300 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



42. Skipjack (Pomolobtts chrysochloris Rafinesque). 



Pomolobus chrysochloris JORDAN & EVERMANN, Bull. 47, U. S. Nat. Mus., I, 425, 1896, 



pi. LXX, fig. 187, 1900. 

 Clupea chrysochloris JORDAN & GILBERT, Bull. 16, U. S. Nat. Mus. 266, 1883 ; BEAN, 



Fishes Penna., 59, 1893. 



The Golden Shad, or Skipjack, is a common inhabitant of the Ohio and Mississippi 

 valleys and the Gulf of Mexico. In Pennsylvania this fish is confined to the Ohio 

 and its tributaries. It prefers large streams. It has made its way into the Great 

 Lakes through canals. The presence of the Golden Shad in the salt water of the 

 Gulf of Mexico was discovered by Silas Stearns near Pensacola, Fla. This species 

 grows to a length of 18 inches. 



Unlike most other species of Clupea, this one, according to observations of Prof. 



SKIPJACK. 



S. A. Forbes of Illinois, is predaceous, feeding on other fishes. Two examples 

 examined by him had eaten gizzard shad, Dorosoma, and another one individuals of 

 some unidentified fish. The young of the Golden Shad, 2^ inches long, had con- 

 sumed nothing but terrestrial insects, including flies, small spiders, etc. 



Apparently it never ascends small streams. In the lower part of the Mississippi 

 valley it migrates into salt water. In the upper part of this valley it is a permanent 

 resident in fresh water. The name Skipjack is given in allusion to its habit of skip- 

 ping along the surface of the water when in pursuit of its prey. In the water its 

 movements are graceful and active. 



The fish is full of small bones and its flesh is reputed to be tasteless and without 

 value as food ; but Kirtland says it is esteemed in Ohio as a good pan fish. 



