‘ama AAY AW LABORATORY BULLETIN No. 2. OBERLIN COLLEGE. Descriptive List oF THE Fisnes oF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. By LEWIS M. McCORMICK, ; ASSISTANT IN “THE MUSEUM. § T y T v : “SOT JO 31vaS ORO in suene.ngsy Spoor nox spworag -—7— — sour 90 P dE “suonpuDjax7 “OITHO ‘OO NIVUOT , JOdVIN — Q731aHODLIT preyued AUOA s A TOOdYAAIT 9 4° HNOGNOT‘N N Q & xa xz a = m f= o LABORATORY BULLETIN No. 2. OBERLIN COLLEGE. DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE FISHES With the compliments of HIOo. Albert A. Wright. By LEWIS M. McCORMICK, ASSISTANT IN THE MUSEUM. OBERLIN, OHIO. PUBLISHED BY THE COLLEGE. 1892. LABORATORY BULLETIN No. 2. OBERLIN COLLEGE. DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. By LEWIS M. McCORMICK, ASSISTANT IN THE MUSEUM. OBERLIN, OHIO. PUBLISHED BY THE COLLEGE. 1892. e hay | ee O2hl} @ ¢ seit ADVERTISEMENT. The present Bulletin is the second of a series, which, it is hoped, may be issued from time to time, giving the results of special work in the laboratories and museum of Oberlin College. The first of the Series was a ‘‘Preliminary List of the Flowering and Fern plants of Lorain County,” issued in 1889, which, however, did not bear the title of ‘‘ Bulletin No. 1” at the time of its pub- lication. That number, however, will be assigned to it henceforth. The present paper is the result of Mr. McCormick’s pains taking collection and study of our native fishes, extended through several years, as opportunity has allowed, and resting upon specimens preserved in the museum. It is published in harmony with the conviction, here cherished, that one of the most import- ant duties of any museum is to secure a full representation of the natural objects occuring in its own vicinity, and to make them available to the cause of science. ALBERT A. WRIGHT, May, 1892. Professor of Geology and Natural History. INTRODUCTION. It is the object of this paper, first, to present a reasonably complete list of the fishes which occur in Lorain County, Ohio, with such notes on habits, distribution, etc., as may be helpful to future investigators, or in some degree additional to those in Jor- dan’s very complete report on the fishes of Ohio. (Geological Survey of Ohio, vol. IV.) Second, to give such characteristics of the families and species noted as will enable even the uninitiated to recognize the fishes that he may catch, by the ‘‘ear marks.” In doing this I have taken the diagnoses given in Jordan’s paper mentioned above, as models, making such changes as the more restricted scope of my work allows. It should be borne in mind that these characterizations (printed in italics) are from a limited fauna, and that points good for,this local- ity may be found in fishes which do not occur here, though an effort has been made to avoid this as much as possible. While it is hoped that this feature will simplify somewhat the difficulties in the way of making the acquaintance of our aquatic neighbors, it is not intended to replace the keys of more systematic works. Every student of natural history should have a Jordan’s Manual of the Vertebrates * at least. Jordan’s report in the Ohio Geol. Survey contains an account of the literature of Ohio fishes up to 1878, with very full synonymy of the species, and many notes on habits, to which the student is referred for much material not within the scope of this paper. To facilitate such reference, the species numbers in Jordan’s Manual and in his Report on the Ohio Fishes are given with each species. In his report, Jordan gives 165 species that are supposed to inhabit the waters of Ohio. Of these 96 are given as being found in Lake Erie and its tributaries, 123 in the Ohio river drainage, about 40 characteristic of the lake region, 56 common to both regions, and 67 found only in the river drainage. Of these lists Dr. Henshail says: ‘In an enumeration of this list recently sent *A Manual of the Vertebrates of the Northern United States, by D. 5, Jordan; :576 pages, A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago. $2.50, 4 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. to me by Dr. Jordan,after eliminating doubtful and extra-limital species, it is reduced to 130 species. But he named some 15 other species as likely to occur in Ohio waters.” Since 1882 the most impotant additions to the literature of the subject are (1), Notes in ‘‘ Fisheries and Fishing Industries of the United States,” by Prof. G. B. Goode and associates; (2) three papers by Dr. J. A. Henshall, published in the journal of the Cin- cinnati Society of Natural History, the first being a list of go species taken near Cincinnati in 1888; the second an additional list of 40 Ohio fishes, including 22 from Lake Erie, 1889; the third, Observations on Ohio Fishes, 1890, in which the history of the subject is reviewed. In 1890 a partial list of Lorain County fishes appeared in the same journal giving 55 species, without notes. The nomenclature of American ichthyology is in a very un- settled state, almost every paper that appears having some changes for old friends. In order, therefore, to facilite references to Jord- an’s Manual, I use the names given there, although I realize that this will mark the paper as not ‘‘up with the procession.” ‘The present paper includes 88 species; and is, I believe, the first distinctly local list published for Northern Ohio. The same list, with notes on distribution only, has been sent to the U. S. Fish Commission for publication ‘n their reports. There are, perhaps, a dozen more species whose known geographical range makes it probable that they occur in this region, but for lack of definite records they are omited here. This list is based on notes covering about four years of obser- vation, but in no one season have I been able to give the subject the attention that would have enabled me to note the movements of the fishes to and from their spawning ground. I only know that many species do enter the streams from the lake for this purpose, and then go back to deep water. Under what conditions they make these pilgrimages, what length of time is spent in the streams, how they protect their eggs, etc., etc., are questions still to be