Cornell University Library
QL 628.W2K5

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STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

AN ANNOTATED LIST

OF

PUGET SOUND FISHES

By TREVOR KINCAID

University of Washington
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Prepared at the Request of and Issued by
L. H. DARWIN

State Fish Commissioner

August 20, 1919

OLYMPIA
FRANK M. LAMBORN G33 PUBLIC PRINTER.
1919

 
Hon. L. H. Darwin, State Fish Commissioner, Seattle, Washington.

In compliance with your request, herewith data and illustrations
of 115 of the more common varieties of the nearly 200 kinds of fish life

of Puget Sound.
TREVOR KINCAID,
University of Washington.

Seattle, Washington, August 18, 1919.
AN ANNOTATED LIST OF PUGET SOUND FISHES.
By TREVOR KINCAID, University of Washington.

Prepared at the Request of and Issued by

L. H. DARWIN,
State Fish Con:missioner.

So many inquiries have been made in recent years in regard to our
native fishes, it was deemed advisable to publish a brief popular survey
of our fish fauna for the benefit of those interested in the marine life
of this region.

The most recent list of the species of fish found in Puget Sound
was published by Professor E. C. Starks of Stanford University in 1911.
He enumerates 168 forms of fish life known to exist in our waters or
recorded from contiguous Canadian territory with the presumption that
they occur in Puget Sound. Several species have come to light since
his paper was published and there is little doubt the number of kinds
of fish in this region will be increased to at least 200 in the near future.

Many of the species now on record are extremely rare, although
this may simply mean we do not know where or how to search for
them. In some cases but a single specimen has ever been seen and a
number are recorded from a knowledge of less than half a dozen
examples. Some are strays from southern waters or have straggled
down from Alaska, while others have been swept into Puget Sound by
some unusual circumstance from the open ocean where they normally
reside.

The richness of the Puget Sound fauna is doubtless due to the fact
that we have here a meeting place for two great centers of marine
evolution. Many species of animals originally developed in Alaska have
gradually extended their range till they reached the Sound, while from
the other great center off the shores of California a similar migration
has occurred in times past. Thus Puget Sound is the southern limit
of the distribution of many northern forms, while it is likewise the
northern limit of a number of southern species.

The greatest diversity of fishes within our territory is to be found
in the waters about the San Juan Islands, where a surprising diversity
in depth and shore conformation make for a remarkable display of
marine life. The central and southern sections of the Sound are, how-
ever, well provided with representatives of the finny tribes, as may
well be seen when the proper equipment is brought into use to compel
them to emerge from their hidden haunts.

Owing to the limits of space it was deemed inadvisable to give
detailed descriptions of the various species, but rather to point out a
few of the more salient characteristics and to depend mainly on the
use of copious illustrations to delineate as many as possible of the
local forms. For those desiring to study our fishes in a more extended
manner we would advise the use of the great monograph of the fishes
of America published by Jordan and Evermann as Bulletin 47 of the
4

United States National Museum, which is a veritable monument to the’
patience and taxonomic skill of the authors. For similar reasons it
has teen decided not to incorporate analytical keys of the species, as
these involve a technical knowledge of fish anatomy which the average
person is not likely to attempt to master. A further limitation of the
present list is the exclusion of species confined to fresh water.

When we pass from the classification of our native fishes to a dis-
cussion of their habits and economic relations we discover a great
hiatus, since little has teen done along these lines except when some
immediate economic stimulus has provided the spur to effort. Hardly
a beginning has been made in this field of investigation.

Of the species listed at least 70 are definitely known to be of value
as human food, but of course, many of these are not customarily
marketed. Some of them are too small, others are rare or else do not
attract the public taste in competition with well established food fishes.
It is on the other hand rather obvious that most of the smaller varieties
furnish food for the larger edible fish, and hence are of great indirect
value in the maintenance of our fisheries.

In assembling the illustrations used in this report numerous
sources were drawn upon. The majority of the cuts were originally
published in the great monograph of American fishes previously men-
tioned and were made under the direction of Dr. David Starr Jordan
of Stanford University. Several were taken from a bulletin of the
United States Fish Commission dealing with the fishes of Alaska,
written by Dr. B. W. Evermann. Professor Starks of Stanford has
contributed a number of the important papers on the fishes of Puget
Sound and several of his illustrations have been utilized. Use has
also been made of figures prepared by Dr. Charles H. Gilbert, who has
published many valuable papers dealing with the fishes of the Pacific.
In a number of cases no illustration could be found in the literature
available. To assist in the identification of such species closely similar
forms, belonging to the same genus, have been illustrated for com-
parison.

In attempting to point out the salient characteristics of the species
enumerated in the following list, it is necessary to use some of the
technical phraseology of the ichthyologist and a cut is therefore given
to illustrate the more important superficial features in the structure
of a fish. Where doubt exists as to the identification of fishes found
in our waters, specimens may be sent to the College of Fisheries at
the University of Washington where material is at hand for more
exact comparison.

Many of our fishes are so seldom seen, even by persons in close
contact with fishing operations, but few of them have received com-
mon names, and many of these are more or less misleading. The names
presented in the following pages are offered in the hope of filling this
hiatus, although better ones will no doubt be evolved for many of the
species as they become more familiar.
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FAMILY 1. LAMPREY EELS; PETROMYZONIDAE.

In the strict sense of the word the lampreys are not really fish at
all, but they are so fish-like in character it is customary to include
them in a list of this group of vertebrates. They may be recognized
by their elongate eel-like form, the absence of both the pectoral and
ventral fins and the peculiar character of the mouth. No jaws are
present, but in their place we have a sucking apparatus analogous to
that of a leech.

Two species of lampreys occur in Puget Sound. The Sea Lam-
prey, Entosphenus tridentatus (Gairdner), (Fig.1) is a large species,
several feet in length, which may be recognized by the form of the
dorsal fin, the latter being divided into two separate parts. It has
migratory habits similar to those of the salmon, leaving the sea and
ascending the rivers to spawn. The Brook Lamprey, Lampetra cibaria
(Girard), is a smaller species about five inches long. It differs from
the Sea Lamprey in the form of the dorsal fins which are connected
together so as to form a continuous structure. The Sea Lamprey is
edible but is not commonly employed as food.

FAMILY 2. THE COW-SHARKS; HEXANCHIDAE.

Two species of this family are found in our waters. The Common
Cow-Shark, Hexanchus griseus (Gmelin), (Fig. 3) is the most fre-
quently seen of our larger sharks. It can easily be recognized by the
‘presence of a single dorsal fin and the existence of six gill-clefts or
openings into the gill chamber. It attains a great size, specimens over
28 feet in length being on record.

The Spotted Cow-Shark, Notorhynchus maculatus (Ayres), (Fig. 2)
is a smaller and less common variety. Like the Cow-Shark it has a
single dorsal fin, but the gill-clefts are seven in number. It is more
slender in form than its relative, and as its name indicates it is
covered with large black spots on a gray ground-color.

FAMILY 3. BLUE SHARKS; GALEIDAE.

Here belongs the beautiful Blue Shark, Prionace glauca (Lin-
naeus), (Fig. 4). This species attains dimensions of 25 feet but speci-
mens of this size are rare in our waters. Two dorsal fins are present,
but these do not have spines connected with them. The snout is long
and sharp and the pectoral fin is elongate and wing-shaped. As sug-
gested by the name, the color of this fish is bright blue-gray above
and pale beneath.

FAMILY 4. CAT-SHARKS; SCYLLIORHINIDAR.

Only one member of this family is known to inhabit the Sound
and it is very rare. The only specimens seen by the writer were taken
in Hoods Canal. The Brown Cat-Shark, Catulus brunneus (Gilbert)
may be recognized immediately by the peculiar form of the tail, which
is bent downwards and not upwards as is almost invariably the case
in other sharks. There are two dorsal fins, neither of which is pro-
vided with spines.

FAMILY 5. SCYMNOID SHARKS; DALATIDAE.

Here belongs the great Sleeper Shark, Somniosus microcephalus
(Bloch). This species has no anal fin. The fins are all small and
spines are lacking in the two dorsals. They are large clumsy fish,
attaining dimensions of 25 feet, and are extremely ferocious.

FAMILY 6. DOG FISHES; SQUALIDAE.

The most abundant of the sharks in our waters is the omnipresent
Dog Fish, Squalus sucklii (Girard), (Fig.5). It differs from the pre-
ceding species in that it has two dorsal fins, each provided with a long
sharp spine. The anal fin is lacking and the lower lobe of the tail is
comparatively small. This species has come into prominence recently,
under the sobriquet of Grayfish, as an article of food. Owing to dif-
ficulties encountered in canning the packing of Grayfish has ceased for
the present, but an excellent smoked product is put up, which com-
mands a ready sale. The value of the Dogfish in producing oil and
fertilizer has long been recognized and great quantities have been
taken from the Sound and utilized for these purposes.

FAMILY 7. RAYS AND SKATES; RAJIDAE.

The Rays are near relatives of the Sharks but are recognized by
their strange flattened form. The wing-like extensions at the sides of
the body represent the greatly modified pectoral fins of other fish. The
tail is produced into a long whip-like structure and the gill openings
are on the under side of the body. The eggs are laid in large brown
cases from which the young escape when the yolk has been absorbed.

Three members of this family inhabit our waters. The Spotted
Ray, Raja binoculata (Girard), is our commonest species. It becomes
very large, specimens weighing over a hundred pounds being on rec-
ord. The common name of this form is derived from the presence
of two large eye-like spots on the back of the fish when it is young.
These become faint as the animal grows older. The most distinctive
structural feature of the Spotted Ray is the shape of the ventral fin
which is regularly concave on its free margin. The Snouted Ray,
Raja rhina (Jordan and Gilbert), is similar to the Spotted Ray but the
snout is sharper and the ventral fins are of a different shape, a large
rounded notch being present on the free border. The Spiny Ray, Raja
stellulata (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig. 6) resembles the two species
just described, but differs in the presence of a great number of small
spines over the surface of the body. The snout is blunt and rounded
and the ventral fin is deeply notched on its free margin.
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EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Sea Lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus (Gairdner).
Spotted Cow-Shark, Notorhynchus maculatus (Ayres).
Cow-Shark, Hexanchus griseus (Gmelin).

Blue Shark, Prionace glauca (Linnaeus).

Dogfish, Squalus suckliit (Girard).

Spiny Ray, Raja stellulata (Jordan and Gilbert).
Ratfish, Chimaera colliaei (Lay and Bennett).
Sturgeon, Acipenser sp.

