iii
GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY OF MINNESOTA
HENRY F, NACHTRIEB STATE ZOOLOGIST

e

A PRELIMINARY REPORT

ON THE

-ISHES OF MINNESO’

ZOOLOGICAL | SERIES III

MARCH 1897
SAINT PAUL MINNESOTA

Mh,
Se Oe

BOARD OF REGENTS

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA,

The Hon. Joun 8. PILtsBuRy, Regent for Life, - - - - Minneapolis.
The President of the Board.

The Hon. DAvip M. CLoueH, Ex-Officio, - - - - - - Minneapolis.
The Governor of the State.

Cyzus Norturop, LL. D., Ex-Officio, - <= - - - Minneapolis.

The President of the University.
The Hon. W. W. PENDERGAST, M. A., Ex-Officio, - - - Hutchinson.
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Hon. L. 8S. SwENson, - - - - - Albert Lea.

The Hon. WILLIAM LiaGETT, - - - - - Benson.

The Hon. Jon P. HEATWOLE, oot 7 - = Northfield.

The Hon. GREENLEAF CLARK, M. A.,~ - - - - St. Paul.

The Hon. CusnmMan K. Davis, M. A., - - St. Paul.

The Hon. STEPHEN MAHONEY, B. A., - - - - Minneapolis,

The Hon. SYDNEY M. Owen, - - - - - Minneapolis.

The Hon. ALPHONSO BARTO, ee St. Cloud.

THE PIONEER PRESS CoO.,
St. Paul, Minn.
CONTENTS.

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
  

  

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Board of Regents ..........csseccesssccevesceccerses Webieas KebealecevemnveeT tenes sestesecies altace viene ii
Contents iii
Letter of Transmittal
PROLACE is cecciccnsssiesntiecossare
Plates sccsscinsteaceccedceee
Explanation of Plate....
Introduction............ seeteedaecnintis ae sss
Koy to the Classes cccsseccdsiaweravegecsnasasevacesueveaseeedessscesesacesseee: eeevereiseveve aves
Marsipobranchiil ............scccersesscccceseseeanon seeceewensoseeusaeaavessercesaeeceseussenserccsase
Hyperoartii ................
Petromyzonide.
Key tothe Pisces............
Selachostomi............
Polyodontide .......
Chondrostei..............65
ACl PONSOLIG G0. s350 35 soie0c Ge cccecoscevesesvacbacmes deca. su ceeters cues dadeteassaeseatecleesets
. Rhomboganoidea .............scceecseeees ota daveSadale at cie baa wopidunstelddeagiiensenetalewediatouaasens 14
-Lepisosteidz ... 14
Cycloganoidea........ : 15
AMI is ds anecsanscasehesinarsecsmeeanaeais ses gins bats deeasiie decade us cailssie stins eee veaissiene 15
Nematognathi.. 15
Siluride.... 15
Plectospondyli*. 20
Catostomide 20
26
41
41
TOS pond yl wcesescsessverseonsovenecesesnnnseccesswiscvsneevoseronse cosdertbecessnsysbsesscense rss 42
Hiodontide ..... ans wieé “ie ae ses 42
Dorosomidz..... tte sebewedawerersnveds cons ~Alticuaiievalgebnensates ier Sevaiwsse 42
Salmonide.... si din Gdis'ew didic ebb wulbre cp alsa etme sieeve oaeaeon einen Wea meal smees 43
Haplomi............. sereeesenes a Sriedieu Shee Sib eapesweuseceaRstenevemiee sa 48
Umbride... binw ech asiaai alsaiciatcird aaceamoere abaueaee pee seteaaae aaeakesusiwecw sana 48
LOChided, sieseccsesseeceoiascecevers isdeeoxwensiieaetnns aks i sew 48
PobChiid Bisevscseseeesssnsssene sever sssvcsoeseseacwtaeese susieetdcaaaParcecneeae cs 50
Hemibranchii..........cccccc0. nee crey saadetihectwaeecss saeaies se duagenaeitees 51
Gasterosteidz..... es sad Se asaaa aside cei gases sebeijseasls 51
ACANTHOPtETI.........csceeccenscnecceesenseseeeaseeeueees seesnoare oneeeesereetoeveeees -seeeee ones 52
Percopsid2.......cccessescceeeeceeseraee Migvedeaaes Suairev ard da cea disveetasseantuaanzaaceas’ 52
Aphredoderide ... é decease, 53
Atherinide........ ... 53
.Centrarchide ..... nee ae 54
Perch Bis iisssccscecevesscsseveasscevseeweses 6 66 62
Serranid ar... ....cccsecesceesatcenccseesenees es Fis os 72
Scizenidee. ee is si ea theses TS
CORED 88s cic spied sas oewed bis Saka chaet: eds sabsenin cated sete ananeeeseee dene monueseueenmeeeas 74
Gadide... 15
77
PREFACE:

The object of this bulletin is, 1. To state in a very brief way
most of the facts thus far ascertained concerning the fishes of the
state; 2. To indicate those inquiries concerning which information
is desired; 3. To stimulate those interested in the subject to assist
the zodlogist of the survey as far as possible in collecting data and
material for a final report.

It is hoped that by paying some attention to the lines of inquiry
noted below, correspondents in different parts of the state may fur-
nish the survey with facts and material that otherwise would be
lost. Full recognition of assistance will be accorded in the final
report. This final report, as planned, will contain as complete an
account as possible of the habits, distribution, structure, develop-
ment, classification, and economical bearings of our fishes.

Specimens can be sent frozen during the cold weather, and
during the summer months they can be shipped packed in salt or
sawdust and ice. They should be shipped promptly and should be
plainly addressed.

Correspondence is solicited in regard to:—

The abundance, distribution and disappearance of any of the
common fishes.

The contents of the stomachs of the large fishes.

Careful measurements and descriptions, following the plan of
this bulletin, of fishes that are little known.

Carefully tabulated data concerning any of the fishes here de-
scribed about which there is any question.

The facts concerning the breeding habits, the diseases, parasites
and enemies of the fishes.

Observations on other animals that bear a more or less definite
relation to the fishes.

Newspaper clippings and photographs concerning any unusual
fish.

In order to determine the adaptability of the lakes and streams
in the state to the various fishes it is necessary to know,* among
other things :—

 

*Consult a paper on the Investigation of Rivers and Lakes by Dr. B. W. Ever-
mann, Bull. U. S. Fish Com., 1898, p. 69, from which many of the points in regard
to observations on lakes have been taken.
VI PRELIMINARY REPORT

The area, depth and temperature of the water at various seasons
of the year, especially the highest and the lowest temperatures in
summer.

The thickness of the ice in winter and whether or not there are
constantly open air holes.

The purity of the water, whether it is free from organic and inor-
ganic impurities.

The nature of the bottom.

The kind of shores.

The source of the water supply.

The nature of the outlet.

Whether dams or other obstructions at the inlet or outlet or at
any other point may interfere with the migration of the fishes.

The rainfall of the region and the prevailing winds.

The species and abundance of aquatic plants and the abundance
of smaller animals, such as the Entomostraca, for example. Also
the species of trees, shrubs and other plants that are found on the
shores.

In a stream the velocity of the current and the rise and fall of
the stream should also be noted.

Detailed and accurate maps indicating the present or past con-
dition of lakes are very desirable.

This report consists of rather brief descriptions of the fishes
known at present to occur in the state, simple keys by which the
species may be determined and very brief notes on the distribution
of the various species. No attempt is made to give detailed notes
on the distribution, except where the species is thought to be rare,
and in several cases where the species is known to be very common
the distribution is indicated by a general statement. No originality
is claimed for the keys and descriptions, except in a few cases, they
having been adapted mainly from Jordan and Gilbert’s Synopsis
of the Fishes of North America; Jordan’s Manual of Vertebrates;
Jordan and Evermann’s Fishes of North and Middle America, of
which the first part has just been issued as Bull. 47 of the United
States National Museum, many of the proof sheets of which were
kindly loaned to me by Dr. Evermann; and from the various Reports
and Bulletins of the United States Fish Commission. Statements,
sentences and phrases have been used freely from all of the above
works without quotation marks. The descriptions, however, have
not been merely copied but have been verified in nearly all cases
by the examination of a series of specimens. In writing the de-
scriptions the order of the topics has been determined mainly by
FISHES. OF MINNESOTA vil

the thought of placing first and’ most conspicuous those points
which would first attract the eye of the untrained observer. This
method is somewhat unscientific in many cases, yet it is thought
to be best for this report, since it is intended for the use of persons
who have not had special training in this line. The nomenclature
and arrangement of the various classes, orders, families, genera and
species is that of the Fishes of North and Middle America referred
. toabove. The classes, orders and genera have not been character-
ized and the sub-classes have been entirely omitted.

There has been very little matter published concerning the fishes
of Minnesota. An occasional note is found in the Proceedings and
the Journal of the Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia; in
the Reports and Bulletins of the U. S. Fish Commission; and sev-
eral references are found in Agassiz’s Lake Superior. A paper on
Ichthyological Investigations in Western Minnesota and: Eastern
North Dakota by Prof. A. J. Woolman of Duluth has appeared as
a part of Part XIX. of the U. 8. Fish Commission, the proof sheets
of which were kindly loaned me by the Fish Commission. These
are all the sources of any importance from which information can
be gained except from the fishes themselves.

In the museum of the University there is a small collection of
fish which was made chiefly in the region of Minneapolis, and
classified in 1879 by Dr. T. S. Roberts, and a few specimens that
were collected by Prof. Hall, C. L. Herrick and others about the
same time or before. In 1891 Professors Nachtrieb and Lugger
with A. D. Meeds and A. Bothe made collections in the region of
Lake Vermillion. In 1892 under the direction of the Natural
History Survey a party consisting of A. Schneider, J. A. Crecelius,
F. B. Sumner and Clarke. Barrows made collections in Ramsey
County and in the region of Mille Lacs. In the same year,
under the direction of the U. S. Fish Commission, Prof.
A. J. Woolman and the writer made collections in Trav-
erse and Big Stone lakes and tributaries at Brown’s Val-
ley, Big Stone Lake at Ortonville, and the Minnesota River
and tributaries at Appleton and Montevideo. Mr. Woolman
continued the investigations along the Red River of the North and
its tributaries to the Canadian line. In 1893 under the direction
of the Natural History Survey a party consisting of F. B. Sumner,
John A. Crecelius, Clarke Barrows and C. H. Topping made ex-
tensive collections in the lakes of Hubbard County and the lakes
and streams at the headwaters of the Mississippi as far down as
Grand Rapids. Another party consisting of August Bothe, Geo.
D. Head, Frank Manson, and Clarence Whitman made extensive
VIII PRELIMINARY REPORT

collections near Brainerd in Cass and Crow Wing Counties. In
1894, under the direction of the U. 8. Fish Commission, the writer
made collections in the lakes in the vicinity of Worthington, Heron
Lake and some. small streams at Heron Lake, Wood Lake and the
Des Moines River at Windom and Lake Washington near Mankato.
The same season, under the U. S. Fish Commisson, Mr. Woolman
and I made colléctions in the Lake of the Woods and took some ob-
servations on Lake Superior; also collections on the Upper Missis-
sippi in the region of Deer River and Grand Rapids and on the St.
Louis River and tributaries at Floodwood and Stony Brook. In
1895, under the direction of the Natural History Survey, Mr. L. E.
Griffin and I made collections on the Western arm of Leech Lake
and its tributaries. I have made collections in the Minnesota and
Blue Earth Rivers and several lakes in the vicinity of Mankato
each season since the fall of 1891; considerable data and many
specimens have been collected in the region of Minneapolis at
various times; Prof. J. M. Holzinger of Winona has made a small
collection at that place and Prof. Woolman has collected at various
places in the northern part of the state and at various times but
the results of his later collections have not been published, so are
not included in the report.

Mr. F. B. Sumner classified and catalogued a large number of
the specimens collected by the Natural History Survey but very
much of this material had not been opened after being sent in from
the field until it was examined for this report. The material and
notes of the above collections form the basis of this work.

I here acknowledge my sincere thanks to Dr. B. W. Evermann
of the United States Fish Commission who, in addition to the loan
of many of the proof sheets of volume I. of the Fishes of North and
Middle America, has assisted in the identification of a number of
difficult specimens and has offered many valuable suggestions;
also to Prof. Henry F. Nachtrieb, State Zodlogist, for many favors
and directions in regard to the report.

U. 0. C.
MANKATO, MINN., Feb. 18, 1896.
LAS ay ss 4
pases
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Vee Re
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EXPLANATION OF PLATE.

Fie. I. The Common Perch. (Perca jflavescens.)
A. Anal fin.
C. Caudal fin.
I. Op. Interopercle.
M. Maxillary.
Op. Opercle.
P. Pectoral fin.
P.M. Premaxillary.
P. Op. Preopercle.
P. Orb. Preorbital.
S. D. Spinous dorsal fin.
Sfd. D. Soft dorsal fin.
S. Op. Subopercle.
Vv. Ventral fin.

Fia. If. Head of a Calico Bass. (Pomozis sparoides. )
S. M. Supplemental maxillary bone.

Fig. III. Common Red Horse Sucker. (Moxostoma aureolum. )
Isth. Isthmus. ;
G. U. Gill membranes united to the isthmus.

Fic. IV. The Common Perch dissected so as to show some of the internal organs.

A.B. Air-bladder.

G. Gills.

G. RK. Gill-rakers.

I. Intestine.

P.C. Three pyloric czca.
S. Stomach.

U. B. Urinary bladder.
INTRODUCTION.

ANATOMY.

Since this report is to be brief and preliminary only those points
concerning the anatomy used in determining the systematic posi-
tion of the different fishes will be considered. To arrive at these
points it will be well to study the common perch (Perca flavescens),
which abounds in all the waters of Minnesota. Besides being a
familiar fish, the perch represents a type with which we can com-
pare the anatomy of all our other fishes.

The fins on the back are called the dorsal. In the perch there
are two, a front or anterior one called the spinous dorsal, and a back
or posterior one called the soft dorsal. The spinous dorsal possesses
stiff, sharp spines called rays, while the soft dorsal possesses many-
jointed very flexible rays that do not end in hard, sharp points.
These fins may be near each other, as is the case with the perch;
they may be widely separated, or there may be but one and that a
soft dorsal, like the posterior dorsal fin of the perch. In some fishes,
cat-fish, white-fish and others, the posterior dorsal is simply a fatty
lobe, and it is then called the adipose fin. In a few of the cat-fishes
this adipose fin is continuous with the tail or caudal fin.

The caudal fin may be entire, said of it when the posterior edge
is about even, or forked, when the posterior edge is notched. When
the two lobes of the caudal are of about the same size it is said to be
homocercal, but when the upper lobe is larger and longer than the
lower lobe and has in it the continuation of the spinal column, the
caudal fin is said to be heterocercal, illustrated in the sturgeon.

The fin on the lower or ventral side of the body nearest the
caudal is the anal. It may be made up of soft rays entirely or of
both spines and soft rays, as it is in the perch. Its length, kind
and number of rays are often essential in identification.

The two fins just in front of the anal are the ventrals. These
may be placed far forward, as they are in the perch, when they are
said to be thoracic or jugular or they may be near the middle of the
belly, as in the suckers, when they are said to be abdominal.

The remaining fins are the pectorals. These may vary some-
what in size and location, but otherwise are about constant. When
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 3

the ventrals are thoracic the pectorals are generally situated on the
sides of the body, as is shown in the figure of the perch, but when
the ventrals are abdominal the pectorals are more ventral. The dor-
sal, caudal, and anal are sometimes called the vertical or unpaired
and the ventral and pectoral the paired fins.

The length of a fin is the distance along its base and the height
is the length of its longest ray.

The number of rays in any fin is indicated by the arabic numer-
als alone if soft, but, if it contains spines also, the number is repre-
sented by a combination of the Roman and the arabic numerals.
The number of rays in the dorsal fin of the perch would be indi-
cated thus: ‘XIII-I, 14, which signifies that there are thirteen rays
in the spinous dorsal, one spine and fourteen soft rays in the soft
dorsal. The number of rays is important in the dorsal, anal, and
sometimes the ventral, but not in the other fins.

The body may be covered with scales, as in the perch, or may
be naked, as in the bull-head. When the posterior edge of the
scales is smooth they are said to be cycloid, when. rough or toothed,
ctenoid. Most fishes have a modified line of scales, the lateral line, .
extending along the sides of the body. Each scale in this line ‘pos-
sesses‘a’ hole’or pore which is related to deeper lying sense organs.
The lateral line may be entirely absent or only partially developed,
and this is sometimes an essential character in the determination
of species. When curved downward it is said to be decurved. The
number of scales in the lateral line is often very essential. In
specific determination it is often essential not only to know this,
but to know the number of rows of scales between the front of the
dorsal fin and the lateral line, also the number of rows between
the lateral line and the vent. A hand lens will be necessary to
count the scales in some cases. In the description of the perch the
number of scales would be written thus: 5-55-17, which indicates
that there are five rows of scales above the lateral line (between
the front of the dorsal fin and the lateral line), 55 in it and 17 below
(between the lateral line and the vent). These numbers are not ab-
solutely constant and those given in the descriptions are generally
averages.

Just in front of the pectoral fins of the perch on each side of the
body are the gill openings. The posterior portions of the coverings
to these openings are the opercles, which name applies strictly to
the bones themselves (Fig. I., Op.).

Along the lower side of the opercle is the swbopercle (Fig. L., S.
Op.). In front of the opercle is the preopercle (Fig. I., P. Op.), which
4 PRELIMINARY REPORT

borders the cheek on its posterior and ventral edges and which in
the perch is toothed or serrate. Under the preopercle and in front
of the subopercle is the interopercle (Fig. I., 1. Op.) The bone just
in front of the eye is the preorbital (Fig. I., P. Orb.); the one just be-
low the eye is the suborbital, and this bone sometimes bears a bony
stay. which extends across the cheek towards the preopercle.

The mouth varies greatly in the different species of fish, but
that of the perch may be considered typical. Each side of the
upper jaw is formed by the premazillary bone which bears teeth.
(Fig. IL, P. M.). At the middle of the snout there is a backward.
projection on the premaxillary, and when this and the remainder
of the bone is fastened by the skin and muscles alone the pre-
maxillaries can be drawn forward, and are then said to be pro-
tractile. This character is often essential in identification. Back
of the premaxillary, on each side of the head, is the mawillary (Fig.
I., M.). This bone varies greatly in the different families. Thus
in the cat-fish family it is much absorbed and ends in a long fleshy
filament called a barbel, while in the perch it is well developed. In
the bass and sunfish there is an additional supplemental bone on
the upper side of the maxillary (Fig. I1., S. M.), the presence or ab-
sence of which is essential in determining the species of sun-fish.
The dentary (tooth bearing) bones form the lower jaw. The mouth
is said to be inferior when drawn down like that of the sucker,
horizontal when about on a line with the axis of the body, and oblique
-when opening at an angle like that of the perch and bass.

The thin membrane under the opercle and sub-opercle is the
branchiostegal membrane, and the curved bones in it are the branchi-
ostegal rays, which, in the perch, number seven. The number of
these rays is often an essential character. The narrow part of the
body near where the branchiostegal membranes of each side join
is called the isthmus and when the gill membranes are joind to it
(Fig. III.) thy are said to be united to the isthmus, as is the case in
the red horse sucker. When joined to each other and not directly
to the body, as in the perch, they are said to be free from the
isthmus.

For the reason that the size of the mature fish is an indefinite
thing most of the measurements used are comparative. The length,
however, is given and, when so, it is supposed to be the average
length of the mature fish. This length is the distance from the tip
of the snout to the base of the caudal fin, or end of the spinal column,
and not to the tip of the tail. Head.in length means the number of
times the distance from the tip of the snout to the posterior edge

 
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 5

of the opercle is contained in the length of the fish. Depth in length
means the number of times the greatest distance from the back, or
dorsal side, to the belly, or ventral side, is contained in the length
of the fish. Hye in head, the number of times the width of ‘the
entire eye is contained in the head, measuring from the tip of the
snout to the posterior edge of the opercle. Hye in snout, the number
of times the width of the eye is contained in the length of the snout,
measuring from the anterior edge of the eye to the tip of the snout.
Occasionally the length of spines, length of fins and also other parts
are compared with the total length and with other measurements.
The above expressions are often abbreviated as “Head 4,” which
means that the head is contained four times in the length of the
fish. A fish is said to be compressed when flattened laterally, as is
the case with the white-fish and even the perch, and depressed when
flattened from above, or dorso-ventrally. The head of the cat-fish is
much depressed. :

The heads of the various species vary greatly in other respects
than those already considered. There are always four nostrils,
the posterior and anterior on each side, being near each other or
well separated. In the cat-fishes the posterior nostril is accom-
panied by a barbel. In addition to the nasal and maxillary barbels
there may be barbels on the lower jaw. The snout in some fishes
is long and pointed, while in others it is blunt and rounded. It is
necessary to study the snouts in identifying minnows.

Besides the teeth in the upper and lower jaws already referred
to, some fishes have teeth on the vomer, a bone located under the
nasal openings in the front of the roof of the mouth, on the palatine
bones, which are located just back of the vomer, on the pterygoids,
which are located back of the palatines, and some on the tongue
itself. Teeth located in any or all of the above named places are
known as the ordinary teeth. In some fishes they are present on
all these bones, while in others on only a portion of them, and in
many there are no ordinary teeth at all, viz., the suckers and min-
nows. The perch has teeth on the upper and lower jaws and the
vomer. :

Fishes breathe by means of gills, the perch having four pairs
borne on the curved bones known as the gill-arches. Each gill is
composed of numerous fringe-like filaments through which the
blood circulates and comes in contact with the oxygen absorbed
in the water. The openingy between the gills are known as the
gill-slits. The one found behind the fourth gill in the perch is ab-
sent in some fishes. On the front and sides of the gill arches are the
6 PRELIMINARY REPORT

gill-rakers which vary greatly, in the different species of fish (Fig.
IV., G. R.). Occasionally the nature and the number of the gill-
cakers borne on the first gill arch is important in identification. If
a description should state that the gill-rakers were 5+15 this would
indicate that there were 5 above the posterior angle (Fig. IV., P. A.)
of the arch and 15 below it; if X+15 it would indicate that the
number above the posterior angle was indefinite and the number
below 15. The gill-rakers can be counted in most fishes by lifting
the opercular flap.

The bones of the fourth gill arch and those of the fifth arch are
modified and bear teeth, the former being known as the upper
pharyngeals and the latter as the lower pharyngeals. In the perch
these teeth are very numerous, fine, and set in several masses,
usually two masses in the upper and two in the lower. It is often
necessary to know the nature of the lower pharyngeal bones and
teeth in identification, especially in the suckers, minnows and sun-
fish. In the suckers these teeth are arranged in a single row on
each side, each row containing numerous teeth which are in some
species all of about the same size; in others the lower teeth are
very large, graduating to smaller ones as they proceed upwards.
In the minnows they may be either in one or two rows, but in any
case the outer row contains the largest teeth and scarcely ever more
than five of them. Teeth in this row may have developd on each
a grinding surface and in some species of fish they are hooked.

It will be necessary for those who expect to identify minnows
to make themselves acquainted with the different kinds of pharyn-
geal teeth. These teeth may be removed from a fish without mutil-
ating its general appearance by lifting up the gills and loosening
the nearest pharyngeal bone with a strong needle and lifting the
bone out. If the teeth are stout they may at once be freed from
the adhering fiesh with a needle or brush, but if they are weak, as is
the case with most minnows, the mass of the flesh had better be re-
moved gently and then the bone be laid aside until the remainder
dries; otherwise some of the teeth will be removed in the opera-
tion and the conclusion will be incorrect. The teeth in the second
row are very liable to’be broken in cleaning. In examining a fresh
fish some prefer to boil the bones with the flesh before attempting
to remove the latter. In describing the various species of fish the
pharyngeal teeth are generally indicated by a formula. Thus, 2,
4-5, 2 signifies that there are two teeth in the lesser row on one side,
four in the main row on the same side, five in the main row on the
other side and two in the lesser; 4-4 signifies that there are two
main rows with four teeth in each.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 7

In the sun-fish the pharyngeal bones are similar to those of the
perch and in the identification of this group of fishes much depends
on the sharpness of the pharyngeal teeth and the manner in which
they are massed together.

On the underside of the gill-flap, where the opercle joins the
preopercle, there are in some fishes a set of false gills called pseudo-
dobranchia. In most of our fishes these are small or even absent,
but in a few they are of family importance, -viz., the Serranide or
Sea Bass, represented by our white bass, Roccus chrysops.

The alimentary canal in the perch consists of the cesophagus,
stomach, small intestine and large intestine. The stomach, and,
in fact, the entire alimentary canal varies greatly in the differ-
ent orders and families of fishes. In the perch the small
intestine leaves the stomach toward the latter’s anterior end
and just at the beginning of the intestine there are three tube-like
appendages known as the Pyloric ceca (Fig. IV., P. C.). In the
white-fish the pyloric ceca are very numerous and in some fishes
their number is one of the specifie characters, viz., the wall-eyed
pikes (Stizostedion). It is generally considered that carniverous
fishes possess short intestines and herbiverous ones long intestines.
In certain minnows the length of the intestine is an important gen-
eric character, hence it is very often necessary to open the abdomen
and examine the intestine. In a minnow called the stone lugger
(Campostoma anomalum) the intestine is very long and coiled many
times around the air bladder. In a, few fishes there is a spiral ar-
rangement in the intestine known as the spiral valve.