solved. In speaking of the comparative abundance or rarity of species, I can only give my own experience; and such an instance as the trout-perch, for example, which I did not find at all the first three years, but did find commonly in the same waters the last year, makes me feel like making few arbitrary statements on this point. Specimens of all the fishes named in this list except Polyodon FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 5 Spathula and Salvelinus namaycush, are preserved in the Oberlin College Museum. Lorain County is wholly within the lake watershed, all its streams flowing northward into Lake Erie. The streams are all small, the largest being Black River, navigable for about three miles, and Vermillion River, having only about a mile of safe water. But these are important as harbors for the lake trading vessels and fishing boats. The land is quite flat, with a gentle slope toward the lake, and the streams are mostly shallow and sluggish, the ex- ceptions being found in the parts that cross the ‘‘ridges” or old lake beaches, and a few of the small streams that are tributary to the Vermillion. Some of these are quite brisk and have worn for themselves deep channels in the shale. Spring Brook is one of these, and deserves special mention. It is the little stream that rises (see map) near the center of Hen- rietta township and flows northwest; it is spring-fed and does not run dry, though so small that it can be stepped across at almost any part of its course. The first half mile meanders through a meadow, and in this part there is a colony of red-bellied and red- sided minnows, species not detected elsewhere in the county. A few suckers, seven other kinds of minnows, a few green-sided sunfish, Johnny darters, and a few star-gazers are the only other fish noticed. Catfish, pickerel, gars, etc., seem to be excluded by a series of small water falls in the lower part of the stream. That the minnows are not hindered by these falls I surmise from the observation of excitement exhibited by a lot of red-bellied and red-sided minnows placed under a hydrant in a pail. As soon as the water began to splash they acted as if they had springs in them, leaping out of the pail a foot or more. The streams may be divided into ‘‘head waters,” the slower portions back from the lake; ‘‘the riffies,” where the streams are more broken by cutting through the shale beds, and the ‘‘lower parts,” comparatively deep and still, where the depth of water is influenced ‘by the direction of the wind on the lake. Each of these is characterized by certain kinds of fish, though some species are found in all waters. Mill-dams in both of the rivers also form well defined limits for certain species. Lake Erie where it touches Lorain County is shallow, reach- ing a depth of about 55 feet 3 miles from shore, and is free from islands. Not even a rock breaks the surface two rods from low- 6 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. water mark on the whole coast. The beaches are sandy, but a rod or two out there is usually a line of stones that make seining diffi- cult. Pound nets are set in ‘‘strings” from, perhaps, 1% mile from shore to 3 miles, and it is from these that I have obtained most of my lake fishes. It is only necessary to mention one other kind of water, the ponds and bayous left by changes in the courses of the larger streams, where water plants flourish, and some species, such as the mud-minnows and pickerel, find congenial surroundings. Camden lake yields ‘‘pumpkin seeds ” (Lepomis gibbosus), and shiners, (Votemigonus chrysoleucus), though ‘‘bull-heads” and “‘pike” are said to occur also. Many of the species make desirable aquarium stock, and are. more beautiful and interesting than the common gold fish. Among these are young catfish, especially the channel cats, the red-bellied minnows, the young sunfish, perch and the darters. In gathering these notes I have had material assistance from Mr. W. H. Warden, of Lorain, who has not only extended every courtesy to me when I have visited his fish wharves, but has kindly saved many valuable specimens from his pounds. Prof. S. E. Meek ex- amined and verified my Cyprinidae, and the officers of the U. S. Fish Commission have assisted by the loan of aseine, and in other ways. Col. McDonald has kindly given permission to copy the ‘plates used in this paper from the publications of the U. S. Fish Com- mission. These acknowledgements would be incomplete without a refer- ence to the constant encouragement and advice of Prof. A. A. Wright, which has made the completion of the work possible. oP ABBREVIATIONS, era: a Jord. Man, = Jordan’s Manual of the Vertebrates of the Northern United States. Fifth edition, 1888. O. St. Surv. = Report on the Fishes of Ohio in Vol. IV. of the Geological Survey of Ohio. In the plates, the line below each figure represents an inch in length, on the scale to which the fish is drawn. SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE FISHES DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES. Crass CYCLOSTOMI. Tue Myzonrs. OrvER HYPEROARTIA. Myzonrs. Famity 1. Petromyzontidee. Tse Lampreys. Crass PISCES. Tue True Fisues. Sus-cLAss TELEOSTOMI. THE PERFECT-MOUTHED FISHES. SERIES Ganoidei. THE GANOID FISHES. Orper SELACHOSTOMEI. THE SuHark-MOUTHED FIsHEs. Famity 2. Polyodontide. THE PapDLE-FISHES. ORDER GLANIOSTOMI. Tue Srurceons. Famity 3. Acipenseride,. THE STURGEONS. OrDER GINGLYMODI. Tue Gars. Famity 4. Lepidosteidee. THe Garpikes. ORDER HALECOMORPHI. Tue Bowrtns. Famity 5. Amiidz,. Tue Bowrins. SERIES Teleostei. THE Bony FISHES. OrDER NEMATOGNATHI, Tue THREAD-MOUTHED FISHES. FamiLy 6. Siluridee. THe CarrisHEs. ORDER EVENTOGNATHI. Famity %. Catostomidee. THE SUCKERS. FamiLty 8. Cyprinidae. THE MInNows. OrvDER ISOSPONDYLI. Famity 9. Hiodontidse. THE MooNneEYEs. Famity 10. Clupeide. THE Herrinecs. FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Famity 11. Salmonide. THE Satmons. Famity 12. Percopsida. THe TRovutT-PERCHES. Famity 13. Cyprinodontida. Tue KILLI- FISHES. Famity 14. Umbride. THe Mup Minnows, Famity 15. Esocidze. THE PIKEs. OrDER APODES. Tue EELs. Famity 16. Anguillidee. THe Truer EEts. Orp—ER HEMIBRANCHIT. Tue