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* STRANGE FISH IN CALIFORNIA WATERS That California is still ignorant of the vast resources of the sea is evidenced by the large number of tropical fish heretofore uuKnown in this state. coming to the State Fisheries Laboratory, at Long Beach. Fishermen in southern California are becoming interested in making new finds and are vying with each other in turning over to the Inborn -tory new and unusual fish for indentification . Among the rare unknown fishes which liave recently been identifed is a snipe fish, picked up on the beach at Avalon. Santa atalina Island, s,. called localise of the long slender snout at the end of which is found the small mouth. This fish was first named from one taken near Laysan Island, in the Hawaiian group, but the fish has a wide distribution, having been found in East Africa, the Indian Ocean. China and the Mediterranean. I nlike other rare fish taken in our waters, it is so small and slow moving that it cannot well be a stray from far distant waters. This heightens the interest very greatly, as it means the discovery of what may Ik- a new resident species. Another fish, known as the •runner." was taken last Spring off Cape San Lucas. Lower California. Although belonging to the same family as our yel-lowtail. it has never before occurred on the west coast of North America . A crested band fish, a rare and beautiful fish of strange form, was discovered swimming in the breakwaters at Long Beach on July 25. 1919. This strange fish is about four feet long, eight inches deep and only one and three-eighths inches wide. T e skin is smooth, without scales, except for a single row against the dorsal fin, and of a bright silvery color with purplish tints on the head. The eye is large, the mouth small, armed with small bristle-like teeth, and the fins are bright red. This is the first specimen which lias fallen into the hands of naturalists in America. In fact, it is so rare that probably not more than a dozen specimens have ever been taken. An Italian scientist was the first to discover and name the fish. Of equal interest is a deep sea monster, captured in the tine mesh nets of the fish and game commissions patrol launch "Alhacorc." So rare is the great mo.ithed. ferocious looking creature that it has no common name. It is known to scientists .is Idiacanthus antrostomus. This fish is about three inches long, jet black in color, and wormlike in form. A row of luminous spots are placed on each side. su|i]m sedly supplying light, for at the depth normally inhabited hy this fish there is little light. In MM a specimen was taken near Catalina Island at a depth of 603 fathoms, and closely related species have been taken in the niid-Atlantic at a depth of 2.750 fathoms. Th« plans for the new fisheries laboratory to be built at San Pedro call for an exhibition hall where these .-iii.l similar rarities of the deep sea may be exhibited to the public. The fact that corps of the states scientists are close at hand ready to identify the strange creatures captured by southern California fisherman assures a wider knowledge of the seass resources. — California correspondent to American Field.
