The Blackfish (Tautoga americana), is a fish caught on the American coast, especially in the vicinity of Long Island, whence large supplies are obtained for the New York market. Its back and sides are of a bluish or crow black; the under parts, especially in the males, are white. It is plump in appearance, and much esteemed for the table, varying in size from 2 to 12 lbs. Another fish, the Centrolophus morio found in the Mediterranean and on the coasts of Western Europe, is also called blackfish. It belongs to the mackerel family. In Scotland the term is applied to foul or newly-spawned fish. In America two species of small whale of the genus Globiocephalus also get this name. Research Blackfish
The blue-fish (Temnodon) is a sea fish common off the Atlantic coast of the USA. It is similar to the mackerel, but grows to one metre long. Also called the skip-jack, horse-mackerel and green-fish. Research Blue-fish
Coryphaena is a genus of fishes of the mackerel family (Scomberidae). The body is elongated, compressed, covered with small scales, and the dorsal fin extends the whole length of the back, or nearly so. The dolphin of the ancients is the Coryphaena hippuris. All the species, natives of the seas of warm climates, are very rapid in their motions, and very voracious. They are of brilliant colours. Research Coryphaena
The Dory or John Dory (Zeus faber),is a fish belonging to the mackerel family, celebrated for the delicacy of ita flesh. It seldom exceeds 45 cm in length, and is yellowish-green in colour with a blackish spot on each side, which, according to an old superstition, is the mark of St Peter's forefinger and thumb. The dory is found on the Atlantic shores of Europe and in the Mediterranean, The name John Dory is supposed to be derived from the French jaune dorw, golden yellow. Research Dory
Fins are the projecting- wing-like organs which enable fishes to balance themselves and assist in regulating their movements in the water. The fin consists of a thin elasticmembrane supported by rays or little bony or cartilaginous ossicles. The pectoral or breast fins are never more than two; they are placed immediately in the rear of the gill-opening on the shoulder. In a state of rest these fins are parallel with the body, and have the apex towards the tail. The ventrals, or abdominal fins, are placed under the throat or belly, and point downwards and backwards. They are smaller, in general, than the pectorals, and have sometimes long appendages. Those of the back, or the dorsal fins, point upwards and backwards, and vary in number from one to four, to which sometimes are added several finlets or pinnuioe - small appendages which are seen in the mackerel. The anal fins are situated behind the vent, varying in number from one to three, placed vertically, and, like the dorsal, generally deeper on the anterior margin. The caudal, or tail fin, terminates the body, and both propels the fish and serves as the rudder by which it steers itself. The pectoral and ventral are known as paired fins, and represent the fore and hind limbs of other vertebrates; the dorsal, anal, and caudal are median, vertical, or unpaired fins, and are organs peculiar to fishes. Research Fin
Flying fish is a name for several species of bony fishes in which the pectoral fins are lengthened and wing-like and serve to sustain the fish in its short flights through the air. Generally, however, the name is limited to the species of the genus Exocoetus, which belongs to the family Scomberesocidae (mackerel-pikes). The pectoral tins, which are very large, are the principal instruments in their flight, serving to sustain the fish temporarily in the air after it has acquired an initial velocity in its rush through the water. After taking off the flying fish flex their tail from side to side to provide extra propulsion. Flying fish can pass through the air to a considerable distance, sometimes as much as 180 metres, which it does to escape from the attacks of other fishes, especially the dolphin. It is most common between the tropics. The best-known species are Exocoetus volitans, abundant in the warmer parts of the Atlantic, and Exocoetus exiliens of the Mediterranean. Some naturalists subdivide the genus into several, characterized by the presence or absence of barbels. Flying fish lay their eggs on floating debris, spawning in large groups and producing masses of eggs which can sink small boats if they remain stationary for several hours. Research Flying Fish
The mackerel is any of various pelagicfish of the genus Scomber, and of several related genera found in the north Atlantic and Mediterranean. Species of
mackerel include the common mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and the Spanish
mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) which is found off the coast of American and is covered with bright yellow circular spots. Research Mackerel
The tuna or tunny (Thunnus) is the name of various marine, food fish of the mackerel family Scombridae, found in temperate and tropical seas. Tuna is common in the Mediterranean and occassionaly occur around the British coasts. They frequently grow to a length in excess of three metres. Research Tuna
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Blackfish