The air-bladder is a sac, situated in the upper portion of the ab-
dominal cavity of fishes, which contains gases and which can be
compressed by the action of the muscles or allowed to expand and
thus regulate, in a measure, the specific gravity of the fish. In some
of the lower orders this air-bladder is cellular and connected by a
tube with the csophagus and, it is supposed, can be used to some
extent as a lung; but in most of our fishes it is not connected with
the exterior and is not divided into more than two or three divi-
sions. Occasionally the number of the divisions in the air-bladder
is essential in determining the genus, and in this case the abdomina’
cavity must be opened and the air-bladder examined

2
THE FISHES OF MINNESOTA.

KEY TO THE CLASSES.

A. No paired fins; skeleton not well developed; mouth a sucking
disk without jaws. 4% (Lampreys.) Marsipobranchii, 8*
AA. Paired fins and bony skeleton well developed. (True fishes.) Pisces, 10

class MARSIPOBRANCHIL. the tampreys.
Order HYPEROARTII.

Family PETROMYZONIDE. The Lampreys.

According to Theodore Gill the lampreys are not included with
the fishes, but are placed in a separate class, differing from the true
fishes in having very rudimentary skeletons. The body is long and
eel-shaped; mouth somewhat circular and beset with horny teeth
which point towards the center. On each side of the body just back
of the head are seven small, circular holes, the gill openings. There
is but one nostril, and that is located on the top of the head just in
front of the eyes; dorsal fin notched; a spiral valve in the intes-
tine. The young of the lamprey undergo a sort of metamorphosis.
Being so different from anything else the lamprey is easily recog-
nized. It migrates in the spring with the fishes and is often attached
to them. With its sucker-like mouth it can work its way into the
body of the fish and may even cause the death of its host. The
fish’s eye is the part often attacked.

*These numbers refer to pages.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 9
Genus ICHTHYOMYZON Girard.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF ICHTHYOMYZON.

A. Firat row of teeth above the mouth (supraoral lamina, or max-
illary tooth) two pointed (bicuspid); no bicuspid teeth on

the sides of the mouth. z i : i é concolor.
AA. First row of teeth above the mouth three pointed (tricuspid),
some of the teeth on each side of the mouth bicuspid. castaneus.

Ichthyomyzon concolor (Kirtland).

The row of teeth above the mouth consists of two cusps; row be-
low the mouth with 7 cusps; all the other teeth simple and ar-
ranged in about four concentric circles around the mouth. Head
contained 74 times in the length. Head with gills contained 43
times in the length. Fifty-one muscular bands between the last gill
opening and the vent. Color bluish, occasionally marked with
dark spots; a blue spot above each gill opening. Generally small
but individuals may reach a length of 12 inches. Very common
in the Lake of the Woods, where it is parasitic on the sturgeon and
other large fish. Twenty-eight fine specimens were taken in the
above mentioned region in 1894 (Nat. Hist. Surv.).

Ichthyomyzon castaneus Girard.

Three closely set teeth in the first row above the mouth; a row
of bicuspid teeth on each side of the mouth; 7 to 12 pointed teeth
in the row below the mouth; all other teeth simple and somewhat
hooked; teeth of this species a little longer than those of the next.
Dorsal fin continuous with the caudal but broadly notched. Color
somewhat yellowish, varying to brown. Length 10 inches. A speci-
men taken in 1853 by Dr. Geo. Suckley is listed from Galena, Minn.,
in the Rept. Pac. R. R. Surv., Fishes, p. 381, by Charles Girard.
The same is referred to in Jordan & Gilbert’s Synopala. see? it.
Three specimens of Lamprey from the Red Lake River are hmea
as Ammocetes branchialis by Prof. A. J. Woolman (Report U. 8.
Fish Comm., 1893, p. 369). I have examined one of the specimens
taken by Mr. Woolman, and it is evidently P. castaneus. Its
supraroral lamina consists of 3 closely set teeth, there is a row of
4 bicuspid teeth on each side of the mouth and the infraroral
lamina, (the row below the mouth) has 7 cusps. A poorly preserved
specimen was taken from the Minnesota River at Mankato in 1892
which seems to be this species.
10 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Class PISCES. The True Fishes.

KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF PISCES.

A. Vental fins present, abdominal.
B. Dorsal fins two, the anterior rayed, the posterior adipose.
C. Body not covered with scales; head with four to eight
barbels; dorsal and pectoral fins with a stout spine.
(Cat-fishes) Siluridze, 15
CC. Body covered with scales and withoat barbels or
spines.
D. Head not covered with scales; maxillary bones
distinct.
‘E. Scales ctenoid; margin of the upper jaw
formed by the premaxillaries alone.
(Trout-perches) Percopsidze, 52
EE. Scales cycloid; maxillary bones forming a
part of the upper jaw; stomach with many
pyloric ceca. (White Fish, Trout) Salmonideze, 43
BB. Dorsal fin single, preceded by several unconnected spines;
very small fishes. . 5 (Sticklebacks) Gasterosteidce, 51
BBB. Dorsal fins two, the anterior of three to eight spines; the
posterior of soft rays; anal spine one.
(Silversides) Atherinidee, 53
BBBB. Dorsal fin one, composed of soft rays only.
C. Tail with spinal column ending in its upper portion
(heterocercal).
D. Caudal fin forked.
E. Snout long, broad and shovel-like, nearly
one-half the length of the body. Body

naked. ‘ (Paddle Fishes) Polyodontidz, 12
EE. Snout shorter; body covered with bony
shields. . 2 (Sturgeons) Acipenseridz, 12

DD. Caudal fin not forked.

E. Jaws long, the sharp teeth conspicuous.
(Gar-fishes) Lepisosteidze, 14
EE, Jaws short, head thick; dorsal fin long.
(Dog-fish) Amiidee, 15
CO. Tail with the spinal column ending in its center,
lobes equal (homocercal).
D. Scales cycloid.
E. Head scaly.
F. Upper Jaw not protractile; its posterior
edge formed by the maxillaries.
G. Teeth unequal, coarse and sharp.

(Pikes; called pickerels in Minnesota) Luciidse, 48

GG. Teeth equal, weak and set close to
each other. (Mud Minnaws) Umbridsze, 48
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 11

FF. Upper jaw protractile; formed entirely
by the premaxillaries.
(Killifishes) Poeciliidze, 50
EE. Head without scales.
F. Gill membranes united with the isth-
mus; ordinary teeth absent.
G. Dorsal fin with less than ten rays;
pharyngeal teeth in one or more
rows, less than eight in the main
row. (Minnows) Cyprinidze, 26
GG. Dorsal fin with ten or more rays;
pharyngeal teeth in one row and

numerous. (Suckers) Catostomid ze, 20
FF. Gill membranes free from isthmus.

G. Lateral line present; tongue with
sharp teeth.

(Moon-eyes) Hiodontidz, 42

GG. Lateral line absent; mouth small

and toothless; stomach gizzard-
like. (Gizzard Shads) Dorosomidee, 42

AA. Ventral fins present, throacic or jugular.
B., Body covered with scales or bony plates.
C. Rays of the ventral fins I, 5.
D. Vomer with teeth.
E. Anal spines, one or two.
F, Anal rays, less than twenty. (Perch) Percidae, 62
EE. Anal spines, three.
F. False gills (pseudobranchia) on the
under side of the opercles small and
covered by skin.
(Sunfishes) Centrarchidze, 54
FF. Pseudobranchia well developed.
(Sea Bass) Serranidze, 72
EEE. Anal spines4to10. (Sunfishes) Centrarchide, 54
DD. Vomer without teeth.
E. Anal spines, one or two; a large slit behind
the fourth gill.
F. Lateral line extending on the caudal

fin; snout scaly. (Drums) Scizenidz, 73
FF. Lateral line not extending on the cau-
dal; snout not sealy. (Perch) Percidee, 62

CC. Rays in ventral fins not I, 5.
D. Dorsal fin of spines anteriorly; soft rays pos-
teriorly.
E. Vent far forward; ventral rays 7; dorsal
spines 3 or 4.
(Pirate Perches.) Aphredoderidez, 53
EE. Vent normal; ventral rays I, 1; dorsal spines
unconnected. (Sticklebacks) Gasterosteidz, 51
DD. Dorsal fin of soft rays only; dorsal and anal
free from the caudal. ‘ (Cod-fishes.) Gadidze, 75
12 PRELIMINARY REPORT

BB. Body scaleless, smooth or more or less prickly or warty.
D. Cheek (suborbital bone) with a bony stay.
(Blobs) Cottidze, 74

DD. Cheek without a bony stay; dorsal spines 4 to 6.

(Sticklebacks) Gasterosteidze, 51
AAA. Ventral fins absent.

B. Body long and snake-like; skin covered with elongate,
imbedded scales which are arranged at right angles
with each other. . ‘ : , (Eels.) Anguillidze, 41

‘Order SELACHOSTOMI.

Family POLYODONTIDA. The Paddle-fishes.

Body covered with rather smooth skin; snout prolonged into a
long, thin, paddle-shaped projection which is somewhat flexible,
and whose upper surface is somewhat reticulated. The mouth is
large; there is no tongue present and no barbels on the head. Tail
heterocercal. But one genus and one species found in North
America.

Genus POLYODON Lacépéde, Paddle-fishes.
Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). Paddle-fish. Spoon-bill. Duck-billed Cat,

A peculiar fish which is at once recognized by the long paddle-
shaped snout that reaches about one-third the length of the body;
skin on the opercle extending in a long narrow flap; gill mem-
branes connected, but free from the isthmus; teeth numerous but
small, disappearing with age; tail ‘heterocercal; gill rakers long
and in two rows; length six feet; color bluish or greenish; common
in the larger streams of the Mississippi valley. Its food is thought
to consist of the small life forms which it roots from the mud
with its paddle-shaped bill. Specimens have been taken in Minne-
sota from the Minnesota River at Mankato (Cox, 1894), and from
the Mississippi River at Minneapolis (Nat. Hist. Surv.).

Order CHONDROSTEI.
Family ACIPENSERIDE. The Sturgeons.

Body long, spindle-shaped, covered with bony plates, some of
which are small and flat, while others are keeled and arranged in
rows. The snout is usually somewhat triangular and projects
beyond the mouth. Mouth inferior, toothless, extensible for suck-
ing up food; four barbels in front of the mouth; gills four in num-
ber; tail heterocercal. There are no branchiostegal rays; head
covered with bony plates; gill membranes joined to the isthmus;
dorsal and anal fins inserted far back; air-bladder large. Two
genera and two species occur in Minnesota.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 13

KEY TO THE GENERA OE ACIPENSERIDE.

A. Snout not flat but rather conical; spiracles present; bony plates
not coming together on the tail; gill-rakers long and not
fan-shaped. 3 (Common sturgeon) Acipenser.
AA. Snout fiat, broad and slinvel dhaped: no spiracles present; bony
shields coming together and completely covering the tail; gill-
rakers fan-shaped. . (Shovel-nosed Sturgeon) Schaphirhynchus.

Genus ACEPENSER Linnzus.

Acipenser rubicundus Le Sueur. Lake Sturgeon. Rock Sturgeon.

Young with snout long, somewhat like Scaphirhynchus platoryn-
chus; bony shields much keeled with hooked spines; adult snout
comparatively much shorter than in the young; shields disappear-
ing with age on the lower parts and becoming smooth on the upper
surface; dorsal shields 11 to 16; lateral shields 30 to 39; ventral
plates 8 to 11; three shields in a single row between the anal fin
anc vent. Dorsal with 35 rays and anal 26. A large fish which
reaches a length of 6 feet and a weight of one hundred pounds. Two
mounted specimens are now in the museum of the University of
Minnesota whith were taken from the Mississippi River at Minne-
apolis. They abound in the Lake of the Woods, and are often taken
in Lake Superior. On portions of the Lake of the Woods sturgeon
fishing is the chief occupation, thousands of large fish Dente, taken
annually. i

Genus SCAPHIRHYNCHUS Heckel.

Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque). Shovel-nosed Sturgeon. White

Sturgeon.

Body rather long, tapering much toward the heterocercal tail;
tail flattened from above, continued in a long filament; bony shields
with a sharp ridge or keel; dorsal shields 15 to 20 in number; those
in the lateral line numbering 41 to 46, and those on the belly or
ventral surface 11 to 18. Specimens are often taken which are 5
feet in length. It has been taken in the Minnesota River at Man-
kato (Cox, 1898); in the Mississippi River at Winona (Holzinger,
1894); in the Mississippi River at Minneapolis (reported by fisher-
men), and further collection of data will, no doubt, show that it is
common, especially in the tributaries of the Mississippi.
14 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Order RHOMBOGANOIDEA.

- Family LEPISOSTEIDE.. The Gar-fishes.

Body slender, cylindrical, covered with diamond-shaped scales
which are very evenly distributed over the body; jaws long and
set with sharp, prominent teeth; upper jaw longest; vomer and
palatines covered with teeth; tongue toothless; nostrils near the
end of the snout; air-bladder somewhat lung-like and joined by a
tube to the cesophagus, thus aiding in respiration. Tail heterocer-
cal; pyloric ceca many. One genus and two species known at pres-
ent in Minnesota. :

Genus LEPISOSTEUS Lacépéde.
KEY TO THE SPECIES 0F LEPISOSTEUS.

A. Snout slender and more than twice the length of the head. . . osseus.
AA. Snout broad and not much longer than the head, without
snout. . 3 a 3 ‘ ‘ é . z . platostomus.

Lepisosteus osseus (Linneus). Common Gar-pike Long-nosed Gar. Bill-fish.

Snout more than twice the length of the rest of the head; large
teeth of the upper jaw in one row in the adult. Olivaceous on the
back and sides and pale below; vertical fins and the posterior part
of the body with circular black spots; young with a vertical black
stripe. Head contained three times in the length. Dorsal with
eight rays. Anal9. Ventrals 6. Pectorals 10. Lateral line with 62
scales. An interesting fish which reaches a length of five feet, and
is found in nearly every lake and stream in Minnesota. Specimens
have been recorded from the Mississippi River, Minneapolis (Uni-
versity 1874, 1880); Minnesota River, Ortonville (Woolman & Cox,
1892); Otter Tail River, Breckenridge (Woolman, 1892, Report U.
S. Fish Comm., 1893, p. 369), Lake Washington, near Mankato, very
common (Cox, 1894).

Lepisosteus platostomus Rafinesque. Short-nosed Gar.

Snout equal to or a little longer than the rest of the head;
much broader than in the preceding species. General characters
much the same as those of L. osseus. Head 34 in thelength. Depth
8. Dorsal with 8 rays. Anal 8. Ventrals 6. Lateral line with an
average of 56 scales. When mature, this species reaches a length
of 2 to 3 feet. But two specimens have been recorded from the
state, and these are in the University Museum. They were taken
from the Mississippi at Minneapolis, near the University.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 15

Order CYCLOGANOIDEA.

Family AMIIDE. The Bow-fins.

Body stout and covered with heavy, smooth edged scales; head
bluntish, bones of. the upper portion thick and strong. Mouth
rather large, horizontal; jaws with two kinds of teeth, the larger
and outer conical; vomer, palatines and pterygoids with small
teeth; anterior nostril with a barbel. Dorsal fin very long and not
high; tail heterocercal; air-bladder somewhat lung-like and con-
nected with the pharynx; no pyloric ceca. But one species known.

Genus AMIA Linnzus.

Amia calva Linneus. Mud-fish. Dog-fish. Bow-fin. ‘John A, Grindle.’?
Lawyer.

Color, dark olive; sides with dark reticulations; male with a
round black spot, which is edged with yellow, on the base of the
caudal fin; lower jaw with dark spots. Head 33. Depth 4 to 44.
Dorsal with 42 to 53 rays. Anal10to12. Lateral line with 65 to
70 scales. The female reaches a length of two feet, but the male
‘does not exceed eighteen inches. A very common and voracious fish
in all the Jakes and streams of Minnesota, especially the northern
part. Specimens have been recorded as follows: Lakes and
streams of the upper Mississippi, very common (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1892-3); Le Sueur River near Mankato (Cox, 1893).

Order NEMATOGNATHI.

Family SILURIDH. The Cat fishes.

Body somewhat elongated, and instead of scales, covered with
a soft, slimy skin; mouth broad, the upper jaw in front formed by
the premaxillaries; teeth numerous, slender and weak and ar-
ranged in bands; maxillary ending in a long barbel; six other bar-
bels on the head. In our species, two dorsal fins, the posterior adi-
pose. The dorsal and pectoral fins usually with a stout, sharp
spine; air-bladder large. Four genera and ten to twelve species
will be found in Minnesota.
16 PRELIMINARY REPORT

KEY TO THE GENERA OF SILURIDE.

A. Adipose fin conspicuous, its posterior margin free and not contin-
uous with the caudal.
B. Teeth on the premaxillaries arranged in a slight curve, the
ends of the band not extending back on the sides of the
mouth.
C. Bones of the head continuous with those at the base of
the first dorsal (determined by pressing gently on the
upper part of the body between the dorsal fio and the
head). Caudal fin deeply forked. (Channel Cat) Ictalurus, 16
CC. Bones of the head not continuous with those at the base
of the first dorsal (determined as in C).
(Bull-head) Ameiurus, 17
BB. Premaxillary band of teeth arranged in horseshoe-shape, the
ends extending back on the sides of the mouth; dorsal
spine little developed. : - ‘ s (Mudcat) Leptops, 19
AA. Adipose fin continuous with the caudal.
B. Band of teeth on the upper jaw with a backward extension

on each end. ; ; (Stone Cats) Noturus, 19
BB. No backward etsnnion: at tiie ends of the band of teeth on
the upper jaw. ; : . ; (Mad Toms) Schilbeodes, 19

Genus ICTALURUS Rafinesque.

Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). Channel Cat. Silver Cat. White Cat.

Barbels long, color light olive; lighter on the sides; scarcely
ever dark like the bull-heads; generally covered with dark, circu-
lar spots; body rather slender; spines large, strong and sharp, the
pectoral serrate behind; eye large, located about midway between
snout and the end of the opercle. Mouth small; head contained
four times in the length; depth 5. This fish reaches a length of
three feet and a weight of 20 to 25 pounds. It is reported by Mr.
Cram as common in the Minnesota River near Mankato each
spring. It is no doubt common in all the large streams in the state.
It has been taken in the Red River of the North at Moorhead and
at Grand Forks (N. D.); in the Otter Tail River at Breckenridge and
Red Lake River at Grand Forks (N. D.) and Crookston (Woolman,
1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 17

Genus AMEIURUS Rafinesque.

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF AMEIURUS.

A. Caudal forked.
B. Anal with 25 to 35 rays. : ‘ - : : lacustris, 17
AA. Caudal not forked, generally rounded
B. Anal rays, including rudiments, 22 to 27, base of the anal fin

more than one-fourth the length of the body. : . natalis, 17
BB. Anal rays 15 to 22; base of anal fin contained 4 to 5 times
in the body.
C. Lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. . 3 vulgaris, 18

CC. Lower jaw not projecting beyond the upper.
D. Anal rays more than 20; pectoral spines contained

2 to 24 times in the head.. 3 ‘ . nhebulosus, 18
DD. Anal rays less than 20 (17 to 19); pectoral spines
contained 2} to 3 times in the head. : i melas, 18

Genus AMEIURUS Rafinesque.

Ameiurus lacustris (Walbaum). Great Cat-fish. Great Fork-tailed Cat.
Mississippi Cat. Florida Cat. Cai-fish of the Lakes. Flannel-mouthed Cat.
Dark slaty-blue, growing darker with age; interruption between

the bones of the head and base of the first dorsal but slight; body
more slender than the others of this genus, but somewhat heavier
than Ictalurus punctatus; head depressed; eye moderate, in front
of the middle of the head; barbels long, colored black; caudal fin
deeply forked. Head contained four times in the length of the
body. Depth 5. Dorsal I, 5 or 6 rays. Pectorals, I, 9. Anal
long, with 25 rays. One of the largest fishes, reaching a weight of
one hundred pounds or more.

So far I have no definite record of the occurrence of this fish in
Minnesota, but as cat-fish of this description have been reported by
fishermen and as this state is evidently within its range there is
but little doubt that it has been taken in the larger streams, es-
pecially in the Mississippi.

Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). Yellow Cat.

Color varying from yellowish to greenish or blackish; body
heavy and short; head short and broad; mouth wide; anal rays 24
to 27; base of the anal fin more than } the length of the body.
Length 15 inches. This is considered a very variable fish, and pres-
ent information indicates that it is not very common in Minne-
sota. The number of anal rays is the chief characteristic which
distinguishes it. Specimens in the University Museum were taken
as follows: Lake Johanna, Ramsey Co., and Spirit Lake, Aitkin
Co. (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892); Lake Kilpatrick, near Gull Lake, sev-
eral reported (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893).
18 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson).

Lower jaw projecting beyond the upper; color dark brown or
even black on the upper parts and sides; lower parts lighter; anal
fin with 18 to 22 rays, its base contained 4 to 5 times in the body;
lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. Body moderately elon-
gated; head somewhat longer than broad; mouth large and wide;
maxillary barbels long; back considerably elevated; head con-
tained 34 to 4 times in the length. Pectoral spines contained 24
times in the head. Depth contained 44 to 5 times in the length.
Length 18 inches. This fish is probably common in most of the
waters of Minnesota and is distinguished from the others of the
genus chiefly by the number of rays in its anal fin and by its project-
ing lower law. Specimens have been taken in Lake Amelia, near
Ft. Snelling (Collected by Dr. Geo. D. Suckley and described as
Pimelodus ailurus by Chas. Girard, U. S. Pac. R. R. Explorations,
Fishes, 1858, 210); Lake Minnetonka (C. H. & T. S. Roberts, 1879);
Minnehaha Creek, Minneapolis and Fish-hook Lake, Hubbard Co.
(Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892).

Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common Bull-head. Horned Pout.

Color varying from yellowish to black; anal fin with 21 to 22
rays, its length contained four times in the body; upper jaw usually
longer than the lower; pectoral spine contained 2 to 24 times in the
head. It reaches a length of 18 inches. Not very common in Min-
nesota, as far as present observations have gone. It can be dis-
tinguished from the following only by its anal fin and the length
of its pectoral spines.

Three specimens were taken in the Blue Earth River, Mankato
(Cox, 1891); Red River of the North and tributaries, several (Wool-
man, 1892, Report U. 8S. Fish Comm., 1893, p. 369).

Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque).

Color usually black; body stout; head flat; anal fin shorter
than in the preceding, its rays 17 to 19 and light colored; its length
contained five times in the body; jaws about equal; young slender,
growing heavier with age.

Very common in all the waters of Minnesota. Specimens have
been taken from Basset’s Creek, Minneapolis (T. 8. Roberts, 1879);
Big Stone Lake and the Upper Minnesota River (Woolman & Cox,
1892); lakes and streams of the Upper Mississippi, common (Nat.
Hist. Sury., 1892-3); streams and lakes near Mankato, also South-
western Minnesota (Cox, 1892-5); Lake of the Woods, St. Louis
River and Upper Mississippi (Woolman & Cox, 1894).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 19

Genus LEPTOPS Rafinesque.
Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque). Mud Cat. .Flat-head Cat. Russian Cat.

Yellowish, mottled with brown; head much depressed; lower
jaw longer than the upper; premaxillary band of teeth with back-
ward processes; dorsal spine weak and not ending in a sharp point;
anal fin with 12 to 15 rays. A large fish which sometimes reaches
a weight of 50 to 75 pounds. .

_ No definite record of its occurrence in Minnesota has been made
so far, but it has probably been taken in the Mississippi River and
other large streams, as large cat-fish resembling this have been re-
ported by fishermen.

Genus NOTURUS Rafinesque.

Noturus flavus Rafinesque. Stone Cat.

Color uniform yellowish brown; body rather slender; head flat
and broad; tail compressed; head contained 44 times in the length;
barbels short; dorsal spine long; pectoral spine serrate in front,
its teeth pointing towards the body. Anal rays 16.

A fish that reaches a length of 12 inches. It is not common in
Minnesota so far as known. One specimen has been recorded from
the Blue Earth River at Mankato (Cox, 1893). Several were seen
in the same river a year later.

Genus SCHILBEODES Bleeker.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF SCHILBEODES.

A. Pectoral spine smooth on its posterior edge, but with a longi-

tudinal groove; adipose fin not notched. : : . gyrinus, 19
AA. Pectoral spine with spines on serre (serrate) on its posterior
edge; adipose fin somewhat notched. 3 : 5 exilis, 20

Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchill).

Adipose fin continuous with the caudal; color varying from yel-
lowish brown to almost black above, darker below; some longitu-
dinal dark streaks. Pectoral spine smooth, but with a long longitu-
dinal groove on the posterior edge, smooth on the anterior edge,
contained 2 times in the head; in general, spines stout and rather
long. Anal fin with about 13 rays. Length 5 inches.

A‘ fish similar in habits to the 8. ewilis. Quite common in Min-
nesoeta, but not generally distinguished from the young of Ameiurus
melas or A. nebulosus. It can be told at once from these by its adi-
pose fin. Specimens are recorded from the streams and lakes of the
20 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); Pomme de Terre
River, Appleton, and Chippewa River, Montevideo (Woolman & Cox,
1892); Red River of the North and tributaries (Woolman, 1892,
Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893, p. 369); Upper Mississippi (Wool-
man & Cox, 1894).

Schilbeodes exilis (Nelson).

Adipose fin continuous with the caudal; color dark brown or
blackish; pectoral spine roughish in front, serrate on its posterior
edge; head rather small and not much depressed; jaws abbut
equal; dorsal spine not high and inserted midway between the tip
of the snout and front of the anal fin. Length four inches. Found
in rivers under stones. Either not common or because of its pe-
culiar habits has not been observed. One specimen has been taken
in the Blue Earth River at Mankato (Cox, 1898).

Order PLECTOSPONDYLI.

