearly
vertical in front. A short fringed nasal tentacle, and a similar supra-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 835
orbital tentacle. Occiput with a median series of simple filaments.
Very small canines in lower jaw. D XII 14-15, commencing above
hind edge of preopercle, very slightly notched. A 17-19.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Back with 6 more or less distinct dark cross-bars,
numerous very small dark dots on head and body, fins dotted,
a dark spot or ocellus between Ist and 2nd dorsal spines.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand.
Type in British Museum.
Regan differentiates this species from cristatus C. and V. on slender
and inconstant features. It seems also very closely allied to sten-
dachneri Day, or semifasciatus Ripp. (cf. Day, Fish. India, p. 326).
It seems impossible to separate punctifer from cristatus for purposes of
the key on p. 832.
* Blennius cristatus Linn.
Crested Blenny.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, vol. 1, p. 256.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. ii,
p. 2382.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 194, pl. cxin, fig. EH.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 145 (references).
Depth nearly equal to length of head, which is 4-5 in length of
body. Eye 33-44 in length of head, 14 times the interorbital width.
Profile of head very abruptly descending. Nasal tentacle short,
fringed ; supraorbital tentacle short, not exceeding diameter of eye in
length, fringed. Occiput and nape with a crest of 10-20 filaments.
Canines small, often absent in upper jaw. D XI-XII 14-16, com-
mencing above hind end of preopercle, very slightly notched. A II
16-18. Lateral line anteriorly a double row of pores. Gill-membranes
forming a fold across throat.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or olivaceous, 5-6 dark cross-bars on body
extending on to base of dorsal fin, on which is also a black spot between
1st and 2nd spines, caudal with dark cross-bar, pectorals spotted, anal
with dark margin.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—Warm parts of the Atlantic, east and west sides,
Island of Ascension, Tonga Islands (Pacific).
Giinther identified a specimen from Cape seas with this species,
but Gilchrist and Thompson apparently never saw one.
VOL. XXl) PART 2: 54
836 Annals of the South African Museum.
The wide distribution is considered by Giinther to be due to the
fish living on floating weed and other objects.
Blennius scullyi G. and T.
Scully's Blenny.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p- 103.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 145.
Depth about equal to length of head, 32 in length of body. Hye 14
in snout, 43 in length of head, 14 times the interorbital width. Profile
of head abruptly descending. A deep groove behind orbits. Nasal
tentacle fringed in Natal specimens; supraorbital tentacle 14 times
diameter of eye, tapering, with shorter filaments at its base. Canines
in upper jaw smaller than those in lower jaw. D XII 19, commencing
above hind end of preopercle, slightly notched. A II 21. Lateral line
anteriorly a double row of pores. Giull-membranes forming a fold
across throat.
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, mottled with darker; Natal specimens are
rather definitely spotted; a dark spot between Ist and 2nd dorsal
spines.
Locality.—Walfish Bay and Natal coast.
Type in South African Museum.
The presence of this species on the Natal coast is interesting ; no
specimens have yet been found around the Cape Peninsula or any
intermediate locality.
Blennius ocellatus G. and T.
Ocellate Blenny.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 103.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 145.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 35.
Depth about equal to length of head, 34-44 in length of body. Eye
equal to snout, 34 in length of head, 24 times interorbital width. Pro-
file of head very abruptly descending, almost vertical. No groove
behind orbits. A very short, simple, nasal tentacle; a cluster of
tentacles over each eye, the longest being about 14 times diameter
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 837
of eye, sometimes bifid. No canines. D XII 21, commencing a little
behind hind margin of preopercle, very slightly notched. A II 21.
Lateral line anteriorly a double row of pores. Guill-membranes forming
a fold across throat.
Length.—Up to 80 mm.
Colour.—Light brownish, mottled, the mottling forming 6-7 irregu-
lar cross-bands extending to base of dorsal fin, the Ist band behind the
pectorals being continued as a dark spot on the dorsal between the
3rd—5th spines ; anal fin with light margin.
Locality.—Saldanha Bay, False Bay, 9-14 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
*Blennius hypenetes Klunz.
Moustache Blenny.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, p. 492.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth 7%, length of head 6, in length (total length). Hye 34 in
length of head. Profile of head vertical. A long nasal tentacle hanging
down over mouth. No orbital tentacle. Occipital crest present in
adult (? g only). No canines. D XII 19, deeply notched. A 21-23.
Length.—Up to 60 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, with 7-8 brown cross-bars, front half of body with
scattered black dots, hind half with 2-3 longitudinal light blue stripes,
occipital crest, nasal tentacle and a spot on throat yellow, dorsal
mottled or spotted, several white lines on soft portion, anal yellow
with black border, caudal with black margin.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea.
This little Blenny is easily distinguished by the moustache-like nasal
tentacle which hangs down over the mouth.
B. variopunctatus Jatz. and Lenz. (1898, Abh. Senckenb. Ges., vol.
xxi, p. 511, pl. xxxv, fig. 8) from Zanzibar appears to be the same
species, although the authors give the dorsal formula as D XIV 18,
and state that there is one canine in the lower jaw.
Blennius capito C. and V.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x1, p. 260.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, p. 215.
21861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’Afr. Austr., p. 50 (castaneus).
sag | Annals of the South African Museum.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 144.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322 (name only).
Depth about equal to length of head, 44-43 in length of body. Eye
1} in snout, 44 in length of head, nearly twice the interorbital width.
Snout very blunt, profile of head abruptly descending. Interorbital
space concave. A deep transverse groove behind orbits. A short
fringed nasal tentacle; a bushy fringed tentacle above the orbit ;
34-38 teeth in each jaw; no canines. D XIII 19-21, commencing
just in front of hind margin of operculum, very slightly notched.
A I 21-22. Lateral line anteriorly a double row of pores, with the
transverse connections usually very well marked. Guill-membranes
united to isthmus, not forming a fold across the throat. Skin loose
and spongy, enveloping the dorsal and anal fins.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Light brown, marbled with dark blackish brown; belly
lighter ; dorsal, pectoral, and caudal dark brown with more or less
distinct hight edging, one or two lght cross-bars on base of caudal ;
anal dark with light edging.
Locality.— Hout Bay, Cape Peninsula, Natal.
This species has only once been observed since it was described by
Cuvier and Valenciennes. Gilchrist and Thompson (1908, Ann. 8. Afr.
Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 102) merely quote the original description.
There are two specimens in the South African Museum.
It is the largest of the South African Blennies, and easily distin-
guished by the absence of the fold across the throat, as well as by the
loose flabby skin. The lateral line is not distinctive, being of the same
structure as in cornutus and other species. Similarly the character of
the lateral line, relied upon by Castelnau to distinguish his species
castaneus from capito, is merely that found in all the other South African
Blennies (except bifilum).
B. castaneus Cast. has been tentatively made synonymous with
capito, though the coloration corresponds more closely with that of
cornutus.
Gen. PerroscirteEs Riipp.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 110.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x1, p. 279
(Blennechis).
Body elongate, compressed. Snout usually short, blunt or sub-
conical. Cleft of mouth small, horizontal, inferior. A strong curved
canine in both jaws, that of the lower jaw much larger than that of
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 839
upper jaw, behind the single series of immovably fixed teeth. Gill-
opening reduced to a small aperture above the root of the pectoral.
Gill-membranes not forming a fold across throat (sometimes a very
slight fold). Dorsal fin entire, not notched between spinous and soft
portions, the anterior spines usually elevated. Orbital tentacles
usually developed. No pyloric caeca. Lateral line incomplete, con-
sisting of a few tubules running along base of anterior part of dorsal
fin. Pseudobranchiae present.
These little Blennies are inhabitants of tide-pools on rocky coasts
or coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key to the South African species.
1. No tentacles.
a. An occipital crest : ; : : 3 : i : wood.
b. No occipital crest.
i, D 44-45, A 32 . % s : 3 ‘ . rhinorhynchus.
li. D 32, A 24 : : : : : : elongatus.
2. A very small simple supraorbital tentacle, and a pair on chin . variabilis.
3. Several fringed tentacles on head and chin . : : : . mitratus.
Petroscirtes woodi (G. and T.).
Wood’s Blenny.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann.S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 105.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 5, p. 459.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 146.
Depth 53-6, length of head 5-54, in length of body. Hye 14 in
snout, 42-5 in length of head, 14 times interorbital width. Snout
blunt, profile abruptly descending, upper lip overhanging mouth.
Canine in lower jaw large, slightly curved, that in upper jaw smaller
but more strongly curved. No tentacles. A fleshy crest extending
along the interorbital space and occiput, half the length of head in
height (when fully developed). D 30-32, commencing above the gill-
opening, anterior rays not elevated, rays increasing in length from
Ist to about the 28th. A 21-23. V 2, about 2 length of head.
Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 93 mm.
Colour.—Pale brown, with 10-12 dark brown or black cross-bars,
snout with a median dark band, sides of head with 3-4 somewhat
irregular vertical bars, which are continued across the throat, an
oval black spot above the gill-opening; fins translucent or dusky,
840 Annals of the South African Museum.
sometimes with dark spots at bases of dorsal and anal corresponding
with the body bands.
Locality.—Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Delagoa Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Easily distinguished from the other species of this genus by its
occipital crest, which gives it the appearance of a member of the
next genus (Salarias). The crest is only developed when the animal
reaches a length of about 35-40 mm.
Exceedingly close to, if not merely a colour variety of, P. striatus
Jatz. and Lenz (1898, Abh. Senckenb. Ges., vol. xxi, p. 512, pl. xxxv,
fig. 9) from Zanzibar.
*Petroscirtes rhinorhynchus Blkr.
Blue-striped Blenny.
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tijds. Ned. Ind., vol. iu, p. 278.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. in, p. 230.
1876-81. Id., Fische d. Stidsee, p. 195, pl. cxv, fig. H.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 540.
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459.
Depth 7, length of head 54-53, in length of body. Hye equal to
snout, 32 in length of head, equal to interorbital width. Snout
conical, projecting beyond cleft of mouth. Notentacles. No canines
in upper jaw. D 44-45, commencing above hind margin of pre-
opercle, anterior rays not elevated. A 32.
Length.—Up to 75 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with 2 bluish longitudinal stripes from snout
to tail, fins yellowish, dorsal and anal edged with brown, a black
patch at base of caudal fin.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies, Pacific.
Although somewhat similar in colour pattern to Asprdontus taenratus,
this species is easily distinguished by the much smaller gill-openings.
* Petroscirtes elongatus Peters.
Elongate Blenny.
1855. Peters in Wiegm. Arch., p. 249.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. mi, p. 233.
1876-81. Id., Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 196.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 841
Depth 64, length of head 54, in length of body. Profile of snout
very convex, its length scarcely as great as diameter of eye, which is
3 times the interorbital width. Lower canine twice size of upper.
No tentacles. D 32, commencing somewhat in advance of vertical
from root of pectoral, anterior rays not elevated. A 24. Caudal
emarginate.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, a white-edged ocellus on opercle, dorsal and
anal with white stripes, a dark spot (in $) between the 23rd and 25th
dorsal rays.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—EHast coast of Africa, East Indies, North Australia,
Fiji Islands.
Petroscirtes variabilis Cant.
Sabre-toothed Blenny.
1849. Cantor, Cat. Malay. Fish., p. 200.
1855. Peters in Wiegm. Arch., p. 246 (cynodon).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iti, p. 234.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 327, pl. lxix, fig. 7.
1898. Jatzow and Lenz, Abh. Senck. Nat. Ges., vol. xxvi, p. 513,
plexxxy, fig. 10.
Depth 43-5, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Hye 14 in
snout, 44 in length of head, equal to interorbital width. Snout some-
what conical, truncate in front. Upper lip overhanging mouth.
Canine in lower jaw very large, curved (but not hooked) like a sword ;
that in upper jaw much smaller, at some little distance behind the
other teeth. A very small simple tentacle at the upper posterior
margin of eye, and a pair of similar tentacles on the chin. D 28-31,
commencing above hind margin of preopercle, anterior rays not
elevated, or only in adult males. A 17-21. V3, middle ray longest,
about 4 length of head. Caudal subtruncate, the upper and lower
rays sometimes elongated.
Length.—Up to 110 mm.
Colour.—Pinkish, more or less marbled, a bluish or blackish longi-
tudinal stripe from eye to tail, where it forms a black patch; a blackish
stripe or series of blotches along base of dorsal ; dorsal and anal spotted,
the spots more or less in bands ; caudal yellowish, usually with trans-
verse lines of spots.
Locality.— Mozambique.
842 Annals of the South African Museum.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies to
Australia.
*Petroscirtes mitratus Riipp.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 111, pl. xxviii, fig. 1.
1855. Peters in Wiegm. Archiv., p. 248 (barbatus).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, pp. 237, 238.
1866. Kner, SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. liv, fig. 5 (longzfilis).
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 496.
1876-88. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 198.
Depth equal to length of head, about 4 in length of body. Eye
equal to length of snout, and about equal to interorbital width, 4 in
length of head. A fringed tentacle over eye, and similar ones on
sides of head and onchin. Upper canine smaller than lower. D 25-27,
commencing a little behind vertical from hind margin of eye, anterior
rays elevated. A 16-18. V 3, middle ray longest, reaching to vent.
Caudal subtruncate.
Length.—Up to 70 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or greenish, marbled with brown or reddish,
2-3 black-edged ocelli on back; dorsal, anal, and caudal banded and
spotted with brown.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, RedSea, Mauritius, Samoa Islands.
P. hypselopterus Blkr. (=mitratus Blkr. non Riippell) is very closely
allied, but differs in having a shorter snout with the profile more
abruptly descending.
Gen. ASPIDONTUS Q. and G.
1834. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astrol., Poiss., p. 719.
This genus resembles Petroscirtes, but the gill-opening is larger,
extending down in front of root of pectoral.
The character of the anterior dorsal rays, whether elevated or not,
cannot be used, as it appears to be a sexual character. The elevated
crest seems to be developed only in adult males, though this requires
investigation.
Aspidontus taenatus Q. and G.
Striped Blenny.
1834. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astrol., Poiss., p. 719, pl. xix, fig. 4.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 280,
pl. ceexxvi (filamentosus).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 843
1857. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sc. Indo-Nederl., vol. ii, p. 62 (rostratus -
Solander MSS.).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iii, p. 231.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 495
(filamentosus).
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, pp. 195, 196, pl. xiv,
figs. A, B.
1903. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lv, p. 170, pl. vii
(tractus).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 105 (filamentosus).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 544 (references).
Depth 53-84, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Eye 14-14
in snout, 3-44 in length of head, slightly less than interorbital width.
Snout pointed, upper profile of head straight. Cleft of mouth scarcely
reaching anterior margin of eye. A very short, simple nasal tentacle,
but otherwise no tentacles. Upper surface of head reticulate. Four-
teen to eighteen teeth in each jaw; lower canines very strong,
falcate, curved backwards. Giull-opening equal to length of snout.
D 36-39, commencing on a line midway between hind margins of
eye and preopercle, first 3-4 rays elongate, filamentous, as long as
head. A 26-28. V 3, outer 2 rays reaching nearly to vent, innermost
ray short.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Blue or brownish or greenish, a black or dark longitudinal
stripe from snout through eye to tail, body silvery below this stripe;
elevated part of dorsal dark, several other dark patches on dorsal,
or whole dorsal dark with light margin, anal dark with light
margin, caudal dark with upper and lower margins transparent or
yellowish.
Locality. Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, New Guinea, East Indies,
Pacific.
In the colour pattern there is an exact likeness between this species
and Labroides dimidiatus of the Wrasse family, which has already
been mentioned (p. 750) under the latter species. As in that species,
two varieties are found, one with the streak across the base of the
pectoral (tractus), and one without (taenzatus).
There is also some resemblance in the general scheme of coloration
to that of Petroscirtes rhinorhynchus (p. 840).
844 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. SALARIAS Cuv.
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, p. 175.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol. iii,
p. 2396 (Scartichthys, Rupiscartes, Entomacrodus, Salariichthys).
Body elongate, compressed. Snout very blunt, the profile vertical
or nearly so. Cleft of mouth moderate, upper jaw overlapping lower.
Canine teeth present or absent. Both jaws with a single comb-like
series of fine teeth, which are inserted in the gums and movable.
Vomerine teeth sometimes present (Salarichthys). Guill-openings
large, continuous across throat. Gull-membranes free from isthmus.
Dorsal fin either continuous or feebly notched, or with a distinct
notch between anterior (spinous) and posterior (soft) portions. Caudal
rounded, free, but last ray of dorsal sometimes (? in breeding males)
connected by membrane with the caudal. Orbital tentacles usually
present. A fleshy occipital crest frequently developed, either in both
sexes or males only. Lateral line a series of tubules, becoming obsolete
posteriorly. Pseudobranchiae present. Air-bladder and pyloric caeca
absent.
A large genus of small herbivorous fishes dwelling in rock-pools
and coral reefs in tropical and subtropical regions. The genus has
been subdivided according to the presence or absence of a notch in
the dorsal fin, canines, etc., but is here adopted in the wide sense.
The occipital crest is always absent in juveniles, and may not be
developed at all in some species. In other species it seems to be
present in both sexes, and in others in males only.
They jump about in the pools and among the rocks with great
rapidity, for which reason they are called Skipping Blennies.
Key to the South African species.
I. No canine teeth.
A. No orbital tentacles . : ; ; 4 : : seafasciatus.
B. Orbital tentacle simple. ; : ‘ : : . rivulatus.
C. Orbital tentacle fringed.
1. With cross-bands. 20-22 soft dorsal rays.
a. Lips not crenulate’. : E : : dussumiert.
b. Lips crenulate : ‘ meleagris.
2. Without cross-bands. 17 soft dorsal rays . : . unicolor.
II. Canine teeth present.
A. A transverse row of filaments across the nape. ‘ . kosiensts.
' B. No filaments on nape.
1. Orbital tentacle simple - : : : . periophthaimus.
2. Orbital tentacle fringed . ; : : ; : oortit.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 845
*Salarivas sexfasciatus von B.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 34, pl. i, fig. 1.
Depth 57's, length of head 5yo, in length of body (the figure shows
depth about equal to length of head, just under 5 in length of body).
Eye 5 in length of head (in figure 4 times at the most). Profile vertical.
No canines. Nasal tentacle neither described nor figured. Supra-
orbital tentacles absent. A pair of long simple tentacles on nape,
about = length of head. No occipital crest. D XI 20, notched, last
ray joined to caudal. A 21.
Length.—Up to 79 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with 6 dark cross-bars extending on to dorsal
fin, sides with scattered yellow, black-edged round or oval spots ; soft
dorsal with whitish spots, caudal with whitish cross-bands.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
This species is remarkable for the absence of the orbital, and ap-
parently also the nasal, tentacles. But for this feature, these specimens
do not seem different from rivulatus.
Salarias rivulatus Riipp.
Banded Skipping Blenny.
1828. Riippell, Atl. Fische, p. 114.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 329
(quadricornis).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 331, pl. xx, fig. 4 (quadricornis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus,, vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 415 (references) (rivulatus and quadricornis).
Depth 5-64, length of head 42-532, in length of body. Hye 33-4 in
length of head, slightly longer than snout, about twice interorbital
width. Profile vertical. No canines. Nasal tentacle short, fringed ;
the supraorbital tentacles and the pair on the nape simple. Occipital
crest present in g. D XII-XIII 20-22, notched, last ray joined to
caudal in adult. A 22-24.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Very variable; yellowish, greenish, or brownish, with
about 8 dark cross-bands in pairs, often wavy, yellow, ocellate longi-
tudinal spots or lines, dorsal with oblique lines of dark spots, anal with
bluish streaks, tips of anal rays white.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand.
846 Annals of the South African Museum.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Madagascar, Indian seas, East
Indies, S. Pacific.
Salarias dussumiert C. and V.
Dussumier’s Skipping Blenny.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 310.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 333, pl. lxx, fig. 7.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p- 108 (barbatus).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 415 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 146 (references).
Depth equal to length of head, 5-54 in length of body. Eye about
equal to snout, 32-44 in length of head, twice interorbital width. Pro-
file vertical. No canines. Nasal and supraorbital tentacles fringed.
Occipital crest in §. D XIJ-XIII 20-22, notched, last ray joined to
caudal. A 24-26, first 2 rays very small.
Length.—Up to 120 mm.
Colour.—Greenish or brownish, with irregular and often discon-
tinuous cross-bars or stripes, sometimes in pairs; dorsal, caudal, and
anal with rows of dark spots, usually a dark spot between Ist and 2nd
dorsal spines, anal with dark edge.
Locality.— Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas.
Type of barbatus in 8. African Museum.
S. barbatus is founded on 9 specimens in which the upper and lower
lips have a number of hair-like cirri, but otherwise resembling dus-
sumert. The feature is not constant, and I am unable to separate
them from other female specimens which certainly belong to dus-
sumiert.
*Salarvas meleagris C. and V.
Spotted Skipping Blenny.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x1, p. 332.
1876-88. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. ii, p. 208, pl. exvi, fig. D.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 535 (references).
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, pt. 2, p. 77.
Depth 54-64, length of head 5-54, in length of body. Profile
vertical. No canines. Nasal and supraorbital tentacles fringed; a
pair of simple tentacles on the nape as frequently absent as present.
Occipital crest in g. Lips crenulate. D XII 20, notched. A 22.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 847
Colour.—Brownish, with indistinct cross-bands and round white
spots, dorsal fin with oblique stripes, anal dark, with white spots.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Zanzibar, East Indies, Tasmania.
This species seems very closely allied to dussumiert. I do not know
whether the crenulate character of the lips is really distinctive. It
seems not improbable that the specimens identified by Gilchrist and
Thompson, and myself, as dussumieri, and those identified by Regan
as meleagris, belong in reality to one and the same species.
*Salarias unicolor Riipp.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 136.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 259.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 334, pl. Ixx, figs. 5, 6.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 35.
Depth equal to length of head, 5-5} in length of body. Eye 14-2
in snout, twice interorbital width. Profile slightly oblique. Nasal
and supraorbital tentacles fringed. Occipital crest in g. No canines.
D XII 17-18, notched. A 18-19.
Length.—Up to 120 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, without cross-bands, but blotched and marbled ;
rows of blue spots on head and body, fins yellowish, dorsal obliquely
striped, caudal banded.
Locality.—Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution —East coast of Africa, Red Sea, Indian seas.
Salarias kosiensis Regan.
Collared Skipping Blenny.
1908. Regan, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. i, pt. 3, p. 254, pl. xl, fig. 3.
1908. Gilchristand Thompson, Ann.S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 107.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 415.
Depth about equal to length of head, 34-33 in length of body. Eye
15-1? in snout, 5 in length of head, about equal to interorbital width.
Profile slightly oblique. Canines in lower jaw. Nasal tentacle fringed ;
supraorbital tentacle simple, tapering, reaching to commencement of
dorsal in g, shorter in 9. A transverse row of fine hair-like filaments
across nape, behind which is a transverse groove. D XI-XII 11-12,
notched, last ray not connected with caudal. A II 13-14, Ist two
spines covered with spongy corrugated skin in g, very short in 9.
848 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—Up to 190 mm.
Colour.—Dark bluish grey, brownish, or yellowish, with faint cross-
bands (3-4) and mottlings, head and shoulders with small dark dots,
dorsal fin obscurely marbled, tips of anal rays light.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand.
Type in British Museum.
The fringe on the nape at once distinguishes this species from all
the other 8. African species of Salarias.
If a subdivision of the genus Salarias be adopted, this species would
be placedin the genus Ezallias Jord. and Everm. 1905, distinguished
by its short body and fewer dorsal and anal rays.
*Salarias periophthalmus C. and V.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 311,
pl. cecxxviil.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 207, pl. cxiv, figs. D, E.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 333, pl. lxix, fig. 5.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 532.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth about equal to length of head, 5 in length of body. Eye
equal to snout, 3-34 in length of head, twice interorbital width. Pro-
file vertical or the forehead projecting over the upper lip; eyes very
prominent. Canines in lower jaw. Nasal tentacle fringed, supra-
orbital tentacle simple. Occipital crest in g. D XII 20-21, notched,
last ray not, or scarcely, connected with caudal. A 21-22.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, with irregular brown cross-bands, bluish spots and
streaks on head, two rows of bluish or pearly spots along the sides,
dorsal with dark oblique stripes, caudal yellowish, anal orange with
dark margin.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas, East Indies,
Southern Pacific.
The prominent eyes and the two rows of pearly spots are charac-
teristic of this species.
*Salarias oortiz Blkr.
1851. Bleeker, Nat. Tijdsskr. Nederl. Ind., vol. i, p. 257, fig. 15.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 257.
1866. Playfair (and Giinther), Fish. Zanz., p. 77.
1891. Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Poiss. Madagasc., p. 522.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 849
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 35.
Depth 6-74, length of head 6-7, in “ total length ” (Giinther). Pro-
file not quite vertical, forehead not projecting beyond mouth. Small
canines in lower jaw. Nasal and supraorbital tentacles both fringed.
Occipital crest rounded. D XII 19-21, deeply notched, last ray con-
tinuous with caudal. A 23-24.
Length.—150 mm.
Colour.—Rosy, with paired violet cross-bands, spinous dorsal violet
with whitish stripes, soft dorsal violet with bluish oblique stripes and
reticulations, anal rose at base, violet along margin, caudal yellow,
with brown margins reticulated with blue.
— Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—E. Indies, east coast of Africa.
Gen. XIPHASIA Swains.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fishes, etc., vol. 1, p. 259.
1858. Kaup, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 168 (Nemophis).
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 8374 (Xzphogadus).
Body eel-shaped, posteriorly compressed. Snout subconical. Mouth
small, terminal. Teeth in both jaws, subconical, close together, more
curved in lower than upper jaw, a pair of canines in lower jaw;
palate toothless. Giull-opening small, before the root of pectoral fin.
Dorsal and anal fins entire, composed of flexible rays, confluent with
caudal. Ventral of three rays, below the gill-opening.
Three or four species of these curious pelagic Blennies have been
described from the Indo-Pacific region. None of them, however, are
well known, and possibly only one or two species will be recognised
later.
* Xiphasia setifer Swains.
1839. Swainson, loc. cit., vol. 11, p. 259.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 337, pl. lxxin, fig. 1.
1922. Norman, Aun. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 263.
Dorsal beginning in advance of the eye. Middle caudal ray pro-
duced as a hair-like filament. According to Day’s figure the body has
dark patches or cross-bands along the body.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Mauve brown, with paler bands ; fins with darker margins.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean.
—————err
850 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 2. CLINIDAE.
Body elongate, usually with small scales more or less embedded in
the skin. Mouth protractile. Teeth conical or villiform in both
jaws, and often on vomer and palatine. Spinous portion of the
dorsal longer than soft portion. Anal with 1-2 spines. Caudal free.
Ventrals jugular, with 1 spine and 2-4 simple rays, 2-3 of which are
usually thickened and free distally. Guill-membranes united, free
from isthmus. Pseudobranchiae present.
A family of mostly small-sized fishes from temperate and tropical
coasts and shallow water. They are carnivorous, and generally
viviparous.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Dorsal fin undivided.
a. Lateral line a single row of tubules. : : : : Clinus.
b. Lateral line a double row of pores : , : Clinoporus.
2. Dorsal fin divided into two, the anterior crest besete separate from rest of fin
Petraites.
3. Three separate dorsal fins.
a. Head scaly j é 5 5 ; ; : : : Gillias.
b. Head scaleless.
i. Lateral line following curve of back, with a secondary series of incised
scales posteriorly . : : . Enneapterygius.
ii. Lateral line curving down from Wealaee no incised scales
Helcogramma.
Gen. CLinus Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 352.
Scales small or minute, more or less embedded in the skin, cycloid.
A single continuous dorsal fin, the first 3 (4 or 5) spines often forming
a more or less elevated crest. Lateral line a single series of tubules,
the anterior ones often on enlarged scales. Inner margin of shoulder-
girdle (under the edge of opercle) with an upturned hook-like pro-
jection.
A large genus. Some of the species are very abundant and of
excellent flavour.
Gilchrist and Thompson have monographed the South African
species in Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 110, 1908; and in a more
popular form, with an account of their habits, in the South African
Journal of Science, vol. vu, p. 214, 1911.
Various attempts have been made to split up the genus. Gilchrist
and Thompson retained the name Olinus sensu lato, but suggested
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 851
a new genus, Clinoides (loc. cit., p. 98), to include the non-crested
species. Clinoides thus embraces Clinus of Swainson and of Gill,
Blennophis Swains., Cirribarbis C. and V., and Blennioclinus Gill.
So far as the South African fauna is concerned it seems sufficient to
group all the species under Clinus. I have, however, separated off
biporosus under a new genus on account of the very distinctive
character of the lateral line.
The males in this genus are easily distinguished by the intro-
mittent organ, an account of which, with references to earlier literature,
is given by Rauther in Schultze, Forsch. Reise Centr. u. 8. Afrika,
vol. i, p. 467, 1909.
The genus is characteristic of the colder waters of the Cape, South
America, and Australia, though also extending into the Northern
Hemisphere. In South Africa it is especially abundant around the
Cape Peninsula, its place being taken further eastwards by the very
closely allied genus Petraites.
Key to the South African species.
I. Dorsal deeply notched between the spinous and soft portions (Blennioclinus)
brachycephalus.
II. Dorsal not notched between spinous and soft portions.
A. Snout and chin with barbels (Cirribarbis) . : : - capensis.
B. No barbels.
1. Body strongly compressed. No vomerine teeth (Mywxodes).
a. Teethina single row. No notch between crest and succeeding
dorsal spines : : : : ‘ fucorum.
6. Two rows of teeth. A notch between crest and succeeding
dorsal spines ‘ : : ; ; : . mus.
2. Body not strongly compressed.
a. With dorsal crest.
i. With orbital tentacles.
a. Dorsal commencing above hind margin of preopercle.
* Dorsal spines without cirri. Two ventral rays
superciliosus.
** Dorsal spines with cirri. Three ventral rays
brevicristatus.
6. Dorsal commencing above hind margin of eye
ornatus.
ii. Without orbital tentacles. ; : : . pavo.
b. No dorsal crest.
i. With orbital tentacles (Ophthalmolophus).
a. Dorsal spines 30-35.
* Soft dorsal rays 7 or fewer. Anal 21-24.
+ A marked occipital groove.
VOL. XX, PART 2 55
852 Annals of the South African Museum.
§ Dorsal notched between 3rd and
4th spines. - taurus.
§§ Dorsal not notched ._ cottoides.
Tt No occipital groove . acuminatus.
** Soft dorsal rays 9 or more. Anal 26-28.
{ Third ventral ray minute . latipennis.
{t Third ventral ray well developed
robustus.
f. Dorsal spines 39-49.
* Anal 24-28.
{| Two to three soft dorsalrays venustris,
tT One soft dorsal ray . . dorsalis.
** Anal 31-36.
7 All 3 rays of ventral strong . anguillaris.
tt Third ray minute - . striatus.
ii. No orbital tentacles . : : : . heterodon.
Clinus brachycephalus C. and V.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 371.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 135.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 147.
Depth 44-5, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Hye 14 times
snout, twice interorbital width, 34-44 in length of head. Profile
convex, snout rather blunt. No tentacle over eye. Maxilla reach-
ing to vertical from anterior margin or anterior third of eye. A
band of small teeth behind the outer row, a curved band on vomer.
D XXIX 9-10, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, no
crest, 4th spine shorter than the first 3, a deep notch between spinous
and soft portions of fin, soft rays longer than the spines. A II 23-24.
P13. VI 3, 3rd ray united to 2nd. Caudal rounded. Skin trans-
versely rugulose, scales not imbricate.
Length.— Up to 115 mm.
Colour.—Variable ; mottled reddish, greenish, or brownish, some-
times with a broad white band from opercle to posterior third of
body, with white (or bluish) spots above and below; pectorals,
ventrals, and anal with brilliant red patches; an ocellate spot above
the axil.
Locality.— False Bay.
The deep notch between the spinous and soft portions of the dorsal
fin is the characteristic feature of this species.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 853
Clinus capensis (C. and V.).
Bearded Klip-fish.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 406,
pl. ceexxxvu (Cirribarbis c.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 131.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 147.
Depth 54-53, length of head 32-44, in length of body. Hye 2 in
snout, 14 times interorbital width, 64 in length of head. Profile
straight or slightly concave, snout long and pointed, with 3 apical
barbels; lower jaw projecting beyond upper, 8 barbels on chin. A
fringed tentacle over eye. Maxilla reaching to or slightly beyond
vertical from anterior margin of eye. Teeth villiform, the outer row
not strongly enlarged, a curved band on vomer. D XL-XLIII 6-8,
commencing above hind margin of preopercle, no crest, spines grad-
ually increasing in length, soft rays slightly higher than preceding
spines, each spine with a cluster of little cirri at apex. A II 28-33.
P 13-14. V 13, 3rd ray minute. Caudal subtruncate. Cheeks and
opercles scaly.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Mottled brown, greenish, or yellowish, often with a row
of dark blotches below dorsal fin and irregular transverse bars on
body, usually an ocellate spot above axil.
Locality.— False Bay.
This species is easily distinguished by the barbels on the snout and
chin. With the exception of anguillaris and striatus, it is the only
South African species with scaly cheeks.
Clinus fucorum G. and T.
Weed Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 121.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 148.
Body deep and strongly compressed. Depth 34-4, length of head
4-42, in length of body. Hye subequal to snout and to interorbital
width, 54-54 in length of head. Profile abruptly descending, snout
short, blunt, apically tilted up. Lower jaw projecting beyond upper,
cleft of mouth oblique, maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior
854 Annals of the South African Museum.
margin of eye. No tentacle over eye. A single row of teeth in each
jaw ; no vomerine teeth (original description erroneous in this respect).
D XXVIII-XXX 5-6, commencing above a point midway between
eye and hind margin of preopercle, more or less undulating, first 4-5
more elevated than the rest, forming a rounded crest, first 2 soft
rays higher than preceding spines (except in young). A II 19-21.
P 12. V I 3, 3rd ray well developed. Caudal rounded. Caudal
peduncle comparatively slender.
Length.—Up to 235 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brown, yellow, or greenish ; fins and body often
speckled, the speckling on the body forming about 6 indefinite cross-
bars; a circular silvery-white patch behind the pectoral fins (which
can be concealed by the fin), more marked in ¢ than 2; the membrane
of the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins in places transparent ; margins
of dorsal and anal frequently orange.
Locality.—False Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
A sluggish species living amongst fronds of seaweed, with which
its coloration harmonises.
Clinus mus G. and T.
Mouse Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 119.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 148.
Body deep and strongly compressed. Depth 34-33, length of head
41-41 in length of body. Hye twice snout, twice interorbital width,
4141 in length of head. Profile nearly straight, snout rather pointed.
Lower jaw slightly projecting beyond upper, cleft of mouth oblique,
maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior margin of eye. No tentacle
over eye. A single row of smaller teeth behind the front row in both
jaws; no vomerine teeth (original description erroneous in this respect).
D III. XXITI-XXIV 3-4, commencing above hind margin of pre-
opercle, more or less undulating, first 3 spines forming a crest about
4 length of head in height, separated from the succeeding spines by
a deep notch, membrane between each group of 2-3 spines transparent,
soft rays shorter than preceding spines. A II 15-17. P 10-11.
V I 3, 3rd ray well developed. Caudal rounded. Caudal peduncle
slender, twice as long as deep.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 855
Colour.—Variable; usually uniform greenish, brownish, crimson, or
yellow, sometimes with dark blotches along base of dorsal fin.
Locality.—False Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Clinus superciliosus (Linn.).
Klip-fish ; Kluipvis.
1735. Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. 1, p. 442.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 360,
pl. cccxxxi.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 149 (references and
synonymy).
Depth 3-42, length of head 3-44, in length of body. Hye about
14 in snout, about equal to interorbital width, 4—6 in length of head.
Profile of head convex, snout rather pointed. A fringed tentacle,
with flattened stalk, over the eye. Maxilla reaching to vertical of
middle or hind margin of eye. An outer row of strong teeth in both
jaws, with smaller ones behind; a curved band on vomer. D III.
XXX-XXXVIII 5-9, commences above hind margin of preopercle,
first 3 spines forming an elevated crest, -$ length of head in 4,
4-4 in 9, 4th spine shortest, anterior soft rays a little higher than
adjacent spines. A II 25-30. P15-16. VI2. Caudal subtruncate.
Length.—Up to 275 mm.
Colour.—Variable, often (especially in breeding males) very brilliant.
Reddish, yellowish, greenish, or brownish, with darker spots and
mottlings, head with reticulate markings, about 6 irregular dark
cross-bands extending on to dorsal fin, sometimes nearly uniform,
or with irregular longitudinal bands; supraorbital tentacle usually
dark blackish-brown or liver colour.
Locality.— Walfish Bay, Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay to
East London, down to 20 fathoms.
var. arborescens G. and T.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 115.
This form occurs with the typical form around the Cape Peninsula.
It differs in having a lower dorsal crest, of the same height in both
sexes, the supraorbital tentacle light in colour, with a rounded instead
of a flattened stalk, and reticulate markings on the head.
Type in South African Museum.
856 Annals of the South African Museum.
Clinus ornatus G. and T.
Ornate Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 116.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 148.
Depth 32-42, length of head 32-32, in length of body. Eye equal
to or slightly greater than snout, 14-14 times interorbital width, 43-
43 in length of head. Profile of head rounded, snout rather blunt. A
fringed tentacle over the eye. Maxilla reaching to vertical from middle
or hind margin of eye. An outer row of strong teeth, with smaller
ones behind; a chevron-shaped band on vomer. D III . XXX-
XXXII 6-8, commencing at vertical from hind margin of eye, first
3 spines forming an elevated crest, $-£ length of head, anterior soft —
rays scarcely higher than preceding spines. A II 25-28. P15. VI2Q.
Caudal subtruncate.
Length.—Up to 215 mm.
Colour.—Usually vivid. Yellowish or greyish, with small dark
spots and reticulations, 6 irregular dark cross-bands extending on to
dorsal, pectoral and caudal usually with spots arranged in cross-bands,
head with dark reticulate markings.
Locality.—False Bay, down to 13 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
A species closely resembling swperciliosus in general coloration, but
distinguished by the position of commencement of dorsal fin.
Clinus brevicristatus G. and T.
Low-crested Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
Peylic:
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 147.
Depth 44, length of head 32, in length of body (these figures were
erroneously reversed in the original description). Eye 14 times snout,
4 in length of head, twice interorbital width. Profile of head short,
snout somewhat pointed. A fringed tentacle over eye. Maxilla reach-
ing to vertical from middle of eye. A band of small teeth behind
the outer row, and a chevron-shaped band on vomer. D III. XXXI
5, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, first 3 spines forming
a low crest scarcely 4 length of head, soft rays higher than preceding
spines. All the dorsal spines bear cirri at their apices; the anterior
|
.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 857
ones each bear a group of 4-6 short cirri, the following spines 2-3
cirri, and the posterior ones 1 cirrus each. AII 23. P13. V13,
3rd (innermost) ray very small. Caudal rounded. Scales compara-
tively large.
Length.—90 mm. (the original description excludes the tail in the
measurement given).
Colour.—Seven irregular dark brown cross-bands extending on to
dorsal and anal fins, the intervening spaces above the lateral line
brick-red, below the lateral line whitish; pectoral, caudal, and soft
dorsal semi-transparent, reticulated, and banded with darker.
Locality.—Kalk Bay in False Bay.
Type and only known specimen (9) in 8. African Museum.
A prominent feature of this species, namely, the little cirri at the
apices of the dorsal spines, was not mentioned in the original descrip-
tion. C. capensis also possesses this feature and the Japanese Azuma
emmnion J. and 8. has similar cirri on the first 3 or 4 dorsal spines.
Single filamentous cirri are frequently present in some of the other
South African Klip-fishes.
Clinus pavo G. and T.
Peacock Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann.S8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 123.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 149.
Body rather deep and compressed. Depth 33-43, length of head
47-43, in length of body. Hye slightly greater than snout, 13 times
interorbital width, 4-44 in length of head. Profile straight, elevated
behind shoulder, snout pointed. Lips prominent. Cleft of mouth
rather oblique, maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior margin of
eye. A band of teeth behind the front row in both jaws, a curved
row on vomer. No tentacle over eye. D III. XXVIII-XXXII 3,
commencing above hind margin of preopercle, first 3 spines forming a
crest about = length of head in height, soft rays shorter than pre-
ceding spines. AIT 20-22. P12. V13,3rd ray moderately developed.
Caudal subtruncate.
~ Length.—Up to 135 mm.
Colour.—Reddish-brown, a row of dark ocellate spots at base of
dorsal, irregular wavy silvery-white markings from snout to caudal
along sides, sometimes with alternating dark bars above and below
lateral line; pectorals, ventrals, and caudal barred with brown and
white.
858 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—False Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Clinus taurus G. and T.
Bull Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 126.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 150.
Depth 34-4, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Hye 14-14
times length of snout, slightly greater than interorbital width, 43-44
in length of head. Profile descending rapidly in front of eyes. A
deep groove behind the orbits. Supraorbital ridges prominent. Snout
blunt. Maxilla reaching to vertical from posterior third or hind margin
of eye. A rather broad band of smaller teeth behind the front row
in both jaws, and a rather broad band on vomer. A prominent fringed
tentacle over eye. Mucous pores around the eye and on the inter-
orbital, occipital, and temporal regions prominent, giving the upper
part of head a granulose appearance. D XXXI-XXXYV 5-6, com-
mencing above hind margin of preopercle, no crest, a more or less deep
notch between 3rd and 4th spines, Ist, 3rd, and 4th spines shortest,
soft rays higher than preceding spines. A II 22-24. P12. VI 2,
a minute 3rd ray sometimes present. Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 210 mm.
Colour.—Variable in shade and markings; yellowish, reddish,
brownish, or greenish, usually with 3-4 dark cross-bands, irregular
patches of red or white on head and anterior part of body; cheeks,
opercles, and throat often with dark markings, fins usually tipped
with red or orange, often mottled.
Locality.—West and east coasts of the Cape Peninsula.
Type in South African Museum.
Immature specimens are often difficult to distinguish from cottoides,
except by the notch in the dorsal fin and the considerably stronger
eranulosity of the head.
Clinus cottoides C. and V.
Blunt-nosed Klip-fish.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. x1, p. 367.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 125.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 859
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 147 (references).
Depth 4-5, length of head 32-44, in length of body. Eye equal to
or slightly greater than snout, 14 times interorbital width, 41-44 in
length of head. Profile descending rapidly in front of eye. A groove
behind the orbits. Supraorbital ridges prominent. Snout blunt.
Maxilla reaching to vertical from hind margin of eye. A band of
smaller teeth behind the front row in both jaws, a chevron-shaped
band on vomer. A fringed tentacle over eye. D XXXIJ-XXXIV
4—6, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, no crest, 1st or Ist
and 2nd spines shortest, succeeding ones gradually lengthening, soft
rays scarcely longer than the preceding spines. A II 21-24. P 13.
V I 2, a minute 3rd ray sometimes present. Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 140 mm. (8 inches, Cuvier and Valenciennes).
Colour.—Yellowish, brownish, or greenish, usually with irregular
dark cross-bands extending on to dorsal, a dark oval spot on opercle
and a dark lunule on base of pectoral, margins of dorsal and anal light.
Locality. Table Bay, False Bay.
Besides the characters mentioned under taurus, this species can
usually be distinguished by the dark spot on the opercle.
Clinus acuminatus C. and V.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 370.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 124.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 146 (references).
Depth 44-5, length of head 34-4, in length of body. Eye equal to
snout, nearly twice the interorbital width, about 5 in length of head.
Profile straight. Snout rather pointed. Maxilla reaching to vertical
from anterior third or middle of eye. A band of smaller teeth behind
the front row in both jaws, a chevron-shaped band on vomer. A
fringed tentacle over eye. D XXXI-XXXIII 5-7, commencing above
hind margin of preopercle, no crest, Ist spine shortest, following ones
gradually increasing in length, each spine terminated by a short fila-
ment, soft rays higher than preceding spines. A II 21-23. P 12.
V I 2-8, 3rd ray, when present, very short. Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Greenish or brownish, speckled with fine white spots, with
irregular cross-bands formed of small dark dots, cheek usually with
an oblique dark stripe.
Locality.—Liideritzbucht (S.W. Africa), Table Bay, False Bay.
860 Annals of the South African Museum.
Clinus latipennis C. and V.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 394.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 27.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 148 (references).
Depth 4%, length of head 44, in length of body. Hye 14 times length
of snout, twice interorbital width, 4? in length of head. Profile con-
vex, with a slight depression behind the eye. Snout rather pointed.
Maxilla reaching to vertical from middle of eye. A band of smaller
teeth behind outer row in both jaws, a curved band on vomer. A
fringed tentacle over eye. Posterior nostril tubular, rather prominent.
D XXXIV 9, commencing behind level of hind margin of preopercle,
no crest, anterior 5-6 spines rather low, succeeding spines gradually
increasing, soft rays higher than preceding spines (but not “ nearly
twice ” as high, as stated in Gilchrist and Thompson’s key on p. 112).
A II 26. P13. V 13, 3rd ray minute. Caudal subtruncate.
Length.— Up to 112 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brownish, with faint dark specks and cross-
bands, pectorals and caudal with brown dots forming cross-bars.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay.
I have seen only one specimen of this species, the same as described
by Gilchrist and Thompson.
Clinus robustus G. and T.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 128.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 149.
Depth 33-44, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye equal
to snout, 14 times interorbital width, 53-6 in length of head. Profile
slightly convex over the eyes. Interorbital space convex, without
supraorbital ridges. Snout moderately pointed. Lips vertically
corrugated. Maxilla to, or slightly beyond, vertical from hind margin
of eye. A broad band of smaller teeth behind the front row in both
jaws, and a broad band on vomer. A prominent fringed tentacle over
eye. D XXXII-XXXIV 10-14, commencing slightly in advance of
hind margin of preopercle, no crest, slightly notched or emarginate
between 8rd and 4th spines, Ist spine shortest, soft rays higher than
preceding spines. A IT 27-28. P12. V 13, 3rd ray well developed.
Caudal rounded. (Plate XXXV, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 450 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 861
Colour.—Greenish or brownish, mottled or spotted, with irregular
dark cross-bands extending on to dorsal; fins streaked or spotted.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
This is the largest of the Cape Klip-fishes, and according to Gilchrist
and Thompson possesses in a high degree the power of changing its
colours to suit its surroundings.
Clinus venustris G. and T.
Multicoloured Klip-fish ; Bont Klipvis.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 130.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 150.
Depth 33-44, length of head 33-4, in length of body. Lye slightly
greater than snout, twice interorbital width, 4 in length of head.
Profile slightly convex, snout somewhat sharp. Maxilla reaching to
vertical from anterior third or centre of eye. A band of smaller
teeth behind the front row in both jaws, a chevron-shaped band on
vomer. A fringed tentacle over eye. D XXXIX-XLI 2-3, com-
mencing above hind margin of preopercle, no crest, lst spine shortest,
4th-6th usually shorter than 2nd and 3rd, succeeding spines increasing
in length. A IJ 24-27. P 13-14. VI2. Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Varying shades of greenish, reddish, or brownish, mottled
with light and dark spots; or variegated with red, blue, white, and
yellow on body and vertical fins, especially the anal.
Locality. False Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Clinus dorsalis Blkr.
1860. Bleeker, Visch. v. d. Kaap., pp. 54, 72.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p.. lod.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 148.
Depth 53-64, length of head 43-5, in length of body. Eye equal
to or slightly greater than snout, twice interorbital width, 43-5 in
length of head. Profile straight, snout somewhat pointed. Maxilla
reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye. A band of smaller
teeth behind the front row in each jaw, a chevron-shaped band on
862 Annals of the South African Museum.
vomer. A fringed tentacle over eye. D XLIV-XLVI 1, com-
mencing above, or slightly behind, hind margin of preopercle, no
crest, lst spine shortest, succeeding ones becoming gradually longer.
A II 26-28. P12. VI2. Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 76 mm.
Colour.—Uniform green, yellow, or brown, often with darker
streaks, or a row of dark spots along base of dorsal and a black patch
on opercle; sometimes a white streak from tip of snout to base of
dorsal.
Locality.—Liideritzbucht (S.W. Africa), Table Bay, False Bay.
This is the smallest of the South African Klip-fishes, and is easily
distinguished by the size, elongate body, and single soft ray in the
dorsal fin.
Clinus anguillaris C. and V.
Slangetje ; Kapitern Vis.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 390,
pl ccemmxive
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 133.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 147.
Body elongate. Depth 64-74, length of head 43-54, in length of
body. Eye equal to snout, 14-14 times interorbital width, 53-6 in
length of head. Profile straight. Snout rather blunt. Maxilla
reaching to vertical from anterior margin or anterior third of eye.
A band of smaller teeth behind the outer row in each jaw, a curved
band on vomer. A fringed tentacle over eye. D XLVIII-XLIX
3-4, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, no crest, lst spine
shortest, succeeding ones gradually lengthening, soft rays slightly
longer than adjacent spines. A II 33-36. P 13-14. VI3, 3rd ray
well developed. Caudal rounded. Cheeks scaly.
Length.— Up to 285 mm.
Colour.—Various shades of yellow, brown, greenish, reddish,
mottled with darker spots, blotches, or bars.
Locality.—False Bay.
Clinus striatus G. and T.
Striped Klip-fish.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann.8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 134.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 149.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 863
Body elongate. Depth 63-7, length of head 44-42, in length of
body. Eye about equal to snout, twice interorbital width, 43-5 in
length of head. Profile slightly convex, snout rather pointed. Maxilla
reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye. A band of smaller
teeth behind the front row in both jaws, a curved band on vomer.
A fringed tentacle over eye. D XLI-XLIV 2-3, commencing above
hind margin of preopercle, no crest, Ist spine shortest, succeeding
ones increasing gradually in length, soft rays slightly longer than
adjacent spines. A IIT 31. P13. VI 3, 3rd ray minute. Caudal
rounded. Cheeks scaly.
Length.—Up to 160 mm.
Colour.—Reddish-brown, parallel longitudinal lines of pinkish-
brown and white from eye and pectorals to tail; a white stripe
from tip of snout to base of dorsal; a brown band from eye to snout.
Locality.—False Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Distinguished from anguwillaris by the more pointed snout, the
feebly developed 3rd ray of ventral fin, and the fewer dorsal and
anal rays.
Clinus heterodon C. and V.
Grass Klip-fish.
1836. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xi, p. 394.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 136 (graminis).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 148 (graminis and
heterodon, references).
Depth 33-44, length of head 44—-4$, in length of body. Lye slightly
greater than snout, 1} times interorbital width, 43-5 in length of
head. Profile straight, snout somewhat pointed. Maxilla reaching
to vertical from anterior third of eye. A band of smaller teeth
behind the front row in each jaw, a curved band on vomer. No
tentacle over eye. D XXX-XXXIII 5-6, commencing above hind
margin of preopercle, first 3 spines strong, longer than 4th, but not
forming an elevated crest, soft rays higher than preceding spines.
A IT 21-24. P12. V13, 3rd ray well developed. Caudal rounded.
Scales comparatively large, very distinct, imbricated.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Variable; bronzy, green, red, or brownish, with dark
blotches along base of dorsal, sometimes with longitudinal dark
bands or spots, or a row of white spots; margin of anal often whitish.
864 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.— False Bay.
Type of graminis in South African Museum.
Bearing in mind the large amount of time devoted by the late
W. W. Thompson to intensive collecting of Klip-fishes around the
shores of the Cape Peninsula, resulting in the rediscovery of all the
earlier described species (except heterodon, in the opinion of Gilchrist
and Thompson) and the discovery of several new species, it seems
strange that these authors did not recognise the specimens they
described as graminis as being the species heterodon for which they
were searching. The original description is certainly short, but not
more inadequate than, e.g. that of acwminatus, and applies exactly
to graminis.
CLINOPORUS n. g.
Closely resembling Clinus. Hook on inner margin of shoulder-
girdle present. No scales. Lateral line with a series of short trans-
verse, alternating branches, each opening by a pore; a single pore at
end of lateral line between ends of dorsal and anal fins.
The character of the lateral line, which resembles that found in
Xiphidion, distinguishes this genus from Clinus and its subgenera.
Clinoporus biporosus (G. and T.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
Dy bad.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 147.
Body elongate, moderately compressed, naked, the skin transversely
rugulose. Depth 6-64, length of head 5-5}, in length of body. Eye
slightly greater than snout, twice interorbital width, 44-4? in length
of head. Profile slightly convex, a median ridge on snout. Lips
thick. Maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye. A
band of smaller teeth behind the front row in both jaws, a curved
band on vomer. No tentacle over eye. Mucous pores on head con-
spicuous. D XXXIX-XL 3, commencing above hind margin of
preopercle, lst spine shortest, succeeding ones increasing in length,
soft rays shorter than preceding spines. A II 27-28. P 11-12.
V 13, 3rd ray minute. Caudal rounded.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Uniform deep crimson, brownish, or yellowish.
Locality —False Bay, down to 14 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 865
Gen. PeTraITes Ogilby.
1885. Ogilby, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. x, p. 226.
Resembling Clinus in all respects except that the anterior crest
of the dorsal is separate from the rest of the fin. The lst dorsal
spine commences behind the vertical from hind margin of eye.
This genus is scarcely distinct from Clinus. The membrane behind
the 3rd dorsal spine reaches to the base of the 4th spine, and it is
therefore questionable whether the crest can be described as really
separate from the rest of the fin. In Cristiceps the crest arises over
the eye, and is clearly separated from the rest of the fin.
There is no question that laurenti and mentalis should be placed
together in the same genus.
Key to the South African species.
1. With supraorbital tentacles : : : . : : . argentatus.
2. Without supraorbital tentacles.
a. A triangular flap on chin. Soft dorsal rays 7 : : . mentalis.
b. No flap on chin. Soft dorsal rays4 . : é : . laurentit.
* Petraites argentatus (Risso).
1810. Risso, Ichth. Nice, p. 140.
1860. Bleeker, Nat. Tydschr. Ned. Ind., vol. xxi, p. 71 (Clinus
dubius).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 138.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 150 (references).
Depth 6, length of head 53 in total length (? including caudal).
Kye equal to snout, greater than interorbital width, 5 in length of
head. Snout subconical, lower jaw somewhat prominent. Lips well
developed, fleshy. A band of smaller teeth behind the outer row in
both jaws, a transverse band on vomer. A small simple tentacle
over eye. DIIT. XXIX-XXX 3-4, commencing above hind margin
of preopercle, spines of the crest rather longer than the other spines,
soft portion united with caudal. AII 19-20. P9. VI2. Caudal
truncate.
Length.—75 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or yellowish, more or less marbled or banded
with darker; a series of silvery spots along the sides, sometimes
extending on to cheeks.
866 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.— Mediterranean.
Giinther records this species from the Cape, but it has never been
rediscovered here.
Petraites mentalis (G. and T.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,p. 139.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 150.
Depth 44, length of head 3%, in length of body. Hye 14 times
length of snout, 14 times interorbital width, 6 in length of head.
Profile straight. Snout rather pointed, lower jaw projecting slightly
beyond upper. Lips fleshy and membranous; a triangular flap at
point of chin. Maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior margin of
eye. A band of smaller teeth behind the outer row of strong teeth
in both jaws, a curved row of teeth on vomer, with a second row behind
which is interrupted in the middle. No tentacle over eye. D III.
XXXIII 7, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, crest 2
length of head, soft rays slightly higher than preceding spines, mem-
brane not extending to base of caudal. AII 29. P12. V1I13, 3rd
ray well developed. Caudal rounded.
Length.—220 mm.
Colour.—Light brown, mottled with darker, sometimes with lhght
cross-bars.
Locality.— East London.
Type and only known specimen (2) in South African Museum.
Petraites laurentia (G. and T.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 120.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 414.
Depth 4-44, length of head 32-3, in length of body. Hye 1}
times snout, twice interorbital width, 33-4 in length of head. Profile
slightly convex. Snout subconical, lower jaw not projecting. Lips
rather thick. Maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye.
A band of smaller teeth behind the strong front row in both jaws; a
single curved row on vomer. No tentacle over eye. D III. XXVII-
XXIX 4-5, commencing above hind margin of preopercle, crest about
2 length of head, soft rays slightly higher than preceding spines, mem-
brane reaching almost to base of caudal. A II 20-22. P12. V1I3,
3rd ray distinct but small. Caudal slightly rounded.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 867
Colour.—Brown, with about 8 dark cross-bars continued on to
dorsal and anal fins, pectorals and caudal more or less distinctly
banded, an oblique dark bar from eye across cheek.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Type in South African Museum.
Gen. GILLIAS Everm. and Marsh.
1899. Evermann and Marsh, Rep. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiv, p. 357.
Scales moderate sized, ctenoid. Head and belly scaly. Three
separate dorsal fins, the lst and 2nd spinous, the 3rd of soft rays.
Lateral line parallel with the back, interrupted, the tubules ceasing
below the 3rd dorsal, but continued two rows lower down as a series
of incised scales. A tentacle over eye. No hook on inner margin of
shoulder-girdle.
This genus is regarded merely as a subgenus of Tvripterygion by
some authors, but the scaly head is such a distinctive feature, at any
rate in the South African form, that generic rank seems justified.
Gillias capensis (G. and T.).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p. 140 (Tripteryguum c.).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 151 (Lripterygium).
Depth 33-4, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye nearly twice
length of snout, twice interorbital width, 34-34 in length of head.
Profile descending rather abruptly in front of eye. Snout short. Lips
not very thick. Maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior third of
eye. A band of fine teeth behind the front row, in the lower jaw some
larger teeth mixed in with the smaller ones, a single row on vomer,
extending on to the palatines. A fringed tentacle over eye, and a
smaller one on anterior nostril. DIV+ XIV+10-11, 1st dorsal com-
mencing above hind margin of preopercle. A IJ 21-22. P 16, the
upper rays bifid. VI 2. Scales on belly and over entire head; those
on upper half of head ctenoid, on lower half, throat, and branchio-
stegal rays becoming papillose: 1.1. tubules 21-22+ incised scales 15-
5
16, the interruption occurring below 2nd soft dorsal ray ; ltr. ie
Length.—Up to 67 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or reddish, with irregular dark cross-bars.
Locality.— False Bay, 5-14 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
VOL. ‘XXI, PART 2. 56
868 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. ENNEAPTERYGIUS Riipp.
1835. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 2.
Scales moderate or rather large, ctenoid. Head naked (? belly also).
Three separate dorsal fins, 1st and 2nd spinous, Ist at least as high as
2nd. Lateral line following curve of back, interrupted, the tubules
ceasing below middle of 2nd dorsal, but continued two rows lower down
as a series of incised scales. A tentacle over eye. No hook on inner
margin of shoulder-girdle.
A genus which is also included by some authors in Tripterygion,
from which, however, it differs in the interrupted lateral line. The
relative heights of the 1st and 2nd dorsal fins, as well as the character
of the lateral line, differentiate this genus from Helcogramma.
*Hnneapterygius pusillus Riipp.
1835. Riippell, loc. cit., p. 2, pl. 1, fig. 2.
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 498.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322 (name only).
Depth 4, length of head 3, in length of body (these numbers taken
from Riippell’s figure; Klunzinger gives 6 and 4 respectively, i-
cluding the caudal fin in the length). Eye greater than snout, 2$-3
in length of head. Profile abruptly descending in front of eyes. Snout
short, but somewhat pointed. Maxilla reaching to vertical from
anterior third of eye. A band of teeth in both jaws, the outer ones
slightly larger. A small simple tentacle over eye. D III+XI-XII+
8-10, Ist dorsal higher than 2nd, 2nd higher than 3rd. A 16-18.
V I 2. Caudal rounded. Scales absent from head: 1.1. 33 (23 in
Riippell’s figure), of which 7 (Riippell) bear tubules.
Length.—23 mm.
Colour.—Greenish, black specks on head, a dark brown stripe under
eye across throat, margined with blue; fins greyish, transparent.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea.
Gen. HELCOGRAMMA McC. and W.
1918. McCulloch and Waite, Rec. S. Austr. Mus., vol. i, p. 51.
Scales moderate sized, ctenoid. Head and belly naked. Three
separate dorsal fins, the Ist and 2nd spinous, the Ist considerably
lower than 2nd. Lateral line curving downwards from shoulder to
middle of side, ending below end of 2nd dorsal, no secondary series of
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 869
incised scales. Orbital tentacle present or absent. No hook on inner
margin of shoulder-girdle.
This genus might also be regarded as a subgenus of Tripterygion,
but differs in the character of the lateral line. Weber (1913, Siboga
Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 546) notes that trigloides Blkr. and obtusirostre
Klunz. occupy in this respect a somewhat isolated position among the
species of Tripterygion. McCulloch and Waite assign medium Guthr.
to their genus as well as their type species decurrens McC. and W.
