Breet Beet eet ale yell Bb) Bly Batt be tae) EASTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC cx speeds allFunde-In-Trust, FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FOR FISHERY PURPOSES EASTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) edited by W. Flacher end G. Bianchi end WB. Scott Marine Resources Service Huntsman Marine Laboratory Fishery Resources and Environment Division Brandy Cove, St. Andrews, HB FAQ Fisheries Department, Rome Canada aly This publication hae been prepared and printed as an integral part of the FAO/Canada Government Cooperative Programme (Project GCP/INT/180/CAN) with the direct support of the Canadian Intemational Development Agency (CIDA) ‘and the Scientific Information and Publications Brench of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada VOLUME I CONTENTS: Introductory Material Bony Fishes Technical terms General remarks Aid ta the identification of families occurring in the E.C. Atlantic Families: Acanthuridae to Centrolophidae Published by arrangement with the FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS by the DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS, CANADA Ottawa, 1981For bibliographic purposes this document should Fischer, W., G. Bienchi and W.8. Scott (eds), 1981 "FAO species Identification sheets for fishery purposes. Eastern Central Atlantic; fishing areas 34, 47 (in part). Canada Funds-in- Trust. Ottawa, Department of Fisheries and Qceans Canada, by ‘arrangement with the Food ‘and ‘Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, vols. 1-7:pag.var. Identification sheets. Taxooomy. Geographic distribution. Fisheries. Vernacular names. Bony fishes. Chimaeras. Sharks. Batoid fishos. Lobsters. Shrimps. True crabs. Stamatopods. Molluscs. . Sea turtles. ASWFAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) FOREWORD This publication is the fourth in a series initiated by FAO which began with the Mediterranean/Black Sea (1973, two volumes) and continued with the Easter Indian Ocean/Western Central Pacific (1974, four volumes) and the Western Central Atlantic (1978, seven volumes). This series is almed at establishing a worldwide annotated and Illustrated inventory of aquatic species of interest to fisheries that should provide the fishery worker with a tool for the correct identification of the species occurring in his/her area, an international system of vernacular species names and elementary data on the fisheries for these species. ‘The present sot of Identification Sheets primarily covering the area of concem to the CECAF Committee, is the result of the joint efforts of more than 60 experts from the CECAF Region and elsewhere in the world, who have generously contributed their time and experience to a common goal. The execution of the project was closely coordinated with the preparation of the "Check-List of the Fishes of the Esstemn Tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA)", sponsored by Unesco, so as to ensure consistency of nomenclature in these two complementary publications. The fact that every family or group of resources has been treated by an authority on the subject: makes thie publication a unique assemblage of first hhand information which could not have been brought together by any individual author. Furthermore, It is the only recent catalogue of species of interest to fisheries covering the Eastern Central Atlantic region in its entirety, comprising the Fishing Area 34 2s well as the northern part of Fishing Area 47. Although the fishery resources of this region are, in general, reasonably well known, there are till considerable gaps in information’ on distribution, abundance and biology of many species, which are, to a large extent, the result of incorrect or insufficient identification of species in routine fishery work. ” With the growing need for proper management af fish stocks, more accurate detailed basic data are Fequired on individual species. The user of the shosts can contribute significantly to the improvement af this reference work by communiceting his/her practical experiences with the Sheets to FAO HG in Rome, to the CECAF Committee in Dakar, and/or to the respective authors. In this way, the aystematiet and the fishery worker will benefit from ench other's work; and it Is only through a continuing cooperation of this kind that these Identification Sheets will remain up~ to-date and useful. ‘The production of this set of Species Identification Sheets would not have been possible without the generous financial support of the Canadien International Development ‘Agency (CIDA) in the framework of the FAO/Canada Government Cooperative Programme, Project GCP/INT/180/CAN, and the valuable collaboration of the Department of Fisheries ‘and Oceans, Canada, who have printed the document. Scientific editing was considerably facilitated through the cooperation of the Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, Canae A, Lindquist Director Fishery Resources and Environment Division Fisheries Department FAO, RomeFAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS EASTERN CENTRAL ATLANTIC Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS * Abbot, R.T., American Malacalogists, Ino., P.O. Box 2255, Melbourne, Florida 32901, U.S.A. Allen, G.R.y Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000 Bath, H., Lulsenstrasse 45, 678 Pirmasens/Pfelz, Federal Republic of Germany Bauchot, MeL Ichtyologle Générale et Appliquée, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 43 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, Cedex 05, France Ben-Tuvia, A., Department of Zaology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel Berry, F.H., NMFS Southeast Fisheries Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, Florida 33149, U.S.A. Department of Ichthyology, The Academy of Natural Sciences, Nineteenth and the Parkway, Bohike, J Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, U.S.A. Bond, G.W. Department of Biology, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg 04420, U.S.A. Bradbury, M.G., Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway ‘Avenue, Sen Francisco, California 94132, U.S.A. Caruso, J.H., Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042, U.S.A. Chao, L.N., Fundagao Universidade da Rio Grande, Luis Lorea 261, Campus Universitario, Caixa Postal 474, Rio Grands - RS, Brazil Cohen, D.M., NMFS Systematics Laboratory, NOAA, National Museu of Natural History, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A. Collette, 8.8. NMFS Systematics Laboratory, NOAA, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A. Compagno, L.J.V., Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, San Francisco State University, P.O. Box 855, Tiburon, Califernia $4920, U.S.A. Courtenay, Jr W.Rey Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, Usa. Crosnier, A.y ORSTOM, 24 rue Bayard, 75008 Paris, France De Sylva, D.P., Division of Biology and Living Resources, School of Marine and Atmospheric Selences, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, U.S.A. Dooley, J-K., Adelphi University, Garden City, Long Island, New York 11530, U.S.A, Their respective contributions are indicated in the Table of Contents. Authors and Reviewers are also mentioned at the end of each section of Family SheetsFAO Sheets LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Fishing Areas 34, 47 (ie part) Ehrich, S. Institut flr Seefischerei, Palmaille 9, 2000 Hamburg 50, Federal Republic of Germany Emery, A.Rxy Department of Ichthyology and Herpetology, Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, ‘Ontario, Canada Eschmeyer, W:Ns, The Science Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gete Park, San Francisco, California 94118, U.S.A. Fricke, Rey Saaleetrasse 3A, D-3300 Braunschweig, Federal Republic of Germany Fritzsche, R-As, Department of Biology, The University of Mississippi, Mississippi 38677, U.S.A. Glbbs, Jr, RH; Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C! 20560, U.S.A. Gomon, MF., National Musaum of Victoria, 285-321 Russel Street, Melbourne, Vietoria 5000, Australia Gonzalez-Alberdi, P., Fisheries Department, FAO, Viale delle Terme i Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy Greenfield, D.W, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, Del @ @ —— Se LANTERNFISHES AND ALLIES - Myctophiformes GONOSTOMATIOAE ] Bristiomouthe [GoNOST] {rgpiges absent; adipose tir presents light organs To about 25 cms mostly in deep water (usually below 200m), but some species coming up to about 30 m at MYCTOPHIDAE | Lanterntishes MycT, hight; mesopelagic to bathypelagt To 30 em, but most species less than 10 em} from the surface (at night) to below 2000 m depth; meso- Pelagic to bathypelagic. | photophores ‘mouth large Diploshos Triplophos [FaRALERDIDAE] oaracusnae [PARALEP To 50cm; matine, from the surface to below 800 m5 adipose fin mesopelagic to bathypelagic. SSS Sistine Parelepis ASTRONESTHIDAE | Snaggletoothe ALEPISAURIDAE ] Lancettishes ALEPIS To about 20 cm; merine, from about 150 to below To over 200 em; marine, from about 40 m (mainly at 2.000 m depth; mesopelagic. night) to great depths; pelagic. adipose keelFAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) ANOTOPTERIDAE | Dagger tooths CHLOROPHTHALMIDAE | Greeneyes To at least 45 ems marine, pelagic; a single species. To 30 cm; marine, from about 75 m to abyssal deptha; benthic. ‘eyes green, pupil _>. NEOSCOPELIDAE | Neoscopelids To about 30 om; merine, from the surface to below 500 m depth; pelagic or benthopelagic. TOADFISHES - Batrachoidiformes Head large and depressed, body compressed two dorsal fine, the first with 2 or 3 spines; pelvic fins Under throats. gill openings restricted to sides of heads fone to several lateral lines on body. BATRACHOIDAE | Toadfishes BATRACH To about 45 em; in coastal marine waters to at least 250m depth; elso in estuaries end freshwater; benthic. AULOPIDAE | Flagfishes ‘AULOP oa with 2 oF 3 spines lateral lines To 45 ems marine, from sbout 75 to at least 300 m depths benthic. @) oupra- maxillary bones ‘gill opening small teeth recurved CLINGFISHES - Gobiesociformes A eucking dise under anterior part of body (formed by pectoral and pelvic fins); a single dorsal fin without spines. SYNODONTIDAE | Lizardfiches SYNOD To 55 cm; matine, from shallow waters to below 500 GOBIESOCIDAE | Clingfishes 1m depths. benthic To 15 em, but most species less than 8 crn; littoral oral oes marine, also in estuaries and freshwater. lzard-like ‘adipose fin a eee-10- FAO Sheets ANGLERFISHES AND ALLIES - Lophilformes Body globose or depressed; first spine of doresl fin modified to form a "fishing pole", gill openings small and circular, usually located below or behind pectoral fins. LOPHIIDAE | Anglerfishee LOPH To about 100 ems below 800 m depth; marine, from coastal waters to benthie. Frogfishes ANTEN [avtennarnpae To 28 cm marine, from coastal and surface waters to below 100 m depth; mostly benthic. gill opening oacoc OGCOCEPHALIDAE Batfishes To 15 cm; marine, from 100 to 300 m depth; benthics a single species in'the area. gill opening dorsal view Fishing Aress 34,47 (in part) HIMANTOLOPHIDAE | Footballfishes To about 60 cm; marine, from near the surface to below 500 m depth; pelagic. Holeomyeteronus-u- FAO Sheets CARAPIDAE, Pearlfishes To about 20 cm; marine from shallow coastal waters to the continental slope; mostly benthic, living in sea cucumbers, clams, sea urchine, tunieates and starfish, but 1 species free-living, no pelvig fins ZOARCIOAE Eelpouts To about $0 cm; marine, from about 200 to below 500 m depth; benthic. J CODS, HAKES AND ALLIES = Gadifarmes No sharp spines in fine (except in dorsal fin of some macrourids)s pelvic fine below or anterior to pectoral fins and widely separated from each other, usually entire, but reduced to ments in some spaces; barbels often present on chin (on snout of a single species). pelvic fins. widely separeted Underside of head GADI To about 80 cm; marine, from the shore to below 11.000 m depth; "also In estuaries; benthic, bentho- pelagic or pelagic. 7” 5 dorsal fine GADIDAE | Code and codlings caudal peduncle rather deep 2 anal fine Trisopten 2 dorsal fins Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) Hakes MERLUCCIIDAE MERLU, To 130 ems marine, from coastal waters to about 1000 m depth; benthopelagic or pelagic. ie V-shaped ridge on — upper side of head Mores MOR MORIDAE, To over 50 em; marine, from about 200 to below 1 000 'm depths benthopelagic. pelvic A inf couse padrte rect BREGMACEROTIDAE | Codlets To 10 cm, but usually smaller; marine in ocean! watere from the surface to below 1000 m depths pelegic. ‘iret dorsal fin with a single» pelvic fins’ below head MACROUR MACROURIDAE | Grenadiers To about 60 cmj marine, from about 250 to below 2.000 m depth; benthopelagic. ‘iret ray spinousite FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,67 (in part) SILVERSIDES AND ALLIES - Atheriniformes SCOMBERESOGIDAE | Sauries [SCOMBERES Small fishes; 2 well separated dorsal fins, the first To 50. em; marine, pelagic in surface waters. spiny, but often ineonspleuouss a silvery’ stripe on sides. ee 7 ‘ az sey To about 15 om, but usual sally in costa arine fintets Meiers etuarle, costal lagoons and freshwater ‘iret dorsal fin spiny SQUIRRELFISHES AND ALLIES - Beryciformes Head spines and/or crests well developed fin-spines well developed except in Diretmidaes scales heavy ‘and strongly ctenoid (rough) FLYINGFISHES AND ALLIES - Beloniformes HOLOCENTRIDAE HOLOG Squirvelfishes and saldierfishes Either snout beak-like with upper and/or lower jay Greatly prolonged (except in 2 genera), or with — 7, : ee Enlarged) wingaike,pectorely and sometimes slzo 70, leant 5 cont marine, from shallow coastal pelvic fing; lateral line near ventral profile of body; @ % Eine dorel fin consisting of soft faye; pelvic fine spiny portion of dorsal abdominal. much longer than soft portion EXOGOETIDAE | Flyingfishes EXOC To 40 em; marine; pelagic in surface waters. 4 spines “Sin anal fin TEMIRAMPHIDAE] Meltbesta nein To about 49 cm; in marine, coastal and offshore POR MeGD AE | poeaaure EOLrE Texte ctteie and rcohwatseteat the atlases Sanaa 35 cay marine, trom about ac Tr depth; benthic; ‘a single species in the area. 400 6a L luated spines lower jaw greatly prolonges except in Oxyporhamphus scales lerge BELONIDAE | Needlefishes BELON To about 130 cms In marine coastal and offshore waters, estuaries, coastal lagoons and freshwater; pelagic, close to the surface. elongate caudal pecuncle tooth-studded jaws keel; == barbels inserted well Sora “Ss behind tip of lower jaw pinesFAO Sheets BERYCIDAE } Alfonsinos BER To about 50 em; marine, from about 200 to below 500 m depth; benthic. Sor 4 spines cavities <1. Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) Diretmoldes DORIES AND ALLIES - Zeiformes Body usuelly compressed and deep; jaws greatly 4 spines distensible; prominent spines in anterior part of dorssl fin. TRACHICHTHYIDAE | Slimeheads [TRACHIC. ZEIDAE] Dories ZEID ‘To about 60 ern marine, from about 100 to 1000 m depth, rarely below 600 m; benthic. 3 to 8 wide-spaced, strong spines cpercular mucous spine cavities and create preoperculat Jventrel 2 or 3 spines, spine Reel of scutes DIRETMIDAE ] Diretmids DIRET To about 40 em, but usually smaller; merine, from about 400 to below 1 000 m depths, benthi To about 65 cm} marine, in coastal waters to about 600 m depth; benthic to benthopelagic.14 FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) CAPROIDAE ] Bosrfishes GRAMMICOLEPIDAE | Grammicolepids To about 30 cm} marine, from 65 to about 600 m To about 20 em; marine, from about 200 to below 500 depth; benthic to benthopelagic. 1m depth; benthopel scales linear, elongated vertically inal species Grammicolepis A. Xenolepidichthys X- dalgletshi OPAHS AND ALLIES - Lampridiformes Body shape highly variable with the families; no spines in fins} jaws protrusible, LAMPRIDIDAE | Opahe LAMPR To 185 cm; marine, from the surface to about 200 m depths pelagic. A single species. Antigonia<1. FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) LOPHOTIDAE | Cresttishes and unicornfishes ATELEOPODIDAE | Ateleopids ATEL| To 180 cms marine, from about 200 to below 600m To 180 ems_ marine, from about 200 to 600 m depths depth; pelagic. benthopelagic. doreal fin shart mouth nal and Inferior caudal fins fused pelvic fin TRACHIPTERIDAE | Ribbonfishes PIPEFISHES AND ALLIES - Gasterosteiformes To about 200 cm; marine, from about 180 to nearly Body elongate, snout tube-like; scales sometimes 1000 m depth; pelagic. modified to form series of bony plates. SYNGNATHIDAE | Pipefiches To about 30 emy in freshwater, estuaries, coastal lagoons, litteral pools and coastal marine waters to about 90 rm depth; mostly benthic (at least one species pelagic). body encased in ‘umerous joined bony rings REGALECIDAE | Oarfishes To about 800 om, but average size about 300 cms marine, adults from about 300 to 600 m depth, Juveniles nearer to the surface; pelagic. Hippocampus-16- FAO Sheets ‘AULOSTOMIDAE | Trumpetfishes [AULOST To 75 cm; marine, in shallow and clear coastal waters; often drifting head down. A single species in the area. = Fishing Areas 34,67 (in part) SCORPIONFISHES AND ALLIES - Scorpacniformes Cheeks with a bony strut (posterior extension of suborbital bone to preopercle); usually well developed ‘spines on head and prominent spines in dorsal fins pectoral fine usually rounded; membranes between Tower rays often incised; caudal fin rarely forked. FISTULARIDAE FIST (Cometfishes, flutemouths To 200 em; marine, in shallow coastal waters PLATYCEPHALIDAE | Spiny flatheads [ PLATYC ‘To 20 emy marine, from 20 to about 200 m depth; @ single species in the area. MACRORHAMPHOSIDAE MACROR Shipefishes To about 15 cm; marine, from 25 to 600 m dept benthopelagic. A single species in the area. SWAMP EELS AND ALLIES - Synbrenchiformes 'SYNBRANCHIDAE | Swamp eels To 32 omy banks. littoral marine and estuarine, on mud COTTUNCULIDAE | Cottunculide To 30 omy marine, from about 200 to below 1000 m depth; benthic. ‘SCORPAENIDAE, SCORP, ‘Scorpionfishes, rockfishes and rosefishes To over 50 cm; marine, from the coastline to below 600 m depths benthic: often with venomous spines. bony strut TRIGLDAE) Seorobing, umers To about 45 cms marine, from the coastline to about 200 m depths benthic. 