Hatr_ cILiep FISHES, Famiry 1%. Gasterosteidze. THE StIcKLE- BACKS. OrDER PERCESOCES, Tue PIKkr-PERCHES. Famity 18. Atherinidee. Tue SILversipEs. OrpER ACANTHOPTERI. Tse Spiny-ravep FisHEs. Famity 19. Centrarchidze. Tue Sunrisues. Famity 20, Pereidze. Tue PERcuHEs. Famity 21. Serranidze. Tue Sea-zass. Famity 22. Scivenidee. Tue Drumrisues. Fairy 23. Cottidse. Tue Scutrins. Famity 24, Gadidee. Tue CoODFISHEs. DESCRIPTIONS “OF THE SPECIES. FaMILY I. PETROMYZONTIDZ. THE LAMPREYS. Systematic zoologists do not include lampreys with the fishes, but put them into a separate Class, differing from the true fishes:in having very imperfectly developed skeletons. The skeleton in this Class is simply a cartilaginous vertebral column, without dis- tinct skull, jaws, shoulder girdles, limbs or ribs. The gills have the form of fixed sacks, with circular openings, six or more on each side of the ‘‘ neck.” 1. Petromyzon concolor (Kirtland). Lamprey. [Jord. Man. 5. O. St. Surv. 2.] Eel-shaped, bluish silvery or mottled with yellowish, mouth disk-shaped, set with about four circles of small teeth. Zwo teeth tlose together in front of the opening of the gullet. Reaches the length of 14 inches. This species comes into the rivers from the lake in the latter part of May, when they may be found attached to old logs and stones ; at other seasons they are seldom seen, but are occasionally found attached to large fish in pound nets. On the 22nd of May, 1887, I took several that were full of ripe eggs, (about the size of No. 8 shot, ) in Vermillion river. FaMILy II]. POLYODONTID®. THE PADDLE-FISHES. 2. Polyodon spathula (Walbaum). PADDLE-FIsuH. [Jord. Man. 39. O. St. Surv. 3.] A queer fish, with a long paddle-like snout overhanging a broad mouth; head with flap and snout more than half the total Jength ; body spindle-shaped, mostly smooth, olivaceous. I know of but oneever caught in the Great Lake region. That one was taken in a pound net near Vermillion, in 1874, and was stuffed as a curiosity and exhibited in a store window for some years ; it is still in existence. 190 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. FamiILy II]. ACIPENSERIDA. THE STURGEONS. 3. Acipenser rubicundus Le Sueur. Lake STURGEON. [Jord. Man. 42, O. St. Surv 4.] Sturgeons are large spindle-shaped fish, with big, sucker-like mouths, without scales, but having rows of shields on the back and sides ; not easily mistaken for anything else. (See plate 5.) We have but one species, whichis verycommon. The young have much sharper and comparatively larger spines than the older ones. The largest specimen I have seen measured 6 ft. 2-in., and weighed 129 lbs. Formerly sturgeon were but little valued, but now there is a ready market for all caught at $1.50 each, the pedlars taking them into the country. Almost every pound-boat that comes in has a few sturgeon, the most being caught in May. One man, near Dover, uses a gill net with a seven-inch mesh for taking them. FaMILy IV. LEPIDOSTEIDA. Gars. 4. Lepidosteus osseus (Linneus). Garprke. BILL-FISH. {Jord. Man. 44. O. St. Surv. 7.] A long, slim fish, with the body covered with diamond-shaped bony scales; color leaden in old specimens, marked with black spots which are more distinct in the young. The head is long and slender, the snout from eye to tip more than twice the length of the rest of the head. Gars are common in the lake and lower parts of the larger streams. Large schools come into the rivers in April to spawn. They grow to be from 2 to 5 feet long. 5- Lepidosteus platystomus Rafinesque. SuHorr- NOSED Gar. [Jord. Man. 45. O. St. Surv. 8.] a Very much like the preceding species, from which it may be told by the shorter snout, only about equal to the rest of the head. (See plate 1.) Very rare. FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. II FaMILy V. AMIID AE. THE BoWFINS. 6, Aimia calva Linneus. Docrisu. [Jord. Man. 47. O. St. Surv. 10.] Rather elongated, dark lead-colored above, nearly white below. Sides with greenish wavy markings, most conspicuous in the young; males have a round black spot on the tail. Mouth large, set with strong teeth. Head covered with bony plates, a dread, bony plate between the arches of the lower jaw. Length 1 to 2% feet. (See plate 2.) Rare; once ina great while one is brought in from the pounds, and I have taken one in a seine in Black River. FamILy VI. SILURIDZE. THE CATFISHES. Everybody knows a catfish—the smooth skin, big head, strong spines and fringe of (8) barbels about the wide mouth, marking a very conspicuous group. Some of the species grow very large and are highly prized as food. Catfish are taken in pound nets and on set lines, and with pole and line tackle. Leeches and salamanders form favorite bait for set lines, though fresh meat is used also. The smaller species of Amezurus are called Bullheads indiscrimi- nately. 7. Ietalurus punetatus (Rafinesque). CHANNEL OR SILVER Cart. [Jord. Man. 51. O. St. Surv. 14.] Slender and graceful, ¢az/ forked. A continuous bony ridge from back of head to dorsal fin. Silvery white or olivaceous, with small, dark, round spots; old specimens darker. Reaches a weight of about 5 pounds. Common, being one of the species taken on handlines. The young are plentiful in the streams below the dams, but have not been detected above. 8. Ameiurus nigricans (Le Sueur). BLUE Cat. [Jord. Man. 52. O. St. Surv. 15.] Slaty bluish, young lighter, body stouter than in the channel cat and the ¢ad/ not so deeply forked; bony ridge from skull to dorsal spine broken. Common in the lake and lower parts of the rivers. This species attains a weight of 100 pounds or more, but I have never seen a specimen of more than 4o pounds from the lake, and 5 pounds is probably a fair average. Highly prized as food. 12 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 9. Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). YELLOW CATFISH. [Jord. Man. 54. O. St. Surv. 16. ] Body rather chubby, yellowish brown, sometimes almost black, tail rounded, anal rays 24 to 27. Length 15 inches. Common in the ponds, streams and lake. ro. Ameiurus vulgaris (Thompson). Lonc-jJAwED CaTFISH. [Jord. Man. 55. O. St. Surv. 17.] Body moderately elongated ; color blackish, paler beneath; lower jaw longest; anal rays 20. Martin’s Run; only one recorded. tr. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Common BuLt- HEAD. [Jord. Man. 56. O. St. Surv. 18.] Dark brownish yellow, varying to blackish, tail not forked, lower jaw not projecting, anal rays 21-22, pectoral spines short, about half as long as head. Length 18 inches. Common in all streams. 12. Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque). SMALL BLack BuULL- HEAD. [Jord. Man. 57. O. St. Surv. 19.] Very much like the preceeding species in general appearance. The pectoral spine is shorter, 214 to 3 in head, and the anal fin is noticeably shorter—of 17 to 19 rays. Length 12inches. (See plate 6.) Common in all streams and ponds. 13. Leptops olivaris (Rafinesque). Mup-Car. [Jord. Man. 59. O. St. Surv. 22.] Very long and slender, the head flat and wide, lower jaw pro- jecting, color brownish, mottled with yellow, lighter beneath; anal fin of 15 rays; length, 2 to 3 feet. Quite rare. I have seen but one specimen fresh, though I have noticed heads on the beach. The fishermen say that they sometimes catch very large mud-cats. 7 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 13 The Stone-cats, Voturus, are distinguished from the other gen- era by the second dorsal fin, which is connected to the back along its whole length, often joining the tail. There are three species in our waters. All have venom pores in the pectoral spines, a stab from which stings like a wasp. In the aquarium they are always most active at night. 14. Noturus flavus (Rafinesque). YELLOw STONE-caAT. HIAMMER-HEAD. [Jord. Man. 60. O. St. Surv. 23.] Body elongated, head flattened, nearly as broad as long. Band of teeth on front of upper jaw, U shaped. Color yellowish brown. Length 12 inches. The most common stone-cat; found in the larger streams and in the lake. They are sometimes taken in the pounds and are often killed and thrown onto the beach by the waves during storms. 15. Noturus miurus Jordan. VarRtEGATED STONE-CAT. [Jord. Man. 63. O. St. Surv. 25.] Body slender, grayish Jody. with four black cross bands, black on top of head, tip of dorsal and middle of caudal; length § inches. Quite rare. I have taken a few in both Vermillion and Black Rivers. On July 4th, 1891, I picked up a dozen full-grown ones that were floating in the water near the mouth of Black River, evidently stunned by the waves that a storm was dashing against the piers. A puncture from the pectoral spine of one 1% inches long reminded me of the sensation of a hornet’s sting for two hours. They are one of our prettiest aquarium fishes. 16. Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill). CHuspy Srone-car. [Jord. Man. 65. O. St. Surv. 26.] Head large, broad and deep; color brownish yellow, with a narrow, black lateral streak ; pectoral spine smooth; length 5 inches. Common on the mud banks in the lower parts of streams enter- ing the lake. FAMILY VII. CATOSTOMID®, THE SUCKERS, Suckers are oblong or elongated fish, usually with lips thick- ened into a ‘‘sucker mouth;” scales smooth in most species, large and coarse; ventral fins abdominal, belly not sharp, head scaleless, the single dorsal fin with more than 11 rays. (See plate 3.) 14 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 17. Carpiodes thompsoni Agassiz. Lake Carp. [Jord. Man. 71. O. St. Surv. 32.] Oblong with high arched back and long dorsal fin, (27 rays). Dull white-colored with large coarse scales. Length 15 inches. Not very common, though a few are taken every season in the pounds. * 78. Catostomus teres (Mitchill), Common SUCKER. [Jord. Man. 76. O. St. Surv. 39-] Body elongated, scales crowded in front, 65-70 scales in lat- eral dine, whitish, young dusky, often blotched with darker ; length 1 to 1% feet. , Very common in all our waters. 19. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. STONE-ROLLER. [Jord. Man. 77. O. St. Surv. 4o.] Body, stout in front, tapering off rapidly behind; head very large, body marked with three broad black bands, scales moderate, crowded in front; length one to two feet. This fish is not uncommon in the channels of the larger streams. I have not found it in the smaller streams, nor below the rapids; it seems to delight in swift running water, and is sometimes speared among the other suckers on the riffles. 20. Erimyzon sucetta (Lacépéde). Cuus Sucker. [Jord. Man. 78. O. St. Surv. 41.] Body rather compressed, oblong, head short, color plain dusky or brassy, not lustrous; no lateral lines. The young have a broad lateral band of black. Reaches ro inches in length. Not common. I have taken a few in the lower part of Bea- ver Creek. 21. Minytrema melanops Rafinesque. SrripeD SUCKER. [Jord. Man. 79. O. St. Surv, 42.] Body little compressed, about four times as long as deep, lat- eral line wanting in the young, nearly completed in the adult, color dusky above, sides and belly silvery,‘a black spot on each scale along the sides, making longitudinal stripes. Length about 1 5 inches. Rare. Ihave taken two adults, one in Vermillion River, the other in Beaver Creek, and a few small ones in the latter stream. ds FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 15 22. Moxostoma anisurum (Rafinesque). Wuire-nosep SUCKER. [Jord: Man. 80. .O. St. Surv. 44.] Body heavy and compressed, somewhat arched. Dorsal jin of more than I§ rays (15-18); upper lobe of caudal fin longer than lower; color dusky bronze. Length 20 inches. Not as common as the next two. 23. Moxostoma macrolepidotum var. duquesnei (Le Sueur). Bic-MoutHep MuLietT. ‘*BLack Horse.” [Jord. Man. 81. O. St. Surv. 46.] Body somewhat compressed. Head large (4 to 4 3-4 times in length). Mouth large with thick lips. Olivaceous, fins orange red. Length of largest measured, 2 feet. (See plate 3.) Very common in the lake and larger streams. 24. Moxostoma aureolum (Le Sueur). SaLL-mMouTHED Muuier. Lake Rep-Horse. [Jord. Man. 82. O. St. Surv. 45.] - Like the preceding, dut the head is shorter and smaller. Mouth small, Head ¢ 1-2 to 5 1-4 times in body. Dorsal fin usually with Z3 rays. Length 2 feet. Note.