Pacific Herring, Clupea pallasi (Cuvier and Valenciennes).
Snipe Eel, Nemichthys avocetta (Jordan and Gilbert).
California Sardina, Sardinia caerulea (Girard).
Northern Anchovy, Engraulis mordax (Girard).
Shad, Alosa sapidissima (Wilson).

Dog Salmon or Chum, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum).
 
10

FAMILY 8. RAT-FISHES; CHIMAERIDAE.

The common Rat-fish, Chimaera colliaei (Lay and Bennett), (Fig.
7) is our only representative of this curious group, which bridges the
gap between the elasmobranch and teleost fishes. The gill openings
are not exposed as in the shark but are protected by an operculum as
in the higher fishes. The head is clumsy and irregular and the body
tapers off to a long slender tail. The teeth resemble the incisors of a
rat, which accounts for the common name. The eyes are large, promi-
nent and of an opalescent greenish color. In the male a strange
knobbed structure is found attached to the top of the head. The body
is beautifully mottled with gray and silvery white. The rat-fish is
valuable for the oil which is extracted from the liver.

FAMILY 9. STURGEONS; ACIPENSERIDAE.

Members of this family are recognized by the absence of scales
which are replaced by rows of great bony plates which extend along
the sides. The snout is shovel-shaped and has five long barbels hang-
ing down in front of the mouth.

Two species of sturgeon occur in our waters. The White Sturgeon,
Acipenser transmontanus (Richardson), (Fig.8) is a fish which at-
tains an immense size, specimens weighing 1,000 pounds having been
taken. Like the salmon it ascends the rivers to spawn. The sturgeon
is a valuable food fish and the roe is suitable for the manufacture of
eaviare. It was so eagerly fished it has become uite scarce.

The Green Sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris (Ayres), is a near rela-
tive of the White Sturgeon but does not attain such a great size. It
is of a peculiar greenish hue, with light olive stripes on the ventral
surface. It is not valued as a food fish and by some is thought to be
poisonous, although this belief is not justified.

FAMILY 10. SNIPE EELS; NEMICHTHYIDAE.

The Pacific Snipe Eel, Nemichthys avocetta (Jordan and Gilbert),
(Fig. 10) is a strange and comparatively rare fish. It is a long snake-
like creature, about two feet in length and one-third of an inch in
thickness. The jaws are long and slender like the beak of a snipe,
hence the name. It is almost transparent and is practically invisible
as it swims through the water.

FAMILY 11. HERRINGS; CLUPEIDAE.

The members of this family, of which we have three species in
our local waters, are constructed upon the plan of the common herring.
The body is covered with large rounded scales. There is no adipose
fin and the ventral fins are located well back on the under side. The
tail is deeply forked. There are no scales on the head.
11

The Pacific Herring, Clupea pallasi (Cuvier and Valenciennes),
(Fig. 9) is very closely related to the herring of the Atlantic. It is
one of our most important food fishes and is destined to form the
basis of an immense industry in the years to come. The young fish are
already packed in great quantities on the California coast as sardines,
and in Alaska the salting of herring has assumed considerable propor-
tions.

The California Sardine, Sardinia caerulea (Girard), (Fig.11) re-
sembles the herring but can be distinguished from the latter at a
glance by the presence of a fan-shaped group of ridges on the gill
cover. The lack of teeth in the roof of the mouth is also diagnostic
as these are not present in the sardine. This fish is closely allied to
the pilchard of Europe and is a most desirable food fish as it is su-
perior in many respects to the herring.

The Shad, Alosa sapidissima (Wilson), (Fig.13) is not native to
our waters but was introduced into the Pacific a number of years ago
and has now multiplied extensively. The general anatomical peculiari-
ties of the shad follow the lines of the herring, but the body is deeper
and the breast and belly possess saw-like serrations. It spawns in
fresh water. This species is little appreciated as a food fish on the
Pacific Coast, but is growing in importance.

FAMILY 12. ANCHOVIES; ENGRAULIDAE.

This family is closely related to the herrings, but may be dis-
tinguished by the large size of the mouth and the overhanging snout,
which extends beyond the mouth opening.

The Northern Anchovy, Engraulis mordax (Girard), (Fig.12) is a
slender, graceful fish with a bluish back and silvery sides. It is a
valuable food fish, but is little used at present, although some are
canned as sardines on the California coast. The species attain a length
of 7 inches.

FAMILY 13. SALMON AND TROUT; SALMONIDAE.

From an economic standpoint this family of fishes overshadows all
others on the Pacific Coast, since it includes the five species of Pacific
Salmon which form such a conspicuous feature in the preserved fish
trade of the world.

The most characteristic structure in the anatomy of members
of this group is the curious organ known as the adipose fin. This
is not confined to the Salmonidae, however, as it exists in several
other families of fishes. The ventral fins are far back on the body.
The body is covered with circular scales, but these are absent from the
head, The dorsal-fin has from 9 to 15 rays. A lateral line is present
on the side. Three genera are represented in our fauna.
12

The fish known commercially as Pacific Salmon are zoologically
different from the Atlantic Salmon, the former belonging to the genus
Oncorhynchus while the latter is a species of Salmo. The technical
differences between these two genera are rather finely drawn, but the
crucial point is in the count of the rays in the anal fin. In Salmo
the number ranges from 9 to 12, while in Oncorhynchus there are
from 14 to 20. Five species of Pacific Salmon exist in our waters.

The Chinook Salmon, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha (Walbaum),
(Fig. 15) is the noblest of the salmon tribe since it outranks all other
species in size and quality. Specimens are on record weighing more
than 100 pounds. In different parts of its range it has-been given
a number of common names such as Tyee, King, Quinnat, Spring, etc.
The technical points that mark this species from its relatives are as
follows. The gillrakers number from 20 to 25. The scales are of
medium size, 185 to 155 in longitudinal series. The branchiostegal
rays number from 15 to 19. The back and upper fins are marked with
round black spots.

The Sockeye, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), (Fig.17) is known
in other parts of its range as Blueback and Red Salmon. It is of
immense economic importance because it constitutes the main run of
salmon in the rivers of Alaska and British Columbia. It is discrim-
inated by the following combination of characters. The gillrakers are
numerous, ranging from 30 to 40. The scales are large. The count
of scales on the lateral line is about 130, while the number of branch-
iostegal rays is from 13 to 15. The color is clear blue above and
silvery on the sides. In the adult there is no black spotting, but in
the young fish obscure markings are present. During the breeding
period the color changes, more or less dark red appearing on the back
and sides. The Sockeye attains a length of two feet and a weight of
from 38 to 7 pounds. Jt does not run in rivers that are unconnected
with lakes.

The Silver Salmon or Coho, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum),
(Fig. 16) stands third in commercial importance among the Salmon.
It attains a length of 15 inches and a weight of from 3 to 8 pounds.
It is particularly abundant in Puget Sound and is particularly valu-
able as a fresh product. The Silver can be recognized by its peculiar
bluish green back and silvery sides. Spots are absent except a few
obscure markings on the upper portions of the body. The scales are
relatively large, with 125 to 135 in longitudinal series. The anal fin
has 13 or 14 rays while the branchiostegals number the same.

The Humpback or Pink Salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Wal-
baum), (Fig.18) is the smallest species in the genus, attaining a
weight of 3 to 6 pounds. It is regarded as of inferior merit as a
canned product but considerable quantities of it are put up for the
market. Jt may be distinguished by the scales, which are very small,
13

with more than 200 in longitudinal series, and by the large oblong
markings on the tail fin. The number of anal rays is 15 while in the
branchiostegals 11 or 12 are present. The color of the back is blue,
that of the sides silvery. Numerous small black dots are scattered
over the dorsal surface. :

The Dog Salmon or Chum, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum), (Fig.
14) is an abundant species in Puget Sound, but has not been utilized
extensively until recent years, when the pressure for fish has brought it
into the market. The scales are of medium size, with 135 to 155 in
longitudinal series. The anal rays and branchiostegals both vary from
13 to 14. The color is dusky above, with the sides paler. Black mark-
ings are absent or faintly indicated. The Dog Salmon attains a weight
of 11 or 12 pounds. It runs in quite small streams and spawns near
the sea.

The genus Salmo contains species that are, zoologically speaking,
close kin to the Atlantic Salmon. We have three species in this region,
but only two appear in the salt water.

Salmo gairdneri (Richardson), (Fig. 19) is the scientific name of
the fish known as the Steelhead or Salmon Trout. This is one of
our most valuable food fishes, since it is abundant in all of our coastal
streams and attains a considerable size. Specimens may weigh up to
20 pounds, although the average is apt to be 5 or 6. Unlike the Pa-
cific Salmon the Steelhead does not perish after spawning, but like its
relative, the Atlantic Salmon, may return to the sea. Great quantities
of this species are used, both fresh and canned. The Steelhead may
be immediately separated from the Pacific Salmon by the lesser num-
ber of rays in the anal fin, the usual count being 11. The back of the
Steelhead is dark blue and the sides silvery with a band of rose color
running lengthwise. Numerous small black dots are scattered over
the upper surface of the body, but not extending below the lateral
line. The strip of red on the lower jaw so characteristic of the Cut-
throat Trout, is lacking.

The Cut-throat Trout, Salmo mykiss (Walbaum), (Fig. 20) is
ordinarily thought of as a fresh-water fish, but it descends to the
estuaries of the rivers which it inhabits and may be found in salt
water at considerable distances from any stream. It is extremely
variable in its characteristics, and in some instances is hard to dis-
tinguish from the steelhead. The most constant mark of the species
is the streak of red on the lower jaw, which gives rise to the common
name. The scales are smaller than in the Steelhead, and the black
spotting is spread over the area below the lateral line and intensified
in the region of the tail.

The Dolly Varden Trout, Salvelinus malma (Walbaum), (Fig. 21)
is technically not a trout at all, but a charr. It has a number of com-
mon names including Bull Trout, Oregon Charr, etc. Aside from the
EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Chinook or Spring Salmon, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha (Wal-
baum).

Silver or Coho Salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum).
Sockeye or Red Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum).
Humpback or Pink Salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (Walbaum).
Steelhead Trout, Salmo gairdneri (Richardson).

Cut-throat Trout, Salmo mykiss (Walbaum).

Dolly Varden Trout, Salvelinus malma (Walbaum).

Surf Smelt, Hypomesus pretiosus (Girard).

Eulachon or Candlefish, Thaleichthys pacificus (Richardson).
Pacific Smelt, Osmerus thaleichthys (Ayres).