Helcogramma obtusirostre (Klunz.).
1871. Klunzinger, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, vol. xxi, p. 498.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 2, p. 77.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth 43-5, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Hye slightly
greater than snout, 3 times the interorbital width, 3 in length of head.
Profile abruptly descending in front of eyes. Snout short, blunt.
Jaws equal. Maxilla reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye.
Teeth in bands on both jaws, the front middle ones larger, a band on
vomer. No orbital tentacle. D III+ XIII+10, 1st dorsal consider-
ably lower than 2nd. A I 18-19. P17. VI 2. Caudal slightly
rounded. Scales absent on head, belly, and a space around base
of Ist and 2nd dorsals, which latter space is transversely striate:
6
1.1. 36-38, of which 20-21 bear tubules; ae
Length.—Up to 45 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or greenish, with darker cross-bands, the bands
either broad or narrow, when narrow in pairs; head more or less
completely covered with small black specks.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Red Sea.
This species seems to be very closely allied to trigloides Blkr.
One of the South African Museum specimens is coloured in a very
similar manner to 7. hemamelas Kner, except that the caudal peduncle
is not black, and there is no white spot on the caudal fin.
Fam. 3. CONGROGADIDAE.
Body elongate, with very small scales. Mouth protractile, with
strongly developed lips. Teeth in a single series in each jaw, palate
usually toothless. Dorsal and anal fins elongate, composed of soft
rays, sometimes a single spine at commencement of dorsal. Caudal
870 Annals of the South African Museum.
confluent with dorsal and anal. Ventrals, if present, jugular, with one
or two filamentous rays. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-membranes
either free from, or united with, isthmus.
A small family of elongate Blenny-like fishes from the Indo-Pacific
region. There is one representative in South African waters.
Gen. HatipEsmus Gnuthr.
1871. Ginther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 668.
1912. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. x, p. 268.
1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 57 (Poro-
grammus).
Body elongate, compressed. A few teeth in a transverse band on
vomer. A small spine at commencement of dorsal. Guill-membranes
joined across throat, free from isthmus. Three distinct lateral lines,
each with a double row of pores, except where the lines from opposite
sides are adjacent in the middle line (7.e. on nape, belly, and immedi-
ately above and below base of pectoral) ; an oblique branch connects
the upper and middle lines just behind the scapular region ; the lower
line divides into two at extremity of ventral fins, uniting again above
the vent. Isolated pores along edge of preopercle and around orbit.
Ventrals very short, each of 2 rays. Dorsal and anal confluent only
with base of caudal. Branchiostegals 6.
Examination of the specimens in the South African Museum has
enabled me to give the above emended diagnosis of this genus, with
which Gilchrist and Thompson’s genus Porogrammus is clearly synony-
mous. The presence of vomerine teeth and 6 branchiostegals is con-
firmed, whereas Regan’s statement (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. x,
p. 268, 1912) that there are only 4 branchiostegals and that the gill-
membranes are joined to the isthmus is erroneous. Pseudobranchiae
are present.
One cannot help suspecting that the artist who drew Gilchrist and
Thompson’s figure has improved upon the specimen in drawing the
dorsal and anal fully confluent with the caudal; the figure in this
respect does not agree with the description given in the diagnosis of
the genus andthe species. The caudal rays are branched as in Giinther’s
figure.
Halidesmus scapularis Gnthr.
1871. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 668, pl. Ixvii, fig. B.
1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, loc. cit., p. 57, fig. (Porogrammus
capensis).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 871
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, p. 416 (Halidesmus scapularis).
Depth 94-144 (Giinther says 16, though his figure shows 124),
length of head 53 (young)—8? (Giinther says 10), in length of body.
Snout about as long as eye, which is 33-5 in length of head. Maxilla
reaching to vertical from anterior third of eye. Gill-rakers 7-8 on
lower part of anterior arch. D I 54-64. A 42-48. Cll. Caudal
rounded. (Plate XXXII, fig. 4.)
Length.— Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or dark brown, with obscure dark cross-bands,
dorsal and anal dark posteriorly, sometimes spots on hinder part of
dorsal fin and across caudal fin, a black ovate scapular spot above the
pectoral fin usually present (not recorded in Porogrammus capensis).
Locality. False Bay, Algoa Bay, Natal coast, down to 50 fathoms.
Type of Halidesmus in British Museum, of Porogrammus 2 lost.
Fam. 4. ZOARCIDAE.
Body elongate, more or less eel-like, naked, or with very small, em-
bedded, cycloid scales. Mouth not protractile. Lips not strongly
developed. Conical teeth in jaws, sometimes also on vomer and pala-
tine. Dorsal and anal elongate, composed of soft rays, a few of
the posterior rays of dorsal sometimes spinous. Caudal confluent
with dorsal and anal. Ventral fins, when present, small, jugular.
Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-membranes attached to isthmus; gill-
openings very variable in size. Lateral line moderately distinct, or
nearly or quite obsolete. Pyloric caeca rudimentary.
Chiefly Arctic and Antarctic forms. Some are found at considerable
depths. Several are known to be viviparous.
In America these fishes are termed Eel-pouts.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Ventral fins and scales present. Gill-opening wide, or very wide.
a. Moderately elongate. No scutes along bases of dorsal and anal Lycodes.
5. Very elongate. A row of scutes along bases of dorsal and anal
Lycodonus.
2. Ventrals and scales absent. Gill-opening reduced to a small slit
Melanostigma.
Gen. Lycopss Reinh.
1838. Reinhardt, Kongl. Danske Selsk. Afh., vol. vii, p. 147.
Body moderately elongate, tapering behind. Scales minute, cir-
cular, embedded. Mouth horizontal, lower jaw included in upper.
872 Annals of the South African Museum.
Teeth conical on jaws, vomer, and palatines, in single series or in
bands. Gill-opening wide. Dorsal fin even in height throughout,
without spines. No scutes along base of dorsal and anal. Ventrals
rudimentary, each consisting of a single short fleshy projection.
Pectoral broad. No air-bladder. Branchiostegal rays 6. No barbels.
Lycodes frigidus Coll.
1878. Collett, Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ., No. 14, p. 45.
1880. Id., Norsk. Nordh. Exped. Fisk., p. 96, pl. in, figs. 23, 24.
1895. Smitt, Skand. Fish., vol. ii, p. 610, fig. 146.
Depth 8 (adult)—11 (young), length of head 42 (adult)-54 (young),
in length of body. Eye in young about equal to snout, twice inter-
orbital (or 3 times the bony interorbital) width, 34 in length of head ;
in adult about 22 in snout, 14 in interorbital width, 7 in length of
head. Intermediate specimens with correspondingly intermediate
proportions. Length of head a little over half the distance from tip
of snout to vent, which distance is 14-12 in the distance from vent to
base of caudal fin. Cleft of mouth extending to below anterior margin
of eye. Teeth in young in single series in both jaws, palatines, and
vomer ; in older specimens, one or two additional rows in the front of
the jaws, and some additional teeth on the vomer, are developed.
Gill-openings wide, extending almost to bases of ventral fins. D ca.
100, commencing above middle of pectoral. A ca. 90. P21. Lateral
line running from shoulder obliquely down to near vent and along
base of anal, distinct; in some young specimens a very indistinct
additional line along base of dorsal, but never traceable throughout
its entire length.
Length.—Up to 430 mm.
Colour.—Uniform purplish-brown, slaty or lead-coloured; mouth,
throat, and gill-cavities fuscous.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, 345-900 fathoms.
Distribution.—N. Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, down to 1333 fathoms.
These specimens appear to differ in no way from Collett’s species
as diagnosed and figured by Smitt. Goode and Bean’s figure (1895,
Ocean. Ichthyol., fig. 274), however, differs considerably both in the
size of the head and the position of the lateral line, and must evidently
refer to another species.
Young specimens of this genus have more than once been described
as distinct species. In the present case there is no doubt that the
youngest and oldest specimens are conspecific. The young specimens
bear considerable resemblance to macrops Gnthr. 1883.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 873
Gen. Lycoponus G. and B.
1882. Goode and Bean, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. x, p. 208.
Body very elongate, eel-like. Scales minute, circular, embedded.
Mouth horizontal, lower jaw included in upper. Teeth on jaws,
vomer, and palatine. Gull-opening rather narrow. Dorsal fin even
in height, without spines. A series of bony scutes along each side
of bases of dorsal and anal fins. Ventrals rudimentary, each con-
sisting of a single short fleshy projection. Pectoral broad. Air-
bladder absent. Branchiostegal rays 4 (or 5?). Pseudobranchiae
present, but very small. No barbels. Lateral line absent.
Lycodonus vermiformis n. sp.
Body very slender. Depth 22-25, length of head about 10, in length
of body. Eye equal to (young) or rather less than (adult) snout, at
least twice interorbital width, 4 (young)—4? (adult) in length of head.
Length of head not quite half distance from tip of snout to vent,
which distance is about 4 in distance from vent to tip of tail. Cleft
of mouth extending to below anterior margin of eye. Teeth in single
rows on jaws, vomer, and palatine, a few smaller teeth behind the
outer ones in front of each jaw. Gill-openings extending downwards
to level of bottom of bases of pectorals. D ca. 115, commencing
above end of pectoral. A ca.100. Both dorsal and anal flanked by
the same number of bony scutes as there are rays (the dorsal scutes
not commencing in front of the lst ray). P 14-15. Lateral line
absent. A row of large mucous pores along side of head below eye,
and a similar row on under surface of head extending on to lower jaw.
(Plate XXXV, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 270 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Yellowish-brown, belly blackish, throat and
gill-cavities fuscous.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, 460-630 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
These specimens evidently represent a species distinct from mirabilis
G. and B. from the east coast of North America. Besides the differ-
ences in fin formula, the dorsal scutes in the latter commence much
further forward than in vermiformis, and the first 10-11 appear to
be unaccompanied byrays. Iam unable to find more than 4 branchi-
ostegal rays.
874 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. MELANOSTIGMA Guthr.
1881. Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 20.
Body moderately elongate. Skin naked, loose and flabby, en-
veloping the dorsal and anal fins. Mouth small, oblique. Teeth on
jaws, vomer, and palatine in one or two series. Gill-opening reduced
to a small aperture above base of pectoral. Dorsal fin even in height,
without spines. No scutes along bases of dorsal and anal. Ventrals
absent. Pectoral narrow. Air-bladder? Branchiostegal rays? No
barbels.
* Melanostigma gelatinosum Gnthr.
1881. Giinther, loc. cit., p. 21, pl. ui, fig. A.
1887. Id., Challeng. Rep., vol. xxii, p. 82.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichth., p. 314, fig. 284.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. N. Amer., vol. iui, p. 2479.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 20.
Depth about 84, length of head 6-74, in length of body. Eye greater
than snout, 34 in length of head. Length of head rather less than
half distance between tip of snout and vent, which distance is about
half distance from vent to tip of tail. Cleft of mouth extending to
below anterior third of eye. Fin formula not stated.
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, back purplish, sides with purplish marblings,
tail black.
Locality.— Off Table Bay, 1400 fathoms.
Distribution.—Straits of Magellan, 24 fathoms; east coast of
North America, 319-641 fathoms.
Gilchrist makes no remarks on the structure of the Obie specimen.
Fam. 5. BROTULIDAE.
Body elongate, naked, or with small cycloid scales. Mouth often
protractile. Lips not strongly developed. Teeth conical or villiform,
in bands on jaws and usually also on vomer and palatine. Dorsal
and anal elongate, composed of soft rays. Caudal confluent with
dorsal and anal (except in Dinematichthys and Brosmophycis).
Ventral fins, when present, jugular, reduced to 1-2 rays. Pseudo-
branchiae small or wanting. Guill-membranes separate and free from
isthmus (except in Dermatopsis); gill-openings wide. Lateral line
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 875
single or triple, complete, interrupted, or partially or entirely obsolete.
Pyloric caeca usually few. Air-bladder present.
A numerous family of fishes allied to the Zoarcidae, and closely
resembling the latter in external appearance. The freedom of the
gill-membranes is usually a certain differential character. Internally
the two families are at once distinguished by the number of radialia
(basalia) or supports to the dorsal and anal fins; in the Zoarcidae
these correspond in number to the neural and haemal spines of the
vertebrae, in the Brotulidae they are more numerous than these.
In this respect Selachophidium has been examined and found to be
correctly placed in the present family.
Brotulid fishes are widely distributed. Some are shore fishes, but
the majority are deep-water forms; some of the latter are highly
aberrant. There are also a few blind cave-fishes from Cuba which
are included in this family.
Some forms, e.g. Cataetyx and the blind Cuban fishes, are known to
be viviparous. | ,
Cockerell (1916, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xvii, p. 317) has
given a comparative account of the scales of several members of this
family.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Sealy. Eyes normal.
A. Ventrals inserted below hind edge of preopercle or thereabouts.
1. Pectoral rays all similar.
a. Lateral line single, distinct (anteriorly at least).
i. Each ventral a single filament.
a. Head scaly. Operculum with 1 spine.
* Lateral line distinct throughout
Selachophidium.
** Lateral line obsolete posteriorly . Cataetyz.
fp. Head naked. Operculum with 2 spines
Diplacanthopoma.
ii. Each ventral bifid . ; é : Neobythites.
b. Lateral line triple : ; : : . Porogadus.
2. Lower pectoral rays elongate. ‘ : , . Dicrolene.
B. Ventrals inserted below eye : : : ; : Hoplobrotula.
II. Scaleless. Eye covered over by skin . , : ; Barathronus.
Gen. SELACHOPHIDIUM Gilch.
1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 209.
Body compressed. Head (including snout and opercles) and body
scaly. Snout swollen, projecting. Lower jaw included in upper.
876 Annals of the South African Museum.
Teeth villiform, in bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines. No barbels.
Eye large. Anterior nostril not at tip of snout. Opercle with
one spine. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-rakers fairly long on
posterior part of arch. Lateral line single, distinct and continuous
to tail. Pectoral without elongated rays. Ventrals close together,
inserted below preopercle, each consisting of a single ray. Branchi-
ostegal rays 8. Pyloric caeca obsolete. Vent antemedian.
Selachophidium guentheri Gilch.
1903. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 209, pl. xvii.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 476.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 152.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ili, p. 77.
Depth 54-64, length of head 53-53, in length of body. Eye equal
to snout, 14 times the interorbital width, 34-34 in length of head.
No large muciferous cavities on head. Maxilla reaching to vertical
from hind margin of eye. Gill-rakers 22 on lower part of anterior
arch, the 5 or 6 anterior ones being tubercular. D ca. 115, com-
mencing above middle of pectoral. A 85-90. P 26-27. Lateral
line distinct almost to tip of tail (in well-preserved specimens), about
12 scales between it and dorsal; scales on base of dorsal anteriorly,
none on anal; whole head, including suborbital, snout, lower jaws,
and branchiostegals, scaly. (Plate XXXV, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brownish, dorsal and anal fins posteriorly darker,
almost black ; mouth and gill-cavities purplish-black.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, East London, and Natal coast, 150-537
fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
Gen. CATAETYX Gnthr.
1887. Giinther, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxii, p. 104.
Body compressed. Head depressed in front. Head (except tip
of snout) and body scaly. Snout not projecting. Jaws about equal.
Teeth villiform, in bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines; no larger
teeth in lower jaw. No barbels, but some short cirri on upper lip
in front. Eye rather small. Anterior nostril at end of snout, with
a short tube. Opercle with 1 spine. Pseudobranchiae small in
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 877
young, absent in adult. Gill-rakers reduced to 3, well developed, the
rest of the arch occupied with granulate plates. Lateral line single,
indistinct and interrupted. Pectoral broad, without elongate rays.
Ventrals close together, inserted below hind margin of opercle, each
consisting of a single filament. Branchiostegal rays 8-9. Pyloric
caeca represented by two broad pouch-like projections. Vent post-
median (in adult). Male with an anal papilla (penis). Viviparous.
The above diagnosis is based on the adult specimen in the South
African Museum. C. simus Garm., from the Gulf of Panama, also
falls within the diagnosis, although the vent is not quite so markedly
postmedian. By this latter character the South African specimens
and C. simus (adults) are sharply distinguished from the smaller and
presumably immature specimens of messzeri Gnthr. and rubrirostris
Gilb., where the vent is median or antemedian. Two young specimens,
found in South African waters, have the vent median, and it is reason-
able to assume that they are conspecific with the adult specimen.
Consequently, until evidence to the contrary is forthcoming, it must
be assumed that the post-anal portion of the body decreases relatively
to the pre-anal, whereby the vent assumes a postmedian position in
the adult.
Judging by the South African specimens, there appears to be also
an increase in the number of pectoral rays in the adult.
Cataetyx messiert (Gunthr.).
1878. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. u, p. 19 (Sirembo m.).
1887. Id., loc. cit., p. 104, pl. xxiu, fig. B.
1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 141, pl. vii, fig. 46;
pl. xi, figs. 57, 58 (eggs, embryos, viviparity).
15065 fd... 2b0d:, vol. iv, p. 159.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 416 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 151 (references).
Depth 44 (in young and in gravid 9), length of head 34 (young)-33
(2), in length of body. Eye in young nearly twice snout, equal to
interorbital width, 6 in length of head ; in adult, 14 in snout and in
interorbital width, 74 in length of head. Five slit-like muciferous
pores on infraorbital, 3 on ramus of lower jaw, 4 on hind margin of
preopercle. Some short cirri on upper lip under and between the
anterior nostrils (adult). Maxilla reaching beyond hind margin of
eye by about 2 diameter ofeye. Teeth villiform, some of the posterior
878 Annals of the South African Museum.
ones in lower jaw in young slightly larger than the rest. Two or
three short pseudobranchial filaments in young. D 100-107, com-
mencing above middle or hind end of pectoral. A 70-75. P 25
(young)—30 (adult). Length of head in young 13-14 in distance from
tip of snout to vent, in adult 24. Distance from tip of snout to vent
about equal to distance from vent to base of caudal fin in young, in
adult 14 times the latter distance. Lateral line becoming obsolete in
posterior quarter of body; about 20 scales between it and base of
lst dorsal ray.
Length.—(2) 630 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brown.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, 460-700 fathoms (adults and young) ;
off East London, 310 fathoms (young); Natal coast, 50 fathoms
(young).
Distribution.—Chile, 345 fathoms.
The ¢ specimen mentioned by Gilchrist is no longer in the “ Pieter
Faure ” collection, and the above description is based solely on the
2 specimen and two young specimens, 31 and 44 mm. in length, one
from off Cape Point, the other from off Hast London.
Gen. DIPLACANTHOPOMA Gnuthr.
1887. Giinther, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxu, p. 115.
Body compressed, strongly tapering posteriorly, scaly. Head naked,
with thin bones and wide muciferous canals. Snout not swollen,
upper jaw slightly overlapping lower. Teeth villiform, in bands on
jaws, vomer, and palatines. No barbels. Eye moderate. Nostrils
far apart, the anterior at end of snout. Opercle with 2 spines, one
pointing backwards, one behind angle of preopercle pointing down-
wards. Pseudobranchiae small or absent. Gull-rakers lanceolate,
often reduced in number, widely set. Lateral line single, indistinct.
Pectoral without elongate rays. Ventrals close together, inserted
below hind margin of opercle, each consisting of a single ray. Branchi-
ostegals 8 (or 6). Pyloric caeca absent. Vent slightly antemedian.
Male with intromittent organ. Viviparous.
* Diplacanthopoma nigripinnis G. and v. B.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,
p. 20, pl. iv, fig. 2.
Depth 3¢ (44 in figure), length of head 4, in length of body. Eye
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 879
14 in snout, 5 in length of head. Posterior nostrils contiguous with
anterior margin of eye. Maxilla reaching to below hind margin of
eye. Opercular spines covered with skin (?). Fin formula not given.
Lateral line visible anteriorly only. Length of head about equal to
its distance from vent, and less than distance between base of ventrals
and vent. Branchiostegals ?
Length.—160 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, fins darker.
Locality.—Natal coast, 700 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
This species appears to differ from the others in its shorter head.
It has certain resemblances to riversandersont Alck. from the Indian
Ocean, of which it may possibly be an immature specimen.
Gen. NEOBYTHITES G. and B.
1885. Goode and Bean, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. viii, p. 600.
Body compressed, tapering posteriorly, scaly. Head scaly. Snout
slightly projecting, upper jaw slightly overlapping lower. Teeth
villiform, in bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines. No barbels. Eye
moderate or rather large. Nostrils moderately far apart, the anterior
near tip of snout, the posterior near or contiguous with eye. One
or two weak spines at angle of preopercle ; opercle with one spine.
Pseudobranchiae present but small. Giull-rakers lanceolate, rather
widely spaced. Lateral line single, more or less obsolete posteriorly.
Pectoral without elongate rays. Ventrals close together, each con-
sisting of two rays, inserted below hind margin of preopercle. Branchi-
ostegals 8. Pyloric caeca present, short.
Smith and Radcliffe (1913, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xliv, p. 139)
consider that Watasea J. and S. is insufficiently distinguished from
Neobythites by having a second small spine above the first on the
opercle.
Neobythites analis n. sp.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 8,
p- 89 (macrops, non Giinther).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 416 (macrops, non
Giinther).
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p- 19 (macrops).
Depth 54-52, length of head 42-5, in length of body. Eye equal
880 Annals of the South African Museum.
to snout and to interorbital width, 44 in length of head. Maxilla
reaching to vertical from hind margin of eye. Gill-rakers 14-15 on
lower part of anterior arch, the posterior 6-7 long, the anterior ones
mere knobs. Pseudobranchiae 4 filaments. Posterior nostril near,
but not contiguous with, eye. D ca. 100, commencing above axil
of pectoral. A ca. 85. P 26. Ventrals about 4 distance between
their bases and vent, which distance is slightly greater than length
of head; each pair of rays united in their basal third, inner ray
longer than outer. Lateral line distinct to end of tail (in well-pre-
served specimens) ; 7-8 scales between lateral line and anterior rays
of dorsal fin. Pyloric caeca in two rows of 5 each along mesenteric
attachment of gut, none around the pylorus.
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brownish, dorsal fin light, caudal dusky, anal
light with a black margin.
Locality.—Algoa Bay and Natal coast, 46-700 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
This species, although very close to macrops Gnthr. from the Indo-
Pacific, is readily distinguished by the shorter head relative to the
distance between base of ventrals and vent, the arrangement and
number of the pyloric caeca, and the coloration. The black margin
of the anal fin is very characteristic.
Most of the specimens taken by the s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure ”’ were taken
in depths of 46-63 fathoms, though some were taken at 185 fathoms.
The “‘ Pickle’? specimens, which are presumably this species and not
the true macrops, were mostly taken from deeper water.
Gen. Poroaapbus G. and B.
1885. Goode and Bean, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vi, p. 602.
Body considerably compressed, strongly tapering posteriorly, scaly.
Head scaly on top and on opercles. Snout not projecting, upper jaw
scarcely overlapping lower. ‘Teeth villiform, in bands on jaws, vomer,
and palatines. No barbels. Hye moderate. Nostrils separate,
posterior one near eye, anterior midway between posterior one and
tip of snout. Opercle with one spine, a double row of spines on pre-
opercle, other spines on shoulder, temporal, interorbital, and infra-
orbital regions and on snout. Pseudobranchiae, if present, small and
few. Gill-rakers lanceolate, well developed. Lateral line triple, one
dorsal, one median, and one ventral, the median one extending
furthest posteriorly. Pectoral without elongated rays. Ventrals close
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 881
together, inserted below hind margin of preopercle, each consisting of
two rays. Branchiostegals 8. Pyloric caeca almost or completely
obsolete.
Porogadus miles G. and B.
1885. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 602.
1895. Id., Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 334, fig. 292.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 111, p. 107 (references).
Depth 9-10, length of head 6-64, in length of body. Eye slightly
less than interorbital width, 12 in snout, 52-54 in length of head.
Length of head slightly less than distance from base of ventrals to
vent. Maxilla extending almost an eye-diameter behind eye. Gill-
rakers 21-22 on lower part of anterior arch, the anterior 6-7 being
rudimentary and knob-like. Pseudobranchiae 2 filaments. Slit-like
mucous pores on infraorbital and lower jaw. Two rows of 4 spines
on margin of preopercle, 1 spine on hind angle of ramus of lower
jaw, 1 on hind margin of posterior nostril. D commencing above
axil of pectoral, which is } length of head (not “ nearly one half,” as
Gilchrist states), and about equal to length of ventrals, which equals
depth of body.
Length.—Up to 255 mm.
Colour.—Uniform blackish-brown.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, 700-800 fathoms.
Distribution.—N. Atlantic, 1168 fathoms.
Gen. DICROLENE G. and B.
1883. Goode and Bean, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. x, p. 202.
1889. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 387 (Paradicrolene).
Body moderately compressed, scaly. Whole head scaly. Snout
not projecting ; jaws about equal in front. Teeth villiform, in bands
on jaws, vomer, and palatines. No barbels. Hye moderate. Nostrils
close together. Opercle with one spine, preopercle with several.
Pseudobranchiae small or absent. Gill-rakers rather long. Lateral
line single, obsolete posteriorly. Pectoral with the lower rays separate,
elongate, filamentous. Ventrals close together, inserted below hind
edge of preopercle, each consisting of two rays. Branchiostegals 8.
Pyloric caeca few, rudimentary.
Pteroidonus Guthr. differs only in having the ventrals farther apart,
and each reduced to a single ray.
882 Annals of the South African Museum.
* Dicrolene intronigra G. and B.
1883. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 202.
1888. Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Trav. et Talism., p. 258, pl. xxiii, fig. 2.
1890. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), vol. vi, p. 297 (Para-
dicrolene vaillantt).
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 338, fig. 297, A, B.
1899. Alcock, Cat. Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus., p. 85.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
[Pe ule)
Depth 6, length of head 5, in length of body. Hye equal to inter-
orbital width, slightly greater than snout, 4-4} in length of head.
Upper jaw rather more than half length of head, maxilla reaching
slightly beyond vertical from hind margin of eye. Gill-rakers numer-
ous. Pseudobranchiae 2. A row of large mucous pores from each
eye to lateral line. Preopercle with 3 spines. D ca. 100, commencing
above base of pectoral. A ca. 85. P 19-+7-9, the longest free ray
about 4 length of body. Ventrals equal in length to postorbital part
of head. Lateral line indistinct, about 27 rows of scales between
dorsal fin and vent.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Brownish;_ gill-membranes, pectorals, ventrals, and
margins of dorsal and anal black.
Locality.—Offt Cape Point and Table Bay, 226-670 fathoms.
Distribution.—Gulf of Mexico, off north-west coast of Africa, Indian
Ocean, 406-983 fathoms.
Gen. HopLoBroTuta Gill.
1863. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 253.
Body compressed, scaly. Head naked, except the opercles and
preopercles, which are scaly. Snout not projecting ; upper jaw only
slightly longer than lower. Teeth villiform, in bands on jaws, vomer,
and palatines, and also tongue. No barbels. Hye moderate or
rather large. Nostrils moderately close. Opercle with one spine, pre-
opercle with three spines. Pseudobranchiae present, but small. Gill-
rakers short. Lateral line single, distinct nearly to tail. Pectoral
without elongate rays. Ventrals close together, inserted far forward,
below level of eye, each consisting of two rays. Branchiostegals 8.
Pyloric caeca well developed, 12-14.
Sirembo, of which Hoplobrotula is sometimes regarded as a sub-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 883,
genus, differs in having the preopercle unarmed, a single ray only
in each ventral, and the head almost entirely scaly.
The forward position of the ventrals gives this genus a strong
resemblance to the family Ophididae.
Hoplobrotula gnathopus Regan.
Natal King Klip-fish.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vu, p. 417 (typ. error :
Haplobrotula).
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 76 (also with
error in spelling).
Depth 53-6, length of head 42-5, in length of body. Length of
head equal to its distance from origin of anal. Lye slightly greater
than snout, equal to or slightly greater than interorbital width,
44-42 in length of head. Maxilla extending nearly 4 an eye-diameter
behind eye, its posterior width equal to diameter of eye. Lips
papillose. Gull-rakers 13-14 on lower part of anterior arch, the
5 posterior fairly long, the anterior ones mere knobs. Pseudo-
branchiae about 12. Round mucous pores on ramus of lower jaw,
on top of head, 1 below eye, 2 below nostrils. D ca. 105, com-
mencing above anterior 4 of pectoral. A ca. 85. P 22, 2 length
of head. V $ length of head, inserted at middle of lower jaw, below
anterior { or 4 of eye. Lateral line traceable almost to base of caudal
fin, 9 scales between lateral line and base of dorsal. Pyloric caeca 14.
Length —Up to 355 mm.
Colour.—Greyish-brown, with silvery sheen; dorsal and anal fins
blackish posteriorly.
Locality.— Natal coast, 100-260 fathoms.
Type in British Museum ; topotypes in South African Museum.
This species is very closely allied to the Japanese armata (Schlegel),
from which it appears to differ in the greater number of dorsal and
anal rays, and to a lesser extent in the number of gill-rakers and
pyloric caeca (see description of armata by Jordan and Fowler, Proc.
Us. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv, 1902, p. 760).
As its name implies, the Natal King Klip-fish bears a strong
resemblance to the true King Klip-fish found in Cape waters, but
is at once distinguished by the scaling and the short, rounded
snout.
VOL. XXi) PART 2, 57
884 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. BARATHRONUS G. and B.
1883. Goode and Bean, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., vol. xii, p. 164.
Body compressed, naked. Head stout, naked, with muciferous
canals. Snout not projecting. Cleft of mouth oblique, lower jaw
projecting. Teeth conical, few, on mandible and vomer, none on
palatine, teeth on upper jaw rudimentary. No barbels. Eye small,
partly on top of head, covered over by, but more or less visible
through, the skin. Nostrils close together, small. Maxilla almost
entirely concealed under preorbital, expanded posteriorly. Opercle
and preopercle without spines. Pseudobranchiae absent. Gill-rakers
very numerous, slender, long. Lateral line obsolete. Pectoral with-
out elongate rays. Ventrals inserted below hind margin of preopercle,
each consisting of a single ray. Dorsal commencing only slightly in
advance of anal. Branchiostegals and pyloric caeca ?
* Barathronus bicolor G. and B.
1883. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 164.
1895. Id., Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 341, fig. 298.
1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 158.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 107 (references).
Depth 64, length of head 54, in length of body. Eye equal to
interorbital width, 42 in length of head. Width of maxilla at posterior
end greater than eye. Vomer with 3, each mandible with 5 teeth.
Di cacaiOs NVA can Di.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Whitish, with a black band from ventrals to vent, and
another stripe above on the side of the belly.
Locality.—Off Cape Point, 660 fathoms.
Distribution.— West Indies, 769 fathoms.
The single specimen procured by the s.s. “ Pieter Faure ’
longer in the collection.
>
is no
Fam. 6. FIERASFERIDAE.
Body elongate, tapering, naked. Mouth not protractile. Lips not
strongly developed. No barbels. Teeth cardiform, in jaws, and on
vomer and palatines; canines often present. Dorsal and anal fins
confluent, without spines, no caudal fin. Ventral fins absent. Pseudo-
branchiae absent. Gill-membranes free from isthmus. Gill-openings
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 885
wide. Mucous canals of head and lateral line well developed. Pyloric
caeca absent (rudimentary). Air-bladder present. Vent at the throat.
A family of small fishes from temperate and tropical seas, remark-
able for their habit of living symbiotically with Holothurians (sea-
cucumbers), Asteroids (Star-fish), Tunicates, and bivalve molluscs.
They are not parasitic, but seek their food in a normal manner,
merely returning to the Holothurian or other animal for protection
and seclusion. They seem to be attracted to the Holothurian by the
respiratory current and enter it tail first. They are sometimes caught
buried in sand or in crevices of coral-reefs.
The eggs are pelagic and are embedded in a mass of slime. The
newly-hatched larva has been observed to float in a vertical position,
head downwards. It possesses a remarkable elongate filament with
foliate expansions, probably a modification of the Ist dorsal ray,
which hangs down over the head and is evidently a sensory appendage,
perhaps for the purpose of perceiving the respiratory currents of Holo-
thurians, etc., and guiding it to a suitable retreat.
Gen. FIERASFER Cuv.
1810. Rafinesque, Ind. Ittiol. Sicil., p. 57 (Carapus, no type specified).
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, vol. ii, p. 239.
1837. Thompson, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 55 (Hchiodon).
1843. Lowe, zbed., p. 92 (Diaphasia).
1844-48. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fish., p. 74 (Oxybeles).
1860. Kaup, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., p. 272 (Porobronchus, larva).
1864. Guill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 152 (Carapus).
1870. Gasco Bull. Assoc. Nat. Med. Napoli, p. 59 (Vewillefer, larva).
1874. Putnam, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. xvi, p. 347 (Enche-
lophis, larva).
1874. Jones, Zoologist., vol. 1x, p. 3838 (Lefroyia).
1880. Emery, Faun. Flor. Golf. Neapel. Monogr., ii (anatomy,
habits, etc.).
1912. Popta, Notes Leyd. Mus., vol. xxxiv, p. 185.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 95.
With the characters of the family.
The genus is subdivided according as the premaxilla and maxilla
are free (Fverasfer) or concealed under the skin (Jordanicus, Gilb.
1905 *). As this character is not mentioned by all authors and the
* Popta (loc. cit., p. 187) states that home Rich., the type species of Oxypbeles,
has the upper jaw free, so that Oxybeles becomes a synonym of Fverasfer (sensu
stricto), and cannot be used for the second division, as Popta has done.
886 Annals of the South African Museum.
rather numerous species have not been revised, all the species here
mentioned are referred to Fierasfer.
Key to the South African species.
1. Teeth in narrow bands in jaws . ; : ‘ : : . neglectus,
2. Teeth uniserial in jaws, without canines.
a. One canine on vomer . : : , ; ; : . punctatus.
b. Four canines on vomer : ; , : ; . - gracshes,
* Fierasfer neglectus Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 260.
1862. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. iv, p. 382.
Length of head 10 in total length. Teeth in jaws and on palatines
in narrow bands, the outer series stronger and curved; 3 very long
curved canines on vomer.
Length and colour not stated.
Locality.—Island of Ibo, Mozambique.
*Fierasfer punctatus Fischer.
1885. Fischer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst., vol. 1, p. 74.
Length of head 8 in total length. Teeth in jaws and on palatines
in single rows, without true canines ; a single long canine on vomer.
Length.—236 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish-brown, head and body with numerous small
black points and specks.
Locality.—Mozambique, in Holothuria scabra var. tagris.
* Fierasfer (Jordanicus) gracilis Blkr.
1856. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. xi, p. 105.
1862. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus:, vol. iv, p. 382.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 263.
1926. Id., Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. v, p. 402, text-fig. 2.
Length of head 11 in total length. Upper jaw concealed beneath
the skin. Teeth in jaws and on palatines in single rows, without
canines ; 4 slightly larger teeth on vomer. (Plate XXXV, fig. 6.)
Length.—Up to 160 mm.
Colour.—Pale mauve, with bluish tinge; when preserved, drab,
with obscure darker mottlings and ocelli; fins transparent.
Locality.—Natal coast, 120 fathoms.
Distribution.—Kast Indies.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 887
Fam. 7. OPHIDIIDAE.
Body elongate, more or less tapering behind, usually with very
small cycloid scales, or naked; the scales usually are not imbricated,
but embedded in the skin at right angles to one another as in some of
the Eels, or in oblique rows. Mouth protractile. Teeth in both jaws,
and usually on vomer and palatines, viliform or with larger ones
which are usually movable. Dorsal and anal elongate, composed of
soft rays, and confluent with caudal. Ventral fins inserted between
the rami of lower jaw, each reduced to a pair of rays. Pseudobranchiae
present. Guill-membranes separate, narrowly attached to the isthmus
behind the ventrals; gill-openings wide. Lateral line more or less
distinct. Air-bladder and pyloric caeca present.
A family of carnivorous fishes, mostly from moderately deep or
deep water. (For post-larval stages of Ophidium see Fage, 1918, Dan.
Ocean. Exp., vol. 11, A 3, p. 148.)
One genus in South Africa.
Gen. GENYPTERUS Phil.
1849. Smith, Ill. Zool. S. Afr. Pisces, pl. xxxi (Xiphiurus nom. preocc.)
1857. Philippi, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 268.
1858. Kaup, zbid., p. 93 (Holophycis).
1903. Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc., vol. 1, p. 67.
Head scaleless, except on preopercle and opercle. Scales on body
not imbricated, arranged in oblique rows (in quincunx). Lateral line
distinct. Some of the outer row of teeth in both jaws enlarged, and
some of them movable; vomer and palatines also with some of the
teeth enlarged. Opercle ending in a spine concealed under the skin.
No spine on tip of snout. Air-bladder (in the Cape species) oblong-
ovate, contracted only at the extreme hind end into a small point,
without posterior foramen. Pyloric caeca (in the Cape species) 8.
Vent antemedian.
An austral genus apparently confined to the southern extremities
of South Africa, South America, and Australasia.
Genypterus capensis (Smith).
King Klip-fish ; Koning Klipvis.
1849. Smith, loc. cit., pl. xxxi.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 417 (references).
888 Annals of the South African Museum.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 152 (references).
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 78.
1923. Von Bonde, zbid., i, p. 35 (Otophidium c.).
Depth 8 (adult)—103 (young, 100 mm.), length of head 4?-5, in
length of body. Eye in young slightly greater than snout, twice the
interorbital width, 4 in length of head ; in adult, 2 in snout, equal to
or 14 in interorbital width, 8-9 in length of head. The distance from
tip of snout to vent is just over twice the length of head, and is 14
(adult)—14 (young) in distance from vent to caudal fin. Maxilla ex-
tending beyond hind margin of eye, its posterior width greater than
leneth of eye. Lips papillose. Gull-rakers 4, together with some rudi-
mentary knobs on lower part of anterior arch. Branchiostegals 7.
D commencing above anterior 4 or axil of pectoral. Ventrals 4 (adult)
to nearly 4 (young) length of head. Lateral line distinct nearly to
tip of tail; about 13 series of scales between it and base of dorsal ;
bases of dorsal, and to a lesser extent anal, with minute scales. Pyloric
caeca 8 (5 on one side, 3 on the other). (Plate XXXV, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 1600 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, pinkish-brown, or salmon-coloured, more or
less irregularly blotched and marbled; belly whitish; whole body,
especially in young, with a silvery sheen; dorsal and anal fins, especi-
ally in young, posteriorly black, with a narrow, pure white edge ;
iris similar to the surrounding colour.
Locality.— Off west coast (St. Helena and Saldanha Bays), Table
Bay, Cape Point, Agulhas Bank, as far east as Algoa Bay, 20-214
fathoms. Regan (1906) describes a specimen said to have come from
the Natal coast, but the Marine Survey vessel, s.s. “ Pickle,” did not
find it in this locality.
The Cape species is very close to blacodes Bl. Schn. from Australia
and New Zealand, and a detailed comparison might possibly prove
them to be synonymous. The other Australian species, microstomus
Regan, appears to be distinguished by the narrower interorbital space
and the broad white margin to the dorsal and anal fins. Comparisons
should, however, be instituted between specimens of the same size,
as a very considerable alteration in the relative proportions of the
eye, etc., takes place between the young and the adult.
The King Klip-fish grows to a large size at the Cape, viz. up to
at least 5 ft. in length, the largest specimens usually being trawled
in the deeper waters. It is one of the finest food-fishes of Cape
waters.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 889
Group STROMATEOIDEI.
Fam. STROMATEIDAE.
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, pp. 115, 194 (revision).
1922. Gilchrist, abed., (9), vol. ix, p. 249 (oesophageal teeth).
Body deep ovate, oblong or elongate, with moderate or small cycloid,
usually deciduous, scales. No bony stay for preopercle. Subocular
shelf usually present. Mouth small or moderate, protractile or not.
A single series of small pointed teeth in both jaws; palate toothed or
toothless. Nostrils paired. Gill-membranes free from isthmus (with
one exception). Grills 4, a slit behind 4th. Pseudobranchiae present,
often rudimentary. Dorsal fin with the spinous portion almost or
quite forming a separate fin; or spinous portion may be rudimentary.
Anal long, with 3 or more spines. Ventrals, when present, thoracic,
of a spine and 5 rays, attached to the belly by membrane and depres-
sible into a more or less well-marked groove. Lateral line single,
continuous. Air-bladder present or absent. Pyloric caeca few in
number, simple or much branched. Oesophagus with lateral sacs
which are toothed internally.
This family, distinguished anatomically by the oesophageal teeth,
contains marine pelagic or deep-sea fishes.
Changes in the body shape and length of fins, and other growth-
changes frequently occur, the young being deeper in the body, the
ventral fins larger, etc.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Ventral fins present in adult.
A. Lateral line parallel with dorsal profile. Dorsal fin divided.
1. Teeth on vomer and palatines . : . Nomeus.
2. Teeth on vomer and tongue, at least in young. . Cubiceps.
3. Palate toothless ‘ , : Psenes.
B. Lateral line straight, but Gumved anitaniotity “bore the pectorals. Dorsal
fin continuous.
1. Body elongate : : : : : : Centrolophus.
2. Body ovate : ; ; : ; : 2 ; Lirus.
II. Ventral fins absent in adult : ; : : : : Stromateus.
Gen. NomMEus Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 1, vol. ii, p. 315.
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, p. 121.
Body oblong, moderately compressed. Scales moderate, deciduous.
890 Annals of the South African Museum.
Head scaly, except the snout. Mouth small. Maxilla without supple-
mental bone, entirely concealed under preorbital. Teeth on vomer
and palatines. Pseudobranchiae well developed. Dorsal divided.
Spinous part with 10-11 slender spines, the middle ones longest, al-
most separated from soft dorsal. Anal spines 3. Pectorals long.
Ventrals well developed, inserted before pectorals in young, below
them in adult, large, depressible in a deep furrow. Caudal forked.
Lateral line high, parallel with dorsal profile. Air-bladder present. ©
A single species.
Nomeus gronovia (Gmel.).
Blue-bottle Fish.
1788. Gmelin, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. xii, p. 1205.
1850. Cuvier, Régne Anim. Ill. Poiss., pl. lvi, fig. 2 (maculatus).
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 220, fig. 227.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 11, p. 103 (references).
1922. Gilchrist, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 253 (oeso-
phageal teeth). |
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv, p. 6.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 212.
Depth equal to length of head, 34-32 in length of body. Eye 23-3
in length of head, subequal to interorbital width and about twice
length of snout. Gill-rakers 16-18 on lower part of anterior arch.
4—5
© 20-21"
Below the lateral line a straight groove from suprascapular region to
caudal fin.
Length.—Up to 81 mm.
Colour.Silvery white, top of head indigo-blue ; 4—5 black irregular
cross-bars, the first through pectoral, the last across caudal pedunele,
widest above, narrowing below; one or more round black spots be-
tween the lower ends of the cross-bars ; spinous dorsal blackish ; soft
dorsal alternately black and white ; 3 brown spots on anal, ventrals
black ; a black stripe along middle of each caudal lobe.
Locality. —Off Cape Point, False Bay, Natal coast.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.
This little fish is commonly found associated with the Siphonophores
Physalia and Velella, popularly known as Portuguese Men-of-war
and Blue-bottles. It also accompanies jelly-fishes. The stinging
tentacles of the Physalia may provide a certain amount of protection
D X-XI [I 25-27. <A III 25-27. Scales: 1.1. 64-66; L.tr
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 891
to the fish, and the fish is supposed to derive benefit by feeding on
the animals which have been stung and disabled by the Physalia.
Gen. CuBpicers Lowe.
1843. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 82.
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xxiv (Atimostoma).
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, p. 122.
1904. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvii, p. 942
(Ariomma).
1923. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xiv, p. 14.
Similar to Nomeus, but ventrals shorter, inserted behind pectorals,
breast cultrate, palatine teeth absent, but a patch of teeth on vomer
and on tongue, at least in young.
McCulloch doubts the identity of Ariomma on account of the
presence of adipose eyelids.
Adult specimens of Cubiceps appear to be very rare, consequently
there is some doubt as to whether the Cape species is really distinct
from the Mediterranean and Madeiran species gracilis. McCulloch
(loc. cit., p. 16) also points out the close relationship between his
species baxterz and the Cape species.
Key to the South African species.
1. Pectoral a little longer than head. Scales: 1.1. 66 : : - capensis.
2. Pectoral a little shorter than head. Scales: 1.1. 52 : : . natalensis.
*Cubiceps capensis (Smth.).
1849. Smith, loc. cit., pl. xxiv.
1902. Regan, loc. cit., p. 123.
1912. Ariola, Rev. mens. Pesca Pavia, vol. vu, p. 185, pl.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 105.
1922. Gilchrist, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 253 (oesophageal
teeth).
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv, p. 7.
Depth equal to length of head, 3 in total length. Eye equal to
snout, about 4 in length of head. Maxilla not extending to below
eye. D XII 20. ATIII 20. Pectorals 14 as long as head. Scales:
6
ll. 66; Ltr. —.
22
=
Length.—1075 mm.
892 Annals of the South African Museum.
Colour.—Yellowish or chestnut brown above ; preopercle and sides
with a purplish tinge ; fins orange- or reddish-brown.
Locality.—Cast up on beach north of Cape Town.
Type (stuffed) in British Museum.
This is the only specimen known, with the exception of a specimen
from the Gulf of Genoa, referred to this species by Ariola (loc. cit.).
I have not been able to consult Ariola’s paper, but the locality suggests
that either the specimen has been misidentified, or that capensis is
synonymous with gracilis.
Cubiceps natalensis G. and v. B.
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv,
Ds (oopls Syvinie. 2:
Depth equal to length of head, 3-3,1, (figure 34) in length of body.
Kye greater than snout in young, about equal to it in adult, 3-34 in
leneth of head. Maxilla reaching almost or quite to vertical from
anterior margin of eye. Gull-rakers 13-14 on lower part of anterior
arch. D XI I 20. A III 20. Pectoral slightly less than length of
5
head. ‘Scales: 52% Tir. ca
Length.—165 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, hind margin of opercle and root of pectoral
purplish, snout dark brown, spinous dorsal dark brown, pectoral
bluish, anal yellowish ; most of the scales with dark centres.
Locality.— Natal coast, 157-275 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
The shortness of the pectoral fin invites comparison with brevimanus
Klunz. from the Red Sea, which, however, has only 14—15 rays in the
91
soft dorsal and anal, and lI.tr. ia
A young specimen, 80 mm. long, is in the South African Museum,
taken in Durban Bay associated with a jelly-fish.
Gen. Psenss C. and V.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 259.
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x., p. 124.
Resembling Cubiceps, but body ovate and strongly compressed,
breast not cultrate, ventral fins inserted below pectorals, and no
teeth on tongue or vomer.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 893
Key to the South African species.
1. Dorsal and anal rays 25-27. Scales: I.tr. - cyanophrys.
4
2. Dorsal rays 16, anal rays 13. Scales: |.tr. i indicus.
Psenes cyanophrys C. and V.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1x, p. 260,
pl celxy.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 237, pl. li, C, fig. 1 (gavanicus).
1902. Regan, loc. cit., p. 125.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 152.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.
Depth 14 (young)—21, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Hye
twice length of snout, 3 in length of head (Regan: equal to snout,
34-34 in length of head). D X I 25-27. A III 25-27. Scales:
lee 52256; 1:tr. :
22-26
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with parallel lines of dark dots along the scales ;
dorsal, anal, and ventrals dark brown, pectorals yellow or white,
caudal yellowish. Young with irregular vertical bands.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.— Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Weber (loc. cit.) states that P. javanicus Day (loc. cit.) does not
belong here, owing to its having the lateral line nearly straight. Day
seems, however, to have mistaken the line or groove which runs
through the middle of the myotomes for the lateral line.
Psenes indicus (Day).
1870. Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 690.
1878-88. Id., Fish. India, p. 237, pl. liv, fig. 2.
1902. Regan, loc. cit., p. 126.
1922. Gilchrist, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. 1x, p. 250 (natalensis
nom. nud.) (oesophageal teeth, fig. 1).
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv,
p. 8, pl. xvii, fig. 1 (africanus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvui, p. 212.
Depth 24-24, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 3-3}
894 Annals of the South African Museum.
in length of head, slightly greater than snout, slightly less than inter-
orbital width. Maxilla reaching to below a point midway between
posterior nostril and anterior margin of eye, or a little further. Gill-
rakers 14-15 on lower part of anterior arch. D X 114-16. A III
(13)14-15 ; 4th and 5th dorsal spines longest, about } length of head,
or a little less. Pectoral equal to or 1+ as long as length of head.
4
Scales: 1.1. 41-45; Ltr. —.
14
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Silvery with a purplish shade dorsally ; in
some specimens irregular dark spots and marks on body; spinous
dorsal blackish, especially towards margin ; other fins dusky or light,
somewhat yellowish.
Locality.—Mossel Bay, Algoa Bay, Natal and Zululand coasts,
16-55 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian seas.
Type of africanus in South African Museum.
I have examined a considerable number of specimens in the South
African Museum, and feel convinced that africanus is synonymous
with indicus.
Von Bonde’s drawing gives an entirely erroneous impression of the
shape of the profile; the snout is much less high and the occipital
region convex, the profile from dorsal to tip of snout being evenly
convex. The scale-count of 50 was obtained apparently by counting
the small scales at base of caudal; the number of pierced scales is
41-45. The figure shows an incorrect number of scales in the trans-
verse count. Thirteen rays in the anal appears unusual.
Regan (1905, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xvi, p. 329, footnote)
expresses the opinion that indicus is only doubtfully distinct from
the Atlantic regulus (Poey).
Gen. CENTROLOPHUS Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 441.
1839. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 81 (Pompilus).
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, p. 194.
1914. Id., “° Terra dNova ~ Exp’ Zool., vol. 1, pri:
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv,
p. 2 (Centrolophodes).
Body celongate-oblong, moderately compressed. Scales small,
somewhat deciduous. Head, except subopercle, interopercle, and
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 895
opercle, naked. Mouth moderate. Maxilla slipping under preorbital
for its entire length. Vomer and palatine without teeth. Preopercle,
sub- and inter-opercles feebly denticulate. Pseudobranchiae present.
Dorsal fin continuous. Spines of dorsal and anal slender, resembling
simple rays, and passing insensibly into the branched rays. Seven
branchiostegals. Caudal forked. Lateral line curved anteriorly ;
straight posteriorly. Pores over the whole head, and large areas on
the body. Air-bladder small.
Five species from moderately deep water: two from the Medi-
terranean and N. Atlantic, two from Australasian waters, and one
(C. lockingtont J. and G.) from California.
Centrolophus niger (Gmel.).
1788. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., p. 1321.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. and Mid. Amer., vol.1i, p. 963.
1896. Collett, Res. Sci. Monaco, fasc. 10, p. 26.
1902. Regan, loc. cit., p. 195.
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, loc. cit., p. 3, pl. xvu, fig. 1 (Centro-
lophodes irvine).
Depth 34-4, length of head 4—4$, in length of body. Hye about
14 in snout, 42-5 in length of head. Maxilla reaching to below
anterior margin of eye or slightly beyond. Giull-rakers 13-14 on
lower part of anterior arch. D 37-42, commencing above middle
of pectoral, the length of the rays increasing to about the 13th, thence
23-30
55-70
Lateral line becoming straight above the origin of the anal. (Plate
XXXII, fig. 1.)
Length—Up to 1060 mm.
Colour.—Dark greyish-brown, slightly lighter on the belly, and darker
on top of head.
Locality. Off St. Helena Bay and Saldanha Bay, 85-200 fathoms.
Distribution.—Mediterranean and N. Atlantic, Azores.
Type of Centrolophodes wrvini in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
I have seen two specimens of this species from South African waters.
Shortly after its capture (1st Dec. 1919) I examined the large specimen
later described by Gilchrist and von Bonde as the type of a new genus
and species. A cast of this specimen is in the South African Museum.
The second specimen is in the South African Museum, and was caught
off Saldanha Bay in 200 fathoms in March 1924. It is 900 mm. in length.
decreasing to the last. A 20-25. Scales: 1.1. 175-205; ltr.
896 Annals of the South African Museum.
Both specimens agree in all respects and are clearly referable to the
N. Atlantic species. The statements of Gilchrist and von Bonde
regarding the absence of pseudobranchiae and denticulations on the
opercles are incorrect. The pseudobranchiae are small but perfectly
distinct, as are likewise the opercular denticulations. The so-called
“teeth ’ on the roof and floor of the mouth are merely minute
cutaneous papillae, those on the gill-arches being setiform.
Gilchrist and von Bonde are correct in stating that the pores on
the body do not pierce the scales. The scales appear to be naturally
deciduous, at least in part, and it is only where a scale has dropped
off that a pore seems to be developed. At any rate, no pores could
be found in preserved specimens beneath those scales which still
adhered to the body, whereas they are very distinct in all the scale-
pockets out of which the scales have fallen. Towards the hind end
of the body the pores appear to be far less numerous, even where the
scales are deciduous, and to be completely absent on the caudal
peduncle.
Gen. Lirus Lowe.
1833. Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 143 (Leirus non Meg.
Coleopt., 1823).
1841. Bonaparte, Icon. Fauna Ital., vol. 11 (Mupus).
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, p. 195 (Larus).
1925. Jordan and Hubbs, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 226 (Mupus
Cocco).
Body ovate or oblong-ovate, compressed. Scales small. Mouth
small or moderate. Maxilla with small supplemental bone, more or
less exposed. Head scaly, upper part spongy, porous. Vomer and
palatines without teeth. Preopercle generally spinulose, sub- and inter-
opercles denticulate. Pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal fin continuous,
with 4-9 spines. Analspines 3. Caudal forked or emarginate. Lateral
line curved anteriorly above pectoral, becoming straight posteriorly.
I have no means of deciding the validity of Mupus, and therefore
adopt the more generally known generic name.
*TInrus maculatus (Gnthr.).
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ii, p. 412 (Schedo-
philus m.).
1866. Kner, SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. liv, p. 366 (Schedophilus
marmoralus).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 897
1902. Regan, loc. cit., p. 197.
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv,
p. 95 pL. xvii, fig. 2:
Depth 2, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 344 in length
of head, equal to or slightly less than interorbital width; snout
4 (young)—? eye-diameter. Maxilla reaching to or almost to vertical
from centre of eye. D VIII-IX 27-30, spines increasing in length
gradually to the soft rays, which decrease in length posteriorly.
A III 21-24. Pectoral rounded. Caudal emarginate. Scales:
21-24
45-56
Length.—Up to 79 mm.
Colour.—Pale yellowish, purplish above, silvery below; top of
head and a ring round orbit dark; irregular oval or oblong dark
patches on body, extending on to dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; two
dark round spots at base of caudal, pectorals and ventrals dark.
Locality.— False Bay.
Distribution.—China, Australia, South Seas.
Only a single specimen of this species has yet been found in South
African waters.
PiO=t1O:: ltr
Gen. STROMATEUS Art.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 19.
1902. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. x, p. 203.
Body ovate, compressed. Scales very small. Mouth small. Mazxilla
exposed. No teeth on vomer or palatines. Pseudobranchiae present.
Opercular bones entire or minutely denticulated. Dorsal fin con-
tinuous, with 3-9 feeble, graduated spines. Anal spines 3. Ventrals
reduced or even absent in adult, pelvic bones not projecting as a spine.
Caudal forked. Lateral line curved anteriorly, becoming straight
posteriorly.
Key to the South African species.
1. Caudal lobes much longer than head . : : ; : : fiatola.
2. Caudal lobes equal to length of head . : : : : microchirus.
Stromateus fiatola Linn.
Butter-fish ; Pampelmoes ; Blue-fish ; Cape Lady.
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, vol. 1, p. 432.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 373,
pl. celxxu.
898 Annals of the South African Museum.
1853. Pappe, Synops. Edib. Fish. C.G.H., ed. 1, and 1866, ed. 2,
p. 18 (capensis). 3
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 34.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iii, p. 104 (references).
1916. Gilchrist, cbid., p. 10, fig. 6 (egg and larva) (as microchirus).
1922. fd., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 252 (capensis ;
oesophageal tooth, fig. 2).
1922. Norman, ibid., (9), vol. ix, p. 320.
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv,
p. Ll (capensis).
1923. Id., cbid., p. 11 (egg, correction of earlier identification).
1925. Fowler, Proc: Ac. Nat. Sei. Philad., vol. lxxwiyaageeee
(capensis).
Depth 2-24, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Eye 5-8 in
length of head, 2-24 in snout, slightly less than 4 interorbital width.
Maxilla not reaching to below anterior margin of eye. Gill-rakers
10-12 on lower part of anterior arch. D V—VII 38-40, rays increasing
in length to about 12th, which is 3-? length of head. A III 30-33.
Pectoral shghtly shorter than or equal to length of head. Ventrals
completely absent in adult. Caudal lobes markedly longer than
head, about 4 depth of body. Scales: 1.1. 100-115, about 25 be-
tween 1.1. and the scales covering base of dorsal. Cheeks and opercles
scaly. (Plate XX XIII, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 445 mm.
Colour.—Purplish or bluish above, silvery below ; longitudinal rows
of round, oval, or oblong spots, which are more or less confluent into
stripes below the lateral line, those above the lateral line dark blue
with yellow margins, those below yellow; inner surface of pectoral
and tips of caudal lobes blackish.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, coast of Mauretania.
Gilchrist and von Bonde retain Pappe’s name, and maintain that
the Cape form “ differs considerably from most of the descriptions of
the Mediterranean fiatola.” They do not, however, state what these
differences are. All the specimens I have examined agree with Regan’s
description and with a Mediterranean specimen. There are no
scales on top of the head, but the cheeks and opercles are well
covered.
These two authors also state that the Butter-fish is confined to the
warmer waters of the south coast, and, on the evidence of fishermen,
is never caught in Table Bay. There are, however, several specimens
PLATE XXXIII.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Centrolophus niger (Gmel.) (original photo) . ; : : ; . 895
2. Stromateus fiatola Linn. (original photo) : ; : ; : . Sov
3. Scorpaena natalensis Regan (after Regan) . : : - - 902
4, Choridactylus natalensis (Gilch.) (after Gilchrist) . ; : : . 922
5. Psednos micrurus n.g. et sp. (original) : : : : - - O28
6
. Paraliparis australis Gilch. (after Gilchrist) . : : ‘ : . 927
Plate XX XIII.
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 899
in the South African Museum collected by Dr. Gilchrist and the
s.s. “‘ Pieter Faure ”’ in and off Table Bay.
The Butter-fish is highly esteemed food-fish.
Stromateus microchirus (C. and V.).
1819. Bonelli, Mem. Acad. Sc. Torino, vol. iv.
1833. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ix, p. 416,
pl. celxxvi.
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Ocean., vol. vi, p. 34.
1916. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol ii, p. 104 (references).
1923. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iv,
pada pl xix.
Depth 2 or a little less, length of head 3 (juv.)—3%, in length of
body. Hye 4-54 in length of head, 14-14 in snout, 2 or a little less in
interorbital width. Maxilla extending to below anterior margin of
eye. Gill-rakers 10-12 on lower part of anterior arch. D 40-46,
spines indistinguishable, rays increasing to about 13th, which is about
2 length of head. A (III) 33-38, spines very feeble. Pectoral about
2 length of head. Ventrals small, but present. Caudal lobes about as
long as head. Scales: 1.1. ca. 150.
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, minutely stippled, about 8 or 9 blackish vertical
cross-bars, fins dark.
Locality.—False Bay, Mossel Bay, Algoa Bay.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, coast of Mauretania.
This species is easily distinguished by its dark cross-bars. It has
been considered to be merely the young of fiatola, the length of the
caudal lobes being the only real difference between the two, apart
from the presence of the ventral fins. This question seems to be still
unsettled.
The presence or absence of scales on the cheeks or opercles could
not be determined in the South African Museum specimens as they
are all bruised.
Group SCLEROPAREI (Scorpaenorder).
Mail-cheeked Fishes.
(1913. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xi, p. 169, classifi-
cation.)
The second suborbital produced across the cheek forming a bony
VOL. XXI. PART 2. 58
900 Annals of the South African Museum.
stay for the preopercle. Body scaly, naked, or with bony plates. Tail
usually rounded or truncate. Spinous dorsal usually developed. Anal
with or without spines. Ventrals thoracic. Pseudobranchiae usually
present.
The Mail-cheeked Fishes are at once distinguished by the character
from which they derive their name. They form a very natural group,
and though differing widely in shape and other characters, possess
a general facies which renders them easily recognised. The head
generally has various bony knobs and prominences and is often heavily
armoured.
Fishes of moderate or small size, mostly inhabitants of shallow
water, and often brightly coloured.
Key to the South African families.
I. Head not completely cuirassed.
A. Ventrals narrowly separated.
1. Nostrils double.
a. Ventrals present, not united.
i. Anal fin with spines.
a. Gill-membranes free from isthmus Scorpaenidae.
f. Gill-membranes united with isthmus Synanciidae.
ii. No anal spines . : : . Cottidae.
b. Ventrals absent, or, if present, ated ti form a sucking disc
Inparidae.