—It is difficult to distinguish the three Moxostome at sight, careful examination and measurements often being necessary to make discriminations certain. These are the ‘‘Suckers” or ‘*Mul- lets” that crowd up the larger streams in such numbers in April to spawn on the riffles; by the middle of May most of them have re- turned to the lake, but small ones, up to 8 inches or more, can be found allsummer. Dr. Kirtland, speaking of aureolum, says: ‘‘At the first approach of spring it resorts to the mouths of rivers and smaller streams in great numbers to spawn. We have seen them congregating in large numbers on riffles in the Cuyahoga River, near the eight-mile lock, even before the ice had left the stream.” I have not been able to watch the large streams closely in the early spring, but I do not think that suckers get on to the riffles now in any number before the water gets the ‘chill taken off.” My experience has been that the same kind of weather that brings the snipe on to the marsh, draws the fish on to the riffles. The fish seem to spawn at night, and often may be seen lying in clusters of five or six, obliquely across the current, in the most rapid part of the stream. A lot of 50, taken April 13th in Vermillion River, averaged two 16 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. pounds apiece, and contained 14 macrolepidotnm, 36 aureolum, of the so the lateral line of one contained 45 scales; of one, 46; of twelve, 42, and the rest 43; otherwise essentially as described in the manual. : When first taken in a seine, young A/oxostome are usually plain silvery, but if kept for a while in an aquarium they will show dark colored bands very similar to those on Catostomus nigricans. 25. Placopharynx carinatus Cope. BIG-JAWED SUCKER. [Jord. Man. 85. O. St. Surv. 48.] Measurements for this species are the same as for Moxostoma _macrolepidotum, but the body seems more compressed and the out- lines have different curves, so that the fish, once recognized, can be told from other mullets at sight. In those examined the out- line of the lower lip is straighter than in other mullets, but the fish can only be surely identified by examining the lower pharyngeal bones which are large and broad, wth (8-14) thick, roundish teeth, instead of many thin, flat ones. Length 2 feet. Lake Erie. Common among other mullets. FamILty VIII. CYPRINIDAZ THE MINNows. Minnows have scaleless heads, rather thin lips, are never sucker- mouthed. Wot more than ten rays in the single dorsal fin; anal fin short, scales on the body smooth, and mouth toothless. Most of the species are small, but two or three grow to be quite sizable, one at least sometimes attaining a length of a foot. (See plate 3.) Among the Minnows are some of our most beautiful fishes. In the spring, especially, some of the species are gorgeous in reds, yellows, and silver, and ornamental tubercles often give the little fellows a truly fantastic appearance. From an economical point of view they are chiefly valuable as furnishing green pasturage for larger Species. Minnows form our largest family of fishes, and in some casses it is very difficult to discriminate between the species: ‘in the young it may be im- possible” (Jordan). Intestines more than four times the length of body. 26. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Srret- BACKED MinNow. ‘ [Jord. Man. 87. O. St. Surv. 50.] A rather dark colored little fish, with squarish looking scales, FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Ly body somewhat compressed, ¢he long intestine wrapped around the air bladder; adults 4-8 inches long. Common in most of our streams. Intestines more than twice the length of body. 27. Chrosomus erythrogaster Rafinesque. REpD- BELLIED MINNOW. (Jord. Man. 89. O. St. Surv. 51.] Clear brownish olive with dark mottlings above; below this, silvery with two black lateral stripes on the sides. This silvery color takes a charge of bright scarlet on the males in the spring. Scales minute, length about ,3 inches. In a well lighted aqua- rium these fish will show their scarlet colors the year around; in the winter they flush or grow pale very quickly when excited by light, food, or fright. Of this fish Kirtland writes (1850): ‘During the months of April and May every stream in northern Ohio swarms with this species—they crowd up the riffles in immense numbers to spawn. At that season the colors are very brilliant, but by midsummer they fade so much that the carmine tints are lost and the black stripes become a muddy brown. About the ist of July, this species, in common with almost the whole Minnow tribe, forsake the rivers and descend into the lake.” I have found them in but one stream, Spring Brook, where they stay the year round. (See introduction.) 28. Pimephales promelas Rafinesque. BLACKHEAD. [Jord. Man. 93. O, St. Surv. 53.] Body short and deep, head short and blunt, lateral line incem- plete, intestines long (more than twice the length of body). Oliva- ceous, adults dusky with black heads; about 2% inches long. Not common, but found in most of the streams. 29. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). BLunr-NosED MINNow. [Jord. Man. 94. O. St. Surv. 60.] Body compressed, elongated, head long, scales before dorsal jin crowded, about 23; intestines long, color dusty yellow, sides bluish, a black spot on front of dorsal and base of caudal fin. Length 4 inches. Very abundant in all small streams. 18 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Intestines short, less than twice the length of body: Scales not closely overlapping nor deeper than long. Teeth 4-4. . 30. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). Drricate Minnow. [Jord. Man. 103. O. St. Surv. 63.] Body little compressed, head somewhat elongated, eye larger, color pale, with a silvery strip through which runs a dusky line of light V-shaped spots, length 2% inches, scales 4, 34, 3. ‘An insignificant little fish.” Very abundant in all the streams. 31. Notropis stramineus Cope. [Jord. Man. 103, O. St. Surv. 64.] This species can be distinguished from the preceding only by careful comparison. There are more scales in the lateral line (5, 36, 4), and the fins are shorter. Not common. Teeth x, 4, 4, 1. 