Prionotus punctatus, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. iv. p. 68.
FORM.—Well characterized by the form of the snout, which is very
obtuse, and as it were truncated, with scarcely any notch in the
middle; the margins of the lobes are crenated with minute denticles,
immediately beyond which is a small sharp spine directed backwards;
further on, almost immediately above the corners of the mouth, is a
second similar, but somewhat larger spine. There are also some
minute spines on the temples, as well as on the ridge of the
preopercle, besides the ordinary spines, common to other species,
which in this are all well developed and very sharp. Dorsal spines
smooth, or only the first with a faintly marked line of
granulations; third longest. Pectorals long, contained exactly two
and a half times in the entire length; when laid back, they reach to
within two rays of the extremity of the second dorsal. Free rays
rather slender and tapering, with the extreme tips pointed; not
above half the length of the pectorals. Ventrals rather longer than
the free rays.
D. 10—12; A. 11; C. 11, &c.; P. 13 and 3; V. 1/5.
Length 8 inches 9 lines.
COLOUR.—“Above and sides olive brown, with red spots and marks;
beneath silvery white; edges of the pectoral fins Prussian blue.”—D.
[Illustration:
_Fish. Pl. 6._
_W. Hawkins. del._
_Prionotus Miles. Nat. Size._
]
This species is said by Cuvier and Valenciennes to be common all along
the Brazilian coast as far as the mouth of the Plata. Mr. Darwin’s
specimen was taken swimming on the surface in the Bay of Rio de Janeiro,
and agrees well with the description by those authors. “When first taken
made a croaking noise.”—D.