Family CATOSTOMIDE. The Suckers.
Body generally elongate, in some species much compressed, ©
while in others heavy and depressed; covered with smooth-edged
scales; head scaleless; no barbels; mouth varying in size, but
always so constructed that it can be drawn out to a considerable
extent, thus enabling the fish to take food from the bottom of the
stream or lake. No teeth in the jaws; pharyngeal bones set with
numerous teeth which are somewhat similar to a comb. Gill mem-
branes united to the isthmus; dorsal fin contains many soft rays;
no spines; caudal fin forked; ventral fins inserted far back on the
abdomen; pectoral fins inserted on the lower part of the body. In-
testine long; air-bladder large and in two or three parts. Five
genera and eleven species are known at present in Minnesota.

KEY TO THE GENERA OF CATOSTOMIDE.

A. Dorsal fin long, its rays 25 to 50; air-bladder in two parts.
B. Top of the skull with a soft spot (fontanelle), (determined by
pressing on the part); scales rather large, 34 to 42 in the
lateral line.

C. Mouth large, terminal, protractile forwards. .  Ictiobus, 21
CC. Mouth small, inferior, protractile downward. Carpiodes, 22

BB. Top of the skull without a fontanelle, scales rather small,
about 56 in the lateral line. ‘ 3 ‘ ‘ . Cycleptus, 23

AA. Dorsal fins short, its rays 10 to 18.
B. Scales small (48 to 100 in the lateral line); air-bladder in
two parts; pharyngeal teeth small.
(Fine-scaled Suckers) Catostomus, 24
BB. Scales large (less than 48 in the lateral line); air-bladder
in three parts; pharyngeal teeth increasing in size down-
wards. j 5 : : ‘ - (Red-horse) Moxostoma, 25
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 21

Genus ICTIOBUS Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF ICTIOBUS.

A. Mouth large, protractile forwards; lips thin... 5 j cyprinella.
AA. Mouth smaller, protractile downwards; lips rather thick. ‘4 bubalus.

Ictiobus cyprinella (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Common Buffalo-fish. Red-
mouthed Buffalo.

Body heavy, compressed but only moderately so for a buffalo,
back much curved; head large and thick; mouth nearly horizon-
tal, large and constructed as to be drawn forward rather than
downwards; lips little developed; pharyngeal teeth weak; air-
bladder in two parts; opercle coarsely striate and large; color of
both body and fins dark; scales large, 7-37 to 41-6. Head contained
34 times in the body. Depth 3 in the length. Dorsal fin with 27
to 29 rays. Anal 9. Length 3 feet. A fish which when mature
weighs from 20 to 40 pounds. Rather common in the large streams
and some of the lakes. A specimen was examined in the hotel at
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in August, 1894, by Woolman & Cox,
which had been taken in the vicinity and which weighed thirty
pounds; a buffalo which is probably this species was reported very
common in Big Stone Lake in 1892. Many interesting reports are
heard of the immense numbers of large buffalo that have been seen
and taken in Lake Washington near Mankato during the spawning
season, and the same report comes from the Okabena lakes at
Worthington. Whether the fishes referred to in these reports were
Ictiobus cyprinella is uncertain, but the probabilities are that they
were this species.

Note—The specific characters of the buffalo are as yet rather
uncertain, and the number collected in Minnesota so far is quite
small, consequently the descriptions given here may need altera-
tion after further collection and study.

Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque). Sucker-mouthed Buffalo. Small-mouthed

Buffalo.

Mouth smaller than in the preceding and capable of being drawn
downward rather than forward; body more compressed than in
the preceding; back much elevated; head not very blunt; pharyn-
geal teeth rather strong, increasing in size downward; longest
dorsal ray longer than the base of the dorsal fin. Color dark or
dusky, but the fins not darker than the body. Eye 4 to 5 in the
head. Head 4in length. Depth 2%. Dorsal with 29 rays. Scales
8-39-6. So far as known specimens have been taken only in the
Minnesota River at Mankato (Cox, 1892), but it is probably common
in the larger streams and possibly some of those referred to under
I. cyprinella are this species.
22 PRELIMINARY REPORT
Genus CARPIODES Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF CARPIODES.
A. Back not small elevated, depth about 3 in length; lips thin, the
halves of the lower lip meeting at a wide angle. s . carpio, 22

AA. Back considerably elevated, depth about 23 in length.
B. Lips thin, silvery white in life, the halves of the lower lip

meeting at a wide angle as in C. carpio. é . . difformis, 22
BB. Lips thick, reddish in life, the halves of the lower lip meet-
ing at an acute angle. ‘ . ; , : . . velifer 23

Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque). Carp Sucker.

Lower pharyngeal bones narrow, the teeth weak. Coloration,
light silvery, sometimes brassy, some scales occasionally brownish
at the base. Back compressed and not so much elevated as in the
preceding species; head rather short, contained 4 to 5 times in the
length of the body; first rays of the dorsal fin short, longest rays.
% to 3-5 the length of the dorsal, never extended in long filaments,
thickened at the base so as to be quite stiff in the adult; front of
dorsal fin nearer the snout than the base of the caudal; caudal fin
forked; snout a little longer than the width of the eye, not project-
ing far beyond the mouth. Eye 44 to 5 in the head. Head 4 in
length. Depth 3. Dorsal fin with 25 to 30 rays. Scales 7-37-5.

Many small specimens were taken in the Minnesota River at
Ortonville which are thought to be this species (Woolman & Cox,
1892); a specimen in the University Museum was taken from the
Mississippi River at Minneapolis (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893). Further
collections will probably prove it to be common, especially in the
streams of the Mississippi system.

Carpiodes difformis Cope.

Snout very blunt, the front of the lower jaw about even with
the front of the eye socket, the maxillary bone extending back to
the anterior edge of the eye; nostrils inserted very near the tip
of the snout; eye large, contained 34 to 4 times in the head. Lower
lip (\-shaped below. Head contained in the length 4} times. The
back considerably elevated and the depth less than half the length.
Scales 6-35-4. Dorsal fin very high and averaging 24 rays, its first
ray inserted nearer the snout than the base of the caudal fin.

Not common in Minnesota and further study and collections
are needed to determine its distribution. Several small specimens
have been taken in the Blue Earth River at Mankato (Cox, 1892).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 23

Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quill-back. Spear-fish. Skim-back. River Carp.

Body much arched above. First rays of the dorsal fin long and
filamentous, often as long as the base of the fin; snout conical pro-
jecting beyond the mouth, obtusely pointed, anterior nostril behind
the front of the upper lip, farther from the tip of the snout than
half the diameter of the eye; lower lip A-shaped below.

Coloration generally bright; eye moderate, contained four to five
times in the head. Head 33 to 4. Depth 24 to 3. Dorsal with 26
rays. Scales 7-35-5.

Several specimens have been taken from the Minnesota and Blue
Earth Rivers at Mankato (Cox, 1892-3). Pomme de Terre River,
Appleton, abundant (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm.,
1893, p. 356).

Genus CYCLEPTUS Rafinesque.

Cycleptus elongatus (Le Sueur). Black Horse. Gourd-seed Sucker. Mis-
souri Sucker.

Head very small and slender; eye small and located well back
from the tip of the snout; mouth entirely inferior and small; snout
projecting beyond the mouth; the upper lip thick, covered with 3
to 5 rows of tubercles; the lower lip of moderate size. Pharyngeal
teeth well developed and increasing in size downward, not very
close to each other. Body rather long and not compressed for
fishes of this genus; back not greatly elevated. Head contained
6 to 84 times in the length, covéred with tubercles in the spring
males. Depth contained 4 to 5 times in the length. Scales 55 to
60 in the lateral line, which is nearly straight and well developed.
Seventeen rows between the dorsal and ventral fins. Dorsal fin
with 30 rays. Anal 7 or 8. Eye small, contained 6 or 7 times in
-the head. Length 24 feet.

Probably common in the streams of the Mississippi system, but
the only record of its occurrence in the state is in the museum cata-
logue of the University of Minnesota where a specimen is recorded
as having been taken by W. H. Chambers at Minneapolis, May 15,
1880. Some of the specimens in the museum were destroyed by fire
in December, 1889, and this was, no doubt, among them, as it can-
not now be found. It should be looked for in collections from the
Mississippi River.

3
24 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus CATOSTOMUS Le Sueur.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF CATOSTOMUS.

A. Seales very small, about 100 in lateral line. ‘ , ecatostomus, 24
AA. Scales about 65 in the lateral line. ‘ : . commersonii, 24
AAA. Scales 48 to 55 in the lateral line. . ‘ F : . nigricans, 25

Catostomus catostomus (Forster). Northern Sucker. Long-nosed Sucker.

Body long and slender; head also long and slender, flat above;
a Jong and tapering snout which overhangs the large mouth; upper
lip thin with two to four rows of papille; anterior edge of lower
jaw rather hard; eye small and inserted back of the middle of the
head. Scales small, 95 to 114 in the lateral line. Dorsal with 10
o1 11 rays. Head contained 4} to 43 times in the length. Depth
4+ to 4% in the length.

The spring males have the head and anal fin covered with tuber-
cles and a rosy lateral band.

This is probably a common fish in the streams and lakes of the
northern part of the state, but at present it is known only from the
mouth of Rapid River, a southern tributary of the Rainy River
from the Red Lake Indian Reservation, where it is quite common
(Woolman & Cox, 1894).

Catostomus commersonii (Lacépéde). Black Sucker. Common Sucker. Fine
Scaled Sucker.

Color very variable, being sometimes quite dark, hence giving
rise to the name, black sucker, and again specimens will be found
that are quite light, and in certain localities these are termed white
suckers; generally dark olivaceous on the back, lighter below,
males rose tinted on the sides in spring. Head large; snout coni-
cal, extending but little beyond the mouth; mouth large, the lips
covered with papille; scales small, smaller forward, 10-64 to 70-9..
Head contained 4 to 44 times in the length. Depth 4}. Dorsal
with 12 rays. Length when mature 18 inches.

Common in all our lakes and streams. Specimens have been
recorded from Vermillion Lake, St. Louis Co. (Nat. Hist. Surv.,

1891); the stream and lakes in the vicinity of Mankato and South-
western Minnesota (Cox, 1891-5); Big Stone Lake, Upper Minnesota
River and tributaries (Woolman & Cox, 1892); Mantrap Lake, Up-
per Mississippi River from its source to Grand Rapids, with its
tributaries; Gull Lake and tributaries; Mille Lacs and tributaries
(Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); Lake of the Woods, Lake Superior, St.
Louis Rivers and Upper Mississippi, in the region of the Deer River
and Grand Rapids (Woolman & Cox, 1894).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 25

Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog Sucker. Stone Roller. Stone Lugger.
Stone Toter. Hammer Head. Crawl-a-bottom. Hog Molly. Hog Mullet.

Back with several dark, irregular cross-blotches; lower parts
white; lower fin sometimes tinged with red; young more mottled
than the adult. Head large and flattened above; lips thick and
large, papillae numerous. Dorsal with 10 to 11 rays. Pectoral fins
very large. Scales small, 48 to 55 in the lateral line. Length 2
feet.

Probably common in Minnesota, but so far it has been noted

only in the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers at Mankato (Cox,
1892-3), where it is very common. The writer once saw a school of

several hundred quite large ones in the Blue Earth River at the
above place. The young resemble very much those of the C. com-

mersonii, but can be distinguished from them by the smaller number
of scales in the lateral line, the mouth and head, and the mottled
markings,

Genus MOXOSTOMA Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF MOXOSTOMA.

A. Dorsal fin large, 15 to 18 developed rays. : ‘ 7 . anisurum.
AA. Dorsal fin smaller, 12 to 14 developed rays. . : . zi aureolum.

Moxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque). White-nosed Sucker.

Color somewhat lighter than the following; body rather heavy,
compressed; lips rather thin; the two edges of the lower lip form-
ing an A-shaped angle where they come together. Dorsal fin
large, its rays 15 to 18, free edge straight, the first ray equaling the
length of fin. Upper lobe of the caudal longer than the lower. It
can be distinguished from the following by the caudal and dorsal
fins.

Not common in Minnesota. One specimen has been taken from
the Des Moines River at Windom (Cox,. 1894).

Moxostoma aureolum (Le Sueur). Red Horse. Mullet. White Sucker.

Large Scaled Sacker.

Olivaceous on the back, shading to silvery on the sides, lower
fins red in the adult; head flattened above; mouth large; lips
thick; eye large. Dorsal fin with 12 to 14 rays, its edge nearly
straight and its first ray shorter than the head. Anal with seven
rays. Scales large, 5-45-4. Head contained 4 to 5 times in the
length of the body. Length 2 feet.

Very common in the lakes and rivers of Minnesota. Specimens
have been recorded from the lakes and streams of the Upper Mis-
sissippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-35; Woolman & Cox, 1894); lakes
26 PRELIMINARY REPORT

and streams in the vicinity of Mankato and in Southwestern Minn.
(Cox, 1891-5); Big Stone Lake and the Upper Minnesota River and
tributaries (Woolman & Cox, 1892); Red River of the North and
tributaries (Woolman, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893); Lake
of the Woods and tributaries (Woolman & Cox, 1894).

Family CYPRINIDE. The Minnows.

Head scaleless, lips thin, mouth never sucker-like. Anal fin
short; dorsal with not more than ten rays; ventral fins inserted
far back on the abdomen, jaws toothless; sometimes 2 to 4 barbels,
but these generally absent. Pharyngeal teeth well developed and
important in noting specific characters, the number of pharyngeal
teeth small, arranged in one or two rows; no adipose fin; air-blad-
der usually large and in two parts.

Nearly all fishes of small size, the number of species being very
large and difficult to determine, owing to their likeness in structure,
eclor and other characters. In the spring the males of many spe-
cies assume rich colors which they do not have at other times;
their snouts become covered with tubercles and, in some species,
more blunt and are thus so disguised that they are thought by
many fishermen to be different species. Every collector has lis-
tened to the description of some “peculiar” fish which is said to have
been found but once or twice in the given region, and then only in
spring time, which fish usually proves to be none other than the
common “Blunt-nosed Minnow,” Pimephales notatus, which was ar-
rayed in its breeding costume. The cultivated Carp (Cyprinus
carpio Linnzus) and the Gold-fish (Carassius auratus Linnzus),
both of which have been introduced from Europe, belong to this
family.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 27

KEY TO THE GENERA OF CYPRINIDE.

A. Intestine very long and wound many times around the air-
bladder. : 5 Campostoma, 28
AA. Intestine not wound aamind fhe siccbisdtters air-bladder in the
upper portion of the abdominal cavity.
B. Digestive canal long, usually more than twice the length
of the body; inside coat of the abdominal wall usually
black; pharyngeal teeth one rowed, the grinding surface
well developed.
C. Pharyngeal teeth 5-5 or 4-5; dorsal fin inserted behind
the ventrals; scales very small; lateral line incomplete.
‘« Chrosomus, 28
CC. Pharyngeal teeth 4-4; dorsal fin inserted over the
ventrals; scales rather large.
D. Less than 15 scales before the dorsal fin; the first
(rudimentary) ray of the dorsal fin firmly joined
to the next. 3 Hybognathus, 28
DD. More than 20 sendes juafore the dorsal fin; first
ray of the dorsal blunt and not firmly joined to
the second but connected withit by a membrane.
: Pimephales, 29
BB. Digestive canal short, less than twice the length of the
body; inside coat of the abdominal wall generally of pale
coloration.
C. Pharyngeal teeth in the main row 5-5 or 4-5.
D. Abdomen behind the ventral fins not compressed
into a sharp edge but rounded, the scales pass-

ing over it.
E. Maxillary bones ending in a small barbel;
premaxillaries protractile. . ‘ Semotilus, 30

EE. Maxillary without a barbel; pharyngeal teeth
two rowed and usually two teeth in the
inner row, teeth strongly hooked; scales
smal]. : : . Leuciscus, 30
DD. Abdomen compressed to a diac sage so that the
scales do not pass over it; rays in the anal fin 12
to 18; lateral line much decurved. : . Abramis, 32
CC. Pharyngeal teeth in the main row 4-4.
D. Maxillary bone not ending in a barbel; upper
jaw protractile; scales large, 30-50. i Notropis, 33
DD. Maxillary with a barbel, though small.
E. Scales small, 60 or more in the lateral line,
premaxillaries not protractile; teeth 2, 4-4, 2.
Rhinichthys, 38
EE. Scales large, 35 to 55; premaxillaries protract-
ile, teeth 4-4 or J, 4-4, 1 or 0. ‘ Hybopsis, 40
28 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus CAMPOSTOMA Agassiz.

Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Stone Roller. Stone Lugger. Steel-
backed Chub. Mammy. Dough-belly.

Color brownish with a slight yellowish luster; scales mottled
with brown; a dark bar behind the opercles; a dark bar across
the dorsal and anal fins, the remainder of these fins bright red in
the spring males. The most characteristic point about this fish is
the great length and peculiar arrangement of the intestines, which
is wound many times, around the air-bladder. It needs but one
peep at the internal anatomy of this fish to determine its genus.
Snout somewhat decurved; scales small and crowded forward,
7-53-8. Dorsal fin with 8 rays. Anal7. Teeth 4-4. Length 4 to 8
inches. Not very common in Minnesota. Specimens have been
taken in the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers at Mankato, where
it is quite common (Cox, 1891-5); Pomme de Terre river at Apple-
ton (Woolman & Cox, 1892),

Genus CHROSOMUS Rafinesque.

Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. Red-bellied Dace.

Body not much compressed, oblong, largest in the middle and ta-
pering towards each end. Head somewhat pointed; mouth terminal,
oblique, jaws equal or about so. Fins not large, the dorsal and
anal high and short. General color brownish olive; a dark dorsal
line and sometimes black spots; two dark bands on each side with
a silvery band between them; a black spot at the base of the caudal
fin; belly silvery; spring males with the belly, space between the
dark lateral bands and the bases of the vertical fins scarlet; occa-
sionally the body is covered with tubercles and the fins are bright
yellow; females not so conspicuously marked. Head 4 in length.
Depth 4. Dorsal rays 7. Anal 8. Scales small, 16-85-10, not over-
lapping much. Pharyngeal teeth usually 5-5. Length 2 to 8
inches. Not common in Minnesota so far as known. It has been
reported as rare at Austin by Dr. 8. E. Meek (Bull. U. S. Fish
Comm. X, 1890, p. 233).

Genus HYBOGNATHUS Agassiz..

Hybognathus nuchalis Agassiz, Silvery Minnow.

Intestine long, 7 to 10 times the length of the body. Color sil-
very with bright reflections, darker above; color varies greatly
with the conditions. Body rather slender; head rather short;
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 29

lateral line decurved. Head contained 44 to 5 times in the length
of the body. Eye 4 in head. Dorsal fin with 8 rays. Anal 7.
Scales large, 5-38-4. Length 4 to 7 inches. This fish can always
be distinguished by its long intestine, if not from its general ap-
pearance. It is probably common in the southern part of the state
but rare in the northern part. Specimens have been taken at sev-
eral places on the Upper Mississippi and in Minnehaha Creek, Min-
neapolis, rare (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); in the streams and lakes
in the vicinity of Mankato, common (Cox, 1891-5).

Genus PIMEPHALES Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF PIMEPHALES.

A. Lateral line generally incomplete; body short. a . é promelas.
AA. Lateral line complete; body more elongate. s ‘ ‘ 3 notatus.

Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. Flat-head. Black-headed Minnow.

First ray of the dorsal fin large and blunt in the adult males.
Intestine long, more than twice the length of the body; teeth 4-4;
lateral line incomplete or wanting. Body rather short and heavy;
head short, contained 4 times in the length of the body, much
rounded in the adult male; mouth small. Color of the immature
and females, olivaceous; dorsal fin with a black bar across it, this
not very distinct in the young. Mature males vary from bluish
to black in color; snout with tubercles. Dorsal rays I, 8. Anal
7. Scales 7-43 to 47-6. Length 24 inches. Common everywhere
in both lakes and streams. Specimens have been recorded from
almost every lake and stream in the state where collections have
been made, and it is so common that specific notes on its distribu-
tion are here omitted. It is often found with the next.

Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed Minnow.

First ray of the dorsal] fin distinct and spine-like in the adult
male; intestine, teeth and snout same as in P. promeias. Lateral
line complete. Body slightly elongate; head moderate, top de-
pressed, mouth small. Fins small. Color olivaceous, sides bluish,
a black spot on the front of the base of the dorsal fin; the base of
the caudal dusky; the fins sometimes tinged with red. Adult male
in the breeding season with very much more black and with tuber-
_cles on the black, round snout. Head 43. Dorsal rays I, 8. Anal
7. Scales 6-45-4. Teeth 4-4. Length 4 inches. Abundant in Min-
nesota and often found with P. promelas. Specimens have been
recorded from all parts of the state where collections have been
made. Very common, especially in small brooks and pools.
30 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus SEMOTILUS Rafinesque.

Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned-dace. Creek Chub.

Body rather stout; head large; mouth large and broad, oblique;
generally a small barbel on the maxillary in mature specimens, not
distinguishable in small specimens. Color dark above, sides with a
black lateral band in -the young, this disappearing with age; under
parts yellowish, tinged with red in the spring males; dorsal fin
small, with a black spot at its base in front, edged with red in the
male in the breeding seasons; a dark bar behind the opercles;
scales edged with dark dots; young with a small dark caudal spot;
snout in the males covered with tubercles in the spring. Scales
fine, 9-55-6, averaging 55 in the lateral line but varying from 50 to
60; 30 scales before the dorsal fin. Pharyngeal teeth 2, 5-4, 2.
Head contained 32 times in the length. Eye 5 in the head.
Dorsal fin inserted behind the ventrals, contains 7 rays. Anal 8.
Length 10 inches.

A very common minnow in Minnesota. It has been taken at
every place where collections have been made.

Genus LEUCISCUS Cuvier.

Leuciscus nachtriebi Cox.*

Body rather heavy, not greatly compressed; back slightly
elevated, its curve a little greater than that of the belly; caudal
peduncle rather stout, its depth 4 the length of the head. Head
rather short, not any more compressed than the body, upper surface
slightly flattened; snout quite blunt in mature specimens, its length
1 1-6 times the width of the eye; mouth. not very large, but little
oblique, lower jaw included, maxillary scarcely reaching to the
front of the orbit of the eye; eye small, contained 4 times in the
length of the head; pharyngeal teeth 2, 4-5,2. Dorsal fin with 8
rays, its first rays inserted nearer the base of the caudal than the
tip of the snout, also slightly back of the ventrals; caudal fin
forked; anal with 8 rays, slightly smaller than the dorsal ; ventrals
small, not reaching the vent by 4 their length; pectorals inserted
rather high, not reaching the ventrals by } their length. Scales
small, 12-72-9, lateral line complete on mature specimens, decurved,.
the pores extending on the head in several lines, one passing back

*Siace the following description of this new species was written it was found that there

would be considerable delay in the publication of the present report, consequent] the de-
scription was printed in the report of the U.S. Fish Comm. for 1894, Dp 605, Bee. 14, 1896.)
FISHES OF MINNESOTA : 31

of the eye, another down to the nostril. General color dusky, dark-
est on the back; the sides above the lateral line dull silvery, below
the lateral line light silvery; a faint dark dorsal band in some speci-
mens, in others absent; no black lateral band but some specimens
have a very faint dusky shade along the lateral line; no light stripe
above the lateral line; upper portion of the opercles with a dusky
shade, lower part bright silvery; upper part of the head dark col-
ored; a faint rose colored lateral band generally present in fresh
specimens; all the above colors typical in the young as well as the
adult. Head contained 44 (4 to 44) times in the length of the body.
Depth 5 (44 to 54). Length 4 inches.

L. nachtriebdi differs from L. neogeus in having a well
developed lateral line, a smaller eye, fewer scales, less oblique
mouth, a shorter maxillary and in being a larger fish and differ-
ently colored. It differs from L. elongatus, a species which might
occur in the state, in having a smaller mouth, the lower jaw never
projecting, head less pointed, a shorter maxillary, finer scales and
the absence of the black lateral band. The accompanying tabu-
lated measurements will give some idea of the variation of the
Species.

At present this fish is known from but two localities, viz., Mille
Lacs Lake, Atkin County, where several specimens were taken by
the Nat. Hist. Surv. in 1892, and in Man Trap, Mud and Elbow
Lakes in the region of Park Rapids, Hubbard County, where sev-
eral specimens were taken by the Nat. Hist. Surv. in 1893. In
all, about 40 specimens have been taken, several of which were
tagged and examined by Mr. F. B. Sumner, then of the University,
who was in charge of the survey party that took these fish and who,
himself, thought that they were new, but did not describe them.
The species is named for Prof. Henry F. Nachtrieb, State Zodlogist
of Minnesota.
32 PRELIMINARY REPORT

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

=> =|
aa Fa 4 LATERAL LINE,

a ‘4 s jm -
Jmsiala fee}
wo 84/518 18 5 8 RIGHT. Lert.
Bl 4 m/A IA n
*4| 33 44% 8) 8) 12-75- 9) Complete...... Complete.
5 0 454| 4%) : 8] 1u-72- 9 Complete. ee Sern iste except about 6 scales.
6) 3) 4441 5 | 8] 8) 12-73- 8! Complete. .| Complete,
7 392 44| 5_ | 8} 8|12-72- 9) Complete Complete except 3 or 4 scales,
8] 8: re 47%| 8) 8| 18-74~ 9] Complete . .| Complete.
9] 844 | 444) 5 | 8) 8/11 74- 9) Complete Complete except 8 or 4 scales.
10] 8 444; 5 | 8) 8)12-76-10| Complete. ..| Complete.
111 34% 4\5 | 8| 8|12-72- 9) Complete . .-| Complete. |
12) 4 414| 544] 8| 8] 12-79- 9] Complete. .| Complete.
13} 344 4A 5 8] 8; 12-74- 9] Complete. . | Complete.
14} % {4 8) 8; 12-72- 9} Complete.. ..| Complete,
15| 24 | 4 8| 8|12-71- 9] Complete. | Complete.
16| 26-16] 414 i 8| 8|12-71- 9| Complete. ‘| Complete.
17) 2% | 4 4 4 8) 81 12-72- 9) Complete s| Complete except 3 or 4 scales.
18] 28-16 44) 8 8] 8) 12-71- 9] Complete except 15 scales...... Complete except last few scales.
19} 24 4 8/ 8) 12-71- 8} Complete exc. a Complete exc, last 3 or 4 scales.
20) 2 4 4% 8] 8| 12-74- 9} Nearly complete Near. Pome
21 44) 5 | 8 8|12-71- 8] Complete .| Complete.
22) 244 | 4441 5 | 8) 8/12-72- 8) Complete Complete ‘except 80 scales.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Co-type in Leland Stanford, Jr., University Museum.
+Type 47688, United States Nationa! Museum.