32. Notropis hudsonius (De Witt Clinton). “Smetr.” [Jord. Man, 108.] Body elongated, compressed ; head short with blunt snout. Pale yellowish green, silvery, young with large round black Spot at base of tail, fins plain and small, length ro inches. Common in the lake and at the mouths of the rivers. Scales overlapping, and deeper than long. 33. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Sitverrry. [Jord. Man. 110. O. St. Surv. 67.] Body nearly elliptical, mouth small, the lower jaw the shorter, color bluish silvery, finely dotted with black on the edges of the scales, a dark blotch on the upper part of last rays of dorsal fin, wanting in young specimens. Length 3 inches. Found in all the streams examined, but not very common. Teeth 2, 4, 4, x. 34. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). SHINER. [Jord. Man. 113. O. St. Surv. 75.) Body compressed, comparatively short in adults, long in young, head large, color bluish silvery with darker shades, adult scales much higher than long, anal fin has grays. Length 8 inches. Very common everywhere. Males in Spring have rosy color on fins and belly. Shiners often take the flies cast for bass. FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Ig 35. Notropis ardens (Cope). REDFIN. [Jord. Man. 123. O. St. Surv. 74.] Body elongated and compressed, fins large, ava/ fin with x2 or I2 rays, a adtstinct black spot at base of first ravs of dorsal, scales small, 30 before dorsal fin, lateral line decurved : females pale, males steel blue, belly and lower fins fine brick-red in the Spring. Length 2% inches. Not very common; found in Black River and in Vermillion River near Kipton. Scales larger and loosely Set. (The species of this group are extremely closely re- lated, and in some cases scarcely distinguishable.—Jordan.} 36. Notropis dilectus (Girard). Rosy-racep Minnow. [Jord: Man, 128. O. St. Surv. 69.] Slender and graceful, of a translucent olive-green with broad silvery bands on the sides ; head larger than in related species ; dor- sal fin inserted behind ventrals; length 3 inches. My specimens show 1g to 20 rows of scales before dorsal, instead of the ‘‘ about: 15’ of the manual. Common in the lake and lower parts of all streams entering it. Found accompanying the next species. 37. Notropis atherinoides (Rafinesque). Emeratp Minnow. [Jord. Man. 129. O. St. Surv. 70.] Very much like the preceding but with shorter, blunter head and of much larger size, reaching a length of 6 inches; very abundant at times, so that the schools darken the water. The fisher- men say that their coming into the rivers is a ‘‘sure sign” of a storm. 38. Notropis arge (Cope). Sitvery Minnow. [Jord. Man. 130. O. St. Surv. 70.] Like the preceding species, but with a comparatively larger head, much larger eye and slender form; length 3 inches. Found in company with atherinordes, but not nearly so common. 39. Ericymba buccata (Cope). SILVER-JAWED MINNOW. [Jord. Man. 132, O. St. Surv. 76.] Body spindle-shaped, rather long, head long with broad muz- zle. Bones of the jaws with 7 or 8 mucus chambers appearing as silvery bars in four rows across lower half of the head. Length 5 inches. Taken once in Black River, near Elyria. 20 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Barbel at angle of premaxillary present. 40. Rhinichthys atronasus (Mitchill). BLack-NosED Dace. [Jord. Man. 137. O. St. Surv. 79.] Body thick, moderately elongated, head large, eyes small. Premaxillaries not protractile, a minute barbel on the angle, snout short, scales small, (63 in lateral line); color dark, blackish above, mottled on the sides, with a band of orange and black on the sides; sometimes whole body bright crimson. Length 3 inches. I have found this specics only in Spring Brook and Chance Creek. Not common. 41. Hybopsis amblops (Rafinesque). Bic-EYED CHUB. [Jord. Man. 142. O. St. Surv.’ 81.] Slender, with big head flattened above, eye longer than snout, premaxillaries protractile, sides with a dusky lateral band overlaid by silvery; color pale straw. Length 4 inches. Common in some of the streams. 42. Hybopsis storerianus (Kirtland). Lakre-minnow. [Jord. Man. 143. O. St. Surv. 62.] Body rather elongated, head short, broad between the eyes, eye equal to snout, pale, stdes bright silvery, no darker band. Length 8 inches. One small specimen taken in Beaver Creek. A few are some- times taken in the pound nets. On July 8, 1891, after a storm, a great many large ones were thrown on the beach by the waves, along with stone-cats ‘and trout-perch. 43. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque). Horny HEAD. [Jord. Man. 144. Ok St. Surv. 82.] Body thick, head large and broad, snout long and blunt, dar- bel conspicuous, color bluish dusky with coppery tints, not silvery , males in Spring with large tubercles on head. Length 10 inches. Very common in the larger streams. 44. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Cuus. [Jord, Man. 149. O. St. Surv. 84.] A heavily built, chunky fish, head large, scales small, crowded before the dorsal, a distinct black spot at base of dorsal, anal with é rays; dusky brown. Length r2 inches. (See plate 3-) Abundant in most of the streams. FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 20 45. Phoxinus elongatus (Kirtland). Rep-s1DED SHINER. [Jord. Man. 150. O. St. Surv. 85.] Body long and compressed, head long and pointed, ‘‘ much larger than in any other of our Cyprinide,” scales very small (63-70 in lateral line), \ateral line decurved; bluish, mottled with lighter, a broad lateral band, the front half of which is bright crimson in the Spring. Length 4 inches. Common in Spring Brook, but not found elsewhere. (See introduction. ) 46. Notemigonus chrysoleucus (Mitchill). GoLpEN SHINER. [Jord. Man. 159. O. St. Surv. 87.] Body much compressed, head short, low and flat, mouth small, lateral line much decurved, scales on belly behind ventrals meeting in a sharp keel, greenish with golden reflection. Length 10 inches. Very common in all still waters. 47- Cyprinus carpio Linneus. GERMAN Carp. A large, coarse looking fish, with heavy scales, sometimes with only a few large scales, and a long dorsal fin; not easily mistaken for anything else. Occasionally taken in the rivers, where they are making them- selves at home since their escape from several artificial ponds in 1887, during ‘‘ the flood.” I have seen them speared among the suckers on the riffles, and a few large ones are taken each year in the pounds. FAMILY IX. HIODONTIDZE. MOONEYES. 