Lantern Fish, Myctophum sp.

Lancet Fish, Plagyodus feror (Lowe).

Sparkler, Arctozenus coruscans (Jordan and Gilbert).

Sand Lance, Ammodytes personatus (Girard).

Tube Snout, Aulorhynchus flavidus (Gill).
 
16

anatomical peculiarities of this fish its color distinguishes it immedi-
ately from all allied forms. The sides are marked with round red
spots which extend as smaller markings to the back. The delicate
reticulate coloration, so characteristic of the brook trout and other
charrs, is lacking. Like the Cut-throat Trout, the Dolly Varden is
primarily a fresh water fish, and is merely a visitor in the brackish
and salt water where it is so frequently found.

FAMILY 14. SMELTS; ARGENTINIDAE.

The smelts have much in common with the Salmonidae in struc-
ture. As in the latter an adipose fin is present. The ventral fins are
small and are near the middle of the body. The dorsal fin is short
and nearly median. The tail fin is deeply forked. Three genera are
represented in our fauna, each with a single species.

The Surf Smelt, Hypomesus pretiosus (Girard), (Fig. 22) is an
excellent food fish common in Puget Sound. It attains a length of a
foot. The body is covered with scales of moderate size. The angle
of the jaw extends to the middle of the eye, while anteriorly the lower
jaw protrudes beyond the upper. It is light olive in color with a
silvery band along the side. The eggs are laid in the surf.

The Eulachon or Candlefish, Thaleichthys pacificus (Richardson),
(Fig. 23) is the finest of the smelts. The flesh is oily and of very
delicate texture. The scales are small and firmly set in the skin. The
mouth is large and the angle of the jaw extends beyond the middle of
the eye. The color is pale with numerous fine dark dots over the
upper surface. They are about a foot long and enter the rivers to
spawn early in the spring.

The Pacific Smelt, Osmerus thaleichthys (Ayres), (Fig. 24) is a
common fish in our waters, but is not highly regarded for its food
value. It is smaller than the other smelts and its flesh is soft, although
of agreeable flavor. The scales are of moderate size and loosely at-
tached. The teeth are better developed than in the allied forms, those
on the tongue being unusually large. The pectoral fins are elongated,
reaching to the base of the ventrals.

FAMILY 15. LANTERN FISHES; MYCTOPHIDAE.

These are small deep-water fishes somewhat resembling smelt, since
a small adipose fin is present. The scales are of relatively great size
and along the sides occur a number of round clear spots, which in the
live fish are phosphorescent, giving these fish their common name. Two
species of this family occur in our waters. Myctophum californiense
(Higenmann and EHigenmann), (Fig.25) may be termed the Pacific
Lantern-fish. No figure of this species was available and an allied
species of Myctophum has been reproduced in the accompanying cuts.
Bean’s Lantern-fish, Tarletonbeania crenularis (Jordan and Gilbert) is
17

an allied form known from a few examples taken at widely separated
points. It differs from Myctophum in the absence of a lateral line, as
well as in other anatomical details.

FAMILY 16. LANCET FISHES; PLAGYODONTIDAE.

In this family we have one of the rare species occasionally seen
on our coast. The Lancet-fish, Plagyodus feror (Lowe), (Fig. 26) is
a large and ferocious creature, with long sharp teeth set in the wide
opening mouth. The body tapers from head to tail and the dorsal fin,
which is very high, extends nearly its whole length. The tail is long
and deeply forked. The length of the fish is about three feet.

FAMILY 17. THE PARALEPIDS; PARALEPIDIDAE.

The rare fish known as Arctozenus coruscans (Jordan and Gilbert),
(Fig.27) which may be termed the Sparkler, is the only member of
this family recorded from our region. Only one specimen is known to
exist. It was taken at Port Townsend in 1880. The Sparkler is a
small fish resembling a miniature Barracuda and is noteworthy for a
row of phosphorescent spots on the lower jaw, which suggests the com-
mon name.

FAMILY 18. SAND LANCES; AMMODYTIDAE.

The common Sand Lance, Ammodytes personatus (Girard), (Fig.
28) is the sole type of this family found locally. It is a small silvery
fish, six to eight inches in length, found along our shares, and having
the peculiar habit of burying itself in the sand. The jaws are without
teeth and the ventral fins are lacking. The dorsal fin is low and con-
tinuous. The body is covered with small scales and ends in a deeply
forked tail. They are edible and are used also for bait.

FAMILY 19. TUBE-SNOUTS; AULORHYNCHIDAE.

In this family we have small odd-looking fish with the snout drawn
out into a tubular projection. The eyes are large. Scales are absent
and the tail is small and deeply forked. Our only species is the com-
mon Tube-snout, Aulorhynchus flavidus (Gill), (Fig. 29).

FAMILY 20. STICKLEBACKS; GASTEROSTEIDAE.

Sticklebacks are usually classed as fresh water fish, since they are
abundant in interior lakes and streams, but marine and brackish water
species are present along our coast. The Alaska Stickleback, Gas-
terosteus cataphractus (Pallas), (Fig.30) is our local marine form.
It is a small fish devoid of true scales, the latter being replaced by a
series of large vertical oblong plates. The dorsal fin is preceded by
several free spines and a large stout spine is developed in connection
with the ventral fin. The damage done by the Stickleback is out of
18

proportion to his size as he is able to kill the fry of larger fish, notably
the salmon, for which reason the Stickleback is known locally as the
Salmon Killer.

FAMILY 21. PIPEFISHES; SYNGNATHIDAHE.

Fishes of this family are the nearest relatives we have of the sea-
horses so common in southern waters. The group is represented with
us by the Gray-lined Pipe fish, Syngnathus griseolineatus (Ayres),
(Fig. 31). The body is extremely long and slender and is enclosed in
a tough covering of bony plates. The snout is long and narrow, termi-
nating in toothless jaws. The tail fin is small and fan-shaped, while
the ventrals are absent. Fishes of this genus have unusual breeding
habits, the male possessing a pair of pouches on the under side of the
body in which the female places the eggs till they are hatched.

FAMILY 22. BARRACUDAS; SPHYRAENIDAE.

The Silver Barracuda, Sphyraena argentea (Girard), (Fig. 32) is
not a common fish in Puget Sound, as this is the northern limit of
the species, which is notably abundant in the waters of California.
The Barracuda may be recognized by its long pike-shaped body, large
mouth and projecting lower jaw. The teeth are long and sharp. The
two dorsal fins are small and widely separated. The lateral line is
straight. The scales are small. It is a valuable food fish, but is not
taken in sufficient numbers to enter into the market.

FAMILY 23. FIATOLES; STROMATEIDAE.

Like the Barracuda, our local representative of the Stromateidae,
the California Pompano or Butterfish, Rhombus simillimus (Ayres),
(Fig. 34) may be regarded as a straggler from more southern climes,
since it is comparatively rare in Puget Sound. Lacking a suitable
illustration of the local species, a cut of a closely related form has
been utilized in the plates.

The species known on the Pacific Coast as the ebornid Pompano
is not a true Pompano, since the latter belongs in an entirely differ-
ent family of fishes, the Carangidae. The resemblance between the two
types is quite superficial.

In the Butterfish or California Pompano the body is greatly flat-
tened sidewise, and terminates in a mouth armed with feeble teeth.
The cheeks are covered with scales, and the lateral line is well devel-
oped. The anal fin is much like the dorsal, and the tail is broadly
forked. It attains a length of 10 inches and is a good food fish.
19

FAMILY 24. MACKERELS; SCOMBRIDAE.

Fishes of this family may be recognized by the unusual character
of the dorsal fin, since the last rays are detached and form a series
of separate finlets. The same structure appears in the anal fin. The
head is pointed and the colors are richly metallic.

The California Bonito, Sarda chilensis (Cuvier and Valenciennes),
is a large fish two to three feet in length and weighing 12 to 16 pounds.
It is rare in our waters. The body is a dark metallic blue and the
tail has a keel on either side.

The Chub Mackerel, Scomber japonicus (Hutuyn), is a near relative
of the true Mackerel, but is a much less valuable fish. The latter
Scomber scomber (Linnaeus), (Fig. 33) is the form figured in the
plates. The Chub Mackerel is rare in Puget Sound. It has two keels
on either side of the base of the tail fin. The color is blue with a
number of wavy streaks of black on the back above the lateral line.

FAMILY 25. RAG-FISHES; ACROTIDAE.

A rare straggler from the outer ocean is our sole representative of
this family, namely Willoughby’s Rag-fish, Acrotus willoughbyi (Bean),
(Fig. 36). The first specimen of this fish was taken on the outer coast
of Washington but examples have now been taken as far south as
Tacoma in Puget Sound. It is a strange fish, measuring between five
and six feet in length, entirely devoid of scales, with a large caudal
fin and lacking the ventral fins. The body is soft and yielding, as the
bones are cartilaginous, indicating a normal deep-water habitat.

FAMILY 26. POMFRETS; BRAMIDAE.

The Pomfret, Brama raii (Bloch), is reported from the northern
section of Puget Sound. It is an excellent food fish. The body is com-
pressed, of an oblong shape and covered with small scales. The mouth
is very oblique. The dorsal and anal fin each have their three an-
terior rays developed as spines. The color is sooty gray with black
on the vertical fins. It attains a length of three or four feet.

FAMILY 27. HIGH-BROWS; ZAPRORIDAE.

This is a rare and curious fish not yet observed in Puget Sound,
but as it was taken on the inner coast of Vancouver Island it is prob-
able it will be taken on our side of the line. It has a large coarse
head with an elevated front which caused the learned savant who
described it to call it Zaprora silenus: (Fig. 35). Since the Greek from
which the generic name is derived may be freely translated as “high-
brow” the writer is responsible for the common name here applied.
30.
31,
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.

40.
41.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Alaska Stickleback, Gasterosteus cataphractus (Pallas).
Gray-lined Pipe-fish, Syngnathus griseolineatus (Ayres).
Barracuda, Sphyraena sp.

Mackerel, Scomber sp.

Pompano or Butterfish, Rhombus sp.

High Brow, Zaprora silenus (Jordan).

Willoughby’s Rag Fish, Acrotus willoughbyi (Bean).
Bridled Surf-fish, Brachyistius frenatus (Gill).
Viviparous Perch, Cymatogaster aggregatus (Gibbons).
White Perch, Damalichthys argyrosomus (Girard).
Viviparous Perch, a female with the young enclosed.

White Surf-fish, Phanerodon furcatus (Girard).
 
