The Postlarval Development of the Fishes of the Family Gempylidae from the Florida Current. I. Nesiarchus Johnson and Gempylus Cuv. and Val.

Sixty-two specimens of postlarval and juvenile gempylids, ranging in size from 3.5 to 254 mm standard length, mostly from the Florida Current, are described and fifteen are illustrated. The postlarval development of Nesiarchus nasutus Johnson and two morphologically distinct forms belonging to the genus Gempylus Cuv. and Val. are described. Food and vertical distribution of the larvae and spawning of these fishes in the areas of the Caribbean and the Florida Current are discussed.