48. Hiodon tergisus Le Sueur. MooneyeE. [Jord. Man. 161. QO. St. Surv. 9o.] Body oblong, compressed, head short, eye much longer than snout, color brilliant silver, teeth well developed, 12 rays in dorsal fin, anal finlong. Length 15 inches. (See plate 4.) Common in the lake, ascending streams sometimes. Famity X. CLUPEIDA. THE HERRINGS. 49. Dorosoma cepedianum (Le Sueur). GizzaRD-sHAD. [Jord. Man. 175. O. St. Surv. 88.] Body oval, deep, compressed, mouth toothless, belly serrated, dorsal fin with long thread-like last rav, anal fin long and low. Length 15 inches. (See plate 1.) 22 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. Quite common in the lake, ascending the rivers. . Kirtland says that it appeared in Lake Erie in 1848, coming through the newly-opened canal, and speaks of great numbers being killed by the cold in the canal as a proof that they belonged in a warmer climate. It is a very handsome but very worthless species. Famity XI. SALMONIDA. THE SALMONS. Fishes with abdominal ventral fins, two dorsal fins, the ante- rior rayed, the other adipose, scales cycloid (with smooth edges), and stomachs with many pyloric ceca, belong to this family. ‘‘In beauty, gameness, -activity and size of individuals, differ- ent members of this group stand easily with the first among fishes.” And by virtue of its wide distribution and abundance the family as a whole rank among the first in economic importance. 50. Coregonus clupeiformis (Mitchill). WHITEFISH. [Jord. Man. 183. O.St. Surv. 93.] Body oblong, compressed, more or less elevated according to age, head small and short, lower jaw shortest, tongue toothless, the gill rakers long and slender, length 20-30inches. Five or six pounds is the weight of a good-sized fish, though occasionally one much largeristaken. Mr. Nicholas of Vermillion reports one that weighed 19% pounds. Jordanin three different works gives the lateral line as “74.” In the specimens that I have examined I have found only one that agreed with this, one had 77, but those with 81 up to 85 were more common. Common in the lake, not detected in the streams. 51. Coregonus artedi Le Sueur. LaKke-HERRING. [Jord. Man. 186. O. St. Surv. 96.] Slender, compressed, little elevated, greenish, sides silvery, finely speckled with darker, lower jaw projecting. Length 18 inches. (See plate 7.) Very abundant in the lake, sometimes filling the pound nets almost solid with fish. I have not detected it in the streams. 52. Salvelinus namayeush (Walbaum). Laxke-rrovt. [Jord. Man. 191. O. St. Surv. ror.] : Body long and thick, head long, mouth well armed with teeth, gray, sometimes almost black, everywhere covered with rounded paler spots, scales very small. Length 3 feet or more. FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 23 Very rare. I have but two records, and it is almost unknown to the fishermen here, though common in the eastern part of the lake. FaMILy XII. PERCOPSIDAH. Tue TROUT-PERCHES. 53. Percopsis guttatus Agassiz. TRouv-PERCH. [Jord. Man. 195. O. St. Surv. 103.7 - Head conical, naked, scales rough, an adipose fin present, silvery, upper parts marked with dark spots made up of minute dots; length of largest taken 4 inches, but Jordan gives 1o inches as the length. Common in Lake Erie, Black River, and Beaver Creek this year (1891-2). I did not detect it before, and do not think it was ‘“‘common.” Specimens taken in the latter part of April show well- developed spawn. FAMILY XIII. CYPRINODONTID2®. THE KILLI- FISHES. 54. Fundulus diaphanus (Le Sueur). Barrep Kiii- FISH. [Jord. Man. 203. O. St. Surv. 104.] Rather slender, depressed in front, compressed behind, rather light colored, with 8 to 16 (25 in eastern forms) narrow, dark cross- bands on sides, dorsal fin soft and set far back. Length 3 inches. Taken once near Lorain. I found this little fish common near Huron and Put-in-Bay in the soft-bottomed, grassy inlets. One was seined out of open water in Put-in-Bay. All specimens taken here show broader, darker markings than eastern forms, several having only 8 bars on the sides. FAMILY XIV. UMBRIDA. THE MUD-MINNowWS. 55. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mup-minnow. [Jord. Man. 212. O. St. Surv. 107.] A handsome, thick-set fish, dark greenish olive with mottled sides, a distinct black bar at base of tail, fins all soft, dorsal set far back. Length 5 inches. Very common in the soft black mud in sloughs and bayous, also very hard to get hold of insaidmud. Early in the spring they may sometimes be found in large numbers in the channels that run through the snipe marshes, and are even found in the open streams. 24 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. FamMiILy XV. ESOCIDA. THE PIKES. Long, rather slender, somewhat compressed fishes with long heads and wide mouths well filled with teeth, dorsal fin single, soft and set far back, lateral line more or less imperfect. (See plate 8.) 56. Esox vermiculatus Le Sueur. LirtLe PICKEREL. [Jord. Man. 214. O. St. Surv. 108.] Olive green ; sides with many darker curved streaks and spots; cheeks and opercles entirely scaly. Length 12 inches. Common: found in the head waters of most streams and among the pads of spatter-docks in the bayous. Not often taken in open water, or in the larger streams. In June very small ones may be caught, but later all seined in a given stream will be very evenly matched, due I think to cannibalistic tendencies. One, 6% inches long, was seined in the act of digesting the head of another that was 4% inches long; the rest of the body was waiting its turn outside. Where common, as in the east branch of Vermillion River, near Kipton, none but the hardiest species hold their own against them. 57- Esox lucius Linneus. Common Pike. PICKEREL. [Jord. Man. 216. O. St. Sury. 109.] Greenish grey, mottled and streaked with yellowish spots and bars. Opercles without scales on lower half, cheeks scaled. Length 30 to 50 inches. Pickerel are often killed in the ponds and channels of the snipe ground when, fora few days, about the first of April, they are spawn- ing. They are speared, shot or clubbed, the nature of the water making it impossible to use tackle. But their season is short, and during the rest of the year ‘‘lucius ” is quite safe, being seldom taken. I have seen two brought in from the pounds, one taken on a troll in the lake, and have seined two in the lower part of Black River. 