22

FAMILY 28. SURF-FISHES; EMBIOTOCIDAE.

This family is one of the most characteristic groups of fishes found
on the Pacific Coast. Their main distribution is southern, but we have
in our fauna, seven species, some of which are exceedingly abundant in
Puget Sound. They are small perch-like fish from 6 to 18 inches in
length. The anal fin has three spines and more than 15 soft rays. The
lower pharyngeals are united.

The White Perch or Pacific Porgee, Damalichthys argyrosomus
(Girard), (Fig. 39) is a species attaining a length of 15 inches. It
is very abundant, but is not regarded highly as a food fish, the flesh
being dry and tasteless. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 23 rays. The
color is pale with a silvery luster.

The Striped Perch, Taeniotoca lateralis (Agassiz), is a brightly
colored fish rather common in the Sound. It is reddish above, becom-
ing bright orange below. The rows of scales have blue edgings which
gives the fish a delicately striped appearance. It is edible and attains
a weight of two pounds.

The Common Surf Fish or Black Perch, Embiotoca jacksoni
(Agassiz), is a species with a somewhat mottled and variable colora-
tion. The ground color is brown, shading into yellow on the under
side, and variegated with mottlings of blue, red or yellow. The sides
have a number of faint vertical dusky bars. It attains a length of
12 inches and is classed as one of our edible fishes.

The Bridled Surf-fish, Brachyistius frenatus (Gill), (Fig.37) is
one of the rarer species of this group. It is greenish brown above,
shading into'coppery red on the belly. The scales are flecked with blue
and black dots. The fins are all bright red. It reaches a length of
eight inches.

The Silver Surf Fish, Amphistichus argenteus (Agassiz), is re-
corded from the Straits of Fuca. Its general coloration is silvery, the
sides being ornamented with vertical bars and spots of brassy green.
It is abundant on sandy shores and reaches a length of one foot.

The White Surf Fish, Phanerodon furcatus (Girard), (Fig. 41) is
recorded from Vancouver Island and enters the Straits of Fuca. It is
light olive above, shading into silvery below.

The Viviparous Perch, Cymatogaster aggregatus (Gibbons), (Fig.
38) is exceedingly abundant in Puget Sound. The schools of young
may be seen swimming about wharves in shallow water and are spoken
of as Shiners. It is the smallest of the species in this family, attaining
a length of six inches. Specimens vary greatly in details of color, some
of the individuals being very dark. The scales have groups of black
points which unit to suggest a longitudinal striping. These stripes are
interrupted by several vertical bands of yellow. This species is edible
but its small ‘size renders is unsuitable for the market.
23

The strange habit of this fish, in common with other members ‘of
this family, of bringing forth its young alive, has attracted consider-
able attention, since this phenomenon is rare in the fish world. As
many as 36 young in various stages of development have been found
in the brood sack of the mother animal.

FAMILY 29. CROAKERS; SCIAENIDAE.

The only representative of this large family of southern fishes that
extends its range into our territory is the California White Sea Bass,
Cynoscion nobilis (Ayres). As might be expected, it is rare with us.
It is a large fish, attaining a weight of 20 to 80 pounds. The body is
compressed and is covered with ctenoid scales. The head is large and
scaly and the caudal fin is rounded. The dorsal fin is notched to make
two distinct parts. The color is bluish with fine spotting. Lacking a
picture of this species, we have used a drawing of an allied but some-
what different species belonging to the same genus (Fig. 42).

FAMILY 30. HEAD FISHES; MOLIDAE.

On several occasions in recent years specimens of the immense
Head-fish, Orthagoriscus mola (Bloch), (Fig. 43) have been brought
into Seattle from the Straits of Fuca and from the open sea beyond the
Cape. Specimens are on record weighing nearly a ton. The name of
the species is derived from the curious formation of the body, which
has the appearance of a great head minus the major part of the trunk.
The great dorsal and anal fins stand one above the other, while the
tail fin has a sinuous outline.

FAMILY 31. ROCK-FISHES; SCORPAENIDAE.

This family constitutes one of the most important and valuable
groups of fishes found on the Pacific Coast. About 260 species are on
record throughout the world, of which 13 are known to inhabit Puget
Sound. ‘hey are bass-like in appearance with spines on the operculum.
The dorsal is continuous but notched so as to mark the two portions
of the fin. The head is crossed by ridges which in many cases termi-
nate in spines. In this, as in several of the families that follow, a
characteristic feature is the presence of a bony bar extending from
beneath the eye across the cheek. All of our Puget Sound Rock-fishes
belong in the genus Sebastodes.

The Black Rock-fish, Sebastodes melanops (Girard), (Fig. 44) is
one of our abundant species. It is 20 inches in length and is a valu-
able food fish. It is dark greenish brown in color blotched with slaty
black.

The Priest-fish, Sebastodes mystinus (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig.
45) is very much like the preceding but has a spine over each eye. It
24

is‘even darker in color than the Black Rock Fish, the prevailing hue
on the upper surface being slaty black. The sides are paler and some-
what mottled. It is not so common as S. melanops.

The Orange Rock-fish, Sebastodes pinniger (Gill), (Fig. 46) is a
large and handsome representative of the family- It is richly colored,
the ground tint being gray, but this is mottled with large areas of
orange. It is abundant in deep water.

The Red Rock-fish or Red Snapper, Sebastodes ruberrimus
(Cramer), is the largest of this group of fishes, attaining a length of
30 inches or over. In color it is a brilliant vermillion. It is common
in deep water and is brought to market in considerable quantities.

The Alaska Red Rock-fish, Sebastodes introniger (Gilbert), is of
the same reddish cast as the Red Rock-fish but is smaller and differs
in certain details of anatomical structure.

Three small species of Sebastodes named by Professor Starks,
S. deani (Fig. 48), 8. clavilatus (Fig. 47), and S. emphaeus (Fig. 49),
occur in the San Juan Islands. They are somewhat similar in appear-
ance, the ground color being reddish brown with irregular darker
mottling over the back and sides.

Dall’s Rock-fish, Sebastodes auriculatus dalli (Eigenmann and Bee-
son), is a variation of the Brown Rock-fish found in more southern
waters. lt is pale brown with mottlings of darker color. This is a
common shallow water species.

The Yellow-backed Rock-fish, Sebastodes maliger (Jordan and Gil-
bert), (Fig.52) is reported as being abundant in the northern sec-
tion of Puget Sound. It reaches a weight of 6 pounds. In color it is
light brown with rich mottlings of yellow on the back and extensive
yellow markings on the breast and under parts.

The Yellow-spotted Rock-fish, Sebastodes nebulosus (Ayres), is a
common variety in the Sound. The general coloration is black but the
body is spotted and speckled with yellow. It is a good food fish, al-
though rather small, as it measures aktout one foot in length.

The Black-banded Rock-fish, Sebastodes nigrocinctus (Ayres), (Fig.
50) is a large and beautiful species, attaining a length of 2 feet. It is
not common in the Sound, but is reported as abundant in the Straits
of Fuca. Specimens are taken about the San Juan Islands. It is
orange red in color with five vertical bars of black.

The Northwestern Rock-fish, Sebastodes caurinus (Richardson),
(Fig. 52) is a species that is taken in abundance in the Sound and
constitutes an important food fish. It is dark brown in color washed
with copper.
FAMILY 32. GREENLINGS; HEXAGRAMMIDAE.

This family is represented in our fauna by five species. In these
the body is covered with fine scales and the dorsal fins are united. A
single nostril is present on either side of the head. The anal fin is
elongate. They are carnivorous fishes of medium or large size inhabit-
ing the kelp beds of the North Pacific. Three of our species are classed
in the genus Hexagrammos and constitute the true greenlings. They
differ from the other members of the family in that the lateral line is
branched, as many as five parallel lines being present on the side.
The greenlings are often called Rock-trout and Kelp-cod. As they are
in no wise related to either the trout or the cod family it would seem
unfortunate to saddle these names upon the fishes.

The Ten-lined Greenling, Heragrammos decagrammus (Pallas),
(Fig.55) attains a length of 18 inches and is an excellent food fish.
Five distinct divisions of the lateral line may easily be traced across
each side of the fish. Two pairs of small dermal flaps are present on
the head in this form, whereas only one pair occurs in other species of
greenlings. Scales are present over the entire surface of the cheek.

The Red Greenling, Hexagrammos superciliosus (Pallas), (Fig.
53) can be separated from the preceding by the absence of one of the
pairs of small fleshy flaps on the head. It is extremely variable in
color and is often finely mottled, which make the common name some-
what of a misnomer. Scales are present on the sides of the head except
over the bony stay and the interopercular bone. It is equal in size
and food value to the preceding species.

Steller’s Greenling, Hexagrammos stelleri (Tilesius), (Fig. 56)
resembles the preceding species, but the cheeks and opercular bones
are almost free from scales and the dermal flaps are much smaller.
As in the other species, there is a wide range of color.

The Ling Cod, Ohiodon elongatus (Girard), (Fig.54) which is
also known as the Cultus Cod and Blue Cod, is one of our large and
valuable food fishes. It is marketed in the fresh state in large quan-
tities. Efforts have been made to can it, but the results have not been
entirely satisfactory. It attains a weight of 60 pounds and a length
of five feet.

The Ling-cod, which by the way is related neither to the Lings
nor to the Cods, may be distinguished from other members of its fam-
ily by the presence of a single lateral line, the large mouth with power-
ful teeth, and the development of spines on the preoperculum. The
ground color is dark brown, much mottled with rusty spots, shading
into bluish green on the under side.

The Painted Greenling, Ozylebius pictus (Gill), (Fig.57) is one
of our most brilliantly colored fishes. It is common about docks where
it may be seen nosing up and down the piles. It attains a length of
42.
43.
44,
45,
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Sea Bass, Cynoscion sp.

Head-fish or Giant Sun-fish, Orthagoriscus mola (Bloch).
Black Rock-fish, Sebastodes melanops (Girard).

Priest Fish, Sebastodes mystinus (Jordan and Gilbert).
Orange Rock-fish, Sebastodes pinniger (Gill).

Sebastodes clavilatus (Starks).

Dean’s Rock-fish, Sebastodes deani (Starks).

Sebastodes emphaeus (Starks).

Black-banded Rock-fish, Sebastodes nigrocinctus (Ayres).
Northwestern Rock-fish, Sebastodes caurinus (Richardson).
Yellow-backed Rock-fish, Sebastodes maliger (Jordan and Gilbert).

Red Greenling, Hezagrammos superciliosus (Pallas).
 