2. Nostrils single . : : : . Congiopodidae.
B. Ventrals moderately or widely ceharateet
1. Sealy. Ventrals below or behind bases of pectorals
Platycephalidae.
2. Naked, except for a row of bony scutes on each side. Ventrals in
front of bases of pectorals . : : . Hoplichthyidae.
II. Head completely cuirassed.
A. Ventrals widely separated ; ; : : : . Triglidae.
B. Ventrals narrowly separated ‘ : : ‘ . Dactylopteridae.
Fam. 1. SCORPAENIDAE.
Body moderately elongate, scaly or naked. Head not completely
cuirassed, usually with spines. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-
membranes free from isthmus. Pseudobranchiae present. Three pairs
of dentigerous upper pharyngeals. Spinous dorsal longer than soft.
Anal with 1-3 spines, usually strong and pungent. Pectorals large.
Ventrals close together, with 1 spine and 3-5 rays.
This family contains a large number of marine fishes, carnivorous
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 901
in habits, and ranging over the whole world, some descending to con-
siderable depths. Bright coloration and mimetic resemblance to
surrounding objects are of common occurrence.
Some of the species are viviparous, the young being very small and
numerous. In these species a genital papilla is developed as an intro-
mittent organ in the male.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Seales distinct.
A. Pectoral with lowest ray not detached.
1. Dorsal spines not greatly elongated.
a. Dorsal spines XII.
i. Scales on head absent, or, if present, cycloid and concealed
in skin. Pectoral rounded.
a. Palatine teeth present . : . Scorpaena.
f. Palatine teeth absent . : . Scorpaenopsis.
ii. Scales on head ctenoid. Pectoral square Helicolenus.
b. Dorsal spines XIII. Scales on head ctenoid.
i. Suborbital stay not prominent, smooth Sebastichthys.
li. Suborbital stay with strong hooked spines Sebastosemus.
2. Dorsal spines greatly elongated . 4 , : : Pterois.
B. Lowest pectoral ray detached
Apistus.
II. Scales rudimentary or absent.
A. Second to fourth dorsal spines elevated, forming a crest Amblyapistus.
B. Anterior dorsal spines not elevated.
1. Anal spines I or II. Soft rays simple . , : Coccotropus.
2. Anal spines III. Soft rays apically branched : Coccotropsis.
Gen. ScorPAENA (Artedi) Linn.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 47.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 266.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. 1, A 3, p. 101 (post-larval stages).
Body oblong, somewhat compressed. Scales ctenoid, often with
skinny flaps. Head large, not cuirassed, with spinous ridges and often
dermal flaps, either naked or with cycloid scales embedded in the
skin. A groove on the occiput. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws,
vomer, and palatine. Two spines on preorbital projecting downwards
over maxilla. Dorsal fin with 12 stout spines. Anal with 3. Pectorals
large, rounded. Ventrals arising behind bases of pectorals. Caudal
rounded or subtruncate. Air-bladder absent.
Numerous species in tropical and subtropical seas. The name
Scorpion-fish has been given to them in allusion to the sting-like
wound inflicted by the dorsal spines.
902 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African species.
1. Pectoral with 8 or more branched rays ‘ ‘ : ; . natalensis.
2. Pectoral with less than 8 branched rays.
a. Pectoral with 5 branched and 12 simple rays. Caudal fin banded
haplodactylus.
6. Pectoral with 4 branched and 11 simple rays. Caudal fin not banded
mossambicus.
Scorpaena natalensis Regan.
Natal Scorpion-fish.
1906. Regan, Ann. Nat. Govt. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p. 5, pl. v.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt.3, p. 236.
1909. Id., abid., p. 237 (scrofa non Linn.).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 408.
1925. Fowler, Proc: Ac. Nat, Set. Philad., vol. Ixxyn, py 2a
(durbanensis non G. and T.).
Depth 24-3, length of head 24-22, in length of body. Eye 5 in
length of head, equal to or a little less than interorbital width.
Maxilla reaching to level of middle of eye. Band of vomerine and
palatine teeth in a sinuous curve. Head naked, with skinny flaps,
but without conspicuous supraorbital tentacle flaps along lateral line.
Interorbital space concave, with 2 weak ridges ending in spines. A
pair of nasal spines, 3 supraorbital spines, 2 occipital and 2 temporal
spines, suborbital ridge with 3 spines leading to a double preopercular
spine, with 3 spines below. Giull-rakers 9 on lower part of anterior
arch, knob-like. D XII 10, 3rd and 4th spines longest. A III 5,
2nd and 3rd spines about equal. Pectoral with 9-10 branched, and
10 simple rays. Scales: 1.1. 45-48; Ltr. ; lat. line tubules 23-26.
24-26
(Plate XX XIII, fig. 3.)
Length.— Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, spotted and marbled with blackish, but without
definite bands on caudal pectoral or elsewhere; often a dark blotch
between 6th and 9th (or 7th—9th) dorsal spines.
Locality.—False Bay to Natal, 20-40 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
Regan does not vouchsafe in what points natalensis differs from
scrofa Linn., which ranges from the Mediterranean to Madeira, the
Azores, and W. Africa. The two specimens reported upon by Gilchrist
and Thompson are really conspecific, the differences in the size of the
eye and other features being negligible and inconstant, and I have
here referred them to natalensis.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 903
*Scorpaena haplodactylus Blkr.
Bar-tailed Scorpion-fish.
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. i, p. 698.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 149, pl. xxxvi, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 408.
Depth 3, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye 4 in length
of head, twice the interorbital space which is deeply concave. No
groove beloweye. Maxillareaching to below centre ofeye. Vomerine
teeth in a narrow A-shaped band, a few teeth on anterior end of
palatine. Head with the cheeks and upper part of opercles scaly.
Orbital tentacle moderate; skinny flaps along lateral line, and on
head. A pair of nasal spines, 3 supraorbital, 3 occipital, and 3
temporal spines; suborbital ridge spinate, 5 preopercular spines.
D XII 9, 4th spine longest. A III 5, 2nd spine the strongest. Pectoral
6
with 5 branched and 12 simplerays. Scales: 1.1. 42; ltr. = lat. line
tubules 26.
Length.—Up to 110 mm.
Colour.—Brownish-black, banded and marbled; fins mottled, dorsal
with irregular bands, anal with a broad black band, pectoral more
or less definitely banded; caudal with a black band at base and
another across middle, margin black, with pale edge.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
*Scorpaena mossambica Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Archiv., p. 241.
1891. Sauvage, Poiss. de Madagascar, p. 295, pl. xxxiul, figs. 1, la.
Depth 23, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye equal to
snout, 33 in head. Interorbital space without ridges. A pair of
nasal spines, 3 supraorbital spines. Occipital, temporal, and sub-
orbital spines. Maxilla reaching to level of hind margin of eye.
Vomerine teeth in an open A-shaped band; palatine band short and
narrow. Supraorbital tentacle long, fringed. D XII 9, 4th spine
longest. A III 5, 2nd spine strongest. Pectoral with 4 branched
and 11 simple rays. Scales: lat. line tubules 30.
Length.—Up to 95 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, marbled with black, 3 irregular blackish bands
904 Annals of the South African Museum.
on anal, 3 narrow and less well-marked ones on pectoral; axil greyish,
with an indistinct yellowish blotch.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Gen, SCORPAENOPSIS Heck.
1840. Heckel, Ann. Wien. Mus., vol. ii, p. 159.
1904. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvu, p. 136.
Similar to Scorpaena, but without palatine teeth and with only one
preorbital spine projecting downwards over maxilla.
Key to the South African species.
1. A large supraorbital fleshy tentacle . 5 : ; . ; rosea.
2. Supraorbital tentacle absent or quite small.
a. Eye equal to or greater than interorbital width . : . cirrhosa.
b. Eye less than interorbital width . : ; : : : gibbosa.
Scorpaenopsis rosea (Day).
Roseate Scorpion-fish.
1867. Day, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 703.
1878-88. Id., Fish. India, p. 151, pl. xxxvi, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 408.
Depth 22-24, length of head 24-23, in length of body. Hye 4-4}
in length of head, 14 in snout. Interorbital space ? diameter of eye,
deeply concave, with 2 ridges. A groove below eye, not confluent
with its fellow in front of eye. Maxilla reaching to level of centre
of eye. A pair of sharp nasal spines, 2 supraorbital, 5 suborbital
spines, 1 preorbital spine projecting down over maxilla. Occipital
and temporal ridges each with 3 spines. A large fleshy fimbriate
tentacle above eye, and several others on snout, angle of mouth and
lower jaw, and lateral line. Head naked except for a few scales on
upper part of opercle. D XII 9-10, 3rd spine longest. A III 5,
2nd spine stronger but not longer than 3rd. Pectoral with 5-6
branched and 11-12 simple rays. Gill-rakers 10-11, on lower part
6-8
of anterior arch, short, rod-like. Scales: 11. 40-43; Ltr. :
15-18
lat. line tubes 23-24.
Length.—Up to 120 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 905
Colour.—Rosy, marbled with greyish, fins more or less banded,
one or two irregular vertical stripes across caudal.
Locality Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indian seas.
Scorpaenopsis cirrosa (Thunb.).
Bearded Scorpion-fish.
1793. Thunberg, Nya Handl. Stockh., vol. xiv, p. 199, pl. vii, fig. 2.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. 1, p. 78, pl. 54.
1877. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cdxii, fig. 6.
1891. Sauvage, Poiss. Madagascar, p. 299.
1904. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvu, p. 136.
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3,
p- 236 (durbanensis).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, pp. 407 (durbanensis)
and 409 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 30, pl. vu
(marmoratus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 253.
Depth 3-34, length of head 22-24, in length of body. Eye 6 in
length of head, 13-2 in snout. Interorbital space less than (young)
or equal to (adult) diameter of eye, with 2 well-marked ridges, not
ending in spines. A shallow groove below eye, ending in front in
a more or less deep pit. Maxilla reaching level of hind margin of eye.
Occipital groove shallow. A pair of nasal spines, 3 supraorbital with
an additional spine behind, 2 occipital, 3 temporal, 4 suborbital end-
ing in a double spine. Upper parts of preopercle and opercle more
or less scaly. Supraorbital tentacle small or none. Fleshy fimbriate
tentacles on snout, angle of jaw, lower jaw, and lateral line. D XII
9-10, 3rd—5th spines longest. A III 5, 2nd spine strongest. Pectoral
not reaching origin of anal, with 5-7 branched and 11 simple rays.
Gill-rakers 10-12 on lower part of anterior arch, knob-like. Scales:
|
52-58: ltr. = ; lat. line tubules 23-26.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or yellowish, mottled with brown; belly and
gill-membranes scarlet or orange; fins mottled with dark, more or
less wavy, bands; axil of pectoral light with brownish ocellate
blotches.
906 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific to Japan and Hawaiian Islands.
Type of durbanensis in South African Museum.
S. durbanensis was originally described as a Scorpaena, but there
are no palatine teeth, and I have but little hesitation in identifying
it with cirrhosa. Both the type and other specimens, however, have
a very shallow suborbital groove, which is continued round in front
to join its fellow, without the deep pit mentioned by Giinther (1873-75).
Jordan and Starks (1904) make no mention of this pit.
Scorpaenopsis gibbosa (Bl. Schn.).
Hunchback Scorpion-fish.
1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 192, pl. xliv.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 312
(diabolus).
1829. Id., cbid., p. 315 (nesogallica).
1844. Richardson, Ichthyol. Voy. Sulph., p. 76, pl. xl.
1873. Sauvage, Nouv. Arch. Mus., vol. ix, p. 50, pl. vu, fig. 3.
1873-75. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. i, p. 79, pl. lin.
1877. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. edxi, fig. v, and pl. edxvi.
fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Poiss. Madagascar, p. 297 (references).
1917. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 5, p. 459.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 254.
Depth 23-22, length of head 24-24, in length of body. Eye 53-6}
in length of head, 14-2 in snout and in the interorbital space, which
has 2 feeble ridges. Occipital groove moderate. A groove below eye
ending in front in a deep pit. Maxilla reaching level of hind margin
of eye. A pair of nasal spines, 3 supraorbital, 3 occipital, 3 temporal
spines, 4 preopercular spines, the last one double. Supraorbital
tentacle short or none; fleshy tentacles on jaws and lateral line.
Upper parts of opercle and preopercle scaly. D XII 9-10, the spines
rather short, strong, and curved, 3rd and 4th longest. A III 5, 2nd
spine strongest. Pectoral large, reaching origin of anal, with 5-6
branched and 10-12 simple rays. Gill-rakers 9 on lower part of
7-8
- lat. line
20-23
anterior arch, knob-like. Scales: |.l. ca. 40; Ltr.
tubules 22-24.
Length.— Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Very variable; reddish, mottled with grey or brown,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 907
fins marbled ; a dark band on anal; pectoral with a dark band at
base and another near margin, both indicated on inner surface of
fin; ventrals black with pale margin; caudal with dark band at
base and another across centre, margin pale; axil of pectoral pale
with dark spots.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—East Indies, China, South Pacific.
Gen. HELICOLENUS G. and B.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 248.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed. Scales ctenoid on body and
head, no dermal flaps. Head large, not cuirassed, with moderately
developed ridges and spines. Suborbital stay without prominent
ridge or spines. No groove or occiput. Interorbital space narrow,
concave. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer, and palatine.
Dorsal fin with 12 spines, anal with 3. Pectoral truncate, uppermost
2 and lower 8 rays simple, the middle ones branched ; the lower ones
with their tips free from membrane for about $ their length. Ventrals
arising just behind bases of pectorals. Caudal truncate or slightly
emarginate. Air-bladder absent. Gull-rakers moderate (not exceed-
ing 4 diameter of eye), genital papilla present in male. Viviparous.
This genus is characterised by the square-cut pectoral fin. It is
closely allied to Scorpaena, but has a Sebastes-like head. Atlantic,
Australia, and South Africa.
Helicolenus maculatus (C. and V.).
Sancord.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 343.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 136.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 75.
Depth 3, length of head 22, in length of body. Lye 3 in length of
head. Snout 2, interorbital width 4, diameter of eye. Interorbital
space with 2 grooves, naked. Maxilla reaching to below hind margin
of eye. Arrangement of spines as in Sebastichthys capensis. A small
knob at symphysis of lower jaw. Gill-rakers 20-22 on lower part
of anterior arch, 2 diameter of eye in length. D XII 13, 3rd and 4th
spines longest, 7 length of head. A III 5, 2nd spine stronger, but
not longer than 3rd. P19-20. Caudal truncate. Scales: 1.1. about
908 Annals of the South African Museum.
60; lat. line tubules about 30. Jaws and spinous dorsal naked, but
sometimes a few scales on hind end of maxilla.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, mottled on back with brown, a brown spot at
base of each dorsal spine ; lining of body cavity and gill-cover black.
Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, 50-300 fathoms.
Closely allied to the Atlantic species H. dactylopterus and mader-
ensis, differing mainly in the coloration.
Gen. SEBASTICHTHYS Gill.
1862. Gill, Proc. Ac. Sci. Philad., p. 329.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed. Scales ctenoid on body and
on head; usually with numerous small accessory scales; no dermal
flaps. Head large, not cuirassed, with moderately developed ridges
and spines. Suborbital stay without prominent ridge or spines. No
groove on occiput. Interorbital space narrow (at least 5 in length of
head) and concave. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer, and
palatine. Dorsal fin with 13 (rarely 14) spines, anal with 3. Pectoral
rounded. Ventrals arising below bases of pectorals. Caudal sub-
truncate or slightly emarginate. Air-bladder present. Gull-rakers
short and thick. Genital papilla present in male. Viviparous.
This genus is closely allied to Sebastodes, but differs in the short gill-
rakers and narrow concave interorbital space. The species are found
in Japan and on the Pacific coasts of N. and 8. America, as well as in
South Africa.
Sebastichthys capensis (Gmel.).
Jacob Evertson ; Jacopever.
1788. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., vol. ii, p. 1219.
1849. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. xxu, figs. 1 and 2.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. u, p. 1833.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 135 (references).
Depth 3, length of head 23, in length of body. Eye 4-4} in length
of head, subequal to snout. Interorbital space } diameter of eye,
concave, with 2 ridges, scaly (not naked as Sauvage says). Maxilla
reaching to below centre of eye. A pair of nasal spines. Supraorbital
ridge with 1 anterior and 3 posterior spines. A pair of occipital ridges,
each ending posteriorly in a spine. Two flat spines just above opercle,
2 on angle of opercle, 5 conical spines on margin of preopercle. A knob
at symphysis of lower jaw. Gill-rakers 20-22 on lower part of anterior
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 909
arch, not exceeding + diameter of eye in length. D XIII 13-14, 3rd
and 4th spines longest, 3-3$ in length of head. A III 6, 2nd spine
strongest, about equal to longest dorsal spine. P 18, the lower 9-10
rays simple. Caudal truncate. Scales: 1.1. 60-70; lat. line tubules
36-40. Numerous small accessory scales mixed in with the larger ones
on the body. Bases of vertical fins minutely scaly. Jaws naked.
Length—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Red, shading to orange below; several silvery-white or
pinkish irregular spots on sides above the lateral line; fins red,
membrane of spinous dorsal mottled with brown ; iris golden.
Locality.— Off Table Bay, and Saldanha Bay 40-150 fathoms.
Distribution.S. Atlantic, Gough Island (Regan), Tristan d’Acunha
(South African Museum).
Gen. SEBASTOSEMUS Gill.
1905. Gill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvii, p. 220.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed. Scales ctenoid on head and
body, no accessory scales; dermal filaments typically absent, but
sometimes developed. Head large, not cuirassed, with prominent
ridges and spines. Suborbital stay with a prominent ridge bearing
recurved spines, and ending in a large spine on preopercle. No groove
on occiput. Interorbital space narrow, concave. Teeth in villiform
bands on jaws, vomer, and palatine. Dorsal fin with 13 spines, anal
with 3. Pectoral rounded, the uppermost ray and the lower 6~9
simple, the middle ones branched. Ventrals arising below bases of
pectorals. Caudal subtruncate. Air-bladder (in the Cape species)
absent. Gill-rakers moderate.
The type species is S. entaxis (J. and 8.) from Japan.
The single Cape species seems closely allied to the N. Atlantic
Scorpaena echinata Koehler. Neither of the two belong to Scorpaena,
but there is considerable difficulty in placing them in their correct
genus.
The genera Sebastiscus, Thysanichthys, and Sebastosemus seem to be
distinguished from each other on very slender grounds. Sebastiscus
has D XII and lacks the strong spinose suborbital stay, but on the
other hand has dermal filaments on the head. Thysanichthys has
filaments on the body as well as the head, D XIII, and a strong spinose
suborbital. Sebastosemus has no dermal filaments, D XIII, and in
other respects is very similar to Thysanichthys.
Another genus, Neobastes, as defined by the Australian ichthyo-
910 Annals of the South African Museum.
logists, McCulloch and Waite, also comprises forms without dermal
filaments, D XIII, and a more or less strongly spinose suborbital. It
may be doubted whether all the Australian species are congeneric.
All the above-mentioned genera are admittedly closely related to
Sebastodes, and should perhaps only be regarded as subgenera of the
latter genus.
Scorpaena echinata Koehler has D XII, dermal filaments on head
and body, and a strong spinose suborbital. The Cape species agrees
as regards the last feature, but has dermal filaments only on the head,
and (at least in the adult) D XIII.
On the whole it seems best to put S. capensis into the genus Sebasto-
semus. Whether or not the definition of the genus is enlarged to in-
clude S. echinata, the close resemblance of the northern and southern
Atlantic species should be borne in mind.
Sebastosemus capensis (G. and v. B.).
Spiny Jacopever.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 18 (Scorpaena c.).
Depth 3-3}, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye 33-3? in
length of head. Snout 14-14 in eye. Interorbital space concave,
without ridges (or very weak ones), more or less scaly, 23-34 in eye.
Maxilla reaching to below posterior third of eye. A pair of nasal
spines. Supraorbital ridge with 1 anterior and 2 posterior spines, 2
occipital spines; 38 spines in line between eye and lateral line. Sub-
orbital stay with 3 anterior and 3 posterior curved spines, and ending
in the double spine on preopercle, below which are 4 spines; 3 blunt
preorbital and a pair of opercular spines. Usually a fleshy filamentous
tentacle behind the supraorbital, suborbital, and occipital spines. Gull-
takers 10-12 on lower part of anterior arch; the longest $ pupil of eye,
club-shaped and apically spinulose ; the lowermost ones rudimentary.
D XIII 9, 3rd—5th spines longest, not quite 3 in length of head.
A III 5, 2nd spine longer and stronger than 3rd, slightly longer than
longest dorsal. P 20-23, the upper one and the lower 7—9 simple.
; lat. line
Caudal subtrunecate. Scales: Il. about 60; Ltr. 0
tubules 28-31. Opercle, preopercle, and maxilla scaly. No air-
bladder.
Length.— Up to 270 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Pale yellowish-white, with faint indications
ee Qe Pe,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 911
of darker mottling on back and spinous dorsal; lining of body and
gill-cavities blackish.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, Table Bay, and St. Helena Bay, 280-560
fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
There are some small specimens (up to 80 mm.) in the South African
Museum from off Buffalo River, East London, 300 fathoms, which I
have compared with large specimens of the above species. There appear
to be no differences between them except that the small specimens all
have only 12 dorsal spines, and 2 or 3 preopercular spines below the
double one. It is probable that these are young examples of Sebasto-
semus capensis.
Gen. PTERoIs Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 1, p. 286.
Body oblong, somewhat compressed. Scales moderate or small,
usually not ctenoid. Head not cuirassed, with more or less spinose
ridges and fleshy tentacles. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws and
vomer, none on palatine. Dorsal fin elevated, with 12-15 long, slender,
sharp spines, joined by membrane at base only, soft dorsal also rather
high, rays branched. Anal with 2-3 slender spines and 6-8 branched
rays. Pectoral greatly elongate, all the rays simple, and for the most
part not connected by membrane, tips reaching to or beyond the
caudal. Ventral moderate or long. Caudal rounded or truncate. Air-
bladder large.
Moderate-sized fishes of striking and vivid coloration, and widely
distributed in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific
Ocean. They are shallow-water inhabitants and are particularly
abundant on coral-reefs.
The dorsal spines are provided with poison glands and frequently
inflict painful wounds if the fishes are not handled with great care.
Key to the South African species.
1. Pectoral rays simple, very long (Pterois).
a. Scales small, cycloid, l.r. 70-90.
i. Caudal fin spotted d ; : : ; : . volitans.
ii. Caudal fin unspotted . : : . : . kodipungi.
6. Scales moderate, feebly ctenoid, l.r. 40-46 : : . macrurus.
. Pectoral rays branched, not very long, membrane fone almost to tips
(Dendrochirus).
a. Seales: lr. 42-45 ; : : : : : ; brachy ptera.
b. Seales: Lr. 50-55 ; : : f F : ; ° zebra.
912 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pterows volitans (Linn.).
Butter fly-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 296.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cdxii, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, pp. 153, 154, pl. xxxvu, figs. 1 and 2
(miles and volitans).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 409 (miles and volitans) (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 136 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 31 (references).
Depth about equal to length of head, 3 or a little less in length of
body. Hye equal to interorbital width, 44-5 in length of head. Maxilla
reaching to level of anterior third of eye. Interorbital space deeply
concave, with 2 low ridges which are continued backwards into the
strong nuchal crests. Supraorbital ridge with a small anterior and a
stronger posterior spine. A pair of nasal spines. Two ridge-like tem-
poral spines. Preorbital with radiating spinose ridges, which are con- ~
tinued across cheek to preopercle, which has 3-4 spines on its margin.
Opercular spine feeble. Fleshy tentacles on head, one above eye and
one overhanging maxilla being the largest. D XIII 10-12, longest
spines greater than depth of body. A III 6-7, 3rd spine longest,
nearly 4 length of head. P 13-14, reaching to or beyond caudal fin.
V I 5, reaching to or slightly beyond origin of anal. Scales small,
cycloid: Ir. 90-92; l.tr. (between dorsal and lat. line) 12-13. Cheeks
and opercles scaly, interorbital either scaly (miles) or more or less
naked (volitans).
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Reddish ; head and body with numerous dark cross-bands ;
spinous dorsal banded ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with black spots ;
ventrals dark, with white or yellowish spots near base; pectoral
banded, a white spot in the axil; eye with radiating dark
streaks.
Locality.— Algoa Bay to Natal, Zululand, Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
P. miles Benn. (=muricata C. and V.) does not seem to be distin-
guished by any constant characters. The development of the scales
on the interorbital space and the length of the supraorbital tentacle
and of the pectoral fins are eminently variable features.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 913
Pterois kodvpungi (Russell).
Plain- tailed Butter fly-fish.
1803. Russell, Fish. Vizag., vol. ii, p. 25, pl. cxxxi.
1831. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 128 (russella).
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cdxv, fig. 5.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 152, pl. xxxvi, fig. 5 (russell).
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2,
p- 175 (miles).
Very similar to volitans, but with A III 7-8, and slightly larger
scales: l.r. 70; I.tr. (between dorsal and lat. line) 10-11. The colour
pattern is also different.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, with numerous dark cross-bands ; spinous dorsal
banded or annulated with white; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal un-
spotted; ventrals dark, with whitish spots over nearly the whole fin;
pectoral greyish, more (adult) or less completely covered with dark
spots, no white spot in axil.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indian and H. Indian seas, Australia.
Pterois macrurus Alck.
Black-finned Butter fly-fish.
1896. Alcock, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. lxv, pt. 2, p. 303.
1898. Jd., Illustr. Zool. Investig. Fishes, pl. xvin, fig. 4.
1899. Id., Cat. Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus., p. 30.
1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. i, pt. 2, pl. xx (nigri-
pinnis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 409 (negripinmes).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 32, pl. vii
(natalensis).
Depth 3, length of head, 2% (24-24), in depth of body. Hye subequal
to snout, 33 in length of head. Interorbital 4-3 diameter of eye.
Maxilla reaching to below front margin of eye. A pair of nasal spines.
Supraorbital, nuchal, temporal, preorbital, and cheek ridges serrulate,
Three spines on margin of preopercle. A large fleshy tentacle over eye
and another overhanging maxilla. D XIII 9 (Gilchrist’s figure is
wrong); lst spine arising between the nuchal ridges, at a distance
from eye less than the eye-diameter. A II 7. P 19-20, reaching to
914 Annals of the South African Museum.
base of caudal. V 15, reaching slightly beyond origin of anal. Caudal
rounded or pointed, one at least of the uppermost rays produced as a
slender filament (in adult). Scales moderate, very finely ctenoid :
lr. 40-46; l.tr. (between dorsal and lat. line) 5. Cheeks, opercles, and
interorbital space scaly.
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Greyish, with faint dark cross-bars; soft
dorsal, anal, and caudal with faint dark spots; pectoral and ventral
blackish with white spots.
Locality.—Natal coast, 22-26 fathoms.
Distribution:—Indian seas, 45-148 fathoms.
Type of mgripinmis in South African Museum; of natalensis in
coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
There is no doubt that the Natal specimens are identical with
Alcock’s species. I have examined the type and other specimens of
mgripinms and find that the original scale-count was erroneous.
Apparently closely allied to P. heterura Blkr.
The single specimen described as P. natalensis has A III, but other-
wise agrees very well with this species.
Subgen. DENDROCHIRUS Swains.
Pterois brachyptera C. and V.
Short-finned Butterfly-fish.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 270.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u, p. 126.
1877. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. 1x, pl. edxv, fig. 3.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 497.
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Depth about equal to length of head, 25-2¢ in length of body. Eye
subequal to length of snout, about 35 in length of head, greater than
interorbital width. Supraorbital, occipital, preorbital, and cheek
ridges finely spinose. Fleshy tentacles over eye and maxilla. D XIII
9-10. A III 6. P 16, the upper rays branched, not reaching base of
caudal. V I 5, reaching origin of anal. Scales moderate, ctenoid :
lr. 40-45; ltr. (between dorsal and lat. line) 8. Cheeks, opercles,
occiput (but not interorbital) scaly.
Length.—Up to 130 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, with broad dark cross-bands; spinous dorsal
barred with dark; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with black spots ;
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 915
ventral black with white spots; pectoral barred with black and
white.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, East Indies to Australia and
Samoa.
*Pterois zebra C. and V.
Striped Butterfly-fish.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 367.
1834. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Astrol., Poiss., p. 692, pl. x1, fig. 6.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 126.
1877. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cdx1, fig. 1.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 153.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 31.
Depth of body 34, length of head 34 in total length (including
caudal). Hye 34 in length of head, equal to length of snout, and
14 times the interorbital width. Maxilla reaching to below anterior
4 of eye. Interorbital space deeply concave, with 2 ridges ending
posteriorly in spines. Supraorbital ridge with 2-3 spines, postorbital
ridge serrate. A pair of nasal spines. Three strong occipital and
4 temporal spines. Preorbital with stellate ridges, continued across
cheeks to preopercular spine, below which are 3 spines. Fleshy
tentacles on head, a long one over eye, and another overhanging
maxilla. D XIII 11. A III 6-7, 3rd spine slightly the longest.
P 17, reaching to base of caudal. V I 5, reaching to origin of anal.
Scales moderate : l.r. 50-55; |.tr. (between dorsal and lateral line) 9.
Interorbital scaleless.
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, with broad dark cross-bands, eye with radiating
dark streaks, three of which are continued across the cheek ; dorsal
spines annulated ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with dark spots ;
ventrals dark with light markings ; pectorals light with zig-zag dark
cross-bars ; a white spot in axil.
Locality — Natal coast, 23 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies.
Gen. APistus Cuv.
1828. Cuvier, Regne Anim., ed. 10, p. 127.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 391.
1904, Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvii, p. 146.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 59
916 Annals of the South African Museum.
Body oblong, moderately compressed. Scales moderate, feebly
ctenoid. Eyes dorso-lateral. Head not cuirassed, without strong
ridges ; no fleshy tentacles, but three barbels on lower jaw. Pre-
orbital and preopercle with strong spines; the posterior preorbital
spine long and directed backwards, the 2 anterior ones short and
projecting forwards. Teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer, and
palatine. Dorsal fin with long spinous and short soft portions.
Anal with 3 spines and 7-9 branched rays. Pectoral elongate, reach-
ing to end of anal, rays simple, connected by membrane, the lower ray
free. Ventral moderate. Caudalrounded. Air-bladder present. A
cleft behind the 4th gill.
Small fishes inhabiting the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific. The
few species are all very closely allied, and should perhaps all be united
under one name.
Apistus faurer G. and T.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. iv, pt. 2,
Deol io:
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 410.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 29.
Depth 31-34, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye subequal
to snout, 4 in length of head, 3 times the interorbital width (not 3 on
interorbital width, as written in original description). Supraorbital
ridges smooth, the occipital ridges not ending in spines. Angle of
preopercle with 4 blunt spines below the strong one. Barbels longer
than length of snout, 4length of head. DXV9. ATIII7-8. P10-+1,
reaching to end of base of anal, the detached ray reaching not quite
to end of ventral, its length equal to distance from tip of snout to
spine of preopercle. Ventrals reaching to vent. Scales scarcely
ctenoid, but with jagged edges: l.r. about 65; I|.tr. (between dorsal
and lat. line) 9. Head naked except for a small patch of scales
behind end of maxilla. Gill-rakers 12-13 on lower part of anterior
arch.
Length.—Up to 140 mm.
OColour.—Greyish-brown, more or less rose-tinted ; spinous dorsal
with a small black spot between Ist and 2nd, and a larger one between
8th-12th spines ; pectoral blackish, upper ray and the free ray white ;
ventrals light ; soft dorsal and caudal with grey cross-bands; anal
with a dark cross-band.
Locality. —Natal coast, 15-30 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 917
Gen. AMBLYAPISTUS Blkr.
1876. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterd., vol. x, p. 384.
Body oblong, compressed. Scales, if present, rudimentary. Head
large, not cuirassed; no fleshy tentacles. No barbels. Preorbital
and preopercle with strong sharp spines. Villiform teeth in jaws
and on vomer. Spinous portion of dorsal long, anteriorly elevated.
Anal with 3 spines and 5-8 rays. Ventral with 1 spine and 4-5
rays. Pectoral without free ray. Caudal rounded. Soft rays
branched. Air-bladder present. No cleft behind 4th gill.
Small fishes, with velvet-like skin, inhabiting the shallow waters
of the Indo-Pacific.
Key to the South African species.
1. Second and third dorsal spines longer than head . : - - marleyt.
2. Second and third dorsal spines shorter than head . : - taenionotus.
*Amblyapistus marley Regan.
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus. vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 202, text-fig. 5.
Depth 24, length of head 32, in length of body. Eye 3 in length
of head. Maxilla extending to below anterior } of eye. Anterior
profile of head nearly vertical. Preorbital spine strong, reaching to
below hind margin of eye. Preopercular spine strong, reaching to
opercular margin. D XV 8, Ist spine short, above anterior margin
of eye, 2nd and 3rd longest, 4 length of body. ATII6. P12. Lateral
line tubules ?
Length.—130 mm.
Colour.—Brown, spotted and marbled with blackish.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
*Amblyapistus taenionotus (C. and V.).
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, pl. i, fig. 2 (not
description).
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 404.
1850. Bianconi, Spec. Zool. Moss., p. 219.
1860. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u1, p. 136.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 157, pl. xxxviul, fig. 5.
Depth 24, length of head 3, in length of body. Hye 34-4 in length
ofhead. Maxilla extending to below anterior quarter ofeye. Anterior
918 Annals of the South African Museum.
profile of head nearly vertical. Preorbital spine moderate, with a
small one at its base. Preopercle with 1 sharp spine a little above
its angle, and 3-4 blunt ones on lower margin. D XVI-XVII 7-8,
lst spine short, above anterior margin of eye, 2nd and 3rd longest,
length of head. A III 5-7. P12. First 16 lateral line tubules
distinct, others coalesced.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, with irregular brownish spots, a dark mark
between 5th and 6th dorsal spines.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian and East Indian seas.
Tetraroge binotata Peters (Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. u,
p. 154), from the coast of Mozambique, appears to belong to this genus.
In fact, A. marleyi seems very similar to it. A. binotata has; D XV
9, Ist spine 4 length of 2nd, which is the longest ; A III 6, lst spine
4 the 2nd, which is a little over $ the 3rd; depth equal to length
of head, 34 in length of body; eye equal to snout, 34 in length of
head ; about 24 tubules in the lateral line.
Gen. Coccotropus Kaup.
1858. Kaup, Arch. Naturg., vol. xxiv, p. 282 (or p. 333).
1904. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvu, p. 169
(Hrisphea).
Body oblong, compressed. Scales absent, or rudimentary in the
form of granular papillae. Head large, not cuirassed, no fleshy
tentacles. No barbels. Preorbital and preopercle with strong blunt
spines. Villiform teeth in jaws and on vomer. Spinous portion of
dorsal long, not elevated anteriorly. One or two weak anal spines
and 7-10 rays. Ventral with 1 spine and 2-3 rays. Pectoral without
free ray. Caudal rounded. All the soft rays simple, unbranched.
Air-bladder present. No cleft behind 4th gill.
A genus of small Indo-Pacific fishes, distinguished by the granulate
skin and the simple fin rays. Seven species seem to be referable to
the genus. They are all closely allied; the South African species
seems particularly close to the East Indian C. odbest Weber.
Coccotropus monacanthus (Gilch.).
1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 145, pl. xxxvii
(Tetraroge).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 410.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 919
Depth 31, length of head 22-25, in length of body. Eye 43 in
length of head, shghtly less than snout, subequal to interorbital
width. Interorbital space concave, with 2 parallel strong ridges from
snout to dorsal fin. Two postorbital ridges. Preopercle with 4
spines, preorbital with 2 strong spines. Suborbital with 2 blunt
spines. Opercle with 1 spine at angle, and 2 small ones on margin.
D XIII 10, arising over centre of eye, first 3 spines longest. A I 8,
the spine scarcely stronger than the rays. P12. V I 3, (not 5, as
in original description). Head, body, and dorsal and pectoral fins
covered with granular papillae. Lateral line tubules 10. Skin under
lower jaw papillose, but no barbels. Gull-rakers rudimentary, 3-4 on
anterior arch.
Length.—Up to 47 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brown, speckled with black on body and fins.
Locality.—Natal coast, 20-26 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
CoccoOTROPSIS n. g.
Differs from Coccotropus in having 3 anal spies and 4 rays,
all the soft fin rays apically branched, and the preorbital and pre-
opercular spines sharp. Scales absent, skin perfectly smooth. Gill-
rakers almost rudimentary, 7 on anterior arch.
‘The original genus Tetraroge has been considerably subdivided, and
the adoption of this course necessitates, unfortunately, another new
genus.
Coccotropsis gymnoderma (Gilch.).
1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 147, pl. xxxvii
(Tetraroge).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 137.
Depth 3 (or a trifle over), length of head 23, in length of body.
Hye subequal to snout, 4in length of head. Interorbital space + dia-
meter of eye, concave, with 2 strong ridges which are close together
at the level of centre of eye and diverge forwards and backwards,
forming an hourglass-like sculpture. Both preorbital spines pointing
backwards, the posterior one the longer. A strong spine on pre-
opercle, with 3 smaller ones below it. Opercular and temporal spines
sharp. Suborbital ridge smooth. D XV 5-6, 3rd spine longest,
about 4 length of head, 1st shortest. A III 4, 3rd spine longest.
Pll. VI3. Lateral line tubules 7-10. Three large pores on each
920 Annals of the South African Museum.
ramus of lower jaw, one above middle of eye between supraorbital
and interorbital ridges.
Length.—Up to 53 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, brick-red in patches, chiefly behind head, in
middle of body, and on caudal region ; head, body, and fins speckled
with darker.
Locality.—False Bay to Algoa Bay, 5-60 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
Fam. 2. SYNANCIIDAE.
Body moderately elongate, naked. Head not completely cuirassed,
more or less spiny or rugose. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-
membranes united withisthmus. Pseudobranchiae present. A single
pair of upper dentigerous pharyngeals. Spinous dorsal longer than
soft dorsal (except in Trachicephalus). Anal with 2 spines, more or
less flexible. Pectorals large, with the lower rays sometimes detached.
Ventrals close together, with 1 spine and 4-5 rays.
A small family of Indo-Pacific fishes similar in general appearance
to the Scorpaenids, and also similar in habits.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Pectoral with no free ray . : : : : ; . [Synanceia].
2. Pectoral with one free ray . : : . : : : . Minous.
3. Pectoral with 3 free rays . 5 ; : : . . Choridactylus.
Synaceia horrida, a widely distributed Indo-Pacific form of uncouth
appearance, is included in the key, as there is every probability of its
being found within the limits of South Africa as here defined.
Gen. Minovus C. and V.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 420.
Body oblong, compressed. Head with rough ridges. Two sharp
spines on preorbital, one on preopercle. A groove across the occiput.
Villiform teeth on jaws and vomer. Gill-rakers short. A cleft
behind 4th gill. Lower jaw with barbels. Dorsal with 10-11 stiff
spines and 9-12 rays. Anal with 2 flexible spines. Ventral with
1 spine and 5 rays. Pectoral with 1 detached ray. All the soft
rays simple. Caudal rounded.
Small Indo-Pacific fishes.
= a
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 921
Minous superciliosus G. and T.
1908. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 2, p.177.
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 410.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 29.
Depth 3, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye equal to snout,
34 in length of head. Interorbital space + diameter of eye, concave,
with a median and 2 submedian ridges. Supraorbital, occipital,
temporal, and nasal ridges rugulose and pitted. Preorbital radiately
ridged, anterior spine short, posterior one ? diameter of eye, both
sharp. Suborbital radiately ridged. Preopercle with a strong sharp
spine, a smaller one below it, and 3 blunt spines below. Opercle with
2 feeble ridges. Maxilla reaching to below anterior 4 of eye. Lower
jaw fimbriate and papillose below, with one barbel. about in middle
and another near hind end of ramus. Cheek, maxilla, and breast
finely papillose. A fringe of fimbriate tentacles on upper margin
of eye. D XI 12, Ist spine very short, $ diameter of eye. A IT 10.
Ventral reaching to base of Ist anal ray. Pectoral 11+1, equal to
depth of body. Gill-rakers 9 on lower part of anterior arch.
Length.—Up to 105 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brownish, 7 dark cross-bands on upper
part of body, extending on to base of dorsal fin; margin of membrane
between dorsal spines blackish ; soft dorsal, anal, and caudal with
faint dark specks ; ventral dark towards its hind end ; pectoral with
dark spots arranged in regular cross-bands.
Locality.— Zululand coast, 26 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
This species is extraordinarily close to M. trachycephalus Blkr., and
may eventually prove to be the same species.
Gen. CHORIDACTYLUS Rich.
1848. Richardson, Voy. Samarang, Fishes, p. 8.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. ti, p. 151 (Chorismodac-
tylus).
1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. ii, p. 101 (Choridactylodes).
Body oblong, compressed. Skin papillose. Head with prominent
ridges. Two sharp spines on preorbital, one on preopercle. A groove
across the occiput. Villiform teeth in jaws only. Gill-rakers short.
A cleft behind 4th gill. Lower jaw with barbels. Dorsal with 13-15
stiff spines, and 8-9 rays. Anal with 2 moderately stiff spines. Ventral
922 Annals of the South African Museum.
with 1 spine and 5 rays. Pectoral with 3 detached rays. Soft rays
branched. Caudal rounded.
This genus contains one Indo-Pacific species, multibarbis Rich., from
which the Natal species differs only in the filamentous upper pectoral
ray. There is no generic difference.
Choridactylus natalensis (Gilch.).
1902. Gilchrist, loc. cit., p. 102, pl. v.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 410 (Choridactylodes).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 30 (Choridac-
tylodes).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 254
(Choridactylodes).
Depth 3, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye 34-34 in length
of head, rather less than snout, and than the middle part of inter-
orbital width. The width between the 2 postorbital and the 2 ant-
orbital blunt spines is 14 diameter of eye. Occipital groove with 4
low ridges across it, continued backwards as strong ridges on temporal
region, and enclosing a smooth circular hollow. Interorbital space
deeply concave, with a ridge on either side, forming an oval hollow
over each eye. Suborbital with 3 blunt spines, preopercular spine
strong, with 4 blunt ones below it. Fimbriate tentacles along lateral
line, 2 below each lower jaw, and 1 over each eye. D XIV(—XYV)
7-9, [st spine $ length of 2nd, 2nd—4th longest (Gilchrist’s fig. 2
represents an abnormal specimen with an additional spine in front).
A II 9. P 8-9-+8, uppermost ray produced as a slender filament
about as long as rest of pectoral. Lateral line well marked, but without
distinct tubules. Gill-rakers 7-8 on lower part of anterior arch.
(Plate X XXIII, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 85 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown, or brown and white mottled, or with brown
spots on a light ground; dorsal and pectoral fins mottled, ventrals
black-brown, anal blackish with white margin, detached pectoral
rays yellow, caudal with white cross-band and white margin.
Locality.— Natal coast, 20-30 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
Fam. 3. COTTIDAE.
Body moderately elongate, tapering backwards from the large head ;
naked, or with scales, prickles, or bony plates; never uniformly scaled.
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PLATE XXXIV.
. Cottunculoides inermis (Vaill.) (after Gilchrist)
. Platycephalus heterolepis n. sp. (original photo)
. Chelidonichthys capensis (C. and V.) (original photo)
. Hoplichthys acanthopleurus Regan (after Regan)
. Congiopodus torvus (Gron.) (after C. and V.) Young
TEXT-PAGE
923
934
940
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928
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 923
Two nostrils on each side. Gill-membranes broadly connected, often
joined to isthmus. Pseudobranchiae present. One or two pairs of
dentigerous upper pharyngeals. Spinous dorsal separate from the
soft dorsal, or united with it in a common cutaneous sheath; soft
dorsal long. Anal similar to soft dorsal, without spines. Pectorals
large, the rays mostly simple. Ventrals rarely absent, normal, close
together, with 1 spine and 3-5 rays. Caudal separate. usually rounded.
This family is a very large one, comprising a great variety of forms,
especially characteristic of the Northern Hemisphere. There are fresh-
water and marine forms, the latter mostly from shallow waters, but a
few deep-sea species are known. None of them are of any value as food.
In the case of the shallow-water forms the eggs are usually attached to
stones, weed, etc., and several species are known to makea kind of nest.
In South Africa only one deep-sea genus has been found.
COTTUNCULOIDES n. g.
Head very large, the body tapering rapidly to the slender tal.
Mouth large, terminal, oblique. Villiform teeth in jaws; none on
vomer or on palatine. Bones of the head more or less spinose, the
spines not penetrating the skin. Gills 34, no slit behind the last arch.
Gill-membranes broadly joined to isthmus. Pseudobranchiae very
small. Skin naked, smooth or with smail granules, loose and flabby.
Spinous and soft dorsal united by and concealed in the skin. Ventrals
short, with 3 rays.
The genus Cottunculus is sometimes included in a separate family,
Cottunculidae, on account of the single dorsal fin and a slight difference
in one of the bones (parasphenoid) of the skull.
The present genus differs from the N. Atlantic and Japanese genus
Cottunculus by the complete absence of vomerine teeth.
Key to the South African species.
1. Head smooth . : . ‘ ‘ : : 5 : . inermis.
2. Head spinose . : : : : , : : : . spinosus.
Cottunculoides inermis (Vaill.).
1888. Vaillant, Exp. Travailleur et Talisman, Poiss., p. 365,
pl. xxviul, fig. 2.
1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 7, pl. xxiv (macro-
cephalus).
924 Annals of the South African Museum.
1906. Id., ibid., vol. iv, p. 149 (macrocephalus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 139 (macrocephalus).
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 78 (macrocephalus).
Depth about 3, length of head 24, in length of body. Head smooth,
without spinous processes. Hye about 7 in length of head, 14 in snout.
Maxilla reaching to below centre of eye. No vomerine teeth. D VII-
VIII 17-18. A13-14, P 19-21. VI3. (Plate XXXIV, fig. 1.)
Length.—Up to 290 mm.
Colowr.—Light brown, paler below.
Locality. —Oft Cape Point, 190-560 fathoms.
Distribution.—Oft N.W. coast of Africa, 930-1495 metres.
Type of macrocephalus in South African Museum.
The above description is taken from the largest specimen, an
ovigerous 2, 290 mm. in length. The type is a very small specimen,
45 mm. long, and is in poor condition. A specimen 112 mm. long,
apparently an immature 3, agrees with the large specimen, but the
eye is larger than length of snout, not quite 4 in length of head.
Vomerine teeth are absent in all three specimens.
Cottunculoides sprnosus (Gilch.).
1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. iv, p. 149, pl. xxxvin.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 139.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 78.
Depth (at junction of head and body) 44, length of head 2, in length
of body. Head with spinous projections, the largest being the occipital
pair; 1 nasal and 1 interorbital (in middle line), 3 postorbital,
1 temporal, 1 humeral, 3 preopercular, and some minor points on the
suborbital and preorbital. Eye equal to snout, 4 in length of head.
No vomerine teeth. DIV10. Al10. P16. VI3.
Length.—78 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Pale brown.
Locality.—Off Cape Point, 800-1190 fathoms.
Type (ovigerous 9) in South African Museum.
Owing to the shrivelling of the hinder part of the body I am unable
to check the fin-formula as given by Gilchrist.
Except for the absence of vomerine teeth, very similar to Cottunculus
torvus Goode.
Fam. 4. LIPARIDAE.
Body elongate, compressed behind. Skin delicate, loose, smooth
or with minute prickles. Head short. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 925
membranes joined to isthmus. Pseudobranchiae small, or wanting.
One or two pairs of upper dentigerous pharyngeals. Spinous dorsal
united with soft dorsal. Soft dorsal and anal confluent with caudal.
Anal without spines. Pectorals very broad, base decurrent, some of
the lower rays more or less free and prolonged. Ventrals united
to form a circular suctorial disc, or completely absent. No air-
bladder.
The Liparidae or Sea-snails are closely related to the Cyclopteridae
or Lump-suckers, and are often included under one group: Dzscoboli.
They are well represented in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in
the Pacific. Most are shallow-water forms, but a few descend to
considerable depths.
In some of the shallow-water forms it has been observed that the
_ eggs are laid attached to stones and other objects, and are guarded
by the male until hatched. (For post-larval stages of Inparis see
Fage, 1918, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. u, A 3, p. 119).
Key to the South African genera.
1. Ventral disc present . : > : , : - : Careproctus.
2. Ventral disc absent.
a. Mouth horizontal : ; : P : ‘ : Paraliparis.
b. Mouth oblique . : : . ‘ : : : . Psednos.
Gen. CAREPROCTUS KréGyer.
1862. Kroyer, Naturb. Tidsskr., vol. i, p. 257.
Ventral disc present. Teeth mostly simple, some of them some-
times tricuspid. Mouth horizontal. Pseudobranchiae present, but
small. Caudal fin feeble, but its end distinct from dorsal and anal.
Vent nearer to ventral disc than to origin of anal fin.
A genus of rather small-sized deep-water fishes, whose headquarters
seem to be in the Northern Pacific.
Careproctus albescens n. sp.
Depth 43, length of head 33, in length of body. Eye 3? in length of
head. Profile of head evenly rounded, snout rather vertical (but shape
possibly altered by the specimens resting on their snouts in the jar).
Teeth mostly simple, but a few tricuspid. Guill-opening not extending
below base of upper pectoral ray. D ca. 50. Aca. 45. P 35, lower
rays (ca. 17) not strongly produced. Diameter of ventral disc 5 in
926 Annals of the South African Museum.
length of head. Skin smooth. Distance of vent from posterior margin
of ventral disc greater than diameter of disc, about equal to diameter
of eye. Pyloric caeca 12.
Length.—Up to 100 mm. (the best preserved and type specimen
65 mm.).
Colour (as preserved).—Whitish, peritoneum dark brown.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, 630-800 fathoms.
Type in South African Museum.
With the exception of the type the specimens are all very soft and
rather badly preserved, but they serve to confirm the above characters.
There seems no doubt that the species is a true Careproctus.
Gen. PARALIPARIS Coll.
1878. Collett, Vid. Selsk. Forh. Christ., No. 14, p. 32.
Ventral disc absent. Teeth minute, simple. Mouth horizontal.
Pseudobranchiae absent. Pectoral distinctly divided into two lobes.
Caudal completely confluent with dorsal and anal. Vent far forward.
Key to the South African species.
1. Large species. D 60. A50. P17+3 : : : : : copet.
2. Small species. D48. A43. P 14+3 : , : ; . australis,
Paraliparis cope: G. and B.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 279, fig. 253.
1919. Roule, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, vol. lu, p. 62.
Depth about 52, length of head about 64, in length of body. Hye
about equal to snout, 34 in length of head. Interorbital width equal
to postorbital length of head. D ca. 60. A ca. 50. P 17-18+3-4.
Pyloric caeca 7 (Goode and Bean: 4-6).
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Whitish or translucent, posterior portion of body
brownish ; snout, chin, gill-opening blackish; peritoneum violet-
black.
Locality. —Off Cape Point, 900-1000 fathoms.
Distribution.—N. Atlantic, 353-538 fathoms; off the Azores, 1692
metres.
Two specimens, 120 and 160 mm. in length, appear to be undoubtedly
referable to this species.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 927
*Paraliparis australis Gilch.
1902. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 1, p. 107, pl. vii.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 139.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1u, p. 78.
Depth 32, length of head about 4, in length of body. Eye smaller
than snout, 34 in length of head. Interorbital width greater than
postorbital part of head. D 48. A 43. P 14+3. Pyloric caeca?
(Plate XX XIII, fig. 6.)
Length.—Up to 50 mm.
Colour.—Translucent.
Locality.— Off Cape Point, 210-312 fathoms.
Type 2 lost.
PSEDNOS n. g.
Ventral disc absent. Teeth simple on jaws, none on vomer or
palatine. Mouth very oblique, lower jaw projecting. No barbels.
Pseudobranchiae absent. Pectoral not divided into two lobes. Caudal
completely confluent with dorsal and anal. Vent far forward, between
lower extremities of bases of pectorals. General outline tadpole-like,
head and trunk nearly circular, tail abruptly narrower.
The distinctive shape of the body, which is not due to distension
with eggs, and the strongly oblique mouth serve to distinguish this
genus from all the other genera in this family. Resembling Amitra
in the pectoral, but differing in the absence of pseudobranchiae, as
well as in the above two characters.
Psednos micrurus 0. sp.
Depth 3, length of head 4$,in length of body. Eye 3 in length of
head, equal to snout, and 1} in postorbital portion of head (excluding
opercular flap). Maxilla reaching to below anterior third of eye.
Lower jaw projecting, with a knob on chin. D ca. 35. A ca. 30.
Distance from snout to origin of dorsal nearly twice, to origin of anal
24 times, length of head. P17,rays at least as long as head, the lower
rays probably slightly longer, but mutilated. Pyloric caeca 4, short
and stout. (Plate XX XIII, fig. 5.)
Length —Up to 45 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Greyish-brown.
Locality.—Ofi Cape Point, 660-700 fathoms.
Type (ovigerous 9) in South African Museum.
The type has the body cavity filled with a number of large eggs,
1mm.indiameter. Another specimen of the same size is rather badly
mutilated, but confirms the characters above given.
928 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 5. CONGIOPODIDAE.
Horse-fishes.
Body moderately elongate, compressed. Skin naked or granulate.
Head not completely cuirassed, sometimes with spines. A single
nostril on each side. Gill-openings restricted to above the pectorals.
Pseudobranchiae present. Three pairs of toothed upper pharyngeals.
Spinous and soft dorsals united, spines strong. Anal without strong
spines. Pectorals without free rays. Ventrals close together, with
1 spine and 5 rays. Snout produced. Mouth small, protractile.
Villiform teeth sometimes in jaws, none on vomer or palatine. Air-
bladder present. No pyloric caeca.
The Horse-fishes form a small family of two genera with an austral
distribution, being found in South Africa, Kerguelen, South Australia,
and South America. In South Africa they are commoner in the cooler
waters of the west coast, and are rarely met with far to the east. If,
however, the genera Snyderina and Ocosza be included in this family,
the range extends up to Japan. Regan in 1913 does not admit them
to the family as characterised above, from which they differ in having
3 anal spines and the gill-openings not restricted to above the pectorals.
Gen. Coneiopopus Perry.
1810. Perry, Arcana, pl. lv and letterpress. |
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 380
(Agriopus).
1926. McCulloch, Rec. Austr. Mus., vol. xv., pt. 1, p. 37.
Dorsal spines 17—21, the first arising above the eye, no deep notch
between spinous and soft portions. Vilhform teeth in jaws. Ventral
fins arising immediately behind bases of pectorals. Head without
strong spines.
Key to the South African species.
1. No spines on snout. Skin papillose or smooth . : : : torvus.
2. Spines on snout. Skin spinulose : : : : : . spinifer. f
Congiopodus torvus (Gronov.).
aie Horse-fish ; Paardevis. se >
1760. Gronovius, Act. Helv., vol. vii, p. 47, pl. 111, fic. Py ei
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 382.
1829. Id., 2bid., p. 387, pl. xci (verrucosus).
1835. Burton, Proc. Zool. Soc., vol. 11, p. 116 (wnicolor).
Gronoius L.7. 1/772. Animalium rarioram fa scic ul 7
~~ fv : oak hy | tmme f =
f) . . a a - ee co
Yisces, CTa Helvit CA , LL 0 ee ee ees
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 929
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 7 (multcdentatus).
1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. 11, p. 189 (verrucosus egg).
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. u, p. 102 (habits).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 138 (references).
Depth 3, length of head 34-33, in length of body. Eye 14 in snout,
4 in length of head, nearly twice the (narrowest part of) interorbital
width. No spines on snout or forehead. Supra- and sub-orbital,
temporal and preopercular regions more or less granulate, the granules
tending to become obscured in the adult by the fleshy skin. Upper
part only of interorbital space granulate. Skin papillose in the young
(verrucosus), quite smooth, or nearly so, in the adult; sometimes the
papillae towards the upper region of the head conceal minute spinules,
but the feel of the skin is soft and velvety. Lips thick and fleshy,
corrugate internally. Teeth villiform on the jaws, very variable in
development, sometimes forming a well-marked band, sometimes
reduced to nearly a single row, and often difficult to observe owing
to the fleshy nature of the gums. D XX-XXI 13-14, Ist spine
= (young) to 4 (adult) length of 2nd, 3rd or sometimes 3rd and 4th
longest. A 8, the Ist ray more or less spiniform. Gill-rakers 8-9 on
lower part of anterior arch. No indication of lateral line. (Plate
XXXIV, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 675 mm.
Colour.—Light brown with 2 more or less regular rows of round or
oval darker spots along sides of body, more or less confluent into a
solid stripe; belly and forehead with irregular small round spots ;
dorsal fin with spots which are arranged on the anterior part of the
spinous portion in more or less regular oblique rows ; pectoral and
caudal with more or less regular rows of spots; iris with alternate
dark and light patches: older specimens tend to become nearly
uniform dark brown, sometimes almost black.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay to Hermanus.
The variation in the teeth is remarkable. I have seen specimens,
otherwise identical, in which the teeth form either a broad band
(multidentatus) or a narrow band, or are reduced to a few isolated
ones scattered along the jaws.
Congiopodus spinifer (Smth.).
Spiny Horse-fish.
1849. Smith, Illustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. iii.
£904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S: Afr., vol. ii, p., 144, pl. ix,
figs. 49, 50 (development).
930 Annals of the South African Museum.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i. pt. 4,
p. 411 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 138 (references).
1919. Gilchrist and Hunter, Tr. Roy. Soc. S. Afr., vol. viii, p. 3,
pl. i, fig. 4, pl. u, fig. 5 (egg, larva).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 254.
Depth 3, length of head 32, in length of body. Eye subequal to
snout, 34-34 in length of head, twice the (narrowest part of) inter-
orbital width. A pair of spines on the snout immediately in front
of the eyes, and 3 sharp or jagged spines on the anterior part of each
preorbital above the angle of the mouth. Orbital, interorbital,
temporal, preopercular, and opercular regions granulate, more strongly
so in the young than the adult. Supraorbital, suborbital, temporal,
postorbital, and opercle each with a ridge which is prominent in the
young, becoming less so in the adult. Skin with scattered spinules,
being distinctly rasp-like to the touch. Lips thick, fleshy, feebly
corrugated. Teeth variable as in torvus, forming a well-marked band
or nearly obsolete. D XIX—-XXI-+12-14, Ist spine 3 (or a little
more) 2nd, 2nd—4th evenly graduated to the 5th, which is longest.
A 9-10, 1st ray more or less spiniform. Gull-rakers 8-9 on lower
part of anterior arch. Lateral line more or less distinct, but always
marked by a series of nearly equidistant spinules, or groups of 2-3
spinules.
Length. —Up to 312 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or greyish, belly lighter, more or less silvery ;
back and sides marbled and spotted with darker brown ; all the fins
with series of spots forming more or less definite bands ; membrane
of dorsal near upper margin with a black blotch between Ist and 2nd
spines, and one on either side of the 6th or the 7th spine.
Locality.—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, False Bay, Mossel Bay, down
to 80 fathoms ; Natal and Zululand coast.
Type in the British Museum.
The occurrence of this species, or indeed of any species of this
genus, on the Zululand coast is rather remarkable.
Fam. 6. PLATYCEPHALIDAE.
Flat-heads.
Body elongate, cylindrical, or anteriorly depressed. Head more or
less strongly depressed, armed above with spines and bony ridges.
Skin with ctenoid scales. Lateral line present. Two nostrils on
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 931
each side. Gull-membranes free. Pseudobranchiae present. . Villi-
form teeth in jaws and on vomer and palatine ; enlarged canine teeth
sometimes present. Spinous dorsal shorter than and separate from
soft dorsal. Anal with or without spines. Pectorals without
appendages, but the tips of the lower rays more or less free. Ventrals
widely separated, below or behind bases of pectorals, with 1 spine
and 5rays. Caudal separate, truncate, or rounded. No air-bladder.
Pyloric caeca moderately numerous.
An Indo-Pacific family of marine fishes which are mostly bottom-
dwellers in shallow or moderately deep water.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Ventrals behind base of pectorals. Head strongly depressed . Platycephalus.
2. Ventrals below bases of pectorals. Head moderately depressed Parabembras.
Gen. PLATYCEPHALUS BI.
1795. Bloch, Ichthyol., vol. xu, p. 90.
1925. Jordan and Hubbs, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 285.
Head broad and strongly depressed. Body depressed anteriorly.
A detached spine in front of spinous dorsal. Ventrals behind bases
of pectorals. Anal without spines.