58. Esox masquinongy (Mitchill). MasKaLoncr. [Jord. Man. 217. O. St. Surv. 110.] Dark greyish black above, sides light with dark round Spots, belly white, cheeks and opercles scaleless on lower half. (See plate 8.) Kirtland, writing of the Maskalonge, in 1851, says: <« Forty years since, this fish was far more abundant than at present.” And now the old fishermen of Lorain say that they ‘‘used to be much FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 25 more common than they are now;” that they used to get some every time they lifted the pounds, while now half a‘ dozen is the highest number taken in a season. Some years none at all are caught. , Five were taken during the month of April, 1892, that weighed about 5 pounds apiece. In April, 1891, one was brought in that weighed 78 pounds and was about 6 feet long. FaMILy XVI. ANGUILLIDA. THE EELs. 59. Anguilla rostrata (Le Sueur). Common EEL. [Jord. Man. 218. O. St. Surv. 11.] Body linear, covered with small imbedded scales, placed ob- liquely, at right angles to each other, giving a mottled appearance to the body; dark above, light below. Length go inches. (See plate 2.) Large eels are occasionally taken in the pounds. I have never seen young ones, and do not think that they breed in the lake region. FamMILy XVII.:.GASTEROSTEIDZ. THE STICKLEBACKS. 60. Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland.) Brook STIcKLe- BACK, [Jord. Man. 239. O. St. Surv. 164.] A vary dark-colored little fish with a remarkably slender caudal peduncle and a fan-shaped caudal fin, four distinct low spines be- Sore the dorsal fin. Length 2% inches. I have found stickle-backs in but two places; the bayou near Turkey Ridge farm, in Pittsfield township, (see map, just across the stream from ‘‘W” of the word West), and in another hot, grassy little hole southeast of Oberlin. They are common enough in these two places, which are quite unlike the haunts described by Kirtland and Jordan. FamMiLty XVIII. ATHERINIDA., THF SILVERSIDES. 61. Labidesthes sicculus Cope. “BRooK SILVERSIDEs. [Jord. Man. 250. O. St. Surv. I11.] A very slender rounded little fish; head long, pointed, flat above, transluscent green dotted with black; szdes with a broad silvery band, two dorsal fins. Length 3% inches. Quite common in the lake, and in the large streams, below the dams. 26 FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. FamMiILy XIX. CENTRARCHIDA. THE SUNFISHES. The members of this family are usually short and deep in the body, much compressed, scales large or moderate, closely adherent, dorsal fin continuous with 6 to 13 spines, anal with 3 to 8. All are carnivorous. (See plates g, 10, 11.) 62. Pomoxis sparoides (Lacépéde.) GRass-Bass. [Jord. Man. 298. O. St. Surv: 114. Body very much compressed, oblong, of a bright silvery olive color mottled with darker shadings, 6 anal and 7 dorsal spines. Length 12 inches. I have seen but two adults, both taken by Mr. Warden’s pounds, near Lorain. Small ones of 2 or 3 inches are common enough, however, in the lower parts of Beaver Creek and Black River. 63. Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque. CRapplie. [Jord. Man. 299. O. St. Surv. 113.] - This species is very similar to the preceding, from which it may be known by its having szx spines in both dorsal and anal fins. Length 12 inches. I have seen no adults, the young are common with the preced- ing species. 64. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque.) Rock-Bass. [Jord. Man, 300. O. St. Surv. 124.] Adult fish are quite plain-colored, somewhat striped longi- tudinally over a bronze-olive. The young are prettily mottled and blotched with black ona clear olive back ground. zo~-r2 dorsal spines, 5-7 anal. Length 8 to 12 inches. Common in the larger streams; sometimes taken by the pound- nets in the lake. 65. Lepomis cyanellus (Rafinesque). GREEN SUNFISH. [Jord Man, 307. O. St. Surv. 122.] Body oblong, mouth large, cheeks with blue stripes, opercular flap short with pale margins, @ conspicuous black Spot at base of last rays of dorsal and anal Jins, dorsal spines low, about equal to snout. Length 5 to 7 inches. Abundant in the upper part of small streams and in small ponds. I have not noticed it in the lake. FISHES OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO. 27 66. Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill). BLUE SUNFISH. [Jord. Man. 313. O. St. Surv. 121.] A plain-colored small-mouthed fish, young silvery, adults dusky with a dark spot on last rays of anal and dorsal, dorsal spines high, no blue on cheeks nor red on fins. Length about 10 inches. Not common. I have two large specimens taken in Mr. War- den’s pound, and a few smaller ones séined in Black River. 67. Lepomis megalotis (Rafinesque). LoNc-EARED SUNFISH. [Jord. Man; 315. O. St. Surv. 118.]. A bright colored fish with neat, squarish looking scales, mouth small, the car flap long with pale margins in adult. The young need to be carefully studied for identification. Attains a length of 6inches. That it is extremely variable is shown by its list of 36 synonyms. Rare. I took two specimens near the mouth of Black River, September 10, 1890, the only records. 68. Lepomis euryorus McKay. [Jord. Man. 317.] Body oblong, mouth large, dorsal spines medium, scales on checks in 6 or 7 rows, greenish, with some of the scales darker, giving a mottled appearance to the fish, opercular flap large (in adult) with a broad margin, tail and lower fins with orange margins. I took seven specimens near Huron, July 6, 1891, and two near Lorain in September. At Huron they were associated with L. cyanellus, L. gibbosus, Fundulus diaphanus, and several species of /Votropis. The type specimen from Fort Gratiot, Lake Huron, was unique for several years, but in a recent letter Dr. Bean (U. S. F. C.) says: «