The snappers are esteemed for the table.
Beneath the chin of the red mullets will be noticed two long finger-like processes; these can be thrust forward and moved about, or laid back in a groove between the sides of the lower jaw, and are used to rake about in the sand and gravel at the bottom of the sea to discover burrowing shrimps or worms. Even dead food they are said to feel with these barbels, as they are called, before biting. The red colour has been observed in the Marine Aquarium at Plymouth to become darker when the fish rise from the ground, and to pale away when they descend.
Two forms of red mullet occur in European waters, but it is not yet finally settled whether they represent distinct species. The one is the plain Red Mullet, of a rich carmine-red above and silvery white below; the other the Striped Mullet, or Sur-mullet, which has a beautiful red colour on the back and sides, and from three to five bright yellow bands passing from head to tail. Till recently the striped form was regarded as the female of the plain red mullet, but many authorities incline to the view that the two are distinct species.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.
RED SEA-BREAM.
Some species of sea-bream occasionally enter fresh-water.
The Sea-breams are fishes of the tropical and temperate regions, represented by a considerable number of species. Only one is at all abundant on the British coasts, and this occurs especially on the south and south-west coasts of England and Ireland. It is of an orange-scarlet colour above, and somewhat silvery on the sides, with a large black spot on the shoulder.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.