. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. Fisheries -- United States; Fish-culture -- United States. FISHES OF THE GULF OF MAINE 483 fin (76 to 96 rays) originates in front of the middle of the left eve mid the anal (64 to 77 rays) abreast of the pectoral and close behind the gill opening. These long fins taper both toward the head and toward the tail, while there is a short, sharp, spine (the prolongation of the post abdominal bone) pointing forward close in front of the anal tin. The pectoral fin on the eyed side usually (not always) has one or two more rays and is longer and more rou
. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission. Fisheries -- United States; Fish-culture -- United States. FISHES OF THE GULF OF MAINE 483 fin (76 to 96 rays) originates in front of the middle of the left eve mid the anal (64 to 77 rays) abreast of the pectoral and close behind the gill opening. These long fins taper both toward the head and toward the tail, while there is a short, sharp, spine (the prolongation of the post abdominal bone) pointing forward close in front of the anal tin. The pectoral fin on the eyed side usually (not always) has one or two more rays and is longer and more rounded than its fellow on the blind side, but the two ventral fins, which are close in front of the anal though entirely distinct from it, are alike in size, shape, and location. The margin of the caudal fin is always convex, either rounded or with its middle rays so much the longest as to form a blunt angle. The lateral line is more clearly evident in the plaice than in most of our flatfishes and practically straight from end to end. Color.—Plaice run more uniform in color than most of our smaller flatfish, rang- ing from reddish to grayish brown, dark or pale, above and pure or bluish white below. Small fish usually show 3 to 5 dark spots along each edge of the body; large ones do so occasionally, though they are usually plain Fig. 243.—American plaice (Hippoglossoides platcssoidct) Size.—The maximum length is about 2 feet and they weigh up to 7 pounds. According to Huntsman (1918), Bay of Fundy and Nova Scotian fish average about half a pound at 12 inches, 1 >4' pounds at 16 inches, \% pounds at 18 inches, 2% pounds at 20 inches, 4 pounds at 22 inches, and 6 pounds at 24 inches, while Massachusetts Bay fish are about as heavy at corresponding lengths. Adults caught off Cape Ann and measured by Welsh ran from about 12 to 24 inches in length, averaging 14 or 15. They average slightly larger in the colder water of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Plaice tend to differ
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