28

10 inches. The body is relatively deeper than in other members of this
family and the snout is acutely pointed. The sides are traversed by
alternate vertical stripes of black and of pale orange. It is not used
for food.

The Broad-finned Greenling, Zaniolepis latipinnis (Girard), may
be recognized by the great height of the dorsal fin and the presence
of several exceedingly long free spines at its anterior end. The scales
are small and very rough. It is edible but is not abundant. Its length
is about 12 inches.

FAMILY 33. SKIL-FISHES; ANOPLOPOMATIDAE.

This family is a small one, containing but two genera, each with a
single species, but both of these are of great interest. The group is
closely allied to the preceding family, the Hexragrammidae, and by
some authors the two are united.

The Black Cod or Skil-fish, Anoplopoma fimbria (Pallas), (Fig. 58)
which is of course no relative of the true cod, has come into extensive
use as a food fish in recent years, and is now supplied abundantly in
our markets. It attains a length of two feet or more and, as its name
indicates, is very dark in color. The body is gracefully formed, with
two well-separated dorsal fins. The tail fin is set on an elongated base
and is formed for speed. The scales are minute and ctenoid. The anal
fin has three spines. Two nostrils are present on either side.

The Giant Sea-bass, Hrilepis zonifer (Lockington), (Fig.59) was
originally described in 1880 from a specimen one foot in length taken
at Monterey, California, but in recent years it has been discovered to
exist in the North Pacific as a fish of great size, measuring 8 feet in
length and of considerable weight. It is not related to the true sea-
bass which belongs to the family Serranidae, a group not represented
in our fauna. No better name has been suggested for the fish up to
the present time.

Erilepis resembles the Black-cod, but is a much larger species, as
has been indicated, and differs in the form of the body, which is much
deeper and bass-like. The dorsal fins are united, the point of union
being indicated by a deep notch. No specimens have been taken within
the limits of Puget Sound, but a number of examples have been cap-
tured on the neighboring Canadian shore.

FAMILY 34. SCULPINS; COTTIDAE.

This is an immense family of fishes, represented in our waters by
28 species. The group is a difficult one to define on account of the
wide range of characters. In common with several families already
discussed these fishes have a bony bar across the cheek. The head is
usually spiny. The dorsal fins are as a rule separate or slightly con-
29

nected. ‘The tail fin is rounded at the margin and the pectoral is large.
A lateral line is present. The preoperculum is usually provided with
one or more spines. The ventral fins are attached to the thoracic
region. Very few of the sculpins are used as food, although the larger
species may be classed among our edible fishes.

Jordan’s Sculpin, Jordania zonope (Starks), (Fig.60) is a small
species about four inches in length. It has an unusually long dorsal
fin. The ventral fins have one spine and five rays. The back is cov-
ered with rough scales.

The Perch-like Sculpin, Radulinus asprellus (Gilbert), (Fig. 61) is
a slender species five or six inches in length with two spines on the
operculum and a very short spinous dorsal fin. The back is covered
with rough scales. A series of keeled plates is present on the lateral
line.

The Darter Sculpin, Radulinus boleoides (Gilbert), is like the pre-
ceding but smaller, being only 3 or 4 inches in length. The space be-
tween the eyes is covered with scales, whereas in R. asprellus this
space is scaleless.

Bean’s Sculpin, Triglops beani (Gilbert), (Fig. 62) is a long slender
fish, 5 to 7 inches in length, bearing upon each side a row of bony
plates along the base of the dorsal fin. The breast is without scales,
but the skin is thrown into fine cross folds. The color is olive brown
with a stripe of dark brown along the side and four large blotches on
the back.

The Spotted Sculpin, Triglops macellus (Bean), is similar to the
preceding, but has a conspicuous black spot on the snout just above
the edge of the maxillary.

The Rough-backed Sculpin, Chitonotus pugetensis (Steindachner),
(Fig. 62) has the back clad with rough scales above the lateral line.
The preoperculum has a long spine armed with three antler-like
processes. The lateral line has a row of keeled scales. The fish is 6
inches in length.

The Broad-headed Sculpin, Stelginotus latifrons (Gilbert and
Thompson), (Fig.63) is a bright green species with a broad inter-
space between the eyes, and lacking spines on the head. A single
curved spine is present on the preoperculum. It is a rare form, only
two specimens having been taken, both at Friday Harbor.

Meany’s Sculpin, Ruscarius meanyi (Jordan and Starks), (Fig. 66)
is apparently a rare species since no additional specimens have been
secured since the types were collected in Port Orchard in 1895. It was
named in honor of Professor Edmond S. Meany of the University of
Washington. The back of the fish is covered with rough scales, the
head being particularly rough. There are no bony plates along the base
30

of the dorsal fin. The spine on the preoperculum is long and bifurcate.
The length of the specimens was one and one-half inches.

The Northern Sculpin, Icelinus borealis (Gilkert), (Fig. 65) has a
set of enlarged plates along the lateral line and another series along
the back, but the space between these is devoid of scales. There are a
number of processes on the preoperculum. No filamentous spines are
developed in connection with the dorsal fin. The length is 4 inches.

The Reindeer Sculpin, Tarandichthys filamentosus (Gilbert), is so
named from the antler-like processes on the preopercular spine, which
suggest the horns of the reindeer. Another striking feature is the
development of the anterior spines of the dorsal fin which are length-
ened and filamentous. This species is three and one-half inches in
length.

The Star-topped Sculpin, Astrolytes fenestralis (Jordan and Gil-
bert), is about five inches in length, and is distinguished by the pres-
ence of a number of star-shaped scales on the top of the head. The
lateral line is unarmed and the preopercular spine is provided with a
single hooked process. None of the dorsal spines are filamentous in
form.

Harrington’s Sculpin, Aryrias harringtoni (Starks), (Fig. 68) was
first taken at Port Ludlow, Washington, in 1895 and was named in
honor of Dr. Mark W. Harrington, who was at that time President of
the University of Washington. It was later found in the San Juan
Islands by Mr. Starks. It is about four inches long and has a consider-
able development of short cirri on the top of the head. The space
between the eyes is concave. The ground color is olive with five bars
of brown on the back.

Artedi’s Sculpin, Artedius lateralis (Girard), is another of the
small sculpins. It is similar to Axyrias but is five inches in length,
the cirri ure absent from the top of the head, and the space between
the eyes is flat. In color it is richly mottled with olive, red and black.

The Red Sculpin or Irish Lord, Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus (Tile-
sius), (Fig. 67) is one of our larger species, extending over 18 inches.
The back and sides have two separate bands of rough scales and the
spinous dorsal is notched.

The Great Sculpin or Kalog, Myxocephalus polyacanthocephalus
(Pallas), (Fig. 74) is a species which attains a length of two feet. The
top of the head is covered with small warty protuberances. The pre-
opercle has three strong straight spines. The dorsal fins are barely in
contact. :

The Buffalo Sculpin, Hnophrys bison (Girard), (Fig. 71) is one of
our common species. It is about a foot in length and has a long simple
spine on the preopercle. The body is without scales, but along the
lateral line there is a band of coarse bony plates.
31

The Smooth Sculpin, or Cabezon, Leptocottus armatus (Girard),
(Fig. 70) is abundant everywhere throughout the Sound region. The
skin is smooth and the head is oblong. No cirri are developed. The
preopercular spine is strong, with two or three points hooked upwards.
The dorsal fins are separate. It attains a length of 12 inches.

The Marbled Sculpin, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus (Girard), is
the largest of our cottoid fishes since it attains a length of 30 inches
and a weight of 20 to 25 pounds. It is used for food but the flesh is
coarse. The skin is smooth and the ventral fin has one spine and five
“rays.

The Round-headed Sculpin, Blennicottus globiceps (Girard), is a
species with a perfectly smooth skin lacking both scales and prickles.
The preopercular spine is short and blunt with the point turned up-
wards. The snout is very blunt. It reaches a size of 4 to 7 inches.

The Moss-dwelling Sculpin, Oxycottus embryum (Jordan and Gil-
bert), (Fig. 73) is a small species found living among the rocks and
seaweeds along the shore. In its structure it is very similar to the
following species, the main difference being in the form of the spine
on the preoperculum. In Oxycottus it is simple while in Oligocottus
it is forked. This species varies greatly in color, ranging from green
to maroon. It is less than three inches in length and is quite rare.

The Johnny or Tide-pool Sculpin, Oligocottus maculosus (Girard),
(Fig. 72) exists in countless numbers along our shores, and every pool
left by the retreating tide has its quota. It is one of our smallest
species, seldom measuring as much as three inches. The skin is smooth
and the color ranges widely from green to gray or crimson, the darker
mottling being also highly variable. The fins are prettily barred. The
preopercular spine is slender and forked.

The Wooly Sculpin, Dasycottus setiger (Bean), (Fig. 69) is a
species having a very large head with numerous bony tubercles over
its surface. The skin covering the head supports a large number of
filamentous growths which suggest the common name. The skin is
without scales and the preoperculum bears two spines at its angle. The
tail fin is rounded in outline. It attains dimensions of 8 inches.

Kincaid’s Sculpin, Malacottus kincaidi (Gilbert), is related to the
two preceding species. It is entirely devoid of scales and the spinous
dorsal is separated from the posterior part of the fin by a deep notch.
The preoperculum is armed with three slender diverging spines. A
series of mucous pores is arranged along the lateral line and similar
pores are scattered over the surface of the head. All of the fins are
more or less barred and mottled. The back and sides are gray with a
number of irregular dark blotches.

The Sailor-fish, Nautichthys oculofasciatus (Girard), (Fig. 75) is a
species of such unusual appearance one would hardly take it to be of
54,
5d.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.

64.
65.
66.
67.

68.

9

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Ling-cod or Cultus-cod, Ophiodon elongatus (Girard).
Ten-lined Greenling, Hexagrammos decagrammus (Pallas).
Steller’s Greenling, Hexragrammos stelleri (Tilesius).
Painted Greenling, Oxylebius pictus (Gill).

Black-cod or Skilfish, Anoplopoma fimbria (Pallas).

Giant Sea-bass, Hrilepis zonifer (Lockington).

Jordan’s Sculpin, Jordania zonope (Starks).

Perch-like Seulpin, Radulinus asprellus (Gilbert).

Bean’s Sculpin, Triglops beani (Gilbert).

Broad-headed Sculpin, Stelginotus latifrons (Gilbert and Thomp-
son). :

Rough-backed Sculpin, Chitonotus pugetensis (Steindachner).