This genus has been subdivided into a number of genera, which are
here regarded as only subgenera; a sharp differentiation of these
“genera”? seems impossible without excessive subdivision (see
Jordan and Hubbs, loc. cit.).
Key to the South African species.
I. Head almost or quite smooth. Vomer with teeth in a transverse crescentic
band. Scales very small. Lateral line smooth (Platycephalus) . indicus.
Il. Head more or less strongly spinose. Vomer with teeth in two separate longi-
tudinal patches.
A. Lateral line unarmed.
1. Two preopercular spines.
a. A cirrus over eye (Insidiator part) - : tentaculatus.
b. No cirrus over eye (Cocius) : : F . crocodilus.
2. Three preopercular spines . : : ‘ é : pristis.
B. Lateral line spinose. No cirrus over eye.
1. Lateral line spinose anteriorly only . : : . heterolepis.
2. Lateral line spinose throughout (Grammoplites) . : scaber.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 60
932 Annals of the South African Museum.
Platycephalus indicus (Linn.).
Sand-fish.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 250.
1878. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. ix, pl. cdxviii, figs. 3, 3a.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 411 (enszdrator) (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 140 (inszdiator)
(references). |
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvn, p. 255
(ensediator).
Length of head 34-32 in length of body. Eye 2 in snout, 7-9 in
length of head, equal to (young), or twice in, interorbital width.
Ridges on head quite smooth. Two preopercular spines of about
equal length. A skinny flap on opercular margin below preopercular
spines. Vomerine teeth canine-like, in a crescentic transverse band.
Palatine with a single row of canine-like teeth. DI+VII+135. A153.
Scales very small: 1.1. ca. 120, quite smooth.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, vaguely and irregularly mottled or spotted with
darker ; fins yellowish, more or less spotted ; caudal with a median
horizontal black stripe, and an oblique black stripe above and below.
Locality.—East London, Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, and coast of
Portuguese Hast Africa.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacifie.
* Platycephalus tentaculatus Riipp.
Tentacled Flat-head.
1838. Riippell, Neue Wirbelt. Fische, p. 104, pl. xxvi, fig. 2.
1876-81. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. u, p. 166, pl. evn, figs. A, B.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol.i, pt. 4, p. 413.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvi, p. 255.
Length of head 3 in length of body. Head ridges denticulate,
strong. Two preopercular spines, the upper stronger than the lower.
Fleshy tentacles above nostril and eye, and 2 below preopercular
spines. Interorbital width less than: vertical diameter of eye. A
skinny opercular flap under preopercular spines. Vomerine teeth in
separate longitudinal patches. D I+VII-VIII+11. A 11. Scales
small: 1.1. 65-70, quite smooth.
Length.—Up to 540 mm.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 933
Colour.—Greenish-brown, mottled or spotted with darker; fins
spotted ; ventrals with large black spots.
Locality.—Kosi Bay (Zululand), Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Red Sea, East coast of Africa, East Indies.
This is the only South African species with a tentacle over the eye.
Platycephalus crocodilus Til.
Spotted Flat-head.
1812. Tilesius, Krusenstern’s Reise, pl. lix, fig. 2.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 243
(punctatus).
1891. Sauvage, Poiss. Madagascar, p. 307, pl. xxxvi, figs. 5, 5a
(punctatus).
1908. Jordan and Richardson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxiu,
p. 638, fig. 4 (references).
1909. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. §. Afr. Mus., vol. vi, pt. 3,
p- 253 (malabaricus non C. and V.).
1911. Id., cbod., vol. xi, pt. 2, p. 36 (punctatus).
1917. Id., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 412 (malabaricus and
punctatus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 255 (mala-
baricus).
Length of head 3-34 in length of body. Hye 14 in snout, 43-5? in
length of head. Interorbital space 1} in diameter of eye (Jordan and
Richardson say 24, Sauvage figures it as 24, and Bleeker as 2). Supra-
ocular ridge with 5-6 denticulations ; a sharp spine at anterior corner
of orbit; 2 small spines between anterior nostrils; suborbital ridge
with 3 distant spines, 2 below eye, the other almost opposite posterior
nostril; opercle with 2 low ridges ending in spines; scapular and
occipital ridges each with 2 spines; 3 postorbital spines. Two pre-
opercular spines, the upper 14 in eye, the lower much shorter and pro-
jecting somewhat downwards. Opercular membrane with skinny flap
under preopercular spines. Vomerine teeth in 2 longitudinal patches,
viliform ; palatine teeth in a narrow band. D I+ VII-VIII+11-12.
All. Scales small: 1.1. 80-90, quite smooth.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with 4-5 dusky cross-bands across back, and
(usually) numerous small round black spots ; spinous dorsal, ventrals,
and caudal more or less blackish ; soit dorsal, anal, and pectoral more
or less spotted.
934 Annals of the South African Museum.
Locality.—Natal and Zululand coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
There seems little doubt that the Natal specimens should be identi-
fied with crocodilus, in spite of the differences in the relative proportions
of the eye and interorbital width. All the other characters are in
agreement.
The specimens identified by Gilchrist and Thomson as malabaricus
C. and V. are exactly the same as those identified as punctatus C. and
V. The eye was measured vertically in the latter and horizontally in
the former case. In the present descriptions, the horizontal diameter
is always taken unless the vertical diameter is definitely mentioned.
*Platycephalus pristis Peters.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 240.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 188.
1898. Jatzow and Lenz, Voeltzkow’s Reise, Abh. Denclenb: Ges.,
vol. xxi, p. 505, pl. xxxiv, fig. 3, a-c.
Interorbital width 4 diameter of eye. Top of head with several
series of spines and ce series between preorbital and preopercle.
A pair of nasal spines. Three preopercular spines, the uppermost
one (middle one in Jatzow and Lenz’s figure) longest. D I+ VII+13.
A l4 Scales; 1.1.51, smooth:
Colour.—Yellowish-brown, marbled with darker on head and sides,
fins with spots arranged in bands.
Locality Mozambique coast.
Distribution.— Zanzibar.
Platycephalus heterolepis n. sp.
Length of head 2# in length of body. Eye 1$ in snout, 44 in length
of head. Interorbital width 24 in eye. Supraorbital, infraorbital,
scapular, and occipital ridges finely serrulate. A pair of nasal spines.
Two antorbital spines. Two preopercular spines, the upper stronger
and half the diameter of eye, a third still smaller below. Opercular
membrane scarcely indented below preopercular spines. Vomerine
teeth in two longitudinal bands; palatine teeth in a band about as
wide aS vomerine; no canines. D I+ VIII+12. A 12. Seales
moderate : 1.1. 52-55, the first 15-20 with small spines ; scales on the
breast and throat larger than the others, feebly ctenoid.. (Plate
XXXIV, fig. 2.)
Length.—200 mim.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 935
Colour.—Brownish ; spinous dorsal blackish; all the other fins,
except anal, spotted.
Locality.— Delagoa Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
This species is closely allied to P. tuberculatus C. and V., townsendi
Regan (1905, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. xvi, p. 323, pl. A, fig. 1),
and jugosus McCull. (1914, Res. F.I.8. “ Endeavour,” vol. ii, pt. 3,
p. 144, pl. xxx, fig. 2 and text-fig. 11). It resembles tuberculatus in the
sculpturing of the head, but is like jugosus in not having the infra-
orbital ridge projecting over the cheek below it. It differs from both
these species, and, so far as can be ascertained from descriptions, from
all other species, by the enlarged scales on the breast and throat.
Platycephalus scaber (Linn.).
Rough-scaled Flat-head.
1754. Linné, Mus. Ad. Fred., vol. u1, p. 66.
1878. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. 1x, pl. cdxix, figs. 5, 5a.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 275, pl. Ix, fig. 4.
1891. Sauvage, Poiss. Madagascar, p. 305, pl. xxxvi, figs. 1, la.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 412 (references).
Length of head 22-3 in length of body. Hye 1-14 in snout; 3?
(young), 4-5 in length of head. Interorbital width 14 (young)—23 in
eye. Supraorbital, occipital, scapular, opercular, and infraorbital
ridges spinulose. A pair of small nasal spines. One antorbital spine,
flanked by one or two smaller ones. Two preopercular spines, the
upper 3 length of eye, lower 4 length of upper. Opercular membrane
without flap below preopercular spines. Vomerine teeth in two longi-
tudinal patches; palatine teeth in a narrow band; no canines. D I
+VIII+12. A112. Scales moderate: 1.1. 55, each scale armed with
a strong spine.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, spinous dorsal blackish; ventrals, anal, and
caudal dark grey; soft dorsal and pectorals spotted.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand.
Distribution.—Indian Ocean.
The South African specimens appear to belong to this species. All
that I have seen possess a relatively larger eye, but this may be due
to their being young specimens.
936 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. PARABEMBRAS Blkr.
1874. Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amst., (2), vol. viii, p. 370.
1925. Jordan and Hubbs, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 281.
Head not strongly depressed. Body cylindrical. No detached spine
in front of spinous dorsal. Ventrals inserted below bases of pectorals.
Anal fin short, with 2-3 spines and 5-6 rays.
One other species from Japan, besides the South African one.
Parabembras robinsoni Regan.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vu, p. 418.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., iii, p. 75 (curtus non
Temm. and Schleg.).
Depth 5, length of head 24, in length of body. Eye equal to snout,
33-33 in length of head. Interorbital width 32-4 in eye. Vomerine
teeth in an angular transverse band. Maxilla reaching not quite to
below middle of eye. A pair of small nasal spines. A pair of small
spines in front of each eye. Supraorbital ridge with 9-15 serrations.
Lateral suborbital ridge with 1 preorbital spine and 6—9 spines from
below eye to (and including) the preopercular spine. Two to four little
points on margin below preopercular spine. One subopercular spine.
Operculum with 2 smooth ridges ending in spines. Three postorbital
and one to two scapular spines on each side; and a pair of occipital
spines. A spine above the axil. D X—XI-+I1 9, longest spine about
14 times diameter of eye. AIII 5. P19, 3 length of head. Caudal
subtruncate. Scales moderate: 1.1. 40-43.
Length.— Up to 240 mm.
Colour.—Bright red.
Locahity.—Natal coast, 120-220 fathoms.
Type in British Museum, topotypes in South African Museum.
The arrangement of the suborbital and preopercular spines is subject
to considerable variation.
Fam. 7. HopLIcCHTHYIDAE.
Body elongate, tapering, depressed. Head strongly depressed, upper
surface and sides bony. Skin naked, except for a row of bony scutes
along the upper part of each side. Two nostrils on each side. Gill-
membranes attached to isthmus. Jaws, vomer, and palatine with
minute teeth. Pseudobranchiae present. Two dorsal fins, the soft
dorsal much longer than spinous. Anal long, without spines. Pectorals
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 937
large, with the lower 3-4 rays detached. Ventrals in front of bases of
pectorals, moderately far apart, with 1 spine and 5 rays. Caudal
separate, truncate. No air-bladder.
This family comprises a single genus of Indo-Pacific marine fishes,
having an external likeness to the Platycephalidae.
Gen. HopLicutuys C. and V.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 264.
With the characters of the family.
Hoplichthys acanthopleurus Regan.
1908 Reean, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., Zool., vel. xu, pt. 3, p. 239,
pl. xxvii, fig. 5.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann..S. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, pt. 5,
p. 74 (langsdorfi non Cuv. and Val.).
1917. Zd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 413 (langsdorfi non
Cuv. and Val.).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
21922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 78 (cotranus non
Gilbert).
Length of head 3 (young)—34, width across preopercular spines 32-4,
in length of body. Hye 3% in length of head, slightly less than snout.
Maxilla extending to below anterior margin of eye. Ridges of head
denticulate, lateral margins not strongly indented, spinose ; a patch
of spines behind angle of jaws ; 12 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior
arch. D VI-+15, spinous dorsal scarcely higher in ¢ than 9, spines
not produced; soft dorsal in 3 with all the rays produced into fila-
ments, the 3rd, 7th, and 8th being nearly as long as head. A 17.
P 13+3, the detached rays about as long as the ventrals. Lateral
scutes 27, each with a strong spine and 1-2 small ones below it.
(Plate XXXIV, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Pale brownish, a dark blotch on spinous
dorsal.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand, 60-150 fathoms.
Distribution.—Seychelles, 123 fathoms.
It is probable that the specimen named H. citrinus by Gilchrist
should be referred to the present species. H. citrinus Gilbert differs
in having the Ist dorsal spine and only the first 4 soft rays in the $
produced into filaments.
938 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 8. TRIGLIDAE.
Gurnards ; Knorhaan.
Body elongate, covered with scales or bony plates. Head completely
cuirassed, usually with more or less prominent spines. Two nostrils
on each side. Nuchal shield more or less produced backwards. Mouth
terminal or inferior. Teeth small, in bands in jaws and usually on
vomer and palatine ; or absent altogether. Gill-membranes free from
isthmus. Pseudobranchiae present. Three pairs of dentigerous upper
pharyngeals. Spinous dorsal shorter than soft. Anal with one pun-
gent spine or none. Pectorals moderate or large, with 2—3 lower rays
detached. Ventrals widely separated, with 1 spine and 5 rays. Air-
bladder present. Pyloric caeca usually present, few in number.
Marine fishes from warm and temperate seas, in shallow or deep
water. Hasily distinguished by the mailed head and the large pectorals
with their finger-like lower rays. These are used as feelers in searching
under stones, etc. for the Crustacea and other animals on which these
fishes live. The Dutch name is given to these fishes on account of the
grunting noise they make.
Gurnards are well-known food-fishes.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Body covered with scales (7'riglinae).
A. Scales relatively large, 50-65 in the lateral line . ‘ Lepidotrigla.
B. Scales very small, 80 to more than 100 in the lateral line.
1. Lateral line unarmed é : : ‘ . Chelidonichthys.
2. Lateral line spinose . : : : ; : Trigla.
[I. Body covered with spinate bony plates (Peristediinae) . ; Peristedion.
Gen. LEPIDOTRIGLA Gnthr.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 196.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. ii, A 3, p. 117 (post-larval stages).
Body covered with scales of moderate size. Three free pectoral
rays. No teeth on palatines. A row of spinose plates along base
of spinous and soft dorsal fins. Lateral line unarmed.
Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific.
Lepidotrigla faurer G. and T.
Large-scaled Gurnard.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, pt. 3, p. 75.
1914. Id., ibed., p. 76 (natalensis).
’
‘
: .
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ae
’
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-
,
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'
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PLATE XXXV.
FIG.
1. Blennius cornutus (Linn.) (original photo) 5
2. Clinus robustus G. and T. (original photo) .
3. Lycodonus vermiformis n. sp. (original) Y
4. Selachophidium guentheri Gilch. (after Gilchrist)
Ore Genypterus capensis (Smth.) (after Smith) .
6. Fierasfer gracilis Blkr. (original, but after Fowler)
.
i
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ie Aa .
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI. Plate XXXV.
PON NE Nae ES
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 939
1917. fd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 414.
Depth 43-42, length of head 31-34, in length of body. Eye 3-34
in length of head, slightly longer than snout (excluding preorbital
spines), 14 times the interorbital width. Snout slightly concave
between the projecting preorbitals, each of which is armed with
3 (young)—5 spines, the outermost the strongest. Profile of snout
straight or slightly concave. Interorbital space deeply concave. Two
inconspicuous spines on supero-anterior margin of orbit. A short
deep groove behind each orbit. Nuchal spines reaching to below
base of 3rd dorsal spine. D VIII+15-17, 3rd spine longest, 1st and
2nd serrulate. A 15-16. Pectoral reaching to anterior third of soft
dorsal, longest free ray reaching to tip of ventral. Ventral reaching
to 2nd or 3rd ray of anal. Caudal truncate. Scales: 1.1. 58-62.
Twenty-three to twenty-five spines along base of dorsal. Breast naked.
Gill-rakers 8 (excluding rudimentary ones at lower end). Pyloric
caeca 7-8.
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Greyish, no trace of dark spot on spinous
dorsal, pectoral dark. Probably reddish in life.
Locality.— Coast of Natal and Zululand, 40-65 fathoms.
Types of faurer and natalensis in South African Museum.
L. natalensis is clearly the same species; there are several in-
accuracies in the original description.
This species seems most closely allied to the Japanese L. abyssalis
J. and 8., differing in the preorbital spines and the relative lengths
of 2nd and 3rd dorsal spines.
Gen. CHELIDONICHTHYS Kaup.
1873. Kaup, Archiv. f. Naturg., p. 87.
Body covered with small or very small scales. Three free pectoral
rays. No teeth on palatines. A row of spinose plates along base of
spinous and soft dorsal fins. Lateral line unarmed, without elongated
shields, usually bifurcating at base of tail.
European, African, Japanese, and Australasian seas.
Key to the South African species.
1. Preorbital ending in several spines. Breast naked.
a. Eye about equal to interorbital width . 5 s : . capensis.
b. Kye distinctly greater than interorbital width é : : kumu.
2. Preorbital ending in a single spine. Breast pitted : : . quekettr.
940 Annals of the South African Museum.
Chelidonichthys capensis (C. and V.).
Red Gurnard ; Roode Knorhaan.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 55.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’Afr. Austr., p. 6 (Prionotus pusillus).
1904. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. ii, p. 190, pl. i, figs. 14, 15
(egg, larva) (kwmu non Less.).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 413 (references).
Fic, 28.—Diagrams of heads of Chelidonichthys to show sculpturing on preorbital
and opercular bones; fine lines represent lines of granules, dots represent
irregularly arranged granules. a, kumu; b, queketti; c, capensis.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv., p. 141 (references).
1919, Gilebrist,“Tr. Roy.-Soc. 8. Aiz., vol. vii, p, 3, pl. 1, fesse
pl. 1, fig. 3 (egg, larva) (kumw non Less.).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 256.
(Non capensis Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xin,
Dt: ee. (id):
Depth 5-54, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 23-24
in snout, 43-5 in length of head, almost or quite equal to interorbital
width. Profile of snout straight. Front of snout concave between
the preorbitals, each of which bears 5-6 spines, the middle ones
strongest. Interorbital space gently concave or almost flat. Two
spines on supero-anterior margin of orbit. Preorbital without any
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 94]
keel, irregularly granular in front, the granules posteriorly arranged
in gently radiating lines with smooth interspaces. Nuchal spines
reaching to level of Ist dorsal spine. D VIII-IX+15-16, 2nd spine
longest, Ist scarcely roughened. A 15-16. Pectoral reaching to
middle of soft dorsal, longest free ray not reaching quite to tip of
ventral, which reaches to vent. Caudal emarginate. Scales very
small. Twenty-four spines along base of dorsal. Breast naked.
Gill-rakers 16 (excluding rudimentary ones). Pyloric caeca 9. (Plate
XXXIV, fig. 3.)
Length.— Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Reddish or greyish, lower half of body silvery white ;
young frequently with a yellowish lateral tint ; spinous dorsal, anal,
ventrals, and caudal reddish ; soft dorsal pink along base and margin ;
pectoral on outer side blackish, the ribs of the rays white ; on inside
bronzy-green, with a black oval patch containing several oval white
blue-edged spots.
Locality.—Table Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal, 5-50 fathoms.
Steindachner (SB. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lvi, p. 683, 1867) considers
that capensis is identical with the EHuropean species lucerna Linn. ;
but Smitt’s (Skand. Fish., p. 200, fig. 57) description and figure of the
latter species certainly does not apply to the Cape species.
Castelnau’s “ Prionotus pusillus”’ would appear to have been a
young specimen of this species.
Chelidonichthys kumu (L. and G.).
Grey Gurnard ; Graauwe Knorhaan.
1826. Lesson and Garnot, Voy. Coquille, Poiss., p. 214, pl. xix.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 53
(peroniw part).
£908) Jordan and Richardson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxiii,
p. 656 (references).
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. S. Afr. Mus., vol. xii, p. 76
(natalensis).
1914. Id., abid., p. T7 (capensis non Cuv. and Val.).
1914. Id., ibed., p. 78 (peronr).
1917. fd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i; pt. 4, p. 413.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, pp. 141, 142 (kumu and
peroni) (references).
1921. Waite, Rec. 8. Austr. Mus., vol. u, p. 178, fig. 294.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vol. i, p. 33.
Depth 5-54, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye 14-13
942 | Annals of the South African Museum.
in snout, 32-4 in length of head, 14 or nearly 2 times the interorbital
width. Profile of snout straight. Front of snout concave between
the preorbitals, each of which bears 4-5 inconspicuous subequal
spines. Interorbital space concave. Two spines on supero-anterior
margin of orbit. One (or two) very inconspicuous spine on posterior
margin of orbit, with a shallow and very short cross furrow behind it.
Preorbital with a low keel ending behind in the preopercular spine,
lines of granules radiating from a point just behind the anterior
spines, and a second set of lines of granules radiating forwards, upwards,
and backwards from a point just above end of maxilla. Nuchal spines
not quite reaching level of 1st dorsal spine. D IX-+15-16, 2nd spine
longest, Ist spine scarcely roughened. A 15-16. Pectoral scarcely
reaching beyond anterior third of soft dorsal, longest free ray reaching
to tip of ventral, which reaches to slightly beyond vent. Caudal
emarginate. Scales very small. Twenty-three to twenty-five spines
along base of dorsal. Breast naked. Gill-rakers 8-9 (excluding
rudimentary ones). Pyloric caeca 6-7.
Length.—Up to 300 mm. (In Australia nearly 2 ft.)
Colour.—Grey, olivaceous, or reddish, silvery below; outside of
pectoral dark, inside dark brown with an oval black patch containing
white spots ; caudal (at least in young) with a light cross-band. (The
ereen specimen mentioned by Gilchrist and Thompson owes its colour
to copper sulphate staining, and is not natural.)
Locality.—False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal and Zululand, down
to 100 fathoms.
Distribution.—Australasia, China, Japan.
Type of natalensis in South African Museum.
Reynaud’s Cape specimen, assigned by Cuvier and Valenciennes to
their species peronii, was probably a specimen of kumu.
Trigla natalensis G. and T. seems to be merely an aberration of this
species, distinguished by the unusually large eye, 34 in length of head.
The tubercular or nodular character of the first 6 dorsal spines is
evidently due to healing after fracture.
I have compared Australian examples with South African ones and
find them specifically identical.
Chelidonichthys queketti (Regan).
Quekett’s Gurnard.
1904. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xiv, p. 128.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus.,vol.1, pt. 4, p. 414.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 943
Depth 5-54, length of head 34-34, in length of body. Eye 14-12
in snout, 34-32 in length of head, 14 times the interorbital width.
Profile of snout straight. Front of snout concave between the pre-
orbitals, each of which bears a single strong spine, with sometimes a
smaller one internally. Interorbital space concave. Two (or three)
spines on supero-anterior margin of orbit. No postorbital spine or
groove; a low but well-marked temporal ridge. Preorbital without
keel, with 3 series of radiating lines of granules, one anteriorly, one
above end of maxilla, and another between the latter and the eye.
Nuchal spines reaching to level of 1st dorsal spine. D IX+18, 2nd
spine longest, Ist almost smooth. A 17. Pectoral reaching to 3rd
or 4th soft dorsal ray; longest free ray reaching to posterior third
or quarter of the ventral, which reaches to origin of aral. Caudal
feebly emarginate. Scales small: 1.1. about 80. Twenty-six to
twenty-seven spines along base of dorsal fin. Breast more or less scaly.
Gill-rakers 10-11 (excluding rudimentary ones). Pyloric caeca 8-9.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Red, with yellow vermiculations, silvery below, pectoral
fins pinkish on outer side, olive-green on inner side, with the membrane
between the innermost 4 rays pinkish, other fins reddish, soft dorsal
pink along base and margin.
Locality. False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Natal coast; occasionally
caught in Table Bay.
Type in the British Museum.
Gen. Tricia Art.
1738. Artedi, Gen. Pisc., p. 42.
1918. Fage, Dan. Ocean. Exp., vol. u, A3, p. 114 (post-larval
stages).
Body covered with moderately or very small scales. Three free
pectoral rays. No teeth on palatines. A row of spinose plates along
base of spinous and soft dorsal fins. Lateral line armed with a series
of bony plates, each bearing a crest or a spine.
Europe and Africa.
Trigla lineata (Gmel.).
1785. Bloch, Syst. Ichth., pl. cecliv.
1788. Gmelin, Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. i; p: 1345.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 11, p. 200.
Depth 43-5, length of head 34-32, in length of body. Eye 13-13
944 Annals of the South African Museum.
in snout, 4in length of head, 14 times the interorbital width. Profile
of snout shightly concave, descending very abruptly from top of head.
Front of snout rounded, preorbitals without spines. Interorbital
space concave. Three spines on supero-anterior margin of orbit. No
postorbital spine or furrow. Preorbital without keel, with 3 series
of radiating lines of granules, one anteriorly, one above end of maxilla,
and the third between the latter and the orbit. Preopercular spine
feeble. Nuchal spines reaching to level of 1st dorsal spine. Vomerine
teeth absent. D X+15-17, 2nd spine longest, 1st slightly roughened.
A 16-17. Pectoral reaching to anterior third of soft dorsal, longest
free ray reaching to posterior quarter of ventral, which reaches to
Srd or 4th anal ray. Scales moderately small, the skin raised into
vertical folds between the rows of scales: 1.1. about 68-70, larger
than the other scales, each bearing a spinose keel. Twenty-four to
twenty-five spines along base of spinous and soft dorsal fins. Breast
and throat more or less scaly. Gill-rakers 7 (excluding rudimentary
ones). Pyloric caeca 8-10.
Length.—Up to 230 mm.
Colour.—Red, mottled with darker red or brownish, silvery below ;
spinous and soft dorsal mottled ; caudal mottled, especially on upper
margin ; anal white along base and margin, with a pink band between ;
ventral pink ; pectoral on outside mottled and barred, the free rays
also barred, on inside olivaceous, with an ultramarine-blue border
and large oval spots, membrane between the innermost 3 rays pink.
Locality.—Agulhas Bank, Algoa Bay, 20-40 fathoms.
Distribution.—South-west coast of Europe, Mediterranean, Madeira.
Gen. PERIsTEDION Lacép.
1802. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 368.
1859. Kaup, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 103 (Peristethus).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, p. 511 (synopsis of Indo-
Pacific species).
Body covered with bony plates, each of which is armed with a
spine. Two free pectoral rays. Each preorbital produced in a long
flat process over the mouth, which is inferior. The outstanding keel
of the preorbital continued backwards to the strong preopercular
spine. Teeth absent. Spinous and soft dorsal more or less separate.
Lower jaw with barbels.
Deep-sea Gurnards from the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 945
Key to the South African species.
1. Forehead with a median spine. Dorsal with l4 rays . : : aden.
2. Forehead without a spine. Dorsal with 20 rays . - - : gracile.
Peristedion adeni (Lloyd).
P07, Uloyd, Kec. Ind. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1, p: 8.
1908. Ilustr. Zool. Investig. Fishes, pl. xl, figs. 1, la.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vu, p. 412.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., in, p. 78.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 256.
Depth 5, length of head 24-24, in length of body (rostral projections
excluded in each case). Eye 22 in snout, 5 in length of head, equal
to interorbital width. Preorbital (rostral) processes subparallel, the
outer margins converging, length 4 distance from their apices to
anterior border of orbit. Preorbital ridge nearly straight, finely
serrulate, ending in the preopercular spine, whose (free) length is
equal to 2 orbit. A pair of nasal spines. A single median spine on
forehead. One antorbital and one postorbital spine. Occipital,
temporal, and opercular spines. D VII-VIJI14. A14-15. Barbels
fringed, the longest equal to width of mouth. Giull-rakers 14 on lower
part of anterior arch (excluding 3-4 rudimentary ones). Greatest
length of each anterior ventral plate equal to (or almost) combined
breadth of both plates; greatest length of posterior ventral plates
half (or a little more) that of anterior plates. Body with 4 rows of
plates on each side, each with a single recurved spine, those on the
2 ventral rows less conspicuous than the others ; 1.]. 24-25 (counting
from the bare skin around base of pectoral, but not including 5 addi-
tional spinose plates around the opercular flap).
Length.—Up to 220 mm.
Colour.—Reddish, dorsal tipped with black.
Locality —Natal coast, 33-207 fathoms.
Distribution.—Gulf of Aden, 130 fathoms.
*Peristedion gracile G. and B.
1896. Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyol., p. 473, fig. 387.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 22.
Depth nearly 6, length of head nearly 3, in length of body (rostral
processes excluded in all cases). Eye about equal to interorbital space,
x length of snout, 32 in length of head. Preorbital processes elon-
gate, nearly $ distance from their apices to anterior margin of orbit.
946 Annals of the South African Museum.
Preorbital ridge ending in a blunt preopercular spine. No spine on
forehead. No nasal or antorbital spines. Postorbital, small occipital,
temporal, and opercular spines. D VIII 20. A19. Barbels fringed,
the longest equal to diameter of eye. ,Gill-rakers 27. Body with 4
rows of plates on each side, each bearing a recurved spine; 1.1. 30.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, darker above, pectorals mottled.
Locality.— Off Delagoa Bay, 260 fathoms.
Distribution.—Gulf of Mexico.
The identification of the East African specimens with a Mexican
species seems a little doubtful, especially as there are already 16 other
species, besides P. adeni, recorded from the Indo-Pacific region. It
seems to me that there is far more likelihood of these specimens being
identical with P. orientale Temm. and Schl. |
Fam. 9. DACTYLOPTERIDAE.
Flying Gurnards.
Body elongate, subquadrangular. Head blunt, completely cuirassed.
Preopercle produced in a long spine. Nuchal shield produced back-
wards on either side of front part of dorsal fin as a bony plate. Scales
bony, strongly keeled; small scales on cheeks and opercles. Two
knife-like scales on either side of base of tail. Lower jaw included in
upper, mouth small. Teeth granular on jaws, none on vomer or pala-
tine. Guill-membranes free from isthmus. Two nostrils on each side.
Pseudobranchiae large. Giull-rakers minute. Dorsal of two parts, the
spinous part preceded by 1 or 2 long flexible free spines. Second dorsal
and anal short, the latter without spines. Pectorals very large in adult,
inserted horizontally, with about 6 anterior rays, short and almost
completely divided from rest of fin. Ventrals narrowly separated,
with 1 spine and 4 rays. Caudal lunate. Air-bladder divided into
two lateral parts. Pyloric caeca numerous.
The Flying Gurnards form a small but distinctive family represented
in the warm parts of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans by four
genera. In habits they resemble the Flying-fish, but do not fly for
such long distances, and unlike the Flying-fish vibrate the pectoral fins.
They also to a large extent frequent the bottom, where they have been
observed, in aquaria, to scratch up the ground in search of food with
the short anterior part of the pectoral fins.
The young forms, known as Cephalacanthus, have short pectoral
fins.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 947
Gen. DAcTYLOPTENA J. and R.
1908. Jordan and Richardson, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxxiii,
p. 665.
No lateral line. One long and one short detached spine in front of
spinous dorsal. Preorbitals not meeting in front on snout. The
Atlantic genus, Dactylopterus, differs in having two semi-detached
short rays which fold back on either side of spinous dorsal.
Dactyloptena orientalis (C. and V.).
Flying Gurnard.
1829. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. iv, p. 134,
pl. Ixxvi.
1860. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, p. 222.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 279, pl. lx, fig. 6.
1908. Jordan and Richardson, loc. cit., p. 666.
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monogr. 57, pp. 516, 517, fig. 109 (young).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 33.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 256.
Depth 54-6, length of head (without preopercular spine) 3$—44, in
length of body. Hye about equal to postorbital part of head, less than
interorbital width. Scapular processes acute, reaching to 2nd dorsal
spine, distance between their apices 14-14 in the depth of the notch
between them, which forms an acute angle. D I+I+V-+8, Ist de-
tached spine greatly elongate, 2nd half height of spinous dorsal. A
short spine between spinous and soft dorsals. A 6-7. Pectorals
reaching to or beyond base of caudal. Scales: lr. ca. 47; ltr. 21;
4 enlarged scales on lower posterior part of body. (Plate XXXVI,
fie.)
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Greyish-brown, with darker spots on back, whitish below,
spinous dorsal and pectoral dark, the latter with blackish spots.
Locality Kast London, Natal coast, Delagoa Bay, down to 33
fathoms.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.
Division 20. PLECTOGNATHI.
(1902. Regan, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. , p. 284, classification).
Air-bladder without open duct (physoclystic). No mesocoracoid.
Opercular bones more or less reduced. Gill-opening much reduced.
VOU.) SX PART 2s 61
948 Annals of the South African Museum.
Maxilla and premaxilla often firmly united. Pectoral arch suspended
from the skull. Pelvic bones, if present, more or less fused. No ribs.
Spinous dorsal present or absent. Ventrals, if present, thoracic, re-
duced. Jaws strong, teeth separate or united into a beak. Skin
naked or with osseous scales, scutes, or spines.
This division includes the easily recognisable Trigger-fishes, Box-
fishes, Globe-fishes, and Sun-fishes. They are mostly tropical and sub-
tropical marine fishes ; some are found in brackish water and estuaries.
Closely related to the Teuthididae (Acanthuridae) (Surgeon-fishes).
Following Regan and Boulenger, two groups are here recognised.
Key to the South African families.
I. Supraclavicle vertical. Spinous dorsal present or absent. Ventrals present or
absent. Teeth separate or united (Sclerodermi).
A. Spinous dorsal present.
1. Ventral fins represented by a pair of spines . . Triacanthidae.
2. Ventral fins represented by a single spine. . Balistidae.
B. Spinous dorsal and ventrals absent . é : . Ostraciontidae.
II. Supraclavicle oblique. Spinous dorsal and ventrals always absent. Teeth
always united (Gymnodontes).
A. Beak with a median suture. Bodyinflatable . . Tetrodontidae.
B. Beak without median suture.
1. Caudal fin present . ; , ; : : Diodontidae.
2. Caudal fin absent, the body truncate posteriorly . . Molidae.
Fam. 1. TRIACANTHIDAE.
Maxilla and premaxilla not fused. Teeth separate, conical or in-
cisor-like. Spinous dorsal with 2-6 spines. Ventral fins each repre-
sented by a strong spine, with an inner basal knob which locks it when
everted ; rarely with 1-2 rudimentary soft rays. Scales small, spinous
or bony.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Dorsal spines 4-6. Mouth horizontal.
a. Caudal peduncle long. Teeth incisor-like . 4 . [Triacanthus].
b. Caudal peduncle short. Teeth conical . : : . Triacanthodes.
2. Dorsal spines 3. Mouth directed upwards . ; ‘ ; [Tydemania].
Although not actually recorded from our region, the Indo-Pacific
genera Triacanthus and Tydemania are included in the above key, as
it is quite possible they may later be found here.
ee
SE +
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 949
Gen. TRIACANTHODES Blkr.
1858. Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl., vol. ii, Japan, pt. 4, p. 37.
Body compressed. Caudal peduncle short. Scales small, spiny.
No distinct lateral line. Dorsal spines 4-6. Ventrals usually with
1-2 rudimentary soft rays. Teeth conical, with a few forming an inner
tow. Hye large.
Indo-Pacific, in rather deep water.
Triacanthodes ethiops Alck.
1894. Alcock, J. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. lxiu, pt. 2, p. 137, pl. vii, fig. 6.
1895. Illustrat. Zool. Investigator, Fish., pl. xv, fig. 9.
1899. Alcock, Cat. Deep-sea Fish. Ind. Mus., p. 208.
Depth a little more than half length. D VI 14-16. Al14. P 12-13.
Vii. € 12. First dorsal spine rather shorter than ventral sping,
which is 4 length of body. Allthespinesrough. (Plate XXXVI, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 85 mm.
Colour.—Mottled black and white, young blue-black (Alcock).
Locality.— Natal coast, 100 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indian seas, 145-250 fathoms.
A young specimen, 21 mm. long, is assigned to this species. The
snout is not so pronounced as in Alcock’s figure, the depth is 2 the
length, the ventral spine is only about as long as the Ist dorsal spine,
and 34 in length.
Fam. 2. BALISTIDAE.
Trigger-fishes.
Maxilla and premaxilla fused. Teeth separate, incisor-like. Spinous
dorsal with 1-3spines. Ventrals, if present, represented by a single short
rough spine. Skin covered with movable scutes or small rough scales.
The Trigger-fishes and File-fishes are abundant in all warm seas,
especially among coral-reefs. Their strong dentition enables them to
feed on corals and hard-shelled molluscs. They are mostly brightly
coloured, and the flesh of many of them poisonous. The name
* Trigger-fish ” has been given on account of the peculiar mechanism
of the dorsal spines. When the lst spine is erected it is locked in
position by the 2nd spine, and cannot be depressed by external force.
The species of Monacanthus are more properly called “ File-fishes,”
the rough and slender 1st dorsal spine resembling that tool; their
tough skin has been responsible for the name “ Leather-jacket.”
950 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African genera.
I. Spinous dorsal of 3 spines. Scales rather large, bony, forming a coat of mail
(Balistinae).
A. Gill-opening with enlarged scutes behind it.
1. A groove in front of eye . : ; ; ; . Balistes.
2. No groove in front of eye . : : ; : . Balistapus.
B. No enlarged scutes behind gill-opening : . Canthidermis.
II. Spinous dorsal of a single spine. Scales minute, spinose, the skin more or less.
velvety (Monacanthinae).
A. Ventral spine present.
1. Ventral spine movable 3 : ; , . Monacanthus..
2. Ventral spine immovably fixed . : : 5 Cantherines.
B. Ventral spine absent : : ; : : ; . Aluiera.
Gen. Bauistes Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 327.
1902. Regan, loc. cit., p. 289.
1922. Jordan and Jordan, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 84.
Scales moderate or large, juxtaposed, bony, forming a coat of mail.
Spinous dorsal of 3 (rarely 2) spines, the Ist very strong, the 2nd well
developed, the 3rd, if present, remote from the first 2. Caudal rounded
or truncate, the upper and lower rays often produced. Osseous scutes
behind the gill-opening. A groove in front of eye. Lateral line more
or less developed (usually visible only when scales are dry). Hach jaw
with usually a single series of incisor-like teeth.
Regan recognises only the one comprehensive genus Balvsies.
Tropical and subtropical seas, shallow water.
Key to the South African species.
1. Caudal peduncle depressed (Levurus) . : : 4 : . stellatus.
2. Caudal peduncle compressed (Sufflamen).
a. Caudal peduncle with recurved spines or tubercles.
i. Caudal fin with white margins : 5 : . niger.
ii. A light stripe from mouth towards root of nace capistratum.
b. Caudal peduncle without spines or tubercles . : : ’ vetula.
Balistes lineatus Bl. Schn. (=undulatus Park), rectangulus BI.
Schn., and flavomarginatus Riipp. are recorded from Mozambique in
Playfair and Giinther (Fish. Zanz., pp. xii and 134), but in Giinther’s
Catalogue this locality is not given for these species.
;
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 951
Balistes stellatus Lacép.
Stellate Trigger-fish ; Varken-vis (Dutch East Indies).
1798. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 1, p. 350, pl. xv, fig. 1.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 105, pl. cexv.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 212.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 687, pl. clxxvu, fig. 1.
Depth about 24 in length. Caudal peduncle depressed, with two low
granular ridges on either side. Teeth white, notched. D III+ 26-27;
2nd dorsal spine nearly as long as Ist. A 24-25. Soft dorsal and anal
not produced. Caudal undulated, upper and lower lobes produced in
long filaments in adult. Twenty-four series of scales between origin
of soft dorsal and vent. Cheeks scaled. (Plate XXXVI, fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or olive-green, with irregular bluish spots and 3
large white blotches on back ; spinous and soit dorsal, anal, and caudal
fins banded ; pectoral, and some stripes from mouth towards base of
pectoral, yellowish.
Locality.—Mossel Bay.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Balistes niger M. Park.
Black Trigger-fish.
1791. Mungo Park, Tr. Linn. Soc., vol. in, p. 37.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 115, pl. cexvi, fig. 1
(armatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 688, pl. clxxxi, fig. 1.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 420 (references).
Depth about 15 in length. Caudal peduncle compressed, with 6-8
rows of recurved spines. Teeth white, notched. D III+26-28; 2nd
dorsal spine considerably shorter than Ist. A 23-25. Soft dorsal
and anal not elevated. Caudal truncate. Twenty-six series of scales
between origin of soft dorsal and vent. Cheeks scaly.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Brownish-black ; soft dorsal and anal, margins of caudal,
and a ring around mouth light yellow or whitish.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
952 Annals of the South African Museum.
Balistes capistratus Shaw.
Bridled Trigger-fish.
1804. Shaw, Gen. Zool., vol. v, p. 417.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 114, pl. ccexxiu, fig. 2
(frenatus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 689, pl. clxxvu, fig. 3 (mtis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 419.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 158 (references and
synonymy).
Depth about 12-2 in length. Caudal peduncle compressed, with a
small tubercle (often more or less obsolete) on each scale. Teeth white,
notched. D III+ 29-31; 2nd spine ? length of Ist. A 26-28. Soft
dorsal and anal not elevated. Caudal truncate. Thirty-four series
of scales between origin of soft dorsal and vent. Cheeks scaly.
Length.— Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with a yellow ring around mouth and (usually)
a yellow stripe from mouth towards base of pectoral (resembling a
bridle).
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
*Balistes vetula Linn.
Blue-banded Trigger-fish ; Old Wife.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 329.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 157 (references).
Caudal peduncle compressed, without any spines or tubercles on the
scales. D JII+30-32. A 29. Anterior rays of soft dorsal and the
caudal lobes produced into long filaments in adult. About 36 series
of scales between origin of soft dorsal and vent. Cheeks scaly.
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Brownish ; two bluish, dark-edged bands on side of head ;
a black line below eye and several other lines radiating from eye ;
dorsal and anal fins with blue bands; upper and lower margins of
caudal and a cross-band near the posterior margin, blue.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic (W. Indies, Ascension, etc.), rare
in Indian seas and Kast Indies.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Afroca. 953
Gen. BALISTAPUS Til.
1820. Tilesius, Mem. Ac. Nat. Sci. Petersb., vol. vii, p. 302.
Resembling Balistes, but without a groove in front of eye, and lateral
line quite obsolete.
Balistapus aculeatus (Linn.).
Spiny-tailed Trigger-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 328.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 120, pl. cexvi, fig. 3.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 690, pl. clxxvin, fig. 3.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 414, pl. lxn.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p- 418 (references).
1921. Gilchrist, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. x, pt. 1, pp. 24, 25 (sleep
habits).
Depth about 2 in length. Caudal peduncle compressed, with 24
rows of strong, recurved spines. Teeth white, notched. D III+25;
2nd spine little more than $ length of Ist. A 22. Soft dorsal and anal
rounded or undulate. Caudal truncate. Twenty-three series of scales
between origin of soft dorsal and vent. Cheeks scaly.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or yellowish, with a dark irregular patch on sides,
with bands extending to soft dorsal and anal; 4 interocular bands,
3 between eye and pectoral, and a band over snout, blue; a yellow
or orange stripe between mouth and pectoral; back with reddish,
yellowish, or greenish tints ; caudal spines black.
Locality.— Coast of Zululand and Portuguese Hast Africa.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, and coast of W. Africa.
This fish, according to Gilchrist, has the habit of going to sleep on
its side at night-time. “Hf disturbed at night it was aroused with
difficulty, and usually turned over on the other side and went to sleep
again.” (Of. the Wrasse, p. 742.)
It is also known to produce a drumming sound by means of friction
between the bones of the shoulder-girdle.
Gen. CANTHIDERMIS Swains.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Classif. Anim., vol. 1, p. 325.
Differs from Balistes in having no enlarged scales behind the gill-
opening. The body is more elongate than in typical Balistes.
954 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African species.
1. 28-30 transverse series of scales . ; ; F : E . maculatus.
2. 18-19 transverse series of scales . : : : : : . -ringens.
Canthidermis maculatus (Gmel.).
Blue- and Whate-spotted Trigger-fish.
1788. Gmelin in Linné, Syst. Nat., vol. i, p. 1468.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 122, pl. cexviii, fig. 4.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 159 (references and
synonymy).
Depth about 24-22 in length. Eye 3 in length of snout. Caudal
peduncle compressed, without spines or tubercles. Teeth white,
notched. D III-+24-26. <A 24-25. Soft dorsal and anal anteriorly
elevated. Posterior margin of caudal undulate. Scales granulate,
but without a median keel or spines; 28-30 series between origin of
soft dorsal and anal. Cheeks scaly.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Bluish-black, lighter beneath, spotted with numerous
yound pale-blue or white spots.
Locality.—False Bay, Jefireys Bay, Mossel Bay.
Distribution.—Warm parts of Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
The above description is taken from the Cape specimens only, the
largest being 355 mm. in length. The specimen figured by Day (Fish.
India, p. 687, pl. clxxv, fig. 3) has the eye larger in proportion to the
snout, and, according to Jordan and Evermann, should have been
identified as oculatus.
*Canthidermis ringens Linn.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., vol. i, p. 407.
1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 221.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 264.
Depth 2 in length. Caudal peduncle compressed, without spines or
tubercles. D IJJ-+27-28. A 27-29. Anterior dorsal and anal and
caudal lobes slightly produced. Eighteen to nineteen series of scales
between dorsal and anal. Cheeks with 3 very distinct, naked, narrow,
blackish longitudinal grooves.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or greyish, darker above, each scale with a dark
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 955
spot, more or less confluent into longitudinal lines (Giinther), fins pale,
caudal with crescentic whitish patch.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—West Indies, Mauritius.
Gen. MoNACANTHUS Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed 1, p. 152.
1861. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 78 (Stephanolepis).
Scales small, rough with granules or spinules. Spinous dorsal of a
single strong spine, often with a rudimentary 2nd one. Ventral spine
movable. Caudal rounded. Teeth incisor-like, in 2 rows in upper, in
a single row in lower, jaw.
Tropical and subtropical seas, shallow water.
Key to the South African species.
1. Depth not twice in length.
a. No black spot on gill-opening. Dorsal spine above hind margin of eye
setifer.
6. A black spot on gill-opening. Dorsal spine above middle of eye
melanocephalus.
2. Depth at least twice in length . : : : : “ . oblongus.
Monacanthus setifer Benn.
File-fish.
1830. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 112.
1846. Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 290, pl. cxxx, fig. 1 (currhifer).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 422 (references and synonymy).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 161.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 37.
Depth more than $ length of body. Hye 3in snout. D I+ 29-34.
Spine above or immediately behind hind margin of eye, rough in front,
with a double row of barbs behind. Soft dorsal elevated anteriorly,
2nd ray sometimes filamentous. A 29-33.
Length.— Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with indistinct dark longitudinal bars on sides
and spots on head and belly, edges of fins pale, caudal with cross-bars.
Locality.—Port Elizabeth to Natal and Zululand, down to 33
fathoms.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
956 Annals of the South African Museum.
* Monacanthus melanocephalus Blkr.
Black-spot File-fish.
1853. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. v, p. 95.
1865. Id., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 127, pl. cexxiii, fig. 1.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 242.
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 11, pt. 4, p. 203.
Depth about half the length. Eye 24in snout. DI+31-32. Spine
above the middle of eye, strong, as long as head, rough in front and
barbed behind. A 26-28. Soft dorsal and anal not elevated. Caudal
rounded. Ventral spine prominent.
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, a black spot on the gill-opening; dorsal and
anal fins dotted with black ; caudal with interrupted dark cross-bars.
Locality. Natal coast.
Distribution.—Kast Indies.
Monacanthus oblongus Schleg.
Oblong File-fish.
1846. Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 291, pl. cxxx, fig. 2.
1855. Bianconi, Mem. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., vol. vi, p. 148, pl. i,
fig. 2 (bertoloni).
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 241.
1902. Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxv (1903),
p. 266, fig. 2.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 264 (chovro-
cephalus * non Blkr.).
Depth a little less than half the length. Hye 3 in snout. D 1+25—
28. Spine often rather feeble, rough in front, barbed behind, situate
above posterior part of eye. A 25-29. Soft dorsal and anal elevated
anteriorly. Caudal rounded, but with the middle rays rather long
and sometimes filamentous. Ventral spine moderate.
Length.— Up to 112 mm.
Colour.—Brown, marbled with darker blotches and spots on back,
sides, and belly ; faint dark bars across snout, interorbital, and throat ;
membrane of dorsal spine black ; anterior rays and usually the base
and the outer margin of soft dorsal and anal suffused with black ;
caudal with 3 irregular and interrupted dark cross-bars.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution—Indo- Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 957
Gen. CANTHERINES Swans.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Fish., vol. u, p. 327.
1866. Bleeker, Ned. Tydsskr. Dierk., vol. ii, p. 11 (Pseudomona-
canthus).
225, -derdan, Proc: U.S. Nat: Mus., vol. Ixvi,“p. 39.
Differs from Monacanthus in having the ventral spine immovably
fixed. The barbs on the dorsal spine, if present, are usually in four
series.
Key to the South African species.
1. Dorsal spine with 4 equidistant series of strong barbs. ‘ ‘ peront.
2. Dorsal spine with 2 posterior rows of barbs.
a. Soft dorsal and anal anteriorly elevated. Skin velvety modestoides n. sp.
6. Soft dorsal and anal low. Skin rough, scales distinct . arenaceus n. sp.
3. Dorsal spine rough, without barbs : ; : ‘ . sandwichiensis.
Cantherines peroni (Holl.).
Tooth-brush File-fish.
1854. Holland, Ann. Sci. Nat., vol. i, p. 356, pl. xi, fig. 4.
1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 249.
Skin with papillae, each with a round expansion at the top like a
mushroom ; when dry, these papillae shrink and become spine-like.
Adult males with a band of long, slender, stifi bristles like a tooth-
brush, on each side of tail, midway between posterior halt of soft
dorsal and anal. Depth 24-24 in length. Hye 3 in snout, the upper
profile of which is slightly concave. D I+33-35. Spine above
middle of orbit, with 4 equidistant series of barbs, not exceeding half
length of head. A 32-33. Soft dorsal and anal low. Ventral spine
not prominent.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brown or with small spots. (Waite, Rec. 8.
Austr. Mus., vol. ui, pt. 1, 1921, p. 187, figures a specimen with black
cross-bands).
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Southern Australia.
The single specimen in the South African Museum is a very old one
which has been dried, and whose locality may be doubtful.
Three small specimens, up to 70 mm. in length, may be the young
of this species. They possess the mushroom-like papillae on the skin,
but the dorsal spine is not distinctly 4-angled.
958 Annals of the South African Museum.
Cantherines modestoides n. sp.
Brown File-fish.
Skin minutely granular, soft and velvety. Depth 2 (back to ventral
spine), (22 between origins of soft dorsal and anal) in length. Eye 3
in snout, whose dorsal profile is straight or very slightly convex. D
I+37. Spine } length of head, situate above middle of orbit, rough in
front, posterior margins with a series of laterally projecting small
barbs. A 36. Soft dorsal and anal anteriorly elevated. Ventral spine
small, but well marked. Caudal peduncle slightly longer than half
length of snout. Caudal fin rounded.
Length.—210 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Uniform grey-brown.
Locality.—Algoa Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
This species seems most nearly allied to modestus (Gnthr.), but has
a larger eye and deeper body (at the level of the ventral spine).
Cantherines arenaceus n. sp.
Rough-skinned File-fish.
Skin with distinct scales, each of which is granulate or spinulose,
the surface therefore rough. Depth a little over 2 (back to ventral
spine), (24 between origins of soft dorsal and anal) in length. Eye 3}
in snout, whose upper profile is straight or very slightly concave. D
I+32. Spine (broken) apparently about § length of head, situate
above middle of orbit, rough in front, posterior margins with a series
of laterally projecting small barbs. A 30. Soft dorsal and anal low.
Ventral spine well marked. Caudal peduncle rather longer than half
length of snout. Caudal fin rounded.
Length.—230 mm.
Colour (as preserved).— Uniform brown.
Locality—South African seas (exact locality lost, probably Natal).
Type in South African Museum.
The character of the skin distinguishes this species from all the
other South African species. It appears to be allied to trachylepis
(Gnthr.), but has fewer rays in the soft dorsal and anal.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 959
Cantherines sandwichiensis (Q. and G.).
Reticulate or Yellow-finned File-fish.
1824. Quoy and Gaimard, Voy. Uranie, Zool., p. 214.
1855. Riippell, Neue Wirbel. Fische, p. 57, pl. xv, fig. 3 (pardalis).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 136, pl. cexxx, fig. 2,
(pardalis).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxi,
p. 418, fig. 183.
1911. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. x1, pt. 2,
p. 48 (natalensis).
1917. Id.. Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4, p. 422 (pardalis)
(references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 160 (pardalis)
(references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 264 (par-
dalis).
Skin with more or less distinct scales, rough, sandpapery. Sides of
caudal peduncle with short bristle-like setae, and in adult male 2 pairs
of strong recurved spines. Depth about 1$ (back to ventral spine),
(2-24 between origins of soft dorsal and anal) in length. Hye about
34 in snout, whose dorsal profile is slightly concave. D I+ 34-36 ;
spine rather long, nearly equal to length of snout, rough, without any
well-marked barbs, situate above anterior part of orbit. A 30-31.
Soft dorsal and anal not elevated. Ventral spine well marked. Caudal
rounded. Caudal peduncle only a little longer than diameter of eye.
Length.—Up to 330 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown or brownish-black, lips hght, sometimes with
darker or light spots; a network of light limes over body and whitish
or bluish stripes from mouth to hind part of head; fins yellowish or
orange ; the young more or less shining silvery.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Portuguese Hast Africa.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Type of natalensis in South African Museum.
C. pardalis is usually regarded as a variety, and is characterised by
the network of light lines on the body and the light stripes on head.
Most of the Natal specimens seem to be more or less uniform in colour.
C. natalensis is an abnormal specimen in which the distance between
ventral spine and anal is considerably smaller than usual. There is,
however, an intermediate specimen in the collection. The statement
that the dorsal spine has a “series of barbs on each side pointing
960, Annals of the South African Museum.
ovtward and upward” is misleading; these “barbs”? are merely
well-developed granules such as are found on typical specimens.
Gen. ALUTERA Cuv.
1817. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed 1, p. 153.
1896. Jordan and Evermann, Check-list Fishes, p. 424 (Osbeckia).
Dorsal spine feeble, above the orbit. Ventral spine absent. Soft
dorsal and anal with numerous (45-50) rays. Caudal subtruncate or
rounded. Lower jaw projecting. Body very compressed.
Osbeckia is differentiated by the much longer caudal, and concave
profile of snout. It seems, however, scarcely worthy of even subgeneric
rank.
Key to the South African species.
1. Caudal fin shorter than head. Upper profile of snout convex . monoceros.
2. Caudal fin longer than head. Upper profile of snout concave . scripta.
Alutera monoceros (Osb.).
Umeorn Fish.
1757. Osbeck, Iter Chinensis, p. 110.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 693, pl. clxxix, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 421 (references and synonyms).
Skin velvety. Body oblong. Head deep. Snout moderate, upper
profile convex. Hye small, 5-54 in snout. DI+45-50; spine feeble,
not more than 4 length of snout, roughened, but without barbs. A
48-53. Soft dorsal and anal slightly higher in front than posteriorly.
Caudal fin less than length of head, subtruncate.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colowr.—Grey-brown or olivaceous, uniform or with obscure darker
mottling ; fins pale.
Locality.— Natal coast. There is also a specimen in the South
African Museum said to have come from Table Bay ; it was brought
to the Museum in a fresh state, and must have come either from Table —
Bay or False Bay.
Distribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
The flesh of this species is said to be both wholesome and of good
flavour.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 961
Alutera scripta (Osb.).
1757. Osbeck, Iter Chinensis, p. 144.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 694, pl. clxxvi, fig. 3 (synonymy).
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. ii, pt. 2, p. 77.
Skin velvety. Body oblong. Head deep. Snout produced, upper
profile concave. Hye small, about 4 in snout. D I+ 43-47; spine
feeble, not more than 4 length of head, rough but without barbs.
A 46-49. Soft dorsal and anal low. Caudal fin at least as long as
head, the middle rays much longer than the others.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or olivaceous, with dark spots and light (bluish)
curved irregular streaks.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Nstribution.—Tropical Atlantic and Indo-Pacific.
Fam. 3. OSTRACIONTIDAE.
Boz-fishes.
Maxilla and premaxilla fused. Teeth separate, incisor-like. No
spinous dorsal. No ventral fins. Body encased in a carapace formed
of large, firmly united, bony plates, mostly hexagonal in shape.
The Box-fishes (Trunk-fishes or Coffer-fishes) form a comparatively
small family of tropical shallow-water fishes.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Carapace 4- or 5-angled ; : : : : ‘ . Ostracion.
2. Carapace 3-angled ; : ; : : : : . Lactophrys.
Gen. OSTRACION Linn.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 330.
Carapace extending beyond and closed behind anal fin. Body
4- or 5-angled, 7.e. two ridges on each side, and often a dorsal one.
Caudal peduncle naked. Vertebrae 16, not elongate.
Key to the South African species.
1. Carapace 4-angled, without spines (Ostracion).
a. Anterior opening of carapace broad. Black spots . : tuberculatus.
6. Anterior opening of carapace narrow. White spots é . punctatus,
962 Annals of the South African Museum.
2. Carapace 4-angled, with spines (Lactoria).
a. A spine in middle of back . : ; ; ; ; . diaphanus.
b. No spine in middle of back . ; : : ; : . cornutus.
3. Carapace 5-angled (T'etrosomus) . ; ; - : ; . fornasini.
Ostracion tuberculatus Linn.
Four-angled Box-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 331 (tuberculatus) and p. 332
(cubicus).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 696, pl. clxxxi, fig. 3. 7
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 425 (references and synonymy).
Body 4-angled, without spines, ridges blunt. Back slightly convex,
without any median ridge. Interorbital space concave. Snout with
a hump immediately above the mouth in the adult, dorsal profile
concave. Width of anterior opening of the carapace greater than
orbit.
Length.—Up to 375 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, with black dots on head, sides, and belly ; each
scute with a bluish dark-edged ocellus ; tail uniform, or with black dots
(never white dots).
Locality. —Coast of Natal and Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
Ostracion punctatus Bl. Schn.
White-spotted Box-fish.
1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 501 (and lentiginosus).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 39, pl. ccii, fig. 4.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 261.
Body 4-angled, without spines, ridges blunt. Back slightly convex,
without any median ridge. Interorbital space flat. Snout with
dorsal profile concave. Width of anterior opening of carapace narrow,
less than orbit. 7
Length.—Up to 165 mm. )
Colour.—Brownish, with numerous white dots on all parts, some
of them confluent into undulated lines.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 963
Ostracion diaphanus Bl. Schn.
Diaphanous Box-fish.
1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichth., p. 501.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 33, pl. ecu, fig. 2, and
pl. ceiv, fig. 3 (cornutus non Linn.).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 426 (references and synonymy).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 163 (references).
Body 4-angled. A pair of antorbital spines, a compressed spine in
middle of back, one on the dorso-lateral ridge opposite the mid-dorsal
spine, two on the ventro-lateral ridge, which ends in a strong spine.
Spines strong, but not elongate.
Length.—Up to 220 mm.
Colour.—Light brownish, silvery below, immaculate or with dark
spots.
Locality —Table Bay and False Bay to Natal, down to 36 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
Ostracion cornutus Linn.
Box-fish ; Cow-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 331.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 697, pl. clxxvi, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 423 (references and synonymy).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 162 (references and
synonymy).
Body 4-angled. A pair of antorbital spines, slender, elongate,
directed forwards. Each dorso-lateral ridge and the median line of
the back with a slight prominence, but no spine. Ventro-lateral ridge
ending behind in a long slender spine. Caudal fin very long in adult
examples.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, body and tail with bluish or blackish spots.
Locality.— Coast of Natal and Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
*Ostracion fornasint Bianc.
1846. Bianconi, Nov. Ann. Sci. Nat. Bologna, ser. 1, vol. v.
1855. Id., Spec. Zool. Mossamb., p. 229, pl. i, fig. 1.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 62
964 Annals of the South African Museum.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 34, pl. cciii, fig. 4.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 264.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 38, pl. 1x, fig. 1
(fuscomaculata).
Body 5-angled, the back elevated in a compressed ridge, capped
with a strong recurved spine. A pair of strong, but not elongate,
antorbital spines. Ventro-lateral ridge ending in a strong spine.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or brownish, with dark irregular spots and lines.
Locality. —Coast of Natal and Portuguese East Africa.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacifie.
Type of fuscomaculata in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
Gen. LACTOPHRYS Swains.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Classif. Fish., vol. 1, pp. 194, 324.
Carapace extending beyond and closed behind anal fin. Body
3-angled. Caudal peduncle naked. Vertebrae 14, the first 8 elongate.
L. quadricornis Linn. has been recorded from Angola, and is distin-
guished from the following species by having the supraorbital spines
pointing forwards.
Lactophrys concatenatus (Bl.).
Three-angled Box-fish.
