Forest and Stream, September 4, 1890

THE CAPE CHARLES TIGER.

Sea -- Finfish - Catch : Other fish

WE have received from Mr. Joseph Ragan, of Washington, many interesting fish notes from time to time, based upon his experience in the market. Just now he has brought to our notice a fish which he believes he saw for the first time about ten years ago at Cape Charles, where it has again made its appearance in large numbers, and now forms a notable portion of the supply of fresh fish in some of the Southern markets, and particularly in Washington. To the fishermen, according to Mr. Ragan, the species is known as the tiger, probably on account of the black half bands on the sides of the body. We have previously referred to this fish in writing of the fishes of the Gulf of Mexico as the amber jack (Seriola stearnsi of Goode and Bean). Dr. Jourdan has considered this species to be identical with the Seriola dumerili of the Mediterranean, a species which it resembles, but from which it may easily be distinguished. The Mediterranean amber jack has a shorter snout, larger eye, deeper body and a shorter soft dorsal fin; its upper jaw is much more expanded posteriorly than in the species named in honor of Mr. Stearns. Both forms occur on our coast and are to be found in the National Museum at Washington. The difference between them may be readily perceived even upon a casual examination. The amber jack or Cape Charles tiger is a beautiful fish, belonging to the family which includes the pilot fish, the pompano and the crevalles. It reaches a length of 30in., is shaped like a mackerel, is a swift and powerful swimmer and has excellent qualities as a pan fish. The young have five or six dark cross-bands on the sides and a golden streak along the middle of the body; a similar streak extends from the eye backward to the beginning of the soft dorsal. The upper parts are greenish and the belly light. The tail is deeply forked and beautifully variegated with yellow and dusky with white tips at the ends of the lobes. The specimens now so abundant in the markets are about a foot or less in length and very plump and inviting in appearance. So far as we know the species rarely occurs as far north as Cape Charles. It was discovered by the late Mr. Silas Stearns at Pensacola, Fla., in 1878. The young specimens have not previously been secure. According to Mr. B. A. Bean, who has tested the edible qualities of the tiger, the flavor resembles that of the Spanish mackerel, and there is no trace of the strong taste of the common mackerel.