Northern Sculpin, Icelinus borealis (Gilbert).

Meany’s Sculpin, Ruscarius meanyi (Jordan and Starks).

Red Sculpin or Irish Lord, Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus (Tile-
sius).

Harrington’s Sculpin, Aryrias harringtoni (Starks).
 
34

the sculpin family. Its name is derived from the formation of the first
dorsal fin, which is short and greatly elevated so as to suggest a tri-
angular sail. Another striking characteristic is a broad band of black
which passes diagonally through the eye. It is perhaps to be expected
that a deep-water sailor-fish would carry a black eye. Specimens
range up to 6 inches in length.

The Cirrhated Sculpin, Blepsias cirrhosus (Pallas), (Fig.76) is
another species that departs rather widely from the general run of
Sculpins. Its body is compressed so as to be quite thin and the head
is comparatively small. The skin is devoid of scales, but is covered
with small prickles. The first dorsal is elevated and is divided into
two portions by a deep notch, the second portion being much the
smaller. The second dorsal and the anal fin are relatively large. In
color it is dark olive above, shading into yellow beneath. The back
and sides are marked with black blotches and with several areas hav-
ing a metallic sheen. Mature specimens are about 6 inches in length.

The Red-finned Sculpin, Ascelichthys rhodorus (Jordan and Gil-
bert), (Fig.77) is a smooth species in which the ventral fins are en-
tirely absent. The dorsal fins are connected by a membrane. In the
living fish the first dorsal fin is edged with bright crimson. It is re-
ported as abundant at Neah Bay.

The Tadpole Sculpin, Psychrolutes paradoxus (Gunther), (Fig.
78A) is one of the smallest of the Cottidae. It is seldom more than two
inches in length, and is devoid of both scales and spines. The body is
covered with loose movable skin. The color is creamy white mottled
with dark blotches.

Gilbert’s Sculpin, Gilbertidia sigalutes (Jordan and Starks), is
similar to Psychrolutes but differs among other things in the shape of
the dorsal fin, which is much larger in Gilbertidia and more elevated
in front. The color of Gilbert’s Sculpin is dusky, with hazy darker
markings on the back about the front of the dorsal and above the base
of the tail. It is two and one-half inches in length.

FAMILY 35. GRUNT-FISHES; RHAMPHOCOTTIDAE.

This is a small family, containing but a single genus with one
known species of fish. It is allied to the great family of the sculpins,
but has characters which link it up to another important group known
as the Sea-poachers or Agonidae.

The Grunt-fish, Rhamphocottus richardsoni (Gunther), (Fig. 78B)
is one of the most singular of our local species. The head is very large
in proportion to the body and is rough with a number of projecting
bony prominences, which would delight the heart of a fish phrenologist.
The skin is without scales which are replaced by small prickles. The
first dorsal is small, fitting into a groove in the back. The lower rays
35

of the pectoral fin are free from the membrane. The eyes are large
and prominent. The color is creamy white, with irregular oblique
stripes passing downward across the sides. Mature specimens are
about three inches in length. When lifted from the water these fish
produce a peculiar vibrant grunting sound which has caused the appli-
cation of the above common name.

FAMILY 36. SEA-POACHERS; AGONIDAE.

This family, sometimes known as Alligator Fishes, is related to the
Sculpins but may be recognized by the armature of bony plates which
encloses the body. Most of our twelve species are of small size, and
none are of any direct value as food for man. Many of the forms are
of singular appearance. :

The Spineless Sea-poacher, Aspidiophoroides inermis (Gunther),
may be recognized by its close-fitting vestiture of smooth plates and
the lack of sharp angles or spines. No figure of our local species was
available so a closely allied form, native to Alaska, is used to illus-
trate the type (Fig. 79).

The Masking Sea-poacher, Bothragonus swani (Steindachner),
(Fig. 81) is unquestionably the most singular fish inhabiting Puget
Sound. The head is greatly out of proportion to the body, and in the
top of the cranium there is a deep oval pit about the margin of which
is a series of tooth-like spines, thus simulating a widely opened mouth.
When viewed from above there is the suggestion of a caricature of the
human countenance, the great pit in the skull representing the mouth,
while the surrounding plates are grouped to simulate the forehead,
cheeks, nose and chin. Only two specimens are known to exist. The
type was collected at Port Townsend in 1876 by Judge Swan, after
whom the species was named by Steindachner, and is now in the col-
lection of the Imperial Austrian Museum in Vienna. The second speci-
men was taken in the San Juan Islands, and is now in the collection
of the University of Washington.

The Four-horned Sea-poacher, Hypsagonus quadricornis (Cuvier
and Valenciennes), (Fig. 85) is a singular fish with four rows of
spines along each side of the body. The first dorsal is relatively large
and high. On the top of the head are four strong horn-like spines
which suggest the common name. The general color is gray, with sev-
eral vertical bands of black across the body and fins.

Pallas’ Sea-poacher, Pallasina aix (Starks), is a species with a
long slender body and an elongated tubular snout. The plates enclos-
ing the body are keeled, but lack spines. An allied form, P. barbata,
(Fig. 80) is figured in the plates.

The Sturgeon Sea-poacher, Podothecus acipenserinus (Pallas),

(Fig. 82) has a general appearance which suggests a small sturgeon.
A fringe of barbels depending from the snout increases the similitude.
36

The Inky Sea-poacher, Averruncus emmelane (Jordan and Starks),
(Fig. 84) has a very rough external surface, and is covered everywhere
with rough coarse plates and spines. The general coloration is so
dark as to suggest the above specific name. The ground color is, how-
ever, relieved through the presence of some beautiful white markings,
especially on the fins, which are handsomely mottled.

The Black-finned Sea-poacher, Bathyagonus nigripinnis (Gilbert),
is a long slender fish with rough spiny exterior, and with the pectoral
fins divided by a notch into two portions, the lower section being com-
posed of simple spines. All of the fins are intensely blue-black. This
species has. been recorded from the outer coast of Washington, but no
specimens have been reported from Puget Sound.

The Broad-headed Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus latifrons (Gilkert), is
a familar form in Puget Sound. In common with three other species
of this genus which follow, it has a peculiarly formed pectoral, this fin
being divided by a deep notch into two portions, the lower of which is
composed of greatly thickened rays which are simple and longer than
those of the upper lobe. The interorbital space is unusually narrow
in the Broad-headed Sea-poacher which gives this form its specific
name.

The Three-spined Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus triacanthus (Gilbert),
(Fig. 83) differs from the preceding in minor anatomical details.

The Alaskan Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus alaskanus (Gilbert), is the
third of these closely related forms. It differs from the two preceding
forms in having three vertical spines on the rostral plate rather than
one. The breast is composed of numerous plates.

The Weak-spined Sea-poacher Xeneretmus infraspinatus (Gilbert),
is very similar to X. alaskanus.

The Pitted Sea-poacher, Odontopyzis trispinosus (Lockington),
rather suggests the Masking Sea-poacher but is much more slender in
build. A pit is present on the top of the head but lacks the inwardly
projecting spines of Bothragonus.

FAMILY 37. LUMP SUCKERS. CYCLOPTERIDAE.

Here we have a small family of short, thick fishes having a ventral
sucker-like organ formed by a modification of the ventral fins. By
means of this structure they are able to cling to rocks or other sub-
merged objects, a peculiarity which has led to the assignment of the
common name. The body is covered with a skin lacking in scales and
either smooth or warty. The spinous dorsal is distinct. Two species
of these odd fish are recorded from our waters.

The Warty Lump-sucker, Humicrotremus orbis (Gunther), attains a
length of four inches. It is rounded in form and swims clumsily. The
skin is covered with numerous warty projections. It is fairly common.
37

The Smooth Lump-sucker, Lethotremis vinolentis (Jordan and
Starks), (Fig.86) is known by a single specimen. It is a tiny sub-
globular fish, half an inch in length, with a smooth skin and two dis-
tinct dorsal fins.

FAMILY 38. SEA-SNAILS; LIPARIDAE.

A group of tadpole-shaped fishes with a loose scaleless skin. The
dorsal fins are joined to form a continuous structure. The ventral fins
are modified as in the preceding group to form a sucking disk. Seven
species of this family are on record from this region. All of these are
placed in the genus Liparis and the specific distinctions are in some
cases so technical they are hard to discriminate. Most of them are of
small size, rarely more than six inches in length. The several species
may be enumerated as follows:

Green’s Sea-snail, Liparis greeni (Jordan and Starks), (Fig. 87).

Flora’s Sea-snail, Liparis florae (Jordan and Gilbert).

Beautiful Tooth Sea-snail, Liparis callyodon (Pallas), (Fig. 88).
The origin of the scientific name of this species is. rather odd. When
it was first studied by Pallas in 1811 in material derived from Alaska
he noticed the peculiar tricuspid teeth of the fish, and he therefore
called it callyodon, a Greek word meaning beautiful tooth.

Round-finned Sea-snail, Liparis cyclopus (Gunther).

Denny’s Sea-snail, Liparis dennyi (Jordan and Starks). Named
in honor of Mr. Charles L. Denny of Seattle.

Straits Sea-snail, Liparis fucensis (Gilbert).
Beautiful Sea-snail, Liparis pulchellus (Ayres).

FAMILY 39. RONQUILS; BATHYMASTERIDAE.

This small family is represented by a single species in Puget
found. It is known as Jordan’s Ronquil, Ronquilus jordani (Gilbert).
(Fig. 89). The body in this fish is elongated, suggesting the blenny
type, and the skin is covered with small ctenoid scales which extend
onto the cheeks. Along the lateral line the scales are enlarged. There
are no barbels, crests or spines on the head. The dorsal fin is long and
high, and the anal has a similar formation. The lateral line is con-
spicuous and high up on the side. The coloration is quite variable,
some specimens being much more beautifully marked than others.

FAMILY 40. GOBIES; GOBIIDAE.

Although five species of this family are recorded from Puget Sound
or adjacent waters, none of them seem to be common. Most of them
are quite small, rarely exceeding a few inches. The body is slender
and clothed with scales. The lateral line is absent. The distinctive
69.
70.
ales,
72,
73.
74,

75.
76.
77.

TBA.
78B.

79.
80.
81.
82.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Wolly Sculpin, Dasycottus setiger (Bean).

Smooth Sculpin, Leptocottus armatus (Girard).

Buffalo Sculpin, Enophrys bison (Girard).

Johnny or Tide-pool Sculpin, Oligocottus maculosus (Girard).
Moss-dwelling Sculpin, Orycottus embryum (Jordan and Gilbert).