1795. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, pl. cxxxi.
1849. Smith, Ilustr. Zool. 8. Afr. Pisces, pl. 18 (beeuspis).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 423 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 164 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 37.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvn, p. 265
(gibbosus non Linn.).
Body 3-angled, the ridges sharp. Dorsal ridge with two compressed
small spines, each ventro-lateral ridge with two similar spines. Supra-
orbital ridge with a very small spine, directed outwards and back-
wards; occasionally two spines, often none at all. All spines tend
to become less prominent or even obsolete in large specimens. In
the young (25 mm.) there are nearly always two supraorbital spines,
and a spine at both the anterior and posterior ends of the ventro-
lateral ridge. A knob or tubercle on snout immediately above mouth
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 965
in adult specimens. Whole of the skin granulate, without any bare
areas on the margins of the scutes. (Plate XXXVI, fig. 5.)
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish or brownish, head sometimes suffused with
darker, belly silvery.
Locality.—False Bay to Natal, down to 50 fathoms.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indian seas.
Closely allied to stellifer Bl. from Australia and the Indo-Pacific
gubbosus Linn. The latter is distinguished by the single, very large,
triangular spine on the dorsal ridge.
Jordan and Hubbs (1925, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 256) quote
the reference to Gilchrist and Thompson in their synonymy of stellifer,
and institute the new genus Tvvorus for this species. If this synonymy
is accepted the distribution of the species extends to Japan and
Australia.
Fam. 4. TETRODONTIDAE.
Globe-fishes ; Blaasops (Cape) ; Tobies (Natal).
Maxilla and premaxilla fused. Teeth fused into a beak, with a
median suture. No spinous dorsal. No ventral fins. No anal
spines. Caudal normal. Skin naked or with movable spines, rarely
with bony plates. Belly inflatable. Air-bladder present.
The Globe-fishes, or Puffers, form a rather large family of tropical
shallow-water fishes. Some of them live in brackish water and rivers.
They are remarkable for their capacity to inflate the belly, often to
such an extent that the body becomes almost spherical. Their flesh
1S poisonous. |
Key to the South African genera.
1. Back more or less rounded. Nostrils usually distinct . 5 . Tetrodon.
2. Back more or less sharply ridged. Nostrils inconspicuous or obsolete
Tropidichthys.
Gen. TETRODON Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 332.
Body oblong or elongate, broad or somewhat compressed, scabrous
or smooth. Nostrils on each side separate or confluent, sessile or on
a papilla, or tubular, or imperforate. Dorsal rays 6-19, anal 6-17.
Several attempts have been made to subdivide this large genus,
but as there are so many gradations from one form to another, the
various subgenera are often ill-defined. In this work all the species
are grouped in the comprehensive genus Tetrodon.
et es - ees ee ee eee ee = =
a = OE
> == ess Ct
966 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African species.
I. Nostrils paired, sessile (7.e. flush with the surface), or on a short papilla.
A. A lateral cutaneous fold.
1. Nostrils flush with surface. D and A 12-15, more or less falcate.
a. Whole interocular space bony (Lagocephalus).
i. Back naked. Caudal lunate : . lagocephalus.
ii. Back spinulose. Caudal truncate ; . oblongus.
b. Bony interorbital not as wide as interocular space (Spheroides).
ii Back naked . ; ; ; : . Inermis.
ii. Back spinulose.
a. Back uniformly coloured . . . spadiceus.
f. Back spotted. A triangular silvery patch in front.
of eye 5 : : : . sceleratus.
2. Nostrils on a short papilla. D 8-9. A 7-8
a. Upper teeth much smaller than lower. Back black, with
yellow spots . : : . honckent.
b. Upper teeth not much smaller étien lone Cheek with one
or more cross-bars_. . hypselogeneion.
B. No lateral fold. Dorsal in advance of anal poe rounded, of 6-9 rays.
1. Body smooth and naked (Liosaccus) . ‘ ‘ . cutaneus.
2. Body spinulose ; 5 : : ; . Spinosissimus.
II. Nostril on each side single, tubular . : : é pleurospilus.
III. Nostril a single, imperforate cavity surrounded by a lobed margin patoca.
IV. Nostril on each side consisting of a bifid solid tentacle.
A. Spots darker than ground colour. Vent ina black ring — aerostaticus.
B. Upper and lower margins of caudal fin black : immaculatus.
C. One or two pale rings round pectoral. : : : . hispidus.
Tetrodon lagocephalus Linn.
Atlantic Blaasop.
1759. Linné, Amoen. Acad., vol.1i, p. 310, pl. xin, fig. 4
1808. Donovan, Brit. Fish., vol. iii, pl. Ixvi (stellatus).
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. eet, Mus., vol. vill, p. 278.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 166 (references).
21925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 267
(stellatus).
Body elongate, depth about 6 in length. Naked above and on
sides. Belly from below middle of snout almost up to vent with
fixed 4-rooted short spines. Lateral cutaneous fold distinct. Length
of head less than its distance from dorsal fin. Interocular width equal
to snout and to postorbital part of head. Upper margins of orbits
formed by the lateral expansions of the frontals, the whole inter-
ocular space being thus formed by the bony interorbital. Nostrils
Vi
4
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 967
paired, flush with surface of snout. Mucous canals on head distinct.
D ‘14. A 12. Both faleate. Caudal lunate. Pectoral equal to
distance from point of snout to hind margin of eye, somewhat falcate.
on B. Gc: a, E.
Fie. 29.—Diagrams of right nostrils of Tetrodon: a, inermis; b, honckeni ;
c, pleurospilus ; d, patoca; e, immaculatus.
Length.—Up to 525 mm.
Colour.—Back dark brown or bluish-black, sides silvery, belly
white, small round black spots along sides; fins dark, except the
lower 4 of pectoral, which is white; young with dark cross-bands on
back as well as black spots on belly.
Locality.—Table Bay and False Bay to Algoa Bay and Natal.
Distribution.—Atlantic and Mediterranean, Mauritius.
It seems a little uncertain whether the lagocephalus of Linné,
supposed to be founded on Indian specimens, is identical with the
lagocephalus of Giinther or stellatus Donovan from Europe.
*Tetrodon oblongus Bl.
Olive Toby.
1795. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. ii, p. 6, pl. cxlvi, fig. 1.
1855. Bianconi, Spec. Zool. Mossamb., p. 224, pl. ii, fig. 1
(hartlaubi).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 62, pl. ceviul, fig. 4.
1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 278 (part).
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 702, pl. clxxxii, fig. 3.
Body moderately elongate, depth 3 in length. Back, belly, a band
in front of, and another behind pectoral! with small 2-rooted spines.
Lateral fold moderately distinct. Length of head equal to its distance
from dorsal. Interocular space exceeding length of snout. Eye about
midway between end of snout and gill-opening. Interorbital (in
adults) broad, equal to length of snout. Nostrils paired, flush with
surface. D 12. A10-11. Both falcate. Caudal truncate. Pectoral
shghtly longer than snout.
Length.—Up to 375 mm.
968 Annals of the South African Museum.
Colour.—Olivaceous, whitish below, back with brown bands en-
closing irregular oblong or round light spots.
Locality.—Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Tetrodon inermis Schleg.
Toby ; Grey Blaasop.
1847. Schlegel, Fauna Jap. Poiss., p. 278, pl. cxxti, fig. 2.
1878-88: Day, Kish. India, p. 70 plex, fic. 1:
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 431 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vol. 1, p. 39.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 266.
Body rather elongate, depth about 4 in length. Naked above and
on sides. Belly from below middle of snout to vent with lines of pores
or granules, representing spines. Lateral folds usually distinct. Length
of head about equal to its distance from the dorsal. Interocular space
not quite equal to length of snout. Hye nearer to gill-opening than
to end of snout. Interorbital equal to postorbital part of head. Nostrils
paired, flush with surface of snout. Mucous canals distinct. D 12.
A 11-12. Both somewhat faleate. Caudallunate. Pectoral rounded,
a little less than length of snout.
Length.— Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Uniform greenish-grey above, silvery or whitish below.
Locality.—Coast of Natal and Zululand, down to 45 fathoms.
Mstribution.—Indian seas, Japan, Australia.
The American laevigatus Linn. differs only in having small but
definite 3-rooted spines.
Tetrodon spadiceus Rich.
Golden Toby.
1844. Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Ichthyol., p. 123, pl. lvin, figs. 4, 5.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 64, pl. cevn, fig. 1.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 4381 (lwnaris var. spadiceus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 167 (references).
Body rather elongate, depth about 4 in length. Interorbital and
fore part of back and belly with small spines ; snout, sides, and tail
naked. Lateral fold distinct. Length of head equal to or a little less
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 969
than its distance from the dorsal. Interocular space subequal to
snout. Hye nearer gill-opening than to end of snout. Interorbital
equal to postorbital part of head. Nostrils paired, flush with surface
of snout. Mucous canals distinct. D 12. A 12. Both somewhat
falcate. Caudal lunate. Pectoral longer than snout.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Uniform brown above, sides silvery, belly white, fins
yellowish.
Locality.—Port Elizabeth to Natal, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
All the specimens examined belong to this form, which is sometimes
considered as a variety of Junaris Bl. Schn. It seems, however, to be
constantly distinguished by the rather shorter head and having only
the fore part of the back spinulose ; in luwnaris the whole of the back
is spinulose.
} Tetrodon sceleratus Forster.
Silver Blaasop.
1788. (Forster), Gmelin, Syst. Nat., p. 1444.
1832. Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. u, p. 184 (argyropleura).
21861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. l’Afr. Austr., p. 75 (blochz).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 64, pl. ccix, fig. 1.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 276.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 701.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 265.
Body elongate, depth 4-44 in length. Caudal peduncle depressed.
Head and back finely spinulose, belly with very small 3-rooted spines
extending slightly beyond anal fin, sides naked. Lateral fold distinct
from tail to chin. Length of head 2-3 its distance from the dorsal.
Interocular space about equal to snout. Eye nearer to gill-opening
than to end of snout. Interorbital equal to postorbital part of head.
Nostrils paired, flush with surface. Mucous canals distinct. D 11-12.
A 10-11. Both somewhat falcate. Caudal lunate. Pectoral about
equal to snout.
Length.—Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Brownish or olivaceous above, with numerous small
round black spots, sides with a distinct silvery band, below which a
light brown band running around chin, belly white, a triangular
silvery patch before the eye, gill-opening black.
Locality. False Bay, Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
970 Annals of the South African Museum.
One small specimen only. Castelnau’s inadequately described
species may possibly be synonymous, or may only be a young specimen
of the following species.
Tetrodon honckeni Bl.
‘ Blaasop.
1795. Bloch, Ausl. Fische, vol. i, p. 133, pl. exliii.
1861. Castelnau, Mem. Poiss. Afr. Austr., p. 74 (algoensis).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 60, pl. cevi, fig. 2.
1914. Gilchrist, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 109 (habits).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 429 (references).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 166 (references).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 40.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 267.
Body rather plump, depth 3-34 in length. Caudal peduncle stout.
Head, back, and belly, and a narrow band connecting back and belly
behind pectoral, with small cutaneous scale-like papillae; spines
minute, resembling setules, in adult usually obsolete ; a few similar
papillae extending to the tail along the lateral line and the lateral fold,
which latter is distinct only on the posterior part of body. Length of
head less than its distance from the dorsal. Interorbital space nearly
twice length of snout. Eye slightly nearer end of snout than gill-
opening. Bony interorbital narrow, twice in postorbital part of head.
Snout short, lower jaw prominent, chin square. Upper teeth much
smaller than lower. Nostrils paired, on a short papilla. Mucous canals
moderately distinct. D 8-9. A 7-8. Both slightly falcate. Caudal
truncate. Pectoral equal to interorbital width. (Plate XXX VI, fig. 6.)
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Bluish or brownish-black above, with numerous irregular
lemon-yellow or whitish spots of various sizes, belly pale yellowish,
caudal fin black.
Locality.— False Bay, Agulhas Bank to Natal and Zululand.
Distribution.—East Indies, China.
Tetrodon hypselogeneion Blkr.
Banded-cheek Blaasop.
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. i, p. 300.
1865. Id., Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 61, pl. cexi, fig. 5.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. Oil
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 702, pl. clxxxiii, fig. 5.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 430 (references).
Body not very elongate, depth 34-4 in length. Whole body, ex-
cept the sides on the posterior half of body and caudal peduncle, the
upper and lower surfaces of the latter and the chin, with minute spinules
hidden under scale-like cutaneous papillae. Lateral fold not very dis-
tinct. Length of head equal to its distance from dorsal. Interocular
space a little greater than snout. Hye midway between end of snout
and gill-opening. Interorbital very narrow, less than diameter of
eye. Lower jaw prominent, chin square. Upper teeth not much
smaller than lower. Nostrils paired, on a short papillae. Mucous
canals indistinct. D 9. A 7-8. Both somewhat rounded. Caudal
truncate. Pectoral equal to length of snout plus eye.
Length—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.— Brown or black above, with numerous small, round, whitish
spots, sides silvery, belly white, cheek with 1-5 cross-bars.
Locality.—Port Elizabeth to Natal, Delagoa Bay, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
The South African specimens have only one well-defined cross-bar
on the cheek in place of the usual 3-5.
Tetrodon cutaneus Guthr.
Smooth Blaasop.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 287.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 165.
1919. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. lvi, p. 206, fig. 3.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 40, pl. 1, fig. 3
(dubius).
Body oblong, depth 3-34 in length. Whole body perfectly naked
and smooth, with innumerable very fine longitudinal wrinkles. No
lateral fold. Length of head a little more than its distance from dorsal.
Interocular space equal to or a little more than length of snout. Eye
nearer gill-opening than to end of snout. Interorbital slightly less
than postorbital part of head. Mucous canals faint. Nostrils paired,
ona short papilla. D 8-9. A 7-8. Both small, oblong; dorsal wholly
in advance of anal. Caudal truncate. Pectoral subequal to post-
orbital part of head.
Length —Up to 312 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or olive above, lighter on sides, which are not
SS ee
SS ee ee
SS SS SS OS ee EE
972 Annals of the South African Museum.
silvery ; belly white; dorsal and anal whitish, pectoral pale olive,
caudal suffused with black at end.
Locality.—Table Bay, Algoa Bay, Natal coast, down to 100
fathoms.
Distribution.—St. Helena, Azores.
Type of dubius in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
Giinther queried the Cape as a locality for this species, but there is
no doubt that these specimens are identical with his. The Table Bay
specimen bridges the gap in the distribution.
Tetrodon sprnosissimus Regan.
Many-spined Blaasop.
1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., Zool., vol. xii, pt. 3; p. 253,
Jol SO-o-als aml (3y,
1910. Annandale and Jenkins, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. i, pt. 1,
p: 14) ples)
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i, p. 39, pl. u, fig. 1
(unifasciatus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 265 (un-
fasciatus).
Body rather short, depth about 2 in length. Whole body, except
lips and caudal peduncle, with rather strong 2-rooted spines. No
lateral fold. Length of head less than its distance from dorsal fin.
Kye subequal to snout, and midway between end of snout and gill-
opening. Interocular space nearly twice, interorbital scarcely more
than 4, diameter of eye. Mucous canals distinct. Nostrils paired, on
a short papilla. D8. A 6-7. Both small, oblong; dorsal in advance
of anal (not well shown in Regan’s figure). Caudal truncate. Pectoral
slightly longer than postocular part of head.
Length.—Up to 110 mm.
Colour.—Grey above, lighter below ; a dark spot above and behind
each eye, another at base of dorsal; a diffuse dark patch on side; fins
light ; caudal with black posterior margin ; minute black specks over
the belly.
Locality.— Coast of Natal and Zululand, 40-120 fathoms.
Distribution.—Seychelles, 123 fathoms ; Indian seas, 100 fathoms ;
Hong Kong.
Type of untfasciatus in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
ae
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 973
Tetrodon pleurospilus Regan.
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 4, p. 203.
Body rather elongate, depth about 3 in length. Naked, except for
a patch of spines on belly extending from below eye to vent. No
lateral fold. Length of head rather less than its distance from the
dorsal. Interocular space rather greater than length of snout, inter-
orbital equal to postocular part of head. Eye about midway between
gill-opening and end of snout, which is rather pointed. Mucous canals
indistinct. Each nostril consisting of a short tube bilobed at its end.
D9. A 7. Both small, oblong; anal arising below last dorsal ray.
Caudal subtruncate. Pectoral slightly shorter than length of snout.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown above, belly white; sides with a series of
more or less confluent dark spots running from mouth to tail and con-
nected with the dark upper parts by 4 irrregular transverse bars, 1
across cheek, 1 before and behind gill-opening, 1 just in front of
level of dorsal, and 1 at base of caudal peduncle.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Type in British Museum.
Tetrodon patoca Ham. Buch.
1822. Hamilton-Buchanan, Fish. Ganges, pp. 7, 363, pl. xviu, fig. 2.
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 76, pl. ccx, fig. 2.
1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vii, p. 288.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 703, pl. clxxxu, fig. 4 (references).
Body oblong, depth about 34 in length. Back and belly with very
small spines, rest of body naked. No lateral fold. Length of head
rather less than its distance from dorsal fin. Interocular space greater
than snout, about 2 length of head, interorbital equal to postocular
part of head. Hye midway between end of snout and gill-opening.
Mucous canals moderately distinct. Each nostril a single imperforate
cavity with a raised, lobed margin. D 9-10. A 8-9. Both rounded.
Caudal subtruncate. Pectoral equal to snout.
Length.—Up to 325 mm.
Colour.—Brownish above, with numerous round or oval white spots ;
belly white ; young often with 4 blackish cross-bands (through eyes,
pectoral, dorsal, and end of caudal peduncle) ; fins light, end half of
caudal fin suffused with blackish.
Locality. Delagoa Bay, Chinde.
Distribution.—Indian seas, Kast Indies, China.
~- ————-
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974 Annals of the South African Museum.
Tetrodon aerostaticus Jenyns.
Black-spotted Toby.
1842. Jenyns, Voy. Beagle, Zool., p. 152.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 705, pl. clxxxiii, fig. 3 (stellatus).
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 429 (references and synonymy).
Body oblong, depth about 24 in length. Whole body, except lips
and extreme end of caudal peduncle, with small spines. Length of
head about equal to its distance from dorsal fin. Eye midway between
gill-opening and end of snout. Interocular space about equal to,
interorbital ¢, length of snout. Each nostril with a bifid tentacle,
without opening. D 10-11. A 10-11. Both rounded. Caudal
rounded. Pectoral less than snout.
Length.—Up to 600 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown above, with black spots, which are confluent
into stripes in young ; belly whitish, in adult without stripes or with
very faint darker lines, in young with rather broad black bands which
are either confluent or broken up into spots ; fins more or less spotted,
base of pectoral and a ring round gill-opening black ; lower lip black,
a black ring round vent.
Locality.—Natal coast, Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
Tetrodon immaculatus Bl. Schn.
Immaculate Toby.
1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 507.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 703, pl. clxxxiu, fig. 4.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 427 (references and synonymy).
var. virgata Rich.
Banded Toby.
1846. Richardson, Voy. Erebus and Terror, Fish., p. 62, pl. xxxix,
figs. 8, 9.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, loc. cit., p. 428 (references and
synonymy).
Body oblong, depth about 3 in length. Whole body, except lips
:
i
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 975
and hind part of caudal peduncle, with small spines. Length of head
about equal to its distance from the dorsal. Eye midway between
gill-opening and end of snout. Interocular space about equal to,
interorbital ?, length of snout. Each nostril with a bifid tentacle,
without opening. D9-10. A 9-10. Bothrounded. Caudal rounded.
Pectoral scarcely as long as snout.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, lighter below, with or without several dark
longitudinal stripes, sometimes a white spot over eye ; caudal fin with
upper and lower margins and end black, base of pectoral black; no
black ring round vent.
Locality. Natal, Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
The banded variety seems to be much rarer in Natal waters than
the immaculate form.
Tetrodon hispidus Lacép.
Rough Toby.
1798. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 487, pl. xxiv, fig. 2.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 706, pl. clxxxiil, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p- 427 (references and synonymy).
Body oblong, depth about 3 in length. Whole body, except snout
and hind part of caudal peduncle, with short bristle-like spines.
Length of head about equal to its distance from dorsal fin. Eye mid-
way between gill-opening and end of snout. Interocular width equal
to, interorbital 3, length of snout. Hach nostril with a bifid tentacle,
without opening. D10. A10. Bothrounded. Caudal rounded or
subtruncate. Pectoral nearly as long as snout.
Length.—Up to 500 mm.
Colour.—Dark brown above, with scattered, round, bluish-white
spots ; sides often with 4-5 vertical dark cross-bars, belly white, with
or without numerous longitudinal dark stripes; fins pale or dusky,
caudal often with pale spots, a dark blotch round gill-opening and
pectoral, bordered by one or two whitish rings, no black ring round
vent.
Locality.—East London to Natal and Portuguese Hast Africa.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, Australia.
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976 Annals of the South African Museum.
Gen. TROPIDICHTHYS Blkr.
1839. Swainson, Nat. Hist. Class. Fish., vol. ui, p. 194 (Canthigaster,
no type specified).
1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. vi, p. 500 (Lropidichthys).
Body short, deep, compressed, the back more or less sharply ridged.
Nostrils very small and inconspicuous, sometimes apparently imper-
forate. Dorsal rays 8-12, anal 8-10.
Key to the South African species.
1. No black spot at base of dorsal fin.
a. D 11-12. No dark cross-bands . : : : , . natalensis.
b. D 9(-10). Three to four dark cross-bands . : : . valentini.
2. A black spot at base of dorsal fin.
a. Body with light spots x . : margaritatus.
b. Body with 2 dark stripes from oehordl +6 fal : . caudofasciatus.
*Tropidichthys natalensis (Guthr.).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 79, pl. Cex aaa
(amboinensis).
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 303 (amboinensis
var.)
1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., vol. xii, pt. 3, p. 253.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 431.
Profile of the back low. No black spot at base of dorsal fin. Head
and body scabrous. D 11-12. A 11.
Length.—Up to 220 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, with numerous roundish, black spots, inter-
mixed with similar white ones, the sides of the head in front of pectoral
and basal half of caudal fin ornamented like the rest of the body,
cheeks with short horizontal and vertical bluish lines.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Seychelles.
This form appears to be merely a colour variety of the East Indian
amboinensis Blkr.
*Tropidichthys cinctus (Rich.).
Valentyn’s Blaasop ; Zeehaantje (Dutch East Indies).
1850. Richardson, Voy. Samarang, Zool., p. 19.
1854. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. iv, p. 130 (valentine).
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 977
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch. Naturge., vol. xxi, p. 275 (taeniatus).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 80, pl. cevin, fig. 1 (valentinz).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii,
p. 433, fig. 189.
Profile of back rather high. No dark spot at base of dorsal. D 9-10.
A 9. Head and body scabrous.
Length —Up to 175 mm.
Colour.—Olivaceous, lighter below, 3-4 dark brownish-black cross-
bands, body with orange ocelli, head with bluish lines.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indian seas, East Indies, Polynesia.
*Tropidichthys margaritatus (Riipp.).
Ocellate Toby.
1828. Riippell, Atlas Fische, p. 66.
1844. Richardson, Voy. Sulphur, Fish., p. 125, pl. Ivu, figs. 4-6
(soland77).
1850. Id., Voy. Samarang, Fish., p. 20, pl. 1x, figs. 1, 2 (ensignitus).
1855. Bianconi, Mem. Acad. Sc. Bologn., vol. vi, p. 147, pl. u, fig. 2
(peterst).
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch. Naturge., p. 274 (ocellatus).
1865. Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol., vol. v, pp. 80, 81, pl. ccxiv, fig. 5,
and pl. cexiu, fig. 4 (ocellatus and margaritatus).
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 300.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 707 (references).
1910. Annandale and Jenkins, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. 1, pt. 1, p. 16,
pie te. 3:
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 266.
Profile of back rather high. A black spot at base of dorsal fin. Head
and body scabrous. D 9-10. A 9.
Length.— Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Dull orange or olivaceous, lighter below, with numerous
yellow (or bluish) dark-edged ocelli on back and sides, those on the
back more or less confluent into horizontal or transverse angular
stripes ; lines on the head horizontal, a black spot at base of dorsal,
fins yellowish.
Locality.— Natal, Mozambique.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa, Indo-Pacific.
SS SLES OSES SES
—
——————
978 Annals of the South African Museum.
Tropidichthys caudofasciatus (Gnthr.).
Two-stripe Toby.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 304.
1900. Steindachner, Denks. Ak. Wiss. Wien, vol. lxx, p. 518,
pl. ii, fig. 3.
1901. Jenkins, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xix (1899), p. 400,
fig. 12 (brtaencatus).
1905. Jordan and Evermann, zbid., vol. xxiii (1903), p. 435, fig. 191
(bitaenratus).
1908. Regan, Tr. Linn. Soc. Lond., Zool., vol. xii, pt. 3, p. 253.
Profile of back low. A black (ill-defined) spot at base of dorsal.
Belly spinulose, a very few feeble spinules on back and nape, rest of
body naked. D10. A 10.
Length.—Up to 90 mm.
Colour (as preserved).—Brownish above, with small, dark brown
spots and reticulations ; a blackish ill-defined spot at base of dorsal ;
a dark stripe from base of upper caudal ray to pectoral, passing round
in front of pectoral and running backwards to tail more or less parallel
with the upper stripe; a small black spot on outer side of base of
pectoral; snout suffused, with indistinct darker lines; curved brown
cross-bars on caudal fin and bases of upper and lower caudal rays
blackish ; belly whitish, immaculate.
Locality.— Coast of Natal and Zululand, 40 fathoms.
Distribution.—Philippine and Hawaiian Islands; Seychelles, 37
fathoms.
Fam. 5. DIODONTIDAE.
Porcupine Fishes.
Maxilla and premaxilla fused. Teeth fused into a beak, without
median suture. No spinous dorsal. No ventral fins. No anal spines.
Caudal normal. Skin with well-developed more or less movable spines.
Belly inflatable, but not so strongly as in the Tetrodontidae. Air-
bladder present.
The Porcupine Fishes live in shallow water in tropical and sub-
tropical regions. Their singular form has always attracted collectors
of curios, and consequently the majority of species have been well
known since the early days of Ichthyology. The synonymy, however,
seems considerably confused. The flesh is poisonous.
As in the genus Tetrodon, attempts have been made to distribute
%
PLATE XXXVI.
FIG. TEXT-PAGE
1. Dactyloptena orientalis (C. and V.) (after Day) : ; ; ‘ . 947
2. Triacanthodes ethiops Alck. (after Alcock) . : ‘ : : - 949
3. Balistes stellatus Lac. (after Day). , : : Y ; : “, ee
4, Diodon hystrix Linn. (after Day) . : ; : : , : - 980
5. Lactophrys concatenatus (Bl.) (after Smith) . ‘ : g p . 964
6. Tetrodon honckeni Bl. (original) . , ‘ : : ; ‘ - “S70
7. Antennarius hispidus Bl. Schn. (after Day) . : : : ‘ - 1001
8. Chaunax pictus Lowe (after Goode and Bean) : 5 s - 1003
Plate XXXVI
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. X XI.
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 979
the species among several genera. Regan and Boulenger, however,
recognise only two genera: Diodon and Lyosphaera. The latter is
distinguished by the very fine and feeble spines attached to papery
plates, and very short anal fin of only 4 rays.
Gen. Diopon Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 335.
Body stout, with strong spines, which are either 2- or 3-rooted ;
the 2-rooted spines being movable. Nostrils in a tubular papilla.
D 10-15. A 10-15.
Key to the South African species.
I. Nasal tube simple, with 2 openings.
A. Spines mostly 2-rooted, movable (Diodon).
1. Spines not compressed.
a. Frontal spines longer than others : : holacanthus.
6. Frontal spines shorter than others.
i. Small round black spots only é : : hystrix.
ii. Large irregular black bands and spots as well as smaller
ones . : ; : 5 5 . maculatus.
2. Spines strongly compressed : ; : . maculifer,
B. Spines mostly 3-rooted, immovable (Ghilamuctanuay
1. Foremost spines 2-rooted, 4—5 over eye : : ; calori.
2. All spines 3-rooted.
a. Three spines over eye.
i. Nine transverse series before dorsal fin. No skinny
tentacles. : : orbicularis.
il. Eleven transverse series. Skinny anteleles scattered over
body . ; : : : ‘ . echinatus.
b. Two spines over eye.
i. Narrow light and dark longitudinal stripes . spinosus.
li. Large and small black spots ; : antennatus.
II. Nasal tentacle with 2 branches, no opening (Dicotylichthys) . punctulatus.
Diodon holacanthus Linn.
Long-spined Porcupine Fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 335.
1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 307 (spinosis-
simus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 168 (references).
Spines 2-rooted, subulate, very long and slender ; frontal spines at
least as long as, usually longer than, those behind the pectoral, about
VOL. XXT, PART 2. 63
i
i 980 Annals of the South African Museum.
twice the diameter of eye. Upper part of caudal peduncle with one
pair of spines. Fourteen to seventeen transverse series of spines
ih between snout and dorsal fin. Nasal tube simple. D 12-13. A 12.
Length.—Up to 375 mm.
: Colour.—Greyish or brownish above, with round black spots, a
r more or less distinct black band across the chin, belly white, fins pale,
i dorsal, caudal, and pectoral with black spots.
5 Locality.— Table Bay.
id Distribution.—All warm seas.
It is possible that this form is synonymous with hystrix; the two
forms may be the two sexes of one species.
Diodon hystrix Linn.
" Porcupine Fish ; Zee-vark.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 335.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 708, pl. clxxix, fig. 4.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 169 (references and
E synonymy).
\ 1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 267.
F Spines 2-rooted, subulate, frontal spines shorter than those behind
pectoral, not more than 14 times diameter of eye. Upper part of
caudal peduncle with 2-3 pairs of spines. Fourteen to seventeen
f transverse rows of spines between snout and dorsal fin. Nasal tube
) simple. D12. A12. (Plate XXXVI, fig. 4.)
‘ Length.—Up to 625 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or brownish above, with round black spots, belly
| white ; fins pale, all spotted with black.
Locality.— False Bay, Agulhas Bank, Natal.
Distribution.—All warm seas.
Diodon maculatus Lacép.
1800. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 11, p. 13.
! 1818. Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat., vol. iv, p. 136 (multimaculatus).
| 1865. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. v, p. 57, pl. cevi, fig. 3 (novem-
maculatus).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 170 (references).
1922. Norman, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. ix, p. 322.
Spines 2-rooted, subulate, frontal spines shorter than those behind
pectoral, rather longer than diameter of eye. Upper part of caudal
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 981
peduncle without spines. Sixteen to nineteen transverse rows of
spines between snout and dorsal fin. Nasal tube simple. D12. A 12.
Usually some skinny tentacles above eye, on back, throat, and belly.
Length.—Up to 300 mm.
Colour.—Greyish or brownish above, with large irregular black
patches mixed with small spots, belly white, fins unspotted; the
larger patches usually disposed as follows: one between eyes and
extending down on to cheek, one across nape extending in front of
pectoral, one in middle of back, one behind pectoral, one at base of
dorsal extending downwards towards anal.
Locality. Knysna, Agulhas Bank.
Distribution.— All warm seas.
*Diodon maculifer Kaup.
Flat-spined Porcupine Fish.
1787. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. cxxvi (non Linn.).
1855. Kaup, Wiegm. Archiv. Naturge., p. 229.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 171 (references).
Spines 2-rooted, strongly compressed laterally. Upper part of
caudal peduncle without spines. About 15 transverse series of spines
between snout and dorsal fin. Nasal tube simple.
Length.—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Dark above, with round black spots, belly white, fins
usually unspotted.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.— West Indies.
* Diodon calori Bianc.
1855. Bianconi, Mem. Ac. Sc. Bonon., vol. vi, p. 145.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 309.
Spines short, moderately strong. Foremost spines on head and
around snout 2-rooted and erectile, all the rest 3-rooted. Four to five
supraorbital spines. About 17 transverse series of spines between
snout and dorsal fin. A pair of spines on side of caudal peduncle.
Inner masticatory plate with about 7 transverse grooves. Nasal tube
simple. D12. A?
Length—Up to 250 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, with a dark bar below eye, another in front of
982 Annals of the South African Museum.
gill-opening ; a blackish blotch behind pectoral; base of dorsal, and a
spot on either side of caudal peduncle, black.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Kast coast of Africa.
Diodon orbicularis Bl.
1787. Bloch, Ichthyol., pl. cxxvii.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 172 (references).
1919. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u1, pt. 4, p. 203.
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., i,. p. 38, pl. ix,
fig. 2 (parcomaculatus).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 267.
All spines 3-rooted, strong but short. Three supraorbital spines
and one in middle of forehead. About 9 transverse series between
snout and dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle spineless, except roots of a pair
of lateral spines crossing behind dorsal fin. Superciliary edges raised.
Jaws feeble, inner masticatory surface smooth, concave. Nasal tube
simple. D12. A 12.
Length.—Up to 150 mm.
Colour.—Brownish, irregularly clouded and spotted with black or
dark brown, the most constant spots being 2 behind and below the
eye, some behind the pectoral, and between the dorsal and anal fins ;
fins faintly banded.
Locality. —Table Bay (rare), False Bay to Natal, down to 60 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Type of parcomaculatus in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
Diodon echinatus (Gron.).
1854. Gronovius, Syst., ed. Gray, p. 27.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 312.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 171.
All spines 3-rooted, short and rather feeble. Three supraorbital
spines and one in middle of forehead. About 11 transverse series of
spines between snout and dorsal fin. Caudal peduncle spineless, but
roots of 2 lateral spines crossing behind dorsal fin. Superciliary ridges
not raised. Slender filamentous cutaneous tentacles arising from the
bases of many of the spines on head, back, sides, and belly. Jaws
strong, upper with a median ridge, inner masticatory surface with 2-3
pads, divided by a median line. Nasal tube simple. D12. A 11.
Length.— Up to 175 mm.
eT ee ee Oe ee
ee a ee. ee ba an aa
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 983
Colour.—Brownish above, belly white, black spots on back, sides,
and belly, fins unspotted.
Locality.— False Bay, Agulhas Bank.
Distribution.—There is a specimen, ascribed to this species, from
Muscat in the British Museum.
*Diodon spinosus Linn.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 325.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. and N. Amer., p. 1748,
fig. 649 (schoepfi).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 172 (references and
synonymy).
All spines 3-rooted, strong but short. Two supraorbital spines and
one in middle of forehead. Superciliary edge raised. Fleshy tentacles
along lower parts of sides, one on each side of anal fin especially
developed, usually one between the superciliary spines. Caudal
peduncle spineless, but roots of 2 lateral spines crossing behind dorsal
fin. Nasaltube simple. D12. A 10.
Length.—Up to 225 mm.
Colour.—Brownish above, with narrow light and dark brown longi-
tudinal stripes which become oblique on sides, a large black blotch
behind pectoral and another at base of dorsal fin, belly white, fins
unspotted.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—N. and 8. Atlantic, West Indies.
* Diodon antennatus Cuv.
1818. Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat., vol. iv, p. 131, pl. vu,
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 171 (references).
All spines 3-rooted, strong but short. Two supraorbital spines
and one in middle of forehead. Superciliary edge not raised. Fleshy
tentacles along lower parts of sides, one on each side of anal fin
especially developed, usually one between the superciliary spines.
Caudal peduncle spineless, but roots of 2 lateral spines crossing behind
dorsal fin. Nasal tube simple.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Brownish above, a black spot on nape, one above pectoral,
and another at base of dorsal, generally a small black spot below
984 Annals of the South African Museum.
eye, back and sides also with smaller black spots, belly dusky, fins
unspotted.
Locality.—Cape seas.
Distribution.—West Indies.
*Diodon punctulatus (Kaup).
1855. Kaup, Wiegm. Arch. Naturge., p. 230.
1899. Waite, Mem. Austr. Mus., vol. iv, p. 98, pl. xix.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 173.
Anterior spines 2-rooted, erectile, rest 3-rooted. Dorsal spines
much shorter than those on sides and belly. About 13 transverse
series of spines between snout and dorsal fin. Nasal tentacle
2-branched, without opening. D12. A 12.
Length.— Up to 425 mm.
Colour.—Brownish above, with small round scattered spots; a
vertical black bar below eye, a large black spot in front of, and a larger
one behind, pectoral; fins unspotted.
Locality.—Cape seas.
DMistribution.—Eastern Australia ; Mauritius ?
Fam. 6. MoLipag.
Sun-fishes.
Maxilla and premaxilla fused. Teeth fused into a beak, without
median suture. No spinous dorsal. No ventral fins. No anal spines.
No caudal fin. Dorsal and anal fins high. Body strongly compressed,
non-inflatable, more or less truncate posteriorly. Skin rough or
tessellated. Air-bladder absent. Pseudobranchiae well developed.
The Sun-fish is one of the most remarkable of fishes. The shape of
the body, the small mouth, high dorsal and anal fins, and absence of
tail fin render it distinctive. To these characters may be added the
enormous size (8 or even 10 ft.) and weight to which the species of
Mola grow. :
Sun-fishes are usually captured when swimming at the surface of
the open sea, but are known to descend to considerable depths. They
swim leisurely, and when at the surface the high dorsal fin projects
above the water. They appear to be more or less gregarious, at
least at certain seasons (Albert de Monaco, Bull. Soc. Zool. France,
vol. xiv, 1889, p. 16, and Pellegrin, zbid., vol. xxxvu, 1912, p. 229). |
The species of Mola are known to feed chiefly on larval Eels (Lepto-
cephali), and Jelly-fishes.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 985
Definite information as to the life-history of the Sun-fishes has only
recently been obtained (see Schmidt, Medd. Havunders. Copenhagen,
ser. Hisk., 6, 1921, No. 6, and Nature, vol. cvii, No. 2681, p. 76,
figs., 1921). The newly hatched larva resembles an ordinary fish,
with strong tail. Conical spinose protuberances are developed over
Cy
Fic. 30.—Four stages in the growth of the Sun-fish. a, 6, copies from Schmidt ;
c, d, copies from Ryder. The younger stages more highly magnified than the
older stages.
the whole body (fig. 30 a). At a later stage the tail is reduced and
(in Mola lanceolatus) 5 of the spines reach an enormous development
(fig. 30 6).
Later all the spines are reduced, though traces of them may be
found even in the adult, as for instance the bony tubercles on the
throat. The larval forms were formerly placed in a separate genus :
Molacanthus (fig. 30 ¢, d.). ;
Two genera are recognised.
a
a 5 ae
a_i
986 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Skin rough. Gill-rakers concealed in thick skin . : : ; . Mola.
2. Skin smooth, tesselated with small hexagonal plates. Géill-rakers free
Ranzania.
Gen. Moua Linck.
1790. Linck, Mag. Neu. Phys. Naturge., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 37.
1798. Cuvier, Tabl. Elem. Hist. Nat. Anim., p. 323.
1801. Bloch-Schneider, Syst. Ichthyol., p. 510 (Orthagoriscus).
1884. Guill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vii, p. 425 (Masturus).
Body ovate, strongly compressed. Skin thick, rough, leathery,
granulate, but without bony plates. Gull-rakers (in lanceolata) feeble,
concealed in thick fleshy skin. I have not been able to examine a
fresh example of mola to see the character of the gill-rakers.
Two species are recognised.
Key to the South African species.
1. Hind end of body rounded or lobed (Mola) . : : : a mola.
2. Hind end of body more or less pointed (Masturus) : 3 . lanceolata.
Mola mola (Linn.).
Sun-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, pp. 334, 412.
1913. Wairte, Tr. N.Z. Inst., vol. xlv, p. 223, pl. 1x:
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 174 (references and
synonymy).
The hind end of the body is truncate, but slightly convex, and
divided irregularly into a number of lobes. Snout, particularly in old
examples, more prominent than chin. The skin, especially in old
examples, is very coarse and rough, with patches of bony tubercles.
Dorsal and anal fins, especially in large specimens, short and obtuse.
Length.—Up to 2400 mm. (8 ft.).
Colour.—Uniform greyish or olivaceous-brown, or blackish ; young
examples dark above, with more or less conspicuous dark round spots on
hind part of body, belly whitish; in the very young the belly is silvery.
Locality.—Table Bay, Agulhas Bank, Durban.
Distribution.—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The only record I have of this fish from Durban rests on a news-
paper picture, undated. I have not been able to obtain any further
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 987
particulars. The figure shows a young specimen, nearly as deep as long;
length of dorsal and anal fins subequal to length of head and about 3
in total length ; hind end of body evenly convex, faintly lobed. The
upper half of the body is dark and on the hinder part are some dark
round spots.
Fic. 31.—Outline of Mola lanceolata, from specimen in South African Museum.
Mola lanceolata (Lién.).
Pointed-tailed Sun-fish.
1840. Liénard, Mag. Zool., p. 291.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 319.
1889. Perugia, Ann. Mus. Civ. Genova, [II], vol. 27.
1896. Collett, Res. Sci. Camp. Monaco, fasc. 10, p. 163, pl. vi,
fig. 1 (mola).
1922. Jordan and Jordan, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 88, fig. 7.
The hind end of the body is triangularly produced to a point,
forming an apparent tail. Chin more prominent than the snout.
Skin granular, not so rough as in mola. Dorsal and anal fins elevated,
pointed, more or less falcate.
~~). —, =
988 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—Up to 1875 mm. (6 ft. 3 in.).
Colour.—Dark brown or blackish above, lighter beneath.
Locality.—Table Bay.
Distribution.— Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
From the records given below it appears that this species, though
not observed so often as mola, is far from uncommon in South
African waters.
By most ichthyologists this form is regarded as synonymous with
mola. Collett concluded that the pointed “ tail’? was an abnormal
retention in the adult of a juvenile feature. The constancy, however,
of the characters observed in these forms indicated a distinct species.
Proof of this is now established by the researches of Dr. Schmidt (see
reference above), who finds distinguishing features in the larval and
post-larval stages of the two forms.
There appear to be more fin-rays in lanceolata than in mola
(Giinther gives D 24, A 21, and D 17-18, A 14-19 respectively) ; but
they are difficult to count accurately, and are not taken into account
here.
Sun-fishes are of frequent occurrence in, or in the neighbourhood
of, Table Bay. They seem to come inshore mostly in mid or late
summer as the following records show ; contrary perhaps to expecta-
tion, they are seldom observed during the winter months when storms
and heavy seas come in from the N. and N.W.
(lanceolata) February, 1900. Mounted in South African Museum.
(mola) April, 1907. Mounted in South African Museum, 7 ft.
(mola) 3rd February, 1917.
(lanceolata) January, 1918. Mounted in South African Museum,
64 ft.
(mola) 6th November, 1920.
(lanceolata) 9th July, 1921.
(mola) 25th December, 1923. Two specimens.
(mola) 1st January, 1924.
(mola) January, 1925.
(lanceolata) 6th to 18th March, 1927. Two specimens, one mounted
in South African Museum.
(mola) June, 1927. Hermanus coast.
These are records notified to, or observed by, the South African
Museum. Many other specimens are certainly washed ashore, which
are not notified to the Museum.
In all the specimens I have examined there is a band around the
- A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 989
bases of the dorsal and anal fins connected by a vertical band across
the base of the tail. In mola this band is more or less granular, but
never so strongly granular as the rest of the skin, and consequently
is always easily distinguishable. In lanceolata it is even more dis-
tinct, as it is nearly or quite smooth. These bands, of course, are
the areas where the skin is pliable, allowing movement of the fins.
Gen. RanzaAnia Nardo.
1840. Nardo, Ann. Sci. Regno. Lomb. Venet., vol. v, pp. 10, 105.
Body elongate-ovate, especially in young, strongly compressed.
Fic. 32.—Ranzania truncata. Semidiagrammatic, to show pattern of markings.
From specimen in South African Museum.
Skin smooth, tessellated with small hexagonal plates. Smaller in size
than Mola. Gill-rakers free, 9-10 on anterior arch, each with a sharp
point.
A single widely distributed species is known.
Ranzania truncata (Retz.).
Oblong Sun-fish.
1785. Retzius, Vet. Ak. Nya Handl., vol. vi, pt. 2, p. 116.
1895. Jenkins, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci.,‘ser. 2, vol. v, p. 780, pl. (makua).
990 Annals of the South African Museum.
1905. Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxiii
(1903), p. 440, fig. 194 (makua).
1912. Pellegrin, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. xxxvii, p. 228,
here:
1913. Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xliv, p. 455,0pl bem
(makua).
1915. Ribeiro, Arch. Mus. Nac. Rio de Jan., vol. xvii, Molidae,
p. 4, pl.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 176 (references).
Body about twice as long as deep (a young specimen, described by
Snyder, has the body 3 times as long as deep), hind end truncate,
very slightly convex. Dorsal and anal fins narrow, elevated, and
pointed.
Length.—Up to 700 mm.
Colour.—Dark blackish-brown above, silvery on sides and belly ;
sides of head with a number of transverse silver bands, the first three
on the snout with black margins, the other 4—6 with small black spots,
and black margins only at ventral ends ; sides of body with a network
of bright silver bands, with small black spots, enclosing oval patches
of dull greyish silver ; back with irregular dark marks, hind end of
body with dull bluish-silver spots, pectoral bluish-silvery ; dorsal and
anal black, “ tail’ pinkish-brown or violaceous.
Locality.—Table Bay, False Bay.
Distribution.—Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
There are three specimens of this species in the South African
Museum, the largest 254 inches in length. No data are available
about the first specimen beyond the fact that it was washed up on
Blaauwberg Beach, Table Bay. The second specimen was caught at
Gordon’s Bay, False Bay, on Ist November, 1911, and arrived at the
Museum with the colours and markings well shown. The third speci-
men was obtained by a trawler off Dassen Island on the west coast in
May 1926. Its stomach contained several pieces (in various stages of
digestion) of littoral seaweeds, some of which had evidently been torn
off the rocks.
In the Hawaiian Islands this fish is called the King of the Mackerels.
All Mackerel and allied fishes are supposed to be subjugate to this
Sun-fish in the same manner as the Oar-fish (Regalecus) in Norway is
regarded as the King of the Herrings.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 991
Division 21. PEDICULATI.
(1912. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. ix, p. 277.)
Air-bladder, if present, without an open duct (physoclystic). No
mesocoracoid. Mouth bordered above mainly by the premaxillae.
Opercle large, but hidden under the skin. Gill-opening often reduced
to a small slit, more or less behind the base of the pectoral fin. Gills
reduced. Ventral fins, if present, jugular. Spinous portion of dorsal
normal, or modified in structure and position, the anterior rays being
on the head. Skin frequently naked.
This division comprises two groups: the more normally constructed
Batrachoidei, and the highly aberrant Lophioider. The former are a
connecting link between the Blennies, next to which they are frequently
classed, and the latter. The most important feature which the two
groups have in common is the more or less elongate and arm-like base
of the pectoral fin (pseudobrachium).
Key to the South African families.
I. Spinous dorsal normal. Gill-openings wide, in front of pectoral (Batrachoidet)
Batrachoididae.
II. Spinous dorsal modified to form tentacles on the head. Gill-openings small,
more or less behind pectoral (Lophioidei).
A. Pseudobranchiae present. Body depressed : : Lophiidae.
B. Pseudobranchiae absent.
1. Body compressed.
a. Ventral fins present.
i. Spinous dorsal with 3 spines ; . Antennariidae.
ii. Spinous dorsal represented by 2 spines, or by the Ist only
Chaunacidae.
b. Ventral fins absent.
i. Soft dorsal with 5 rays : : Himantolophidae.
ul. Soft dorsal with 12-15 rays . . . Melanocetidae.
2 Body depressed : : ; ; ; Onchocephalidae.
Fam. 1. BATRACHOIDIDAE.
Mouth very large, bordered mainly by the maxillae. Teeth usually
strong, on both jaws and palate. Body robust, head and anterior part
of body more or less depressed. Skin with small cycloid scales or
naked. Gills 3. Pseudobranchiae absent. Gill-membranes broadly
united to the isthmus. Branchiostegals 6. Dorsal fin with 2-3 spines
detached from the long soft portion. Anal also long, without spines.
Ventrals jugular, with 1 spine and 2-3 branched rays. Pectorals
very broad. Pyloric caeca none.
——
SSS = —————
ca —- =o
+ — —_—_
a
eee ee
= <— --
SS =
ee
= —
992 Annals of the South African Museum.
Voracious, carnivorous fishes from warm and tropical seas, some-
times ascending rivers. The young are able to adhere to rocks by
means of a ventral disc, which, however, soon disappears. The eggs
are very large and are deposited in a rock crevice, or beneath a stone,
where they are guarded by the male. An account of the biology of
the American forms is given by Gill (Smiths. Misc. Coll., vol. xlviii,
p. 388, 1907).
In some species the opercular and dorsal spines are hollow and con-
vey poison from poison glands situated beneath the skin at their bases.
The South African species are not poisonous.
Most of the species make a grunting noise when handled, whence
they are called Knorhaan in the Dutch East Indies.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Body scaleless . ‘ : ; ; : ; Marcgravia.
2. Body with small scales, often obscured by mucus . : : Batrachoides.
Gen. MarcGRAviaA Jord.
1887. Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. ix, p. 546.
1915. Ribeiro, Arch. Mus. Nac. Janeiro, vol. xvii, Batrachoididae,
p. 3. (Marcgravichthys).
Body robust, scaleless. Head large, depressed. Teeth in series on
jaws and palate, usually a double series in the front of the jaws.
Opercle with two diverging spines. Subopercle with 2 spines which
are subparallel, or moderately divergent. No foramen in axil of
pectoral. Lateral line consisting of inconspicuous pores. Dorsal with
3 spines. No poison glands.
The absence of the foramen in the axil of the pectoral distinguishes
this genus from Opsanus Raf. It appears to be a southern genus
(Brazil, 8. Africa, Australia), though extending also to the East Indies.
Ribeiro changed the name under the impression that it was necessary
to avoid confusion with a botanical name.
Marcgravia apiatus (C. and V.).
Spotted-tailed Frog-fish.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xu, p. 477.
1850. Cuvier, Régne Anim. Poiss., pl. Ixxxv, fig. 3.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 559.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 151 (Opsanus a.).
SS —_ =< —- -- ~~
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 993
Depth 53-6, length of head 3-33, in length of body (the depth less,
the head longer proportionately in the young than in adult). Eye
5—6 in length of head, slightly greater than width of bony ridge between
eyes, which is about equal to snout. Outline of mouth viewed from
above nearly straight or only very gently curved. Teeth in a double
series in front of both jaws; 9-12 teeth on palatine, somewhat un-
equal in size. D IJ]+20-22. A 14-16. P 18-19. Spine of ventral
fin with thick fleshy cover. Interorbital space and occiput reticu-
lately wrinkled. Anterior nostril fimbriate. Short tentacles and
papillae on snout, behind and below orbits, behind angle of jaw, and
on lower surface of mandible. No supraorbital tentacle. Lateral line
pores single.
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Light brown, with 4 irregular dark brown cross-bands,
the last on the caudal peduncle, and some small dark brown spots
(absent in young) ; fins, including the fleshy part of ventrals, irregu-
larly barred and spotted; caudal fin with two or three transverse
series of spots.
Locality. False Bay.
It seems reasonable to assume that Cuvier and Valenciennes’ type
was scaleless, though this point is not actually mentioned in the
description. Giinther places apiatus among the scaleless species of
“ Batrachus.” The reticulate skin on the head is very characteristic
and was specially mentioned in the original description.
Gen. BATRACHOIDES Lac.
1798. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. ii, p. 306. .
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. N. Amer., vol. iii, p. 2314.
1924. Gilchrist and Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii
p. 21 (Bathybatrachus).
Similar to Marcgravia, but with small cycloid scales, which are
frequently obscured by a deposit of mucus. Subopercular spines sub-
equal and divergent. No axillary foramen.
2
Key to the South African species.
1. Eye 34-43 in length of head.
a. Pectoral not reaching origin of anal _ : 2 : . melanurus.
6. Pectoral reaching 3rd analray . : ; : : albolineatus.
2. Eye 7in length of head . : : : , : . damaranus.
994 Annals of the South African Museum.
Batrachoides melanurus n. sp.
Black-tailed Frog-fish.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xiii, p. 71
(apratus non C. and V.).
1914. Ld., ibid., p. 72 (diemensis non Lesueur).
1917. fd., Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4, p. 416 (Opsanus
diemensis).
Depth 4-43, length of head 23-3, in length of body (the depth less
and the head longer proportionately in the young). Eye 4-44 in
length of head, slightly greater than snout, and 14 times the width of
the bony ridge between eyes. Outline of mouth viewed from above
well curved. Teeth in a double, occasionally partly triple, series in
front of jaws; 7-8 subequal teeth on palatine. D III+19-20. A
14-16. P 22, not or scarcely reaching origin of anal. Spine of ventral
fin with thick fleshy cover. Top of head smooth, not wrinkled.
Anterior nostril fimbriate. Short tentacles and papillae on snout,
behind and below orbits, behind angle of mouth, and on lower surface
of mandible. No supraorbital tentacle. Lateral line pores double.
(Plate XX XVII, fig. 1.)
Length.— Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Light brown, with 4 irregular dark brown cross-bands, the
last on the caudal peduncle, and more or less numerous small dark
spots; fins, including fleshy part of ventral, barred and spotted ;
caudal with distal half or three-quarters dark with a light margin.
Locality.—Agulhas Bank to Natal, 25-100 fathoms. One specimen,
evidently a straggler, from west side of Cape Peninsula.
Type in South African Museum.
I have examined the specimens described by Gilchrist and Thompson
and find that they both belong to this species. The descriptions are
inaccurate.
* Batrachoides albolineatus (G. and v. B.).
White-striped Frog-fish.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 21, pl. vi, fig. 1 (Bathybatrachus a.).
Depth 4, length of head 3, in length of body. Eye 3,'5 (in figure 33)
in length of head. D III-+18. A 14. P 20, reaching to 3rd anal ray.
Spine of ventral fin with thick fleshy cover. No supraorbital tentacle.
Lateral line pores double.
Length.—165 mm.
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 995
Colour.—Body marked with darker and lighter markings, a white
line across base of caudal; fins darker, dorsal with a broken oblique
white line.
Locality.— Natal coast, 250 fathoms.
Type in coll. Govt. Mar. Survey.
This form is very closely allied to the preceding, and the two may
prove to be synonymous; in which case the name albolineatus has
priority. From the description it appears that the pectoral reaches
to the 3rd anal ray, whereas in melanurus it does not reach, or scarcely
reaches, the origin of the anal.
A new genus was instituted for this form, but the diagnosis given
by the joint authors discloses no features by which it can be differen-
tiated from Batrachoides. It may differ in the absence of the sub-
opercular spines, but these are not mentioned. The skin is said to be
naked, but I am of opinion that, if closely examined, the small scales
would be found embedded in the skin or concealed by mucus. More-
over, aS mentioned above, this fish so closely resembles melanurus in
its specific characters, that I do not hesitate to place it in the genus
Batrachovdes.
Batrachoides damaranus nu. sp.
Ocellate Frog-fish.
Depth 44, length of head 2%, in length of body. Hye 7 in length of
head, subequal to width of the bony ridge between eyes, and 1} in
snout. Outline of mouth viewed from above well curved. Teeth in
a triple series in front of both jaws; 11 unequal teeth on palatine.
DIII+19. A13. P 21, not reaching origin of anal. Spine of ventral
fin with thick fleshy cover. Top of head smooth. Anterior nostril
fimbriate. Tentacles as in melanurus. No supraorbital tentacle.
Lateral line pores single. -
Length.—260 mm.
Colour.—Light brown, with 4 indistinct darker patches, the last on
caudal peduncle, and numerous ocelli on head and small round spots
on body ; fins, including fleshy part of ventral, and caudal, uniform
grey-brown.
Locality.— Walfish Bay.
Type in South African Museum.
Although I have seen only one specimen, this seems a very
distinct species, differing from melanwrus in the smaller eye and
uniform fins.
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 64
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996 Annals of the South African Museum.
Fam. 2. LOPHIIDAE.
Angler-fishes.
(Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xi, p. 277, revision.)
Body depressed, tapering rapidly behind the shoulders. Naked.
Head very broad, depressed. Mouth very wide, terminal, protractile.
Teeth in jaws strong, unequal, some canine-like, mostly depressible.
Vomer and palatine usually also with strong teeth. Gill-openings not
very small, in lower axils of pectorals. Pseudobranchiae present. Gill-
rakers absent. Gills 3, none on 4th branchial arch. Spinous dorsal
of 3 isolated tentacle-like spines on head, followed by 3 smaller ones
united together. Second dorsal and anal short. “‘ Arm ” of pectoral
scarcely bent. Ventrals with 1 spineand 5rays. Pyloric caeca present.
Skin usually with fringes and flaps on head and body.
The Angler-fishes form one of the most remarkable families of fishes.
The commonest and largest form is Lophius piscatorius, many of whose
peculiarities and habits were well known to Aristotle.
It is a sluggish animal, lying quietly on the bottom, with which it
harmonises in colour. The numerous and irregular little flaps of skin
on, and especially around the edges of, the body resemble bits of sea-
weed and help to mask the animal. It is supposed that the front
tentacle, with its loose piece of skin, the “rod and bait ”’ or illicium,
is waved to and fro in front of the mouth and lures smaller fishes within
reach. These are engulfed by a sudden spring brought about by the
action of the powerful pectoral fins.
The eggs of Lophius piscatorius are remarkable for being embedded
in a band of slime which floats at some little distance below the sur-
face. These bands of slime are often a foot wide and several feet in
length. In the young the rays of the ventral fin are greatly elongate.
(See Gill, “The Life History of the Angler,’ Smiths. Misc. Coll.,
vol. xlvui, 1905.)
Key to the South African genera.
1. Gill-openings partly below, partly in front of and above the pectorals
Chirolophius.
2. Gill-openings entirely below or behind the pectorals.
a. Teeth in lower jaw mostly in 3 series. A A : Lophiomus.
b. Teeth in lower jaw mostly in 2 series . ; : i . Lophius.
Gen. CHIROLOPHIUS Regan.
1903. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), vol. xi, p. 279.
Gill-openings extending in front of and above the pectorals. Oper-
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 997
cular membrane with a free posterior margin. Teeth in lower jaw
mostly in 3 series, anteriorly in 4-5 series; 3 spines on palatine. Dorsal
with IV—VI spines and 7-9 rays. Anal with 5-6 rays. Vertebrae
about 19. Supraorbital ridge elevated and dentate.
The members of this genus are inhabitants of deep water in the
Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Key to the South African species.
1. D VI+8. A6. Humeral spine bifid . i : : : . insidiator.
2. DV+7. A5. Humeral spine trifid . : : : . quinqueradiatus,
Chirolophius insidiator Regan.
1914. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. 8. Afr. Mus., vol. xi, p. 73
(upsicephalus, non Smith).
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 418.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 79.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 268.
Disc longer than broad, equal to half the length. Snout 14 times
eye, which is 5 in length of head and equal to interorbital width. Teeth
in upper jaw in two series in front and one series laterally. Humeral
spine bifid. D VI-+8, Ist spine ending in a flap, reaching posterior
margin of eye when laid back, 2nd longer, 3rd longest, ? length of
head, 2nd—4th spines. with lateral branches and filaments. A6. P 18.
Length.—Up to 160 mm.
Colour.—Greyish ; exposed part of tongue mottled, lower surface of
pharynx behind branchial region blackish.
Locality.—Natal coast, 40-230 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
*Chirolophius quinqueradiatus Brauer.
1906. Brauer, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, pt. 1,
p. 313.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii, p. 22.
Disc very slightly longer than broad, about half the length. Snout
32 times eye, which is 8-84 in length of head and 4 in interorbital
space. Teeth in both jaws in 2 rows in front and 1 row laterally.
Humeral spine trifid. D V+7, Ist spine ending in a flap, 2nd without,
3rd somewhat shorter than length of head, fringed with filaments, 4th
and 5th simple. A5. P15. —
998 Annals of the South African Museum.
Length.—Up to 244 mm.
Colour.—Grey-brown.
Locality.—Natal coast, 150-250 fathoms.
Distribution.—Sumatra and east coast of Africa, 150-485 fathoms.
Gen. Lopuiomus Gill.
1883. Gull, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,; vol. v, p. 552.
1903. Regan, loc. cit., p. 282. 3
Gill-openings below and behind pectorals. Opercular membrane
without free posterior margin. Teeth in lower jaw mostly in 3 series,
anteriorly in 4-5 series; 2 spines on palatine. Dorsal with about
VI spines and 8 rays. Anal with about 6. Vertebrae about 19.
Supraorbital ridge short, with 2 spines.
Lophiomus setigerus (Vahl).
1797. Vahl (Wahl), Skrivt. Naturh. Selsk. Copenhag., vol iv, p. 214,
pl. iu, figs, 5, 6.