3 10 wer cays of pectoral fin freeae FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) PERISTEDIDAE | Armoured searobins [PERIST] PERCH-LIKE FISHES Perciformes: Percoidei To 35 cm; marine, from about 50 to 500 m depth; Shape extremely variable; either 2 dorsal fins, or 1 benthic; 9 single species in the erea. dorsal fin with the anterior elements being ‘sharp epinous scutes Pines} pelvic fins with 1 spine and 5 soft rays, placed : well forward on ventral surface of bodys maxillary bone not included in gape of mouth but dorsal to the tooth-bearing premaxitia. MORONIDAE (ePorcehtyioae) | Temperate basses [ORM] rostral \2 lowermost exsertions ——_—barbel rays free To over 100 cm; in estuaries and coastal marine waters to about 140 m depth; dwelling near the bottom or close to the surface. CYCLOPTERIDAE | (including Liparidee) ‘Lumpfishes and Snailfishes To about 30 cm, but usually smaller; marine, from the coastline to below 1 400 rm depth; benthic to bentho- pelagic. SERRANIDAE, ‘SERRAN| Ee eerie area “Groupers, hinds, hamlets, seabasses, Greatly enlarged pectoral fins; head encased in a bony combers ‘and creolefishes shield with a spiny erest from nape to below base of first dorsal fin. To over 300 cm; marine, from the coastline to depths below 300 m; also In the lower reaches of estuaries; mostly’ benthic. DACTYLOPTERIDAE | Flying guards [DACTYL To at least 45 em; marine, in shallow coastal waters; benthic. A single species. vsually 3 flat spines spiny crest Mycteroperca doreel view-18- FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) GRAMMISTIDAE ] Soapfishes (GRAMMIST To about 32 em; matine, from shallow cosstal waters to about 50m depths benthic. Parantt ro spines KUHLIDAE | Dsras KUH To 20 em; marino, in coastal waters to about 20 m depth; a single species in the area. ANTHIDAE | Seaperches, Anthiids ANTH PRIACANTHIDAE | Bigeyes, glasseyes_[ PRIAC To sbout 27 cm; marine, in coastal waters; mostly To 40 cm; marine, from the coastline to about 200 m benthic. Considered by many authors as a subfamily depths benthic. (Anthiinae) of Serranidae. 10 spines eye large lateral line 3 spines Prigcanthusioe) FAO Sheets "APOGONIDAE | Cardinalfishes To about 20 cm, but most species smaller than 12 em; marine, from the coastline to about 1000 m depths also in brackish watere and freshwater; mostly benthic. eye Jorge yo “ASK 2 spines ‘Apogon MALACANTHIDAE] Sand tilefishes [ MALAC. To 60 cm} marine, from shallow coastal waters to ‘about 150 m depth; benthie, A single species in the Aor 5 spines BRANCHIOSTEGIDAE | Tilefishes BRAN To 70 ems marine, from about 20 to 200 m depth; benthic. A single species in the area. 6 to 8 spines predorsal ridge 16 2 spines Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) POMATOMIDAE | Bluefishes POMAT To 110 cm; marine, surface waters; pelagic. A single specios in the area. Tor 8 +1 spines eyg small 2sines RACH, Cobias RACHYCENTRIOAE To 200 cm; marine; pelagic in offshore waters (near the surface) but also over shallow reefs and ‘occasionally in estuaries. A cingle species. 7 to 9 short separate gpines ECHEN ECHENEIDAE Remoras, shark-suckers, disc fishes marine, pelagic and attached to To about 100 em; larger marine organisms harks, turtles, mammals, etc.). t~ = sucking dise-20- Fishing areas 34,47 (in part) FAO Sheets CARANGIDAE CARAN Jacks, pompanos, runners, bumpers, scads, pilot- fishes, rudderfienes, lookdewne, meonfishes, amber- Jacks,’ leatherjacks To about 149 cm; marine, from the coastline to below 200 m depth; a few species entering brackish waters; al-pelagic, or oceanic-pelagic. seutes finlet "2 detached spines (typical of most carangids) Decapterue geutes pelvic fin short Trachurus CORYPHAENIDAE, CORY, Dalphinfishes, "dolphins" To 200 em; marine, eceanic-pelagic, but sometimes > approaching the coast. bony crest: In male Lichie BRAMIDAE | Pomfrets BRAM| To about 100 cms marine, mostly epi- or mesopelagic to below 300m ‘depth; one” genus (Eumegistvs), Dossibly deep benthic. Peeudocaranx21 FAO Sheets Eumegistus p Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) EMMELICHTHYIDAE Rubyfishes, Redbaite, Rovere EMMEL To 55 em; depth. marine, benthopelagic to about 300 m scaled axilla supramexilla fully exposed ‘mouth protruded GERREIOAE | Mojarras GERR To 25 om; coastal marine waters to about 60 m depths ‘also in estuaries, coastal lagoone and freshwater; benthic. head almost entirely gcaly CENTRACANTHIDAE CENTRA Picarels, Bonnetmouths To 30 cm; marine, to about 200 m dept; benthic. uth wren Sauary estrcted noo TOTSANOAE] snappers tor Te amy wotly merino rm the cosine to 850 m depth; some species enter estuaries and even rivers; @ few may enter hypersaline lagoonss benthic. ro scales between eye and mouthFAO Sheets 22 Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) LOBOTIDAE Tripleteils LoBoT ‘SPARIDAE SPARID To over 100 marine, oceanic-pelagic, drifting ‘near the surface. A single species in the area. 12 epines 4 POMADASYIOAE Grunts, margates, pigtishes and porktishes POMAD To 60 cm; mostly marine, from the coastline to about 200 mm depth, and in brackish waters; benthic. 11 to 16 spines to 16 11 to 19 soft rays post-margin of sub- orbital bone concealed soft rays 3 spines LETHRINIDAE | Emperors, Scavengers [LETH To 50 cm; marine, In coastal watere to ebout 50 m depth; a single species in the area. 9 soft rays lac cheek and preopercle sealeless Porgies, seabreams and pinfishes To 75 cm} marine, from the coastline to about 150m depth; occasionally entering estuaries; benthic. mouth small, canines and tin, je cheek scaled Le preopercle smooth Inclsore ‘Boope (boops) incisors pa (salps)FAO Sheets -25- Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) SCIAENIDAE SCIAEN MULLIDAE | Gostfishes, red muliets [MULL Croakers, drums, meagres, weaktishes, stardrums To 200 cm; marine, from the cosstline to about 350 m depth; also in estuaries and some species in freshwater; benthic. lateral line to tip of caudal fin (family character) Sciaena Pteroscion To 55cm; marine, from the coastline to about 100 m depth; occasionally in estuaries; benthic. 7 to 9 spines 1 pair of barbets at tip of chin 2 pines MONOD| MONODAGTYLIDAE, Monies and fingerfishes To 20 cm; in coastal marine waters, estuaries and freshwater; a single species in the ares. PEMPHERIDAE ] Sweepers marine, from the cosstline to ebout ‘mostly To about 15 cms 80 m depth; some enter river estuaries; benthic. 3 epinesFAO Sheets BATHYCLUPEIDAE | Bathyclupeids To about 20 cm; marine, mostly between 350 and 800 ‘my but occasionally at lesser depths; aceanic meso- pelagic. mouth vertical no spine \ ee) KYPHOSIDAE, Sea chubs KYPH To 76 em; marine, in shallow coastal waters (usually less than 50 m, on seagrass beds and reefs, or pelagic ‘mong floating sargassum weeds Incisor-like hockey- stick shaped teeth AL spines EPHIP, EPHIPPIDAE | Spadefiches To about 30 cm; marine, in shallow waters (to about 30 m depth); benthic. 2h Fishing Areas 34,47 (In part) DREPANIDAE | Sicklefishes DREP To about 40 er; marine, from about 20 te 50 m depth. A single species in the sea. CHAETODONTIDAE | sutteriytohes [GHAETOD] To about 20 cm; marine, usually in shallow watere but, ‘occasionally extending to sbout 100 rm depth; benthic. 12 to 14 spines eye band usually present moth i erally protrusible pelvic axillary process POMACANTHIDAE | Angeltishee POMAG ‘To 40 em; marine, from the coastline to about 50 m depth; benthic.-25- FAO Sheets POMACENTRIDAE, POMACEN Dameeifiches, gragories, majors, sergents, chromis To 25 em; marine in coastal waters, usually et less than 15 m depths also in estuaries; mostly benthic. 10 tg 14 spines asingle ‘\ 2epines CIRRHITIDAE | Hawktishes To about 9 ems marine, in shallow waters, usually less than 20 m depths benthic. _ spines 3 spines CEPOLIDAE | Bandfishes CEPOL, To 70 cms marine, to below 200m; benthic. snout caudal fin blunt pointed ‘enal fin Jong Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) MULLETS - Perciformes: Mugiloidet Body elongate; head flattened, mouth small; pectoral fine high on body; 2 dorsal 'fins, sides silverys no lateral line, MUGILIDAE | Mullets MUGIL To about 120 cms in freshwater, estuaries, brackish and hypersaline lagoons end coastal marine waters at shallow depths (less than 20 m);_ mostly benthic in their food habits, but usually found near the surface. no lateral line 4 spines 1 spine often an ‘adipose eyelid 3 épines BARRACUDAS - Perciformes: Sphyraencidel Body elongate, generally silvery on sides head and snout both very longs teeth strong; 2 dorsal fins. ‘SPHYRAENIDAE | Barracudas and sennets | SPHY To 200 em} marine, from the coastline to about 100 m depth; ranging ftom just off the bottom to pelagic. large mouth, harp teeth Sepines 1 spine lower Jaw projecting THREADFINS - Perciformes: Polynerroidei Snout conical, projecting beyond mouth; pectoral fins in two parte, the lower with 3 or more free filamentous rays.-26- FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) POLYNEMIDAE ] Threadfins POLYN SCARIDAE | Parrotfishes SCAR To about 200 em} _matine coastal waters (usually less than 30 m depth), estuaires, coastal lagoons and freshwater; benthic. Bppines fein é = a NG lower pectoral fin rays WRASSES AND ALLIES - Perciformes, Labroide! Well developed teeth, coalesced into plates in the parrotfishess scales usually large and. cycloid (Grooth); body compressed usually colourful species. LABRIDAE Wrasees, hagfishes and razorfishes ‘To 50 cm; marine, from the coastline to about 120 m depth; benthic. LABR lateral line snout abruptly curved pointed XY Corie snout steep Lateral line ‘nd blunt. Interrupted Xyrichtys lateral line snout smoothly curved pointed To 60 em; marine, in shallow waters rarely below 60 m depths benthic. WEEVERFISHES AND ALLIES - Perciformes: Trachinoidel ‘A diverse assemblage of families difficult to charac terize as a group; this suborder must be regarded as provisional. PERCOPHIDAE | Flatheads PERCOPH To at least 30 cm; marine, from sbout 100 to 400 m depth; benthic. 6 spines tentact at rear end of upper jaw pelvic fins jugulerFAO Sheets -27- Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) TRACHINIDAE | Weeverfishes TRACHIN TRIPTERYGIDAE] Thootnblenies To about 45 om; marine, in coastal waters to about 200 m depth; benthic. 5to7 venimoug spines venimous opercular 21 to 32 soft rays va Lor 2 spies to 32 Sot ays To about 15 ems marine, in shallow coastal waterss benthic. (CLINIDAE Clinids CLIN [DRANGSCOROAE] sterwzers [TURAN To about 40 ems marine, from the coastline to below 200 m depths benthic. humeral (eleithral) spine ‘eyes on top of head mouth large, BLENNIES AND ALLIES - Perciformes: Blonnioldet Dorsal fin long; pelvic fins reduced, with 1 hidden spine and 2 to 4 soft rays, located ahead of pectoral fins; tentacles often present on head two anal-fin spines (one of them sometimes difficult to see). BLENNIIDAE, Combtooth blennies BLENN. To about 20 cm} marine, usually in shallow waters, but a few species in deeper water (to below 100 rm); benthic. unbranched segmented raye spines outnumbering soft rays t ‘caudal fin rays topectorals only 2 spines always unbranched DACTYLOSCOPIDAE, Sand stargazers To shout 18 em; marine, from the coastline to at Jeast 140 m depth; benthic. eyeoften 7 to 23, protrusible spines, lange scales To 20 om; in marine coastal waters (usually at les than 20 m_ depth), estuaries and coastal lagoons benthic; a few species to 400 m depth. some caudal fin fewer spines then goft rays, Taye branched SANDLANCES - Perciformes: Ammodytoidei Body very elongates dorsal fin longs lateral line high ‘on body, close to dorsal profiles teeth abeont; pelvic fine usually absent.=28- FAO Sheets AMMODYTIDAE Sandlances To about 30 em; marine, from the coastline to about 50 m depth; benthic, burrowing into send, or pelagic; @ cold-water group ‘rarely entering Fishing Area 34 from the north. DRAGONETS - Perciformes: Callyonimoidel A sharp preopercular spine; a small gill opening on ‘upper part of head; size usvally under 20 em. CALLIONYMIDAE | Dragonets ‘CALLION, To about 30 cm; marine, from coastal waters to about 650 m depths benthic. alll opening, a small pore preopercular spine pel? ine Jur In potion GOBIES AND ALLIES - Perciformes: Gobioidei Usually srrall fishes with pelvic fins either very close Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) GOBIDAE ] Gobies ‘GOBI To about 36 em, but most species less than 10 cm; marine and brackish waters, occasionally freshwater; Usually in very shallow waters, but 2 few species to below 150 m depths benthic. a ae) eA ~ 11 spine and 8 to 17 rays Gobiue isto 21 rays dorsal fing continuous Gobioides PERIOPHTHALMIDAE | Mudekippers — [ PERIO To 25 cm; Ittoral; amphibious in shallows and on ‘exposed intertidal mud flats of estuarine mangrove swamps. ELEOTR| ELEOTRIDAE Sleepers, Sleeper gobies together, or united into a single cup-like structure. pelvic fins viewed from below To about 30 em; adults generally in freshwater, but entering brackish and coastal marine waters’ and hypersaline lagoons; benthic. 6108 1 opine ond to 10 rays OS-29- FAO Sheote Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) MICRODESMIDAE | Wormfishoe To 28 cm; marine, in shallow coastal waters (less than 40 m depth); benthic, burrowing. loreal fin gontinuous ttt eR —S no spines 2 SS SURGEONFISHES - Perciformes: Acenthuroidei Small scales; a strong, movable, forward-projecting Acanthooybium spine mid-laterally on caudal peduncle. ACANTHURIDAE ACANT oe Surgeonfishes, Doctorfishes To about 45 cm; marine, in shallow waters, usually at less than 50 m depth; benthic. 8 or 9 spines Scomberomorus adipose eyelid 2keels \Viks spines (GEMPYLIDAE GEMP hes ‘Shake mackerels, escolars, ol TUNAS AND ALLIES - Perciformes: Scombroidel To about 300 em; marine, from the surface (at night) to below 200 rm depth; pel Finlets frequently present at posterior ends of dorsal and anal fins; 1 to 3 keels on either side of caudal peduncle (except in mast species of Germpylidae). 2 lateral lines ‘SCOMBRIDAE ‘SCOMBR Mackerels, tunas, wahoos, bonites, ceros, albacores To over 300 cm; marine, from surface waters to below 100m depth; pelagic. scaly Sorselet Auris Promethichthys-30- FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) ISTIOPHORIDAE IsTIO Billfishes, marlins, spearfishes, sailfishes To 400 cm; marine, pelagic oceanic, usually above the thermoeline. a Ruvettus i as pelvid fine _Istiophorus TRICHIURIDAE TRICH Citlassfishes, frostfishes, scebbardfishes, hairtalle To 250 cms. marine, from the surface (mainly at night) to below 1.500 m depth; benthic and pelagi anal fin sometimes reduced LOUVARS ~ Perciformes: Luvaroide! SWORDFISHES AND ALLIES - Perciformes: Xiphioidet LUVARIDAE } Louvers To about 190 ems marine, from the surface to below XIPHIIDAE | Swordfishes XIPH_] 150m pelegie oceanic. "A single species. To 450 om; marine, from surface waters ta below 200 m depth; pelagic. flat in Yy croes section 1 kee! pelvic fre sent /” L kool ‘anus well forward-a- FAQ Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) HARVESTFISHES AND ALLIES - Perciformes: Stromateaidei Shape variable; snout blunt and thick; toothed saccular outgrowths (pharyngeal sacs) present in the gullet Immediately behind the last gill arch; teeth small, approximately uniserial. TETRAGONURIDAE | Squaretails TETRAG To about 30 em; marine, in surface waters to below 1.000 m depth; ‘mesopelagic to epipelagic. Sto 7 weak, graduating spines STROMATEIDAE, STROM Tiarvestfishes, butterfishes To about 50 cms marine, from near the surface to Schedophilles about 200m depths pelagic. usually 3 spines mguth smell NOMEIDAE | Man-of-wer fishes NOM To 100 cm; marine, from near the surface (especially ‘the young) to below 200 m depth; usually pelagic, but some species may be deep benthic. about 10 slender spines 1 spine ‘ ‘CENTROLOPHIDAE CENTROL Raffa, barrelfiahes, Blacktishes ‘To about 120 em; marine, from near the surface to below 200 m depth; pelagic. about 5 weak graduating spines Centrotophus=32- FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 54,47 (in part) Peenes [ARIOM ARIOMMIDAE Driftfishes, Ariommas ‘To about 25 ems marine, from the surface (the young) to below 500 m depth; mostly benthic to bentho- pelagic. 10 to 12 spines, fleshy keels FLATFISHES - Pleuronectiforrnes Flattened body shape; eyes present on one side of ‘body only. CITHARIDAE | Flounders cITH To 25 em; marine, to about 300 m depth; benthic. PSETTODIDAE PSET Spiny turbots To 60 em; marine, from coastal waters to about 150 m depth. BOTHIDAE | Lefteye flounders BOTH To about 75 em; marine, from the cosstline to below 200 m depths benthic. preopercular ‘margin free eyes on left side SCOPHTHALMIDAE, SCOPH "Turbots, megrime, Brille To about 100 em; benthic. marine, to about 400 m depth33 FAO Sheets Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part) SOLEIDAE | Soles SOL. TETRAODONTIDAE | Putters TETRAO To about 70 cm; marine, from the coastline to below 100 rm depth; some species in estuaries and fresh- water; benthic. no free preopercular ‘margin ~eyee on right side CYNOGLOSSIDAE CYNO| ‘Tonguefishes, Tonguesoles To ebout 60 crn; marine, from shallow coastal waters to about 300 m depth; benthic. eyes and no free mouth small preopercular margin eyes on left side pectoral fins absent. PUFFERFISHES AND ALLIES - Tetraodontiformes Pelvic fine absent or strongly reduced (except in ‘Triacanthodidse); = small mouth with strong teeth frequently coalesced into a biting plates a small gill opening; akin thick or rough, sometimes with prickles, spines or scale plates. To about 100 cm; in coastal marine waters, estuaries, brackish and hypersaline lagoons and occasionally in freshwater; from the coastline to about 180 m depths benthi 2 tooth-plates In each jaw ro typleal scales, but often spiny prickles body inflatable: BALISTIDAE BALI “Trigger fishes and durgons To about 50 em; marine, from the coastline to about 100 m depths mostly benthic. skin thick, teeth in 3 spines with conspicuous each jaw visible plate-like scales MONACANTHIDAE | Filefishes, leatherjackets To about 60 em; marine, from the coastline to about 100 m depth; mostly benthic. second spine ‘minute Py skin rough, firet spine with minute seales prominent 6 or fewer teeth In each jawFAO Sheets DIODONTIDAE DIOD) Parcupinefishes, spiny puffers, burrfishes To about 100 em; marine, from the coastline to about. 