Great Sculpin or Kalog, Myzxocephalus polyacanthocephalus
(Pallas).

Sailor-fish, Nautichthys oculofasciatus (Girard).

Cirrhated Sculpin, Blepsias cirrhosus (Pallas).

Red-finned Sculpin, Ascelichthys rhodorus (Jordan and Gilbert).
Tadpole Sculpin, Psychrolutes paradoxus (Gunther).
Grunt-fish, Rhamphocottus richardsoni (Gunther).

Spineless Sea-poacher, Aspidiophoroides sp.

Pallas’ Sea-poacher, Pallasina sp.

Masking Sea-poacher, Bothragonus swani (Steindachner).

Sturgeon Sea-poacher, Podothecus acipenserinus (Pallas).
 
40

characteristic most easily noted is, however, the formation of the pec-
toral fins, which merge together on the under side of the body to form
an imperfect suctorial organ. Most of the species have the habit of
burrowing in the sand or mud.

Nichols’ Goby, Rhinogobius nicholsi (Bean), is our sole represen-
tative of a genus which is mainly southern in its distribution. It has
six spines in the dorsal fin, whereas the species that follow have seven.
It is said to be abundant in some parts of Vancouver Island, but only
one specimen has come to hand in the San Juan Islands.

The Shining Goby, Lepidogobius lepidus (Girard), must be a rare
species as very few have been taken up to this time. It has seven
dorsal spines and is clothed with small cycloid scales.

The Long-jawed Goby, Gillichthys mirabilis (Cooper), as its name
suggests, has the jaw reaching far back, nearly to the base of the pec-
toral fin. The head and belly are devoid of scales.

The Y-marked Goby, Quietula Y-cauda (Jehkins and Evermann) is
similar to Gillichthys, but with flaps of skin on the shoulder girdle.
A row of spots extend along the side of the body, the last assuming
the form of the capital “Y” of the Greek alphabet, hence the name.

The Arrow Goby, Clevelandia ios (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig. 90)
is a slender species, two inches in length, with four or five spines in
the dorsal fin. The scales are minute and cycloid. Specimens were
encountered in Hoods Canal when digging in a sandy beach at low
tide.

FAMILY 41. TOAD-FISHES; BATRACHIDAE.

Only one species of this small family is native to Puget Sound, but
this form, known as the Midshipman or Singing Fish, Porichthys nota-
tus (Girard), is one of our commonest fish. It resembles a sculpin, but
ean be identified immediately by the branching lateral lines which
extend across the head and body. Along these lines are distributed
shining spots looking like rows of buttons, thus giving rise to the
name. The female is frequently met with in collecting along the shore,
since she deposits her eggs on the under side of loose rock or other
debris, and stands guard over them till they are hatched. When dis-
turbed the fish utters a loud vibrant noise which may be heard at a
considerable distance. The illustration used is that of a closely allied
species. (Fig. 92).

FAMILY 42. CLING-FISHES; GOBIESOCIDAE.

The Common Cling-fish, Caularchus meandricus (Girard), (Fig. 91)
is found almost everywhere along our shores. Between the wide-set
ventral fins a broad sucking disk is developed, which enables it to cling
tightly to rocks or other objects. There is no spinous dorsal fin.
Seales are absent. It attains a length of six inches.
41

FAMILY 43. BLENNIES; BLENNIDAE.

This immense and variable family of fishes is represented with us
by thirteen species. They may be recognized by their elongated eel-
like form, small ventral fins, which are at times absent, the elongate
dorsal fin, and the usually rounded tail fin. Most of the species are of
small size and hence the group has little direct economic value.

The Decorated Blenny, Bryostemma decoratum (Jordan and
Snyder), (Fig. 93) is one of the most striking of our local forms. The
top of the head is covered with a growth of branching tentacles which
suggested the name of the species. No lateral line is present. The
ventral fins are well developed and the surface of the body is covered
with small scales. The skin is richly mottled.

The Ornamented Blenny, Bryostemma nugator (Jordan and Wil-
liams), (Fig. 94) is closely allied to the preceding species, having the
same sort of tufted head, but the coloration is quite different. There
is a row of ocellated spots along the middle of the dorsal fin.

The Chameleon Blenny, Pholis ornatus (Girard), (Fig.95) is a
worthy recipient of this name on account of its extraordinary range of
coloration. It may be red, green, brown or, yellow, and various shades
in between. The individual blenny does not seem to be able to change
its hue as some fishes are known to do. The structural peculiarities
of this species are as follows: The lateral line is obsolete and there
are two small spines in connection with the anal fin. The ventrals
are reduced to a single spine and one ray. The tail fin is well de-
veloped, as are the pectorals. The dorsal fin is long and low and is
composed of short, stiff spines. It is about one foot long.

The Variable Blenny, Apodichthys flavidus (Girard), resembles
Pholis in its wide range of coloration, varying from green to purple.
In this species the ventral fins are lacking and the anal fin is pro-
vided with a single stout sheathed spine. A narrow bar of black
passes through the eye from the top of the head to the lower part of
the cheek. It is about ten inches in length.

The Amphibious Blenny, Xererpes fucoruwm (Jordan and Gilbert),
resembles Apodichthys but differs in the smaller size of the anal spine
and in the reduced size of the pectoral fins. Like the preceding it is
extremely variable in color. It is found hiding in masses of sea-weed
at low tide and its ability to survive under these conditions has sug-
gested the name.

The Crested Blenny, Anoplarchus atropurpureus (Kittlitz), (Fig.
96) can be singled out from its relatives by the presence of a prominent
fleshy crest on the top of the head. The body is covered with very
small hidden scales. The lateral line is obsolete and the mouth is set
obliquely in the head. The dorsal fin is very low. This species is
quite variable in color, some specimens being gray, others olive or
42

brown. The type described by Kittlitz from Alaska in 1858 was evi-
dently a variety with a dark purple shade. Mature specimens are
eight inches in length.

The Belted Blenny, Xiphistes chirus (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig.
97) is noteworthy for the presence of several parallel branches of the
lateral line, each with many short cross branches. The pectorals are
small but well formed. It measures about 12 inches in length. Color
variable and more or less mottled. Several dark lines radiate from the
eye.

The Rock Blenny, Xiphidion rupestre (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig.
100) is a near relative of the preceding species, but the pectoral fins
are extremely minute, not longer than the width of the eye. It lives
among the rocks along the shore where it may be found hiding in
masses of sea-weed. It is about 12 inches in length. Several bands of
color radiate from the eye.

The Dagger Blenny, Xiphidion mucosum (Girard), is one of the
common Blennies of the Sound waters. It reaches a length of 18
inches and resembles the Rock Blenny very closely. The differences
lie in certain relative measurements and in the character of the bands
which radiate from the eye. The body tapers off posteriorily after the
manner of a dagger, hence the name.

The Barred Blenny, Plectobranchus evides (Gilbert), (Fig. 98) is
one of our rare and beautiful fish forms. Only a few specimens have
come to light since it was named in 1890. In this species there is no
lateral line, the pectorals are long and rounded and the ventrals are
weil developed. The color is dusky the sides being crossed by a con-
siderable number of narrow whitish bars. It is four inches in length.

The Snake Blenny, Lumpenus anguillaris (Pallas), is a long snaky
fish with an obsolete lateral line. The paired fins are well developed
and the mouth is set obliquely in the head. It measures 18 inches.

The Striped Blenny, Delolepis virgatus (Bean), is of the same long
snaky type as Lumpenus, but the ventral fins are lacking. It is brown-
ish yellow in color with three brown stripes on each side of the body.
It attains a length of 30 inches.

The Aleutian Blenny, Lyconectes aleutensis (Gilbert), (Fig. 99) is
like unto a small edition of the Striped Blenny, but is smaller, measur-
ing about seven inches in length. The body is without scales. The
color is reddish. Only two specimens of this fish have ever been taken,
one in Alaska and one in Puget Sound.
43

FAMILY 44. WOLF-FISHES; ANARHICHADIDAE.

Our representative of this family is the large, powerful, eel-like
species known as the Wolf-fish, Anarrhichthys ocellatus (Ayres). It
measures as much as 8 feet in length and excites great interest wher-
ever it is captured. It is shaped like an eel, but the head is large
and wolfish in aspect, with a great array of sharp teeth set in the
powerful jaws. The ventral fins are absent. The pectorals are broad
and set low down on the body. Color dark green, with numerous
faint ocellated spots over the head and body.

FAMILY 45. EEL-POUTS; ZOARCIDAE.

In this family are classified fishes with long eel-shaped bodies cov-
ered with small cycloid scales. The head is large, and the mouth is
bordered by jaws set with conical teeth. The dorsal and anal fins are
very long and the pectorals are small. The lateral line is absent.
Three species occur in our fauna.

The Pacific Eel-pout, Lycodopsis pacificus (Collett), may be recog-
nized by the black margins on the vertical fins. It reaches a length of
18 inches.

The Short-finned Eel-pout, Lycodes brevipes (Bean), can be dis-
criminated by the minute size of the ventral fins, which are only one-
third of the distance across the eye.

The Wattled Hel-pout, Lycodes palearis (Gilbert), originally de-
scribed from Alaska, was unknown from Puget Sound till a few speci-
mens were brought up in the trawl at Friday Harbor in 1909. The
ventral fins are much longer than in L. brevipes, and in L. palearis a
wide membranous border is present on the inner edge of the mandible,
terminating in front in a pair of sharp-pointed flaps, the whole ar-
rangement suggesting wattles. It is 7 inches in length.

FAMILY 46. VIPER-FISHES; SCYTALINIDAE.

The only species classified in this family is the curious Viper Fish,
Scytalina cerdale (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig.101) originally described
from Neah Bay and not since found elsewhere. It is a small blenny-
like fish with a snaky head. The body is narrowed to a neck behind
the head. There is no lateral line. The dorsal fin is very low, the
pectorals are small and the dorsal and anal fins are united to the
caudal. It burrows in the debris among rocks at low tide.
83.
84.
85.

86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99,
100.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.

Three-spined Sea-poacher, Xeneretmus triacanthus (Gilbert).

Inky Sea-poacher, Averruncus emmelane (Jordan and Starks).

Four-horned Sea-poacher, Hypsagonus quadricornis (Cuvier and
Valenciennes).

Smooth Lump-sucker, Lethotremis vinolentis (Jordan and Starks).

Green’s Sea-snail, Liparis greeni (Jordan and Starks).

Beautiful-tooth Sea-snail, Liparis callyodon (Pallas).