Eight specimens 14 inches in length from the same locality as
numbers 14 to 22 are similar in color and other characters, but the
lateral line is entirely absent. Some of the pores are developed on
the head. Numbers 4 to 11, inclusive, are from Mille Lacs lake,
Aitkin county, and numbers 12 to 22 are from Mud and Elbow
lakes, Hubbard county.

All specimens excepting those tagged 4 and 7 are in the museum
of the University of Minnesota.

Genus ABRAMIS Cuvier.
Abramis crysoleucas (Mitchill). Golden Shiner. Bream.

Body much compressed, rather long; lateral line much de-
curved. Color greenish above; sides, belly and fins yellowish,
sometimes with golden reflections. Head short, compressed; mouth
small, oblique. Eye contained 3 to 4 times in the head. Head 44.
Depth 3. Dorsal 8. Anal 12 to 14, averaging 13. Scales 10-46 to
51-3. Teeth 5-5. A very pretty fish and quite common; generally
small, but may reach a length of 12 inches. Found in quiet waters
where there is aquatic vegetation.

Specimens have been taken from the lakes and streams of the
Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); lakes and streams
in the southern and southwestern part of the state (Cox, 1891-5);
Upper Minnesota River at Ortonville (Woolman, 1892, Report, U. 8.
Fish Comm., 1893). Common in the southern part of the state, rare
in the northern part.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 33
Genus NOTROPIS Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF NOTROPIS.

A. Pharyngeal teeth 4-4; 1, 4-4, 0; or1, 4-4, 1; rarely two teeth in
one or both of the inner rows.

B. Scales not closely overlapping each other, their exposed

surface not wider than long; no black spot on the dorsal fin.

C. Pharyngeal teeth generally one rowed, 4-4; rarely 2,
4-4, 2 in N. heterodon,

D. Lateral line usually more or less incomplete, not

always so; a dark lateral band usually present.

Small fishes.
E. Snout blunt; lower jaw not projecting beyond
the upper; mouth small; chin black. anogenus, 34
EE. Snout pointed; lower jaw projecting.
F. Chin not black; mouth very small. . cayuga, 34
FF. Chin black, mouth moderate. : heterodon, 34

DD. Lateral line always complete and with less than 40
scales; teeth 4-4, well hooked; 12 to 15 scales
before the dorsal; no spot at the base of the caudal
fin. . ‘ blennius, 35
Cc. Black spot on the ibaa of the caiiael aie pharyngeal teeth
two rowed, 1, 4-4, 0; 1, 4-4, 1; or 1 or 2, 4-4, 1 or 2.
Head short, contained 4 to 5 times in the body; large
for minnows, "i : : . hudsonius, 35
BB. Scales closely overlapping ah einer. thelr exposed surfaces
broader than long, especially on the sides of the body; body
considerably compressed; a black blotch on the posterior
rays of the dorsal fin in adult specimens. . , . whipplii, 36
AA. Pharyngeal teeth 2, 4-4, 2.
B. Anal fins short, with 7 to 9 developed rays.
C. Scales closely overlapping each other, the exposed sur-
faces much broader than long; grinding surface of
the teeth developed; individuals reaching 5 to 8
inches in length when mature. ‘ 5‘ ecornutus, 36
CC. Scales not closely overlapping each vier: pharyngeal
teeth without the eeoeree surface developed ; species
of small size. : . . jejunus, 37
BB. Anal fin long with 11 to 12 raya doreal inserted behind the
ventrals; parts sometimes colored red.
C. No black spot at the base of the caudal fin; scales not
closely overlapping each other; usually 5 to 7 scales
above the lateral line; fins often with red.
atherinoides, 37; dilectus, 37; rubrifrons, 38
CC. Usually a dark spot on the dorsal fin; scales above the
lateral line 7 to 10; scales closely overlapping each
other, their exposed surfaces broader than long; a
black spot at the base of the dorsal fin. ‘i umbratilis, 38
34 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Notropis anogenus Forbes.

Lateral line usually complete; body rather stout; mouth very
small and very oblique; lower jaw not projecting; snout very
blunt, shorter than the eye. Color dark; a dark band on the sides,
which passes through the eye; a small dark spot at the base of the
caudal fin; a row of black dots along the upper side of the lateral
line; chin black. Head contained 44 times in the length of the
body. Depth 4 2-5. Eye 34. Dorsal fin with 8 rays. Anal 7.
Lateral line with 34 to 37 scales, 18 scales before the dorsal fin.
Teeth 4-4. <A fish similar to the N. heterodon. Probably rare in
this state. The only record of its occurrence, so far, is given in Dr.
Seth E. Meek’s Report of the Fishes of Iowa (Bull. U. S. Fish
Comm., X, 1890, p. 232), where it is listed from the Cedar River at
Austin, Minn., as rare.

Notropis cayuga Meek.

Body slender, a black stripe around the snout, through the eye,
along the sides of the body and ending in a small dark caudal spot;
the stripe on the sides generally broken at regular intervals, making
it appear as so many dark spots; chin not black. Eye large, about
equal to the snout; jaws equal; lateral line absent on some scales.
Head 4 1-6. Depth 44. Eye 34. Thirty-six scales in the lateral
line, 14 before the dorsal. Teeth 4-4. Length 24 inches.

Very common in the southern part of the state, not so common
in the northern portion. It has been recorded from the majority
of the lakes and streams of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1892-3-5); streams and lakes in the vicinity of Mankato and south-
west (Cox, 1891-5).

Notropis heterodon (Cope).

The chin black; a black dorsal band; sides with a dark band;
general color olivaceous. Body rather stout, back a little elevated;
head and snout pointed; mouth oblique, the lower jaw projecting.
Head 4. Depth 4. Eye 3. Dorsal with 8 rays. Anal 8. Scales
5-36-3; lateral line usually not complete; 13 scales before the dorsal
fin. Teeth 4-4, occasionally 2, 4-4,.2. Length 24 inches.

This fish is not believed to be common in Minnesota. It is re-
ported from the Pomme de Terre River at Appleton (Woolman,
1892, Report, U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893), but its resemblance to some of
the other Cyprinids, notably Pimephales promelas, makes its iden-
tification difficult. Further collections are necessary to ascertain
its distribution.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 35

Notropis blennius (Girard). Straw-colored Minnow.

Body little compressed, rather stout, head rather broad and
rounded; mouth small, inferior, horizontal; 15 scales before the
dorsal fin; dorsal low, its longest ray 2 the head. Color pale oliva-
ceous, usually a dark dorsal band and a small dark spot in front
of the dorsal fin. No caudal spot. Fins unmarked. Head 4.
Depth 5. Eye 3. Scales 5-32 to 38-4, averaging 36 in the lateral
line. Teeth 4-4. A small fish, 2 to 24 inches in length.

Common in all the streams and lakes. Specimens have been
taken in great abundance in all places where collecting has been
done. If any more abundant in one place than in another it is in
the northern part of the state.

Notropis hudsonius (De Witt Clinton). Spawn-eater. Spot-tailed Minnow.

Shiner.

A. distinct biack spot at the base of the caudal; a silvery band
on the sides; general color varying from yellowish to quite dusky,
the nature of the water seeming to determine, to some extent, the
color of this minnow. Body rather stout, snout blunt and decurved;
length of the snout less than the large eye; mouth horizontal, jaws
equal; 18 scales in front of dorsal fin; lateral line nearly straight
except just back of the head where it is somewhat decurved. Pec-
toral fins not extending to the ventrals, ventrals not reaching the
vent. Head 48. Depth 4. Eye 38. Dorsal 8. Scales 5-39-4.
Teeth 1, 4-4, 0 or 1 or 2. Length 4 to 6 inches. Quite common in
Minnesota, but a small fish, often a very great difference in color.
A fish which is now considered to be this species was described as
Notropis scopifer by Eigenmann & Eigenmann, Amer. Naturalist,
Feb., XVII., 153, 1898, from Winnipeg. It is quite common in this
state, specimens having been taken from many places on the Upper
Mississippi; both lakes and streams (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); in
the Red River and tributaries (Woolman, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish
Comm., 1893); Upper Minnesota River and Big Stone Lake (Wool-
man & Cox, 1892); streams and lakes in the vicinity of Mankato
and southwest (Cox, 1894). Specimens taken from a creek flowing
into Lake Washington, near Mankato, are very different. Their
color is very dark; no yellow present. In appearance they seem
to be a different fish, but structurally they are, no doubt, the same.

Notropis hudsonius selene (Jordan).

This variety differs from the typical N. hudsonius by having a
shorter head, 4 4-5; a more oblique mouth; the maxillary reaching
the eye; snout 3-5 theeye. Teeth 2,4-4,2o0r1. It is referred to in
36 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes of North and Middle America, I, 269,
as being the representative of this species in Lake Superior. Speci-
mens collected in Lake Superior at Bayfield, Wisconsin, by Coll.
Milner were described by Dr. Jordan as Luwilus selene, Bull. U. 8.
Nat. Mus., X, 60, 1877. Collections from the Lake Superior region
need careful study.

Notropis whipplii (Girard). Silver fin.

Color silvery but rather dark, males bluish; scales edged with
dark; a black spot on the posterior portion of the dorsal fin; lower
parts of the body and fins in the males covered with a white pig-
ment in the breeding season, head. and snout often covered with
tubercles. Body considerably compressed; back somewhat ele-
vated; arch of the back about equal to that of the belly; head short;
mouth small and oblique; lower jaw not projecting when closed.
Head 44. Depth 4 in the adult, varying in the young, the latter
more slender. Eye 43 in the head. Dorsal fin with 8 rays. Anal
3. Scales 5-38 to 40-3. Pharyngeal teeth 1, 4-4-1, their edges ser-
rate. Length 4 inches. Rather common in the state. Numerous
specimens have been taken from the lakes and streams of the Upper
Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); from the Minnesota and
Blue Earth Rivers at Mankato (Cox, 1891-5); from the Chippewa
River at Montevideo (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm.,
1893).

Notropis cornutus (Mitchill). Shiner. Red-fin. Dace.

Scales so crowded that their exposed surfaces are very much
broader than long, especially on the sides; scales drop off easily;
lateral line decurved. Body varies considerably with age, the young
being more slender and less compressed than the adult; head rather
heavy and compressed, mouth and eyes moderate. Color dark
bluish above, very dark in spring males whose snouts are also cov-
ered with tubercles; sides and belly silvery, a dark stripe on the
back; spring males with the lower fins, sides and belly rosy. Head
44 in length. Eye4to5inthe head. Dorsal with 8rays. Anal 9.
Scales 6-41-38, averaging 23 in front of the dorsal, but may vary
from 15 to 40. Teeth 2, 4-4,2. Length 5 to 8 inches.

This is one of our most widely distributed species of fish. Speci-
mens have been taken wherever collections have been made, and it
will likely be found in every important lake and stream in the state.

Notropis cornutus frontalis (Agassiz).
This variety differs from the typical N. cornutus in having a
larger head and fewer scales, 18, before the dorsal fin. It is doubt-
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 37

ful whether there is enough difference to justify the variety, but it
is so listed in Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes of North and Middle
America, I, 283, and Agassiz described the same from Lake Supe-
rior as Leuciscus frontalis and gracilis, Lake Superior, 368, 370, 1850.
Notropis jejunus (Forbes).

Color pale, a broad, silvery lateral band which is shaded with
dusky colors; dorsal fin sometimes dotted with black. Body slen-
der, head flattened above, snout rounded, mouth large and obliquely
set; 16 scales before the dorsal, which is inserted over the ventrals.
Head contained 4 times in the body. Depth 4%. Eye 3% in the
head, equal to the snout. Dorsal with 8 rays. Anal 7. Scales
5-37-3. Teeth 2, 4-4, 1. Length 3 inches. Not common so far as
known. It is reported from the Red River of the North at Moor-
head and Grand Forks (N. D.), and the Red Lake River at Crooks-
ton (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893).

Notropis atherinoides Rafinesque.

Sides bright silvery, upper scales with a few dark punctulations;
no dark blotches on the sides; a dark dorsal line present; snouts
of the spring males rosy; general color translucent, greenish above.
Body slender and compressed, the back not elevated. Head short,
mouth very oblique, upper lip on a level with the upper part of the
pupil. Eye large, longer than the snout. Fins not very large, the
dorsal inserted behind the ventrals. Head 4%. Depth 54. Eye
34. Dorsal with 8 rays. Anal 11. Scales 5-38-3, with 15 before
the dorsal fin. Teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Length 4 to 6 inches. At present
this fish is known from but a few places in the state. It was de-
scribed as Alburnus rubellus, Agassiz, Lake Superior, and is noted as
quite common in the Red Lake River at Crookston (Woolman, 1892,
Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893).

Notropis dilectus (Girard).

Body very much elongate and somewhat compressed; pale in
color, sides very silvery; a row of black dots above the base of the
anal fin; snout and bases of the fins sometimes red; young often
speckled. Head contained 43 times in the body. Depth 43. Eye
larger than the snout, 3 in head. Dorsal with 8 rays. Anal 11.
Scales 7-38-83. Teeth 2, 4-4,2. Length 3 to 4 inches.

A very pretty fish, but not common, so far as known, in Minne-
sota. Specimens have been taken from the Minnesota and Blue
Earth Rivers at Mankato, where it is quite common (Cox, 1891-5);
it is reported as very common in the Pomme de Terre River at Ap-
pleton; also in the Red River of the North and tributaries (Wool-
man, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893).
38 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Notropis rubrifrons (Cope).

Olivaceous above; the sides silvery; scales with dark edges;
a dark dorsal stripe; a dark dotted line at the base of the anal fin;
head of the spring males tuberculate; the top and sides of the head
and base of the dorsal fin red. Body long, the back not elevated.
Head pointed, the mouth rather large and very oblique. Head con-
tained 4 times in the length. Depth 42. Eye4. Dorsal fin with 8
rays. Anal 10. Scales 5-39-3, with 15 to 17 before the dorsal.
Length 23 inches. A fish much like WV. atherinoides and N. dilectus.
Rather common. Specimens have been taken in the various streams
and lakes in the Upper Missigsippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); and
in the Des Moines River at Windom (Cox, 1894).

Notropis umbratilis (Girard).

Color dark blue above, light below; a black spot at the base of
the front of the dorsal fin; the other fins not marked. Head of
the males tuberculate, which tubercles are of a light color. Body
compressed; head long and pointed, mouth large, oblique; lower
jaw projecting a little. Head contained 44 times in the length.
Depth 4 to 44. Eye about as wide as the length of the snout, con-
tained 3 to 4 times in the head. Dorsal fins inserted about midway
between the ventral and anal fins, contains 7 rays. Anal with 11
rays. Scales 9-40 to 52-3. Teeth 2,4-4,2. Length 34 inches. This
igs a variable minnow, and at present seems rare in Minnesota. It
is reported from the Cedar River at Austin as rare under Notropis
ardens (Cope) (Meek, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., X, 1890, p. 234). Min-
nesota specimens, no doubt, belong 10 one of the several varieties.
described in Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes of North and Middle
America, to which reference should be had in identification.

Genus RHINICHTHYS (Agassiz).

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF RHINICHTHYS.

A. Snout projecting considerably beyond the mouth, about twice
the length of the eye; a barbel present on the maxillaries. cataractze, 38

AA. Snout not projecting much beyond the mouth; about 1} times
the eye; barbel very small or absent. 7 : 7 atronasus, 39-

Rhinichthys cataractz (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Long-nosed Dace.

Snout long and projecting considerably beyond the mouth 5 a
barbel on each maxillary. Color somewhat olivaceous above, lighter:
below; many dark blotches present; the back dark brown or even
black in some specimens. Spring males with parts of the head and:
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 39

the lower fins red. Body considerably elongate, almost cylindrical;
head long and flattened above; mouth entirely on the under side of
the head. Pectoral fins very large in the males. Head contained
4 times in the length. Depth 5. Eye in about the middle of the
head, contained 2 times in the snout and 5 times in the head. Dor-
sal fin with 8 rays. Anal 7. Scales 14-65-8. Teeth 2, 4-4, 2. Length
5 inches. Rather common in the state, especially in the northern
part. Specimens have been taken from the Upper Mississippi and
tributaries (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5), where it is quite common.
Specimens collected by Woolman & Cox in Dougherty Oreek at
Brown’s Valley and the Pomme de Terre River at Appleton are
listed by Mr. Woolman (Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893) as R.
cataracte dulcis (Girard). I have carefully examined some of the
above specimens and compared them with the typical R. ¢. dulcis
from the Black Hills and believe that the Minnesota form is simply
&. cataracte and not the variety. Representatives of the genus
Rhinichthys in the state, however, need some careful study.

Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill), Black-nosed Dace.

Dark above, sometimes rather spotted; sides with a dark band
which passes through the eye and along the snout; below the dark
band there is a light lateral band; under parts light, silvery; a red
lateral band instead of the light in spring males, their lower fins
also red, the red fading to orange late in the summer. Body rather
cylindrical, elongate; snout medium, not projecting much beyond
the mouth; barbel small. Fins rather small. Head contained 4
times in the length. Depth 44. Eye small, contained 13 times in
the snout, 43 times in the head. Dorsal fin inserted midway be-
tween the nostrils and the base of the caudal, contains 7 rays.
Anal7. Lateral line with 64 scales. Teeth 2, 4-4, 2.

Quite a common fish in this state. Specimens have been re-
corded from the lakes and streams of the Upper Mississippi, where
it is common (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); Des Moines River, Win-
dom, not common (Cox, 1894).

Rhinichthys atronasus lunatus (Cope).

Somewhat heavier than R. cataracte; much mottled in color;
no dark lateral band; mouth more inferior. Eye smaller, con-
tained 5 times in the head. Depth contained 5 times in the length.
Scales 62. This variety is referred to as probably the common
form in Wisconsin and Minnesota in Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes
of North and Middle America. Specimens from Sand Hill River,
Minnesota, are described as R. arenatus Garman, Science Observer,
1881, p. 62.

4
40 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus HYBOPSIS Agassiz.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF HYBOPSIS.

A. Mouth interior but horizontal; generally species of small size.

B. Barbel very long for the size of the fish; front of the dorsal
fin behind the front of the ventrals; small species, 24

inches; body generally marked with black dots. hyostomus, 40
BB. Barbel conspicuous but not as large as B. compared to the
size of the fish; eye very large; front of the dorsal fin be-

fore front of ventrals; body not marked with black dots.

e storerianus, 40
AA. Mouth terminal; front of dorsal fin a little behind the front of the-
ventrals; snout long and blunt; may reach a length of 10

inches. ee er .  .  .  Kentuckiensis, 41

Hybopsis hyostomus (Gilbert).

Color pale silvery, dotted with many small black spots. Body
slender and cylindrical; snout long and pointed, projecting con-
siderably beyond the mouth; mouth on the lower side of the head
and rather wide; maxillary barbels present and long; pectoral fins
large. Head 4 in length. Depth 54. Eye 34. Dorsal fins with 8
rays. Anal 8. Lateral line with 37 scales. Length 24 inches.
Not very common in the state. Twenty or more specimens have
been taken from the Blue Earth River at Mankato (Cox, 1891-2).

Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland).

Sides, under parts, cheeks and opercles bright silvery; upper
parts greenish; an indistinct lateral band sometimes present; no
black spot at the base of the caudal fin and the fins never with red.
Body rather elongate, compressed, back a little elevated; head
short and broad between the eyes; mouth rather small, the lower
jaw not projecting; barbels prominent; snout much decurved, its
tip somewhat thickened. Head contained 44 times in the body.
‘Depth 4. Eye very large, inserted in the upper part of the head,
about midway between the tip of the snout and the posterior edge
of the opercle, about as wide as the length of the snout, contained
8 times in the head. Dorsal fin with its first rays inserted over the
first rays of the ventrals, contains 8 rays. Anal 8. Scales 5-42-4,
the lateral line decurved. Teeth 1, 4-4,0. Length 5 to 10 inches.
Caudal fin deeply forked. Not very common in the state, accord-
ing to present information. Specimens have been taken in the
Red River of the North at Moorhead and Grand Forks (N. D.); Otter
Tail River at Breckenridge and Red Lake River at Crookston and
Grand Forks (Woolman, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893, p.
871).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 41

Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque) River Chub.

Color somewhat bluish; a dark bar behind the opercles; scales
on the upper part of the body dark edged; under parts bright rosy
in spring males; fins slightly yellowish and without black; a red
spot on each side of the head in spring males. Body rather stout;
not much compressed; mouth large, not oblique, the lower jaw in-
cluded; barbel conspicuous; adult specimens with a swollen crest
on top of the head, this crest covered with tubercles. Head con-
tained 4 times in the length. Depth 4}. Dorsal fin with its first
rays inserted a little behind the first rays of the ventrals, contains
S8rays. Anal7. Scales 6-41-4, 18 rows before the dorsal fin; lateral
line somewhat decurved. Pharyngeal teeth 1, 4-4, 1 or 1, 4-4, 0,
sometimes 4-4. Length 6 to 9 inches.

Quite common in the state. Specimens have been recorded
from Basset’s Creek, Minnapolis (T. S. Roberts, 1879); Crow Wing
River and Fish Hook Lake, Hubbard County; the region of Lake
Pelican, Crow Wing County (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893); Dougherty
Creek and Little Minnesota River, Brown’s Valley; Upper Minne-
sota River and Red Lake River, Crookston (Woolman, 1892, Report
U. S. Fish Comm., 1893); Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers at Man-
kato, common (Cox, 1891-5).

Order APODES.
Family ANGUILLIDH. The Eels.

Body long and snake-like and covered with small elongated
scales which are imbedded in the skin and some of them arranged
at right angles with each other. Head small and conical, the bones
much modified from those of the typical fish; preopercle and pre-
maxillary bones at present; the maxillaries absent. No ventral fins
present; dorsal fin long and its rays short; pectoral fins present.
But one genus and one species found in Minnesota.

Genus ANGUILLA Shaw.

Anguilla chrysypa Rafinesque.

Tail somewhat compressed; a well developed lateral line; head
rather long; eye small and located well forward. The jaws and
vomer well set with teeth which are somewhat unequal in length;
outer end of the tongue free; lower jaw projecting beyond the
upper; gill openings slit-like. Dorsal fin continuous with the
-

42 PRELIMINARY REPORT

caudal and anal. Upper parts of the body dark brown in color;
lower parts light. Head contained 84 times in the length. Length
4 feet.

Very few data have been collected concerning the eel in
Minnesota, but it is, no doubt, quite common. There is a skin
in the University Museum which is thought to have been taken
from the Mississippi at Minneapolis, although there are no definite
data concerning it. There is a specimen in the museum of the Man-
kato State Normal School which was taken from the Minnesota
River at Mankato in the spring of 1894 by some fishermen.

Order ISOSPONDYLI.
Family HIODONTIDEH. The Moon-eyes.

Body very much compressed; rather long. Head short, covered
with scales and having a blunt snout; mouth medium sized,
obliquely set and with equal jaws; maxillary bones small. Teeth
well developed in the jaws, tongue, vomer, palatines and pterygoids.
Eye very large; nostrils large; gill membranes free from the
isthmus; 8 to 10 branchiostegal rays. Scales large; a straight
lateral line present. Gill rakers short and thick and not numerous.
Stomach horseshoe-shaped; one pyloric cecum; a large air-bladder.

But one genus and one species known in Minnesota.

Genus HIODON Le Sueur.

Hiodon tergisus Le Sueur. Moon Eye. Toothed Herring.

Color light silvery, a little darker above. Body considerably
compressed, rather long; pectoral fins not extending to the ven-
trals; belly compressed into a ridge behind the ventrals. Head
44. Depth 3. Eye very large, contained 3 times in the head.
Scales 5-55-7. Dorsal fin with 12 rays. Anal 28. Length 12 inches.
Rather a common fish in the northern part of the state. Specimens
have been taken from the Mississippi River at Minneapolis (W.
Chambers, 1880); Red River of the North at Moorhead and Grand
Forks (N. D.); Red Lake River.at Crookston, at all of which places
it is common (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893, p.
371).

Family DOROSOMIDE. The Gizzard Shad.

Body much compressed; very broad from the dorsal to the ven-
tral fins (deep); scales thin, dropping off easily; belly compressed
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 43

to a saw edged ridge. Head small and scaleless; mouth small and
inferior; snout projecting beyond and overhanging the mouth;
maxillary bones not prominent; premaxillaries not protractile.
Gill rakers numerous and slender; gill membranes free from the
isthmus; branchiostegal rays about 6; pseudobranchia well devel-
oped. Stomach gizzard-like; a fatty eyelid. One genus and one
species represented in the state.