1850. Schlegel, Faun. Japon. Poiss., p. 158, pl. Ixxx.
1849. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Africa Pisces, pl. 1x (wpsicephalus).
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 180.
1898. Alcock, Ill. Zool. Investigator, pl. xix, fig. 3 (¢ndicus).
1899. Id., Cat. Ind. Deep-sea Fish., p 53 (andicus).
19038. Regan, loc. cit., p. 282.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 155 (uwpsicephalus).
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 79 (upss-
cephalus).
1923. Von Bonde, zbid., Spec. Rep., i, p. 36 (wpsicephalus).
Disc subcircular, half the length. Snout about twice eye, which is
7-10 in length of head and a little less than the interorbital width.
Teeth in 2 alternate series in upper jaw, in 3 series in lower jaw ;
1-3 teeth on each side of vomer. Humeral spine trifid or multifid
(usually 5 points). D VI+8-9. A 6-7. P 22-23. (Plate XXXVII,
fig. 3.)
Length.—Up to 1040 mm.
Colour.—Greyish-brown above, reticulate or with small dark rings,
white below ; tongue in young white with black reticulations, in adult
dark with pale spots.
Locality.— Natal coast, 50-194 fathoms.
Distribution.—Indo-Pacific, 25-90 fathoms.
This is the common Fishing-frog of Japan.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 999
Gilchrist and von Bonde record this species from off Table Bay as
well as Natal, but I am unwilling to accept the former locality as both
authors are evidently unaware of the identity of wpsicephalus with
setigerus. The Cape records should probably be transferred to the
following species.
Gen. Lopuius Linn.
1758. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 236.
1903. Regan, loc. cit., p. 283.
Gill-openings below and behind pectorals. Opercular membrane
without free posterior margin. Teeth in lower jaw in 3 series anteriorly,
in 2 posteriorly ; 2 spines on palatine. Dorsal with VI spines and
8-12 rays. Anal with 8-11. Vertebrae 27-32. Supraorbital ridge
short, with 2 spines.
This is the typical genus and contains a small number of species
from the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Japanese seas.
Lophius piscatorius Linn.
Angler ; Fishing-frog ; Padda; Monk-fish ; Allmouth.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 236.
?1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xu, p. 381
(vomerinus).
1905. Gill, Smiths. Misc. Coll., vol. xlvu, p. 500, figs. (life-history).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 154 (references), and
p. 155 (vomerinus).
Length of head 2-24 in length of body. Humeral spine stout,
usually trifid, 53-8 in the distance from its base to front end of pre-
maxilla. Eye 7-10, interorbital width 3-34 in this same distance.
Teeth strong, 8-11 in the posterior series of fixed premaxillary teeth,
1-3 on each side of vomer. D VI+11-12, Ist spine ending in a flap,
2nd nearly as long as Ist. A 10-11. P 25-28.
Length—Up to 1200 mm.
Colour.—Slaty or greyish-brown above, white below ; pectorals dark
above, white below, with well-defined black margin; ventrals white
(blackish in young specimens), mouth behind tongue white.
Locality.—Saldanha Bay, Table Bay, and off Cape Point, 9-154
fathoms.
Distribution.—Both coasts of N. Atlantic, Mediterranean, Brazil.
L. vomerinus was founded on a single large specimen which had no
teeth on the vomer. Giinther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 181)
1000 Annals of the South African Museum.
says these may have been lost. In other respects it seems to agree
with piscatorius. A separate genus, Lophiopsis, has been proposed
for this species, but is not accepted by Regan. I regard it here as an
aberrant specimen of piscatorius until further evidence is forthcoming.
Fam. 3. ANTENNARIIDAE.
Toad-fishes.
Body compressed. Naked or spinulose. Head compressed. Mouth
protractile, very oblique or nearly vertical. Teeth in jaws and on
palate. Giull-openings small, immediately below bases of pectorals.
Pseudobranchiae absent. Gill-rakers absent. Gulls $+24, complete
on 2nd and 38rd arches, reduced on Ist and 4th. Spinous dorsal
3-rayed. Soft dorsal and anal moderate. “ Arm ”’ of pectoral strongly
bent. Ventrals with 4-5 rays.
Toad-fishes are inhabitants of tropical seas and are especially
abundant among coral-reefs and the gulf-weed (Sargassum). Their
brilliant and variegated colouring harmonises well with the sur-
rounding colours of the corals and seaweeds among which they lie
in wait for their prey. Their breeding habits are not known, but it
is not unlikely that they resemble those of the Anglers mentioned
above.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Skin prickly. Ventrals short. : : : “ : Antennarius.
2. Skin naked or granular. Ventrals elongate . : 5 : Pterophryne.
Gen. ANTENNARIUS Lacép.
1798. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 421.
Skin covered with minute spinules or prickles. Ventral fins short.
First dorsal spine wholly free, not enveloped in membrane, Caudal
peduncle free (dorsal and anal fins not united to it by membrane).
Mostly inhabitants of coral-reefs, but also found amongst floating
weeds.
Key to the South African species.
1. First dorsal spine with a single flap.
a. Head and body with dark markings . ; : : . hispidus.
b. Head and anterior part of back immaculate . ; ‘ . bigibbus.
2. First dorsal spine with 3 flaps. , . : ; : . striatus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1001
Antennarius hispidus Bl. Schn.
1878-88. Day, Fish. India, p. 271, pl. Ix, fig. 2.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 417 (references).
Kye 14-2 in snout. D III+12, 1st spine together with its ciliated
flap about equal to 2nd, and barely reaching base of 3rd spine. A 7.
P 10. (Plate XXXVI, fig. 7.)
Length.—Up to 170 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, with brown spots and streaks, more or less
continuous dark bars on dorsal, anal, and caudal, pectorals spotted.
Locality.—Natal coast, 0-50 fathoms.
~ Distribution.—Indian seas and East Indies, down to 50 fathoms.
*Antennarius bigibbus (Lacép.).
1798. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. i, p. 325.
1861. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. i, p. 199.
1876. Id., Fische d. Siidsee, vol. v, p. 165, pl. cv, fig. B.
1918. Regan, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. u, pt. 2, p. 77.
D If{+ 12, Ist spine longer than 2nd, with undivided filament, 3rd
spine very robust. AZ. P 11.
Length.—Up to 200 mm.
Colour.—Red, head and anterior part of back rose, immaculate ;
rest of body and dorsal fin reticulated with black; pectoral, ventral,
caudal, and anal with a black band across middle.
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Madagascar, Mauritius, Pacific Islands.
Antennarius striatus (Shaw).
Striped Toad-fish.
1797. Shaw, Nat. Miscel., vol. v, pl. clxxv.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xu, p. 410
(prnniceps).
1876. Giinther, Fische d. Siidsee, vol. v, p. 162, pl. xcix, fig. B.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. i, pt. 4,
p. 418 (pinniceps).
1923. Von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 1, p. 36 (punniceps).
Kye about 2 in snout. D III+12, 1st spine as long as 2nd, and
terminating in 3 flaps, which reach to middle of 3rd spine, the 2 outer
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1002 Annals of the South African Museum.
flaps as long as the spine, the middle one shorter, 2nd spine with
filaments. A 7. P 10.
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, spotted and streaked with brown; all fins
more or less strongly barred and spotted with dark brown.
Locality.— Natal coast.
Distribution.—Indo-Malayan and Australian seas.
Gen. PTEROPHRYNE Gill.
1863. Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 90.
Skin naked or with smooth granules. Ventrals elongate. First
dorsal spine wholly free, not enveloped in membrane. Caudal
peduncle free.
Inhabitants of floating weeds and consequently widely distributed.
Pterophryne histrio (Linn.).
Sargassum-fish.
1758. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 237.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 156 (synonymy and
references).
Skin minutely granular. Eye 14-2 in length of snout. D I1I+12,
lst spine shorter than 2nd, bulbous at end and covered with small
filaments, 2nd and 3rd spines also with apical spines. A 7. P 10.
Length.—Up to 125 mm.
Colour.—Brown, variously mottled and marbled with lighter shades
and with white spots, fins barred with dark brown.
Locality.— False Bay, East London.
Distribution.— Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.
Fam. 4. CHAUNACIDAE.
Head as broad as deep, cuboid. Skin spinulose. Mouth large,
nearly vertical. Jaws and palate with bands of small teeth. Gill-
openings small, above and behind bases of pectorals. Pseudobranchiae
absent. Gill-rakers present. Gills 25, absent on Ist, reduced on 4th
arch. Spinous dorsal represented only by the Ist spine (illicium),
which is retractile into a groove. Soft dorsal moderate. Anal short.
Ventrals small. Lateral line and mucous canals prominent.
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PLATE XXXVI.
i. FIG.
Si 1. Batrachoides melanurus n. sp. (original photo)
ea 2. Himantolophus reinhardti Liitk. (original photo)
3. Lophiomus setigerus (Wahl) (original photo) .
4. Halieutaea hogaster Regan (original photo) .
5, Melanocetus rotundatus Gilch. (after Gilchrist)
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A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1003
Deep-sea forms resembling the Antennariids, but differing in a
number of important features.
Gen. CHAUNAX Lowe.
1846. Lowe, Tr. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. i, p. 339.
With the characters of the family.
The so-called “ species ”’ are ill-defined and really all belong to one
widely distributed species.
Chaunax pictus Lowe.
1846. Lowe, loc. cit., p. 339.
1896. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 487, fig. 398.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vu, p. 412.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., 11, p. 79.
Head about 14 in length. Eye a little less than length of snout.
DI+11. Tentacle (1st dorsal spine) about equal to vertical diameter
of eye, slightly enlarged and fimbriate apically. A 5-6. P 11-12.
(Plate XXXVI, fig. 8.)
Length.—Up to 400 mm.
Colour.—Grey, tinged with orange-red ; sides rosy, fins bright red,
end of tentacle black.
Locality.—Natal coast, 130-200 fathoms.
Mstribution.—Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans, 130-400 fathoms.
The abdomen of this species is very distensible as in the genus
Tetrodon. In specimens preserved in this condition the ventral firs
are often drawn in through the skin and appear at first sight to be
absent.
Fam. 5. HIMANTOLOPHIDAE.
Body mostly compressed. Skin naked, with or without scutes.
Eye usually small. Mouth moderate or wide, not protractile, hori-
zontal, oblique or vertical. Teeth on jaws slender, depressible ; vomer
sometimes toothed. Giull-openings small. Gills 24 or $+2$, the gill
on Ist arch either absent or reduced, that on 4th reduced. Gill-
rakers present or absent. No pseudobranchiae. Spinous dorsal
represented by a tentacle on the snout, sometimes followed by a
second ray. Soft dorsal short, of 5 rays. Anal short. Ventrals
absent. Pectorals small. No lateral line or mucous canals.
These Anglers live in the open sea at various depths, and are not
bottom-dwellers. They are uniform black or dark in colour, and the
tentacle frequently bears luminous organs.
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1004 Annals of the South African Museum.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Skin naked, without large scutes,
a. No caruncles in front of soft dorsal . ; : : Dolopichthys.
b. Three fleshy caruncles in front of soft dorsal : i Cryptosaras.
2. Skin with large spinous scutes. é : : : . Himantolophus.
Gen. DoLoPICHTHYS Garm.
1899. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xxiv, p. 81.
1909. Gill, Ann. Rep. Smiths. Instit. for 1908, p. 580.
Skin without scutes. Mouth horizontal. Head large, body at-
tenuated behind. Hye small. Fins much reduced and more or less
enveloped in the loose skin of the body. Spinous dorsal consisting of
the tentacle only, which has a basal part to which is hinged the ter-
minal part bearing at its end a more or less enlarged luminous bulb.
A sharp spine above each eye. No barbel on chin.
This genus comprises D. allector Garm., from the Pacific Ocean ;
D. niger Brauer, from the Indian Ocean; and the present species.
The tentacle appears to afford the only marked specific difference.
* Dolopichthys cornutus (G. and v. B.).
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vu,
p: 23, pl. vi, fig. 2 (Onezrodes c.).
Length of tentacle about equal to length of snout, basal part about
half the length of the terminal part ; luminous bulb well developed.
DI+4. Pca.8. Aabsent. A depressible spine behind angle of the
mouth. Teeth on vomer ?
Length.—16-5 mm.
Colour.— Uniform black.
Locality.—South African seas (no locality given).
Type in coll. Govt. Marine Survey.
Gen. CRYPTOPSARAS Gill.
1883. Gill, Forest and Stream, Nov. 8, p. 284 (quoted from next
references).
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 491.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, Fish. Mid. and N. Amer., vol. 1,
p. 2731.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1005
Body ovate, compressed. Skin covered with minute setiform
prickles. Head very large, trunk shortened. Eye rudimentary or
absent. Mouth vertical. Teeth on mandible and upper jaw depres-
sible, uniserial or biserial, those in upper jaw much smaller than those
in lower jaw ; a few small teeth sometimes present on vomer. Nostrils
indistinct. Chin with two small spines or a bony knob. Ilhcium
(1st dorsal spine) consisting of a very short basal joint embedded in
skin, and a long slender distal joint terminating in a bulb-like expan-
sion. A large median dorsal caruncle, flanked on either side by a
smaller one, in front of the dorsal fin. Dorsal and anal fins each of
4 rays. Caudal of 8 rays, the middle four bifurcate. Pectoral of
(12)15-16 rays. Ventrals absent.
Cryptopsaras couest Gill.
1883. Guill, loc. crt., p. 284.
1887. Giinther, Challeng. Rep., vol. xxii, p. 55, pl. xi, fig. D (Cera-
tras carunculatus).
1896. Goode and Bean, loc. cit., p. 491, fig. 402.
1898. Jordan and Evermann, loc. cit., p. 2731.
1906. Brauer, Wiss. Ergebn. D. Tiefsee Exp., vol. xv, p. 317,
pl. xv, fig. 7 (Ceratias).
Depth of body equal to distance from-gill-slit to base of caudal
fin, and 22 in length of head plus trunk. Eyes completely degenerate ;
on the right side there is a minute pale spot, smooth and transparent,
about in the position which the eye should occupy, but there is no
trace of a similar spot on the left side. Teeth biserial in both jaws,
a few extra teeth at symphysis of lower jaw, hinder part of upper jaw
also with an extra row of fine teeth making the band triserial. A
sharp knob on chin. Nostrils not visible. No pores (such as described
by Ginther) on trunk or tail. Illicium equal to distance from snout
to pectoral, reaching when laid back to first dorsal ray, a narrow
streak of phosphorescent tissue at end of bulb, but no filament. A low
fleshy median ridge in front of the median caruncle as described by
Brauer. Pectoral rays 16.
Length.—205 mm. (without caudal rays, 170 mm.).
Colour.—Violaceous-black, membrane of dorsal, anal, and caudal
fins white, the rays black; illicitum, mouth, and gullet also black.
Locality.—Off west coast (Table Bay), deep water.
Distribution.—EKast coast of N. America, 1686 fathoms; Japan,
345 fathoms; Gulf of Aden, 1840 metres.
1006 Annals of the South African Museum.
The above description is taken from a perfect specimen brought
in by a trawler from the Stock-fish grounds outside Table Bay. It
is far larger than any hitherto known specimen, Brauer’s specimen
from the Gulf of Aden being the largest yet recorded: 67 mm. Never-
theless there appear to be no differences which can be accounted
specific. It seems a little doubtful whether Gunther’s carunculatus
should be considered conspecific.
In spite of very careful scrutiny, I have failed to find any openings
for the nostrils, and no trace of an eye on the left side.
Gen. HIMANTOLOPHUS Reinh.
1837. Reinhardt, Dansk. Vidensk. Selsk., p. 74.
1878. Guill, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 1, p. 219 (Corynolophus).
Head and body compressed, short. Skin with large scutes, each
bearing a spine. Mouth oblique. Eye very small. Spinous dorsal
represented by the tentacle only, which is unjointed and bears at the
end a large bulb and numerous filamentary appendages. Soft dorsal
and anal well developed, the former with 5 rays (4 of these are forked,
which apparently explains why the number was originally given as
9). Pectorals well developed. Gull-rakers present. {
In the present state of our knowledge there seems little reason for
separating Corynolophus from Reinhardt’s genus.
Himantolophus reinhardti Liitk.
1878. Liitken, Kon. Dansk. Videns. Selsk., p. 321.
1895. Goode and Bean, Ocean. Ichthyol., p. 494, fig. 405.
1908. Tanaka, J. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, vol. xxii, pt. 13, p. 22, pl. 1, fig. 5.
Depth 14 in length. DI-+5. The tentacle is about §} length of
head, its stalk covered with small prickles, the terminal bulbous ex-
pansion bears a group of 4 smaller bulbs with luminous spots, and a
tassel of simple and branched filaments. P (16-)17. C(8-)9. (Plate
XXXVII, fig. 2.)
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Dark blackish-grey.
Locality. — Off Cape Point.
Distribution.—N. Atlantic (Greenland), Japan.
A specimen, 280 mm. long, of this most interesting Angler was cast
up on the beach at Kommetje, on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula
in September 1923, and secured for the South African Museum. It is
|
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1007
in perfect condition and corresponds with the description of H. rein-
hardti. The presence of this species in the S. Atlantic is noteworthy.
Fam. 6. MELANOCETIDAE.
Body more or less compressed, the head enormous. Skin naked.
Eye moderate or small. Mouth very large, not protractile, oblique
or vertical. Teeth in jaws slender, depressible ; vomer sometimes
toothed. Gull-openings small. Gills 24, that on lst arch absent. Gill-
rakers not described. No pseudobranchiae. Spinous dorsal represented
by the tentacle on the snout, bearing a terminal luminous bulb. Soft
dorsal far back, moderate, with 12-15 rays, Anal short. Ventrals
absent. Pectorals small. No lateral line or mucous canals.
Bathypelagic Anglers resembling the preceding family in their
uniform black coloration, but distinguished by the more numerous
rays in the soft dorsal.
Gen. MELANOCETUS Gnthr.
1864. Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 301.
Vomerine teeth present. nocetus, the only other genus, has no
vomerine teeth.
Owing to the distortion due to the method of capture, the shape
and proportions of the body are of little use in distinguishing the
species of these fishes.
* VMelanocetus rotundatus Gilch.
1903. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr., vol. u, p. 206, pl. xv.
1917. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durban Mus., vol. 1, pt. 4,
p. 417.
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. iv, p. 155.
D [+14-15, the soft dorsal confluent with caudal. A 4. C 8-9.
(Plate XX XVII, fig. 5.)
Length —Up to 39 mm.
Colour_—Black, the fins and a patch behind the eye white.
Locality. Off Cape Point and Natal coast, 600 fathoms.
Type 2 lost.
This species is probably synonymous with M. krechi Brauer from
the E. coast of Africa. I have seen neither the type nor the immature
specimen mentioned by Gilchrist, though I have seen the original
drawing of the latter. It shows D15; C9.
1008 Annals of the South African Museum.
The Atlantic species M. johnsoni Gnthr. has the soft dorsal separate
from the caudal.
Fam. 7. ONCHOCEPHALIDAE.
(Sometimes spelt : Ogcocephalidae, or Oncocephalidae.)
Bat-fishes.
Head forming a very broad and depressed disc, body slender and
tapering. Skin with bony tubercles and spines. Eyes moderate.
Mouth small or moderate, horizontal, terminal or subterminal. Villi-
form teeth on jaws and sometimes on palate. Gull-openings small,
above bases of pectorals. Gulls 2 or 25, none on Ist arch. Gill-rakers
present or absent. No pseudobranchiae. Spinous dorsal represented
by the tentacle only, which has a very short stalk with a broad ter-
minal expansion, and is contained in a depression on the front of the
snout. Sometimes the forehead is produced forwards as a rostrum,
causing the tentacle to be directed downwards. Soft dorsal and anal
short ; in one genus dorsal obsolete. Pectorals well developed, the
arm strongly bent. Ventrals present, jugular.
These Anglers or Bat-fishes are bottom-dwellers, some living in
shallow water, but the majority in deep water. Observations on some
shallow-water species show that these fishes rest on the bottom in a
position resembling that of a toad but with this distinction: the hind
part of the body is supported by the pectoral fins, corresponding with
the fore limb of.the toad, while the head and the front part of the body
is supported by the ventral fins, corresponding with the hind limb of
the toad.
Key to the South African genera.
1. Forehead elevated. Snout more or less produced forwards. Orbits lateral
Malthopsis.
2. Forehead depressed. Snout rounded. Orbits partly dorsal.
a. Vomer and palatine with teeth. No gill-rakers . . Halieutichthys.
b. Vomer and palatine without teeth.
i. Disc subcircular. Gill-rakers present . : ; Halieutaea.
ii. Dise subtriangular : ; 5 : : 5 Dibranchus.
Gen. Mattruopsis Alck.
1891. Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), vol. 8, p. 26.
1899. Id., Cat. Ind. Deep-sea Fishes, p. 64.
Disc depressed, subtriangular. Forehead produced into a sharp
projection overhanging a cavity on the snout, in which the tentacle
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1009
is situate. Orbits lateral. Teeth on vomers and palatines. Gills on
2nd and 3rd arches only. Gill-rakers ?
An Indo-Pacific genus, in rather deep water.
*Malthopsis triangularis Lloyd.
909. -Gloyd, Mem. Ind. Mus., vol. u, pt. 3, p, 169, pl. xlv,
i figs. 1, la.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 24.
Disc nearly twice as broad as long, its antero-lateral margins straight
and forming a right angle. Spine on forehead nearly vertical and
slightly more than half diameter of eye. A pair of plates between the
ventral fins, with a group of 5 in front of them. Between ventrals
and vent a large plate surrounded by 6 others. Subopercular spine
(at postero-lateral angle of disc) as large as rostral spine and bearing
4 little spinelets. DI+5. A4. V5.
Length —Up to 55 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish-pink.
Locality.— Natal coast, 260 fathoms.
Distribution.—Andaman seas, Indian Ocean.
Gen. HaLIEUTICHTHYS Poey.
1863. Poey, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., p. 83.
Disc subecircular. Forehead not elevated or produced. Orbits dorso-
lateral. Teeth on vomers and palatines. Gills 24. No gill-rakers.
The presence of this West Indian genus in 8. Africa is interesting.
*Halieutichthys fitzsimonsi G. and T.
1916. Gilchrist and Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, p. 58, fig.
Disc slightly wider than long, its length about 2 (or 3) length of
body. Margin with stout trifid spines and short irregular filaments.
Large spines on disc and trunk. Ridge over rostral cavity with 3
simple spines; 6 supraorbital spines. Lower surface smooth, except
for a submarginal row of spines on anterior half of disc. Eye about
9 in length of disc (according to figure), slightly less than interorbital
width. DI+5. Tentacle 3-lobed. A? P14. V5. C9.
Length.—158 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, with darker markings forming an irregular net-
work; 2 brown spots behind the orbits followed by 2 white ones ;
1010 Annals of the South African Museum.
dorsal and caudal fins apically blackish; white below (said to be
coral-red in life).
Locality.—Algoa Bay.
Type ? lost.
Apparently only one specimen of this species has been discovered.
The markings, as well as the presence of teeth on the palate, form a
ready means of distinguishing it from the following species, which
also occurs in the same locality.
Gen. HALIEUTAEA C. and V.
1837. Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. xii, p. 455.
Disc subcircular. Forehead not elevated or produced. Orbits
dorso-lateral. Vomerine and palatine teeth absent. Gills 24. Gill-
rakers present.
The genus is Indo-Pacific in distribution.
Halieutaea liogaster Regan.
1921. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), vol. vii, p. 419.
1922. Gilchrist, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., ii, p.:79.
1923. Von Bonde, zbid., Spec. Rep., i, p. 36.
Disc broader than long, its length not quite 14 in length of body.
Margin with stout bifid or multifid spines and short fleshy filaments.
Large spines, mostly 4-rooted, on disc and trunk. Ridge over rostral
cavity with 3 simple spines. Five supraorbital spines, with a sixth
between the foremost one and the median rostral spine. Lower sur-
face quite smooth except for a row of spines along lower jaw and a
submarginal row on anterior half of disc. Hye 63-74 in length of dise,
equal to or (usually) slightly less than interorbital width. D I-+5.
Tentacle 3-lobed, the lower lobes fringed below. A4. P14. V5. C9.
(Plate XX XVII, fig. 4.)
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour.—Greyish, with dark markings forming a large meshed net-
work, a pair of rings in the middle of the disc being the most con-
spicuous ; under side white ; pectorals and caudal apically blackish.
Locality —Agulhas Bank to Natal, 25-250 fathoms.
Type in British Museum.
Gen. DIBRANCHUS Peters.
1876. Peters, Monatsber. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, p. 736.
Disc subtriangular. Forehead not elevated or produced. Orbits
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1011
dorso-lateral. Vomerine and palatine teeth absent. Gills 2. Gill-
takers absent (present on anterior arch in D. erythrinus Gilbert).
Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.
* Dibranchus stellulatus Gilbert.
1905. Gilbert, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm., vol. xxii, p. 698, fig. 276.
1924. Gilchrist and von Bonde, Fish. Mar. Surv. Spec. Rep., vii,
p. 24 (stellatus typogr. laps.).
Disc considerably broader than long, its length 2 length of body.
Antero-lateral margins nearly straight and forming a right angle.
Marginal spines bifid or multifid. Subopercular (at postero-lateral
angles of disc) and rostral spines strong, each bearing several spinelets.
Upper surface with sharp 4—6-rooted spines, giving a stellate appear-
ance. Lower surface with similar but smaller spines. Eye about 7
in length of disc and about equal to interorbital width. D I-+5.
A4. P14-15. VI5.
Length.—67 mm.
Colour.—Olive-brown, 2 small black spots behind each eye, a second
pair on each side in middle of disc, a third pair in front of each gill-
opening ; white beneath.
Locality.—Natal coast, 260 fathoms.
DMistribution.—Hawaian Islands, 178-202 fathoms.
Division 22. OPISTHOMI.
(1912, Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. ix, p. 217.)
No mesocoracoid. Air-bladder without an open duct (physoclystic).
Pectoral arch attached to the vertebral column behind skull. Opercle
well developed, but hidden under the skin. Fins without spines, but
a series of detached spinelets in front of the dorsal. Ventral fins
absent.
More or less eel-like, carnivorous fishes from fresh and brackish
waters of Southern Asia and tropical Africa, comprised in the single
family, Mastacembelidae.
Three species of Mastacembelus come within the area of South Africa,
and are referred to in ‘“‘ The Freshwater Fishes of 8. Africa,” p. 549,
and Appendix, p. 578.
VOU. XXl, PART 2. 65
1012 Annals of the South African Museum.
ALP PEN Dak.
Additions and Corrections.
Page 21. Add the following species :—
* Heptranchias platycephalus (Ten.).
1809. Tenore, Mem. Acad. Pont., vol. i, pp. 241, 258.
1835. Agassiz, Rech. Poiss. Foss., pl. EH, fig. 1 (Notedanus indicus).
1918. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xxxvi, p. 18.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 188.
Differs from H. pectorosus in the absence of a median tooth in the
upper jaw.
Locality.—Cape coast, 40 fathoms.
Distribution.—Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, N.E. Pacific.
Page 24. Add the following species :—
* Carcharinus vagatus (Garman).
1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xxxvi, p. 116.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 190.
This species is one of the Scolcodon group and is closely allied to
walbeehnu ; in fact, further investigation will probably prove its
identity with the latter. It is differentiated by Garman in having
longer labial grooves on both jaws, and rather more numerous teeth.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
_ Distribution.—Zanzibar.
Page 26. Add the following species :—
* Carcharinus dussumiert (M. and H.).
1841. Miller and Henle, Plagiost., p. 47, pl. xix, fig. 8.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 714, pl. clxxxvui, fig. 2
1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xxxvi, p. 187.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 190.
In the key on p. 23 belongs to the Prionodon group with Ist
dorsal nearer pectoral than ventral. Snout bluntly rounded, its
preoral length little more than width of mouth. Teeth 23-26, the
upper stouter and more inclined than the lower ones.
Colour.—Grey, fins with paler edges, except 2nd dorsal, which has
a black tip.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indian seas to China.
te st eee
Peeps ee,
? Pe Fo
wh
P
ep
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1013
Page 29. The genus Muste.us must be ascribed to Linck (1790,
Mag. Neu. Phys. Naturg., vol. vi, pt. 3, p. 31); see Gill, 1903, Proc.
U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvi, p. 960, and Opinion 93 of Intern. Commiss.
Nomencel. (Smithson, Misc. Coll., vol. Ixxin, p. 4, 1926).
Page 30. Mustelus canis (in key on p. 29 as vulgaris) is made the
type of Cymas Gill (1903, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvi, p. 960).
See Opinion 93, quoted above.
Page 31. Scylliogaleus queketti. Boulenger (Ann. S. Afr. Mus.,
vol. i, p. 63, 1903) states that this species, of which only the type
is known, was caught from the rocks at Umkomaas River mouth,
not at a depth of 40 fathoms as originally recorded.
Pages 39 and 40. Scylliorhinus africanus and pantherinus. Add
reference :
1925; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvn, p. 189
(Poroderma a. and p.).
Additional locality for pantherinus.—Natal and Zululand coast.
Page 42. Scylliorhinus regani. Add references :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 188, fig. 1.
_ 1926. Id., Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. v, p. 399, fig. 3.
In both these references the species is wrongly attributed to von
Bonde, instead of to Gilchrist.
Additional locality — Natal coast, 20 fathoms.
Page 47. After EHchinorhinus spinosus add the following genus
and species :—
Gen. HetTERoscymnus Tanaka.
1912. Tanaka, Fish. Japan, vol. vi, p. 104.
1913. Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv., vol. xxxvi, p. 239.
Snout depressed. Skin with minute scales. Dorsal fins small,
without spines, Ist about midway between bases of pectorals and
pelvics, Ist a little larger than 2nd. Mouth transverse, with deep
groove ateach angle. Teeth in upper jaw numerous, erect, lanceolate ;
in lower jaw larger, with oblique triangular cusp pointing outwards.
Spiracles small. Gill-slits moderate. Pupil round.
A single species.
* Heteroscymnus longus Tanaka.
1912. Tanaka, loc. cit., p. 102, pl. 26.
1913. Garman, loc. cit., p. 239.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 191.
The species will be recognised from the generic description above.
Length —Up to 1360 mm.
a"
ic
—— =
SS SS =
os
1014 Annals of the South African Museum.
Colour.—Blackish-brown, edges of the fins darker (Tanaka), tips
white (Fowler).
Locality.—Natal coast.
Distribution.—Japan.
Type in Science College Museum, Tokyo.
Page 48. Squalus acutipinnis Regan. Fowler (1925, Proc. Ac.
Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 191) identifies Natal specimens with
fernandinus, but makes no mention of the character of the nasal
valves.
Page 56. According to Gill (loc. cit., supra) the first author of the
genus Pristis is Linck, 1790, Mag. Neu. Phys. Naturg., vol. vi, pt. 3,
Devoe
Page 57. Pristis pectinatus Lath. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 192.
Page 59. A valuable revision of the genus Rhinobatus is given by
Norman, 1926, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 944 sqq.
Rhinobatus annulatus M. and H. Add reference :
1926. Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 964, fig. 17.
Page 61. Rhinobatus holcorhynchus Norm. Fowler (1925, Proce.
Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 192) recognises the identity of
his natalensis with Norman’s species, but makes both synonymous
with rasus Garman, a West African species. There are, however,
differences in the shape of the nasal flaps, and the two projections
from margin of spiracle are subequal, whereas Garman describes the
inner as being rudimentary.
Add reference: 1926, Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 957, fig. 10.
Rhinobatus blochti M. and H. Add reference : |
1926. Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 968, fig. 21.
Page 62. For halavi (Forsk.) read obtusus M. and H.
Add reference : 1926, Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 950, fig. 4.
In addition to the four species described in this monograph, Norman
describes two new species in the paper quoted. These are:
Rhinobatus leucospilus Norm.
1926. Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 966, fig. 18.
Very close to annulatus, but snout shorter and broader. Margins
of pectoral and pelvic fins bluish-grey, snout and pectoral fins with
pale bluish-grey spots and blotches. Up to 415 mm. Durban.
I rather doubt whether this species will be maintained as separate
from annulatus when a long series is examined. All the Cape speci-
mens I have seen (200 mm. upwards) are undoubtedly annulatus.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1015
Three young specimens (120-130 mm., with the umbilical cord still
attached) from Hast London show the following proportions: pre-
orbital length 14 times the distance between the spiracles, width of
mouth 24-23 in preoral length, eye 4 in preorbital length, eye plus
spiracle 14 in interspiracular distance, nostril 2 in width of mouth,
equal to internarial distance, distance from margin 3 in preoral
length. Thus it is uncertain which species they should be referred
to. The coloration is faded and does not help.
* Rhinobatus ocellatus Norm.
1926. Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 967, fig. 20.
Snout bluntly pointed, sides straight. Preoral length 34 times
width of mouth. Eye 52in preorbital length, which is about 3 times
interspiracular space. Nostril 13 in width of mouth, 14 in internarial
space. Anterior nasal flap extending inwards well beyond level of
inner edge of nostril. Two spiracular projections. A series of small
blunt spines down middle of back. Rostral cartilages separate,
almost parallel. Up to 700 mm. Brownish with numerous bluish-
grey ocelli. Algoa Bay.
This species has a longer snout than annulatus, approaching holco-
rhynchus, but distinguished from the latter by the absence of the
black blotch below the tip of snout.
Page 67. Rava ocellifera Regan. Add reference:
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvn, p. 193.
Page 79. Playfair and Gitinther (Fisb. Zanz., p. 143) record
Taenwura lymma trom Mozambique, but this locality is not given in
Giinther’s British Museum Catalogue (vol. vii, p. 483), nor in Garman
(1913). Taeniura is distinguished from Dasybatis by having a
cutaneous fold below the tail and extending to its extremity.
Pages 82 and 83. Myliobatis and Aetobatis. Jordan and Hubbs
(Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x, p. 116, 1925) are of opinion that Myliobatis
must stand down in favour of Aetobatus Blainv. 1816, and that for
the species narimary Cantor’s name Stoasodon must be adopted.
The family name would thus become Aetobatidae. See, however,
Opinion 93, Intern. Comm. Nomencl. (Smithson, Misc. Coll., vol.
Ixxii, pt. 4, pp. 6, 10), where the question is still sub judice.
Page 87. Manta ehrenberg:.. A fine specimen of this species
was caught at Hast London in March 1925, and forwarded to the
South African Museum, where a plaster cast was made and is now
exhibited. The dental ribbon and certain anatomical preparations
were preserved, but the whole of the internal organs had unfortunately
been removed before shipment to the Museum.
The specimen measured 13 ft. 6 in. from mouth to tip of tail, and
18 ft. across the wings. Its weight was estimated at 1200 lb.
SS SS CSS ve Se SS SSS aS SS aS See. SS CS
Saa&eP t2==
SS SF es.
1016 Annals of the South African Museum.
Page 90. Narcobatus marmoratus (Risso). Add reference:
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 193
(panthera).
Page 92. Heteronarce garmani Regan. Narcine natalensis is a
synonym of this species. Add the following references :
1925. Fowler, Ann. Nat. Mus., vol. v, p. 198, text-fig. 2.
1925. Id., Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvui, p. 193.
The species grows to a length of 260 mm. Fowler apparently
does not admit Regan’s genus Heteronarce.
Type of garmani in British Museum ; of natalensis in Philadelphia
Academy of Sciences.
Page 96. Callorhynchus capensis. A young specimen 150 mm.
in length shows small sharp spines on the head and back arranged
as follows: a V-shaped series on the interorbital space, the arms of
the V diverging posteriorly, each with about 14-15 spines; a row of
about 12 spines on each side of the median line in front of the 2nd
dorsal fin and a similar row of about 12 on each side of the median
line between the 2nd dorsal and the caudal fins. These spines are
still visible in a specimen 260 mm. in length, but disappear com-
pletely in the adult.
Page 99, line 11. In the reference to Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. for
vol. Will pb..a, Tead = serr o, volume.
Page 110. Add the following species :—
* Pellona hoeveniw Blkr.
1852. Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., vol. xxiv, p. 21.
1872. Jd.) AG ichth yol., vol: va, p.117,al: cele tes
1878-88. Day. Fish. Ind., p. 644, pl. elxv, fig. 6.
1913. Weber and de Beaufort, Fisb. Indo-Austr. Arch., vol. 11,
p. 86, text-fig. 29 (jaw-bones).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 195.
Upper profile nearly as convex as the ventral profile. Depth
23-3, length of head 3-34, in length of body. Eye greater than
snout, 22-34 in length of head, equal to interorbital width. Maxilla
reaching to below centre of eye. A toothed bone connecting pre-
maxilla with maxilla, latter minutely serrate. Posterior halves of
occipital ridges converging. Gill-rakers 20-23 (Fowler: 27) on
lower part of anterior arch. D 17-18. A 33-38. Scales: 1.1. 40-45
(Fowler: 36-38); ltr. 12-13. Scutes 14-18 in front of, 8-9
behind, ventrals.
Length.—Up to 180 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker on the back.
Locality.—Natal coast, Delagoa Bay.
| Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1017
Hasily distinguished from natalensis by the convex profile, though
otherwise closely allied. The number of gill-rakers in natalensis is
24-25.
Page 111. Hilsa durbanensis (Regan). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. kxxvu, p. 195.
Additional locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Page 112. Sardina sagax (Jenyns). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 194.
Page 113. Add the following species :—
* Sardinella melanura (Cuv.).
1829. Cuvier, Régne Anim., ed. 2, vol. ii, p. 318.
feo Dleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 105, pl. cclxm, fig. 5
(sundaica) ; p. 106, pl. cclxvil, fig. 5 (atricauda); and p. 111, pl. cclxix,
laa
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 636, pl. clxiv, fig. 5 (atricauda).
1917. Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), vol. xix, p. 384 (references).
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 194.
Depth 34-4, length of head 4-44, in length of body. Eye about
equal to snout, 34-4 in length of head. Maxilla extending to below
anterior 4 of eye. D 18-19. A 16-18. Ventral 8-rayed. Scales:
1.1. 43-46; Ltr. 12-13 (Fowler: 10). Scutes sharply keeled, 18-20
in front of, 12-13 behind, ventrals. Gull-rakers 38-44 on lower part
of anterior arch.
Length.—Up to 160 mm.
Colour.—Silvery, darker above, a dark spot at base of anterior
dorsal rays, tips of caudal blackish.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Compare Harengula vittata, p. 115.
Page 118. Thryssa vitrirostris G. and T. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 195 (vitr-
rostris Sic).
Page 125. Gonorhynchus gonorhynchus (Gmel.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 193.
The depth ‘600 fathoms” would appear to be a misprint, as the
occurrence of this species at that depth is very unlikely.
Page 133. Astronesthes boulengert. A specimen has been received
from off Dassen Island (West coast), 200 fathoms. Colour when
fresh : black, opercle silvery, photophores amethystine.
= SS See ee
1018 Annals of the South African Museum.
Page 148. Omit Gen. YARELLA and diagnosis, and substitute the
following :—
Gen. PotyMETME McCull.
1926. McCulloch, Biol. Res. ‘“‘ Endeavour,” vol. v, pt. 4, p.
166.
Resembling Photichthys, but the dorsal placed somewhat further
back, and no enlarged fangs in jaws. Differs from Yarella in the
presence of an adipose fin.
The species becomes Polymetme africana (G. and v. B.).
Page 157. Synodontidae (Fresh-water). This name not only
conflicts with the marine family Synodontidae, p. 224, but should
be changed to Mochokidae as the earliest genus in the family is
Mochokus Joannis 1835 (spelt Mochocus by Giinther, Regan, Bou-
lenger).
Page 174. In key to families, for Muraenoidei read Muraenidae.
Page 175. Since the descriptions of the South African species of
Anguilla were written, Dr. J. Schmidt of Copenhagen has examined
by means of X-rays a considerable amount of South African material,
including that belonging to the South African Museum, with the
result that he finds there is only one species of Kel in South Africa,
viz., A. mossambica (Peters). <A. bengalensis and A. australis must
therefore be struck out of the fauna-list.
Schmidt mentions, however, a specimen of A. labiata Peters from
Lake Nyasa which he thinks “‘ must have got there via the Zambezi
River.”’ The inference is by no means warranted.
See : Schmidt, On the distribution of the Fresh-water Eels (Anguilla)
throughout the world; II. Indo-Pacific Region.
1925. Kgl. Dansk. Videns. Selsk. Skr., ser. 8, vol. x, pp. 334, 335.
Page 185, line 6 from bottom. For “snout” read “ body.”
Page 187. In key, for “ families ” read “ genera.”
Page 190. Jordan and Hubbs (1925, Mem. Carn. Mus., vol. x,
p- 193) have proposed the genus Anago for Congermuraena anago,
based on slight differences in the shape of the teeth, size of mouth,
and position of origin of dorsal fin.
Page 197. Muraenesox cinereus (Forsk.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 196.
Additional locality —Delagoa Bay (S.A. Museum).
Page 199. For “‘ Avocel ” read “ Avocet.”’
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1019
Page 205. Add the following species :—
*Ophichthys marginatus (Peters).
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., p. 272.
1866. Playfair and Giinther, Fish. Zanz., p. 128.
1870. Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vin, p. 64.
Length of head 6-7 in length of body to vent. Tail shorter (Playf.
and Gnthr.) or longer (Gnthr.) than body. Snout projecting con-
siderably beyond lower jaw. Cleft of mouth 4 length of head, ex-
tending somewhat behind eye, which is 4-4 length of snout. Lips
not fringed. Teeth small, equal, pointed, in 2 series. Dorsal com-
mencing slightly behind end of pectoral, which is short, 5-5} in length
of head.
Length.—Up to 350 mm.
Colour.—Yellowish, darker above.
Locality.— Mozambique coast.
Apparently unicolor is closely allied to this species, but has a
longer tail.
Page 206. Sphagebranchus brevirostris Peters is recorded from
Mozambique, and appears to be the same as S. fuscus Zuiew, a Mada-
gascar species (Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. vi, p. 85, and
Sauvage, Hist. Nat. Madagasc. Poiss., p. 500, pl. xlix, C, figs. 4, 4a).
Page 209. Gymnothorax nudwomer (Guthr.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 197
(Lycodontis n.).
Page 210. Gymmnothorax pictus (Ahl.). The South African Museum
has recently obtained a specimen from the Agulhas Bank.
Page 212. Add the following species :—
*Gymnothorax richardsoni (Blkr.).
1852. Bleeker, Nat. Tyds. Ned. Ind., vol. ii, p. 296.
1855. Peters, Wiegm. Arch., pp. 271, 272 (vermicularis and di-
plodon).
1864. Bleeker, Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 100; Muraen, pl. xlii, fig. 2.
1870. Ginther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vol. viii, p. 118 (synonymy).
1913. Weber, Siboga Exp. Monog. 57, p. 60 (synonymy).
Skin with distinct folds, crossing one another and forming scale-
pouches. Length of head 24 in distance from gill-slit to vent. Tail
a little longer than rest of body. Mouth completely closing. Teeth
in old examples uniserial, in young the anterior teeth of jaws and
sometimes those on vomer also biserial ; canines rather small.
Length—Up to 550 mm.
Colour.—Brownish marbled with darker, forming irregular network
SSS Le SSS EE 2 eS eS aS SS ee TS
- - =
Sr TCT =—- stmi =
1020 Annals of the South African Museum.
of wide meshes, tail with dark cross-bands, gill opening not in a black
spot.
Locality.— Mozambique.
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Distinguished from undulatus by the dorsal fin commencing above
the gill-opening instead of in advance of it.
Page 212. Thyrsoidea macrurus (Blkr.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 196
(Evenchelys m.).
Page 214. Add the following species :—
* Hehidna zebra (Shaw).
1797. Shaw, Zool. Misc., vol. ix, p. 101, pl. ecexxn.
1864. Bleeker; Atl. Ichthyol., vol. iv, p. 81; Muraen, pl. xxvu,
fioerale
1916. Weber and de Beaufort, Fish. Indo-Austr. Arch., vol. 11,
p. 345, fig. 168 (references).
Length of head 43-54 in length of body to vent. Tail half as
long as body, or less. Eye 14-2 in snout. Vertical fins not very
distinct. Teeth in upper jaw in 2 series, in lower jaw in 3-4 series,
a pear-shaped group on vomer.
Length.—Up to 1250 mm.
Colour.—Blackish-brown, with numerous white, black-edged rings.
Locality.—Mozambique (Playfair and Giinther).
Distribution.—Indo- Pacific.
Kasily distinguished by the short tail.
Page 215. In key to species, for xanthopterus read marmorata.
Page 226. Synodus variegatus (Lacép.). In reference to Weber
and de Beaufort, for “‘ p. 14” read “ p. 147.” Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 199
(japonicus Houttuyn).
The identity of this species with Houttuyn’s japonicus, though
probable, is not admitted by Weber and de Beautort.
Page 227. Fowler (loc. cit., p. 200) records S. synodus (Linn.)
from Natal. This is an American species which has been redescribed
from St. Helena. Its occurrence in Natal would be interesting if
confirmed, I think, however, it is far more likely to prove to be one
of the Indo-Pacific species.
Page 227. Trachinocephalus myops (Forst.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 199.
Additional locality—Delagoa Bay.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1021
Page 237. At the end of the key to the species of Myctophum, it
was stated that no examples of the subgenera Diaphus and Lampadena
were known from South African waters. Since then an example of
Diaphus has come to hand, indicating that further collecting will
probably bring to light examples also of Lampadena.
Myctophum (Diaphus) aeolochrus nu. sp.
Depth of body 44, length of head 34, in length of body. Eye not
touching dorsal profile, 3 in length of head, twice length of snout.
Median ridge on snout well marked. D 16, arising slightly in advance
of ventrals. A 16, origin below end of dorsal. Scales cycloid :
Ll. 35. Photophores circular, divided by a septum; PO 5, the
4th higher up than the others, on a level with origin of ventral ;
PVO 2, the lower in advance of upper; VO 5, Ist near mid-ventral
line between bases of ventrals, 2nd and 3rd in ascending line, 4th and
5th near mid-ventral line; AO 5+5; PLO above dorsal PVO, nearer
to pectoral than to lateral line; VLO midway between ventral and
lateral line; SAO 3, ina straight line, somewhat oblique, the Ist
behind the last VO, the 3rd one scale down from lateral line; Pol 2,
oblique, the upper one scale down from lateral line; Pre 4, the 4th
two scales down from lateral line. Antorbital organ occupying the
whole snout, extending upwards to the upper anterior part of orbit,
and downwards along the upper jaw to below anterior quarter oi eye ;
a small ovoid luminous patch between the eye and the upper part of
the main luminous patch. Luminous patches on opercle and above
pectoral probably present.
Length.—160 mm.
Colour.—Black, scales of the lateral line with bluish and greenish
metallic reflections, the antorbital luminous patch silvery-cream, the
photophores deep amethystine blue.
Locality.—About 60 miles W.S.W. of Table Bay, 200 fathoms.
From the stomach of a Stockfish (Merluccius).
Type in South African Museum.
This species is very close to effulgens G. & B. from the Caribbean
Sea, much nearer in fact than elucens Brauer from the N.E. coast of
Africa. The proportions, however, are different, and there appears
to be an extra PO photophore; in effulgens the 4th PO, situated
higher up than the others on a level with the origin of the ventral fin,
is absent. The arrangement of the VO photophores also is different.
Nevertheless further examples of both species may enable them to be
united. (doAoxpos, with spangled skin.)
Like the specimen of effulgens, the present specimen was taken from
the stomach of a fish of the Cod family. It is in quite good condition,
the luminous organs intact, though the scales from the back and sides
have mostly disappeared.
Page 237. In the description of M. warmingi, omit the semicolon
between “ dorsal’ and ‘‘ PVO,” and for “ PO 2” read “ Pol 2.”
1022 Annals of the South African Museum.
Pages 254, 256, and 258. For Athlennes read Ablennes. Accord-
ing to Opinion 41 of the International Commission on Nomenclature
Athlennes was an obvious typographical error.
Page 258. Add the following species :—
*Tylosurus coromandelicus (v. Hass.).
1823. Von Hasselt, Alg. Konst., p. 130. 5
1870. Bleeker, Alt. Ichthyol., vol. vi, p. 47, pl. celvi, fig. 2
(melanotus).
1903. Jordan and Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxvi, p. 530.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 200
(Strongylura melanotus).
Very similar to T. choram, but with D 24-26, A 22-24.
Locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Distribution.—EKast Indies, Japan.
There seems very little justification for separating this form from
the well-known choram.
Page 258. Ablennes hians (C. and V.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 201.
Page 259, line 8. For “‘ spinelets”’ read “‘ finlets.”
Page 263. Hemirhamphus delagoae Brnrd. Insert :
Type in South African Museum.
Page 263. Hemirhamphus dussumiert C. and V. Add reference :
' 1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 201.
Page 267. Parexocoetus mesogaster (Bl.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvi, p. 202
(P. brachypterus).
Page 269. Hxocoetus bahiensis Ranz. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvi, p. 202
(Cypselurus furcatus).
The presence of barbels and the dusky cross-bands indicate im-
mature specimens (Day, Fish. Ind., p. 518). Fowler’s specimen,
130 mm. long, is probably a young bahiensis.
Pages 273, 274. Fistularia petimba and villosa. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 207.
Page 279. Notopogon lilliec Regan. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 208.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1023
Page 281. See also Regan (1905, J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol.
Xvi, p. 318) where Aeoliscus is said to swim head downwards.
Page 287. Syngnathus lineatus Blkr. is recorded by Playfair and
Giinther (Fish. Zanz., p. 13) from Mozambique. This species ot
Bleeker is not mentioned in Giinther’s British Museum Catalogue
(vill), nor in Duncker (1915).
Page 295. Fam. Prcasipar. Insert the following genus and
species :—
Gen. Pegasus Linn.
1766. Linné, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 418.
1902. Jordan and Snyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. xxiv, p. 2
(Zalises).
Tail short, not elongate or compressed. Pectoral rays all simple,
slender, not spine-like.
*Pegasus draconis Linn.
1766. Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, p. 418.
1878-88. Day, Fish. Ind., p. 280, pl. lx, fig. 1.
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 207.
Body with 3 rings, gibbous, 1st ring with a pair of deep median
concavities, 2nd and 3rd each with a single concavity. Tail with
8 rings (Giinther), 7 behind vent (Fowler). D5, A 5.
Length.—Up to 100 mm.
Colour.—Brown with darker reticulations, snout and last caudal
ring black, some dark spots on pectorals, caudal, and dorsal.
Locality — Natal coast.
Distribution.—East coast of Africa and Indian seas.
Page 304. Mugil cunnesius C. and V. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvi, p. 208
(longimanus).
Pages 306 and 309. Mugil sehelt and macrolepis. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 209.
Fowler is of opinion that M. troschelli Blkr. is synonymous with
macrolepis Smth.
Page 311. Fowler records M. oligolepis Blkr. from Delagoa Bay
(1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 209). This species
does not seem to differ from waigiensis except in its deeper body,
and pale fins. The former character is not a very good one; the
specimens which I have identified as waigiensis show intermediate
gradations, but all have dark fins.
M. diadema G. and T. is quite distinct.
1024 Annals of the South African Museum.
Page 311, line 28. Omit “p.” after the word Thompson. The
original authors give 41 scales in the 1.1. as against my count of 38.
Page 313. Fowler (1925, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii,
p. 211) records S. japonica Schl. and says that africana G. and T.
is evidently a synonym. In my opinion the latter is a synonym of
acutupynmis Day, and the question arises whether Day’s species is
not synonymous with Schlegel’s. Whichever name be applied, the
South African Museum specimens and Fowler’s specimen are clearly
conspecific.
Page 314. For Sphraena jello read Sphyraena jello, and add
reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvu, p. 210.
Additional locality.—Delagoa Bay.
Page 315. Sphyraena obtusata C. and V. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvun, p. 210.
Fowler records flavicauda Rupp. as a separate species. Day,
however, makes it a synonym of obtusata. Fowler’s two descriptions
certainly disclose no valid specific differences.
Page 316. Pontynemipaz. Add reference :
1913. Ogilby, Mem. Queensl. Mus., vol. 1, p. 82 (key to genera).
For the Genus PotyNemus Linn. and reference, substitute :
Potypactytus Lac.
1803. Lacépéde, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. v, p. 419.
Page 317, lines 1 and 20. For Polynemus read Polydactylus.
Page 317. Polydactylus sextarius Bl. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 211.
Page 323. Gazdropsarus capensis. Add reference :
1919. Gilchrist and Hunter, Tr. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. viii, p. 7,
pl. i, figs. 14-16; pl. u1, fig. 17 (egg, larva) (Onos capensis).
Page 323, line 7 from bottom. Delete “ (ensiferus).”
Page 340. Coelorhynchus fasciatus. Add reference :
1926. McCulloch, Sci. Res. ‘‘ Endeavour,” vol. v,-p. 177. Bass
Strait (eastern slope), and Gt. Australian Bight, 70-450 fathoms.
Page 341. Coelorhynchus denticulatus Regan. Insert :
Type of natalensis Fowler in Philadelphia Academy of Natural
Sciences.
-— LENS a
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1025
Page 344. Malacocephalus laevis. Add reference :
1926. McCulloch, Sci. Res. “ Endeavour,” vol. v, p. 181, pl. xlvii.
Great Australian Bight, 350-450 fathoms.
Page 355. Regalecus glesne. Add following records:
Simonstown, early March 1926.
Table Bay, 12th June 1927.
Page 357. Lophotopsis n.g. is a synonym of Humecichthys Regan.
1907. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., vol. 1, p. 638. The correct name of
the species is Humecichthys fiski (Gnthr.).
Page 360. Monocentris japonicus (Hout.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 206.
Page 374. Zeus japonicus C. and V. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad, vol. lxxvu, p. 206.
Page 380. Antigonia rubescens (Guthr.). Fowler (1925, Proc.
Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvi, p. 250) records what is evidently
the same form under the name capros (Lowe), as does Regan in 1921.
The synonymy of this genus needs revision.
Page 385. Bothus pantherinus (Riipp.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 204
(Platophrys p.).
Page 388. Pseudorhombus russelli (Gray). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, pp. 203, 204
(natalensis and russell).
Page 389. Paracitharus macrolepis (Gilch.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p- 203.
Page 390. For Pelecan read Pelican.
Page 396. Poecilopsetta bicolorata von B. Fowler (1925, Proc.
Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 203) institutes the new subgenus
Marleyella for this species.
Page 397. For PARALICHTHODIAE read PARALICHTHODIDAE.
Page 399. M. Chabanaud has recently published (Bull. Inst.
Ocean. Monaco, No. 488, March 1927) a preliminary study of the
Solerdae of the N.E. Atlantic and adjacent seas. He finds that Solea
senegalensis var. mbaoensis Pellegrin has nothing to do with the
typical senegalensis, and is in fact a synonym of Dicologlossa cuneata.
In 1925 I was of opinion that the specimen of cleverleyi was more like
the var. mbaoensis than typical senegalensis, and I have now compared
1026 Annals of the South African Museum.
it with Chabanaud’s detailed description of D. cwneata and find no
specific differences. In view of this the genus DicoLoGLossa must be
inserted, and the name and synonymy of the Walfish Bay specimen
changed to read as below.
Gen. DicoLoGiLossa Chab.
1927. Chabanaud, Bull. Inst. Ocean. Monaco, No. 488, p. 14.
Nostrils of blind side not dilated. Scales with the striations between
the canals on the posterior half strongly curved forming volute-like
loops (Chabanaud, loc. cit., fig. 1). Lateral line with the supra-
temporal portion forming a sharply bent 8, the ascending branch
sloping backwards (the upper angle being posterior to the lower).
Dicologlossa cuneata (Moreau).
Blunt-nosed Sole.
1881. Moreau, Hist. Nat. Poissons France, vol. ii, p. 312.
1906. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. S. Afr., vol. iv, p. 160, ph aay
(cleverleyt).
1914. Pellegrin, Ann. Inst. Oceanogr., vol. vi, pp. 74, 75, pl. i, fig. 1.
(senegalensis var. mbaoensis).
1918. Thompson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. lv, p. 126 (cleverleyz).
1925. Barnard, supra, p. 399 (senegalensis non Kaup).
The description stands, but the Distribution should be altered to
read: W. coast of Africa, southwards to Senegal, Western Medi-
terranean, coasts of France, Spain, and Algiers. Popularly known
in France as the “ Advocate’s Tongue.”
Gen. Soutea Lacép.
Distinguished from Dicologlossa by the nearly straight transverse
striations on the scales, and the ascending branch of the lateral line
being vertical, not sloping backwards.
I have examined the scales of fulvomarginata, melanoptera, capensis,
and bleekert. All possess the type of striation found in Solea, but
further research may indicate that some or all of them should be
placed more properly in Pegusa, or even a new genus.
Page 400. Solea fulvomarginata Gilch. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 204.
Additional locality.—Natal coast, 115 fathoms.
Page 403. Solea bleekeri Blgr. Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 205
(turbyner).
Page 405. Pardachirus marmoratus (Lacép.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. Ixxvii, p. 205.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1027
Page 411. Cynoglossus lida (Blkr.). Add reference :
1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. lxxvii, p. 206.
Page 412. Cynoglossus durbanensis Regan. Add reference :
_ 1925. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., vol. xxvii, p. 206.
Page 412. Cynoglossus gilchristt Ogilby. The author of the
specific name is not Regan but Ogilby. Insert the following reference :
ie Osiby, Proc. Queensl. Roy. Soc., vol. xxii, pt. 1, p: 39,
footnote (gilchristt nom. nov.).
Page 413. Arelia attenuatus (Gilch.). Add reference :
isomer, Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Philad., vol. Ixxvu, p. 205
(Cynoglossus a.).
Page 457. The common name of Palunolepis grandis is “ Bank
Steenbras.”’
Page 569. Scraena hololepidota is known in Natal by the name
also of “Cape Salmon.”
Page 721. Among the species somewhat inadequately described
by Castelnau is Cantharus clongatus, which has been retained in this
genus in previous lists of Cape Fishes. {It is clearly not a Cantharus,
and I would suggest the possibility of its being a species of Pomadasys,
very possibly P. bennettv. All the characters given by Castelnau fit in
with this suggestion, except the formula of the anal fin, which is given
as IT.13. Castelnau did occasionally quote wrong numbers for the
fins, and he may have meant in this case III. 12.
Page 797. The name Katunker is now spelt Katonkel, and is
applied to Sarda sarda at the Cape and to Scomberomorus commersont
in the Hastern Province.
Explanations to Plates.
Plate II, fig. 3. For “after Dean” read “ after Bean.”
Plate XI, fig. 4. For Solenstoma read Solenostoma.
Plate XII, fig. 4. For Polynemus read Polydactylus.
Plate XIV, fig. 5. For Lophotopsis fiski read Eumecichthys fiske.
MOL.|XXi, PART 2. 66
1028 Annals of the South African Museum.
GENERAL REMARKS ON THE MARINE FISH
FAUNA OF SOUTH AFRICA.
South Africa’s position as the “half-way house” between the
Western and Hastern Oceans is reflected in the character of the Fish
Fauna.* As in historical times The Cape was the meeting-place for
ships eastward-bound and ships westward-bound, so for an infinitely
longer period the Cape has been the meeting-place of the waters of
two oceans and of two opposing faunistic elements: an Atlantic
and an Indo-Pacific.
This statement, however, applies only to the littoral and shallow-
water fauna, and is in other respects also a very general statement.
The deep-sea fauna partakes on the whole ot the character of deep-
sea faunas in other parts of the world, while there is in addition a
peculiar austral or subantarctic element and a considerable number
of endemic species ; all of which elements require separate treatment
and elucidation.
The total number of species admitted to the fauna-list and described
in the present work is 1005. But it is certain that when the fauna of
Natal and especially of the coasts of Portuguese West and Portu-
guese Hast Africa are better known the number will be considerably
ereater. Fifteen species which have hitherto figured on the fauna-list
are here omitted, because the original records are regarded as doubtful.
In some cases there are doubts as to the specimen having really
been collected in South African waters; in other cases the identifica-
tion 1s open to criticism.
An analysis of the accepted species according to their geographical
distribution gives the following results :—
ers ee . ‘ . (approximately) ae per cent.
ndo-Pacific species . t & 5 K
Atlantic a % 8: (Sige
Cosmopolitan : ’
Circumtropical echngs e 10 ee
Deep-sea c 4 1 4-5 if
Austral 39 . we) 2
9?
The Endemic Fauna.—There is no endemic family, but about half
the families represented in South African waters possess endemic
* See Gilchrist, J. D. F., ‘‘ The South African Marine Fauna and its Environ-
ment ” (Science in South Africa, 1905). The same paper with a few verbal altera-
tions is printed under the title of “Some Features of the Marine Fauna of South
Africa,” in Trans. S. Afr. Philos. Soc., vol. xv, 1905; see also ‘‘ The South African
Seas,” Presidential Address, 8. Afr. Journ, Sci., vol. xx, 1923.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1029
species, some of them very distinct, others very closely allied to
species in other parts of the world.