Jordan’s Ronquil, Ronquilus jordani (Gilbert).

Arrow Goby, Clevelandia ios (Jordan and Gilbert).

Cling-fish, Caularchus meandricus (Girard).

Midshipman or Singing Fish, Porichthys sp.

Decorated Blenny, Bryostemma decoratum (Jordan and Snyder).

Ornamented Blenny, Bryostemma nugator (Jordan and Williams).

Chameleon Blenny, Pholis ornatus (Girard).

Crested Blenny, Anoplarchus atropurpureus (WKittlitz).

Belted Blenny, Xiphistes chirus (Jordan and Gilbert).

Barred Blenny, Plectobranchus evides (Gilbert).

Aleutian Blenny, Lyconectes aleutensis (Gilbert).

Rock Blenny, Xiphidion rupestre (Jordan and Gilbert).
 
46

FAMILY 47. CODS; GADIDAE.

In this group we have the cod and its various relatives. They are
readily recognized by the division of the dorsal fin into three sepa-
rate parts, and by the presence of a barbel on the lower jaw. The anal
fin is likewise divided to form two sections. Four species of the cod
family occur in our waters.

The Pacific Codfish, Gadus macrocephalus (Tilesius), (Fig. 102)
differs but little from the cod of the Atlantic, but the species have been
regarded as zoologically distinct. The main distribution of the Pa-
cific Cod is on the banks in the North Pacific. It does not occur in
sufficient abundance in our waters to constitute a fishery.

The Tom-cod, Microgadus proximus (Girard), (Fig.104) has the
appearance of a miniature cod, the young of which it resembles very
closely. The technical difference between the two genera is in the
position of the vent. In Gadus it is below the second dorsal fin, while
in Microgadus it is in front of the same fin. It is a valuable food fish,
attaining a length of about one foot.

The Puget Sound Pollack, Theragra fucensis (Jordan and Gilbert)
is closely related to the Alaska Pollack, Theragra chalcogramma
(Pallas), (Fig. 103) which it replaces to the southward. It differs
from the cod and Tom-cod in that the lower jaw projects beyond the
upper and the barbel is of small size. It is a valuable food fish and
attains a length of two feet.

The Cusk-Codling, Brosmophycis marginatus (Ayres), is a fish
which was formerly classed in the family Brotulidae but its relation-
ship with the Cod family having been established it is now placed with
the latter. It is an exceedingly rare fish at present since our knowl-
edge of it is based on two specimens, one taken at San Francisco, the
other in Puget Sound. It rather does violence to the usual cod type,
since the dorsal fin is not divided to form the usual three finlets but
is a continuous structure, and the anal is formed on the same type.
The ventral fins are developed as long filaments. There are no barbels
on the head. The California example measures 12 inches.

FAMILY 48. HAKES; MERLUCCIIDAE.

A family of fishes closely allied to the cods, the differences between
the groups being based on technical points in the skeleton. The only
species on the Pacific Coast is the Horse Mackerel or Pacific Hake,
Merluccius productus (Ayres), (Fig.105). The second dorsal fin is
deeply notched but not divided into two separate fins as in the cods.
The head is sharply pointed. The scales are very small and are de-
ciduous. The fish is silvery gray in color and attains a length of
three feet.
47

FAMILY 49. RIBBON FISHES; TRACHYPTERIDAE.

The only species of this family recorded from Puget Sound is the
remarkable fish known as the King of the Salmon, Trachypterus rex-
salmonorum (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig.106). It is very rare as it
appears to be a deep-water species which comes to our shores only
through some accidental cause. Its body is from 5 to 7 feet in length,
compressed so as to be exceedingly thin and covered with a skin
shining like burnished silver. The dorsal fin extends far forward and
at its anterior end there is a raised finlet consisting of four greatly
lengthened rays. The eye is very large, and the tail-fin, instead of
spreading out fan-like in the usual manner, is greatly elongated and
directed diagonally upwards.

FAMILY 50. THE FLAT FISHES; PLEURONECTIDAE.

This large family which is represented in our waters by fifteen
species contains fishes which are almost without exception of food
value, although only a limited number of kinds ordinarily reach the
market.

The members of this family are immediately recognized by the
characteristic flattened form, the animals actually swimming on one
side, with a corresponding distortion of the bodily structure, the most
noticeable change being in the position of the eyes, one of these organs
necessarily shifting around from the under side. The shifting of the
fins is also rather striking in most cases.

The forms commonly called flat fishes include two families, the
second of these being the Soles (Soleidae). None of the latter occur
within our faunal limits, so all of our flat fishes are necessarily hali-
buts, flounders and turbots.

The Halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossoides (Linnaeus), (Fig. 107)
is our largest and, commercially speaking, most important flat fish.
The ventral fins are symmetrical and the one on the ventral side is
not extended along the ridge of the abdomen. The mouth is but
slightly distorted, and the caudal fin is lunate. The scales are small
and cycloid in form. The lateral line has a bow anteriorly. It attains
a length of 6 to 8 feet and a weight of upwards of 600 pounds, but
specimens of these dimensions are naturally rare. Halibut are taken
within the limits of Puget Sound, but the commercial catch comes from
the banks off Cape Flattery or farther to the north.

Jordan’s Flounder, Hopsetta jordani (Lockington), is sometimes
erroneously called California Sole. The fins and mouth are formed
much as in the halibut. The lateral line lacks the bow at the anterior
end and is without an accessory dorsal branch. Two rows of teeth are
present in the upper jaw, one row in the lower. The scales are small.
The fish attains a length of 20 inches and is an excellent food fish, but
is not abundant in Puget Sound.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.

109.
110.
111.
112.
1138.

114.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES.
Viper-fish, Scytalina cerdale (Jordan and Gilbert).
Cod-fish, Gadus sp.
Pollack, Theragra sp.
Tom-cod, Microgadus proximus (Girard).
Pacific Hake, Merluccius productus (Ayres).
King of the Salmon, Trachypterus sp.
Halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossoides (Linnaeus).

Puget Sound Sand-dab, Hippoglossoides elassodon (Jordan and
Gilbert).

Black-spotted Flounder, Psettichthys melanostictus (Girard).

Soft Flounder or Plaice, Citharichthys sordidus (Girard).

Rough Flounder, Inopsetta ischrya (Jordan and Gilktert).

Rock Flounder, Lepidopsetta bilineata (Ayres).

Speckled Flounder, Plewronichthys nephelus (Starks and Thomp-
son).

Starry Flounder or Diamond Flounder, Platichthys stellatus
(Pallas).
 
50

The Puget Sound Sand-dab, Hippoglossoides elassodon (Jordan and
Gilbert), (Fig. 108) resembles Hopsetta but has a single row of teeth
in the upper jaw instead of two, and possesses a spine developed in
connection with the anal fin. It has a length of 18 inches.

The Slender Flounder, Lyopsetta exzilis (Jordan and Gilbert), is
another relative of Hopsetta, but the scales are unusually large and
the proportions are more slender.

The Black-spotted Flounder, Psettichthys melanostictus (Girard),
(Fig. 109) resembles the preceding species but has an accessory branch
to the lateral line. It is grayish brown with fine black markings. It
is 20 inches long and highly regarded as a food fish.

‘The Soft Flounder or Plaice, Citharichthys sordidus (Girard), (Fig.
110) is our only representative of the tribe of flat fishes known abroad
as turbots. They differ from the above described species which are
all related rather closely to the halibut and flounder, in possessing a
relatively large mouth, and the eye and color is on the left side rather
than on the right. The caudal fin is rounded and the ventral fins are
dissimilar in form and position. The space between the eyes is con-
cave. This species attains a weight of two pounds but is not highly
regarded as a food fish, since the flesh is soft.

The Speckled Flounder, Citharichthys stigmaeus (Jordan and Gil-
bert), is of the same general type as the soft flounder, but with the
space between the eyes raised in a sharp ridge. Very few specimens
of this species have been taken.

The Scaly-finned Flounder, Jsopsetta isoleis (Lockington), has a
small unsymmetrical mouth, with the bones on the blind side strongly
curved. The lateral line has an accessory branch and is arched but
slightly in front. The fins are low, and are covered with ctenoid scales.
It reaches a length of 15 inches and is a good food fish.

The Rough Flounder, Inopsetta ischrya (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig.
111) is similar to the preceding species but the teeth are incisor-like
and the scales are not imbricated. Specimens weigh up to four pounds.
It is not common in our waters but is a good food fish.

The Near-eyed Flounder, Parophrys vetulus (Girard), is closely
related to Inopsetta and has the same incisor-like teeth, but the scales
are imbricated and the space between the eyes is very narrow.

The Rock Flounder, Lepidopsetta bilineata (Ayres), (Fig. 112) is
of the same general type as Jsopsetta and Inopsetta, but the lateral line
has a distinct arch in front and an accessory branch is developed. The
scales are imbricated. In color it is yellowish brown with many pale
blotches.

The Starry Flounder or Diamond Flounder, Platichthys stellatus
(Pallas), (Fig. 114) is one of our most familiar flat fishes, as it is very
51

common and is constantly seen in the markets. It is immediately rec-
ognized by the absence of scales, their place being taken by a corre-
sponding number of stellate tubercles. It is dark brown above with
a number of pronounced blotches of black upon the fins. It attains a
considerable size, specimens two feet in length being on record.

The Smear-dab or Slippery Sole, Microstomus pacificus (Locking-
ton), is a species which secretes an extraordinary amount of mucus
when taken from the water, which makes them extremely slippery.
The mouth is small and the eyes unusually large. The pectoral fins
are of about equal size. No spine is developed at the front end of the
anal fin. Ground color, pale brown with darker blotches. The larger
specimens weigh upwards of a pound and are used for food.

The Long-finned Flounder, Glyptocephalus zachirus (Lockington),
is easily recognized by the extraordinary length of the pectoral fin on
the upper side, which is fully one-quarter the length of the body. The
lateral line is nearly straight. In color it is pale brown, varying to
ashy. This species is so thin and the flesh so dry it is not regarded
as a desirable food fish.

The Speckled Flounder, Pleuronichthys nephelus (Starks and
Thompson), is an abundant species in Puget Sound. The lateral line
is nearly straight and has a dorsal branch. The scales are large, cir-
cular and imbedded in the skin. The lips are thick and have several
lengthwise folds. The anal fin is preceded by a spine. In color this
species is mottled and speckled in a variegated pattern, but several
conspicuous dark spots on the side and others on the tail fin give a
distinctive marking to the fish. It attains a length of about a foot.