100m depth; benthle to pelagic. a single tooth-plate in each jaw spines ‘OSTRACHDAE (OSTR “Trunkfishes, Doxfishes, cowfishes To about 35 om; marine, from the coastline to about 100m depth; benthic. about 15 teeth no spiny rigid shell Tneach jaw dorgal fin with scale plates MOLIDAE, MOL ‘Molas, ocean sunfishes, headfishes To about 400 em; marine, from the surface to about 360 m depth; pelagic ocesnic. Fishing Areas 34,47 (in part)ACANT 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 67 (in part) (Ec. Atlantic) ‘ACANTHURIDAE Surgeonfishes, doctorfishes High-bodied, compressed fishes with @ folding Jancet-like spine or ¢ series of 3 small, thorn-like spines on bony plates on either side of caudal peduncle. Dorsal profile of head steep;_eyes high on head; mouth small, [ow tn fad; test In tne row spaiulate, close-et, and denticulate on edges.” A continious unnotched dorsal fin of & or 9 spines; caudal fin emarginate. Scales small, ctenoid (rough to touch). Colour: generally brown to grey, often with @ fine longitudinal bending, but may be spotted. Surgeonfishes occur in shallow water, closely associated with coral reefs or rocky bottoms. They feed an benthic algae or seagrasses. Because of the limited amount of hard aubstratum along the coast of West Africa, they re not widespread in the region. The family is of negligible commercial importance except in a few small localized areas. mouth ‘small upper and lower toothze FAO Sheets ACANTHURIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: None: Although there are some fishes such as the Chaetodontidae (butterfly fishes) with deep, compressed bodies and small mouths, none have the characteristic spines on the caudal peduncle and the broad suborbital zone between the eye and mouth. Chaetodontidas KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: La A single spine on either side of caudal peduncle folding into 8 horizontal grooves dorsal fin with 9 spines ene 1 Acenthurus 1b. Three fixed thom-like spines on bony plates along either side of caudal peduncle; dorsal fin with & spines Prionurus 1 lancet-like 3 spines / ean Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Acanthurus bahlanug Castelnau, 1855 Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider, 1802 ‘*eanthuirus monroviae Steindachner, 1876 ACANT Acant 4 ‘# *Prionurue biafraenels (Blache & Rossignol, 1961) (= Xesurus biafraensis) Prepared by J.€. Randall, 8.P. shop Museurn, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819, U.S.A. Known in the area only from Ascension Island '**Desoribed in 1961 from a single specimen from the island of Sao Tomé In the Gulf of GuineaACANT Acant 4 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY : ACANTHURIDAE FISHING AREAS OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None 34, 47 (in fc. Atlee) FAO: En - Monrovia doctortfish Fr - Chirurgien chas-chas Sp ~ Navajén cenivete NATIONAL DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : Body deep and compressed, the depth contained 2 to 2.2 times in standard length. Eye well above level of mouth; mouth emall, terminal; "teeth epatulate, close-set, derticulate on edges. A single sharp spine folding into horizontal groove on either side of caudal peduncle. A continuous, unnotched dorsal fin with 9 spines and 25 to Zr eat raya; "anal fin with'S opines and 24 to 26 oft ayes pectorel fine with 11 feyey Gada fin-et aauls deeply Colour: brown with undulating longitudinal, light bive lines; a large elliptical orange-yellow area sur- rounding the caudal epine; opercular membrane dark brown; posterior margin of caudal fin narrowly whitish.Other Acanthurus species: no large pale area ‘around caudal pine. Furthermore, depth of body con tained about 1-7 times in standerd length, and dorsal soft rays 26 to 28 in Ax coeruleus (body depth Z to 2.2 a Prignurus biafraensis: 3 fixed spines on either side of caudal peduncles 8 dorsal spines} numerous small black spots on head, body, dorsal, anal and pelvic, fins, and 2 pale bands on head. SE: Maximum: 45 ems common to 38 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : Occurs only around the Cape Verde Islands and in jolated areas along the tropical West African coast from Morocco to Angola, where there is suitable hard substratum in shallow water. Has been observed in ‘aggregations. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS + Localized areas in inshore waters. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION : Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught mainly with trape, fixed bottom nets, set nets, trawis and on line gear.ALBU 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34,47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) ‘ALBULIDAE Bonefishes Elongate, fusiform fishes, resembling the Clupeidae (herrings) but possessing a lateral tine and lacking scutes along the belly. Snout conical, projecting beyond tip of lower jaw, mouth inferior; a bony gular plate between arms of lower jaw, smell and often overlooked; 6 to 14 branchiostegal rays. Fins lacking spiness_ a single dorsal ‘in, short (Albuls) or very long (Pterothrissus); anal fin set far back on body. Scales small, 65 to 70 in lateral Colour: biue/green on beck, sides silver. ‘One principal species (Albula vulpes) found in all warm seas* , chiefly in shallow coastal areas, estuaries and bays; it is of little commercial interest, but is in many areas valued es a sport fish. The juveniles often shoal, whereas large adults are more solitary. They feed by grubbing at the bottom for worms, molluscs and crustaceans, ‘sometimes in such shallow water that their tails break the surface. A second and much less common deep-water species in thie area ig Pterothrissus bellocl. Both have a leptocephslous larval stage. \ plate between arms of lower jaw. Elopidae: snout net projecting, \\ / mouth terminal also, a large gular UN SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE ARE if ae i 3 Piss |/2 il) Megalopidae: snout not pro- Jecting, lower Jaw prominents also, scales large, 40 to 48 in lateral line underside (to 70:n Albulidae). ee ead Clupeidae: snout not _pro- Jecting; "also, scutes present along belly and no lateral line. Albulidae Megalopidae Elopidae ‘4 Recent work by Ors Shaklee of Honolulu using protein analysis suggests that the name Albula vulpes has in fact been epplied to five or more distinct species, but he has not yet determined the status of the West ‘African fishes-2- FAO Sheets ALBULIDAE, Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: 1a. Dorsal fin short, with about 15 finrays (Fig. 2) 1b. Dorsal fin long, with more than 50 finrays Fig. 2) LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Cade numbere are given fos those species for which Identification Sheets are included Albula vulpes (Linnaeus,1758) ALBU Albu 1 Pterothrissus belloci Cadenat, 1937 ALBU Pter 1 Prepared by P.2.P, Whitehead, Zoology Department, British Museum (Natural History), London SW7 58D, U.K.1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ALULIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (€€. atlantic) Albula vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES FAC En ~ Bonefish Fr = Banane de mer ‘Sp = Macabf NATIONAL DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS + Body elongate, oval in cross section. Snout conical, projecting beyond tip of lower jaws mouth inferior yer jaw not reaching to eye; branchiostegal rays 13 or 16 Fins lacking spines} dorsal fin short, with 17 to 19 ‘arya; anal fin shorty with 8 or 9 finrays es origin far back on body. Soalee smell, 65 C0 70 in lateral line. Colours back blue/green with narrow dark horizontal lines fading rapidly after death, sides silvery; a dark blotch an upper pectoral fin base; young specimens (up to 28 em) usually have about ten dark vertical bars on back. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Pterothrissus belloci: dorsal fin long, with more than 50 finraye (17 to 19 in Albula) P. belloci2s, Tarpon species: snout pot projectirig, mouth terminal o> lower jaw projecting; also, scales large In Tarpon (40 to 48 in lateral line; 65°to 70 in Albule). Species of Clupeidae: snout not projecting, mouth terminal, keel af soutes along belly. fee —. oe ces fection ao) eno WY From Senegal (possibly also further north) south- ward to Angola. Elsewhere, found in almost all warm Found in shallow coastal waters, estuaries and bays, over sand or mud bottoms. Spawns in the open 0a, the transparent lervae (leptocephall) migrating to coastal nursery ares Feeds on worms, molluscs, erabe, shrimpe and squids, grubbing its food from the bottom. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Caught throughaut its range, but no special fishery. ; st CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION. Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught with purse seines and beach seines. Marketed fresh or frozen.ALBU Pter 1 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ALBULIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (E.C. Atlantic) Pterothriseus bellacl Cadenat, 1937 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None 0 Sem VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Longfin bonetich Fr ~ Banene gisu Sp ~ Macabi badejo NATIONAL : DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : Body elongate, oval in cross section. Snout conical, projecting beyond tip of lower jaw; mouth inferior, upper Jaw nat reaching to eye; branchlostegal raye 6. Fine lacking spines; doréal Tin long, with more than 50 fineayes anal fin short, below final part of dorsal fin. Scales small, lateral line present. Colour: back grey/brown with silver reflections, golden reflections on sides; lateral line darker grey; belly pale. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Nw Albula vulpes: dorsal fin short, with 17 to 19 finrays (more than $0 in Pterothriseue).Elops, Tarpon species: dorsal fin short, snout not projecting; also, scales large in Tarpon (40 to 48 in Jateral ines 65 to 70in Pterothrissus). Species of Clupeldae: dorsal fin short, snout not projecting, mouth ter- ‘minal, a keel of scutes along belly. SIZE: Maximum: 40 em; common to 30em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : From southern Sahara to Walvis Bay (southwestern Africas apparently fairly abundant off Mauritania ‘and northern Senegal. Caught at depths from 50 to 500 m, mostly from 100 to 400 m (at least off Mauritania, where the emailer fishes occur in less than 100 m). It has a leptocephalous larval stage. Probably feeds at the bottom. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Caught in small numbers throughout its range, but no special fishery. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are nat reported for this species. Caught by trawls at depths from 50 to 500 m. Marketed fresh or frozen.ALEPIS 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) ALEPISAURIDAE: Lancettishes Long, slender fishes, their bodies compressed, the caudal region being slightly depressed with a lateral adipose keel on each side- Head compressed end trianguler; teeth in jaws fairly small, in a single row, but those on deleting Gonos UseT-of mouth, erect and: deguer-liker en; gill bars with spines on their Ieading edge. No spines in fins; dorsal fin almost as long as body and very high sail ike; an adipose dorsal fin present; pectoral fins eet very low on bodys pelvie fine far behind the pectorals; caudal fin forked. Scalod absent Colour: dark metallic bluish to black shove; sides paler, with rather small spots and iridescent reflections; ‘ine dark blue to black. Rather large fishes (may graw to over 2 m in totel length) cecurring in open ocean waters. Their eppearance, anatomy and food habits indicate that they live at depths of several hundred metres during the day, although they have been taken at about 40 m from the surface. Perhaps they migrate to the surface near sunset and return to deep water around sunrise as so many midwater fishes do. Lancetfishes are commonly caught on long-line gear used in the tuna and billfish fisheries. Despite their large size they are not highly appreciated as food, probably because of their rather soft flesh. dorsal fin high, Jong “Young stages are much shorter than adults, their length increasing relative to body depth as they grow2 FAO Sheets ALEPISAURIDAE, Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: ys —— Scopelarchisee and Notowudidees al with dorsal fn low Paralepididae Paralepididas, Omosudidae, _ Evermanellidae, ‘and much lees than half the length of the figh. Gompylidae: all with 2 dorsal fins, the anterior fone with spines, the posterior with soft rays; adipose fin absent, Furthermore, only the snake mackerel (Gompylus) grows large enough and has a bedy long and STaTdotorough to be confused with the Alopisauridae. Trichiuridaet may have one or two dorsal fins, but the front part has spines, and the fin is low, never high end sail-iike as in the Alepisauridae; furthermore, ‘caudal fin small or absent. Istiophoridae: some species (particularly Istiophorus albicans) are superficially similar to the ‘Alepisauridse because of the long and high doreal fins but they are easily distinguished by their prolonged- spearlike upper jaw, the presence of a rayed second dorsal fin and the long narrow pelvic fing inserted below the pectoral fin base. | KEY TO SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Istiophoridae (Istiophorus) 1a, Dorsal fin high in front, with several tree rays} hhead long (17 percent or ‘more of standard length); snout tong (one third to one, halt, of heed Tength) (Figs 1) semen Ae ferox Lowe ‘Tongnose lancet fish 1b. Dorsal fin low In front, eye ferming @ curve that is u , = highest near the middie, without free rays; head short (12 to 17 percent of standard length); snout short (less than Alepisaurus ferox Fig. 1 cone third of head length) (ig. 2) ‘A. brevirostrig Gibbs “Shortnose Tancetfish Original species illustrations provided by author Prepared by R. Gibbs, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.ALEPO, 198 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Attantic) ALEPOCEPHALIDAE (including Bathylaconidae and Bathyprionidae) Slickheads Body shape variable, from moderately deep to elongate and eel-like. Head shape compressed to slightly rounded. Head without seales®; papillae and raised sensory pores frequently present on head and opercles; opercles frequently voluminous, sometimes covering pectoral fin bases; tongue present, but without teeth; roof ‘and floo? of mouth usually with papiliaes dentition of jaws and roof of mouth variable, but premaxilia_and mandible usually toothed; no premaxillary tuske, Gill rakers moderate to long, with small tooth-like structures. Ne spinous finrays; single dorsal and anal fins variable in position, usually placed far back and frequently ‘opposite each other; no adipose fin; pectoral fins, if present, moderately high on body; pelvic fins abdominal, outer rey sometimes with supporting eplint bone. Latsral Ine present or absent, If present compossd of pored scales, a pored tube supported by ring-like scales, of papillae. Scales on body present or absent, if present always SyaloLy tooth to iausb) easly sbraded— Naked forms tly with black integument and nodular photaphores or papillae on body. No dark tube above pectoral fin- pored dorsal fin origin head lateral-line before anal naked scales a pectoral fin Co Pate tm estes on side of body ‘abdominal Prominent pores dorsal fin origin and papilise no lateral opposite anal ord comrisvoumiaie ssquices ‘nee dora tn oils bla Saltnornin Ne : So — Leptoderma Interal-tine Bay rake, ae covered wi lie black skin. Different types of slickheads ‘Exception - one speciee FAO Shoots ALEPOCEPHALIDAE Fishing Areas 3, 47 (in part) Colour: usually drab, predominantly brown to black, but one group of genera with bright blue skin on head ‘nd fin bases Deep-sea fishes, habitat variable from benthic to midwater, most numerous below 1.000 m. Distribution worldwide from tropics to high latitudes. At present, slickheads have no economic importance in the Eastern Central Atlantic. Some species are known ta congregate in commercial sized quantities in the North Atlantic, but the flesh, though mild, is of poor texture. SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: dark tube Searslidae: luminous sack existe above present at shoulder girdle which pectoral base exists through @ dark tube above the pectoral fin;_many with pro- minent, anteriorly directed pro. rmoxillary tusks. a Leptochilichthyidae: tongue absent; @ deep toothless maxilla many with and a. distinct notch between premaxillary upper jaws. tusks Bathylegidee: adipose tin present. San notch L. ‘per jaws” 0p toothless maxilla adipose fin Bathylagidae KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Isteral-line 1 a. Body completely scaleless (except for modified lateral-line scales in one genus) 2a. Lateral line in a tube supported by modified ring-like scales standing on edge (Fig. 1); anal fin rays 18 to 22 ....... Rouleing 2b. Lateral line, if present, without modified scales aboveFAO Sheets ALEPOCEPHALIDAE, Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) 3 a. Photophores present on body (Figs. 2.3) eye 4 a. Photophores on raised stalkss ventral out small line of upper jaw with obtuse angle at end of premaxilla (Fig. 2); anal fin rays 16 to 19 Photostylue 4b. Photophores nodular, not on stalks; ven- tral outline of promexilia and maxilla approximately straight (Fig. 3); anal fin aY8.26 t0 33. sree .. Xenodermichthys 3b. No photophores on body 5a. Dorsal fin origin distinctly behind ‘anal fin origin; body tapers to a fir almost stringy point (Fig. 4) . eptoderma upper jaw 5 b. Dorsal fin origin above or before anal straight fin origin 6. Dorsal fin origin approximately ‘opposite to anal fin origin no teeth in jaws or mouth .. 