Genus DOROSOMA Rafinesque.

Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur) Hickory Shad.

Color silvery, the upper parts bluish; a dark spot on the shoul-
ders in small specimens. Body compressed; back elevated. Head
contained 44 times in the length. Depth 2}. Eye 44 in the head.
Dorsal fin with 12 rays, its first ray developed in a long filament.
Anal 31. Scales 56- 23; no lateral lines present. Caudal fin con-
siderably forked, the lower lobe the longer. Length 15 inches.

Common in the southern part of the state, no doubt. Specimens
have been recorded from the Minnesota River at Mankato, where
it is quite common. Many large ones were taken in the river here
just as the ice broke up in the spring of 1892. Fishermen stated
‘that it was the first time these fish had been seen in several years.
Since that time many small and occasionally large specimens have
been taken.

Family SALMONIDH. The Salmon.

Body rather long; head scaleless; mouth varying much in size;
scales cycloid; maxillaries pretty well developed, forming a part
of the upper jaw; upper jaw not protractile; teeth variable. A
slit behind the fourth gill; pseudobranchia developed; gill mem-
branes not joined to the isthmus; branchiostegal rays 10 to 20; no
barbels present. An adipose fin always present; caudal fin forked;
pectoral fins inserted near the lower edge of the body. Air-bladder
large. Many pyloric ceca present.

This is one of the important families of fishes in our state and,
at present, it is known to be represented by four genera and seven
species, all of which are valuable food fishes.
44 PRELIMINARY REPORT

KEY TO THE GENERA OF SALMONIDE.

A. Mouth small; maxillary bones broad; teeth none,*or very few;
supplemental maxillary bone present.

B. Lower jaw short and generally not longer than the upper;
mouth not widely cleft; ae bones broad, their

cutting edges nearly vertical. - : Coregonus, 44
BB. Lower jaw long, projecting beyond the mippen: “mouth widely
cleft; premaxillaries with their cutting edges nearly hori-

wantal. ‘ : ‘ 3 Argyrosomus, 45

AA. Mouth large; maxillary boned sine teeth present, strong and
complete; anal fin with 9 to 12 rays; scales very small.
B. No bright colors, spotted with gray; vomer with a toothed
crest or ridge. . . Cristivomer, 47

BB. Body dotted with red spats, these fading to white i in alcohol;

lower fins edged with red; no crest or ridge on the vomer.
Salvelinus, 47

Genus COREGONUS (Artedi) Linnzus. .

Coregonus clupeiformis (Mitchill). Common Whitefish.

Color white but not silvery, darker above. Body much com-
pressed, long; back somewhat elevated. Head small; snout short
and blunt; maxillary bone contained about 4 times in the head, its
tip reaching back of the front of the eye socket. Gill rakers 4 as
long as the width of the eye, 10+17 to 19. Head contained 5 times
in the length. Depth 3 to 4. Eye 4 to 5 in the head. Dorsal fin
with 11 rays. Anal1l. Scales 8-74-9. Length 2 feet.

This is our common white-fish of Lake Superior and possibly
it may be found in some of the smaller lakes. Many people report
a white-fish from the smaller lakes, but no specimens have been
taken in the various collections. It remains to be determined
whether the fishes reported are this or Argyrosomus nigripennis.
It was described as C. sapindissimus Agassiz, Lake Superior, 344,
1850, from Lake Superior, also as C. latior Agassiz from the same
place in the same work, page 348. It is taken in abundance at all
the fishing stations on Lake Superior during the fishing seasons.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 45
Genus ARGYROSOMUS Agassiz.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF ARGYROSOMUS.

A. Body long; scales small, of about the same size, their free edges
not straight but convex, marked with dark dots.
B. Lower fins pale or merely tipped with dusky; scales dotted
with black.

C. Eye large; about equal to the snout, contained 3} to 4}
times in the head; head long, 44 in the length; pectoral
fins short, reaching about half way to the ventrals;
gill-rakers long and numerous, 16-+30. ‘ : . artedi, 45

CC. Eye small, its width less than the length of the snout,
contained 5 times in the length of the head; head
long, 4 to 43 in the length; maxillary very long, 24
in the head; lower jaw considerably projecting; gill-

rakers abn 15-+-28. ‘ ‘ . prognathus, 45
BB. Lower fins all blue-black; body strong: snibrith large; eye
large; gill-rakers 18-130, ; 5 , nigripennis, 46

AA. Body short, compressed, curved about as tial on the back as
on the belly; scales large, their free margins almost straight;
jaws about equal; mouth rather small. : 2 ‘i .  tullibee, 46

.

Argyrosomus artedi (Le Sueur). Cisco. Lake Herring. Michigan Herring.

Sides silvery, scales dotted with black; bluish or greenish
above; fins pale, except the lower, which may be dusky tinged.
Body elongate, compressed, back not elevated; head rather long,
compressed and pointed; mouth rather large; maxillary bone reach-
ing nearly to the pupil, contained 3} to 34 times in the head. Gill
rakers long and slender, 15 to 17+28 to 34, the longest contained
1 2-5 times in the eye. Head contained 43 times in the length.
Depth 44. Eye4to 4}. Dorsal fin with 10 rays, its first rays high,
the last much shorter. Anal 12. Scales 8-75 to 90-7. Length 12
inches.

Very common in Lake Superior and possibly in some of the
small lakes, but its presence in the latter is still doubtful.

Argyrosomus prognathus (H. M. Smith). Long Jaws. Bloater.

Sides bright silvery with bluish reflections; upper parts dusky;
lower parts white; scales above the lateral line with their lower
edges dotted with black, center of the scales bright, thus forming
light longitudinal stripes which extend the whole length of the
body. Fins rather pinkish, the dorsal and caudal with dusky
edges. Body oblong, compressed, back elevated; mouth large;
snout straight; maxillary contained 24 times in the head, its
length 34 times its greatest width; lower jaw projecting beyond
46 PRELIMINARY REPORT

the upper. Head short, contained 44 times in the length. Dorsal
fin with 9 or 10 rays, the longest 4 longer than the base of the fin;
the first ray inserted nearer the snout than the base of the caudal
fin. Anal with 10 to 12 rays, the longest ray equal to the length
of the fin. Eye small, contained 14 times in the snout. Scales
9-75-8. Gill rakers 15428, about as long as the width of the eye.

This is probably a common fish in Lake Superior, although there
is no recent data concerning it. It is described from Outer Island,
Lake Superior, as Argyrosomus hoyi Milner, Report U. S. Fish
Comm., XI, 1872-3 (1874), p. 86. (See Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes
of North and Middle America, I, 472).

Argyrosomus nigripennis Gill. Bluefin. Blackfin.

Sides silvery, upper parts dark bluish; dark dots on the sides;
fins all blue-black. Body rather heavy, compressed; back not
elevated; head large; mouth large, lower jaw projecting some-
what; maxillary bone reaching the front of the pupil, 1-5 longer
than the width of the eye. Head contained 4 times in the length.
Depth 4. Eye large, longer than the snout, contained 4 1-5 times in
the head. Dorsal fin with 12 rays. Anal 12. Scales 9 or 10-73 to
{7-7 or 8. Length 18 inches. ~ :

This is likely the white-fish that is reported so often from the
small lakes in the northern part of the state, although there is no
definite data concerning it except as listed from Lake Miltona, Min-
nesota, in Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes of North America, I, 472.
White-fish, which may be this species, are reported very common
in Leech Lake (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1895), where they are taken in gill
nets by the Indians.

Argyrosomus tullibee (Richardson). Tullibee. Mongrel Whitefish.

Sides white, edges of the scales with black dots; their centers
silvery, the silver areas forming longitudinal stripes; upper parts
of the body bluish. Body short, much compressed, curved as much
on the dorsal as on the ventral side. Head pointed; mouth large,
maxillary bone as long as the width of the eye, extending back of
the front of the eye. Head contained 4 to 44 times in the length.
Depth 8 to31-5. Eye large, contained 43 times in the head, as wide
as the length of the snout. Dorsal fin with 11 or 12 rays. Anal 11.
Scales with their free margins rather straight, much larger ante-
riorally than posteriorly, 8 or 9-67 to 74-8. Gill rakers slender, 16+
31, the longest equal to the eye. Length 18 inches.

A very common fish in the state. Numerous specimens have
been taken from the lakes of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist.
Surv., 1892-3-5); Lake of the Woods (Woolman & Cox, 1894).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 47

Genus CRISTIVOMER Gill & Jordan.

Cristivomer namaycush (Wallbaum). Great Lake Trout. Mackinaw Trout.

The color varies from almost white to gray and very nearly
black; round light spots everywhere on the body; wavy lines on
the head; a network of light and dark colors on the dorsal and
caudal fins. Body elongate; head very long, flattened above;
mouth very large, maxillary bone extending beyond the eye, nearly
half_as long as the head; teeth strong. Head contained 4} times
in thelength. Depth4. Eye large, contained 44 times in the head.
Dorsal fin with 11 rays. Anal 11. Caudal fin deeply forked; adi-
pose fin small. Lateral line with 185 to 205 scales. Branchiostegal
rays 11 or 12. The average length is 17 to 36 inches, although
specimens have been taken that are much longer. Immense num-
bers are taken annually in Lake Superior, and it is quite common
in some of the smaller lakes. A specimen taken in Pokegama Lake
near Grand Rapids by H. D. Powers in August, 1895, weighed a lit-
tle more than 25 pounds and measured 42 inches, total length. A
half-tone cut showing this specimen is given on the first page of the
cover of Recreation for January, 1896, and in the same number will
be found a note; page 61, concerning its capture.

Cristivomer namaycush siscowet (Agassiz). Siscowet.

The skin very much thicker than in C. namaycush; scales smaller,
175 in the lateral line; teeth weaker; supplemental maximillary
bone broader and shorter; head shorter and the flesh of the entire
body with much more fat. Mouth very large; caudal fin well forked;
maxillary a little more than half the length of the head. Colora-
tion the same as C. namaycush.

This fish is known only from Lake Superior, where it is com-
mon. It was first described from there as Salmo siscowet Agassiz,
Lake Superior, 333, 1850. It is taken at most of the fishing stations
on the Jake, but is not as abundant as 0. namaycush.

Genus SALVELINUS (Nilsson) Richardson.

Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Brook Trout. Speckled Tront.

Back mottled with olive or black; sides with many red spots
when alive, these fading to white in alcoholic specimens; dorsal
and caudal fins mottled with dark bands or spots; lower fins dark
shaded; belly in the males sometimes red. Body oblong, only mod-
erately compressed, back not much elevated. Head large, snout
blunt; mouth large; maxillary reaching beyond the eye; eye large.
48 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Head contained 4} times in the body. Depth 44. Dorsal fin with
10 rays. Anal 9. Scales 37-230-30. Gill rakers about 6+11.
Length 18 inches.

This valuable fish is found native in the state only in the
streams which flow into Lake Superior from the north, where it is
quite common.

Order HAPLOMI.
Family UNBRIDH. The Mud Minnows.

Soft rayed fishes. Body rather heavy, compressed posteriorly;
head large and flattened above; mouth of medium size with teeth
on the jaws, vomer and palatine bones; upper jaw not protractile;
maxillary bones forming the posterior part of the upper jaw. Gill
rakers not well developed; branchiostegal raéys 6 to 8. The cycloid
scales cover the head and body, no lateral line. No pyloric ceca;
pseudobranchia not well developed; air-bladder simple.

‘But one genus and one species found in the state.

Genus UMBRA (Kramer) Miller.

Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mud Minnow. Dogfish.

Color dark, sometimes almost brown, much mottled; 14 narrow
light cross bars; a dark bar at the base of. the caudal fin. Body
oblong, rather heavy. Head contained 3} times in the length.
Depth 44. Dorsal inserted rather posteriorly, but its first ray
further forward than the first ray of the anal, contains 14 rays.
Anal 8 Ventrals with 6 rays. Branchiostegal rays 6. Length 4
inches.

Not a very common fish in the state. A fish fond of muddy
streams and pools where there is aquatic vegetation, although itself
carniverous. Specimens have been recorded from the region of
Gull and Cass Lakes in Cass County; Leech Lake (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1893-5); Lakes Wita and Washington, near Mankato (Cox, 1893-4).

Family LUCIIDEH The Pikes.

Body very much elongate, the back not elevated, not greatly
compressed. Head very long and much depressed; cleft of the
mouth about half the length of the head; lower jaw longer than the
upper; upper jaw not protractile; maxillary bones forming a part
FISHES OF MINNESOTA AQ

of the upper jaw; jaws, vomer and palatine bones well set with
teeth; some small teeth on the tongue. Gill openings large; gill
membranes free from the isthmus; gill rakers tubercle-like and
toothed; branchiostegal rays 12 to 20. Scales small; lateral line
not well developed, especially in young specimens. Dorsal fin in-
serted far back, about opposite the anal. No barbels, adipose fin
of pyloric ceca; air-bladder simple.
One genus and two species represented in the state.

Genus LUCIUS Rafinesque.

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF LUCIUS.

A. Cheeks entirely covered with scales; branchiostegal rays 11 to 16. . lucius.
AA. Lower halfofthe cheeks and opercles without scales; branchiostegal
rays 17 to 19. ‘ - 3 ‘ : ‘ ‘ - Mmasquinongy.

Lucius lucius (Linnzus). Common Pike, Pickerel.

Color grayish with many circular or oval white spots, these
spots sometimes of a yellowish hue; black spots on the dorsal,
caudal and anal fins. Body considerably elongate, back not ele-
vated; head long; eye inserted midway between the snout and the
posterior margin of the opercle. Cheeks covered with scales; lower
half of the opercles scaleless; 123 scales in the lateral line. Head
contained 84 times in the length. Depth 5. Eye 64 in the head,
34 in the snout. Snout contained 2 2-5 times in the head. Dorsal
inserted far back, over the anal, contains 16 to 17 developed rays.
Anal 13 to 14. Branchiostegal rays 14 to 16. Length 4 feet.

This is one of the most common fishes in the state. There is
scarcely a lake or stream from which it has not been taken. De-
tailed data concerning its distribution is unnecessary.

Lucius masquinongy (Mitchill). Muskallunge. Maskinongy. Muscallonge.

Great Pike.

Color considerably lighter than that of the L. lucius; irregular
‘ black spots on the sides; lower parts white; fins spotted with
black. Cheeks without scales on their lower halves. Head con-
tained $3. times in the length. Depth 6. Snout contained 23 times in
the head. Dorsal fin with 17 rays. Anal 15. Branchiostegal rays
17 to 19. One hundred and fifty rows of scales between the opercle
and base of the caudal. Length 4 to 8 feet.

This species does not differ greatly from L. lucius except in the
scaleless cheeks, number of branchiostegal rays and the color, yet
50 PRELIMINARY REPORT

it grows much larger and sometimes reaches a weight of 100
pounds. It is quite common in the lakes of the Upper Mississippi
System, where numerous specimens have been taken by the Nat.
Hist. Surv. The heads of two which were taken in Leech Lake in
the summer of 1895 are now in the University museum. One of
these fish weighed 36 pounds, and the other 30.

Another one was reported as having been taken which weighed
65 pounds. The muskallunge is not generally so common as the
pickerel, and for some unknown reason small specimens of the for-
mer are rarely taken. Amateur fishermen do not generally dis-
tinguish between the two fish, but call all large specimens of either
muskallunge.

Family P@CILIIDE. The Killifishes.

Body somewhat elongate, compressed posteriorly; head con-
siderably depressed; scales cycloid and rather large; lateral line
wanting or very imperfect. Mouth very small; lower jaw project-
ing, upper jaw very protractile; teeth present in the jaws and
sometimes on the vomer. Gill membranes free from the isthmus;
gill rakers short and heavy. Branchiostegal rays 4 to 6; pseudo-
branchia not developed. Dorsal fin single, composed of soft rays
only, inserted far back; caudal not forked; ventral fins inserted
on the abdomen; no adipose fin; no pyloric ceca; air-bladder some-
times absent.

There is known at present but one genus and one species in the

state.
Genus FUNDULUS Lacépéde.

Fundulus diaphanus (Le Sueur).

Color olivaceous, sides much barred with olive and silvery cross
bands; back sometimes spotted; fins not much marked. Body
medium; posterior portion compressed; head depressed. Head
contained 4 times in the length. Depth 44-5. Eye 34 in the head.
Dorsal fin with 13 rays, inserted far back, its first rays before the
first rays of the anal or over them, not very large. Analil. Scales
cycloid, 45-15. Jaws with pointed teeth. Length 4 inches.

This little fish is fond of muddy brooks and ponds where there
is aquatic vegetation; quite common in the state. Numerous speci-
mens have been recorded from the various streams and lakes in the
vicinity of Mankato and southwest (Cox, 1891-5); the streams and
lakes of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); the
streams and lakes of the Upper Minnesota River GWootman & Cox,
1892).
FISHES OF M9NNESOTA 51

Order HEMIBRANCHII.
Family GASTEROSTEIDH. The Sticklebacks.

Body somewhat compressed; the portion before the caudal fin
(caudal peduncle), very small. Head of medium size; mouth moder-
ate, the lower jaw projecting beyond the upper; maxillary bent,
overlapping the premaxillary at the corner of the mouth; jaws set
with sharp, even teeth; upper jaw protractile. Body not covered
with true scales; dorsal fin preceded by several free spines; bran-
chiostegal rays 3; ventral fins each with a stout spine; pectoral
fins inserted far back. Air-bladder simple; a small number of
pyloric czeca present.

Small carniverous fishes, represented in our state by two genera
and at least two species.

KEY TO THE GENERA OF GASTEROSTEIDZ.

A. Dorsal fin with 4 to 5 spines. : ; : : ; ; Eucalia, 51
AA. Dorsal fin with 9 to 11 spines. : ‘ : ‘ ‘ . Pygosteus, 52

Genus EUCALIA Jordan.

Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook Stickleback.

Color varying to black, under parts usually lighter; some red
on the anterior parts of the spring males. Body somewhat elon-
gate, moderately compressed; the portion before the caudal fin
very small; no scales. Gill membranes somewhat free posteriorly;
gill rakers short; a ridge or keel along the base of the tail. Head
contained in the length 34 times. Depth 4. Dorsal fin with 4 or 5
free spines and 10 soft rays (IV-I, 10). Anal I, 10. Length 23
inches.

A very common little fish. Specimens have been taken in the
streams of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893); streams
in the vicinity of Mankato and the southwest (Cox, 1891-95); the
Upper Minnesota River and the Red River of the North and tribu-
taries (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893, p. 372).
Euealia inconstans pygmeza (Agassiz).

This variety is said to differ from the typical H#. inconstans in
having a shorter and deeper body and the dorsal fin with III or
IV-I, 6 rays. Anal I, 6. It was described from Lake Superior as
Gasterosteus pygmeus Agassiz, Lake Superior, 314, 1850. There
is some doubt as to the validity of this variety, so the Nat. Hist.
Surv. desires very much to get a large series of specimens from the
Lake Superior region.
52 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus PYGOSTEUS Brevoort.
Pygosteus pungitius (Linnxus). Nine-spined Stickleback.

Olive above, much dotted; sides barred with dark; belly silvery.
Body slender, a little compressed, the portion before the caudal fin
very small. Head short and blunt; eye wider than the length of
the snout. Dorsal spines not all pointing in the same direction;
anal spine larger than the dorsal; gill rakers long and slender.
Head contained 4 times in the length. Depth 5 to 6. Dorsal rays
VIII or IX-1, 9. Anal I, 8. Length 3 inches.

Not common in the state, so far as known. It was described
from Lake Superior as Gasterosteus nebulosus Agassiz, Lake Supe-
rior, 310, pl. 4, fig. 4, 1850. A specimen in the University museum
was taken in Lake Superior at Grand Marias by T. S. Roberts in
1879.

Order ACANTHOPTERI.
Family PERCOPSIDH. The Trout Perches.

Body elongate, rather heavy anteriorly, compressed posteriorly.
Head rather pointed; mouth small; eye large; maxillary bones
small; premaxillaries forming the upper jaw; upper jaw protrac-
tile; the jaws set with weak teeth. Gill membranes free from the
isthmus; pseudobranchia developed; branchiostegal rays 6; gill
rakers tubercle-like. The bones of the head cavernous; scales cten-
oid, lateral line present. Several well developed pyloric ceca.

Genus PERCOPSIS Agassiz.
Percopsis guttatus (Agassiz). Trout Perch.

Body somewhat mottled with light and dark colors, upper parts
with many dark spots. Body rather heavy, quite small just before
the caudal fin; head conical, not covered with scales; mouth small.
Head contained 3 4-5 times in the length. Depth 44. Dorsal fin
inserted about the middle of the body, its rays II, 9. Anal I, 7.
Ventrals each I, 8. About 50 scales in the lateral line. Length
6 inches.

This little fish is everywhere common in the northern part of the
state. A large number of specimens have been collected in the
streams and lakes of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1892-3-5); more than 500 specimens were taken at one haul with a
small seine in the St. Louis River at the mouth of the Cloquet River
(Woolman & Cox, 1894).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 53
Family APHREDODERIDZ. The Pirate Perches.

Body considerably compressed; back somewhat elevated; head
flattened above. Mouth of medium size, rather oblique, lower jaw
projecting beyond the upper. Jaws, vomer, palatines and ptery-
goids with teeth; upper jaw not protractile; maxillary bones well
developed; preopercle and preorbital with their edges toothed or
serrate; a spine on the opercle. No pseudobranchia; 6 branchios-
tegal rays; scales ctenoid, no lateral line. Vent in adult speci-
mens located just back of the lower jaw. Air-bladder simple;
pyloric czeca 12.

Genus APHREDODERUS Le Sueur.

Aphredoderus sayanus (Gilliams). Pirate Perch.

Color very dark, dotted with darker. Caudal fin with two black
bars at its base, a lighter bar between these. Body oblong, rather
heavy anteriorly, compressed posteriorly; back somewhat elevated
in the region of the dorsal fin. Dorsal fin rather high, its rays II,
6. Ventrals 7. Head contained 3 times in the length. Depth 3.
Scales ctenoid, varying from 45 to 60 in a direct line from the
opercle to the base of the caudal fin. Length 5 inches.

The interesting point about this little fish is the location of its
vent, which in the young is situated in about the natural position,
but as the fish matures the vent gradually passes forward, and in
the adult it is located just back of the mouth.

At present there is but one specimen recorded in the state, and
that is now in the museum of the Mankato State Normal School.
It was secured at Winona by Prof. J. M. Holzinger, where it is said
to be rare. The fishermen at Winona call it a black bass, but con-
sider it different from our common bass.

Family ATHERINIDE. The Silversides.

Body enlongate, compressed; scales usually cycloid, but not in
our species, no lateral line; jaws, vomer and palatines set with
teeth. Upper jaw not protractile; gill membranes free from the
isthmus; pseudobranchia developed; gill rakers long and slender;
branchiostegal rays 5 or 6. Two dorsal fins, these far apart, the
first composed of 3 to 8 slender spines, the second of soft rays;
anal fin preceded by one spine; ventral rays I,5. A well developed
air-bladder but no pyloric czeca. The family is represented in the
state by but one genus and one species.
54 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus LABIDESTHES Cope.

Labidesthes sicculus (Cope). Brook Silverside. Skipjack.

Color pale olive green, translucent; a bright silvery lateral band
present; a dark lateral line above the silvery band; back dotted
with black. Body elongate, compressed; head flattened above;
snout slender, considerably drawn out, longer than the eye; premax-
illaries very protractile; edge of the upper jaw concave; scales
cycloid. Head contained 44 timesin the length Depth6. Eye 34
Dorsal fins IV-I, 11, the first very small and the spines very weak.
Anal I, 23. Seventy-five scales in a line from the opercle to the
base of the caudal. Caudal fin forked. Length 34 inches.

Rare in the state. The only record of its occurrence is one
specimen in the University Museum, which was picked up dead on
the shore of Lake Harriet near Minneapolis, April 19, 1894.

Family CENTRARCHIDE. The Sunfishes. ze

Body much compressed and generally short; curve of the back
about equal to that of the belly. Mouth variable, large in some
and small in others; teeth well developed on the jaws and vomer
and occasionally on the palatine bones and the tongue; upper jaw
protractile; maxillary well developed, sometimes with a supple-
mental bone. Gill membranes free from the isthmus; pseudo-
branchia not well developed; spiny rays strong; branchiostegal
rays 6or 7. Body well covered with scales, these extending on the
opercles and cheeks; lateral line generally complete. Dorsal fins
2, but connected, the anterior with 6 to 18 spiny rays, the pos-
terior of soft rays; anal fin with 3 to 9 spines; 5 to 10 pyloric ceca.

Carniverous fishes represented in the state, according to present
knowledge, by six genera and eleven species. The species of this
order are very difficult to determine.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 55

KEY TO THE GENERA OF CENTRARCHIDE.

A. Dorsal fin about equal to the anal in length.
B. Anal spines 6; dorsal spines 5 to 8; body much compressed.
Pomoxis, 55
AA. Dorsal fin much longer than the anal.
B. Body short and deep, its depth usually more than ? the length;
dorsal fin not deeply notched between the spinous and soft.

rayed portions,
C. Tongue and pterygoid bones covered with teeth; scales

ctenoid; gill-rakers about 10; anal spines usually 6.
Ambloplites, 56
CC. No teeth on the tongue ae pterygoid bones; anal spines
usually 3.
D. Supplemental Gauri bones well developed.
; Apomotis, 57
DD. Supplemental maxillary absent or very rudiment-
ary.
E. Lower pharyngeal bones narrow, the teeth
sharp, not conical. : Lepomis, 58
EE. Lower pharyngeal bones pena eek blunt
and paved. s : . Eupomotis, 60
BB. Body rather long, the depth in the salt $ the length; dorsal
fin deeply notched; mouth large. ’ 6 : Micropterus, 61

Genus POMOXIS Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF POMOXIS.