In the larger and more important families like the Scylliorhinidae,
Anacanthines (Gadidae plus Coryphaenoididae), Sparidae, Clinidae, and
the Flat-fishes (Heterosomata), more than half the representatives are
endemic species.
Klip-fishes (Clinidae) are extraordinarily abundant, no fewer than
22 out of 24 being endemic. All four species of Batrachoididae,
21 out of 28 Sparids, 32 out of 44 Soles, 7 out of 10 Dog-fishes (Scyl-
liorhinus), and 19 out of 830 Anacanthines are endemic. The majority
of these are littoral and shallow-water species, except among the
Anacanthines, where the majority are deep-sea.
It is certain that many species at present reckoned as endemics
will be found to be more widely distributed as our knowledge of the
faunas of the various regions of the world becomes more thorough.
For example, Cyitosoma boops and Neocyttus rhomboidalis were first
described from these waters, and a few years ago would have been
reckoned as endemics (Gilchrist, loc. cit., Science in South Africa,
p- 195), but have since been discovered in Australian waters. Thus it
would be somewhat premature to go into great detail in discussing
_the endemic fauna.
For another reason also, caution is very necessary. Questions of
geographical distribution depend on correct specific identification,
and our present knowledge of the South African species is still far
from certain in several instances. In the case of the Soles an analysis
of the species in the present work leads to different conclusions from
those set out in von Bonde’s analysis (Trans. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol.
xiv, 1927, p. 113). For example, this writer regards Solea cleverleyi
as an endemic confined to Walfish Bay, whereas here it is shown to
be a synonym of the West African S. senegalensis,* and its significance
in questions of geographical distribution is entirely different. Until
we obtain agreement in such cases a discussion of the origin of the
South African fauna will rest on no sure foundation.
In connection with the paper quoted above it may be further
remarked that Cynoglossus (Areliscus) ecaudatus is stated to have
been found in shallow water off the Natal coast and deep water off
the Cape Point. This is erroneous, as shown above on p. 415. Von
Bonde could not have been aware of this, as the mistake was only
discovered by reference to the original log-books of the s.s. ‘** Pieter
Faure,” but it shows how carefully every record must be scrutinised
if serious errors in plotting the limits of distribution of a species are
to be avoided.
The most interesting endemics are the Soles and the Sparids, two
families which moreover are of the most value from an economic
point of view.
The Indo-Pacific Fauna.—The majority of South African marine
fishes are species found in one part or another of the vast Indo-
Pacific region. This is not surprising as the greater part of the South
* See further, Appendix, pp. 1025, 1026.
1030 Annals of the South African Museum.
African coast, as far as False Bay in fact, is bathed by the Mozam-
bique current, which undoubtedly has had a direct influence in aiding
the spread of the extraordinarily rich and varied fauna of the Indo-
Pacific seas. Most of the littoral and shallow-water species are
derived from this source.
Characteristic of this element are, e.g. the Muraenidae, Serranidae,
Lutianidae, Carangidae, Labridae, and Tetrodontidae. And to this
element most of the new records of fishes from Natal and Portuguese
Kast Africa will belong.
The Atlantic Fauna.—This element in the fauna offers a rather
striking contrast to the preceding one. The coastal current, the
Berguella current, instead of aiding, is opposed at the present day
to the southward spread of species found in the Mediterranean and
the eastern portion of the N. Atlantic, and thus the number of such
species is comparatively small. Nevertheless there are several
interesting cases of species having spread down the west coast.
The Stock-fish, White Stumpnose, and the Cape John Dory, though
regarded as endemics, are extremely closely allied to the European
forms, and have evidently been derived from this source. The
Zebra, Dassie, and three species of Harder (Mugil auratus, capito,
saliens) extend from Europe down the west coast of Africa to Table
Bay and, doubling the Cape of Good Hope, along the south and
south-east coasts even to Natal. Other more tropical species like
Ophichthys rostellatus and Solea senegalensis only reach the northern
limits of our region (Walfish Bay), being apparently unable to exist
in the cooler waters to the south.
It is also possible that the Benguella current may not in past ages
have impinged so directly, or in the same latitude, on the west coast of
South Africa, and did not constitute such a formidable barrier against
the southerly migration of European and North-west African species.
In the important family of the Sparidae, the number of non-
endemics is divided almost equally between the Atlantic species and
the Indo-Pacific species.
The Cosmopolitan and Circumtropical Fauna.—There are quite a
number of species in our fauna which are pelagic in habit and are
so widely distributed as to merit being called cosmopolitan, e.g. some
of the big Sharks, some of the Flying-fishes, the Sword-fish, and other
Scombroids.
Other species again, though restricted to a more littoral habitat
in tropical and subtropical waters, are nevertheless found in both the
Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans, that is on both the west and east
coasts of Africa. These are termed circumtropical, though in many
cases authorities are not always agreed as to whether the forms
found on the two coasts are absolutely identical, e.g. Psettodes and
some Balistids.
The Deep-sea Fauna.—Individually many deep-sea fishes are the
most remarkable forms of fishes known, but the deep-sea fauna of
any one region as a whole shows a great similarity to the deep-sea
faunas from all parts of the world. Many species occur in both the
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1031
Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. In several instances, the dis-
covery in South African waters of species already known from these
two regions has linked up the distribution and afforded a possible
explanation of this wide discontinuity. On the other hand, specific
distinctions are often obscured by the poor condition in which these
fishes are brought to the surface in the trawl, and it is often a difficult
matter to decide on the specific distinctness or otherwise of a specimen.
With the progress of oceanographical research and the re-examination
of more abundant material many of our present ideas as to the dis-
tribution of deep-sea fishes will probably be revised.
In this connection special attention may be drawn to the records
of certain species from off Delagoa Bay which have been identified
with species already known from the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico.
In spite of the similarity of deep-sea faunas, the presence of such
species as Zenon hololepis, Peristedion gracile, and Limanda beant is
noteworthy.
A parallel to such distribution is found in the Crayfishes Pali-
nustus and Palinurus longimanus (Barnard, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Afr.,
wal. dit, p. 125, 1926).
The Austral Fauna.—In some respects the austral element is the
most interesting element in the fauna. It links up the three great
southern continents and the subantarctic islands, all of which are
at the present day widely separated. Scientists are by no means
agreed as to the extent to which these land-masses were once coter-
minous and what causes have operated in producing their present-day
wide separation.
Certain forms among the fishes, and other groups of animals,
however, show clearly that at some period in the earth’s history
there has been a closer connection than exists nowadays. Forms
like the Snoek, Gasterochisma or Otolithus are not, of course, of great
importance in this question, for though they have an austral dis-
tribution, they are strong swimmers, more or less pelagic in habit,
and can cover great distances.
Relatively feeble swimmers living in shallow coastal waters, however,
like the Congiopodidae and Chilodactylidae, and even Callorhynchus,
assume considerable importance. A more often quoted example is
the family Galaxudae.
The Cyttids, the genus Genypterus, Coelorhynchus fasciatus, and
the two species of Hmmelichthyidae recorded in this work are not so
important as they inhabit deep or moderately deep water. Never-
theless their distribution, so far as we know, is austral and they must
be borne in mind in any discussion on the composition and origin of
the austral fauna.
1032 Annals of the South African Museum.
NOTES ON BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The literature on South African Marine Fishes can be divided into
two parts. The first consists of numerous papers dealing with fishes
generally or with the fish-fauna of various regions of the world,
these being mostly classical works by the earlier ichthyological
writers. Important as these are in the study of the South African
fauna, it is unnecessary to repeat them here as they have already
been listed, viz. :—
1. Gilchrist, Mar. Invest. 8. Afr, vol. 1, p. 97,1902.
2. Gilchrist and Thompson, Ann. Durb. Mus., vol. 1, p. 255, 1916-
SHUT
From a perusal of the works cited in the body of this work the
student will soon discover which of these are the most generally
useful works, e.g. Day’s “‘ Fishes of India” (especially for the Natal
fauna), Goode and Bean’s “ Oceanic Ichthyology,” etc. All the older
works must, however, be checked by reference to the more critical
researches of later authors.
Secondly, there are the works, mostly by more modern writers,
dealing specially with the South African fauna. The chief earlier
writers are Smith, Pappe, Castelnau, Bleeker, Giinther, Steindachner,
reterences to whose writings will be found in the above-mentioned
bibliographies.
The works of modern writers are more conveniently grouped under
the names of the periodicals in which they have been published, as |
follows :—
3. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (London), ser. 8 (xi),
1913; ser. 9 (vii), 1921; ser. 9-(ix), 1922; ser. 9 (xv), 1925. (Papers
by Regan, Norman, Barnard.)
4. Marine Investigations in South Africa (Cape Town), vols. i-v,
1898-1906.* (Papers by Boulenger, Gilchrist.)
5. Marine Biological Reports (Cape Town), vols. i-iv, 1913-1918.
(Papers by Gilchrist and Thompson.)
6. Fishery and Marine Biological Survey Reports (Cape Town),
vol. i (1921).>}+ (Papers by Gilchrist, von Bonde, Swart).
* It should be noted that in later works the references to these papers frequently
give erroneous dates, viz., the dates of the volwmes instead of the actual date of
publication of the separate papers. The date of publication, which is the correct
one to quote, is given at the end of each paper, except the first two in volume I.
The date of publication of these is 1898.
There are also occasional misprints in these papers
+ Typographical errors are very frequent in these papers, especially in the
numbers given for fin formule, scale-counts, etc.; the descriptions therefore
should be read with caution.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1033
7. Annals of the South African Museum (Cape Town), vols. iii, vi,
x1, xii. (Papers by Boulenger, Gilchrist and Thompson, Barnard.)
8. Annals of the Natal Government Museum (Pietermaritzburg),
vols. i, v. (Papers by Regan, Fowler.)
9. Annals of the Durban Museum (Durban), vols. i, 11, iii. (Papers
by Regan, Gilchrist and Thompson.)
10. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa (Cape Town),
vols. ili, vi, X, Xli, xiv. (Papers by Gilchrist, von Bonde.)
To these may be added :
11. Clark, Scottish National Antarctic Expedition Sci. Res., vol. iv,
1915.
12. Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. Washington, vol. lvi, 1919.
13. Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, vol. Ixxvu, 1925.
On the subject of the Eggs and Life-histories of South African
fishes, Gilchrist is the only writer :
15. Id., Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. 111, 1916 (gives an account of all the
known eggs and larvae).
16. Id., Trans. Roy. Soc. 8. Afr., vol. vi, 1917 (protective resem-
blance in post-larval fishes).
17. Id., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9 (11), p. 114, 1918 (Naucrates
ductor).
ESseld- @: Journ. Microse. Sei. (63), vol. 1, p. 141, 1918 (Hepia-
tretus).
ft? Gilehrist and Hunter, Trans. Roy. Soc. 8S. Afr., vol. viu, p. 1,
1919 (Table Bay fishes).
20. Id., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9 (vii), p. 173, 1921 (deep-sea
fishes).
From a more popular point of view, the local names of our fishes
are important and many of them have an interesting history, which
is discussed in :
21. Gilchrist, Trans. 8. Afr. Philos. Soc., vol. xi, 1902.
22. Robinson, Mar. Biol. Rep., vol. i, 1916.
The earlier writers, Pappe and Castelnau, frequently misapplied
the local names, and adopted the wrong scientific name for a par-
ticular fish (e.g. the case of the Dageraad and the Roman). See also
note at head of Index to Common Names (p. 1059).
A popular account of the growth of the fishing industry will be
found in:
23. Thompson, The Sea Fisheries of the Cape Colony, Cape Town,
1913.
2S ae
SSS See ee
1034 Annals of the South African Museum.
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
A PAGE
pace | afra (Atherina) . ; : er |
abdominalis ae a a . 737 | africana (Chimaera) . 95
Ablennes . . 258,1022 |- ,, (Drepane punctata’ var. re 601
Abudefduf : : ‘ Hor GIO “ (Macdonaldia) ; may
~acanthias (Squalus) . ; . Ad ys (Paraplagusia marmorata
Acanthidium . : s' “BO var.) . ; ‘ ; . 410
acanthiger (Coelorhynchus) . 343 | africana (Sphyraena) . . 313, 1024
Acanthistius . : , . 489 | africana (Squatina) . , . ee
Acanthocepola . « O05 Pa (Yarrella) . . 148, 1018
acanthonotus (Nemichthys) . . 198 | africanus (Psenes) . : . 893
acanthopleurus (Hoplichthys) . 937 | africanus (Scylliorhinus) . 39, 1013
acanthops (Holacanthus) . . 617 | agassiz (Bathysaurus) : - wae
Acanthuridae . ; , 2 gO »» (Gymnothorax) . - 2
Acanthurus - ; . . 77,781 | Agriopus . : ;. S28
acaudatus (Areliscus) . : . 415 | agulhensis (Dasybatis) : yaa
- iN SCM RLS : so M47. oe (Gobius) . , . 821
Achirus . : . 404 | alalaua (Priacanthus) : . 499
acinaces (Xystaema) . ‘ . 629 |-alalonga (Germo) : , . 199
Acronurus : : é . 777 |~alatum (Myctophum) ; . 240
Acropoma ; : ; . 529 |~alba (Cyclothone signata var.) . 145
Acropomatinae . . ; . 513 | albalinea (Raia) 3 ; 5) Come
Actinoberyx > : . 363 | albescens (Careproctus) : | ORs
~ aculeatus (Balistapus) 3 .. 053 ss (Congermuraena) . . 188
~ acuminatus (Clinus) . : » 809 a (Echeneis) . : . 42)
acuminatus (Heniochus) . . 608 | albisella (Dascyllus) . : 2 hea
acus (Coelorhynchus). : . 339 | alboguttatus (Lutianus) : - 655
—acus (Syngnathus) . . 288 |~albolineatus (Batrachoides) . 994
acutecaudatum (M elanonosoma) . 332 | albomarginatus (Epinephelus) . 477
acuticeps (Sphagebranchus) . 206 | albopunctatus (Gobius) ‘ - S2t
acutipennis (Gobius) . ; 2 eee a (Siganus) : - 185
| acutipinnis (Gobius) . ; 823 | albotaeniatus (Lepidaplois) . . 745
| acutipinnis (Sphyraena) . 313, 1024 | albovittatus (Plectorhynchus) . 671
| = ¥ (Squalus) . . 48,1014 | Albula . . )105
~ acutus (Carcharinus), . : . 24 | Albulidae . ; : ; ~) Ge
acutus (Lethrinus) . ; . 632 | albus (Dentex) . : : eS
adenensis (Glyphisodon). . . 737 | Aldrovandia . . : - 166
adeni (Peristedion) . : . 945 | Alectis . - A E . 548
aeneofuscus (Gobius) . , . 819 | Alepidosaurus . : : . 250
aeneus (Caranthus) . : 724 | Alepisauridae . 3 A . 249
Aeoliscus . : 280, 1023 | Alepisauroidea . ‘ : . 224
aeolochrus (Myctophum) 5 . 1021 | Alepisaurus : : oa an
aequidens (Atractoscion) . . 575 | Alepocephalidae : : . 320
aerostaticus (Tetrodon) : . 974 | Alepocephalus . : ‘ eee
Aesopia . : . 408 | Aleposomus : ; ; ~ ae
aestuarius (Spratelloides) : . 109 | alfredi (Manta) . ; : « “Bi
Aetobatis . ; : . 83,1015 | Algoa 5 : ; : ~ Se
affinis (Aldrovandia) . : 167 | algoensis (Hoplegnathus) . . 505
~ ,, (Argyropelecus) ; . 152 | algoensis (Ophichthys) : . 208
affinis (Pagellus) : f . 707 | algoensis (Pagrus) : : . es
ee | Peeks tag : . 673 | algoensis (Paralichthodes) . ~ 398
affinis (Selar) . ‘ . 688 | algoensis (Tetrodon) . : . 970
° a
22s =
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1035
PAGE | PAGE
Allocyttus ; . 377 | Antigonia ; ‘ ; . 380
ALLOTRIOGNATHI : . 350 | Antimora . : . 321 i
~ allporti (Callanthias) . : . 465 | antjerius (Gey phisodon) ; ee
Alopias. . P . 34 | Aphoristia ; : ay
alticlarens (Priacanthus) : . 9800 | apiatus ( Batrachoides) : . 994
altipennis (Hxocoetus) ; . 270 |-apiatus (Marcgravia) . : . 992
Alutera . d ‘ 3 . 960 |.apicalis HEBEL 7 ; 204 M
Ambassidae : : 5 . 641 | Apistus. ’ o Obs
Ambassis . : ‘ . 641 | APODES. : ; ; oo VS
ambassis (Ambassis) . : . 642 | Apogon . ; nits
Amblyapistus . . 917 | Apogonidae : : : oe ble
amboinensis (Tropidichthys) . 976 | Apolectus : ; . “B65
americanus (Odontaspis) . . 36 | aprinus (Cirrihitichthy ayes . 453 !
~ americanus (Polyprion) ; 488 | Aprion . ‘ : , . 648
amethystino-punctatus (Maurolicus) 151 | Apristurus ; : : hs
~ amia (Lichia) . : : . 559 | Apsilus. ; ‘ . 647 |
Ammodytes : i : . 430 |-aquila (Myliobatis) : i ey S62 [
Ammodytidae . : : . 430 | aquila (Pteromylea) . : mites |
Ammodytiformes : : . 426 » (Sciaena) : : . 569
Amphacanthus . : ; . 784 | arab (Plotosus) . : ‘ .~ L68 fl
Amphiliidae , : . 157 | arago (Hemipteronotus) . a9 i
Amphiprion . : ‘ . 729 |~araneus (Trachinus) . 440
Amphiprionidae ‘ F . 728 | arborescens (Clinus superciliosus |
Anabas . : : . 296 Vale ire : . 855 !
ANACANTHINI : : lols |) ancatus (Paracirrhites) : : 461 i
Anacanthobatis ; : . 79 | archionema (Uranoscopus) . . 436 |
Anago. : . 1018 + arcticus (Galeocerdo) . : fad
anago (Congermuraena) 2) 190; 10LS Ms, (Trachypterus) ; . 353
~ anale (Dissomma) . : 248 | Arelia : : ‘ : . 413
analis (Caranx) . : 5 . 547 | Areliscus . : . 414
» (Lutianus) ; ; . 657 | arenaceus (Cantherines) ‘ . 958
analis (Neobythites) . ‘ . 879 | arenatus (Priacanthus) . 499
Anchichoerops . ‘ . 746 | argentaria (Gazza) : - 626
andersoni (Epinephelus) : . 480 | argentatus (Coelorhynchus) . 339
andersoni (Pseudorhombus) . 388 | argentatus (Branchiostegus) POL a
anglicus (Pagrus) ; : 700 | argentatus (Petraites) : . 865
Anguilla . : i : 115, 1018 | argenteus (Dules) : 3 . > 496
~ anguillaris (Clinus) . : 862 | argenteus (Lyconodes) ; . 339
iis (Dysomma) ; LOS as (Monodactylus) . . 640
53 (Plotosus) . ; Gs 9 (Myctophum) . i238
Anguillidae Fea! ay 5) (Parapempheris) . 2 G67
anguilliformis (Aldrovandia) HAGE 5 (Photichthys) . 2 oo)
angustilineata (Umbrina) . . 579 | argenteus (Porthmeus) ; . 5859 :
Anisotremus . s G15 = (Teuthis) . 5 Beart!)
annectens (Neoscombrops) ; . 528 | argenteus (Therapon) 468
annectens (Notacanthus) . ce AG) argentimaculata (He mipteronotus) 767 i
annularis (Apogon) . ; . 521 | argentimaculatus (Lutianus) - (661 ;
annulatus (Hologymnosus) . . 748 | Argentina ; : : eles |)
annulatus (Pomacentrus) . 733 | Argentinidae . F ; MPD hy
3 (Rhinobatus) . 59, 1014 | argus (Epinephelus) . : aS i
Anogramma 3 i . 464 » (Scatophagus) . ‘ .' 3618 a.
ansorgei (Syngnathus) : . 287 | argyreus (Pomadasys) : 5 GTS
antarctica (Sciaena hololepidota Argyropelecus . : Solan ho | :
subsp. ) ‘ . 569 | argyropleura (Tetrodon) : . 969 |
a Biaticonsn (Myctophum) . . 240 | argyrozona (Dentex) . : Baer fF (
antarcticus (Bathylagus) . . 129 | aries (Sparus) . ; : », O87 i
antarcticus (Callorhynchus) . 964) Aridae : ‘ : DS i
Antennariidae . : . . 1000 | Ariomma . : : ; - SOL |
Antennarius. ‘ - 1000 | Arius : : . 158
~antennatus (Diodon) . ‘ . 983 | armatus (Atractophorus) : 1 S2
Anthias . : : ; . 461 | armatus (Balistes) : : Yt
/
1
1036
armatus (Caranx)
Arnoglossus
arsius (Pseudorhombus)
ascensionis (Epinephelus)
asper (Taractes)
Aspidontus
Astrape
Astronesthes
Ateleopidae
Ateleopoidea
Ateleopus
atelodus (Atractoscion)
ater (Bathypterois)
ater Cae)
Athaena
Atherina .
Atherinidae
atherinoides (Gobius) .
Athlennes .
Atimostoma
atlanticus ( Benthodesmus) :
Be (Idiacanthus)
Atractophorus .
Atractoscion
atricauda (Sardinella).
attenuata (Arelia)
atun (Thyrsites)
Atyposoma ‘
Aulacocephalus .
Aulostoma
Aulostomatidae
Aulostomoidei .
aurantiacus (Lutianus)
aurantius (Epinephelus)
auratus (Mugil) .
aureus (Apogon) :
auriflamma (Mulloides)
auriga (Chaetodon)
auritus (Scarichthys) .
auriventris (Diplodus)
australis (Alepocephalus)
Anguilla)
Antimora) .
» (
» (
99 (
M4 (Engraulis) .
. (Epinephelus)
australis (Histiobranchus)
australis (Marsis)
australis (Maurolicus)
australis (Paraliparis)
Austroberyx
Austroglossus
Avocettina
Awaous
axillaris (Caesio)
», (Lepidaplois)
B
Bagridae . ;
bahienses (Exocoetus)
Balistapus
Congermuraena) .
PAGE
542
391
388
481
820
258, 1022
ooo
792
136
Dik
575
. LOU,
A413; 1027
788
664
487
Df
Pala
Die
657
473
308
521
585
609
UTO.
689
121
177, 1018
321
190
1h by
470
186
682
15
927
362
406
199
819
649
744
- GLox
269, 1022
. 953
Annals of the South African Museum.
PAGE
Balistes 950
Balistidae 949
banana (Gobius) 819
banko (Ophichthys) 204
Barathronus 884
barbatus (Petroscirtes) 842
es (Salarias) 846
~barberinus (Parupeneus) 588
barnardi (Ctenotrypauchen) 830
y (Myxus) 311, 1024
Bathybatrachus . 993
bathy bius (Histiobranchus) 186
Bathygadinae 331
Bathygadus 332
Bathylagus 129
Bathymacrops . 129
bathyphilum (Gonostoma) , 144
Bathypterois 232
Bathysauropsis . 230
Bathysaurus 228
Bathytroctes : : - za
-batis (Raia) : : ; a
BATOIDEI . ‘ : . 56
Batrachoidei g ‘ = SBE
Batrachoides 993
Batrachoididae . a
bazarutense (Branchiostoma) - » ae
Bdellostoma : 5 : ~t) ake
beani (Limanda) . 3895
», (Serrivomer) 200
belengeri (Sciaena) 572
Belone 4 254
Belonepterois 232
Belonichthys 286
Belonidae . 253
bengalensis (Anguilla) 177, 1018
bengalensis (Glyphisodon) > Soe
bs (Lutianus) 652
bennetti (Pomadasys) 677
~ benoiti (Myctophum) . 242
bensasi (Upeneus) 584
Bentenia . : 597
Benthodesmus . : : ieee
berda (Pagrus) . : .' h03
bertolont (Monacanthus) . 956
Berycidae : 363
BERYCOMORPHI 358
Beryx ; 363
biaculeatus (Syngnathoides) 285
bibarbatus (Gobius) 825
bicoarctata (Yozia) 292
~ bicolor (Barathronus) 884
bicolor (Thalassoma) . 764
bicolorata (Poecilopsetta) 396, 1025
bicuspis (Lactophrys) . 964
bifasciatus (Apogon) . 521
a (Pagrus) 703
bifilum (Blennius) . 833
bigibbus (Antennarius) . 1001
bilunulatus (Lepidaplois) 745
binotata (Tetraroge) . 918
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1037
} ——__ —__» aa ee
PAGE PAGE
binotata (Zonichthys) . ; . 557 | brevibarbatus (Lionurus) . . 349
biocellatus (Glyphisodon) . . 739 | brevicaudatus (Dasybatis) . dls Gea
(Pomacentrus) . . 734 | breviceps (Atherina) . , . 298
bipinnulatus (Elagatis) A . 562 | brevicristatus (Clinus) 3 . 856
biporosus (Clinoporus) F . 864 | brevirostris (Sphagebranchus) . 1019
bipunctatus (Teuthis) . : . 778 | brevis (Dentex) . ‘ yg le
bitaeniatus (Tropidichthys) . . 978 | brevispinis (Chilodactylus) F . 458
bivius (Scylliorhinus) . 144 54 (Macrorhamphosus) . 277 )
~)blainvilli(Squalus) . ; . 48 | breviventralis (Alectis) F . 549
bleekeri (Apogon) ; : . 516 | brevoorti (Euleptorhamphus) . 264
bleekeri (Solea) . - . 403, 1026 | Brotulidae : ; . 8i4
Blennechis : : : 838 | brownriggi (Gly phisodon) : . &/o9 [
Blenniidae é ‘ : . 831 | brunneus (Ilyophis) . ; . 182
Blennioclinus . : ‘ . 851 | butis (Eleotris) . ; : » 810
BLENNIOIDEI : : . 831 | butonensis (Lutianus) . - . 655
Blennius . : é : isGane, |
Blepharis . p ; : . 549 CG
blochi (Caranthus) . : 721
,» (Rhinobatus) . ’ 61, 1014 |-cabrilla (Serranus) . . 460
blochi (Tetrodon) : : ae caeruleopunctatus (Epinephelus) . 485 it
» (Leuthis) . : s . 79 | Caesio : : : ; . 649 \
blochit (Priacanthus) . ; : 498 Caesiomorus . : : . 553
~ boa (Stomias) . ‘ : . 137 | caffer (Gobius) . : : SRS LG |
~ bohar (Lutianus) : : =), Gp9 >> (Pagrus)> - “103 }
bonae-spei (Heterodontus) . . 45 |-calabaricus (Hemirhamphus) . 262 i
bonaparti (Notacanthus) . . 171 | calla (Selar) : ‘ : > BB |
bonariensis (Seriola) . : . 5056 Goines : : : . 464 |
boops (Cyttosoma) . ; . 3875 | Callionymidae . ‘ : . 444 !
3 (Priacanthus) . : . 500 | Callionymiformes : : . 426
Boopsidea : : . a 10 |) Calkonymus (2 s : . 445
borbonicus (Lethrinus) ' . 634 | Calliurichthys . : : . 447
Borostomias . : : . 135 | Callorhynchidae : : POS |
Bothidae . j : : . 384 | Callorhynchus . 8D \
Bothrolaemus . ; : . 552 | callorhynchus (Callorhyn chus) a eas Li)
Bothus . ; : . 384 | Callyodon j i agchD H
bottonensis (Lutianus) 2 655 | calori (Diodon) . : it todl
boulengeri (Astronesthes) . 133, 1017 | camelopardalis (Hippocampus) wr p24
boulengert (Gasterochisma) . 804 | camptosiensis (Mugil) . : . 302
Boulengerina . : . 495 |}-canadus (Rhachycentrum) . aul
bovinus (Pteromylacus) : . 83 | cancellata (Percis) . f . 442
Bowersia . ‘ : . . 647 | cancellatus (Gymnothorax) . ees |
Box 3 : : : . 726 | canescens (Zanclus) . : . 4&2
Boxaodon . . 691 |.canis (Galeorhinus) . : ae 28
brachycephalus (Cynoglossus) an », (Mustelus) : . > 30;4013
~brachycephalus (Clinus) . . 852 | Cantharus : : : as) 420
brachydactylus (Palunolepis) . 458 | Cantherines : : : i EA) {
~ brachyptera (Echeneis) : . 421 | Canthidermis . : : a (953 ‘4
ie (Pterois) : . 914 | Canthigaster : : + S96 (
brachypterus (Parexocoetus) . 267 | capense (Branchiostoma) : <2 i
brachysomus (Rastrelliger) . 2 i96 Es (Lepidion) . ‘ . 324 iF
Brama_. . : . 594 | capensis (Achirus) . : . 404
brama (Cantharus) : : . 649 » (Ammodytes) : 431
Bramidae . : : ; oS 3) (Anabas)ia : ~ 1/296
Branchiostegidae 4 : . 500 > (Arnoglossus) : Peers 1
Branchiostegus . : : 2 (500 > (Astronesthes) 3 1 34 |
Branchiostoma . é : an eae Bf 59 (Bathygadus) : », B04
Branchiostomidae . ge LO) PP (Bathypterois) ‘ ee )
brasiliensis (Narcine) . é seevOL » (Belone) . . 255
braueri (Coelorhynchus) . Me Dan ee (Callorhynchus) . 96, 1016
fo. (Wroconger): . ; . 193 | capensis (Carcharodon) ; a 2)
Bregmaceros . : - . 324 | capensis (Champsodon) : . 432
1038 Annals of the South African Museum.
capensis (Charax)
capensis (Chelidonichthys) ;
capensis (Chelidonichthys) .
capensis (Clinus)
», (Cubiceps)
i ( Diastobranchus) .
” (Diplodus rondeleti var.) 691
*e (Dipterodon)
capensis (EKlops)
capensis (Engraulis)
eh (Gaidropsarus)
* (Genypterus)
s (Gillias)
capensis (Gobius)
capensis (Hippocampus)
% (Leptocephalus)
- (Merluccius) .
capensis (Mugil)
capensis (Myxine)
capensis (Narke) :
capensis (Petalichthys)
a (Physiculus) .
capensis (Porogrammus)
capensis (Quinquarius)
capensis (Raia) . 4
ms (Regalecus) .
5 (Scomber)
capensis (Scylliorhinus)
» (Sebastichthys)
mr (Sebastosemus)
Y (Solea)
capensis (Stromateus)
capensis (Trulla)
99 (Umbrina)
3 (Zeus)
capistratus (Balistes) .
$3 (Gobius) .
capitaneus (Scarus)
capito (Blennius)
HG oreail))
Caproidae
capros (Antigonia)
Carangidae
Caranginae
carangus (Caranx)
Caranthus
Caranx
Carapus
Carcharias
Carcharias :
carcharias (Carcharodon)
Carcharinidae
Carcharinus
Carcharodon
Care proctus
carinatus (Cory phaenoides)
carneus (Dascyllus)
carolinus (Priacanthus)
carunculatus (Ceratias)
castaneus (Blennius)
castelnaut (Cantharus)
PAGE
709
940
941
853
891
185
635
104
116
323, 1024
887
867
402, 1026
898
416
578
aiden
952
819
Tree!
837
304
380
380
530
530
545
castelnaui ‘apts
Cataetyx .
Catalufa
caudaspinosa (Raia) .
caudatus (Lepidopus)
caudimacula (Coris) °
caudofasciatus (Tropidichthys)
Centriscidae
Centriscoidei
Centrolophodes .
Centrolophus
Centropercis
Centrophorus
Centropomidae .
Centroscymnus .
cepedianus ( Lophotes)
CEPHALOCHORDA
Cephalopholis
Cephaloptera
Cephaloscyllium
cephalus (Mugil)
Cepolidae .
Ceratoptera
cervinus (Diplodus)
Cetomimidae
Cetorhinus
ceylonensis (Mugil)
chabaudi (Serranus)
chadri (Scarus) .
Chaeropsodes
Chaetodipteridae
Chaetodipterus .
Chaetodon
Chactodontidae
Chalinura .
Champsodon
Champsodontidae
Champsodontiformes .
Chanidae .
Chanos
chanos (Chanos)
Characidae
Charax
Chascanopsetta .
Chauliodus
Chaunacidae
Chaunax .
Chelidonichthys.
Chenogaster
Chiasmodon
Chiasmodontidae
Chiasmodus
chilensis (Sarda)
Chilinus
Chilio ‘
Chilodactylidae _
Chilodactylus
Chilodipterinae .
Chilodipterus
Chilomycterus
Chiloseyllium
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
Chimaera .
Chimaeridae
chinensis (Aulostoma)
Chirocentridae .
Chirocentrus
Chirolophius . ,
chirospilus (Anthias) .
chirtah (Lutianus)
CHISMOPNEA
Chlorophthalmus
chloropterus (Exocoetus)
chlorostigma (Gymnothorax)
chlorurus (Chilinus) ;
Choerops .
chotrocephalus (Monacanthus)
Chondrobrachii . 5 3
chondropus (Sillago) .
CHONDROSTEI
choram (Tylosurus)
CHORDATA
Choridactylodes .
Choridactylus
Chorinemus
Chorismodactylus
Chorisochismus .
Chromis
chrysedrus (Parupeneus)
chryserythrus (Parupeneus) .
Chrysoblephus :
chrysophryoides a
Chrysophrys
chrysophrys (Caranx)
chrysostomus (Lethrinus)
chubbi fe oinynenes)
Cichlidae .
ciliaria (Caranx)
ciliaris (Alectis)
ciliaris (Caranx)
»» (Pagrus)
ciliata (Synaptura)
cinctus (Tropidichthys)
cinerascens (Kyphosus)
cinereus (Conger)
Be (Muraenesox)
cingulum (Glyphisodon)
circularis (Platophrys)
circularis (Raia)
cirratus (Pristiophorus)
cirrhifer (Monacanthus)
Cirrhitichthys
Cirrhitidae
Cirrhitiformes
Cirrhitus .
cirrhosa (Scorpaenopsis)
cirrhosa (Umbrina)
Cirribarbis
Cirrhimuraena .
citrinus (Hoplichthys)
Clariidae . ,
clarkw (Amphiprion) :
clavata (Raia) :
188
741
1039
PAGE
cleverleyt (Solea) 399, 1026
Clinidae : 850
Clinoides . 851
Clinoporus 864
Clinus 850
Clupaeidae 107
Clupeolabrus 649
clypeata (Echeneis) 421
coccinotaenia (Lepadichthy s) 424
coccoi (Myctophum) . 244
Coccotropsis 919
Coccotropus 918
Cocius 931
coelestinus (Glyphisodon) 737
Coelorhynchus . ; 338
coerulaureus (Caesio) . I 650
coeruleopunctatus (Lutianus) 655
coeruleopunctatus (Scarichthys) . 775
coeruleovittata (Guentheria) . 752
coeruleus (Gomphosus) 759
colias (Scomber) 794
collana (Scarus) 713
columnae (Rhinobatus) 59
commersoni (Ambassis) 643
He (Scomberomorus) 802, 1027
5 (Sphyraena) 314
commersont (Sphyraena) 315
commersoni (Thalassoma) . 764
compressicauda (Laemonemodes) 328
concatenatus (Lactophrys) . 964
conchifer (Zenopsis) 374
Conchognathus . : 180
concolor (Gymnomuraena) . 215
Conger : 187
Congermuraena _ 189
Congermuraenae australis (Lepto-
cephalus) 219
Congiopodidae . 928
Congiopodus 928
Congrellus 189
Congridae 186
Congrinae 187
Congri vulgaris (Leptocephalus) . 219
Congrogadidae . 869
conidens (Temnodon) . 510
constantiae (Mugil) 302
conwayi (Hoplegnathus) 505
coopert (Callionymus) 446
copei (Paraliparis) 926
cordyla Reealaep le) 533
Coris 750
cornuta (Aesopia) 409
cornutus (Blennius) See
Be (Dolopichthys) . 1004
ae (Ostracion) . 963
cornutus (Ostracion) 963
A (Zanclus) iy fae
coromandelicus (Tylosurus). . 1022
coronatus (Plectromus) 369
Corvina 569
Corynolophus . 1006
1040
PAGE
Coryphaena : 566
Coryphaenidae . : : . 566
Cory phaenoides 336
Cory phaenoididae 330
Cory phaenoidinae 336
Corythoichthys . : . 290
Cossyphus ; , . 744, 754
costatus (Paracallionymus) . 448
Cottidae : : 922
cottoides (Clinus) 858
Cottunculoides . : ; . 923
couesi (Cryptopsaras). - 1005
CRANIATA . : a 4
crassispinus (Plectorhynehus) ) 678
Crenidens . : . 109
crenilabis (Mugil) 5) U7
crenilepis (Mugil) 309
criniger (Gobius) 820
crinitus (Alectis) 550
cristatus (Blennius) : . 830
cristiceps (Pagrus) . ; mT)
cristiceps (Pagrus) . ‘ «102
crocodilus (Platycephalus) . 933
CROSSOPTERYGII . ‘ eS
Crossorhombus . : . 385
cruentatus (Priacanthus) 498
crumenophthalmus (Selar) . 536
Cryptopsaras : 1004
Ctenotry pauchen : ; - “830
Cubiceps . : : : 2 Soll
cubicus (Ostracion) 962
cuneata (Dicologlossa) ; . 1026
cunnesius (Mugil) : . 304, 1023
cunninghamii (Dentex) : le il ks:
curtus (Parabembras) . 936
curvidens (Gymnocrotaphus) Be earl
cutaneus (Tetrodon) . A Om
cyanophrys (Psenes) . : . 893
cyanopterus (Exocoetus) . 270
~ (Solenostoma) . esl
cyanospilus (Syngnathus) . 290
Cybium . : : 2 S0l
CYCLOSTOMATA 5 : Pied gu is
cyclostomus (Parupeneus) . . 586
Cyclothone : : . 144
cylindricus (Hpinephelus) . 479
Cymolutes . : Merit (0)
Cynias LOLS
cynodon (Petroscirtes) . . 841
Cynoglossidae 409
Cynoglossoides . . 413
Cynoglossus 4 : < a RL
Cynoscion : é : . O74
cynodon (Acropoma) . . 629
Cyprinidae - : ~ LBM
eyprinoides (Megalops) : . 104
Cypselurus 1022
Cyttosoma 375
Annals of the South African Museum.
D
PAGE
Dactyloptena 947
Dactylopteridae 946
Dacymba . ‘ . 675
dalgleishi (Trichopsetta) ; - oul
mn (Xenolepidichthys) . id
damaranus (Batrachoides) . . 995
darwini Ws Saas : : SGr
Dascillus . ; : me iS
Dascyllus . : : : . 730
dasson (Caranx) ; . 540
Dasybatidae : ; i Wie
Dasybatis i : : ee
Daina. , . 465
decadactylus ( Beryx) 364
Decapterus : . 533
delagoae (Hemirhamphus) . 2638, 1022
delagoensis (Eleotris) . : : Olt
delagoensis (Ruvettus) + 8S
delagoensis (Samaris) 4 . en
delicatulus Sees aang : : 20
Dendrochirus . : a
dentatus (Pagrus) : «| OOF
Dentex . ; : 2 es
dentex (Caranx) . 546
», (Chorisochismus) 423
dentex (Gazza) 626
denticulatus (Coelorhynehus) 341, 1024
denticulatus (Scarus) . 774
depressa (Fistularia) 274
dewaali (Gobius) 815
diabolus (Scorpaenopsis) 906
diacanthus (Epinephelus) . 478
Diacope . ; . 651
diadema (Holocentrum) 366
. (Mugil) 309, 1023
diadematum (Gobiosoma) . 829
Diagramma : 669
Diagrammella 670
diana (Lepidaplois) ‘ . 745
diaphana (Sternoptyx) : . 154
diaphanus (Ostracion) . 963
Diaphasia 885
Diaphus 237, 1021
Diastobranchus 184
Dibranchus 4 : 1010
Dicerobatis . : : - ee
Dicologlossa 1026
Dicotylichthys . : . 979
Dicrolene . : : : . “S8t
diemensis (Opsanus) 994
diepenhorsti (Ophichthys) 204
dimidiatus (Chromis) . : .
dimidiatus (Labroides) : . 149
dimorphus (Crossorhombus) 386
Dinoperca 489
Diodon 979
Diodontidae 978
Diplacanthopoma 878
diplodon We Gama a 1019
Diplodus . 689
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
PAGE
Diplophos ae
DIPNOI .
Dipterodon ; 635
dipterygia (Paraplagusia) 410
Dipterygonotidae ; 591
DISCOCEPHALI i ees
dispilurus (Parupeneus) . 487, 588
Dissomma : 247
divergens (Ventrifossa) 346
djeddaba (Caranx) 546
djeddaba (Caranx) . 543
djeddensis (Rhynchobatus) 58
Doliodon . 552
doliatus (Branchiostegus) 502
doliatus Pages nosus) 748
Dolopichthys 1004
dorab (Chirocentrus) . 120
dorsale (Thalassoma) . 762
dorsalis (Clinus) 861
dorsalis (Sciaena) 570
dorsalis (Vomer) 551
draco (Trachinus) 439
draconis (Pegasus) 1023
Drepane 600
Drepanidae ; 600
dubius (Anacanthobatis) 80
dubius (Clinus) . 865
dubius (Scombrops) 527
dubius (Tetrodon) 971
ductor (Naucrates) 560
Dules : 496
duodecimlineata (Lutianus) 653
duops (Apogon) : 522
durbanensis (Cynoglossus) . 412, 1027
as (Gobius) . jay ro Ss
¥, (Hilsa) TE TOLy
- durbanensis (Plectorhynchus) 672
durbanensis (Raia) 69
durbanensis (Scorpaena) 902
3 (Scorpaenopsis) 905
durbanensis (Sparus) . 688
dussumiert (Ambassis) 644
dussumieri (Arius) a Pat
a (Carcharinus) 2 1OU2
bs ae 263, 1022
3 (Salarias) . 846
dussumiert (Umbrina) 577
ae (Zonichthys) 557
Duymaeria ‘ 754
Dysomma 195
Dysommidae 195
E
eaton (Raia) . 66
ecaudatus (Areliscus) . 415
Kcheneidae 419
Kcheneis . : : : . 420
Echidna . : : . 213, 1020
echinatus (Diodon) . 982
Echinorhinus 46
——
Echiodon .
edentulus (Liognathus)
edwardsi (Scylliorhinus)
ehrenbergi (Manta)
29 (Pagrus)
Elacate
Elagatis .
ELASMOBRANCHIL
Eleotridae
Eleotris
elongatum (1 (Myctophum)
elongatus (Benthodesmus)
ze (Cantharus)
elongatus (Petroscirtes)
a (Omosudis)
on (Teuthis)
Elopidae .
Elops
emarginatus (Caranthus)
Emmelichthyidae
Emmelichthys .
Encheliophis
Engraulidae
Engraulis .
Engyschistae .
enneacanthus (Scarus)
Enneapterygius
Entomacrodus
Ephippidae
ephippium (Amphiprion)
Ephippus .
Epigonus .
Epinephelus
Epinnula .
EPiscopus (Pteromylaea)
Equula
equula (Caranx)
» (Liognathus) .
equulaeformis (Gazza)
eregoodoo (Mobula)
Er isphea :
erumel (Psettodes)
erythrinus (Pagellus) .
erythrinus (Pagellus) .
erythropterus (Lutianus)
estuartus (Pagrus)
Etelinae
ethiops Triacanthodes)
Etmopterus :
Etropus
Ktrumeus
Kuelatichthys
Euleptorhamphus
Eumecichthys
euronotus (Mugil)
Evenchelys
Evistias
Evistius
evolans (Halocypselus)
Exallias :
Exocoetidae
1041
87, 1015
696
511
561
18
809
809
238
2) #92
bl O2
$40
249
778
103
103
ea,
591
591
885
115
116
206
174
868
844
601
729
602
Sys
469
790
83
624
540
624
626
86
918
383
707
707
657
704
647
949
48
394
108
670
2 264
» 1025
307
- 1020
S "620
454
268
848
265
oe ee ee
ee ee
1042
Exocoetoidea
Exocoetus
faber (Ephippus)
faber (Zeus)
faleatus (Pterycombus) .
falciformis (Monodactylus) .
falcula (Chaetodon)
fallax (Glyphisodon) .
far (Hemirhamphus) .
fario (Salmo) ;
fasciata (Athaena)
fasciatus (Alectis)
fasciatus (Apogon) .
5 (Chilodactylus)
As (Coelorhynchus)
(Corythoichthys) .
me (Epinephelus)
fasciatus (Hologymnosus)
40 (Mugil)
fascigula (Blennius)
if (Echidna)
faurei (Apistus) :
», (Lepidotrigla) .
favagineus (Gymnothorax) .
feliceps (Galeichthys)
fernandinus (Squalus)
ferox (Alepisaurus)
», (Bathysaurus)
», (Idiacanthus)
ferox (Stomias) .
fiatola (Stromateus)
Fierasfer .
Fierasferidae
filamentosus (Aspidontus)
Ee (Dentex) :
filamentosus (Pristipomoides)
$5 (Pteragogus)
filamentosus (Xystaema)
filiferum (Neostomias)
filiferus (Bathypterois)
filosus (Dentex) :
jimbriatus (Chorisochismus)
fisket (Lophotes)
fiskii (Lophotopsis)
Fistularia . :
Fistulariidae
fitzsimonsi (Halieutichthys)
flabellispinis (Coelorhynchus)
flavicauda (Sphyraena)
“b)
flavobrunneus (Scomberomorus) .
flavocaeruleus (Epinephelus)
flavofasciatus (Corythoichthys)
flavolineatus (Mulloides)
flavomarginatus (Balistes) .
( Gymnothorax) '
florentulus (Gly phisodon)
fluviatilis (Belonichthys)
foetela (Plectorhynchus)
PAGE
253
269
603
373
599
639
612
740
262
127
423
549
514
455
340, 1024
291
483
748
307
357, 1025
273
«ole
- 1009
. 341
. 1024
802
475
291
585
950
212
740
286
672
Annals of the South African Museum.
fornasini (Ostracion) .
forskali (Hepsetia)
forskalii (Crenidens)
forsteri (Caranx)
Be (Paracirrhites)
forsteri (Scombresox) .
Franzia
fraterculus (Parupeneus)
frenatus (Amphiprion)
frenatus (Apogon)
frenatus (Balistes)
frigidus (Lycodes)
fucorum (Clinus)
fulviflamma (Lutianus)
fulvomarginata (Solea)
fumosus (Bathygadus)
Fundulus . :
furcatum (Pomadasys)
furcatus (Cypselurus) .
fusca (Eleotris) .
fuscoguttatus (Epinephelus)
fuscolineata (Umbrina)
fuscomaculata (Ostracion)
fuscomaculatus (Narcobatus)
fuscus (Apsilus)
», (Centroscymnus)
», (Gobius) .
», (Kyphosus)
» (Sphagebranchus)
fuscus (Thalassoma)
G
Gadidae
Gadomus .
Gaidropsarus
Galaxiidae
Galeichthys
Galeocerdo
Galeorhinus
gallus (Alectis) .
gangeticus (Carcharinus)
gardineri (Calliurichthys)
garmani (Heteronarce)
Gasterochisma .
Gastrophori
Gastrotokeus
Gazza :
gelatinosum (Melanostigma)
gembra (Lutianus) :
Gempylidae
Gempylus
genivittatus (Lethrinus)
Genyoroge . :
Genypterus
Gephyroberyx
Germo
Gerres
Gerrinae
gibbiceps ( (Pagrus)
| gibbiceps (Selene)
PAGE
963
300
710
543
450
259
462
588 —
730
518
952
872
853
660
400, 1026
. 333
253
681
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
MOl. “<< xXT, PART Oe
PAGE
gibbosa (Sardinella) 113
» (Scorpaenopsis) 906
gibbosum (Pachymetopon) . 637
gibbosus (Lactophrys) 964
gibbosus (Neocyttus rhomboidalis
Wars). : ake
gibbus (Lutianus) 655
gigas (Epinephelus) 482 |
gigas (Xystaema) 629
Gigliolia . 169
gilberti (Epinephelus) : 479
gilchristi (Chascanopsetta) . Bel oO
a (Cynoglossus) 412, 1027
gilchristi (Gobius) 816
gilchristi aa aaa 329
Gilchristia F 621
Gillias 867
Girellidae . 634
giuris (Gobius) . 814
gladius (Histiophorus) 807
gladius (Regalecus) 354
gladius (Xiphias) 805
glauca (Isurus) . 33
Glaucus - 553
glaucus (Carcharinus) 26
» (Trachynotus) 553
glesne (Regalecus) 354, 1025
globiceps (Laemonema) 327
= (Sparus) 685
Glossogobius 814
Glyphidois» 735
Glyphisodon 736
Glyphisodon 735
Glyphisodontidae : 728
gnathopus (Hoplobrotula) . 883
-Gnathypops : ; 443
Gobiesocidae 423
Gobiidae . 812
GOBIOIDEI 808
Gobiosoma 828
Gobius 812
Gomphosus 759
Gonorhynchidae 124
Gonorhynchus . 124
gonorhynchus ( Gonorhynchus) 125, 1017
Gonostoma 143
gooder (Aldrovandia) . : 168
goreensis (Chaetodipterus) : 603
gracile (Peristedion) 945
gracilis (Bathylagus) . 129
gracilis (Bathysauropsis) 230
» (Fierasfer) 886
5 (Macrorhamphosus) 276
», (Melanonus) 332
» (Saurida) 225
graecus (Scatharus) 722
graminis (Clinus) 863
grammatophorus (Epinephelus) 480
grammepomus (Gobius) 818
Grammicolepidae 370
Grammistes 491
Grammoplites .
grande (Pachymetopon)
grandis (Gonostoma) .
5 (Palunolepis) . :
grandisquama (Platophrys) .
grandisquama (Scaeops)
grandisquamis (Mugil)
granulifer (Histiophorus)
granulosus (Etmopterus)
-graphidopterus ( Cirrhitichthys)
grimaldii (Conchognathus)
griseus (Cantharus)
griseus (Hexanchus) .
,, (Plectorhynchus)
gronovii (Nomeus)
guara (Caranx) .
guaza (Epinephelus)
guenthert (Pachymetopon) .
guentheri (Selachophidium)
Guentheria
gunthert (Teuthbis)
- (Thalossoma)
guoraka (Pomadasys)
gurneyr (Atyposoma) .
guttata (Aetobatis)
guttatus (Pteraclis)
guttatus (Scarus)
guttatus (Siganus)
guttulatus (Hippocampus)
gymnauchen (Gobius) .
gymnocephalus (Ambassis) .
Gymnocranius .
Gymnocrotaphus
gymnoderma (Coccotropsis)
Gymnodontes : :
Gymnomuraena
Gymnosarda
Gymnosimenchelys
Gymnothorax
H
Halaelurus :
halavi (Rhinobatus)
Halichoeres
Halidesmus
Halieutaea
Halieutichthys .
Halocypselus
Halosauridae
Halosauropsis
Halosaurus
hamrur (Priacanthus)
Haploblepharus
Ben jorhilicliihys
Haplochilus :
haplodactylus (Scorpaena) :
haplostoma ea a
Harengula
hartlaubi (Tetrodon) .
hasta (Pagrus)
Be
1045
PAGE
931
636
143
457
386
387
310
807
49
453
181
ee
22.
671
174
207. 1019
| 3S
62, 1014
/ “Fok
870
- 1010
- 1009
268
165
166
166
499
39
253
253
903
436
114
967
704
1044
hasta (Pomadasys)
haswelli (Heptranchias)
haumela (Trichiurus) .
hawaiensis (Macrorhamphosis)
hebetans (Narcobatus)
hebraicum (Thalassoma)
hectori bec nigeg
Heleogramma
Heliases
Heliastes .
Helicolenus
Hemicoris
hemigymnus (Argyropelecus)
Hemipterois
Hemipteronotus
Hemirhamphidae
Hemirhamphus . 5
hemistictus (Epinephelus) 5
Hemitautoga ;
Heniochus
hepatus (Serranus)
Hepatus
Hepsetia .
Heptatretus
Heptranchias
Heptranchidae .
herscheli (Makaira)
heterodon (Clinus)
Heterodontidae
Heterodontus . ;
heterolepis (Platyeephalus)
HETEROMI . 5
Heteronarce
Heteroscymnus .
HETEROSOMATA
Hexanchus
hexatrema (Heptatretus)
hexophthalma (Parapercis)
hians (Ablennes)
., (Myctophum)
hillianus (Parexocoetus)
Hilsa
Himantolophidae
Himantolophus .
Hippocampus
hippos (Caranx)
hippurus (Coryphaena)
hirsutus (Lepidaplois)
hispidus (Antennarius)
i (Tetrodon)
Histiobranchus .
Histiophoridae .
Histiophorus
Histiopteridae
Histiopterus
histrio (Pterophryne) .
hoevenii (Pellona)
Holacanthus
holacanthus (Diodon) :
holcorhynchus (Rhinobatus)
holmbergi (Chenogaster)
61, 1014
. 804
Annals of the South African Museum.
Holocentridae
Holocentrum .
HOLOCEPHALI ;
holodon (Stolephorus)
Hologymnosus . ;
hololepidota (Sciaena)
hololepis (Zenion)
Holophycis
HOLOSTEI .
holubi (Chrysophrys) .
” (Sargus) .
homopterus (Bathytroctes) '
honckeni (Tetrodon) .
Hoplegnathidae
Hoplegnathus
Hoplichthyidae .
Hoplichthys
Hoplobrotula
Hoplochromis
Hoplopteryx
Hoplostethus
hoskyni (Aldrovandia)
hottentotus (Sargus)
huchtii (Anthias)
humboldti (Myctophum)
humerosus (Centriscops)
hunteri (Cynoglossus)
huttoni (Lepidothynnus)
huttoni (Platystethus)
Hyalorhynchus .
Hyoprorus :
hypenetes (Blennius) .
Hypoclydonia :
Hyporhamphus
HY POSTOMIDES
HYPOTREMATA
hypselogenion Gag
Hypsinotus :
hystrix (Diodon)
Ichthyorhamphos
Idiacanthus :
ignobilis (Caranx)
Ljimaia
Ilyophidae
Lyophis ‘
immaculata (Lampris)
immaculatus (Tetrodon)
impar (Solea)
indica (Acanthocepola)
indicum (Chiloseylium)
indicus (Alectis)
indicus (Alectis)
» (Heptranchias)
», (Histiophorus)
», (Lophiomus) .
indicus (Malacosteus)
indicus (Naucrates)
indicus (Parupeneus) .
454,
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
PAGE
indicus (Parupeneus) . 588
indicus (Platycephalus) 932
», (Psenes) 893
» (Synodus) 227
inermis (Chilio) . : 743
», (Cottunculoides) 923
» (Tetrodon) 968
infans (Avocettina) ; 199
infernalis (Histiobranchus) , 186
Iniistius : F 770
INIOMI 223
inornata (Boopsidea) . TAL
Insidiator 931
insidiator (Chirolophius) 997
43 (Liognathus) 625
insidiator (Platycephalus) 932
insignitus (Tropidichthys) . Si
insulindicus (Lethrinus) 631
intermedia (Zonichthys) 557
interrupta (Stethojulis) 756
intronigra oo 882
Ipnops 231
irideus (Salmo) . 127
iris (Trachypterus) 353
irvini (Centrolophodes) : 895
isigakius (Corythoichthys) . apv2gl
isingteena (Gymnothorax) . a) 626
ise." : : ; : 300
ISOSPONDYLI 102
Istiophorus 807
Isuridae 32
Isurus 32
J
jacksoniensis (Etrumeus) 108
japonica (Sphyraena) . 1024
japonicus (Branchiostegus). 501
{ (Monocentris) 360, 1025
be (Synodus) . - 1020
ee u(Zeus) 374, 1025
jarbua (Therapon) 467
javanicus (Gymnothorax) 212
a (Psenes) . 893
jayakari (Plectorhynchus) . 2 Ga
jello (Sphyraena) 314, 1024
johni (Lutianus) 661
johni (Lutianus) 660
Jordanicus 885
Julis 760
K
kalla (Selar) 537
kallopterus (Apogon) . 519
kallosoma (Stethojulis) 758
kanagurta (Rastrelliger) 796
kasmira (Lutianus) 652
kaupi agen cP neu) 183
Keris : 781
kirki (Arius) 159
kirki (Ophichthys)
kitaharae (Lambdopsetta) .
kleini (Chaetodon) :
Kneriidae :
knysnaensis ( Serranus)
kodipungi (Pterois)
koelreuteri (Periophthalmus)
kosiensis (Salarias)
kuda (Hippocampus) .
kuhli (Mobula) .
Kuhha :
Kuhliidae
kumu (Chelidonichthys)
kunzet (Clupea) .
kurra (Caranx) .
Kyphosidae
Kyphosus
L
labiata (Anguilla)
Labridae . ‘
Labriformes
Labroides :
LABYRINTHICI
Lactophrys
Lactoria
Laemonema
Laemonemodes .
Laeops
laevis (Echeneis)
laevis (Malacocephalus)
» (Mustelus)
Lagocephalus
lagocephalus (Tetr odon)
lajang (Decapterus)
lalandii (Seriola)
Lambdopsetta .
Lamna
Lampadena
Lampanyctus
Lamprididae
Lampris
lanceolatus (Epinephelus)
Ea (Mola)
langsdorfi (Hoplichthys)
laniarius (Pagrus)
laticeps (Pagrus)
laticeps (Pagrus)
Latilidae . A
Latilus :
latipennis (Clinus) .
latovittatus (Labroides)
latus (Caranx) ‘
laurentii (Petraites)
layardi (Stromatoidea)
Lefroyva :
Leiobatis .
Letrus
leiuroides (Ty losurus)
Lemnisoma
1045
344,
PAGE
204
393
614
126
421
1025
29
966
966
ao
555
393
32
237, 1021
700,
r- Bi
350
350
486
987
937
694
701
713
500
501
860
749
543
866
640
885
79
896
257
789
1046
lentiginosus (Ostracion)
leonis (Lionurus)
leopardinus ( Paracanthistius)
leopardus (Raia)
Lapadichthys
Lepidaplois
Lepidion .
lepidolepis (Anthias) .
lepidolepis (Holacanthus)
Lepidopus :
Lepidothynnus .
Lepidotrigla
Lepodus
Leptecheneis
Leptocarcharias
Leptocephalus .
leptolepis (Zenion)
Leptophycis
Leptorhynchus
Leptoscarus
Leptostomias
lepturus (Trichiurus) .
a (Uroconger) .
lessoni (Plectorhynchus)
Lethrinidae :
Lethrinus .
leucopleura (Gly phisodon)
leucospilus (Rhinobatus)
leucozona (Glyphisodon)
levenensis (Salmo)
Lichia :
lida (Cynoglossus)
lilliei (Notopogon)
Limanda .
limbata (Acanthocepola)
limbatus (Carcharinus)
lineata (Trigla) .
lineatus (Balistes)
lineatus (Caranthus) .
is (Lutianus)
», (Phbtheirichthys)
», (Plectorhynchus)
lineatus (Polydactylus)
lineatus (Syngnathus)
; (Trachichthodes)
lineolata (Sarda)
lineolatus (Apogon)
Rr (Scomberomorus)
lineolatus (Xystaema)
lineopunctatus ie
lintea (Raia)
liogaster (Halieutaea)
Liognathidae
Liognathinae
Liognathus
Lionurus .
Liopempheris
Liosaccus .
Liparidae .
Lirus
lithognathus (Pagellus)
- 1010
PAGE
962
349
469
74,
424
744
323
462
616
791
803
938
594
420
28
217
379
326
202
776
142
793
191
671
630
631
737
- 1014
741
127
558
411, 1027
279, 1022
395
503
26
943
950
G22
658
419
671
SHE)
- 1023
363
SOL
516
803
628, 629
718
72
623
624
624
346
668
966
924
896
705
Annals of the South African Museum.
PAGE
lithophilus (Scorpis) 663
litturatus (Gobius) 818
livida (Cyclothone) 145
lobata (Sciaena) . 572
Lobotes 638
Lobotidae 3 637
longifilis (Petroscirtes) 842
ne (Mugil) 1023.
longipinnis (Beryx) 363.
3 (Exocoetus) 271
bs (Taractes) 595
longirostris (Euleptorhamphus) 264
ne (Leptocephalus) 22
a (Lethrinus) 632
Ph (Xystaema) 628, 630
longus (Heteroscymnus) 1013.
Lophiidae : 996
Lophioidei 991
Lophiomus 998.
Lophiopsis 1000
Lophius 999
Lophotes . 356.