6 b. Dorsal fin origin before nal fin origin; teeth present in both jaws ‘and on roof of mouth premaxilla with teeth Fla 1b. Body entirely or partly scaled 7e.No teeth on maxilla or vorner (Fig: 5) 8 a. Dorsal fin origin usually above anal fin origin 9a Area from ill cavity to pectoral fin base scaled Pectoral fins not fan-like (Fig. 8), upper rays longer than lower rays pyloric ceeca 12 to 283 2 supramaxiliae .-Alepocephalus 9b. Area from ill cavity to pectoral fin base naked; pectoral fins fan- — like (Fig. 7s pylo- pectoral fin ric casea 3 to 11; 1 supramaxilla www Asquamiceps Fig. 6 opercie fen-like @ _ponara ng eee Fig.7ae FAO Sheets: ALEPOCEPHALIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) 8 b. Dorsal fin origin usally behind anal fin origin — Wa. Lower jaw ends under orbit (Fig. ®)s ea Palatines with teeth; peritoneum darkly pigmented; area from ill cavity to pectoral fin base with scale~ less strip (Fig. 6) Conocara 1b. Lower Jaw ends behind posterior mar sin of orbit (Fig. 9; no palatine teeth; Peritoneum unpigmented or lightly pigmented; area from gill cavity to pectoral fin base fully scaled Einara 7b. Teeth present on maxilla and/or vomer LL a. Lower jaw without teeth snes 116. Lower jaw with toth /e 222. Dorsal fin origin approxi- mately opposite anal fin > origin 7 15a. Body elongate; peo- end of toral fin and eye pee reduced} upper jaw with relatively ong Pointed teeth (Fig. 10) .. Bathyprion mall 13 b. Body moderately deeps ere leer pectoral fine well deve ia loped, often with pro- ft duced rays; upper jaw without tong” fanglile SS teeths @ black wart tor like spet near base of evar sixth dorsal finray, tt ; 4 fang-like often abraded (Fig- 11)..Talismania Gees 12b. Dorsal fin origin before anal fin origin 1a. Teeth near an- terior tips of elongate Upper and lower nee jaws in more than one series 1b, Teeth near ant- erlor tips of upper and lower jaws in singleBie FAO Sheets ALEPOCEPHALIDAE, Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) 15 a. Lower jaw with a prominent pointed knob directed ventrally (Fig. 12) Bajecalifornia Ko) 15 by Lower jaw without # prominent knob S knob x 16 a. Upper Jaw ends well behind posterior margin pointe: of orbit (Fig. 13) .Bathylaco 97 lower jaw 16 b. Upper jaw ends approximately below post- erlar margin of orbit 17a Anal finrays 13 to 17} more than 29 gill rakers on firt arch Bathytroctes 17b. Anal finrays 9 to 1; less than 31 gill rrakers on first arch Bellocia end oF LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: upper jaw Alepacephalus agassizii Goode & Bean, 1683 Riepocephatis aestrals Samardy 1923 ‘Rlsbocephalus Balti Goode & Bean, 1879 ‘Alepocepfalus bianfordil Alcock, 1892 ‘Rlepocephalus productus Gill, 1863 ‘Riopocephalus strate Riveo, 1820 ‘Asquamiceps caeruleus Markle, 1980 ‘aquamiceps hjorti (Koefoed, 1927)* ‘Aaquamicops velaris Zugmayer, 1911 Bajecalifarnia ealearata (Weber, 1915) Balacalifornia megalope (Lutien, 1658) Bajacalifamia sp. nov- Bathylaco nigricans Goode & Bean, 1696 Bathyprion danae Marshall, 1966 Bathytroctes microlepis Gunther, 1878 Bathytrestes otigotepis (kretft, 1970) Bathytroctes squamosus Alcock, 1890 Bellocia kosfoedi (Parr, 1951) Bollocia michaelsers| (Koefoed, 1927) Conocara macroptera (Vaillant, 1888) ‘Gonooara microlepis (Lloyd, 1909) Conacare murray (ocfoed, 1927) Conoeara salmonea (Gill é Townsend, 1897) Conoeara werneri Nybelin, 1947 Einara edentula (Alcock, 1892) Einara macrolepis (Koefoed, 1927) Horwigia kroffti (Nielson & Larsen, 1970) ‘@Species not known from area, but expected to occur thereee FAO Shees ALEPOCEPHALIDAE Leptoderme macrops Vaillant, 1886 Mirognathus normani Parr, 1951 Narcetes erimelas Alcoc%, 1890 Narestes stomiae (Gilbert, 1890) Photostylus pycnopterus Beebe, 1933 Rinootes nasutus (Koofoed, 1927) Rouleina attrita (Vaillant, 1888) ‘Rouleina maderensis Maul, 1948 Tasmania enularum (Goode & Beary 1896) ‘Talismania homoptera (Vaillant, 1888) ‘Tallsmanta Tongifitis rouer, 1902) imokiatonoma Sulaky 1975 Xenodermichthys copei (Gill, 1884) Prepared by D.F. Markle, Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St- Andrews, N.B Canada hing Areas 34, 47 (in part)Prepared by F. FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS ANGUILLIDAE Freshwater eels A ingle species in the area; see species sheet for: Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) ANGUIL Anguil 2 ANGUIL 1981 rere (€-c. atlantic) /. Tesch, Blologlsche Anstalt Helgoland (Zentrale), Hamburg, Federal Republic of GermanyANGUIL Angull 2 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY : ANGUILLIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (Ec. Atlantic) Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAQs En ~ (European) eel Fr = Anguille d'Europe Sp = Anguila NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : Body elongate, snake-like, rounded in cross-section anteriorly, somewhat compressed posteriorly. Head rather long and slightly compressed mouth terminal, the lower jaw slightly projectings lof mouth extendin: to about level of pups toth oat, several serie ava Oh vont Coot of mew oye Yor and oe Tes dlameter 178 to 1/12 of head lengthy anterior howell tabular and near tip of snout; lll slit oma and vertical on sides of head, close before pectoral fin base. Dorsal fin origin far behind pectoral fins but anterior ta level of ‘anus, anal fin originating slightly behind this opening; both fins surrounding the tall as a continuous fold; no distinct caudal fins pectoral fing well developed but no pelvic fins. Lateral line quite distinct. Small elliptical seals enbudded in vse ore Colour: variable, changing with habitat and development stage. In the feeding stage (yellow eel), dorsal side varying from greylsh-brown, olive-brown or yellowish to black, ventral side yellowish to white; during the ‘spawning migration, dorsal side black, belly white or greyish with silvery reflections.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: The combination of the following characters will separate A. anguilla from all other species of eels in the area: presence of scales and of pectoral fins, teeth in upper and lower jaws minute, lower jaw extending beyond Upper jaw. SWE: Maximum: 150 ems common to 60 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUF In the area, from the Straits of Gibraltar to 25°N, Including Madeira and the Canary Islands. Northward extending into the Mediterranean and in the Eastern Atlentic to the Azores, Iceland and northern Norway (North Cape). Cccurs from coastal marine and brackish waters to areas of freshwater connected to the sea. After immigration as glass eels from the sea, stationary in ssalt-, brackish- and freshwater and bottom dwelling. Pigmented (yellow) eels prefer littoral areas to 50 m ddopth and often borrow in the bottom. During «pring and autumn, small seasonal migrations are observed. The stage of the spawning migration (silvery stage) is attained after 8 to 10 years of continentel life at a size of ebout 38 cm for the males and of 55 em for the females; "during migration which begins in autumn, the 20 called silver eels prefer midwater depths; peak spawning takes place in March/April in the ‘Sargasso Sea, after probably half a year of migration across the Atlantic Ocean. “Larvae grow from a length of & mm to 75 mm metamorphosis to glass eels occurs at the European-African continental slope. Main feeding activity during darkness. Broad- headed eels prefer fish, larger crustaceans and mol: uses while narrow-headed individuals take aquatic insects and worme. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Coastal marine waters, estuaries, rivers and lakes. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: The catch of A. anguilla in European and African waters totalled 15109 t, In 1978, but the shere of Fishing ‘Aveo 3¢ in this catchis negligible. Glass eels and elvers are caught with fine mesh fyke nets and dipnets from September to June during their inshore migration; yellow eels, with eel baskets, fyke nets, seines, trawls, hook and line, longlines, lift-nets ond spears; silver gels caught with tyke nets, pound nets, stow nate and weirs. Elvers and glass eels are stocked in rivers and lakes or used for aquaculture; yellow and ellver eel are marketed mainly alive and smoked fresh or frozen, but mainly north of aur fishing aret1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FiginG AREAS 34, 67 (in part (EC. Atiantic) ANTENNARIIDAE Frogfishes (also sea mice, angler Body short, globose, slightly compressed: Mouth large, oblique to vertical, with numerous, small, villiform teeth. Gpercular (gil) opening restricted to a small pore located behind and below pectoral fin base. First dorsal fin sping free and modified aa @ lure, second and third dorsal fin-spines also free fom rest oF fin, well-developed, and covered by cin; pectoral-fin lobe elongate, leg-like. Skin spinulos® or naked, often with membranous ‘laments or Taper Colour usually in two phases: a more common light phase with light tan to yellow, brown of rust background usually overlaid with black, brown, pink, or bright yellow streaks, bars, and/or spots on head, body and fines a der phase with dark brown to black background with streaks, bars, or spots showing through as deeper black, tips of rays of paired fine often white. Frogfishes spend the greater part of thelr lives squatting on the bottom in shallow water or, as in the case of Histrio, clinging in floating Sargassum weed. Despite their sedentary nature, nearly all are voracious carnivores That sit quietly waiting for smaller fishes to pass by at which time they enticingly wriggle their bait to attract the potential prey to their cavernous mouths. Some frogfishes may reach sizes to over 50 cm total length, but besides ‘their value in the aquarium trade, they are of no significant economic interest in the Eastern Atlantic where they are caught Incidentally in bottom trawis and said to be utilized for fishmeal. Some species are occasionally ‘eaten by locsl populations in the Caribbean and indo-West Pacific. Ast dorsal fin spine (ure) 2nd doreal fin spine pelvic fin. — opercular pectoral fin opening2 FAO Sheets ANTENNARIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Lophiidae: body greatly depressed (flat- tened dorso-ventrally), not globose. Chaunscidse: second and thiré dorsal fin spines reduced and embedded beneath skin. Ogcocephalidae: remnant of second doreal fin spine embedded beneath skin, third doreal fin spine absent; body greatly depressed, not glo- bose. Bathypelagle anglertish families: no pelvic fins; second and third doreal fin spines greatly reduced or absent. Ogeocephalidae Bathypelagic anglerfish families KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: La. Skin naked, but often with membranous fila- ments or flaps; pectoral fin lobe free from body (Fig. 1; associated with floating Connected to body (Fig. 2); associated with Coral oF Fock substrate vevrnremarenenmsve AnOnnE US 4 LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1637) Figs Antennarius pardalls (Valenciennes, ‘Antennatlus radiosus Garman, 1896 ‘Antennarius ig Cadenat, 1959 pectoral fins ‘Antennarlue iw, 1798) Histrla histrio (Linnaeus, 1758) Prepared by T.W. Pietsch, College of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 Original illustrations provided by author‘ANTH 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (Ec. Atlantic) ANTHIDAE (Included in the Serranidae by earlier authors) Seaperches Rather compressed, perchlike fishes. Opercle with 2 flat spines, preopercle finely serrate, without a lateral ridges mouth terminal, moderately protractile; posterior end of maxilla exposed, not slipping under the iborbital bons jaw tooth moderately strong, wih larger Guiltier at front of Upper nd lover Jaws, ard @ distinctive pair of canines at the mid-side of lower Jaw; bands of teeth present on vomer and palatines (raoF of shouthy. Maine dorsal fin, with TO or -spres and TO to 15 soft rays; anal fn with 3 spines and 6 to 8 soft ayes buves of Pelvis fine without a ecaly process, very long in some species; caudal fin dovaly forked (excert in He fronticinetun), the lobes elongated in males. Lateral line complete oF incomplete, arched over pectoral fin fd ‘Running close to base of dorsal fin, from which It Is separated by only 3 or 4 scale rows. Scales lerge, about 26 to ‘SH in letra line in Eastont Atlatic specie, erooth or eliated along their mergin. Colour: generally pink, red, orange or yellow, sometimes yellow or silvery on the ventral surface. Small fishes, those in the East Atlantic rarely reaching 27 om. Often quite abundant. Most or all species, are protogynous hermaphrodites, begin life as fernales and later transform into males.ono FAO Sheets ANTHIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Percichthyidae: elongate, silvery or spotted; 2 dorsal finss lateral line not close dorsal fin base. Grammistidae: very thick skin, 2 or 3 dorsal spines, no anal spines. Serranidae: lateral line not close to dorsal fin base. Selaenidae: lateral line extending onto tail fing only 2 anal fin spines. Pomadasyidae: end of maxilla. slipping under suborbital bones lateral line not close to dorsal fin bese; pelvic axillary scale present. Lutjanidee: end of maxilla sl preorbital ray. ping under Grammistidae Sno spine Lutjanidae PomadasyideeBie FAO Sheets ANTHIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 87 (in part) KEY TO SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included Ja, Caudal fin rounded (Fig. 1s res- tricted to St. Helena .... Holanthias fronticinetus (Gtinther, 1868) 1b. Caudal fin forked 2 a. Body deop, its greatest. depth 25 times ‘in standard lengths pelvic fins elongate, reaching past posterior end of the anal fin base; third dorsal fin spine elongate, with a filament at its tip; lateral line complete, fending at base of caudal fin Fig. 2) Anthias anthlas (Linnaeus, 1758) ANTH Anth 1 Holanthiae fronticinetus Fig. 1 2 b, Body slender, its greatest depth more than 3 times in standard length; pelvic fins short, reaching only to or slightly past, origin of anal fin; no pro- longed dorsal fin spines; lateral line incomplete, ending on upper. side of caudal peduncle Fig. 3) thi ruber (Rafinesque, 1810) ‘ANTH Call 1 Figs 2 Callanthias ruber Fig. 3 Prepared by C. Lavett Smith, Department of Ichthyology, The American Museum of Natural History, New York USA.ANTH Anth 1 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ANTHIIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) Anth snthias (Linnaeus, 1758) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En ~ Swallowtail seaperch Fr - Barbier hirondelle Sp = Tres colas NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Size small; body rather deep, its dépth 2.5 times in standard length. Dorsal fin single, soft rayes third davsel pine slansetey nal with 3 opines end 7 soft raysi pelvic fina very long, re posterior ead-oT anal Ter Bate; ealdel fin deeply forked, its lower lobe longer then the wpe | Lateral complete, ending at base of caudal fin, Scales large, 36 to 39 in lateral Line. Colcur: generally red, with yellow and silver marbling; belly rose; 3 yellow lines on sides of head between eye and opercle.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Callonthias ruber: eteral tine incomplete; body élangate, its depth about 4 times in standard ane length (25 times in Ax anthias); tied dorsal fin spine shorter than the fourth; pelvic fins not elongated. Holanthiae fronticinctue: caudal fin rounded. SE: Maximum: about 27 em total lengths common to 20 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR Within the area, from Gibraltar to the Congo including offlying ielandss northward extending into the Mediterranean, and up to Portugal. Commonly found around rocks and ‘especially coral reef to depths of 300 m. Carnivorous. Holanthias fronticinctus PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS; Continental shelf and upper slope throughout its range. Common off Morocco. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught with bottom trawle and traps. Marketed fresh and smoked; also reduced to fishmeal by offshore trawlers.ANTH Call 1 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ANTHIIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in pact) (EC. Atlantic) finesque, 1810) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En ~ Parrot seaperch Fr ~ Barbier perroquet Sp ~ Tres colas papagayo NATIONAL : DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : ‘A rather small, elongate’ fish with @ short head. Sody slender, its depth more than 3 times in standard length. Dorsal fin with TT opin65 and 10 or 11 oft rayas third dortal spite not elongateds anal with 3 spines and 9 oF 10 oof ayey — pelvic Tha rathor short Tesching to, St omy slightly paste origi of anal finy caudal fin lobes prolonged into filaferts: Lateral he Tncomplety ending on top of the caudal pecuncle a little behind dorsal fine Lateral line scales 40 to 42. Colour: generally red or rosys ‘pelvic fins yellow.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Anthias anthias: body deep and com- pressed, Tee depth Z times in standard. length more than 3 times in C. ruber); third doreel fin spine elongate, much Tanger than the second or the fourth. Lateral line complete (incomplete in C. ruber)y pelvic fins very long (short in Cauanthi Holanthias fronticinctus: caudal fin rounded. SHE: Maximum: 15 em standard length. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR + Within the area, from Gibraltar to Mauri tenie Including Madeira and the Canary Islands; northward extending Into the Mediterranean and wp to Portugal. Bottom-living (mainly rocky substrate) at depths from 160 ta 500m. Carnivorous. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Caught incidentally throughout its range; mainly ae bycatch made by offehore trawlers. Holenthies fronticinctus CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught meinly with bottom trawls. Probably mostly reduced to fishmeal-ARGEN 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (Ec. Atlantic) ARGENTINIDA\ Argentines Body relatively elongate. Mouth small, ending In front of the eyes teeth absent on premaxtlla and maxilla the outher bone of the upper jawsr A single doreal fin with soft raye near Thid-polnt of body, followed By on adipose dorsal fin on the pestorior one-fourth of body above anal finy "pectoral fine placed low, On the Verira- Tateral contours of body; pelvic Tins beneath or behind the dorsal fin. Swimbladder present, sometimes with Bright ‘iivaty pigments Scales oyclold (emooth to touch, easly detached. Colour: light straw colour, often iridescent. Usually with a silvery or brownish band along sides. Small to medium sized fishes {up to about 30 em in length) of the outer shelf and upper slope (to about 400 m depth); pelagic near the bottom. Taken in bottom trawls. Generally rare in the area and not landed ‘commercially. single dorsal oe saipose \ pectoral fins Tow on body Fede ear caudal fin SDOLAR FAMILIES OR SLEFAMIIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA Moraine pcre fe His on ST He hae nce Gree payin 10 wwinbnaen, New aes eee erteenaey ear J. cians St a ae a, =< {cometimes, very ema) presont on premaxila 5 Microstorna, (outermost bone of upper jaw). Chlorophthatmus TOY 2) fete ee ere ae “Fhe rare mesopelagic genera Microstoma, Xenaphthalmichthys and Nanwonla constituting the subfarsly Mistostomatinee are excluded from this account, which includes only the more abundant bentho- pelagic Argentininae RsOc FAO Sheets ARGENTINIDAE, Fishing Areas 54, 47 (in part) KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA": Las Tongue with large teeth on front and sides (Fig. 1). eee Argentina 1b. Tongue with smell teeth on front edge only (Fig. 2) a Glossanadon ton ‘Angontina sphyraena we Glossanodon semifasciatus Fig. 2 2 LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA : Argentina sphyraena Linnaeus, 1758 ‘lossanogon eiolosae (Valenciennes, 1648) Glassanadon polll Cohen, 1950 Prepared by D.M. Cohen, NMFS Systematics Laboratory, NOAA National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C, USA. Most original illustrations provided by author + Subfamily Argentininae onlyARID 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. attantic) ‘ARUDAE*| (often Tachysuridae in the literature) Soa catfishes Medium- to large-sized fishes. Snout and head rounded to slightly depressed; mouth Inferior; gill membranes fused with each other and attached to isthmus, with at most a narrow free posterior flap; teeth in Jaws fine; those on palate fine, arranged in one or more patches or absent; paired maxillary and ment: (mendlbulary) barbels presents Heed covered by a rugoge bory shield, pert of which is'well visible Beneath the thin skin in most species (nearly obscured by thick dain and rmuecles In some)y the supraccelpltal process or pasterlar artign of He aiield extance backward mevially to meet the predoreal plate a-voparate bore at bace of Goreal Tit Binee) and it shape differs between apocteny 7 palre of nostrils closely approximated on each side, the posterior Bair portly Covered by a flap of king gillakore prosent on artorlar facbe of al uschoa, Total number TT to 27 on First archy-giliakore aloo promt oh postoriot feces of third and fourth arches an prevent or abuent on posterior feces of fits and second arches. Dorsal fin short, with a long, more or lees serrated spine preceded by a very Short one and followed by 7 soft rays} a fleshy adipose fin always presant opposite the anal fins anal fin with 16 fo'24 soft raves” pectoral fie low det, wilh e ore oy loos soratod spine ond 10 to 1D eof raya, Galvic Ti with & ‘SIEVE Caudal fin forked with 13 branched raye (6 In upper and 7 in lower lobe). Seales absont.-Cateral Ine ‘Srpiete, branching posteriorly onto upper and lower lobes of caudal fin. Swimbladder present, lacking a posterior chamber. maxitlary supraoccipital process of head shield ret vie ot ent ~S OSS eorsat tin eines nostrils close together anal mental na barbels maxillary barbel “\ pectoral fin spine = Diagnosis applies to West African forms onlyae FAO Sheets ARIIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) Colour: usually greyish blue, dark grey brown, or in some species with a silvery lateral stripe; paler to white below. Sea cetfishes ocour in marine, brackish and freshwaters of warm-temperate and tropical regions. The representatives known from Fishing Area 34 include some large species attaining over 120 em in total length and they are mostly confined to the coastline of the continent. They are locally abundant in the turbid waters of certain habitats, particularly large river estuaries. ‘The sea catfishes Include several species of high economic value. The catches reported for this group from the area in 1978 totalled about 21 000 t, but the statletics are not broken down by species end hence it is difficult to estimate the share of each species in this total. They are captured with a variety of gear, including bottom trawls, longtines, seines, castnets, traps and on hook and line. The flesh is usually of good quality, but the sharp dorsal and pectoral-fin spines can inflict painful wounds. nostrils widely SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: seperated, the posterior Somouimey.witha berber mamerile vogether All other catfish families in the area fo get aco confined to. fredhwatat in 00 far nostrils widely s2parated. The most impor- tent commercial freshwater families are: Bagridae (bagrid catfishes), Clariidae (air- breathing catfishes) and | Mochokidae Synodidae or upside-down catfishes) known and have the anterlor and posterior | j other catfish familiesFAO Sheets ARIIDAE Fohing Areas 34, 47 (in part) 5 premaxillary KEY TO SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Se La. Gillrakers (total number) on rear of first arch tooth patches , U6 to 18}. patches of teeth on palate meeting onpalate aff ‘at midline, forming an ere across palate (Fig. qh 4); top of head nearly smooth, covered by & thick skin and muscle « Galeichthys feliceps Galeichthys feliceps Fig. 1 1b, No gilirekers or at most 1 or 2 rakers on rear a a of firot arch patches of teeth on palate not or scarcely meeting at midline, in rounded, triangular or slongate blocks (Fig. 2,3); ree? part of skull (head shield) broadly visible Beneath the thin skin, rugose ann Cite t i" Wind wit DR 2a: Anterior gilirakers (total number) on firet arch 17 to 22 3a Teeth on palate in 2 single sub- triangular blocks (Fig. 2) Arius gigas 3b. Teeth in palate in 2 paired patches, ‘an anterior subquadrate pair_and a, osterior elongated pair (Fig. 3) +» Arius 2b. Anterior gillrakers (total number) on fret arch I] to 15 4 a. No teeth on palate, oF in 1 or 2 small patches (patch on one or oth sides frequently missing), widely separated, the separa- ttion mach greater than the dis- eter of a patch (Fig. #) sworn Atlus heudetoti 4b. Teoth on palate in 2 large patches separated by their own Giameter or less (Fig. 5) ene Atlus park Arius latiscutatus Arius heudelotiae FAO Sheets ARIIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included ‘# Arius gigas Boulenger, 1912 ARID Ariy 15 ‘rlus Reudeloti Valenciennes, 1840 ARID Ariu 16 ‘Arius Iatiscutatus Ginther, 1864 ARID Ariu 17 arkll Glinther, 1864 ARID Ariy 18 ARID Gal 1 Galeichthys felicepe Valenciennes, 1840 Prepared by W.R. Taylor and G. Van Dyke, U.S: National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Original illustrations of head shields and teeth prepared by Ms Janine Higgins except head shield of Arius gigas drawn by Ms Keiko Moore; main species illustrations redrawn from Boulenger, 1911 end Poll, 1953 -#Known only from freshwater so ferARID Aru 15 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ARIIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Giant sea catfish Fr = Machoiron géant Sp - Bagre aigante NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : shield fleshy ‘groove Head rounded and only slightly flattened ae ‘above; snout rounded transversely (lightly pointed in small specimens); mouth inferior 3 pairs of barbels (one maxillary and two mental) the maxillary pair just reaching to pectoral fin bases; exposed _head shield well visible, ver} ugose, “oxtondlng. anteriorly to apposite eyest jraoccipital process moderately broad at base, Fabrowor and traneated posterlarhy, with a Very Sight median” Teel) predoral” plato ugose, cresent. Gorey Sore han Tony grove i ieatad Sopriaiion ot head falling wall shart basbel fa 1 fecesof the Titel and second stches; Total ees humber_of anterior gillrskers on First_arch 1B to Ce eeieey Biron second arch Td to 20; Dorsal and pectoral fins with a strong, serrated, erectile spines a well developed adipose fin present; soft rays of pec~ toral fins usvally 125 upper lobe of caudal fin slightly elongated.Colour: light yellowish brown above grading to slightly lighter below. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Arius letiscutetus: teeth on palate in 2 pairs of patches, forming an elongate pattem; pre~ total number of gillrakers enteriorly on first arch maxillary 17 to 22, posteriorly none; anteriorly on second tooth patch arch 18 fo 255. fleshy groove in median depression of head long, but not quite reaching to opposite eye} head shield coarsely rugose. palatal Arius parklit total number of glllrakers on tooth anterior fees of frat arch 1 to 1éy posteriorly patches ‘none; anteriorly on second arch 11 to’15; teeth on palate in 2 rounded, well separated patches, fleshy groove in median ‘depression of head elangate, neerly reaching to opposite eyes. Arius heudelotit total number of gillrakers on anterlor face of first arch 13 to 15, posteriorly usually none, sometimes 1 or 2; on anterior face of second arch 14 to 17; teeth on palate, if present, in small widely separated patches; fleshy groove 'in median depression of head elongate reaching almast to opposite eyes. Galeichthys feliceps: total number of gill- rakers on anterior face of first arch 11 to 14, on Posterior face of first arch 14 to 18, on anterior face of second arch 15 to 16; teeth on palate in 2 patches forming an arc across palate; head nearly smooth, not rugose above, median fleshy groove shallow to obscure. ‘Arius heudeloti ‘Arlus park i aT atin ae ititht ma frit as g v conn Maximum: over 120 em; young to 30 em EP AN " smi ‘most commonly captured. Galeichthys feliceps GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : Known only from rivers flowing from the teeth patches on roof of mouth orth into the Gulf of Guinea, and uncertain reports indicate @ presence in the lower Congo River estuary. ‘The limited known distribution suggests its presence in rivers, estuaries, and about river mouths. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Rivers (and possibly estuaries) flowing into the Gulf of Guinea, as well as the Congo River estuary but data on’the extent of exploitation are rot available. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: 's are not reported for this,ARID Ariu 16 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ARIIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 87 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) ‘Arius houdeloti Valenciennes, 1840 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE wercatoris Poll, 1946 VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Smoothmouth sea catfish Fr = Macholron banderille Sp ~ Bagre bocaliss NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : Head rounded, only slightly flattened above, snout rounded transversely, mouth inferior; 3 pairs of barbels (maxillary and 2 mental) around mouth, the maxillary barbels reaching well beyond pectoral fin axily exposed heed shlela well visible, extencing anteriorly to Oppostte ‘yes, supracesipltal process rather narrow at base, Taperidg posteriorly with & median” Keely —predorsat PIE Tighe creeent shaped, short) along narrow Tledhy groove in medlan depression of head, apoTosehing Paseo cage oT ayes; tout on palate Vliforen 2 Eira widely soparstea patches when prevent, oF some= ‘Timer ane oF Both patches absent, the seperation quel toner greater thine width of 6 tooth baton; usually no CRSaeeEIy Tor? ny) gllnalins Se ee sirfacer of fitet and second archee, total naniber oF anterlor gM Fee on Heat argh 15 to To, Doral and pectoral fins ‘with a strong, Serrated, erectile spine; a well developed adipose fin present; soft rays in pectoral fine usually LL, sometimes 10 or 12. Colour: median to dark brown above, lighter brown below and on sides, abdomen plain whitish. bom anterior extension of head shield maxillary barbel pectoral supraoecipital process upper side of headDISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Galeichthys feliceps: total number of gill- rakers on anterior face of first arch 11 to 14, on posterior face of first arch 14 to 18, on anterior face of second arch 15 to 16; teeth on palate in 2 patches forming an arc across palate; head nearly ‘smooth, not rugose above, median fleshy groove shallow to absoure. Arius latiscutatus: teeth on palate in 2 Patches: pairs ‘OF patches, forming an elongate patterns total number of gilirakers anteriorly on firet arch 17 to 22, posteriorly none; anteriorly on second ‘arch 18 to 233. fleshy groove in median depression of head long, but not quite reaching to opposite eye; head shield coarsely rugose. Atlus parkiis total number of gillrakers on anterior face of first arch 11 to 14, posteriorly none; anteriorly on second arch 11 to'15s teeth on palate in 2 rounded, well separated patches, fleshy groove in median ‘depression of head elongate, early reaching to opposite eyes. Arius gigas: total number of glllrakers on anterior face of first arch 18 to 21, on posterior face none; anteriorly on second arch 18 to 20; teeth on palate in 2 large subtriangular patche fleshy groove in median depression of head short. SHE: Maximum: reaches 65 cm; common to 300m. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : From Cape Blane to Nigeria. Inhabits shallow coastal waters and in river ‘estuaries; prefers brackish and marine waters. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Chiefly inshore waters along the coast. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this, species, but it eurely makes up for a significant share of the seacatfish catches in the area (total reported for the area in 1978 about 21 000 t). Caught with bottom trawls, purse seines, fixed bottom nets, gillnets, and longlines. Marketed fresh, dried, salted, smoked and con- verted to fishmeal. premaxillary tootiy patch a situ a URNA Tn MRT OML WR att et Mien tl tte gay rir eatett rial svete at ele nA PACE ed Fh IN Cie Vig ‘Arius gigas tooth patches on roof of mouth‘ARID Ari 17 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ARIDAE OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: 3a, er npard (€c'auianti Arius gambensis Cadonet, 1950 rachyourug gambensis Fowler, 1936 TESTER fons Powers 1936 VERNACULAR NAMES: FAQ: En Rough-head sea catfish Fr - Machoiron de Gambie Sp ~ Bagre de Gambia NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Head rounded, only slightly flattened sbove, snout rounded transversely, mouth inferior; 3 pairs of barbels (1 maxillary end 2 mental) around mouth, the maxillsry barbels just reaching the Pectoral fins bases; exposed head shield well Miible, coarsely rugosée extending. anteriorly to ‘opposite eyes, Tis supracceipital process promi- ently broad st bases tapering posteriorly, with & ‘median Keely predorsal plate cresent-shaped and very rugose, short; fleshy groove _in_median doprecien ot fond extande-asterrly Sear Sppoulte eyes; teeth on-palste- vila 1-2 paltorpatiee, the anterier pats, the wist of Bie two continuns-wih. the pesteror paren formiing-on- elongated pattorn of tseth on each sua cP palstey to illets os rear sofas ot Hein and essa archon total number of anterior gillrakers on Tire arch 17 to 27 and-on the secoed arohy 18 to 23" Doreal ond pectoral fins each with a strong serrated, erectile spines well developed adipose fin present; soft rays in pectoral fin 11 or 12. Colour: dark brown above, lighter on lower sides and whitish below. anterior extension of head shield pectoral fip supraoccipital process upper side of headpre- maxillary tooth pach DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Aslue paskli: total number of gillrakere on anterior face of first arch 11 to 14, posteriorly rnones anteriorly on second arch 11 to 15; teeth on palate in 2 rounded, well separated patches, fleshy groove in median depression of head elonget nearly reaching to opposite eyes. va ey Py LM eee esas ® anterior face of first arch 13 to 15, posteriorly usually Achoudeloti ‘none, sometimes 1 or 2; on anterior face of second Palatal arch 14 to 17; teeth on palate, if present, In emall tooth widely separated patches; fleshy groove in median patch depression of head elongate reaching almost to opposite eyes. mr Minne inate A Acius gigas: total number of gillrakers on anterior face of first arch 18 to 21, on posterior face none; anteriorly on second arch 18 to 20; teeth on palate in 2 large subtriangular patche: fleshy groove in median depression of head short. Galeichthys feliceps: total number of gill- rekerd oT anteor Tose of fit arch to 14. on posterior face of first arch 14 to 18, on anterior face of second arch 13 to 16 teeth on palate in 2 patches forming an arc across palate; head nearly smooth, not rugose above, median fleshy groove shallow to obscure. SIZE: Maximum: to about 50 ems common to 35cm. ~ Galeichthys feliceps GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : Senegal River Basin and from northern Senegal ‘coastwise to the Congo River and Angola. Found chiefly In shallow marine waters. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Inshore waters along the coast. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species, but it doubtless makes up for a part of the total catches of seacatfishes from the area (1978: ‘about 21 000 t). Caught with bottom travis, purse seines, fixed ; . bottom net, glinets and Tonglines: Marketed fresh, dried salted, smoked and con- verted to fishmel.ARID Ari 18 al FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ARIIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 67 (in part) (EC. Atiantic) parkill Gunther, 1864 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Arius capelionis Steindachnen, 1867 alas heudeTot Bovlenger, 1911 (not Valenciennes, 1840) ‘Tachysurus capellonis Fovrler, 1936 “Tachyeurug houdelotil Fowler, 1936 ‘Briws Granblatu Petore, 1068 VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Guinean sea eat fish Fr ~ Machoiron de Guinée Sp - Bagre de Guinea NATIONAL : anterior fleshy extension, groove of head DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : shield maxillary Head not broadened, but rounded and only slightly barbel flattened above, snout rounded transversely, mouth inferior; 3 pairs of barbels (1. maxillary and 2 mental) around mouth, the maxillary barbels just reaching to Pectoral fin bases; exposed head shield well visible, pectoral moderately rugose, oxtending anteriorly to opposite fin syes- or alight Gayond,- the_-aipraocelTial process diately broad at base tapering posteriorly, with ‘edit Reoly_-a Tong narrow Tleshy-aroave Wy median apression of heady reaching oppealts posterior sage of Soar tooti-on palate villares i aivaie pared ooded atches, Well separated no Girakers on rear wirTaces SP iiat-ad snd ences total mamber-or anterior / qlbakers on first arch II to 16 “Dorsal and pectoral fins each with a strong, serrated, erectile spine; well fin present; soft rays in pectoral fins supeacecipital p- process developed adi: 11, usually 12, Colour: dark brown above and light brown below. upper side of headDISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: pre- Arius gigas: tatal number of gillrakers on anterior face of first arch 18 to 21, on posterior face none; anteriorly on second arch 18 to 20; teeth on palete in 2 large subtriangular patches fleshy groove in median depression of head shart. Arius heudeloti: total number of gillrakers on aniarlor face of first arch 13 to 15, posteriorly usually none, sometimes 1 ar 2; on anterior fece of second arch 14 to 17; teeth on palate, if present, in small widely separated patches; fleshy groove ‘in medisn depression of head elongate Feaching almost to opposite eyes. Aslus Jatigoutatuet teeth on palate in 2 pairs ‘OF patches, forming an elongate pattern; total number of gillrakers anteriorly on first. arch 17 to 22, posteriorly none; anteriorly on second arch 18 to 23; fleshy groove in median depression of head Jeng, but not quite reaching to apposite eye} head shield coarsely eugose. Galeihthys fellcepe: total umber of gll- rakers on anterer face frst arch 11 to 18s on posterior face of fir arch Ie to 16, on anterior face of second erch 15 to 16; teeth on palate in’ patches forming an ere cross palatey head nearly tenth, not ragore above, median flesy. groove thal 10 obese: SHE: Maximum: to about 50 em; common to 35 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : From Cape Blane to Angola. Inhabits shallow coastal waters and river estuari prefers brackish and marine waters. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Chiefly inshore waters along the coast. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species, but it doubtless makes up for part of the total seacatfish catches from the area (1978: about 21 000 t). Caught with bottom trawls, purse seines, fixed bottom nets, gillnets, and longlines. Marketed fresh, dried, ealted, smoked and con- verted to fishmeal. en Galeichthys felicens maxillary tooth patch tooth sarARID Gal 1 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS + ARIIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) Galeichthys felicepe OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Tachysurus felicepe Fowler, 1936 Tem VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En ~ White baggar Fr ~ Barbillon blane Sp ~ Bagre barba blanca NATIONAL : DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Head arched end only slightly flattened abiave, snout rounded traneversely, mouth inferior; 3 pairs of barbels, (1 maxillary and 2 mental) around mouth, the maxillary barbels falling short of pectoral fing bases, head relativel smooth above, the shield not prominent, no fleshy qroave in median depression of head or the qroove Wty Shallow ‘Teeth op palate villiform, in? more of Toss crevent-shaped transverse patches which join medially; —gillrakers resent on font and book of first and second archesy.—fotal runiber of antoriar giirakers on fist arch 11 to Ta posterior gilirakers on first arch 1d to 10; anterior gilirakers on second arch 13 to 16, Colours olive brown to dark brown aboves lighter brown along sides to whitish below, many individuals with ‘a whitish or silvery band superimposed over lateral line on body.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Arius species: head shield broadly visible Beneath the skin, rugose; no gill- rakers, or at most 1 or 2 rakers on rest of first arch; patches of teeth on palate not, or scarcely meeting at midline, in rounded, triangular or elongated blocks. SE ‘Maximum: about 55 ems common to 350m. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : In the area, only around Walvis Bay, extending southward to South Africa. Common in rivers and In shallow sea water. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS + Chiefly rivers and estuaries. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Soparate statistics are not reported for this species. Caught chiefly with gillnets end on ~ hook and line. Utilized mostly fresh.‘ARIOM 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atiantic) ARIOMMIDAE Arfommas, driftfishes Body slender or maderately deep, rounded er somewhat compressed. Head longs snout shart and blunts eye large, centrally located and surrounded by well-developed adipose tissue extending froward to around nos Sperele thin, Its margin mocth; gill openings large; mouth small, posterior tip of maxilla ending In front of eyes ‘upper jaw almost completely covered by lachrymal bane when mouth is closed jaw teeth minute nd conical, in a Single row in each Jaw; fo teeth on_vomer and palatines (roof of mouth), or basibranchials (floor of mouth}; toothed pharyngeal sacs present; papilise in these sacs with flat rounded bases, the small teeth seated all along a large central stalks 6 branchiostegal rays- Two dorsal fins, scarcely separated; the first with 10 to 12 long slonder spines deprecsibe into a groove, the second with T spine and 14 ar 1s trarely 15 or Te) soft rays, tho forgot Shiner simost twice the length of longest soft rayey~ anal fi about as lang os second doreal, with 3 gpines and 1¢ ar 15 (rarely 13 or 16) soft rays; pectoral fins pointed, but not especially produced; pelvic Tin origins posterior to Isvel of pectoral Ti Baset and folding into'e broad groove long the ventrel micline; caudal fin stiff and ‘caudal pedunole short, slender and square in cross section, its minimum depth less than 5% of Flow tlety Koolr pretant on each sido of peduncle near coudel fin base. Lateral line high on body, follawing the dorsal profiles -seales with Branched tubes not extending nto caudal peduncle; a branch af the lateral line extending forward to over eye as an arched bony tract. Scales large, cycloid, very thin and easily shed, extending forward on nape to level of eyes; bases of median fine and top of snout scaleless. Colour: silvery, with a purple, brown, or blue tinge. Juveniles with 5 to 6 den, vertical bars. Schooling fishes generally found offshore in deep water over muddy bottoms an the continental shelf and the upper slope. Juveniles occur near the surface. Although not commercially exploited as yet, arlommas may be regarded as having considerable potential economic interest, particularly in view of their abundance and the quality Of their flesh, which is rich in fat and highly esteemed. 10 to 12 spines, 1 spine and 14 of 15 soft rays maxilla covered by lachrymal bone example of a juvenile (@bout 2.em TL.) (A regulue from the W.C: Atlantic)oo FAO Sheets ARIOMMIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) usually more than 75 rays SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Nomeidas land often on tongue; usually more than 15 soft rays in second dorsal fin (14 or 15, rarely 13 or 16 Jn species of Ariommidae); caudal peduncle deep a and compressed, more than 5% of standard lengthy Tncking the flesy keels. Cubicope (Nomeidae) Centrolophidae: mouth large, posteriar end of maxilla usually reaching to level of posterior half of eye; first dorsal fin with 5 to 9 rather stout spines (10 to 12 slender epines in epecies of Ariommidae), all shorter than second dorsal fin rays; caudal peduncle deep and compressed, without fleshy keels. "1 teeth present on roof of mouth Carangidae: 4 to 8 usually stout spines in first dorsal fin, generally shorter than, or equal to second dorsal fin rays (except in Pseudocaranx species); 2 detached stout spines preceeding anal fin (sometimes partially or completely embedded)s ‘modified scales along posterior portion of lateral line forming a single keel on each side of caudal peduncle in some geners. Scombridae and Gempylidse (Lepidocybium | ) and Ruvettus)s snout pointedy bass of second 2 detached spins —_Dacapterus (Carangidae) dorsal fin shorter than that. of first dorsalj a series of detached finlets behind second dorsal fin and snel fin. Scombridae KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Arlorama only. LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Lepidocybium (Gempylidae) Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included Arlomma bondi Fowler, 1930 ARIOM Ariom 2 Ariomma felena Trunov, 1976 Arfomma melanum (Ginsburg, 1954) ARIOM Ariom & Prepared by R.L. Haedrich, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's Newfoundland, CanadaARIOM iom 2 Tar FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY : ARIOMMIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) Fowler, 1930 (Ec. attantic) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Paracubiceps ledanolsi Belloc, 1937 ‘Cabicspe iat pa nighargentete Gincburg, 1954 Betartha Iedanit Gelloc, 1957) VERNACULAR NAMES: FAQ: En ~ Silver-rag driftfish Fr - Ariomme grise Sp = Arforna lucia NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS + Body elongate, rather slender and somewhat compressed. Snout blunt, not rounded; eye large, ite diameter slightly exdeeding Tength of enauts mouth small, posterior tip of maxilla scarcely reaching to anterior eye maraing louder fw shgneiy croaesIng tan minor In soul Sow bate aves no teen on root a fhgr af meat Poe seperste dorsal fins, the frst higher than the second, Witt abou TL Tsibls spince deprewale toe groove, the second with 1 spine and 14 or 15 (rarely 15 or 16) soft rays; anal fin with 3 spines and 14 or 15 (rarely 13 or 16) soft rays; pectoral fins reletively broad, not extending beyond level of last dorsal fin spines; pelvic fin origine posterior to level of pectoral fin bases and depressible Into a shallow, but prominent groove; caudal fin rigid and deeply forked; caudal peduncle square in cross-section, its depth less than 5% of standard length, with 2 low fleshy keels on each side near caudal fin bass. Lateral line high on body, following dorsal profile, with tubed scales iit extending Onto Geudel peduncle; Parse are canols of cephalic lateral line only moderately caveloped. Seales conspicuously large, especially those around midpoint of sides, cycloid (smooth), easily detached, about 30 to 45 in fhe tara erloneseala en ORead a eotae tos anerioe maou sf pus Colour: uniformly dark blue on back, silvery belows young with 3 to 6 dark bars on sides; peritoneum allvery or pale.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA Arlomma melanum: scales small, 50 to 65 in the lateral serles (large, 30 to 45 in lateral series in A. bondi); "scalation on head extending to level of anterior ye margin; body uniformly dark; peritoneum dark. Arlomma helena: scales about 58 to 60 in the lateral series; scelation on head extending to level of anterior eye margin; known only from vicinity of St. Helena. Cubiceps species (Nomeldae): caudal peduncle comproaied, its depth more than 5% of standard length (Goss than 3% in A. bondi), lacking keeles teeth present an Foof of mouth ard-an tongue. SHE: Maximum: 25 em} commen to 20 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : ‘Tropical West Africa from Senegal to Gabon; outside the area, in the Western Atlantic from Nova Scotia through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to Uruguay. Inhabits deeper waters (between 70 and 200 m) of the continental shelf, usually aver muddy bottoms. Taken between 50 and 500 m, but most common between 120 and 180 m. Associated with Dentex, Trachurus, Priacanthus, Lepidotrigla and Squatina In eee A. bondi Upper view of head caudal peduncle deep, lacking keels the sub-thermocline sparid sub-community at tempera tures of 14° to 20°C. Found in schools; can be locally very abundant. Juveniles occur in surface waters. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : ‘Abundent in deep water throughout the Gulf of Guinea. There is no special fishery at present for this species which, however, seems to have a great potential economic interest because of its abundance and the ‘quality of its flesh. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: _ Separate statistics ere not reported for this species. Caught with bottom trawls. Marketed fresh and canned. Also used for fishmeal and oll.ARIOM Axiom 4 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: ARIOMMIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (LC. attantic) Al wma melanum (Ginsburg, 1954) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: Paracubiceps multisqueamis Marchal, 1961 ‘Reianmma Panaquenie Warchaly 561) VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En = Brown driftfish Fr ~ Ariomme brune Sp ~ Arioma parde NATIONAL : DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : elongate, rather slender end somewhat compressed. Sout blunt, not rounded} eye moderate, Its diameter squal to,se slightly shorter than, snout lengths mouth small; posterice tip of manila Soareely TaSching fo terion oye earaiy wor Jow aly arO}OCUPaE eth minute Ina single tow tn bath ws no teth on root or floor of mouth, Two. separate dorsal Tiny the ie Higher than the eeconds wih abot 11 Hoaslo opines SEpresIEle To aoroove, the second with I splne and 14 or 15 (rarely 13 or 16) soft reyes anal fin with 3 epines tnd 18 or 15 (rarely 13 ot 16) soft rayer pectoral fine rathor broad and fot extending boyord level of last dorsal in fpire; pelvic fin otigns posterior to lovel of pectoral fin bases and depressible into a shallow, but prominent Grooves caudal fn tigid and forked, caudal peduncle aquare In cross section, lta depth lose than ¥ oF standard length, with Z Tow fleshy keels on each side near caudal fin base. Lateral line high on body, following dorsal Brottg, not extending onto caudal petureby pores and Corals of cophallo lateral line. wollcoveloped. and ‘conspicuous. Scales relatively small, cycloid (smooth), easily shed, about 50 to 65 in the jateral series; scalation on food extandiog to Teel oT Serr ye marge ee Colour: uniformly brown or bluish brown; In life sometimes with a silvery casts the young have 3 to 6 dark bars on sides; peritoneum dark brown to black.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING Atiomma bondi: scales large, 30 to 45 in the lateral serles aml, 50 to 65 in the lateral series In A. rmelanum); scalation on head extending only to level of anterior margin of pupils body dark above midline and light below;, peritoneum silvery or pale. Arlomma helena: eye very large, ite diameter ‘greater than snout Iength, and equal to more than 30% Of the lead length; body dark abave midline and lighter below; peritoneum pale. Known only from the vicinity of St. Helena. Cubiceps species (Nomeidae): caudal peduncle compressed, Its depth more than 5% of standard length upper view of head (ess than 5% in A. melanum), lacking keel; teeth present on roof of mouth and on tongue caudal peduncle coop, lacking keels SHE: Maximum: 25 em} commen to 20 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR: Tropical West Africa from Mauritania to Angolas ‘outside the area, in the Western Atlantic from New York through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to Panama. Inhabits deep water, between 200 and 600 m, of the upper continental slope, usually over soft bottom: Associated with Chlorophthalmus, Peristedion, ‘Antigonia and Cyttue in the continental slope comm ‘ity at temperatures between 7° and 16°C. Found schools; can be locally very abundant. Juveniles occur in surface waters. Feeds mainly on small crustaceans. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : ‘A dominant species at depths between 400 and 600 m from Ivory Coast to Gabon. At present not forming the object of = special fishery, but reported to have become more important in recent years; app rently with much potertisl, although trawling at appro- priate depths is said to be difficult in the area. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for thi species. Taken as bycatch, In deep bottom trawling opera- tone. Marketed fresh end canned. Also used for fishmeal and ail.ATEL rho ccs ROMTCATEN we "greene Sue (E.C. Atlantic) Tan st Body robust, consisting of a short trunk and @ more or less elongated, laterally compressed and pointed tei Thad anger snout conteal, eyes small, mouth inferloyy teeth sinall or absent, gl alls large-s Dorel fin shott, originating over or posterior to pectoral fin bases; ‘pectoral fins well developed; pelvic ine jugular or thoracic in position, with one or several elongated rays; anal fin well developed, more ar lees long-based and fused to the unforked caudal fin. Skin naked end slimy. Colour: light to dark brown; bady sometimes unpigmented ventrally (ljimala); fins blackish. dorsal fin ‘short mouth inferior pa pelvic fin Large-sized fish (adults ranging from 80 to 18Qam total length), rather uncommon, inhabiting near to the bottom aver the continental slope between 200 and 600 m depth. Cecasionally taken in bottom trawls but not of significant interest to fisheries. SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: The combination of characters such as the short dorsal fin, the stout and slimy body and the unforked caudal fin fused to the anel fin, clearly distinguishes the ateleopodids from any other family occurring in the area.ae FAO Sheets ATELEPODIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: 14, Pelvic fine Inserted below bases of pectoral fins; body not greatly elongate, its depth contained less than 4 times in total length; 12 dorsal fin rays (Fig. 1} wee Guentherus -1b. Pelvic fins inserted in advance of pectoral fin bases; body olongated, its depth contained more than 6 times in total length; 8 to 10 doreal fin rays (Fig 2 sae LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Guenther ivelis{Osorio, 1917) imate loppei Roule, 1922 (= Ateleopus barnerdi Poll, 1953) ichtyologie, Institut scientifique et technique Prepared by J.C. Guéro and illustrated by J.J. Vayne, Laborat des Péches maritimes, La Rochelle, FranceATHER 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) ATHERINIDAE Siiversides Small, elongate fishes, rarely exceeding 15 em in length. Body subcylindrical to highly compressed. Head short, normally flattened above, often rough, with fine denticles. Snout moderate, pointed mouth small, the gape reaching to, or even somewhat beyond, front of eye; jaws subequal, or the lower scarcely projecting; the opening of the mouth may or not be restricted by a membrane folding between jaws; teeth fin, feeble, pointed, in a variable number of rows in both Jaws, some rows may be external when mouth is closed; "small teeth (often difficult to see) may also be present on roof of mouth (vorer, palatines, mesopterygolds) and on tongue; hind edge of preopercle either irregular or with a marked concavity just above angle, sometimes the angle produced as a triangular lobe. Two well seperated dorsal fine, the first at about mid-body, consisting of 3 to 11 slender spines, second dorsal fin and anal fin with @ feeble spine and a variable umber of branched rayay_pedtoral fins high on Sides (but not above allvery lateral band in species from this areal; pelvie fire abdominal; fot behind pectore] FL ‘arigins, with 1 spine and 9 soft rayss caudal fin forked in marine species} anus remote from frant of anal fin. Scales often strong, large, eyclold (smooth). No distinct lateral line. Colour: greenish to bluish on back; a silvery Jateral stripe present along middle of body to caudal fin base In most species; some species translucent. Sllversides are found everywhere in tropical and temperate seas. Some penetrate estuaries or brackis waters, others live in freshwaters. Marine species may form hugo shoals. Although edible, ailversides are of relatively small importance for huren food and they seem to have practically no commercial importance in this area, not even es bait.-2- FAO Sheets ATHERINIDAE, Fishing Areae 34, 47 (in part) SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA Clupeldee: a single doreal fing no epines in fins “pectoral fins low on body; many species with mid-ventral scutes on belly. Engraulidae: a single doresl fing no spines in fins pectoral fins low on body; mouth very Iarge; maxilla often extending to’ operele edge} the snout blunt and projecting. Mugilidaes head obtuse (pointed in ‘Atherinidse) no lateral silvery stripe; larger average size. ere =, py MARINE GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: JZ Atherina only. Mugilidae LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Atherine buyari Risso, 1810 * ‘Rtherina Repsetus Linnseus, 1758 * o ‘Atherina lopezfan Rossignol & Blache, 1961 ‘Atherina presbyter Cuvier, 1829 + Prepated by A. Maugé, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Ichtyologie générale et appliquée, Paris, France Ulustrations provided by author * Restricted to northen part of area ** Bay of Biafra‘AULOP 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 3, 87 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) ‘AULOPIDAE, Flagfine Body slender, cylindrical, attaining a length of 20 to 45 cm. Head large, robust; eyes lange, horizontally eliptical, pupil round} mouth slightly oblique, mexilla broadly expanded posteriorly, exteiting to rear mandi Of Spe beatin mpramanilary bones) teeth Gall aed Gaby Brosent In Jews, On onatoy ant on rooT OT oun ‘Giitzakers oral, ciongatoy peousosronch well doveloped. Fine without hard spines, but caudal rays preceded by f@ small bony scute (fucral scale}; dorsal fin long and high, inserted just behind level of pelvic finss adipose fin present, pelvic fine with 9 rayoy ingore Jat behind lovel SY pectoral Tiny caudal Th Gistinety forked. Body completely scaled except for top of head; scales on cheeks and gill covers enlarged; scales ctenoid or cycloid. Later! ine without enlarged souloe ond not extantine cote ada he Colour: brownish to reddish with iridescent yellow, blue, purple or silver shadings sides with irregular dark blotches; belly pale, yellowish or silvery. Anal and paired fins colourless, yellowish or reddish; dorsal colourless to dusky with anterior rays sometimes tipped with black; caudal fin dusky. Demersal fishes of the continental shelf on mud and send bottom between 75 and 300 m depth. Sexes are separate end differ in colouration, size and shape of the dorsal fin. Spawning is extended over several months; latvae are pelagic. Flagfine aro abundant off northwestern Africa, Madeira and the Canary Islands. They are of limited econamic importance as e by-catch of trawl floheries, though the flesh is reportedly of excellent quality. adipose fin / 2 suprainaxillae maxilla 9 pelvic raysooic FAO Sheets: AULOPIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA Chlorophthalmidae (excluding _mem- bers of the deep-water subfamily Ipnopinee) eye very large with teardrop-sheped pupils maxilla extending only to midpoint of eyes 8 single supramexilla (2. in Aulopidae); mouth oblique, tip of lower jaw forming projecting bony knob; gill rakers normal, elongate; dorsal fin inserted ahesd of pelvic fin insertion; teeth mostly small and set in narrow bands. teardrop pupil single supramaxilla Chlorophthalmidae Synodontidae (including the _deop- water Bathysaurinae): eye moderate in size, pupil round or elliptical; maxilla undeveloped; premaxilla slender and painted posteriorly, extending well beyond rear margin of eye; no supramaxillae; mouth moderately to strongly obliques jaws with parallel bands of long, sharp depressible teeth; gill rakers modified into clusters of short, sharp gill teeth; dorsal fin inserted well behind pelvic fin insertion. Synodontidae (Synadontinae) Aulopus only. Syrodontidae (Bathysaurinae) KEY TO SPECIES OF Aulopus OCCURRING IN THE AREA La. Snouth longer than horizontal eye dia- meter; interorbital space equal to, or slightly greater than eye diameter; 15 or 16 scales along dorsal midline in advance of dorsal fin (Fig. 1) -nse Aulopus fllamentosus Acfilamentosus\ —Fige 1 1b. Shout shorter than horizontal eye dia- — Fiat meters interorbital space more than two times greater than eye diameter, ers 12 or 13 scales along dorsal midline In predorsal sealee advance of dorsal fin (Fig. 2) ‘Aulopus cadenatiare FAO Sheets AULOPIDAE, Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included ‘Aulopus cadenati Poll, 1953 AULOP Aulop 1 ‘Aulopus filamentosus (Bloch, 1792) AULOP Aulop 2 Prepared by KJ: Sulak, Virginie Institute of Marine Scences, Gloucester Point, Virginia, U.S.A.AULOP Aulop 1 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: AULOPIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 87 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) Aulopus cadenati Poll, 1953 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAQ: Eh - Guinean flagfin Fr = Limbert guinéen Sp = Lagarto real de Guinea NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : Body slender, cylind tal. Head large; snout shorter then horizontal eye diameter; interorbital space more than twice as wide as eye diameter; eye large-and elliptical, pupil round; mouth large ond terminal, slightly te ‘moderately oblique; maxilla prominent, expanded posteriorly, extending to rear margin of eye, and bearing two supramaxillae; jaws with numerous amall, sharp, dapressible teeth; palate with several series of teeth (vomerine ‘medially; palatine, ectopterygoid and endopterygoid laterally); gill rakers long; pseudobranch well developed. Dorsal fin long end high, inserted just behind level of pelvic fin insertion; dorsal fin rays of males longer then {ose ot eral but antrior rays not greatly elonget, the longest shoves ther heaa Tngkty” aeipese fir ened Over posterior portion of anal finj — pelvic fins with 9 rays, thoracic; caudal fin distinctly forked. Body completely covered with adherent ctenoid or cycloid scales, except for top of head; scales on cheek and gill cover enlarged; 12 or 13 soales along doreal midline in advance of dorsal fin; 50 or 51 lateral line soalos. Colour: body brownish dorsally and laterally with irregular dark markings; underside yellowish; male with ‘ing colourless; female with dorsal fin spotted, rays tipped with black.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Aulopus filamentosus: snout larger then hori zontal eye diameter; —Interorbital space equal to, oF Slightly greater than eye diameter; 15 or 16 predorsal scales (12 ot 13 in A. cadenat). Chlorophthalmus agassizii: pupil, teardrop shaped) -e aigle wipramerilay doreal fin inserted ‘head of pelvic fin insertion. SIZE: Maximum: 27 ems common to 26 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : Known only from off tropical West Africa between latitude 0° and 1385. Benthic on outer shelf between 100 and 270 m (16 to 14.5°C). Apparently preys on fishes. teardrop pupil PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Outer shelf; taken ax bycatch by offshore: trawlers. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: single Separate statistics are not reported for this supramaxilla species. Chlorophthalmus agassizii Caught incidentally in bottom trawls. Mostly reduced to fishmeal.AULOP Aulop 2 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY : AULOPIDAE FISHING AREAS 3, 87 (in part) Le atntio) ‘Aulopue (Bloch, 1792) OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En ~ Royal flagfin Fr - Limbert royal Sp - Lagarto real NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Body slonder, cylindrical. Head larges snout longer than horizontal eye diameters. interorbital space about wal t-ove diameters eye large and eliptical, pupil founds ~ mouth Targe and terminal, slightly to modeTately SBiiqusy polls brortinent, expanded posteriorly, extending to rear margin of eye, and bearing two supramaxiliae; awe with numerous small, samp, depressible teeth; — palate with soveral series of teeth (vomerine Tedialy; palatine, ectoptorygoid and endopterygoid Interelly) gill rakers long; peeudobranch well developed. Dorsal fi fong and high inserted just behind level of pelvie fin Insertion; anterior dorsal fin rays very elongate in imales, Ui Inne excreting ead length adipose. tn inertod over poster or porta of anal Ting pelvic Tin With 9 Faye, ‘thoracisy Caudal Tin dhtinctly forked. Body completely covered with adherent ctenoid or cycloid scales, except for top of head}, scalos on cheek and gill cover enlarged; 15 or 16 scales long dorsal midline in advance of dorsal fing 52 lateral line Seales Colour: body reddish brown to maroon with variable yellow, red, green or brown spotting; fins red-orange » ‘the dorsal and caudal with dark spots.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Aulopue cadet snout shorter than horizontal eye diameter; interorbital space more then twice in eye diameter; 12 ar 15 predorsal scales (15 or 16 in A filamentocus). Chlorophthalmus sgassizi pupil, teardrop shaped a single supramaxilia; dorsal fin inserted ahead of pelvic fin insertion. SIZE: A. fllamentosus ‘Maximum: 45 em; common to 40 em. Wor 13 predorsal scales GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : In the area, from Madeira and Canary Islands to Senegal and the Cape Verde Istands; also found In the Mediterranean. Benthic on the outer shelf between 70 and 1 000 m depth, most abundant between 200 and 300 m. Sexes are separate and dimorphic; the larvae are pelagic. Camivorous, probably feeding on fishes, shrimps ‘and cephalopods. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Outer shelf of northwestern Africa; rather ebun- dant. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: epee Separate statistics are not reported for this Chlorophthalmus agassizit ‘Chlorophthalmus aqassizi species. : Taken in trawls. wt 4, " Consumed mostly fresh; flesh of good flavour F ‘and quality. Also reduced to fishmeal by industrial offehore trawlers.AULOST 1981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) cation) ‘AULOSTOMIDAE ‘Trumpetfishes Body elongate and compressed. Mouth at end of elongate snouts a single barbel on chin. First. dorsal fin with 8 1 feslated spinesy “second doreal end anal fine opposite to each offer and similarly sheped, Both with 22 EFB5 segmented Gold rays; pelvic fhe smalls abdominal: with 8 raye Lateral line continous, Body covered Giih all Gtonoid Gouge) eceloe, excopt for the ead ard anterior part of the back, ‘which ere. soalelees- Vertebrae 62 ar 63, the firet 4 elongate and fused. Colour: overall colour variable from light to very dark; body most commonly brown with scattered, dark spots on belly and back. A black maxillary stripe usually presents dorsal and anal fins dark, but with irregular light patches; caudal peduncle crossed by 5 light bars. Medium-sized fishes reaching to about 75 em in totel length, occurring in shallow, clear water. Most ‘frequently observed to hanging vertically in the water with the head down. Trumpetfichee feed on emall fishes and shrimps. Because of their restricted distribution within this fishing area (apparently only around the Cape Verde and Madeira Islands), they are not regularly caught and have no commercial importance. eta distinet caudal filament body depressed rather than compressed; no spines before soft dorsal fin. Fistulariidge Syngnethidae: body covered with armours no chin barbel; size much smaller. Syngnathidae2) FAO Sheets AULOSTOMIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Aulostomus only- LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Aulostomus strigosus Wheeler, 1955 (= Aulostomus chinensis strigosus Vasconcelos & Paes de Franca, 1962; Aulostornus chinensis maculati Valenciennes, 1839) Prepared by R.A. Fritzeche, Department of Biology, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, U.S.A.BALI 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 87 (in part) (€c. Attantic) BALISTIDAE (excluding the Monacanthidae = Aluteridae of some authors) Triggerfishes and durgons Small or medium-sized fishes, usually less than 40 cm in length, with deep, moderately compressed bodies encased with very thick, tough skin with large rectilinear scale plates easily discernible _as individual unite; scales Sbave- pectoral fin bass usually enlarged and slightly separated, forming a flexible tympanum. Gill opening a Felatively short vertical to oblique elit in front of the pectoral fin base, branchiostegal rays hidden benesth the ‘kin; mouth stall and usually more or less terminal; teeth heavy, 6 In an outer series in the upper jaw and 8 in the lower jaws Three dorsal fin spines, the second spine more than one-half the length of the first; the first spine Sapable of being Tacked in en Upright position of erection by the second; most dorsal, anal and pectoral fin rays Branched; — pelvic fins and spines rudimentary or absent, represented by a series of 4 pairs of enlarged scales ‘eneasing the end of pelvis. Lateral line inconspicuous. Colour: variable, sometimes black or crab brown, grey or greenish, but often with strikingly marked and vivid patterns. 