A. Dorsal spines not more than 6 or less than 5, generally 6; ana] fin

not marked with black lines. 3 3 ‘ annularis, 55
AA. Dorsal spines not more than 8 or less than "7, genewilly 7; anal fin
marked with a network of dark lines. , . e sparoides, 56

Pomoxis annularis, Rafinesque. Crappie.

Color silvery, mottled with dark shades, the dark colors forming
a series of cross bars. Body rather long for fishes of this family,
much compressed; head long, the snout projecting, depressed above
the eyes; mouth large, maxillary reaching past the pupil. Fins
high, the dorsal and caudal marked with dark green; anal fin little
marked. Head contained 3 times in the length. Depth 23. Eye
large, contained 4 times in the head. Dorsal rays VI, 15. Anal
VI, 18. Thirty-six to 48 scales in the lateral line, 4 or 5 rows on
the.cheeks. Length 12 inches.

There is some doubt as to the occurrence of this species in the
state. I have examined a large series of specimens from the Upper
Mississippi, which were collected by the Nat. Hist. Surv., and they
all proved to be P. sparoides. It is reported, however, from Big

5
56 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Stone Lake (Woolman, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893). The

two species of Pomoxis are so much alike in general appearance that. —

they are not generally distinguished, yet is is easily done by count-~
ing the dorsal spines. The Nat. Hist. Surv. desires very much to
get information concerning the occurrence of this species in the |
state. :

Pomoxis sparoides (Lacépéde). Calico Bass. Strawberry Bass. Grass Bass.

Color silvery, mottled with olive green, forming irregular dark
blotches all over the body. Anal fin, as well as the dorsal and
caudal, marked with many irregular cross lines. Body oblong;
much compressed; back elevated; head not much depressed over
the region of the eyes. Mouth smaller than in the preceding spe-
cies, maxillary reaching to the posterior edge of the pupil, but not
beyond. Fins very high, higher than in P. annularis. Head con-
tained 3 times in the length. Depth 2. Dorsal fin high, its height
contained 4 to 5 times in the length of the body, its rays VII or
VIII, 15. Anal VI, 17 or 18. Scales 40 to 45 in the lateral line, 6
rows on the cheek. Length 12 inches. Very common in the state.

Numerous specimens have been taken in the lakes and streams |
of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); it is very
common in Lake Washington, near Mankato, and specimens have
been taken from the Blue Earth River at the same place (Cox,
1891-5).

Genus AMBLOPLITES Rafinesque.
Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque). Rock Bass.

General color olive green; the young very much mottled, some-
times yellowish tinged; adult’ with many broken longitudinal
stripes; body only moderately compressed for fishes of this family.
Head large and heavy; mouth large; maxillary bone large, a well
developed supplemental bone on its upper edge; lower jaw project-
ing beyond the upper; jaws, vomer, palatines, pterygoids and
tongue with teeth. Gill rakers less than 10; branchiostegal rays —
6; two flat points on the posterior edge of the opercle; preopercle
aomewiat serrate. Head contained 23 times in the length. Depth
2to 24. Eye 3} in the head. Dorsal fin much lon ger than the anal, .-
its rays XI, 10. Anal VI, 10. Scales large, 5-39-12, 6 to 8 rows
on the dhacte Length 12 inches.

A very common and valuable food fish in all the lakes and
‘ streams of the state. Numerous specimens have been taken from
the streams and lakes of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 57

1892-3-5); from the lakes and streams in the vicinity of Mankato
and southwest (Cox, 1891-5); Upper Minnesota River and tribu-
taries and Red Lake River near Crookston (Woolman, 1892, Report
U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893). :

Genus APOMOTIS Rafinesque.

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF APOMOTIS.

A. Body'rather long, its depth 24 to 2} in the length; supplemental
bone on the maxillary well developed; a black spot at the base
of the posterior portion of the dorsal fin; black spot on the
opercle limited to the bony siceoge lateral line with 45 to

.55 scales: ‘ si eyanellus.
AA. Body short, its depth contained 2 imead in ite length; iateral line
with 40 to 46 scales. 3 ; ‘ é : “ 5 ischyrus.

Apomotis cyanellus (Rafinesque). Blue-spotted Sunfish. Green Sunfish.

Red-eye.

Color variable, occasionally greenish with golden reflections;
under parts more yellowish; a blue spot on each scale, these form-
ing faint longitudinal stripes; dark cross bars sometimes present;
sides sometimes dotted with black; dorsal, caudal and anal often
with blue or green markings; a black spot generally present on the
base of the posterior edge of the dorsal and anal fins; small blue
lines across the cheeks; iris red; opercular spot small, smaller than
the eye, the black confined to the bone, edged with yellow. Body
somewhat elongate in the typical form, the adults shorter in pro-
portion than the young; moderately compressed. Head rather
large, snout long; mouth large; maxillary and supplemental bone
well developed; lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. Head
contained in the length 3 times. Depth 24. Dorsal spines short,

* the longest about equal to the snout, and contained 3 to 4 times in
the head, rays X, 11. Anal III, 9. Scales 6 or 7-45 to 55-16, 8
_ rows on the cheek. Gill rakers X+15. Length 7 inches.

Not very common in the state, according to present information.
Specimens have been recorded from Lake Wittlesey as Brittus
nvineopas Cope (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 84, 1865); one specimen
from Vadnais Lake, Ramsey County, and one from Pine Lake, Ait-
kin County (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892); one specimen from the Des
Moines River at Windom (Cox, 1894).

Apomotis ischyrus (Jordan & Nelson).

Rather dark in color, mottled with blue and orange; blue bands
on the cheeks, broader than in the preceding Species; dorsal and
58 PRELIMINARY REPORT

anal fins with a faint black spot at the base of their posterior por-
tions; much blue on the lower jaw and lower parts. Body rather
heavy; back elevated; mouth large, the maxillaries well developed
and reaching beyond the middle of the eye, supplemental maxillary
bone present. Head rather large, flattened above, contained 23
' times in the length. Depth21-6. Eye 44 in the head, smaller than
the black spot on the opercle. Dorsal fins with low, strong spines,
its rays IX or X,12. Anal III, 9.or 10. Scales 5-46-14, the cheek
with 6 rows. Length 7 inches.
But little known in the state. Specimens have been taken in
Bald Eagle and Vadnais Lakes; Ramsey County (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1892).

Genus LEPOMIS Rafinesque.

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF LEPOMIS.

A. Pectoral fins short, shorter than the head, not reaching farther
back than the front of the anal fin; gill-rakers very soft and
weak; dorsal spines short; opercular flap long. s megalotis, 58
AA. Pectoral fins long and pointed, not generally shorter than the head,
reaching to or beyond the front of the anal; gill-rakers long
and slender but strong.
B. 33 to 39 scales in the lateral line. f humilis, 59
BB. 43 to 52 scales in the lateral line; the longer dares spine
% the length of the head; a black blotch at the base of
the posterior portions of the dorsal and anal fins. pallidus, 59

Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). Long-eared Sunfish.

An abundance of bright colors, back a dark blue, lower parts
brilliant orange; spotted with orange on the sides; many wavy
blue vertical lines; lips blue; cheeks orange, crossed with blue
lines; blue lines in front of the eye; soft rays of the dorsal, caudal
and anal blue, the connecting membrane orange. Body much com-
pressed, deep, short, the back much elevated; mouth small, oblique;
maxillary well developed, extending to the middle of the eye; gill
rakers very short and soft, X+8 or 9. Head without the flap con-
tained 3 times in the length. Depth 1% to 23. Eye 34 to 4 in the
head. Dorsal spines short, the longest about equal to the snout,
contained 3 times in the head; dorsal rays X, 10 to 12. Anal III,
8to 10. Scales 5-36 to 45-14. Opercular flap very long and broad
in the adult, edged with blue or red. ‘Length 8 inches,

Not common in the state. The only specimens known are listed
from the Pomme de Terre River at Appleton and Big Stone Lake.
at Ortonville (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893, p.

arn
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 59

Lepomis humilis (Girard). Red-spotted Sunfish.

Color somewhat bluish, spotted with green, many circular red
spots on the sides; a dim, black spot at the base of the posterior
portion of the dorsal fin; lower fins and lower part of the body red.
Body somewhat elongate; back not greatly elevated for fishes of
this family. The rather long opercular flap with a red edge sur-
rounding the’ black. Pectoral fins shorter than the head. Gill
rakers well developed, X+9 to 11. Head contained 23 to 3 times
in the length of the body. : Depth 24 to 2}. Eye 3 to, 3} in the
head. Dorsal fin X, 10 or 11, its spines rather high, longest spine
nearly 4 the length of the head. Anal III, 8 or 9. Scales 5-33 to
39-11. Length 4 inches.

Probably not common. It was described Sepik Lake Wittlesey
as Bryttus ocultatus Cope (Jour. Ac. Nat. Sci., Phila., 83, 1865).
There is no other record of its occurrence in the state. -

Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). Blue-gill. Blue Bream.- Blue Sunfish.

Color greenish varying to dark in the adult, young lighter, sil-
very, sometimes purplish; young generally marked with very
‘irregular dark cross bars; cheeks without blue stripes; a black spot
generally present at the base of the last dorsal and anal rays, dis-
tinct in the adult and often wanting in the young; fins never red,
but sometimes the lower part of the body is dull red. Body much
compressed, short and deep, adults much shorter in proportion than
the young. Head medium, depressed above the eyes; mouth small
and oblique; lower jaw not projecting; maxillary bone reaching
the front of the eye socket; opercular flap rather small in the young,
becoming longer and wider in proportion in the adult, edge not
pale; gill rakers moderate, X, 11 to 18. Head contained about 3
times in the length. Depth: about 2. Eye 34 to 4 in the head.
Dorsal spines X, 11 or 12, strong, the Idngest 4 the length of the
head. Anal III, 10 to12. Scales 7-43 to 52-16, 5 rows on the cheek.
Length 12 inches.

Very common in the state. Specimens have been recorded from,
Fort Snelling as Pomotis luna Girard (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila.,
201, 1857); common in the streams and lakes of the Upper Missis-
sippi (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1892-3-5); Big. Stone Lake and Minnesota
River at Ortonville, very common (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S.
Fish Comm., 1898, p. 352).
60 PRELIMINARY REPORT
Genus EUPOMOTIS Gill & Jordan.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF EUPOMOTIS.

A. No blue lines or orange spots on the cheeks; scales 42 to 44; oper-
‘cular flap with a broad whitish or ee pee 6 to 7 rows
of scales on the cheek. 7 s z euryorus.
AA. Wavy biue lines on the cheeks; numerous orange spots on the
sides of the body; about 47 scales in the lateral line; opecular
flap bordered with red; about 4 rows of scales on the cheek.
j gibbosus.
Eupomotis euryorus (McKay).

The life colors have not been carefully taken. In alcoholic
specimens the upper parts are mottled with dark colors; lower
parts yellowish; dorsal, caudal, anal and ventral fins dusky, pec-
torals lighter. Body quite heavy, compressed, very short; back
much elevated, making the outline. nearly oval; mouth small,
oblique, maxillary extending to the front of the eye socket. Outer
teeth of the jaws larger than the others, palatine bones with teeth.
Pharyngeal teeth, strong, blunt, and not very close to each other.
Gill rakers short and stout, about 8 in number. A small supple
mental maxillary bone. Opercular flap about as long as the snout,
edged with a broad, pale membranous portion. Head contained 32
times in the length. Depth 2 2-5. Dorsal fin, X, 11, spines short,
about equal to the length of the snout. Anal III, 10. Scales
6-43-14, 6 to 7 rows on the cheek, 5 rows on the opercle. Length
8 inches.

This heretofore rather rare fish may prove to be common in Min-
nesota. A few specimens have been taken from Lake Kilpatrick,
near Gull Lake (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893).

Eupomotis gibbosus (Linneus). Common Sunfish. Bream. Pumpkin Seed.
Sunny.

Color greenish above, tinged with blue in places; orange spots ,
on the sides; belly and cheeks often deep orange; cheeks with dis-
tinct blue lines, these white in alcoholic specimens; lower posterior
edge of the opercular flap red, this mark important in adult speci-
mens. Body short, deep and compressed; back considerably ele-
vated. Head small, depressed above the eyes; mouth small, max-
illary barely reaching the eye. Pharyngeal teeth blunt, set very
close to each other. Head contained 3 to 34 times in the length.
Depth 13 to 2. Eye 4 to 43 in the head. Snout 44 in the head. Dorsal
fin X, 10 to 12, its spines rather high, the longest 2 to 24 in the
head. Anal III,100r11. Scales 6-40 to 47, 4 rows on the cheek.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA si 61

; Common in the state. Numerous specimens have been taken
in the lakes and streams of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv.,.
1893).

Genus MICROPTERUS Lacépéde.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF MICROPTERUS.

A. Maxillary-bone in the adult not extending beyond the posterior
margin of the eye; mouthof medium size; scalesabout 11-74-17,

17 rows on the cheek. ae ee é .  ...  dolomieu.
AA. Maxillary bone in the adult extending beyond the posterior mar-
gin of the eye; mouth large; scales about 7-68-16, 10 rows on

the cheek. z és : : ; ‘i ‘ ‘ : salmoides.

Micropterus dolomieu Lacépéde. Small-mouthed Black Bass. River Bass.

Color dark green with golden reflections; sides spotted with
dark colors in the young, these spots forming vertical bars in some
cases, no dark lateral bands; cheek and opercle with 3 bronze
bands; lower parts light; caudal fin tipped with a light colored
band, a dark band across the middle of this fin, light colored at the
base; dorsal fin not edged with a pale band. Body considerably
elongate, moderately compressed; mouth rather large, but not as
large as the next, maxillary bone generally reaching the middle of
the eye, but rarely extending beyond its posterior edge. Gill
rakers X+6 or 7. Head contained 24 to 34 times in the length.
Depth 34. Eye 14 to 2 in the snout, 5 to 64 in the head. Dorsal
fin X, 18 to-15, deeply notched. -Length 1 to 2 feet. A very valu-
able fish.

Common in the state, especially in the streams. Numerous
specimens have been taken from the Minnesota and Blue Earth
rivers at Mankato (Cox, 1891-4); Little Minnesota River at Brown’s
Valley; Big Stone Lake at Ortonville and Chippewa River at Mon-
tevideo (Woolman, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893, pp. 352
and 358).

Micropterus salmoides (Lacépéde). Large-mouthed Black Bass. . Oswego
Bass. Green Bass. Bayou Bass.

Dark greenish above, lower parts and sides somewhat silvery;
young with a dark lateral band; checks and opercles with three
dark stripes; caudal fin wth a pale edge; colors becoming darker
with age. Body somewhat elongate, compressed, the adults deeper
in proportion than the young. Head large; mouth very large, the -
maxillary extending beyond the eye in adults, not so long in the
62 PRELIMINARY REPORT

young. Head contained 3 to 3} times in the length. Depth 3 to
3}. Eye 14 to 2 in the snout, 5 to 6 in the head. Dorsal fin X, 12
to 18, deeply notched. Anal II, 10 ori11. Scales 7-65 to 70-18, about ,
10 rows on the cheek. Length 12 to 18 inches.

This valuable food fish is very common in nearly all parts of
the state, especially in the lakes; much more common than the
preceding. Specific notes concerning its distribution are unneces-
sary here, since it has been taken in nearly all the regions where the
Nat. Hist. nae and others have made collections.

Baad PERCIDE. The Perches.

Body elongate; generally covered with ctenoid scales, lateral
line usually present, but not always; mouth variable; upper jaw
protractile; no distinct supplemental maxillary bone. Teeth pres-—
ent on the jaws and usually also on the vomer and palatines; a
spine generally present on the posterior edge of the opercle; bran-
chiostegal rays 6 or 7. Gill membranes free from the isthmus; a
slit behind the fourth gill; gill-rakers slenderand toothed; pharyn-
geal teeth sharp. Dorsal fins 2, 6 to 15 spines in the first; anal fin
with 1 to 2 spines; ventral fins inserted far forward (thoracic) their
rays I, 5. Air-bladder small or even absent; a small number of
pyloric ceca.

This interesting family is known at present to be represented
in our state by 9 genera and 16 species, 3 species being valuable
food fishes, the remainder’never reaching more than a few inches
in length and not generally distinguished from the minnows by the
ordinary fishermen.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 63

KEY TO THE GENERA OF PERCIDE.

A. Branchiostegal rays 7; preopercle serrate; pseudobranchia (false
gills on under side of the opercle) well developed; mouth large.
B. Canine teeth (large conical teeth) present on the jaws and pal-
atine bones. j 3 i és . Stizostedion, 64
BB. No canine teeth preset ‘ é ‘ . Perea, 65
AA. Branchiostegal rays 6; preopercle very little if at all serrate;
pseudobranchia very little developed; all small fishes.
B. Upper portion of the skull rather depressed, very little convex
when seen in cross section.
C.' Space between the eyes wide, upper jaw not protractile;
snout sharp and conical, projecting beyond the mouth.
Percina, 65
CC. Space between the eyes not wide, snout not eke
much beyond the mouth.
D. Body not semitransparent in life; not greatly elon-
gate; well eovered with scales.
E. Upper jaw not protractile, no groove separating’
the skin which covers the premaxillaries from
the skin of the forehead; anal fin large; scales
cof the middle line of the belly often dropping
off, leaving a naked space. .  Hadropterus, 66
EE. Upper jaw protractile, a groove separating the
skin ‘which covers the premazillaries from the
skin of the forehead; anal spine one, this very
small; anal fin shorter than the soft dorsal.
, Boleosoma, 67
DD. Body semitransparent in life; very long and slender;
belly naked; upper jaw protractile; a row of black
dots along the lateral line. 3 i Ammocrypta, 68
BB. Upper portion of the skull not depressed, convex in cross
section; upper jaw not protractile.
C. Lateral line developed, at least on the anterior portion of
the body; dorsal spines 8 to 14.
D. Lateral line straight; body rather heavy. Etheostoma, 69
DD. Lateral line slightly curved, running high ante-
riorly; dorsal fins well separated; body slender.
Boleichthys, 71
CC. Lateral line not at all developed; dorsal spines 6. Microperca, 72
64 PRELIMINARY REPORT
Genus STIZOSTEDION Rafinesque.

KEY TO THE SPECIES OF STIZOSTEDION.

A. Rays of the soft dorsal fin about 20, its base 4 shorter than the
spinous dorsal; pyloric caeca 3, each about equal to the length
of the stomach; a black blotch on the last dorsal spines; no
black blotch on the base of the pectoral fins. 3 vitreum.
AA. Rays of the soft dorsal fin about 17, its base } less than the spinon
dorsal; pyloric czeca 4 to 7, shorter than the stomach and
unequal in length; no black blotch on the last dorsal spines;
a black blotch at the base of the pectoral fins. ‘ ; canadense.

Stoizostedion vitreum (Mitchill), Wall-eyed Pike. Pike Perch. Dory.
Glass- -eye. Yellow Pike. Blue Pike. Jack Salmon. ‘White-eye. i

Color dark olive, mottled with brassy; a network of lines on the:
‘sides of the head; lower parts and lower fins sometimes pinkish; a
large black spot on the last dorsal spines; soft dorsal mottled with
dark colors; no black spot at the base of the pectoral fins. Body
rather long and slender, heavy; 3 rather long pyloric ceca, as long
as ‘the stomach. Head contained 3% times in the length. Depth .
about 44. Eye 44 to 5 in the head, not as wide as the length of the
snout. Dorsal fin XII to XVI, 19 to 21, its longest spine more than
half the length of the head. Anal II, 12 to 14, its length greater
than its height. Scales 10-110 to 182-25, very few on the cheeks
and upper surface of the head. Length 18 inches to 3 feet. .

A very common and valuable food fish. Its definite range has
not been determined, but it seems to be very widely distributed.
Specimens have been recorded from all the lakes and streams of the
Upper Mississippi, where collections have been made (Nat. Hist.
Surv., 1893-5); common in the lakes in the vicinity of Mankato,
Okabena lakes at Worthington and Round Lake near the same

‘ place (Cox, 1894); common in Big Stone Lake (Woolman & Cox,
1892); Otter Tail River at Breckenridge, Red River of the North at
Grand Forks (N. D.); Red Lake River at Grand Forks and Crooks-
ton (Woolman, 1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 1893). .

Very little attention has been given by collectors in the state to
these two species of fishes, but it seems that 8. vitreum is the one
commonly taken.

Stizostedion canadense griseum (De Kay). Suauger. Sand Pike.

’ Color grayish with brassy reflections, the young more distinctly _
marked than the adult; 2 or 3 rows of circular black spots on the
‘first dorsal fin, no black spot on the last spines; 3 irregular rows
of dark spots on the soft dorsal; a large black spot at the base of

\
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 65

the pectoral fins. Body elongate, more cylindrical than 8. vitreum;
head depressed, pointed; opercular spines few and not very promi-
nent. Head contained 3} times in the length. Depth 44 to 6. Eye
5 in the head. Dorsal fin XI to XV-1, 17 to 19, Anal II, 11 or 12.
Scales 9-100 to 125-127. Pyloric csca 4 to 7, unequal and shorter
than the stomach. Length 10 to 18 inches. The variety griseum
differs from the typical canadense, which it is supposed is found
only farther east, in having fewer and less developed opercular

. Spines and the head more naked. It seems that this species is
much less abundant than 8. vitreuwm.

Specimens were described from Lake Pepin as Luciopterca pepi-
nus Estes (Hallock’s Sportsman’s Gazette, 322, 1877); a few speci-
mens have been taken in the Big Gull Lake and Mayo Creek, a tribu-
tary of the same (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893).

The representative of the genus Stizostedion needs some careful
study and the Nat. Hist. Surv. will be Bled to get any reliable in-
formation on the subject.

Genus PERCA (Artedi) Linneus.

Perea flavescens (Mitchill), Yellow Perch, American Perch. Ringed Perch.

Raccoon Perch.

General color yellow; dark, sometimes quite black, on the back;
six or eight dark cross bars on the sides; upper fins rather dark;
lower fins orange, sometimes tinged with red. Body elongate,
compressed; back elevated; mouth rather large; maxillary reach-
ing nearly to the middle of the eye; snout a little longer than the
width of the eye. Gill-rakers X+15. Head 34 in the length. Depth
34. Dorsal fin XIII to XVII, 13 to 15. Anal II, 7 or 8. Scales
7-74 to 88-17; cheeks covered with scales, opercles nearly naked.
A spine on the posterior edge of the opercle, preopercle strongly
serrated. Upper jaw protractile; jaws, vomer and palatines set

with moderate teeth. Branchiostegal rays 7; pyloric ceca 3.

~ Length 12 to 15 inches.

This well known fish is found in all the waters of the state and
generally in abundance. So common is it that specific notes con-
cerning its distribution are here omitted.

Genus PERCINA Haldeman.

Percina caprodes (Rafinesque). Log Perch. Rock-fish. Hog Molly. Hog-fish.

‘The zebra-like markings on the sides, which are black stripes
on a yellowish background, at once distinguish this darter from
all the others. Sides with about 15 dark stripes, these alternating
\

66 PRELIMINARY REPORT .

with shorter and fainter ones; caudal fin with a black spot at its
base; fins barred with black. Body elongate, not much com-
pressed; head depressed and pointed; mouth small and inferior;
snout drawn out, but blunt on the end; premaxillaries not -pro
tractile. Head contained 4 to 43 times in the length. Depth 5 to

64. Eye 1} times the length of the snout, contained 4 times in the . *,

head. Dorsal fin XIII to XVII, 12+017. Anal11,9to12. Scales
ctenoid, 9-90 to 95-15; present on the cheeks, opercles and back of
the neck. Length 6 to 8 inches. A very common darter in the *
lakes and streams of the northern part of the state. ts

A large series of specimens have been taken in the Upper Mis-
sissippi and its tributaries (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893-5); Upper Mis-
sissippi and tributaries and St. Louis River and tributaries (Wool-
man & Cox, 1894).

Percina caprodes zebra (Agassiz). Manitou Darter.

This variety differs from the typical caprodes in having the back
of the neck naked, the cross bars more indistinct and about 20 in
number. There is'a black caudal spot; dorsal and caudal fins
mottled with black. Head contained 4} times in the length. Depth
7. Dorsal fin XV, 14. Anal II, 10. The lateral line contains
about 90 scales.

The only record we have is its occurrence in Lake Superior, from
which it was described as Pileoma zebra Agassiz (Lake Superior, /
308, 1850), and some specimens in the University museum taken ©
from the north shore of Lake Superior (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1878).
This variety needs some study.

Genus HADROPTERUS Agassiz.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF HADROPTERUS.

A. Seales small, about 60 to 70 in the lateral line; cheeks with small
scales, larger ones on the opercles; several large, black

blotches on the sides. : ‘ ‘ ‘ 5 : e aspro, 66
AA. Scales 50 to 60 in the lateral line; cheeks and opercles with
somelargescales. . . . . . .., giintheri, 67

Hadropterus aspro (Cope & Jordan). Black-sided Darter.

Sides with about seven dark spots whose edges join each other;
general color yellowish or greenish; upper parts mottled with
black. Body elongate, not much compressed except posteriorly,
head somewhat elongate; mouth moderate, lower jaw not project-
ing, maxillary reaching just beyond the front of the eye. Head con-
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 67

_ tained 4 times in the length. Depth 5 to 6. Eye equal to the length

. Of the snout, contained 4 times in the head. Dorsal fin XIII to

XV-11 to 18. Anal IJ, 8 to 10.: Scales 9-65 to 80-17, cheeks with

very small scales; lateral line also straight; breast naked; back

of the neck sometimes naked; middle line of the belly with large

scales, which soon drop off, leaving a naked space. Pyloric ceca 3.
Length 3 to 4 inches.

