Upeneus Prayensis, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. iii. p. 357.
FORM.—Very much resembling that of the _U. trifasciatus_, but with the
following differences. The eyes rather larger, distant from the end
of the snout rather more than two diameters and a half. Suborbitals
traversed towards their lower margins by a number of lines, each
terminating in a pore, and with their whole disks studded besides
with pores without lines: the lower margin itself presents four
distinct deeply-cut notches, the first of which receives the end of
the maxillary when the mouth is closed. A single row of small
conical teeth in each jaw; in addition to which, in the upper, there
are some stronger ones in front, exterior to the others, amounting
to eight in number, the central pair of which bends inwards or
towards each other, and the three on each side, which are the
strongest of all, backwards and outwards. No teeth on the vomer or
palatines. The posterior extremity of the maxillary is much narrower
than in the last species. Spine of the opercle sharp and well
developed, about two lines and a quarter in length. Barbules
reaching very nearly to the posterior margin of the opercle.
Ramifications of the mucous tubes on the lateral line very numerous.
Height of the first dorsal equalling rather more than half the
depth. Space between the two dorsals equalling half the length of
the second dorsal. This last fin pointed behind, as well as the
anal, but not so much so as in the _U. trifasciatus_. Pectorals when
laid back reaching to a vertical line from the extremity of the
first dorsal. Ventrals reaching a little beyond the pectorals, but
falling short of the anal by a space equalling half their own
length.
D. 8–9; A. 7; C. 15, &c.; P. 16; V. 1/5.
Length 8 inches.
COLOUR.—“Vermilion, with streaks of iridescent blue.”—D. In spirits,
the colour appears of a uniform dull reddish yellow, without any
indication of spots or other markings on the fins or body.
Habitat, Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands.
I suppose this to be the _U. Prayensis_ of Cuvier and Valenciennes, the
description of which, so far as given in the “Histoire des Poissons,” is
tolerably applicable. Those authors, however, mention a spot in the
middle of each scale of a deeper red than the ground colour, which is
not alluded to by Mr. Darwin in his notes, and of which I see no trace
on the fish in its present state. On the other hand they are silent with
regard to the blue streaks. In some of its characters, especially as
regards the teeth, this species seems to approach the _U. maculatus_;
but the colours are different in this last also, which is moreover found
on the opposite side of the Atlantic.