3 dorsal fin spines visible tympanum, usually fin-rays branched brenchiostegal seve a restricted | oe ill slit encasing seales at end of pelvis.pie FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) Triggerfishes are usually solitary, ranging in depth from the coastline to about 90 m, with some species being found primarily in pelagic open water and others primarily benthic around rocky and coral reefs. They feed on bottom invertebrates, often hard-shelled species, or zooplankton, with their small mouths typically armed with large and relative heavy incisor-like teeth. Highly valued as food in many handline fisheries, and also taken as bycatch in commercial bottom trawiss on rare occasions the flesh has been considered toxic. "Some species, such a Balistes caprigous and B. punctatus are very abundant and of growing commercial importance in eome countries. ‘The eatah of ngortad triggerTiahoeFeported trom the arca in 19/8 totalled almost 10 000. SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Monacanthidse: two dorsal fin spines, only the first of which is especially large and promi- nent; body more laterally compressed; fewer and Jess massive teeth in jaws; scales shagreen-like, —“"@® —_ with the individual basal plates small and not 1 t readily distinguishable from one another to the — vai ye Lu } Getracidast no apy dorsal fing tooth Za moe carat" sales inthe arm of enlrgoa exceptionally’ thick, usually hexagonal plates sutured together to form a box-like encasement Nw Monacanthidac (of the body. Tetraodontidae, Diodontidse, Molidae: no ‘spiny dorsal fing no pelvic fin of any kind; teeth Incorporated Into, or indistinguishably fused with the jaw bones to form a parrot-like beak, with or without @ division in the midline into two equal halves In each jaws skin either rough with scales, modified as prickles and long quill-like spines or scales sometimes absent and the skin smooth. Diodontidaeoe FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA 1a. Scales shove pectoral fin base and just behind SIM sit’ much enlarged end: partelysepa- fated, forming @fexbie tympanum (Fige) 2a. Caudal peduncle depressed, wider than deep 2b. Caudal peduncle compressed, deeper than wide 3a. Teeth notched, uneven, of distinctly increasing length toward the middle teeth (Fig. 2); scales of posterior body without keels forming longitu- dinal ridges; body greyish to bluis~ h-green, but never distinctly black, land no pale stripe along the bases of the soft dorsal and anal fins... 3b. Teeth not notched, at least in larger juveniles and adults, with relatively even distal edges, not of distinctly Increasing length toward the middle teeth (Fig. 3); scales of posterior body with keels at the contre forming longitudinal ridges; body blackish with a pale bluish stripe ‘along the bases of the soft dorsal and anal fine 1b, Seales above pectoral fin base and just behind Gill sit not enlarged and not especially well ‘separated, nat forming a flexible tympanum 4a: Cheok with about 3 prominent naked longitudinal grooves, darker in colour than the sur- rounding skin; mouth slightly, but distinctly,» supratersninal (Fig. 4) 4b. Cheek evenly scaled, without prominent naked longitudinal mouth terminal (Fig. Abalistes Balistes eee Melichthy Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) tympanum sill slit Melichthys sp. 3 teeth-4- FAO Sheets BALISTIDAE LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are included Abal jatus (Lacepéde, 1798) Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1768 BALI Ball 1 alistes punctatue Gmelin, 1788 BALI Bali 5 Balistes vetule Linnaeus, 1758 BALI Bali 2 Canthidermis maculatus (Bloch, 1786) Me 3th iger (Bloch, 1786) Xanthichthys ringene (Linnaeus, 1758) Fishing Areas 34, 47 (In part) Prepared by R. Winterbottom, Department of Ichthyology and Herpetology, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, and James C. Tyler, Program for Biological Research Resources, Division of Environmental Biology, National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. 20550, U.S.A.BALI Bali 1 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY : BALISTIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atientic) Bolistes capriscus Gmelin, 1786 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE : Balistes carolinenels Gmelin, 1788 Balistes foreipatus Gmelin, 1788 Lo, DIRS Se VERNACULAR NAMES: eu FAO: En ~ Grey trigger ish Fr - Baliste cabri Sp - Pejepuerco blanco (= Pez ballesta) NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS : Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin base end just behind the gill sit to form a flexible tympanum; scales of body without prominent keels, not formin Taugitudlaal Heaps A spall groove tn the-atin frown front of the-eye to below the low navel apparctoe.— Mouth Geena tooth forchou, All dorsal fn spines readily apparent, cre fre spne capenla of being Locked exter by the second; most soft dorsal, anal and pectoral fin rays branched; caudal fin rays slightly prolonged above end below; caudal peduncle compressed, deeper than wide Colour: generslly greyish with green overtones and about 3 darker blotches or irregular bars across the backs chin lighters small bluish to purplish spats on the upper body, with lighter spats on lower body, sometimes larger fand forming short irregular lines; soft dorsal and anal fine with spots, tending to form rows.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Balistes punctatus: body grey with numerous round blue or dark spots over most of body, posterior to eyes; 3 or & anterior rays of second (soft) dorsal fin filamentous and free of membrane in adults. Balistes vetula: 2 broad blue lines on cheek from above mouth ta Below the region in front of pectoral fin bases caudal fin in adults greatly prolonged both above ‘and below. Melichthys niger: body blackish, with a pale bluish’ stripe along bases of soft dorsal and anal fins scales of posterior body with keele at the centre forming longitudinal ridgess teeth of adults not ratched snd rot distinctly increasing in length toward the middle teeth; third dorsal fin epine scarcely vieible. Abalistes species caudal peduncle depressed, wider than deep. Canthidermis and Xanthichthys specit above pastoral Ti base ands Behine gil enlarged, not forming a flexible tympanum. su Meximum: at least 45 cm, but unconfirmed reports quote 60 cms common to 20 em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : In the area, from the Straits of Gibraltar to Mogamedes, Angola including Madeira and the Canary and Cape Verde Islands; northward extending into the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coasts of Europe up to England. Elsewhere, in the Western Atlantic from Nova Scotia ta Argentina, Found in shallow water down to about 50m. Nothing definite le known about the areas occupied by this species, but like B. vetula, it seems to occur mainly in shallow ‘sandy or Gfassy areas as well as rocky bottoms. Feeds on bottom-living invertebrates. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS: Caught throughout its range, very abundant, and becoming of increasing commercial importance in several African countries. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION : Separate statistics ere not reported for this species. The catch of ungorted triggerfishes reported from the area in 1978 totalled about 10 000 t. Taken in bottoms trawls, traps, beach selnes and on handlines. Consumed mostly fresh, smoked and dried salted. The flesh is of excellent quality. Also reduced to fishmeal by offshore trawlors.BALI Bali 2 198i FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: BALISTIDAE FISHING AREAS 34, 67 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) vetula Linnaeus, 1758 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: None VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En ~ Queen triggerfish Fr - Baliste royal Sp = Pejepuerco cachio NATIONAL + DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin Ewe and it bsg tho all st ta forte Honible tymeanuny scales of body withear pronicert kasle not feng Tongitudinal ridges. A small groove In the skin from in front of the eye £0 below the low nasal apparatus. out ferminal; feetn notched. All 3 dorsal fin spines readily apparent, the first spine capable of being locked erect By the second; most soft dorsal, anal and pectoral fin rays branched; caudal fin rays of adults greatly prolonged above and below; caudal peduncle compressed, deeper than wide. Colour: generally yellowish-grey to bluish-green, or brownish, the lower regions more yellow-orange; bluish wtlined with yellow rat from ey wide bluish band around caudal peduncle; 2 obliquely curved bright: blue bands from above mouth to below front of pectoralDISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Balistes capriscus and B. punctatus: ne eonspi- cuous Tines or bands from above mouth to below region In front of pectoral fin base; caudal fin in adults only slightly prolonged above and below. Melichthys nigers body blackish, with @ pale bluish stripe along bases of soft dorsal and anal fins; scales of posterior body with keels at the centre forming longitudinal ridges; teeth of adults not notched and not distinctly increasing in length toward the middle teeth; third doreal fin spine scarcely visible. Abalistes opeci wider than deep. Canthidermis and Xanthichthys species: scales above’ pectoral fin base ‘and just behind ill slit not enlarged, not forming a flexible tympanum. ‘caudal peduncle depressed, sue Maximum: about 50 em; common to 30 em GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : In the area, from the Straits of Gibraltar to Angola, including Madeira, the Canary, Cape Verde and ‘Ascension Islands. Northward extending along. the Atlantic coast of Europe to England and southward to South Africa. Elsewhere, in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazile Adults of Bs vetula are found near the bottom ‘mostly in coral reef environments ranging from shallow ‘sandy or grassy areas to hard substrates, to about 100 m depth. Feeds mainly on bottom-living invertebrates, including molluscs and seaurchins. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS : Taken throughout Its range. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statlatice are not reported for this species. The catch of unsorted triggerfish reported from the area in 1978 totalled about 10 000 t. Caught with lines, traps and bottom trawis. ‘An excellent foodfish, but apparently mostly used for fishmeal and oil by offshore trawlers; occasionally reported to have caused slight intoxication. Melichthys nigerBALI Sali 3 21981 FAQ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: BALISTIDAE FISHING AREAS 38, 87 (in part) (Ec. Atlantic) Balistes punctatus Gmelin, 1788 OTHER SCIENTIFIC NAMES STILL IN USE: often misidentified as Balistes foreipatue Gmelin, 1788 o Sem VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En ~ Bluespotted triggerfish Fr Baliste & taches bleues ‘5p ~ Pejepuerco moteado NATIONAL : DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Body deep and laterally compressed, with the large rectilinear scale plates of the thick skin forming regular rows, and the scales of the cheek in an even, relatively complete covering. Scales enlarged above the pectoral fin base nd jut behind the glial to forma Hexible tymperumy eles of body without proniaant Resta; pot Torri longitudinal ridges- A small groove in the skin from in front of the eye fo below the low nasal apparatus. Mouth Yerminaly teeth notched. All three dorsal fin spines readily apparent, the first spine capable of being locked treet By the second; most soft dorsal, anal and pectoral fin rays branched; first 3 or 4 second dorsal fin rays flarentous end free of merrbrane In adult specimens; caudal fn raye prolonged absve and Below Coudal peduncle Compressed; deeper than wide. Colour: generally grey with a regular pattern of large round blue or dark spats covering mast of the bady behind the eye. About 5 faint light lines radiating from front lower margin of eye.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Balistes capriscus end 8. vetula: body not cower i a Foylar Pattern of large dark round spats although B. capriscus may have scattered small bluish spots on a restricted part of upper and lower body); anterior rays of second dorsal fin may be elongate, but never filamentous and free of membrane. Melichthys niger: body blackish, with a pale bluish” stripe along Daies of soft dorsel and anal fins seales of posterior body with keels at the centre forming longitudinal ridges teeth of adults not notched and not distinctly increasing in length toward the middle teeth; third dorsal fin spine scarcely visible. Abalistes specie: wider than deep. Canthidermis and Xanthichthye species: above pectoral Th bese and fat Boh enlarged, not forming a flexi caudal peduncle depressed, SE: Maximum: at least to 45 em (unconfirmed reports quote 60 em); common to 20em. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND BEHAVIOUR : Confined to the Eastern Atlantic, along the African coast from southern Morocco to’ Macamedes (Angola) and around Madeira, the Canary end Cape Verde Islands. Inhabits coastal waters. PRESENT FISHING GROUNDS + Apparently of growing Importance in recent years. CATCHES, FISHING GEAR AND FORMS OF UTILIZATION: Separate statistics are not reported for this species. The catch of unsorted triggerfishes from the area totalled about 10 000 t in 1978. Taken with bottom trawls, in traps, fixed bottom ets and on handlines. Consumed mostly fresh, dried salted and smoked. The flesh is excellent. Also used for fishmeal and ol by offshore fishing fleets. Melichthye nigerBATRACH 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FISHING AREAS 34, 47 (in part) (EC. Atlantic) BATRACHOIDIDAE Toadfishes Small to medium-sized fishes easily recognized by their characteristic shape. Head broad and flattened, often with barbels and/or fleshy flaps around jaws; mouth large, terminal and slightly protrusible; rather strong Gifiolated teeth present fn jaws a well a5 OF TOCT of mouthy opercle and subopercle with spines. Glandular tissue may be present in the opercular region and in the pectoral fin axil gill openings small, restricted to sides of body. Fo rete anual tin, the Asse th? ord spines, the second longy ath Le te 75 Soe ayes anal fin somewhat shorter’ than second dorsely With [3 fo 25 G07C Taye} pectoral fins large and broad-based; pelvic fins jugular in Ra ere Sort spina and 1 to3 oof rays Sain scaled or naked. Lateral system very Wel! e¥SIOP05, Rana ine StReY Sngis or Multia; Swiblador clezed. Number of vertebrae ranging from 27 to 43. Colour: rather variables beck and sides usuelly brownish, often with spots, saddles, bars or other markings. Toadtishes are bottom-dwellere ranging from littoral areas to rather deep waters. They often hide in the sediment or in rock crevices. Although none of the species occurring in Fishing Area 34 are presently of Commercial importance, they sre taken in local artisanal or trawl fisheries and are used as food or in the production of fishmeal and oll. The spines may Inflict wounds to people handling these fishes. first dorsal fin with 2 ar 3 spines lateral eyes on top of head 1 Sent Shan sroent Sil geniog pelvic fin’enterior te pectoral fin-2- FAO Sheets BATRACHOIDIDAE SIMILAR FAMILIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Uranoscopidse: head rounded rather than depressed, the mouth strongly oblique, opening dorsally lll openings wide, not restricted to sides; first doreal fin with 4 or 5 spines (2 or 3'in Batrachoididae); anal fin base equal to or longer than second dorsal fin base (always shorter in Batrachoididae); pelvic fine with 1 spine and 5 soft rays (1 spine and 2 or 3 soft rays in Betrachoididac) Lophiidae: body and head more strongly depressed first dorsal fin spine modified into a Jong flshing rod with a fleshy bait. KEY TO GENERA OCCURRING IN THE AREA’: 1a A foramen (axillary pore) on upper part of pectoral axilla beneath upper edge of oper- cular membrane (Fig. 1a); less than 30 vertebrae serene 11. No foramen on upper part of pectoral axilla . Halobatrachus be 2a. A more or less funnel-shaped pocket (axillary pocket) present on upper part of pectoral axilla (Fig. 1b) « 2b. Pectoral axilla without a pocket 3a. Anterior nostril with tentacles (Fig. 2a); less than 30 vertebrae 3b. Anterior nostril tubular, without tentacles (Fig. 2b); more than 30 vertebrae = LIST OF SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE AREA: Fishing Areas 34, 47 (in part) Sor 5 aioe Ln sd Urenoscopidae 1 spine and 5 soft rays axillary pocket Perulibatrachus pectoral fin (folded forward) Chatrabus _b, Batrachoides Code numbers are given for those species for which Identification Sheets are Included BATRACH Batra 3 BATRACH Chate 1 BATRACH Halo 1 BATRACH Perul BATRACH Perul 2 Batrachoides liberiensis (Steindachner, 1867) Chatrabus damaranug (Baard, 1927) Helobatrachus didactylus (Schneider, 1801) Perulibatrachus elminensis (Bleeker, 1963) ‘Perulibatrachus rossignoll (Roux, 1957) ‘Applies to Eastern Central Atlantic species only anterior nostril Fig. 2 Prepared by C. Roux, Ichtyologie Générale et “appliquée, Muséum Notional Histoire Naturottey Parisy Draft_ material reviewed by B.B. Collette, NMFS Systematics Laboratory, NOAA, Washington, D.C, USA. Species illustrations provided by authorBATRACH Batra 3 1981 FAO SPECIES IDENTIFICATION SHEETS FAMILY: BATRACHOIDIDAE FISHING AREAS (Steindachner, 1867) 34, 87 (in part) (Ec. Atiantic) VERNACULAR NAMES: FAO: En - Hairy toadfish Fr - Crapaud poilu Sp ~ Sapo pelude NATIONAL DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS: Head broad, strongly depressed and regularly rounded anteriorly (but short filaments ao more aval in young), most of its surface covered with numerous short , simple {laments alving tt & "haley" appearance; underalde ot lower Jaw on each Ske Wiis double tow oF & maltibranched mentel berbels bordering groove pierced by 4 pores; each one of these lateral grooves followed posteriorly by @ ‘crest bearing tentacles; branched tentacles also present above upper jaw; eyes small; sides of head crossed by a longitudinal groove extending from anterior profile to operculer opines; anterior, as_well as posterior nostrils tubular, without erramentetion, the ferer ebenIng on & loshy Tantal Tabs abave Upper lip Z spines on Both opercle and subopercle; teeth in upper jaw in 3 or 4 Powe anteriorly Sad 7 oF 3 rows laterally; thaws in lower Jaw in 4or 5 rows anteriorly and a single row laterally; teeth on vomer and palatines (roof of mouth) strong and conical. First dorsal fin with 3 spines, second dorsal with 24 to 26 soft rays; anal fin with 21 to 25 soft rays; pectoral fins with 19 to 22 raye; glands present between 13 to TS pectoral fins rays. Two lateral lines, the upper Bending upward at level of {TOR dorsal fin ray, the lower bending downward et level of 7th anal fin ray, both lines thereafter running along fin bases to caudal finy upper lateral line with 30 to 4, the lower with 34 to 42 pores, each pore flanked by a palr of Stenched tontacloe. ‘Rumer af vertsbras? 33 to. Colour: rather variable, in preserved specimens ranging from dark to light brown, with usually 4 irregular brown cross bars on body; & brown spot between eyes, and sometimes other spots behind eyes.