Very common-in the Minnesota River at Mankato, where a num-
ber of specimens have been taken (Cox, 1891-4); a few taken from
the Little Minnesota River and Big Stone Lake at Brown’s Valley;
Minnesota River at Ortonville, rare; Chippewa River at Monte-
video, common; Red River of the North at Moorhead, rare; Otter

* Tail River at Breckenridge, not common (Woolman, 1892, Report
U. S. Fish Comm., 1893, p. 372).

Hadropterus guntheri (Eigenmann & Eigenmann).

General color yellowish; a series of large dark blotches along
the sides similar to those of H. aspro; upper parts mottled with
black; dark lines before and below the eye; a dark blotch on the
anterior and posterior portions of the dorsal fins. Upper jaw not

. protractile; gill membranes little connected; middle line of the
belly with enlarged scales;: lateral line complete; well developed
teeth on the palatine bones; preopercle not serrate; back of the
neck and breast, except the median line naked; 3 series of large
scales on the cheeks and opercles; opercle with a stiff spine. Head
contained 3 4-5 to 4 times in the length. Depth 53 to 6. Dorsal
fin X-13 or 14. Anal II, 9 to 11. Scales 5-56 to 57-9.

The only specimens known in Minnesota were taken in the Red
River of the North at Moorhead and Red Lake River at Crookston
(Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893, p. 373).

Genus BOLEOSOMA De Kay.

Boleosoma nigrum (Rafinesque). Johnny Darter.

General color yellowish brown; upper parts marked with many

* “irregular darker lines; sides with 7 or 8 W-shaped markings, these
very characteristic of this darter; upper part of the head black in

’ spring males, in others dotted with brown; a black line extending
. from the front of the eye toward the snout, a similar one sometimes
extencing from the eye downward; fins barred with dark brown;

. “gometimes-the whole anterior portion of the body is black in spring
' males. Body elongate, somewhat cylindrical; head pointed, the
snout a little decurved, lower jaw not projecting beyond the upper.
68 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Fins large, the pectoral about the length of the head; spinous dor-
sal about equal to the soft dorsal in height, the former a little the
longer; arfal fin small, its spines very small and weak. Head con-

tained 32 to 44 times in the length. Depth 5 to 6. Eye 33 to 4 in
_the head, about equal to the snout. Dorsal fin IX,12+to 14. Anal
I,7to 9. Scales 5-44 to 55-9, none generally present on the cheeks
and breast; opercles, and generally the back of the neck, covered
with scales. Opercle with a strong spine. Pyloric ceca 3 to 6.
Length 2 to 24 inches.

This interesting little fish is everywhere common in the state.
Specimens were described from Lake Superior as Boleosoma. macu-
latum Agassiz (Lake Superior, 305, 1850); it is reported very com-
mon from the Lake of the Woods (Woolman & Cox, 1894); all the
streams and lakes of the Upper Mississippi (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1892-3-5); the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers and tributaries near
Mankato (Cox, 1891-5); Des Moines River and tributaries (Cox,
1894); Upper Minnesota River and tributaries and tributaries of
the Red River of the North (Woolman, 1892, Report U. S. Fish
Comm., 1893, p. 372).

Genus AMMOCRYPTA Jordan.

Ammocrypta pellucida clara (Jordan & Meek). Sand Darter.

Semitransparent in life; light yellow after being placed in alco-
hol; sides with a row of dark dots; a row of dark spots along the
back; scaies with minute black dots. Body very slender and some-
what cylindrical; head rather large, mouth rather wide; snout
sharp, extending beyond the mouth; upper jaw protractile; jaws
and vomer with teeth. Head contained 4 to 43 times in the length. :
Depth 7 to 83. Dorsal fin X-10. Anal I, 8 to 10. Scales ctenoid,
6-67 to 78; no scales on the back of the neck and none on the sides
anteriorly, except 5 or 6 rows along the lateral tine; few scales on
the cheeks. Pyloric caeca 4. Length 3 inches. The variety clara
differs from the typical pellucida only in having no scales on the
back of the neck and none on the sides anteriorly, except the 5 or
6 rows along the lateral line. It is doubtful whether such a variety | -
should be recognized.

The only place in the state where this interesting little darter
has been taken is in the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers at Man-
kato, where it is very common (Cox, 1891-5).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 69
Genus ETHEOSTOMA Rafinesque.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF ETHEOSTOMA.

A. Lateral line complete.
B. Anal spines 2; cheeks and opercles.sc4ly; body slender;
dorsal fin X-11; scales 50; no distinct dark spots
along the series of scales. : : ‘ zonale, 69
AA. Lateral line generally incomplete; ventral fins close together: first
dorsal and anal very small; anal spines 2; lower jaw not
projecting; dorsal fins well sepanited: .
B. Shoulder without a distinct scale-like process.
C. 4 to 7 rows of scales above the lateral line.
D. Cheeks and opercles scaly; scales small, about
60 in the Jateral line. . : f iowee, 70
DD. Cheeks not entirely scaly, nearly aed: epeectes
scaly, scales large, about 48 in the lateral line;
males with red arid blue cross bars. . coeruleum, 70
BB. Shoulder with a distinct black process or scale.
C. Cheeks and opercles naked; lower jaw projecting;
dorsal spines low, each projecting in a small fleshy
knob in the male. 3 : : < - flabellare, 71

Etheostoma zonale (Cope).

Upper parts” olivaceous, lower parts yellowish; six dark spots’
on the back, these connected by alternate spots with the broad,
brown lateral band; eight narrow bluish bands, alternating with
the brown, which extend down on the belly; all of the fins, except
the dorsal, golden yellow, spotted with brown; middle of the
spinous dorsal crimson; some round crimson spots at the base of
the soft dorsal; top of the head, a line on the snout and one below
the eye black; a black spot on the opercle and one at the base of the
pectoral fins; females with the bright colors more indistinct.
Body slender, compressed; head small and short; mouth small and
somewhat inferior; snout short and decurved, rather blunt; teeth
- not well developed; dorsal fins well separated; second dorsal
‘ higher and shorter than the first, but larger than the anal. Head
contained 4 to 5 times in the length. Depth 5.to 6. Dorsal X or
XI-10 to 12, Anal II, 6 to 8. Scales 6-48 to 53-9, present on the
cheeks, opercles and back of the neck; breast, generally naked.
Length 3 inches.

Not common in the state. A few specimens have been taken
from the Blue Earth River at Mankato (Cox, 1891-2).
7 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Etheostoma iowze Jordan & Meek.

Color in life bright green, much mottled with dark brown; green
patches on the opercle; about 11 reddish spots on the siflens a
series of dark cross bars present on the sides of some specimens.
Spinous dorsal with reddish, greenish and brown longitudinal
bands; caudal and pectoral fins often with yellow and green spots;
a black line below the eye extending to the lower jaw; general
color varying considerably, some specimens being almost black,
while others are quite light. Body elongate, not much compressed;
snout rather pointed, decurved, its length generally a little less
than the width of the eye; mouth small, horizontal, the lower jaw
not projecting beyond the upper; maxillay bones reaching beyond
the front of the eye. Teeth small; opercular spine well developed.
Head contained 8 4-5 to 4 times in the length. Depth 4 to 5%. Eye
4 to 5 in the head. Dorsal fin-IX to X-10 or 11. Anal II, 6 to 8.
Scales 5-55 to 68-11, present on the cheeks, opercles and back of
the neck; breast and top of the head naked. Length 2 to 3 inches.

Very common in the state. Numerous specimens have been
taken from the Upper Minnesota River and tributaries (Woolman |
& Cox, 1892); Red Lake River at Crookston (Woolman, 1892, Report
U. S. Fish Comm., 1893); Upper Mississippi and tributaries (Nat.
Hist. Surv., 1892-5); West Okabena Lake at Worthington and Des
Moines River at, Windom (Cox, 1894). ‘

\ 1
Etheostoma coceruleum Storer. Blue Darter. Rainbow Darter. Soldier Fish

The males with many dark blotches on the back, these connected :
by dark lines or spots; sides with 12 bright blue, oblique bars;
caudal fin orange, the first and last rays blue; soft dorsal orangé, .’
edged with blue, a blue line at its base; spinous dorsal orange, red

at the base, blue at the tip; ventral fins deep blue; throat and
breast orange. The females were very much duller in color and
with very little blue or red. Body rather stout, compressed, back
a little elevated; head large, compressed; mouth. oblique, lower
jaw not. reaching beyond the upper, maxillary reaching the eye; a
row of palatine teeth present. ' Head contained 32 times in the
length. Depth 44.. Eye 4 to 4% in the head, not as wide as the
length of the snout. Dorsal fin IX to XII-12 to 14. Anal II, 7 or
8. Scales 5-40-10; cheeks, back of the neck and breast usually
naked, opercles scaled: Length 24 inches.

Not common in the state. The only specimens known were
taken from the Blue Earth River and ponds near the Minnesota
River at Mankato (Cox, 1891).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA val

Etheostoma flabellare’ lineolatum (Agassiz). Fan-tailed Darter.

General color rather dark; body covered with a series of small
dark spots which form a series of fine longitudinal lines and which
are aggregated in some specimens so as to form several broad cross
bars; a dark line usually present across the opercles and through
the eyes; soft dorsal and caudal fins barred with fine dark lines,
other fins plain. Body rather heavy, not greatly compressed; head
pointed; mouth oblique; lower jaw projecting beyond the upper;
body deep posteriorly, the anal fin broad and fan-like. The fing all
low; the first dorsal in the male 4 of the height of the second and
the spines each with a fleshy tip. Head contained 3 3-5 to 4 times in
the length. Depth 4$ to 54. Eye 4 to 44 in the head. Dorsal fin
VITI-12 to 14. Anal II, 7 to 9. Scales 9-40 to 65-14; head naked;
lateral line straight and not complete; a black scale on the shoul-
ders. Length 24 inches.

Not common in the state. But one specimen has been taken
and that from the Des Moines River at Windom (Cox, 1894).

Genus BOLEICHTHYS Girard.
KEY TO THE SPECIES OF BOLEICHTHYS.

A. Cheeks and opercles scaly. . : ‘i 5 3 : fusiformis, 71
AA. Cheeks naked, opercles scaly. . : F : . : : exilis, 72

Boleichthys fusiformis (Girard).

Color olivaceous, upper parts dotted with darker colors, lower
parts lighter; upper part of the head dark, sides with red dots; a
dark line extending forward and one downward from the eye; 4
dark spots in a vertical row on the base of the caudal fin; dorsal
and caudal dotted and barred with dark colors; spinous dorsal
bright blue, a red band across it in the middle. Body elongate,
compressed; head long and narrow; snout short and decurved,
shorter than the eye; mouth large and terminal, lower jaw not ex-
tending beyond the upper; upper jaw not protractile. Head con-
tained 34 to 4 times in the length. Depth 33 to 6. Eye 4 in the
head. Dorsal fin IX or X-9 to 12. Anal II,6to 8. Scales 3-43 to
60-12 ctenoid; cheeks scaled; opercles, back of the neck and breast
also usually scaled. Lateral line incomplete and located high up
on the body. Opercular spine well developed. A variable fish.

This species is but little known to the state. It is listed in the
University museum as Boleicthys eos from Minneapolis, April 24,
1879, by T. S. Roberts.

6
72 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Boleichthys exilis Girard.

This species differs from B. fusiformis in having naked cheeks,
Color yellowish brown, dotted with black; dorsal and caudal fins
barred with black; a black spot on the top of the head; a black
line extending from the eye to the lower jaw and one forward
towards the snout. Body compressed. Head contained 83 times,
in the length. Depth 5$ to 6. Dorsal fin [IX or X-10 or 11. Anal
II, 7 to 9. Length 1 to 2 inches.

This species, which must be rare in the state, is listed from the
Red River of the North in Jordan & Evermann’s Fishes of North and
Middle America, I, 1103, the data having been taken from specimens
in the Mus. of Comp. Zodl, N. Y. Other data are needed to estab-
lish permanently the presence of both B. fusiformis and B. ewilis.

Genus MICROPERCA Putnam.

Microperea punctulata Putnam. Least Darter.

General color olivaceous, much shaded with dark brown, which
color forms indistinct bars on the sides and many irregular mark-
ings; soft dorsal and caudal fins barred; dark lines radiating from
the eye; shoulder with a dark spot. Body short, compressed, the
back elevated; head not very large, snout decurved; mouth ter-
minal, oblique, jaws equal; maxillary extending to below the eye.
Vertical fins short; anal spines well developed. Head contained
32 to 4 times in the length. Depth 44 to 5. Dorsal fin VI to VIII-
9 or 10. Anal II, 6. Scales 34 to 39-9, no lateral line present;
back of the neck, cheeks and breast naked; opercles with a few
scales; scales ctenoid. Length 1 to 14 inches.

This little darter is probably rather common in the streams and
lakes of the Upper Mississippi, where a few specimens have been
taken. Its very small size makes it difficult to collect. Specimens
are now recorded from Pine Creek, Crow Wing County (Nat. Hist.
Surv., 1892); at Grand Rapids (Woolman & Cox, 1894).

Family SERRANIDE. The Sea Bass.

Body compressed, oblong, covered with scales, these generally
ctenoid. Mouth rather large; upper jaw protractile; maxillary
bones broad. Teeth sharp and present on the jaws, vomer, tongue
and palatine bones. Gill rakers armed with teeth; a slit behind
the fourth gill; pseudobranchia well developed; lower pharyngeal
teeth pointed; gill membranes free from the isthmus; branchios-
tegal rays 7; cheeks and opercles scaly; operclés with two flat
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 73

spines; lateral line not extending on the caudal fin. Dorsal spines
stiff; ventral fins thoracic » pectoral fins well developed; air-blad-
der present; stomach with pyloric ceca; intestine short.

But one genus and one species known in the state.

Genus ROCCUS Mitchill.

Roceus chrysops (Rafinesque). Striped Bass. White Bass, White Lake Bass

General color silvery, yellowish on the under parts; sides with
narrow, dusky, longitudinal lines. Body compressed, deep, back
elevated; head rather conical; mouth medium sized, horizontal,
jaws about equal in length; eye about equal to the snout; maxil-
lary extending to the middle of the eye, no supplemental bone; a
deep notch in the subopercular bone; preopercle serrate; head
scaly. Gill rakers long and slender, X+14; longest dorsal spine
contained 2 times in the head. Head contained 34 times in the
length. Depth 33. Eye 5in the head. Dorsal fin IX-I,14. Anal
JIT, 11 or 12. Seales 10-55 to 65-15. Base of the tongue as well as
the jaws, vomer and palatines with teeth. Length 15 inches.

So far as recorded this fish has been taken at but one place in
the state and that is Big Stone Lake, where it is reported as com-
mon. Several specimens were taken at this place in the summer
of 1892 (Woolman & Cox).

Family SCLENIDA. The Drums.

Body compressed, much the shape of a bass, somewhat elongate
all parts well covered with ctenoid scales, the scales’ extending
over the bases of the vertical fins; lateral line well developed, ex-
tending on the caudal fin. Head large, covered with scales; teeth
present on the jaws; no supplemental maxillary bone; upper jaw
somewhat protractile; pseudobranchia well developed; a slit be-
hind the fourth gill; gill rakers present; branchiostegal rays de-
veloped; gill membranes free from the isthmus. Dorsal fin deeply
notched, the soft part much longer than the spinous. Anal fin with
1 or 2 spines. Ear bones (otoliths) well developed; air bladder
large; pyloric ceca few.

Carniverous fishes which have the power of producing a peculiar
grunting sound, supposed to be made by forcing air from the main
portion of the air bladder into one of its smaller divisions. The
family is represented in the state by but one genus and one species.
74 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus APLODINOTUS Rafinesque.

Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque. Sheep’s-head. Thunder Pumper.
Drum. White Perch. Croaker.

Silvery in color, some specimens almost white, while others are
quite dark; upper parts darker than the lower. Body oblong, snout
blunt, the back much elevated and compressed; mouth large,
horizontal, the lower jaw not extending beyond the upper. Or-
dinary teeth slender and closely crowded in velvety bands; pharyn-
geal teeth well developed, blunt and closely set to each other
(paved). Preopercle slightly serrate. Dorsal spines strong and
high, covered with scales at the base; anal spines two, the second
very strong. Head contained 34 times in length. Depth about 3.
Dorsal IX-1, 30. Anal II, 7. Lateral line with 55 scales. Length
2 feet.

A very interesting fish on account of its power to produce a
grunting noise. Rather common in the state. A very large speci-
men was taken from a pool in the Little Minnesota River at Brown’s
Valley and a number were taken from Big Stone Lake near the
same place (Woolman & Cox, 1892); numerous specimens from the
Minnesota’ River have been seen in the markets at Mankato, and
it is often caught in Lake Washington, near the same place, where
its grunting is frequently noticed (Cox, 1891-5); two specimens
have been taken from the Red Lake River at Crookston (Woolman,
1892, Report U. S. Fish Comm., 1893).

Fanily COTTIDE. The Sculpins.

Body elongate, the head very large and much depressed; eyes
placed high in the head, the space between them being narrow; the
upper edge of the opercle with one or more spinous processes.
Teeth present on the jaws and usually on the vomer and palatines;
upper law protractile; maxillary without supplemental bone. Gill
rakers short, tubercle-like or even absent. Body naked or covered
with scales, prickles or bony plates, never entirely scaled. Lateral
line present; pectoral fins large; ventral fins thoracic; pseudo-
branchia present; generally 4 to 8 pyloric ezeca.

This family is represented in the state by one genus and one
species.
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 75

Genus COTTUS (Artedi) Linneus.

Cottus ictalops (Rafinesque). Miller's Thumb. Blob. Muffle-jaw.

General color dark brown or grayish, lighter below, often barred
or dotted. Body rather stout, tapering towards the tail; head
large and much flattened above, wide through the opercular region;
preopercle with a sharp, short spine, which is directed backwards
and upwards; subopercle with a spine which is directed forwards.
Skin smooth, except just back of the pectoral fins, where it is often
covered with sharp prickles; lateral line present. First dorsal fin
low and weak; pectorals very large, about equal to the head in
length. Head contained 3} times in the length. Depth 4 to 6.
Dorsal fin VI to VIII-16 or 17. Anal about 12. Ventrals each I,
4, Length 3 to 7 inches, usually small.

A common fish in the northern part of the state. Numerous
specimens have been taken in the Upper Mississippi and tribu-
taries (Nat. Hist. Surv., 1893-5); Upper Mississippi (Woolman &
Cox, 1894).

Family GADIDA. The Cod-fishes.

Body long, "rather slender; heavy anteriorly, compressed pos-
teriorly. Scales small, or even wanting, cycloid; gill membranes
free from the isthmus. Dorsal fin very long, extending almost the
entire length of the back and in some species divided into two; no
spines present in any of the fins; caudal fin rounded; ventral fins
inserted far forward. Four gills, with a slit behind the fourth; no
pseudobranchia present. Pyloric ceca numerous in some species;
air bladder generally well developed.

This well known family is represented by but one genus and one
species in the state, it being the only species found in fresh water.

Genus LOTA (Cuvier).

Lota maculosa (LeSueur). Burbot. Lawyer. Ling.

General color dark olive, much mottled with blackish; lower
parts yellowish; general color becoming more yellowish in
‘the adult; young often with a red band on the dorsal
fin, the outer edge of the fin dusky. Body long and heavy ante-
riorly, compressed posteriorly; head rather small, depressed and
broad, and a barbel on each of the anterior nostrils; mouth moder-
ate, lower jaw not projecting; maxillary extending to the posterior
edge of the eye; jaws set with weak teeth, which are very numerous
76 PRELIMINARY REPORT

and arranged in bands; vomer with a crescent shaped band of
teeth, palatines toothless. Scales very small and imbedded in the
skin, extending on the vertical fins. Gill openings wide; gill mem-
branes free from the isthmus. Dorsal fins two, the second longest.
Eye very small. Head 43. Depth 6. Dorsal 13-76. Anal 68.
Ventrals each 7. Pyloric ceca 30. Length 2 feet.

Rather common in the state, but not often found in large num-
bers. Numerous specimens have been taken from the streams and
lakes of the Upper Mississippi, Lake Vermillion (Nat. Hist. Surv.,
1893-5); specimens are recorded from the Red River of the North
at Moorhead and from the Red Lake River at Crookston (Woolman,
1892, Report U. 8. Fish Comm., 18938).
SUMMARY.

In the preceding pages are listed and described twelve orders,
twenty-five families, sixty genera, one hundred and four species, and
six additional varieties. The following list shows the distribution

of these species and varieties among the various families and or-
ders.

There are no definite data concerning two of the species (Ameiu-
rus lacustris and Leptops olivaris), but they have, no doubt, been
taken in the Mississippi and its tributaries. Where a variety form
alone is represented and not the species, the variety is enumerated
as a species, but when the typical species and the variety occur,
the variety is enumerated as one of the six referred to above.

CLASS MARSIPOBRANCHIT.

ORDER HYPEROARTIT.
Family PETROMYZONIDE. The Lampreys.
Genus Ichthyomyzon Girard.

I. concolor (Kirtland).
I. castaneus Girard.

CLASS PISCES.
ORDER SELACHOSTOMI.
Family POLYODONTIDE. The Paddle-fishes.
Genus Polyodon Lacépéde.
P. spathula (Walbaum).

ORDER CHONDROSTEI.
Family ACIPENSERID. The Sturgeons.
Genus Acipenser Linnezus.
A. rubicundus Le Sueur.
Genus Schaphirhynchus Heckel.
S. platorynchus (Rafinesque).
78 PRELIMINARY REPORT

ORDER RHOMBOGANOIDEA.
Family LEPISOSTEID 4. The Gar-fisbes.
Genus Lepisosteus Lacépéde.
L. osseus (Linneus),
L. platostomus Rafinesque.
ORDER CYCLOGANOIDEA.
Family AMIIDZE. The Bow-fins.
Genus Amia Linveus.

A. calva Linnezus.

ORDER NEMATOGNATHI.
Family SILURIDZ. The Cat-fishes.
Genus Ictalurus Rafinesque.
I. punctatus (Rafinesque).
Genus Ameiurus Rafinesque.

A. lacustris (Walbaum).

A. natalis (Le Sueur).

A. vulgaris (Thompson).
A. nebulosus (Le Sueu).
A. melas (Rafinesque).

Genus Leptops Rafinesque.
L. olivaris (Rafinesque).
Genus Noturus Rafinesque.
N. flavus Rafinesque.
Genus Schilbeodes Blecker.
S. gyrinus (Mitchill).
S. exilis (Nelson).
ORDER PLECTOSPONDYLI.
Family CATOSTOMID AR. The Suckers.
Genus Ictiobus Rafinesque.

I. cyprinella (Cuvier & Valenciennes).
I. bubalus (Rafinesque).

Genus Carpiodes Rafinesque.

C. carpio (Rafinesque).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 79
C. difformis Cope.
C. velifer (Rafinesque).
Genus Cycleptus Rafinesque.
Cc. elongatus (Le Suear).
Genus Catostomus Le Sueur.

C. catostomus (Forster).
C. commersonii (Lacépéde).
C. nigricans Le Sueur.

Genus Moxostoma Rafinesque.
M. anisurum (Rafinesque).
M. aureolum (Le Sueur).
Family CYPRINIDS. The Minnows.
Genus Campostoma Agassiz.
C. anomalum (Rafinesque).
Genus Chrosomus Rafinesque.
C. erythrogaster Rafinesque.
. Genus Hybognathus Agasriz.
H. nuchalis Agassiz.
Genus Pimephales Rafinesque.

P. promelas Rafinesque.
P. notatus (Rafinesque).

Genus Semotilus Rafinesque.

S. atromaculatus (Mitchill)
Genus Leuciscus Cuvier.

L. nachtriebi Cox.
Genus Abramis Cavier.

A. erysoleucas (Mitchill).
Genus Notropis Rafinesque.

N. anogenus Forbes.

N. cayuga Meek.

N. heterodon (Cope).

N. blennius (Girard).

N. hudsonius (De Witt Clinton).
N. hudsonius selene (Jordan).
N. whipplii (Girard).

N. cornutus (Mitchill).
80 ) PRELIMINARY REPORT

N. cornutus frontalis (Agassiz).
N. jejunus (Forbes).

N. atherinoides Rafinesque.

N. dilectus (Girard).

N. rubrifrons (Cope).

N. umbratilis (Girard).

Genus Rhinichthys Agassiz.

R. cataractze (Cavier & Valenciennes).
R. atronasus (Mitchill).
R. atronasus lunatus (Cope).

Genus Hybopsis Agassiz.

H. hyostomus (Gilbert).
H. storerianus (Kirtland).
H. kentuckiensis (Rafinesque).

ORDER APODES.

Family ANGUILLIDE. The True Eels.
Genus Anguilla Shaw.
A. chrysypa Rafinesque.

ORDER ISOSPONDYLI.
Family HIODONTID.E. The Moon-eyes.

Genus Hiodon Le Sueur.

H. tergisus Le Sueur.
Family DOROSOMID AL. The Hickory Shad.
Genus Dorosoma Rafinesque.
D. cepedianum (Le Sueur).
Family SALMONIDE. The Salmon.

Genus Coregonus (Artedi) Linnzeus.
C. clupeiformis (Mitchill).
Genus Argyrosomus Agassiz.

A. artedi (Le Sueur).

A. prognathus (H. M. Smith).
A. nigripennis Gill.

A. tullibee (Richardson).

Genus Cristivomer Gill & Jordan.