Lophotidae : : . 356
Lophotopsis : ; . 357, 1025
lophus (Sparus) . ; ; 698
lucifer (Etmopterus) . 50
luna (Caranx) 546
luna (Lampris) . : 351
lunare (Thalassoma) . 763
lunaris (Caesio) . 650
» (Tetrodon) 968.
lunula (Chaetodon) 610
lurida (Siganus) 785
luteus (Parupeneus) 586
Lutianidae : 646.
Lutianinae 647
Lutianus . 651
Lycodes + See
Lycodontis . 1019
Lycodonus 873
Lyconinae 335.
Lyconodes 335
lymna (Taeniura) - 1015
lysan (Chorinemus) 563
M
macclellandi (Bregmaceros) 325.
Macdonaldia . : 171
machnata (Elops) 103
macracanthus (Xystaema) 627
macrocephalus (Cottunculoides) 923
a (Dentex) . ie
% (Gymnomuraena). 216.
macrochir (Aldrovandia) 168
macrodens (Dentex) : 717
macrolepidotum (Hemipteronotus) 769
macrolepidotus (Heniochus) 607
(Neoscopelus) 246
macr olepis (Bathymacrops) 129
* (Mugil) . : 309, 1023.
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
PAGE
macrolepis (Paracitharus) 389, 1025
macronema (Parupeneus) 587
Macropharyngodon 751
macrophthalmus (Dentex) Ti kee
(Plectromus) 369
macrophthalmus (Selar) 536
macrops (Epigonus) 523
macrops (Neobythites) 879
macrops (Plectorhynchus) . 674
macroptera (Umbrina) 581
macropteroides (Apogon) 516
macropterus (Apogon) 516
macropus (Priacanthus) 500
Macrorhamphosidae 275
Macrorhamphosus 275
macrosolen (Notopogon) 279
macrosoma (Decapterus) 535
Macrouridae ‘ 330
Macrourus 336
MACTOUrUS (Lepidaplois) 745
Macruridae : 330
macrurus (Pterois) 913
» (Thyrsoidea) 212, 1020
maculata (Chascanopsetta) . 390
maculata (Raia) a
6 (Sillago) 508
maculatum (Plectropoma) . 469
a (Pomadasys) 679
maculatus (Canthidermis) 954
maculatus (Cirrhitus) . 452
maculatus (Diodon) 980
Be (Epinephelus) 478
s (Helicolenus) 907
ef (Lirus) 896
maculatus (Nomeus) A 890
oe (Paracanthistius) 469
maculatus (Pseudocyttus) 376
maculifer (Diodon) 981
maculosus (Scarus) 13
Maenidae . <2 681
mahsenoides (Lethrinus) 631, 633
major (Alectis) . . 550
Makaira 808
makua (Ranzania) 989
malabarica (Pempheris) 666
malabaricus (Caranx) 54]
malabaricus (Epinephelus) . 484
e (Gobius) . : 818
a (Platycephalus) 933
Malacocephalus 2 344
Malacosteus : 139
malleus (Sphyrna) 32
malo (Kuhlia) - 497
Malthopsis ‘ . 1008
manadensis (Anthias) 463
manazo (Mustelus) 30
mangula gage 666
Manta : : 2) 586
Mapo : : : Spits S20
Marcgravia : 992
Marcgravichthys 992
1047
PAGE
margaritatus (Tropidichthys) 977
margariteus (Glyphisodon) . 738
margaritifera (Sciaena) 569
margaritophorus (Gymnothorax) . 209
marginata (Acanthocepola) . 903
marginata (Raia) 65
3 (Synaptura) 406
marginatus (Conger) 188
marginatus (Dascyllus) 731
marginatus (Dules) 495
a (Lutianus) 656
marginatus (Ophichthys) 1019
Mar leyella " 1025
marleyi (Amblyapistus) 917
aa (Areliscus) 414
“ (Callionymus) 446
< (Chaetodon) . 613
marley (Sciaena) 571
marmorata (Gymnomuraena) 215
ie (Paraplagusia) . . 410
marmoratus (Anacanthobatis) eo
s (Callionymus) . 447
ae (Cirrhitus) 452
a (Narcobatus) 90, 1016
ue (Pardachirus) . 405, 1026
marmoratus (Schedophilus) . 896
ue (Scorpaenopsis) 905
maroccanus (Dentex) 718
Marsis « 682
Mastacembelidae ~ LOTT
Masturus . 5 986
matoides (Teuthis) 779
mauritianus (Selar) 536
Maurolicus é 150
maximus (Cetorhinus) atrnod.
mbaoensis (Solea senegalensis var. )
399, 1026
mediterraneum (Hoplostethus) 362
mediterraneus (Plectorhynchus) . 673
Megalaspis 532
Megalops . ‘ 104
megalops (Plectromus) 369
a (Squalus) 48
megalopterus (Mustelus) 29
Melamphaes : 368
Melamphaidae . : 367
melampus (Gasterochisma) . 804
melampygus (Caranx) 544
Melanobranchus ‘ 332
melanobranchus (Bathygadus) 334
melanocephalus (Gobius) 818
Ss (Monacanthus) 956
Melanocetidae . 1007
Melanocetus . 1007
Melanonosoma . 331
Melanonus , 331
melanops (Melanostomias) : . 142
melanoptera (Solea) 401, 1026
melanopterus (Carcharinus) 24
Melanostigma 874
Melanostoma 526
1048
PAGE
Melanostomias . i 142
melanotaenia (Apogon) 519
melanotus (Chaetodon) 612
melanotus (Gomphosus) . 760
af (Tylosurus) . 1022
melanura (Clupea) 115
melanura (Sardinella) 1017
melanurus (Batrachoides) 994.
> (Marsis) G82
melas (Hpinephelus) 470
melas (Kpinephelus) ; 474.
meleagris (Gymnothorax) . 208
iy (Salarias) 846
mentalis (Petraites) 866
mento (Parexocoetus) 267
Merluccius : 320
merra (Kpinephelus) . 483
mesogaster (Parexocoetus) .
267, 1022
Me: soprion : 651
mesoprion (Acanthocepola) . 5038
M esopr istes 465
messieri (Cataetyx) 877
messinensis ({Lyoprorus) 221
microchirus (Stromateus) 899
MICROCYPRINI 252
microdon (Cyclothone) 146
microlepidotus (Rastrelliger) 796
microlepis (Austroglossus) . 407
(Caranthus) 723
a (Pagellus) . feo
i = dam (Laeops) 392
(Trulla) 416
mic ops (Scylliorhinus) 41
micropterus (Gymnomuraena) 216
micropus (Ktrumeus) . 108
Microstomidae . 128
micrura (Pteroplatea) SO
micrurus (Psednos) 927
miles (Dentex) . 715
miles (Porogadus) . SSL
miles (Pterois) 912, 913
» (Sciaena) . 570
miniatus (Epinephelus) 474
> (Lethrinus) . 632
Minous : : 920
minuta (Gazza) . . 626
miraletus (Raia) 68
mitis (Balistes) . 952
5, (Pristipomoides) 648
mitratus (Petroscirtes) 842
mizolepis (Plectromus) 368
Mobula ; 85
Mobulidae 28d
Mochokidae . 1018
Mochokus Oe
modestoides (Cantherines) ; 958
modestus (Kpinephelus) 481
modestus Sa acseiahe 2 739
Mola ; ; 986
mola (Mola) 986
mola (Mola) 987
Annals of the South African Museum.
Molacanthus
Molidae
molucca (Liopempheris)
moluccensis (Clupea) .
Monacanthus ;
monacanthus (Coccotropus)
Monocentridae . a
Monocentris
Monoceros ;
monoceros (Alutera) .
monochrous ( Apogon)
Monodactylidae
Monodactylus
monogramma (Scolopsis)
monstrosa (Chimaera)
Mormyridae ‘
mormyrus (Pagellus) .
morrhua (Epinephelus)
morrisil (Leptocephalus)
moseleyi (Notacanthus)
mossambica (Anguilla)
3 (Scorpaena)
mossambicus (Chilinus)
mossambicus (Syngnathus) .
Motella
mucronatus (Maurolicus)
Mugil
Mugilidae ;
Mullidae
Mulloides .°
multicolor (Coris)
multidentatus (Congiopodus)
multifasciatus (Dipterodon)
multilineatus (Mugil) .
multimaculatum (Pomadasys)
multimaculatus (Diodon)
multipunctatus (Scopelopsis)
multiradiatus COMMS ai He
Mupus
Muraenesocidae_
Muraenesox
Muraenidae
murdjan (Myripristis).
muricata (Pterois)
muroadsi (Decapterus)
murrayi (Ipnops)
mus (Clinus)
muscatensis (Opisthognathus)
Mustelus . :
Myctophidae
Myctophoidea
Myectophum
Myliobatidae
Myliobatis
myops (Trae hinocephalus) .
Myripristis :
Mystriophis
Myxine
Myxinidae
Myxodes .
Myxus
230,
17
175, 1018
903
765
290
322
. 26r
301, 1023
300
582
585
751
929
635
304
679
980
246
455
S96
196
197
207
367
912
534
231
854
. 443
29, 10138
. | 284
. 224
240, 1021
81
82, 1015
227, 1020
367
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1
N
naevus (Raia)
Narcine . :
NARCOBATOIDEI :
Narcobatus :
narinari (Aetobatis)
Narke F
Naseus
Naso
nasutus (Pagrus)
natalense (Acanthidium)
natalensis (Ambassis)
> (Anchichoerops) .
a (Anthias)
s (Apogon)
natalensis (Areliscus) .
natalensis (Ateleopus)
3 (Belone)
natalensis (Cantharus)
a (Cantherines)
a (Caranx) .
> (Chelidonichthys)
natalensis (Choridactylus) .
natalensis (Coelorhynchus) .
iS
natalensis (Cubiceps) .
natalensis (Dentex)
Gobius)
es pepowmnpys)
natalensis (Iso) .
re (Lepidion) .
natalensis (Lepidotrigla)
» (Mugil)
iD (Mustelus) .
natalensis (Narcine)
Be (Notopogon)
es (Pagellus) .
natalensis (Parupeneus)
natalensis (Pellona)
ss (Physiculus)
natalensis (Psenes)
IP &
natalensis (Pseudochromis)
natalensis (Pseudorhombus)
a (Pterois)
natalensis (Pteroplatea)
natalensis (Rhinobatus)
natalensis (Rhynchohyalus).
(
natalensis (Sargus)
a (Scarus)
natalensis (Scorpaena)
Mf (Scylliorhinus)
natalensis (Sparus)
a (Sphyraena)
natalensis (Synagrops)
Nauclerus
Naucrates :
naucrates (Leptecheneis)
nebulopunctatus (Gobius)
nebulosa (Echidna)
( :
= (Engyprosopon) .
( ;
(
( F
33 Pes oe d
341, 1024
892
718
386
816
049
PAGE
nebulosa (Parapercis) 44]
nebulosa (Saurida) 225
nebulosus (Cynoscion) 574
af (Lethrinus) 633
34 (Siganus) 785
neglectus (Fierasfer) . 886
Nematops 395
nematopterus (Pte ragogus) « 166
Nemichthidis scolopacei (Tilurella) 223
Nemichthyidae . : o LOT
Nemichthys 198
Nemophis . 849
Neobythites 879
Neocyttus 376
Neoscombrops . 528
Neoscopelus 246
Neostomias 138
nesogallica (Pempheris) 666
* (Scorpaenopsis) . 906
Nettastoma : 193
Nettastomatis (Leptocephalus) 221
Nettastominae . 187
nicobariensis (Holacanthus) 615
niger (Aldrovandia) 168
niger (Apolectus) 565
», (Balistes) . 951
», (Centrolophus) . 895
», (Chiasmodon) 434
,, (Etmopterus) 50
», (Melanostomias) 142
nigra (Elacate) . 511
nigricans (Plesiops) 494
nigripes (Apogon) 514
nigripinnis (Chaetodon) 613
nigripinnis (Diplacanthopoma) 878
nigripinnis (Pagrus) . 695
“ (Pterois) . 913
nigrofasciata (Zonichthys) . 557
nigrofasciatus (Sargus) « 685,687
nigrofuscus (Teuthis) a i)
nigromaculatus (Laeops) 392
nigromaculatus (Lepidaplois) 746
nigromaculatus (Lionurus) . . 3848
nigromarginatus (Opisthognathus) 444
nigrum (Myctophum) 239
nitidus (Emmelichthys) 592
nobilianus (Narcobatus) 89
nobilis (Polymixia) 359
Nomeus 7 889
noordzicki (Conger) 188
Notacanthidae . 168
Notacanthus . 169
notatus (Glyphisodon) 737
Notidanidae 20
Notopogon 277
Novacula . : : 767
novacula (Hemipteronotus) 767
novae-hollandiae (Hippocampus). 294
novemcinctus (Serranus) 460
novemmaculatus (Diodon) 980
nuchalis (Gobius) 824
1050
nudiceps (Goblus)
nudivomer (Gymnothorax) .
nuttingt (Polyipnus)
O
obesus (Hemirhamphus)
oblongus (Monacanthus)
+ (Tetrodon) .
oblongus (‘Trachynotus)
oblongus (Xystaema)
obseura (Cyclothone) .
obscurus (Carcharinus)
obscurus (Gobius)
obtusata (Sphyraena)
obtusirostre (Heleogramma)
obtusus (Rhinobatus) .
occidentalis (Uranoscopus) .
ocellala (Apogon)
ocellata (Solea) .
ocellatus (Actobatis)
ocellatus (Blennius)
ocellatus (Galeichthys)
ocellatus (Pteraclis)
a (Rhinobatus)
” (Symphurus)
ocellatus (‘Tropidichthys)
ocellifera (Raia) :
octatrema (Heptatretus)
oculata (Raia)
Odontaspidae
Odontaspis
oeur (Mugil)
olfersi (Argyrope lecus)
oligolepis (Mugil)
Oligopodus
olivaceus (Gobius)
Omosudidae
Omosudis ‘
Onchocephalidae
Oneirodes
Onos ,
oortii (Salarias)
operculare (Pomadasys)
opercularis (Lethrinus)
opercularis (Pteragogus)
Ophichthidis — serpentis
cephalus)
Ophichthus
Ophichthyidae .
Ophichthys
Ophidiidae .
ophiocephalus ( Eleotris)
Ophthalmolophus
Opisthognathidae
Opisthognathus
OPISTHOMI
Oplegnathus
Opsan Us
oramin (Siganus)
orbicularis (Diodon)
PAGK
o CORO
209, LOLD
» 165
262
956
967
554.
629
147
25
821
316, 1024
869
62, 1014.
. 436
522
401
84.
836
161
. 697
» LOWS
418
977
67, LOLS
. 1023
597
816
248
249
. L008
. 1004
. 1024
8458
675
633
: . 764
(Lepto-
; . 220
201
201
201, 1019
. 887
811
851
443
. 443
« LOM
504
992
785
982
Annals of the South African Museum.
PAGE
orbignianus (Parexocdetus) . 267
orbis (Chaetodipterus) 604
» (Tripterodon) 725
Orcynus 799
Orectolobidae ¢ ; 36
orientalis (Dactylopterna) . 947
ss (Epinnula) . 790
orientalis (Grammistes) 492
a (Sarda) 801
orissa (Manta) 87
ornatus (Clinus) 856
» (Samaris) 396
Orthagoriscus 986
Osbeckia . 960
OSTARLOPHYSI 156
Ostracion . : 961
Ostraciontidae . , 961
otaitensis (Pempheris) 666
Otolithus . 573
Oltophidium 888
oualensis (Pempheris) 666
ovalis (Platophrys) 394
ovatus (‘Trachynotus) 553
oweni (Halosaurus) 166
Owstonia . 492
Oxybeles 885
oxycephalus (Cirthitichthys) 453
Oxygadus 342
Oxymacrurus 341
oxyrhynehus (Hologymnosus) 748
Oxystomus ; , 201
Oxyurichthys 824
oyena (Xystaema) 628
iy
Pachymetopon . 636
Pagellus 705
Pagrichthys 692
Pagrus 692
pallida (Cyclothone microdon var, ) 146
Palunolepis 2 456
panthera (Narcobatus) x . ay
pantherinus (Bothus) . 385, 1025
pantherinus (Gymnomuraena) , 215
pantherinus (Scylliorhinus) 40, 1013
Pantodontidae ; 126
papper (Ichth. yorhamphos) 505
» (Lachta) . 555
Parabembras 936
Paracallionymus 448
Parachaeturichthys 826
Paracirrhites 450
Paracitharus 389
Paracyttopsis 378
Paradicrolene SSL
paradiseus (Labroides) 749
paradoxus (Stylophthalmus) 140
Parahynnodus . : . 525
Paralichthodes 397
Paralichthodidae 397
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
Paraliparis :
parallelus (M acrurus)
Paralosa
Paramacrurus
Paramia :
Parapempheris .
Parapercis
Paraplagusia
Parascombrops .
Parascorpis
parasiticus (Simenchelys)
Parasphenanthias
Parasyngnathus
Parazenopsis ;
parcomaculata (Raia) .
parcomaculatus (Diodon)
Pardachirus
pardalis (Cantherines)
Parexocoetus
Parupeneus
parva (Sciaena) . :
parviceps (Nettastoma)
‘parvipinnis (Atherina)
parvipinnis ( Synaphobranchus
pinnatus var.) .
pastinacus (Dasybatis)
patoca (Tetrodon)
pavo (Clinus)
,, (Pomacentrus)
PAGE
926
342
lll
340
52D
667
44]
410
526
664
181
492
289
374
68
982
405
959
266
586
pectinatus (Pristis) . 57 1014
pectoralis (Austroglossus) 407
pectoralis (Gomphosus) 760
pectoralis (Lambdopsetta) . 393
pectorosus (Heptranchias) . 21
PEDICULATI . + 290
Pegasidae 295, 1023
Pegasus - 1023
Pegusa . 1026
pelagicus (Lampris) 351
pelagicus (Syngnathus) 289
Pelamys 800
pelamys (Gymnosarda) 797
Pelates : 4 465
Pelecinomimus . 252
Pelicanichihys 389
Pellona 110, 1016
Pempheridae 665
Pempheris 665
pennanti (Maurolicus) 151
Pentaceros : : «622
pentadactylum (Hemipteronotus) 768
perarmatus (Dissomma) 248
PERCESOCES . 296
Perciformes 427
Percoidei . ; 426
PERCOMORPHI . 425
perelegans (Callionymus) 447
Periophthalmus ; 827
periophthalmus (Salarias) 848
Peristedion 944
Peristethus
944
1051
PAGE
peroni (Cantherines) . 957
peronit (Chelidonichthys) 941
perrotteti (Pristis) . : Pees): )
personatus (Gobius) 818
Petalichthys 55
petersi (Tropidichthys)
petimba (Fistularia) 2 74, 1022
Petraites . 865
Petroscirtes 838
Phaetonichthys 805
phekadopleura (Stethojulis) 759
phengodes (Myctophum) 241
phlegon (Syngnathus) 289
Photichthys 149
Phtheirichthys . 419
Physiculus 325
picklei (Pelecinomimus) 252
pictus (Chaeropsodes) . . 146
pictus (Chaunax) ; . 1003
» (Gymnothorax) 210, 1019
5, (Plectorhynchus) 670
picuda (Sphyraena) 315
Pimelepterus 645
Pinguipedidae 440
pinguis (Hepsetia) 299
pinnatus (Lyconus) 3395
re (Sy naphobranchus) ie
pinniceps (Antennarius) . 1001
piscatorius (Lophius) . . 999
PISCES . : : : ae
Plagiogeneion . @ : . 592
PLAGIOSTOMI : ; We
Plagusia : H . 410
Plagyodus 250
Platax 605
plater ( Callanthias) . 465
Platophrys 384, 394
Platycephalidae .» 930
Platycephalus : . 9al
platycephalus (Heptranchias) . 1012
Platyglossus 751
Platyinius 647
platynotus ( Gobius) 814
Platyschistae re 7
Platystethus : 454, 458
playfairi (Cirrhimuraena) 205
plebeius (Polydactylus) 317
PLECTOGNATHI 947
Plectorhynchidae 668
Plectorhynchus 669
Plectromus 368
Plectropoma 468
Plesiopidae 494
Plesiops ; 494
Pleuronectidae . 394
Pleuroscopus 437
pleurospilus (Tetrodon) 973
pleurostigma (Parupeneus) . . 690
pleurotaenia (Parupeneus) . . 688
PLEUROTREMATA ; ea,
Pliotrema ‘ ; : «ie
1052
PAGE
Plotosidae 5 : z . L6S
Plotosus . : 4 oe es
plumbeus (Caranx) ; : . 542
plutonia (Raia) . ; 2 OS
Poecilopsetta . . ; +, 1800
polleni (Narcobatus) . 5 » 1. 80
Polydactylus. : . 3816, 1024
Polyipnus ; : , Loo
polylepis (Apogon) ; ; ey 40)
Polymetme ; ; P 1018
Polymixia : : ‘ . 359
Polymixiidae . F A peasit
polymnus (Amphiprion) : Ae hp)
polynema (Gobius) . . . 826
Polynemidae . : . 9316, 1024
Polynemus ; : . 9016, 1024
polyophthalma (Parapercis) . . 442
polyophthalmus (Gymnothorax) . 210
Polyprion : et
polystigma (Scylliorhinus) ; . 43
polytaenia (Hippocampus) . - 298
polyzona (Echidna) . . borer)
Pomacanthus . . ; ee
Pomacentridae . d : Ae hte)
Pomacentriformes . ; . 427
Pomacentrus . : : toe
Pomadasidae . ' , . 668
Pomadasys : 5 ’ . 674
Pomatomidae . A : 5 iO)
Pomatomus . : ; ade
Pompilus . : : : . 894
Porobronchus . : : . 885
Poroderma : : 1013
Porogadus ; : : . 880
Porogrammus . A 5 . 870
Porthmeus : . 508
praeopercularis (Epinephelus) . 476
pracorbitalis (Dentex) : . @14
praetextatus (Cymolutes) . oe
pretiosus (Ruvettus) . ; 2 TS
Priacanthidae . ‘ : . 497
Priacanthus ; : : . 498
princeps (Taractes) . : 2 OOD
Pristidae . , : : oO
Pristiophoridae . 5 : se Oe
Pristiophorus . A ; ae Oe
Pristipoma . d ; . 674
Pristipomatidae . ; : ; (668
Pristipomoides . : : 647
Pristis 5 56, 1014
_pristis (Platycephalus) , 934.
proboscidea (Venefica) : . 194
procerum (Myctophum) . . 2o8
profundus (Heptatretus) . . | tO
prognathus (Polyprion) ; . 488
propinquus (Allocyttus verrucosus
var.) . 4 « ote
proroscopus (Bathytroctes) : . eZ
Protopterus : : : . 98
psacas aL : : ae (3 V
Psednos_ . : é me ee
Annals of the South African Museum.
Psenes
Psettodes .
Psettodidae
Psettus s
Pseudochromis .
Pseudocyttus .
pseudodorsalis (Pleuroscopus)
pseudominiatus (Platyglossus)
Pseudomonacanthus
Pseudopentaceros
Pseudophycis
Pseudorhombus
Pseudoscarus
Pteraclidae
Pteraclis .
Pteragogus
Pterois
Pteromylaeus
Pterophryne
Pteroplatea ;
pterotum (Myctophum)
Pterycombus.
pugicephalus (Pagrus).
pumiliceps (Lionurus)
punctata (Corvina)
A (Drepane)
93 (Harengula)
punctatissima (Synaptura) .
punctatum (Plectorhynchus)
punctatum (Xystaema)
punctatus (Chilinus)
punctatus (Chlorophthalmus)
ae (Fierasfer) .
ue (Ostracion)
punctatus (Platycephalus)
punctatus (Scylliorhinus)
punctifer (Blennius)
punctillatus (Gobius) .
punctulatus (Aeoliscus)
punctulatus (Chilinus)
punctulatus (Diodon)
puniceus (Pagrus)
puntazzo (Charax)
purpurea (Dasybatis)
purpureum (Thalassoma)
pusillus (Knneapterygius)
pusillus (Prionotus)
Q
Quadrarius
quadricolor (Thalassoma)
quadricornis (Lactophrys) .
quadricornis (Salarias)
quadrifasciatus (Apogon)
quadrilineatus (Therapon) .
quadrimaculata (Clwpea)
quadrimaculata (Raia)
quadriocellata (Solea) :
quadrioculatum (Neostoma) .
queketti (Apogon)
PAGE
383
752
957
621
325
230
886
962
933
43
834
82]
280, 1023
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
PAGE
queketti (Chelidonichthys) . . 942
aS (Dinoperca) . ; . 490
ys (Seylliogaleus) 31, 1013
quekettt (Upeneus) . : 585
Quincuncia ‘ ; , hss
Quinquarius. : 1 G22
quinquelinearis (Lutianus) - 652, 653
quinquelineata (Chilodipterus) . 526
quinquelineatus (Lutianus) . G52
quinqueradiatus (Chirolophius) . 997
R
Rachycentron . : : , Ou
radians (Mugil) . : : . 3805
radiatus (Chilinus) . : 1 NGS
radiatus Se E : 38 GD.
Raia 2 : ‘ af G2
raii (Brama) : ; . 594
Raiidae . : : F 62
Ranzania . j ; ay iter’)
rappi (Xystaema) ‘ : . 630
rarum (Myctophum) . : - 245
raschii (Taractes) : : 4 595
Rastrelliger : ; : Soe
rasus (Rhinobatus) 1014
raynert (Galeocerdo) . ‘ Paar |
rectangulus (Balistes) : “7 99E0
Regalecus : 354
regani (Aesopia) 408
;, .(Scylliorhinus) . 42, 1013
Regania . ‘ oP nee
reinhardti (Himantolophus) 1006
reinhardti a benoiti
Var.) « : : . 242
Remora 420
remora (Echeneis) 422
remora (Echeneis) : 4 :
renardi (Stethojulis) . : i hod
reticulatum (Dascyllus) ; Set
reticulatus ee eens) oO
Rhachicentridae : 2 DEL
Rhachicentrum . ; " Se OLE
Rhinobatidae . A : 57
Rhinobatus : : 59, 1014
rhinobatus (Rhinobatus) ; Aas
Rhinodon : oO
rhinorhynchus (Petroscirtes) . 840
rhizacanthus (Raia) . ay G4:
rhomboidalis (Neocyttus) . An STi
rhomboides (Holacanthus) . ba GilG
Rhomboidichthys : . 384
Rhynchobatus . : 1 fos
Rhynchohyalus : : . 1380
Rhypticus : . 490
richardsoni (Borostomias) : Me tle ty
bi (Gymnothorax) 1019
< (Pseudopentaceros) . 621
richardsonit (Mugil) . ; 2 307
ringens (Canthidermis) . 954
rivulatus (Dentex) . : a) GL
1053
PAGE
rivulatus (Epinephelus) - . 480
rivulatus (Lutianus) . : Gee
a (Salarias) . : . 845
robinsoni (Dentex) . ; OM
od (Hoplegnathus) . . 506
robinsoni (Pagrus) . ; . 704
robinsoni (Parabembras) . . 936
robinsoni (Paraplagusia) . . 410
robinsoni (Platyglossus) . shag
3 (Umbrina) . : / MD
robusta (Tylosurus) . : MLSS
robustus (Clinus) : : . 860
ms (Mugil) : : . 305
zs (Parahynnodus) 525
ronchus (Pomadasys) . : 2. COME
rondeleti (Carcharodon) : ae ie
rondeleti (Diplodus) . : . 690
rondelett (Scombresox) : ot OO
rosea (Scorpaenopsis) : 2) 1904
roseipinnis (Apogon) . : 2) p2
roseus (Apogon) . 514, 644
roseus (Pristipomoides) : . 648
rostellatus (Ophichthys) . . 202
rostrata (Macdonaldia) ; eee! Pr
rostratus (Aspidontus) : . 843
rostratus (Bathytroctes) . ' 122
rostratus (Lethrinus) . - « (632
rottleri (Caranx) : 5 : \dae
rotundatus (Melanocetus) 1007
ruber (Otolithus) ‘ : none
rubescens (Antigonia) >) 1 900: 4025
rubiginosus (Plagiogeneion) heos
rubrum (Holocentrum) 366
ruconius (Liognathus) : 2* 625
rupestris (Dentex) . : Swit le
rupestris (Dentex) fio, 719
rupestris (Kuhlia) . 495
Rupiscartes - . 844
ruppellra (Zonichthys y , ey |
russelli (Decapterus) . : . 534
» (Hemirhamphus) . .' 261
,, (Liopempheris) . 668
» (Lutianus) . : 660
»» | (Pseudorhombus) 388, 1025
russellit (Pterois) ‘ : 913
russellii (Trachynotus) ‘ ~ god
ruthiae (Zanclus) : : 5 © Sie
Ruvettus . : : : ae NSE
S
Sacura . A : «61
safgha (Ambassis) ; : . 643
Safole : : . 495
sagax (Sardina). 112, 1017
sagifue (Macrohamphosus) . 276
salar (Salmo) . : : aT
Salarias . : : : . 844
Salariichthys . ‘ : . 844
saldanha (Gobius) : : | S23
(Seylliorhinus) . ieee
1054
"PAGE
saliens (Mugil) . 307
Salmo 127
salmoides (Epinephelus) 484
salmoneus (Chanos) 106
Salmonidae ‘ 126
salmonoides (Lutianus) 662
salpa (Box) 726
saltator (Pomatomus) 509
Samaris 396
sammara (Holocentrum) 365
sanctae-helenae (Decapterus) 534
sancti-petri (Chorinemus) 564
sandvichensis (Teuthis) 778
sandwichiensis (Cantherines) 959
sangiensis (Apogon) 515
sansun (Caranx) 545
saponaceus (Rhypticus) 491
sarba (Sparus) . : = 687
Sarda . 800
sarda (Sarda) 800, 1027
Sardina 112
Sardinella : 113, 1017
Sargus 685, 6 687, 689, 690
Sarpa 726
Saurida 224
Saurus 226
saurus (Elops) 103
», (Scombresox) . 259
saxatilis (Glyphisodon) 736
scaber (Platycephalus) 935
Scaeops 387
scapularis (Halidesmus) 870
7S Soa ac: 752
Scarichthys 774
Scaridae ak
Scarostoma 504
Scartichthys 844
Scarus 772
Scatharus . 2 122
Scatophagidae . 618
Scatophagus 618
sceleratus (Tetrodon) 969
Schilbeidae 157
schlegelt (Caranx) : 542
schlegeli (Rhinobatus) 61
schoepfi (Diodon) 983
schreineri (Dasybatis) 76
schwenki (Pempheris) 667
Sciaena 568
Sciaenidae 567
Scianectes 392
Sclerodermi : 948
SCLEROPAREI : 899
scolopaceus (Nemichthys) » 198
scolopax STecuene uel) 276, 277
Scolopsis . ‘ . 669
Scomber . 794
Scomberoides 562
Scomberoidinae 531
Scomberomorus 801
Scombresocidae 259
Annals of the South African Museum.
Scombresocoidea
Scombresox
Scombridae d
SCOMBROIDEI
Scombropinae
Scombrops :
scoparius (Lethrinus) .
Scopelarchidae .
Scopelopsis
Scopelus
Scorpaena
Scorpaena
Scorpaenidae
Scorpacnoidet
Scorpaenopsis
Scorpididae
Scorpis
scripta (Alutera)
scrofa (Scorpaena)
scullyi (Blennius)
sculptus (Glyphisodon)
scutatus (Paracyttopsis)
Scuticaria ;
Scylliogaleus
Seylliorhinidae .
Seylliorhinus
Scyris :
sebae (Lutianus)
Sebastichthys
sebastoides (Acanthistius) .
Sebastosemus
sector (Serrivomer)
Secutor
seheli (Mugil)
Selachophidium
Selar ‘
Selene
semicirculatus (Holacanthus)
semidiscus (Hologymnosus)
semispinosus (Trachurus)
senegalensis (Solea)
Seriola .
Seriolichthys
Seriolina .
Seriolinae .
serpens (Gempylus)
es (Ophichthys) .
serpentinus ad i 7s)
Serranidae :
Serranus .
serrata (Fistularia)
Serrivomer
servus (Therapon)
setifer (Chaetodon)
» (Monacanthus)
» (Xiphasia)
setigerus (Lophiomus)
setirostris (Thryssa)
setosus (Gobius)
sexfasciatus (Caranx) .
sexfasciatus (Salarias)
273,
306, 1023
875
536
551
615
748
531
399, 1025, 1026
555
561
558
531
789
202
202
458
459
274
200
467
609
955
849
998
119
823
543
845
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
sexlineatus (Grammistes)
sexspinis (Notacanthus)
sextarius (Polydactylus)
siculus (Ammodytes) .
Siganidae . :
SIGANOIDEI .
Siganus
signata (Cyclothone) .
signatus (Gobius)
sihama (Sillago)
Sillaginidae
Sillago
Siluridae .
Simencheliidae .
Simenchelys
simonensis (Solea)
simus -(Cantharus)
sina (Sciaena)
sindensis (Pomacentrus)
stndensis (Sardinella) .
sinuata (Umbrina)
sinus-persici (Narcobatus) .
Siphostoma
Sirembo
sloanei (Chauliodus)
Smaris
smithi (Letocarcharias)
smith (Mugil)
smithi (Narcobatus)
» (Raia)
snodgrasst (Sphyraena)
socialis (Xenodermichthys)
solandri ('Tropidichthys)
soldado (Sciaena)
Solea
Soleidae .
SOLENICHTHYES .
Solenostoma
Solenostomatidae
Solenostomoidei :
sonnerati (Epinephelus)
sonneratit (Opisthognathus)
sordidus (Glyphisodon)
spadiceus (Tetrodon) .
Sparidae .
sparoides (Glyphisodon)
Sparus
speciosus (Caranx)
spectabilis (Gobius)
speigleri (Mugil)
Sphagebranchus
Spheroides
Sphyraena
sphyraena (Argentina)
Sphyraenidae
Sphyrna
spicifer (Syngnathus) .
Spilotichthys :
spinacidermis (Raia) .
spinax (Etmopterus) .
spinifer (Congiopodus)
PAGE
492
en GS
317, 1024
43]
784
784
570
399, 1026
398, 1025
271
281
281
212
472
444
737
968
683
738
684
548
823
Be aOes
206, 1019
966
312
128
312
=)
289
669
73
49
814,
spinifer (Histiopterus)
”? (Pagrus)
spinosissimus (Diodon)
spinosissimus (Tetrodon)
spinosus (Cottunculoides)
e. (Diodon)
+ (Echinorhinus)
(Polyipnus) . ;
(Trachichthodes) .
splendens (Beryx)
3 (Kuhlia)
Spratelloides
Squalidae
Squalus F 3
squamipinnis (Anthias)
Squatina .
Squatinidae
stabuliforis (Raia)
stellatus (Balistes)
stellatus (Tetrodon)
stellifer (Corvina)
stellifera (Gymnothorax)
stellulatus (Dibranchus)
Stephanolepis
stercope (Polyipnus)
Sternoptyx
Stethojulis
Stoasodon
Stolephorus
Stomias
Stomiatidae
striata (Umbrina)
striatum (Pomadasys) :
striatura (Coryphaenoides) .
striatus (Antennarius)
(Clinus) :
ie (Holacanthus)
a (Teuthis)
strictus (Symphurus) .
strigosus (Teuthis)
strigiventer (Stethojulis)
Stromateidae . :
STROMATEOIDEI .
Stromateus ‘
Stromateus ‘
stromateus (Apolectus)
Stromatoidea :
Strongylura ‘
strophodes (Lepidaplois)
Stylophthalmus :
subcoronatus (Hippocampus)
Sudidae :
suessi (Narcobatus)
Sufflamen
sufflans (Scylliorhinus)
suillum (Pomadasys) .
summana (Epinephelus)
sundaica (Sardinella) .
superciliosus (Clinus) .
i (Minous)
99
99
929 | surinamensis (Lobotes)
1055
PAGE
620
696
979
972
924
983
46
155
363
364
497
10S
45, ay 3
1056
PAGE
Symphurus ‘ i ‘ wed PLT,
Synagrops : 3 : 2 peo
Synagrops ; ; : . 529
Synanceia ‘ ? : + 2920
Synanclidae : , «yi O20
Synaphobranchi pinnati (Lepto-
cephalus) . d : a erat ke)
Synaphobranchidae . : =o Se
Synaphobranchus. : tee
Synapteretmus . 5 ; . 282
Synaptura : . 405
SYNENTOGNATHI . : op
Syngnathidae . : : Aa te?
Syngnathoides . - 285
Syngnathus 287, 288, 1023
Synodontidae 157, 224, 1018
Synodus . 226, 1020
synodus (Synodus) . 1020
£
tabulae (Selar) . : ' 297938
taenia (Diplophos) . : . 149
taenva (Trachypterus). : . 393
taeniatus (Aspidontus) ; . 842
taeniatus (Polydactylus) . ee
rs (Tropidichthys) . LET
taenionotus (Amblyapistus) ely
taeniophorus (Pomadasys) . 7 0Si
taeniops (Epinephelus) : . 472
as eas a) 5 = Oo
Taeniura . ‘ 1015
taeniura (Kuhlia) : : . 496
Talismania : ; ‘ o wl22
tapeinosoma (Gazza) . : ~ 026
Taractes . ; : : . 595
taurus (Carcharias) . : ~ | 36
ter) CLs). ; . . 8d8
tauvina (Epinephelus) ; . 484
teira (Platax) . ‘ j 605
TELEOSTEI! . : ; ‘al OS
TELEOSTOMI , : oye
telescopus (Epigonus) : 1!) 029
tembang (Clupea) : f x LS
temmincki (Alectis) . . 049
temmincki (Aulacocephalus) . 487
3 (Syngnathus) . 21 HS
tentaculata (Pteroplatea) . 1 ok
tentaculatus (Pisty compalne) . 932
terina (Stethojulis) . fats)
tessellata (Gymnothorax) . . - 210
tetracanthus (Scatophagus) . «) G18
Tetradrachmum . ‘ 4 + Aa
Tetraroge . ; . 918, S19
tetrazona (Iniistius) : : RAs)
Tetrodon . ; ; ; . 965
Tetrodontidae . : : «' 965
Tetrosomus ; : ; + 3062
Teuthididae . ; : toe ea
TEUTHIDOIDEI . : Re (0)
Teuthis . ° . , re i!
Annals of the South African Museum.
PAGE
Teuthis 784
Thalassoma 760
Therapon . 465
theraps (Therapon) ; . 466
Tholichthys E 607, 608, 619
Thryssa P . os
Thunnus . 798
thurstoni (Mobula) 86
thynnus (Thunnus) 798
Thyrsites . 788
Thyrsoidea 212
tigrina (Gymnomuraena) 2
Tilurella : : 218, 226
Tiluropsis « ae
Tilurus 218
tol (Chorinemus) 564
Torpedinidae 88
Torpedo 89
torquatus (Cymolutes) 771
torvus (Congiopodus) 928
Trachichthodes . 362
Trachichthyidae 360
Trachinidae 438
Trachiniformes . 426
Trachinocephalus 227
Trachinus 439
Trachurops 536
Trachurus o31
trachurus (Trachurus) 531
Trachynotinae . o31
Trachynotus 552
Trachypteridae . 352
Trachypterus 352
tractus (Aspidontus) 843
tragula (Upeneus) 583
TREMATOPNEA 19
Triacanthidae 948
Triacanthodes 949
Triacanthus . 948
triangularis (Malthopsis) 1009
Trichiuridae 4 790
Trichiurus 792
Trichopsetta 390
tricuspidatus (Carcharias) 36
tridentifer ( ieee ualeneh 155
Trigla ; 943
Triglidae : 938
trilineatus (Pomacentrus) 734
trilobatus (Thalassoma) 761
trimaculatus (Dascyllus) 731
Triorus : 965
triostegus (Teuthis) 778
Tripterodon 725
Tripterophycis . 329
Tripterygium - 867
tripunctatus (Pomacentrus) 734
triserialis (Ophichthys) 203
Tropidichthys ? 976
Trulla : 415
truncata (Ranzania) . 989
trutta (Salmo) . 127
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
Trygon
Trypauchen
tuberculatus (Ostracion)
tuberculatus (Phaetonichthys)
tumbil (Saurida) ‘ ;
tumilabris Beene)
turbynei (Solea) .
Tydemania
Tylosurus ‘
typicus (Rhinodon)
typus (Carangichthys)
typus (Parascorpis)
U
uarnak (Dasybatis)
Umbrina . :
umbrostigma (Thalassoma) :
undosquamis (Saurida)
undulatus (Balistes) :
ee (Gymnothorax) .
undulosus (Dentex)
unicolor (Congiopodus)
unicolor (Ophichthys)
,, (Pagrus)
os (Salarias)
unicornis (Monoceros)
unifasciatus (Tetrodon)
Upeneoides :
Upeneus .
wpsicephalus (Chirolophius)
ae (Lophiomus)
Uranoscopidae .
Uranoscopus
Uroconger
Urophori .
Uropterygius
urotaenia (Ambassis) .
Vv
vagabundus (Chaetodon)
vagatus (Scoliodon)
vagina (Trypauchen) .
vagus (Pagrus) .
vaillant: (Chimaera)
a (Paradicrolene)
valentini (Aulostoma)
valentini (Tropidichthys)
vampyrus (Manta)
variabilis (Petroscirtes)
variegata (Echidna)
variegatus (Lethrinus)
a (Sceylliorhinus)
variegatus (Symphurus)
~ (Synodus) .
varius (Gomphosus)
varius (Synodus)
velifera (Pteraclis)
velitaris (Macrorhamphosus)
velox (Kuleptorhamphus)
256, 1022
ot
541
664
417
296, 1020
750
226
598
PATHE
264
1057
PAGE
Venefica 194
Ventrifossa 345
venustris (Clinus) . 861
vermicularis (Gy mnothorax) . 1019
vermiformis (Lycodonus) 873
verrucosus (Allocyttus) 378
verrucosus (Congiopodus) 928
vespertilio (Platax) 606
vetula (Balistes) 952
Vexillifer . 885
vicinus (Uroconger) 192
villosa (Fistularia) 273, 1022
viola (Antimora) 321
violaceus (Lethrinus) . 631
virescens (Lethrinus) . : 631
virgata (Tetrodon immaculatus
Ware). = 974
viridescens (Callyodon) 776
viridis (Algoa) ‘ 319
vitrirostris (Thryssa) . 118, 1017
vittata (Harengula) 115
vittatus (Upeneus) 584
vittiger (Apogon) 518
vogleri (Sciaena) 571
volitans (Pterois) 912
Vomer : 551
VOMEFINUS (Lophius) ‘ 999
vulgaris (Cantharus) 722
vulgaris (Conger) 187
ce (Merluccius) . 321
vulgaris (Mustelus) 30, 1013
ne (Solea) . 416
vulgaris (Sphyraena) . 313
vulgaris (Thunnus) 798
vulpes (Alopias) 34
», (Albula). 106
W
waigiensis (Lutianus) . .- 656
3 (Mugil) 310, 1023
wakanourae (Yozia) ee! )-
walbeehmi (Carcharinus) eo, Eee
warmingi (Myctophum) 237, 102]
warreni (Pliotrema) ees
ee (Apogon) 515
weberi (Owstonia) 493
woodi (Petroscirtes) 839
».¢
xanthocephalus (Chaetodon) 613
xanthopterus (Gymnomuraena) 216
xanthosoma (Dascyllus) 731
xanthurus (Chromis) . 732
Xenoberyces 358
Xenodermichthys 123
Xenolepidichthys 370
XENOPTERI . 422
Xiphasia . 849
Xiphias 805
Xiphiidae 805
i
’
1058 Annals of the South African Museum.
PAGE PAGE
Xiphiurus ; : , . 887 | Zanclidae . , 5 ‘ . 782
Xiphogadus ; : : . 849 | Zanclus . : ; : - 182
Xiphy pops ‘ J : . 617 | zanzibarensis (Yozia) . : . 292
Xyrichthys : E ; . 766 | zebra (Aesopia) . : ; - 408
Xystaema : : ; . 627 | zebra (Echidna) ¥ ; - 1020~
Xystophorus. , ; 2560 3 (Pterois) . : : . STB
Zebrias . : : - =
¥ Jeidae . |.
yapilli (Lutianus) : ; . 661 | Zenion . ; : : . of
Yarella. E ‘ . 148, 1018 | Zenopsis . : : Z - oe
Yozia : ‘ : ; . 29) | ZHOMORPHI . : ; . 369
Zeus , ; ; ae
Z Zoarcidae . . 5 : . 6A
Zalises . 5 : ; . 1023 | Zonichthys ; : : . 557
zambesensis (Carcharinus) . . 25 | zygaena (Sphyrna) . , - ae
zambezensis (Belonichthys) . . 286 | Zygaena : 4 31
¢ ~
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa. 1059
INDEX TO COMMON NAMES.
Norte.-—Only the more important and best known of the more strictly South
African popular names have been employed in the present work. In different
localities different names are applied to the same fish by fishermen and anglers,
and the same name may denote entirely different fishes. Verbal corruptions are
frequent.
Moreover, since the first part of this work was published, a process of stan-
dardising the spelling of Afrikaans words is taking place, as a result of which, e.g.
“ visch ” is now spelt “ vis.”
A PAGE
pace | Biskop, White . é , . 688
Adalah_ . : 5 : . 383 | Blaasop . : : - wart U
Albacore . Z : . 555 Atlantic ‘ : : . 966
Long-finned . : : 5. YE) Banded-cheek , : . a0
Allmouth . ; : ; g YEY Grey . : 5 : . 968
Anchovy, Cape . : i 4 MENG Many-spined . ; ’ ae! hr
East Coast . ; ; 5 Silver . , : : . 969
Angel-fish { ? : - 054 Smooth : F ‘ ran
Angle-fish : : : 5. OU Valentyn’s . ; 4 Hewayo
Angler. 5 ; : . 999 | Black-fish : : : . 490
Argentine é : : . 128 | Black-tail : : 09)
Assous . : : “ . 298 | Blenny, Banded Skipping : . 845
Blue-striped . : . 840
B Collared Skipping . ; 142847
Common Cape A : . 833
Baardmann : : 3 2) 75s Crested . - : . 835
Bafaro. : ; ‘ . 488 Dussumier’s Skipping . . 846
Bagger, Black . : , 5 LGD) Elongate : 3 . 840
Ocellate : : : alol Moustache . ! : : $a7
Red : : , ; Ge Ocellate : ; > 1 Sp6
White . : : ; GO Punctate : : : . 834
Bamboo-fish . : ie 026 Sabre-toothed : 5 . 841
Band-fish, Black- spotted : - 508 Scully’s ; 4 : . 836
Barbel . : : . 160 Spotted Skipping . : . 846
Dussumier’s . 3 ; 5) Striped . - , : . 842
Barbudo . 5 : ; DY Wood's : : . 839
Barracuda é : : ap ol4 | ‘Blue- bottle fish . : : . 890
(Australia) . ; : . 788 | Blue-fish . 4 : . 645, 897
(Natal) . ; . : . 803 | Blue-skin . : : : Pee |.
Black-finned . : : . 314 | Boar-fish . , : : . 380
European j : : eo Ono: % : ; : . 800
Pointed-finned : : wale Oceanic ; : ; Yee
Bat-fishes 5 : : . 1008 Paces’. $ : : . 801
Beaked Salmon : : . 125 | Bonnet-skate . : : BS
Bellows-fish ; : : . 276 | Bontrok . . : ‘ 106
Long-snouted : ; . 279 | Box-fish . ; : : . 963
Natal . 3 : 2 A raihe: Diaphanous . ; : - 963
Big-eye . . : : . 498 Four-angled . : . 962
Bijter : : : : . 8383 Three-angled . . 964
Biskop, Black . : : om G0 White-spotted : : . 962
VOL. XXI, PART 2. 68
1060
Bream, Bronze .
Butter .
Mud
River
Silver
Brusher
Butter-fish
Butterfly-fish
Black-backed
Black-finned .
Klein’s .
Lunate .
Marley’s
Plain-tailed
Short-finned .
Two-spot
Wandering
Whip .
Butterfly oe Atlantic
Natal! -.
C
Cape Lady , :
Cape Salmon (Cape) .
(Port Elizabeth)
(Natal) .
Cardinal-fish, Annulate
Barred . ,
Black-fin
Five-stripe
Natal .
Ocellate
One-stripe
Orange-spotted
Plain
Quekett’s
Two-banded .
Two-stripe
Warren’s
Chimaera, African
Common
Chor-chor
Coachman
Cob. :
Cod-fishes
Concertina-fish .
Conger, Cape Lesser .
Japanese Lesser
White
Conger-Kel
Conger- Pike :
Coral-fish, Banded
Brownrigg’s
Vive-barred
Sordid .
Three-spot
Yellow-tail
Courbina .
Cow-fish
PAGE
724
645
703
703
687
688
i 1897
606, 912
9 OL
613
614
610
613
913
897
OD
Os
569, 1027
521
516
514
519
520
O22
518
516
517
Annals of the South African Museum.
D
Dab, Bean’s
Dageraad .
Daggegraat
Daggerhead
Dane
Dasje
Dassie 5
Deal-fish, Mediterranean
North Atlantic
Devil-fish. \ .
Straight-horned
Dik-bekje
Dik-kop .
Dodskop .
Dog-fish, Balloon
Banded
Barbed Spiny
Cape
Common Cape
Deep-water
Long-snouted Spiny
Mottled
Natal
Ocellate
as
Piked
Punctate
Quekett’s ,
Slender-toothed Spiny
Small-eyed
Spiny
Striped .
Variegated
White-spotted
Dolphin-fish
Dorab :
Dory, Buckler .
Ox-eye .
Dragonet, Banded
Cape .
Long-tailed
Marley’s
Kagle Ray
Spotted
Eel, Avocet
Biology of
Cape .
Duck-billed
Mozambique .
Parasitic
Proboscis
Silver
Snub-nosed
Thread .
Electric Skate
Marbled
One-finned
199
178
175
175, 1018
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
Electric Skate, Smith’s
MFG. : :
Englishman
Escolar
File-fish .
Black-spot
Brown .
Oblong .
Reticulate
Rough-skinned
Tooth-brush .
Yellow-finned
Fishing-frog
Five-fingers a
Flat-head, Rough- scaled
Spotted
Tentacled . :
Flounder, Broad- forehead :
Crested .
Dalgleish’s
Kitahara’s
Large-scaled .
Mottled
Pelican .
Russell’s
Flute-mouth
Flattened
Spiny-back .
Flying-fish, Pointed- chinned
Flying- fishes
Fransch Madam
Frog-fish, Black-tailed
Ocellate :
Spotted-tailed
White-striped
Frost-fish .
Galjoen
Bastard
Gar-fish
Garrick
Geel-bek .
Geel-staart
Germon
Glass-nose
Goby, Bearded .
Common
- Dewaal’s
Durban
Flat-head
Fuscous
Long-tailed
River
Skipping
Spot-tailed
Spotted
PAGE
90 | Gregarious Smooth-skin
509 | Grey-skin .
700 Grunter
787 Banded
Blotched
Bull
Rock ‘
955 Spear-spined .
956 Striped .
958 | Gurnard, F hs
956 Grey .
959 Large-scaled .
958 Quekett’s
957 Red
959
999
564 H
935 Hag-fishes
933 See:
Hair-tail .
386 ion
396 Half-beak, Tce: S
Large
391 Pel
393 elagic .
339 Half- hee Groote
= | Halfeord .
385
Hammer-head
390
Hangberger
388 aa
973 arder. .
Herring, Banded Lesser
274
Natal i
212
Punctate Lesser
267 R
265 ound .
Straight- backed
Tit
Whiskered
994
Horse-fish
995 ;
992 Spiny .
Horse Mackerel
994 H
79] ottentot
Blue
Natal
Hound, Common
Long-snouted
635 Smooth
505
257
559 I
575 ;
555 | Isibubu-lungwana
799
118
825 J
816 | Jacob Evertson
815 | Jacob Piver, Peatardh
815 | Jacobpever ‘
814 Spiny
821 John Brown
824 | John Dory, Cape
819 Japanese
828 | Johnny
826 | Joseph
818 {| Josup
302, 304,
1061
PAGE
123
671
675
681
679
679
677
677
680
947
94]
938
942
940
1062 Annals of the South African Museum.
K
Kabeljaauw
Kalk-vis .
Kapenaar
Kapitein-vis
Karanteen, Striped
White
Katonkel .
Katunker .
Kerper
King-fish .
Commerson’s .
Lineolate
Yellow-brown
King Klip-fish .
Natal . :
King-of-the- Herrings :
Klip-fish . ‘ :
Bearded
Blunt-nosed .
Bull
Grass 3
Low-crested .
Mouse .
iMmimeoloured
Ornate .
Peacock
Striped .
Weed
Klip-vis
Bont
Klipzuiger
Knight-fish
Knorhaan, Graauwe .
Roode . t
Koning Klip-vis
Lady-fish .
Lancelet .
Lantern-fish, Murray's 8
Leer-vis A
Lizard-fish :
Blunt-nosed .
Deep-sea
Indian .
Variegated
Long-fin
Lootsman
Lui-haai .
Lung-fish .
Maasbanker
Mackerel .
Makreel
Melk-vis
Milk-fish .
Monk-fish
PAGE
569
791
717
862
726
re H7 10
elOgs
797, 1027
296
351, 548, 545
802
803
802
887
883
354
855
853
858
858
863
856
854
861
856
857
862
853
855
861
423
360
941
940
887
492, 560
Moon-fish .
Moorish Idol
Moray, Banded .
Brown Finless
Clouded
Long-tailed
Marbled Finless
Ocellate
Pear]-spotted
Spotted :
Spotted Finless
Tessellate
Undulate
Yellow-edged :
Yellow-tailed Finless
Mullet, Blue-tail
Ceylon .
Diamond
Flathead
Fleshy-lipped
Golden .
Grey
Indian .
Large- scaled .
Stout
Musselcrusher
Naald-vis .
Needle-fish
Common Cape
Oar-fish
Oil-fish .
Old Woman
Old Wife .
Opah
Paarde-vis
Padda
Pampano .
Pampelmoes
Panga
Pappegaai-vis
Paradise-fish
Parrot-fish ;
Blue-spotted .
Brown .
Pilot-fish .
Pine-cone Fish .
Pipe-fish, Common
Pelagic .
Slender .
Spiny
Temminck’s
Poenskop . ‘
Pofadder Haai .
PAGE
351, 554
782
213
215
214
212
215
210
209
208
216
210
211
212
215
305
305
309
308
307
308
304
306
309
305
695
262
262
255
354
787
616
952
351
928
999
553
897
694
505
749
505
775
560
360
695
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
Porbeagle
Porcupine-fish .
Flat-spined
Long-spined .
Pouter ;
Long-spine
Striped .
Prodigal Son
Puffer, Spotted
Puntazzo .
Queenfish .
R
Rat-tail, Banded
Black-spotted
Shovel-nose
Small-scaled .
Ray (see also Skate)
Smooth-skinned
Whip-tailed
Razor-fish
Remora .
Ribbon-fish
Fisk’s
Rock-cod, de ons Ss
Ascension Island
Banded
Blue-spotted .
Gilbert’s
Honeycomb
Marbled :
Orange-spotted
Reds :
Red-spotted .
Scarlet .
Sonnerat’s
Spotted
Streaked
Two-spined
Variegated
White-lined
White-margined
Yellow and Blue
Yellow-stripe
Rockling, Cape Three- bearded
Rock-Salmon
Rog
Roman .
Rooi Chor- ones
Rooiman .
Rudder-fish
Runner
Sail-fish
Salmon-bass
Lesser .
PAGE
33
980
981
979
629
627
628
, 562
437
709
Salmon-bass, Long-toothed
Sancord
Sanct Pieter Vis
Sand-eel, Cape .
Sand- fish.
Sand-shark, Bloch’ s
Blunt- nosed R
Unicolourous .
Spotted
Sand Smelt
Ocellate
Sie eae
Sardijn
Sardine
Lesser . :
Sargassum-fish .
Saury
Saw-fish :
Saw-shark, Water? 8.
Scabbard- alh
Scavenger
Long-snouted
Scham-oog
Scorpion-fish, Bar-tailed
Bearded ;
Hunchback
Natal
Roseate
Scotchman
Sea-bat
Sea Bream ,
Long-finned .
Sea-devil .
Sea-horse, Cape
Sea-snake
Sea-swallow
Serpent-eel, Common.
Kirk’s ;
Playfair’s
Rostellate
Short-nosed :
Unicolourous . 4
Seventy-four
Shad : ;
Shark, Basking .
Black . k
Black-fin ‘
Black-finned .
Blue
Dusky .
Fox
Hammer- Head ‘
Indo-Pacific Basking
Man-eating :
Port Jackson
River . é
Seven-gilled .
Sharp-nosed .
Six-gilled 5
Slender-toothed
Smith’s ;
1063
PAGE
573
907
564
. 431
125, 932
1064 Annals of the South African Museum.
Shark, Spiny
Thresher
Tiger ‘
Walbeehm’s .
Shovel-nose
Sickle-fish
Sierra s
Siil-smelt .
Silver-fish 3
Silversides, Black-backed
Cape . ,
Skate, Angular
Atlantic Deep-water
Buckler
Cape
Diamond
Electric
European
Leopard
Long-nosed
Mottled :
Natal Deep-water .
Ocellate :
Rough-skinned
Sandy
Sharp-nosed .
Short-tailed
Smith’s
Smooth :
Spiny-tailed .
Spotted
Skipper
Slangetje .
Slime-heads
Slimy :
Spotted
Slinger
Smelt :
Smooth-head
Snake Mackerel
Snapper, Black-margined
Black-spot
Blue-banded .
Narrow-striped
Ruby
Seba’s
Two-spot :
Yellow-margined
Yellow-streaked
Snoek
Soap-fish .
Soldier .
Soldier-fish, Dark- striped
Light- striped
Red F
Sole ‘
Black- finned .
Bleeker’s
Blunt-nosed_ .
Cape .
Horned
128, !
Sole, Ocellate
Regan’s Double-banded .
Senegal
Single- banded
Small- sealed .
White-margined
Yellow-margined
Spade-fish : :
Spear-fish, Herschel’s
Spet ;
Spieringtje
Spine-foot, Mottled
White-spotted
Spiny-back
Cape
Long- snouted
Moseley’ s
Springer (Cape)
(Natal) .
Stargazer . :
Steenbras, Bank
Red
River
Spotted
White
Steenje : ;
Steenklipvis, Banded .
Lesser ‘ ,
Steenvis .
Sting-ray, Agulhas
Common
Duck-billed
Marbled
Purple .
Short-tailed
Stockfish .
Stok-visch
Stone-bass
Stone-fish
Streep-dasje
Stripe-tail
Stront-vis
Stumpnose, Red
River
White
Sucker-fish
Grey
Natal .
Striped .
Sun-fish
Oblong .
Pointed- tailed
Surf-sardine, Natal
Surgeon-fish
Barred .
Streaked
Two-spot 3
Surmullet, Bar- tailed
East African .
Yellow-stripe
Sword-fish
302,
PAGE
401
408
399
409
407
406
400
603
808
313
298
785
785
169
173
172
171
307
103
436
497, 1027
A Monograph of the Marine Fishes of South Africa.
ie
Tarpon
Tassel- fish, Striped
Robinson’ S
Teraglin
Thorn-back :
Thread-fin, Six- rayed
Striped . ‘
Thread-fish
Straight-nosed
Tiger 3 :
Tiger-fish, Sea .
Toad-fish, Striped
Toby : :
Banded :
Black-spotted
Golden .
Immaculate
Ocellate
Trigger- fish, Black
Blue-and-White- spotted
Blue-banded .
Bridled .
Spiny-tailed .
Stellate
Triple-fin, Gilchrist’s
Triple- tail
Trumpet-fish
Lillie’s .
Long-spined .
Natal :
Tunny
Lesser .
Unicorn-fish
Vv
Varkenvis
Varrtje - .
Viper-fish, Sloane’s
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY NEILL AND CO., LTD.,
104,
- 1001
781,
PAGE
106
580
579
575
64
Sly
317
549
550
676
467
968
974
974
968
974
OTT
967
975
407
28
951
954
952
952
953
951
329
638
276
279
276
278
798
TSM
960
951
677
141
W
Weak-fish, Spotted
Weever, Greater
Whale- fish
Whitebait
Wilde-Paard
Windtoy .
Witte-vis .
Wolf-Herring
Wrasse, Banded
Bicoloured
Black-back
Black-chested
Black-spot
Collar
Crested .
Elongate
Five-finger
Giant
Purple .
Thread-fin
Window
Yellow-tail
Wreck-fish
¥
Yellow-eye, Flat-snouted
Punctate
Yellow-tail :
Black-banded
Brazilian
Zandkruiper
Zebra
Zee-basje .
Zee-duivel
Zee-haantje
Zee-slang .
Zee-vark .
Zeverrim .
EDINBURGH.
1
109,
065
230
230
a00
557
556
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