68 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



of little more than one pound. Nothing distinctive is known of its 

 habits. 



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THE ROCK BASS. 



The Rock Bass, Ambloplites rupestris^ is also known as the "Goggle- 

 eye" and "Red-eye." All these names are in general use, the first 

 being most common in the Lake region, the last further south. It is 

 everywhere abundant in lakes, ponds and larger streams throughout the 

 Great Lake region and the Mississippi Valley. It prefers clear waters, 

 and is not often found in muddy bayous, it is a hardy and gamey fish, 

 and takes the hook readily, and it is a good pan-fish, though not large, its 

 weight seldom exceeding one-and-a-half pounds. Like other Sun-fishes, 

 they spawn in early summer, and about the same time as Black Bass ; 

 and keep much about sunken logs and roots. 



The Mud Bass, Acantharchus pomotis, is found only in the coastwise 

 streams of the lowlands from New Jersey to North Carolina. Its habits 

 are similar to those of the Warmouth, but it is similar in size, and has 

 little value as a food-fish. 



Centrarchus macropterus has no name more distinctive than " Sun-fish " 

 or "Perch." It is found throughout the lowland streams of the South 

 from North Carolina to Florida, Southern Illinois and Texas, preferring 

 generally rather deep, clear waters. It is rarely seen in upland streams. 

 It is a fish of good quality, but small, rarely weighing more than half a 

 pound. Little is known of its habits. 



The Strawberry Bass, Pomoxys sparoides. is a beautiful fish known by a 