C. namaycush (Walbaum),
C. namaycush siscowet (Agassiz).

Genus Salvelinus (Nilsson) Richardson.
S. fontinalis (Mitchill),
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 81

ORDER HAPLOMI.
Family UMBRID AE. The Mud Minnows.
Genus Umbra (Kramer) Miiller.
U. limi (Kirtland).
Family LUCIIDAK. The Pikes.
Genus Lucius Rafinesque.

L. lucius (Linnzus).
L. masquinongy (Mitchill).

Family PO®CILIIDAL, The Killifishes.
Genus Fundulus Lacépéde.
F. diaphanus (Le Sueur).

ORDER HEMIBRANCHII.
Family GASTEROSTEIDZ. The Sticklebacks.

Genus Eucalia Jordan.’

E. inconstans (Kirtland).
E. inconstans pygmza (Agassiz).

Genus Pygosteus Brevoort.

P. pungitius (Linnzus).

ORDER ACANTHOPTERI.
Family PERCOPSID4, The Sand Rollers.

Genus Percopsis Agassiz.
P. guttatus Agassiz.
Family APHREDODERIDE. The Pirate Perches.
Genus Aphredoderus Le Sueur.
A. sayanus (Gilliams).
Family ATHERINID. The Silversides.
Genus Labidesthes Cope.
L. sicculus (Cope).
Family CENTRARCHIDA. The Sunfishes.
Genus Pomoxis Rafinesque.

P. annniaris Rafinesque.
P. sparoides (Lacépéde).
82 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Genus Ambloplites Rafinesque.
A. rupestris (Rafinesque).
Genus Apomotis Rafinesque.

A. cyanellus (Rafinesque).
A.ischyrus (Jordan & Nelson). —

Genus Lepomis Rafinesque.

L. megalotis (Rafinesque).
L. humilis (Girard).
L. pallidus (Mitchill).

Genus Eupomotis Gill & Jordan.

E. euryorus (MacKay).
E. gibbosus (Linnzus).

Genus Micropterus Lacépéde.

M. dolomieu Lacépéde.
M. salmoides (Lacépéde).

Family PERCIDA4. The Perches.
Genus Stizostedion Rafinesque.

S. vitreum (Mitchill).
S. canadense griseum (De Kay).

Genus Perea (Artedi) Linneus.
P. flavescens (Mitchill).
Genus Percina Haldeman.

P. caprodes (Rafinesque).
P. caprodes zebra (Agassiz).

Genus Hadropterus Agassiz.

H. aspro (Cope & Jordan).
H. guntheri (Eigenmann & Eigenmann),

Genus Boleosoma De Kay.

B. nigrum (Rafinesque).
Genus Ammocrypta Jordan.

A. pellucida clara Jordan & Meek.
Genus Etheostoma Rafinesque.

E. zonale (Cope).

E. iowse Jordan & Meek.

E. coeruleum Storer.

E. flabellare lineolatum (Agassiz).
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 83

Genus Boleichthys Girard.

B. fusiformis (Girard).
B. exilis Girard.

Genus Microperca Putnam.
M. punctulata Putvam.
Family SERRANIDZE. The Sea Bass.
Genus Roccus Mitchill.
R. chrysops (Rafinesque).
Family SCLAENIDZE. The Drums.
Genus Aplodinotus Rafinesque.
A. grunniens Rafinesque.
Family COTTIDZE. The Sculpins.
Genus Cottus (Artedi) Linnzus.
C. ictalops (Rafinesque).
Family GADIDE. The Cod-fishes.
Genus Lota Cuvier.

L. maculosa (Le Sueur.)
INDEX.

 

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platorynchus.............
rubicundus............ .++
Adipose fin...........
Air-bladder.............
Alburnus rubellas....
Ambloplites.............
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ATMEL UT UBte. asin ac aien cece atovarsacteone sen wanes cungatvidaoatersmansdadactdvaenissaceleadeaulalach eaves :
lacustris,
melas.....
NAAN Svessssccveescin wasunce Gan vernereceainsersemeiawaslectiea gpa swaedorenedeedaanavorn Very eaauaedans
nebulosus...
vulgaris.......
American Perch
ATUL sins icces caraveesesesescsons

 
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

ATM MOCTY PbO sicscsvensiocesaseisesuedsreoarcsieeceeesseangussnawedeietnsean iss adieu dose seusweoneees
pellucida elara......... . is was atte
Avial fitisesecsosecewacces nui veecescanmeniarsanctininnsaienetuacienenpia ae dawns ani eececeartiiaeraene
Anguillide... .
Anguilla..........
ehrysypa......
Aphredoderidee... ier at ”
Apbredoderus.........cc..ccssseeeeeeeseeectssseeseceseeesereereeees coveeees seseceeseoes pe eiaaeraannes
sayanus
Aplodinotus.
grunniens

Apomotis..........-
cyanellus..... :
USC YLUS ...cccceeesecsnccscnnssen anasseoassrsnsen senesavensanseaservaseseesnsaa ces seoeessegseeesenss
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 85

Argyrosomus........
artedi......

 

prognathus ...
tullibee.......ceccees
Atherinidee.................65

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
 

Bayou Bass.....
Bill-fish

eee ere ere ee rere errr eer eee re Peer re reer ee reer rer Tee Terre reer Te erry

Black-sided Darter ............c00 cesses csceeecer
Black Horse.........66 sesessseees

Black-headed Minnow
Black-nosed Dae siicsessnewnesveaceneressieavvessey sseeteewe Qhaa teas Veeshaeeeesivtswer eieweues cece
Black Sucker.........c000 ceseseesecececseees Suaaesieaiwabietaduecduuettns teabenentesbaceweodevacaeastaees

Blue Darter ...
Bluefin....
Blue-gill.....
Blue Pike.
BIG ST Fishes occa eeatiee diane onde eect Reidea SARS a cares nee eS as ae pa oad
Blue-spotted Sunfish...................
Blunt nosed Minnow.
Boleichthys. ............c2ccsseee reece
COB shes tec hese so See iguatiotcaueibninen ctensaca Meaeahcomunn ey
SXTIS :csindwwiicwmaey wensodanwaaantaneonduievinnasecignans apaddinetela
fusiformis .
Boleosoma «......-ccesceeeeseseeenceeeeee conse coreenaee sevessascnseaseessessusens seeespens seseaeass
moactlatum........ecse ceceeeesceeeeeeee sealpudiandawwiiiawa ie saeeeu vet Rie pe su ove bowsiae les ecienaneewees
nigrum ,.......

Branchiostegal membrane ..... a oSelaaacden saan Padeanenmesesbundy eveconebbalieee
Branchiostegal rays

Brittus mineopas ...
OCULGAGUB, cesistecesseseawecareetuaewes saa senee cu sreainaaenavieldiis spligedee sieowasueniacessens
Brook Stickleback
Brook Silverside
Brook Trout. ......
Buffalo ............ eats
Bull-head.........ccsccccsceesceeevses
Burbots... ccsscsscsccccssccerercscsees
Calico Bass
Cam postoma ‘
AMOMALUM .....0ccccesececee sees en ccccaecenccucsseneeeneeseaeseeegs Cessseeeneeteceetenenesnsanens 7, 28
86 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Carpio es gs csvascarnsnsessivesasiencsniaads seesesaansmeavesavaenesutis mai uv codons ee edeasesaeseseetacdeee
carpio .......
Gifformis .........ccecessseeee os aieeei weeds ee
WELLS 2csiceieds Fiancee tevin sas va siewidnsts ovis ctie seetia vin ¥ he vineu e2biST OCS TEA saw en ba eee evike ee eR 23, 23

 
”

_ Dough-belly

FISHES OF MINNESOTA 87

DOLOSOM Basse ssanvaarsvsuwevvstasecvescayavicessscieeshiurieiindouabosasenlgstiacdeevavaaguemuaeieimbevedes
COPCCLANGM .isidcrdcdssescsisapeddcetnenessaaavecanseis

DOTsa) AM sis cceccssaveasads asia ve vinci anewseendavedosseosy-arewrouns

Dory .........0.008

  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 

Drums... .escecseecce eee
Duck-billed Cat
Boel ets vat eavwesineadia gacceees seas saseacaecuisu ded Guaudoeummuntnoeme veces
cceruleum .........0..
flabellare .............6000. :
lineolatum
iow...
zonale....
WUCAI A. 2 cov cosceceavsueitenndcaswetcens
inconstans
pygmea
FR POM OS !.2)5, sc cecuaaenaivwrncnspecesiieespeaesiveraaes stats auleats aseadsess eeeueee uswetiaevsteeren:
euryorus
gibbosus
Fan-tailed Darter

Flannel-mouthed Cat...
Platsh ead sits ies ceciauienmeiseanes cnsaenevadeonn maccaeueuenwecdgeeweysrad
Florida Cat.
Fundulus

diaphanus
Gadider ........ss000 lainebbagty iaaved ssa val Neewelaceuneeuesnnedesemeuies

Gill-arches ........0.....ceceeeeeaee

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 

Gill-rakers....
Gill -Slits .......cecseccssceeseeceeeer oe oes
Gizzard Shad ........cscssssccsecssececeeees icataanbiagensntacasneacusaemeuaeanees see eteneenensensenennees 42
GasHFOy) wescccicecectednernage saaasssavessnssvesedecene dawesneveveneeeieny Banda Meda equacademrveed Riaaustaatlalh 64
Golden Shiner aie 32
Gourd-seed Sucker..........scecsessseeee sacs ave tacinci ua/a atti mim ceinptainee ns aifeeulsent dae dacatieuetaciamien 23
Grass) Bass sessvassessecewsmereswonncaeescadsenaas eiasnirdaeneeawreienc debs veh ame nedennieyscenewes Semele 56
Great Cat-fish.........000000+ = we 19
' Great Forked-tailed Cat....... a woe AY
Great Lake Trout....... opaiamenteaais eas tebe we AT
Great: PPRC micnisars sisicns soci oigee' aseades’ acnsmweiauses wadeuas dena naiviesue melee neaciedamasesnnys pisessivesaien

Green, Bassani vesweinssersevevavasneveseven aes serenaded aitaeensessenevonacdvoatiincsvacseuersonses
Green Sunfish..
Hadropterus....
88 PRELIMINARY REPORT

  

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 

HAM Mer HEA: siiesssvesiessctednesaven jadevevsnssinesavsacsasncsmeniesnsae ie HGidene sea eure meN eS 25
Haplomi............. cibanehysebes bits adeckeonanyta wacinet wade deeds eitichetaateveseattenmnonsts 48
Herring ......... 45
Heterocercal ............seseseee ais 2
Hemibranchii 51
Hickory Shad... 43°
Hiodontide ..... 42
Hiodon............ wan asia Shans ant iia 42
. tergisus.........cseeeseeeee piaauiee Hounds bi saleaiceyasoiess las caadesue slate de day ehissuadneseavntee 42
Flag-fish ........cseeeenseeeees sci c alge Hees catatisiocy doeaielwend Xarlanvasiiiens Ouse ceniperavossearteses ve 65
Hog Molly ug ing ss les ees 65
Hog Mullet............ seaGlneaen Samemivanslesaeaeus seoimeean lavas Biwenobwaek dee saanledawes eeiStvcnae sesideitecls 25
Hog Suck Oi eincsccvievasnwensseyeenntndawenss sven aveasscueiatee ewes ne aaareroasvennteeninenenesariis 25
Homocercal ...... 2
Horned-dace..... 30
Horned Pout.... nae : steane 18
AL y POPS. ec 255 cc chsvavdssearsava cacecsaer sonioescc sumac bepeeu eine oioueshote aero a wanes 27, 40

HyOStOMUS .........sseeeceereeene

kentuckiensis ........

SLOPOLIAN UB: 05 siieiis sossaceaanisasialcesie'cejma sic siedins oie bese anecin ameswns paseniuesstoatnesannmeecorese
Hy bog Nath us sass secencseccucviwa vacate, ovetinoowassaneasneveveeaseducanserepiiecasensasenemessenes

nuchalis
Fy peroai'tii.......csccsesececneeceeeeenenees pieces
Ichthyomyzon. 9

castaneus 9

concolor ........ waders ase a5 9
Ictalurus.......... was a 16

* PUNCHATUS..........cecseeseeenveceeseeeeeenes cajaa vecbasraweneavaseerweivaleey oes teeeed «16, 17

LetiObUSisiiiissicesresnavinscaecenmvasursernetasssuvyorseds qaettesaaereaees intnoBawed eas euten soveeeeeeQO, 21

bubalus
CYPTINEl A ......cscceccssesseseceesecsoneseessesseeess iuvuasagerecessieers
Interopercle ......¢.cssssreonssceecrenessecserenessecsensaesesesceassenssseasas
Intestine.......
Isospondyli.

John A. Grindle
Johnny Darter....... es tatainann ce een aad
RMS Wd sscisisivascocsives sus oedeacdinwnsssaevatevtses oxecsis bie edbs vege eedscuaneses

Toi bil OStH OS sass s5cccctcevsces da bsvdseel Soesdiecivacgstaeeeelentuxeciian veuiseases
sicculus.....

Lake Herring..........s0csssereeee ous

Lake Sturgeon.........cscccccssove ccceeeveer

La@maprey....ccccressoveccnicvessecvensvsrsce seeee
Large-mouthed Black Bass........ssccsesser
Large Scaled Sucker....... ct

Least Darter....
Lepisosteide....
FISHES OF MINMESOTA . 89

Lepisosteus..........++.

 

 

OSSCUS.....4+. sie
PlACOSO TA US isis saisivanses Savini d cinned snien deer waidninantin siocbait'vab nak sidvaek suhitloneaaullsavueedeaneiens 14
GS POMNIS Gs sua ler'cacice sa csiisiivdus vas aus peas evssvdewasadeces coasuasiabeasasecaesaite tae coel VaeeeeDD, 88
humilis...............4 ae dneeserieedes 59
megalotis wate so see 5S
pallidus........ dsesianoas o3 .58, 59
TO PtO PS bes iecicc da cwesninaicenge sua to cwmiinwsvedeaeeoestndseds sities an fag ig alge ggiga vidas awnaiiedeuscesadaee 19
olivaris... 77
Leuciscus 27
elongatus 31
TON GALLS osinnaasinere scien tana ooeawraumbel ety ninaians paldatanaaeuanune aKaadeunammetaeeosnonccimesas teas 37

BPACHIG vescctcehwncisaisiuccciutsaeamamaaiiiiicaveanivaes alts o> Suiselacisntive Seas tia’ dulng siigualuleii

    
   
 
 
  
  
    
 

Log Perch........ Fs acnab tes Gaol hal onsalnds oi a avesoacs Hava Baiciscehubivan um Behn Scena den Ooancaneaeaven cada
Long-eared Sunfish
Long Jaws......scccesee
Long-nosed Gar

Long-nosed Sucker...........ccccscccessccseres sonseneensceeseseecseoees Lauvspistnsiennay eked eiweens

 Long-nosed Dace.......0.scesseseeevene Tao uals siete Couept sama nMBEE A aaemtAscete oe cne ence aR Lmn ae Nae

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 

TAM CUUB ys 245 cite acca coneatieatadssaawonice
VUCIUS sc isvinsiannaiastadan nevene
masquinongy ......

‘ Manitou Darter...
Marsipobranchii.....
Maskinongy..........+.-
Maxillary.......ccccscssersecseceeeesereccseeser steeeecseeees
Michigan Herring
Micropterus..........22..00665

GOLOMICU.....ceececcssceccsesceeceecnececeeusetenere sateen sepeeeeesnaatetsesseeeeees leteeueesasenes
© SALMOI ES... sees eeeseeee seen ees ceceneneeesteeneecenaercercnsenecetauesteneeceeeeeens cas anees
MiCrOPeTrCa.....sseeceseceseerescenes

punctulata,......0. creer
Miller’s Thumb.........:..00-sseeeees

Mississippi Cat...........sssessceseces seeesenscereereeseevenens
Missouri Sucker ba ais
Mongrel Whitefish........ 20:0. ceecsessesesreresseeseseeneeecetaseeasasnsee eases ceneeeserceesesenees
Moon-eyes :

MoxoStoman.. .ccccscecesceresecseeeseeeessveeestoreen ene
anisurum
aureolum
90 PRELIMINARY REPORT

Mud-fish wt.c.cccccsesesesseeseeeees SH ceo 15
MA Min no Wiss cvecia casiceiten tncouana segura te vqnveiamacenheah aan tadlaezea ce ves'swadex'us dlaveliaed aaieau annals 48

   
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
   
 
 
  
 

Muscallonge .....

Muscallunge...... ote

Nematognathi...........cccesceeeee

Northern Sucker. .........066 soe a aaa Per

IN GGEOPIS::. os cae denies: Suceneteden te sidaneaues cee hGhehordares sae aseyierdeamadmencauedassautacncudduauine
BTC ODS! siissiscis; seecisie we: sie seinseis ena ef icaveidee enecisciveg vtiaviegign sada’ ccssiecsnenatnecarcbamsceenseioresse
anogenus.
AbheriNOi Wess sccsisnsastcsceauaseawssriaccaeecsageoasswoesosns’ Gonancderseevantesans axes

frontalis .... sa
GiLE CES viiaseussit cntsianssavsedseostecareien
Weber od On i isicsacnisscesajseeonesvapieeavaseacaceheadea sisus eaieissereewe cess seeiaamaesiieieeaiey se
‘hudsonius.....

JO) UD US seevesa cosa snes scceerinceseenescewany cant seneeuaduigeslacaindaneedanion nedestauinteeee stein wes
rubrifrons... ‘
scopifer....
umbratilis, .
whipplii...
Noturus......
flavus... sins sie Sees aeieeaneis
CUO PhABUS :sissarcnexse cee visusiss susdeosindncevans psieaveavaanene ae. a): oisaids Sabtoseeiannbe Serra eee
Operel esse ccctsions svaviacswencostsivvamnnscsden sheas wanna aageadsiagionsea teers isbeiidctvesiinr hs clecasee cvs
Oswego Bass... see aedenae Sich Be aciewwte
OUOTICHE fi vais sicntisadis sfesnaned dase dons vStaat oats aa, alesian seeing manana ain seuoeesitoas vb wmaaeoeeaenk anaes

 

Palatine bones...
Pectoral fins.....
Percopside....
Percopsis..........
guttatus.....
Percida@.......06 a a
EIAs hes in each nig uaa vee CaTaa AL Sema ee ewe ered es Ne ieee ees 63, 65
flavescens : :

Petromyzonide....
Pharyngeal teeth aueuins an neliivilametiesen
Picker el .:sccsesassse icin de.ccss eas qovassbrcasuny caaiaas sidedeatse dap des digneneonieuauaeabede eveuoasinsanats 49
Pike........ esieaw esl sRoniae eisai anaes weinie de Sbedins aieleaawe ioe astnalmmeRagaanad eespadeeancoeuNTS 48, 49, 64
Pike Perch..........
Pileoma zebra....,.

 
‘

FISHES OF MINNESOTA 91

Pimelodus ailurus
Pimephales..........++
NOTACUS......0cc000
promelas...

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Plectospond yi. .ccssnnvcosnivwaevave vette senessesnsncsctvvens euvsesdstneevistevunneessinciuateodear’

Poaciliidae .........ccccceececeres

Polyodontidze

Polyodon..........scccsseeee
spathula

POmi0 tS LUMA secevsnserseseveussevevedersi. cacsasedsnnsesteoasussnasssananssnenasucsbtioncesstiedsudedece

Pomoxis............ ts
ANNUIATIS. 0.0... cece cee see eee

Premaxillary
’ Preopercle
Preorbital.
Pseudobranchii
BEG ey POI WON OS? sss coe ahievaidjissuev amuses dea uganaespuaitacs gear aaiiicaudsmnlinaasecneresoneeets
Pumpkin Seed ...........
Pygosteus ..........
pungitius..,.......
EV LOLIG COCA soe ccss siaice ainda tad Sola oueies ueRianis Gaede cirouu iad oe Une niad ows nvauvea asad ame soeoacenesmedees
RACCOON POPC 6 isis sidavaicievesiesedsdnddavisuee su visievuamewaanediuadeesseul icinddniendenvasdisaaniniies

Red-mouthed Buffalo ..........ccceeccceeccseecescacee cereenees Ror aacnlvinysuaioenntte aeeiaceieweibiets se ainie cs 21

7

Rhinichthys
arenatus

 

Ringed Perch..........c-scccccessseessesnesesesseensseeees saree enees cenaneees Dae npTeRssaea ETE aes 65
RIVED Bass wate sissities daiiesaaue saninieday newnietceoweadandneiibaanes ony onaeshoninn ts pesisne jupaane deasenianens ea

chrysops
Rock Bass.........- sipisteeiness
ROGKEASN, o5 vss visa ae o vkintewaatee ventas oietscancscxvcaed shoei erieneistniapeminetintaneeren meme
ROCK Sturgeon.......cscsescesccececccccnsssscceresccaeeeceessssesensteesee eeeeeetapseeagaseeens ees Facecita
Salmonide............
Salmo siscowet
Sal MOD sesicsies nenciaciein shingigsnmanss sasep tenis gouge saben cseyeieadiasies team eemenamemmareetenend
Salvelinus........

fontinalis

 

 
  
.; 92 PRELIMINARY REPORT

    
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
 
  
  
 

PY EIN UG: dsciaredysnesciaceanniacmamianorssnnmenvacedsailanadaisesesuanion Veawsektne maa pegedeiwasiebaais
SCN dW esessciasesccinewaweverm comers serpenicdeerteaen siveensoeemnes ane yissealesevamitenleaaies
Sculpins....
Sea Bass.........
Selachostomi....
SOMO POS). 5cicscceankaciceeadnwencnsmmsaiycveten coneinee
atromaculatus ,
SOLAN 6 ® iss cesicsswssessne nean aguas dwasicieinaainemensiene

Sheeps-head. .sscssssccrcessevianenveuavaines te tavewsee vacua swrws cedaanunctvsivaampeae veneonsesannaes
Shiner............... ‘

Short-nosed Gar
Shovel-nosed Sturgeon dhioueinidshvan gemaiueateeamedipatied
SiU TIDES: oo ccecevdcnesencinwe tare siees

Silver Cat .........

Silvery Minnow

   
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 

 

Silver-fin .........ceeeeeeeee ee
Silverside...
Siscowet .... ae ats
SHipj sek sccsuseivevesesvevcweawexes gata geese Nee eaieadeeeN aad och tiielseaan sasvatede + aiesnesne leet devon 54
Small-mouthed Buffalo 21
Small-mouthed Bass ...........0.:000000008 hia ae sits 61
BOlLAISE Fishiys ceassiinss ccnninnniaaearonewansadeas davincuandern, sonananorvnateanwe sauigen 70
SPaWa CAaber sccsss sscciaisenssecssveccansnsnsentvacsassssu scesesatoacerwosssieesion eg 35
Speckled Trout é 47
Spiral valve .... ss 7
“Spoon-bill v.00. sed = ang 12
Spot tailed Minnow ssccsssvscsensecensvesswdeveenas aeeeeienckssctieasea ins abybienedveane sete see eee 35
Steel-backed ODUD........cccesssceeeeceeeesees ceseeees ccs ysticaetar sor uentcslirenate dee dsicdise 28
Stickleback as sdaaidse sauces 51
Stizostedion....scrccssccceesrcccsecsseeeceoeeesee veseeeeessseaeeneneeseat sneeeeasense vanes saanes 7, 63, 64
CANAC CHS PTISCNM iecdsnsdanidinarweteraveaniecsedlvwarvenadaennsacinaes se vuadieasRbeeamemerene 64

vitreum,
Striped Bass....
Stone Lugger..
Stone Roller..........

Stone Lotter... ssw caseissieciomnscsenceseiers
Straw-colored Minnow .:
Straw berky Bass.i...cs.oanecaesasnndes sndananesunavcaan sviansindsvie ci bi jai al so aunenesielecienbedindne nee’
Bburgeon 1. wvsvese veseescanccnssnssteseveetessecenaen re csonnseseeennevasiadevcocdneecssenenteas
Subopercle
Suborbital

   

Sucker....... sot vinut die neeinaaieadaee dt sea Near eave nemeeurecetmensettiater<cene. +20, 22, 23, 24,
Sucker-mouthed Buffalo.......... ales 21
Sunfishes..........ss000 secsreen sees Sree tpeendeeriaeseeenenentensenesserecutanenens ..54, 57, 58, 59, 60
FISHES OF MINNESOTA 93

 

 

 
 
 
 

Wall-eyed Pike........cccsscscoseases odaidnilns Ghee danceable dass SI SSaL afontestatge easels snes ies apisidoeide
White Bass
White Cat i wheres 16
SAWIHIGE-€9.Gsscaccsievsdeivscstestacnestasouelbausndacteles eee eneseeenetcseearesssessaeesaeneees seseneeease 64
WhIEHSH,..0cascecesoessensonscacssswesennstvercecates saan siedr wesehasee wa seesseedsoupedycwageravesed 44, 46
White Lake Bass........ 13
White-nosed Sucker.... 25
White Perch..... ...... js ves. TA
White Sturgeon......cccsccssescscccssnscnseceasseecenscenes vesveeesscunssenssesncsasesenncseusseenanere 13
Waite Such 05g cccecescSesad ez exe esis itaatsiine doses as cGeaeeen ddea cncuedea secwse Gcavavgaeceaet wens 25
Yellow Catvccccssscncsessses wxsscaeseeass ae ics eee cates sea AT
Yellow Perch a dievinw ube cavewerendueveveneuwaeens ansieeiereswansseees 65

Yellow Pike........ jDaeaei sled aa ae vadete ace seciereiaar ates een eee tear aR erate ie eeadeee seeeebaeerswdewe 64
ee

a