INTRODUCTION. liii 



although they are found in the rivers at a considerable distance 

 from the sea ; it is quite probable that these are not abundant enough 

 to make them of importance to the angler. 



FOOD FISHES OF MEXICO. 



Many of the fresh-water fishes of Mexico are used for food by the 

 natives. Of these the trout and the black bass are probably the best. 

 There are several species of the catfish family which are large enough 

 for the market. In the Valley of Mexico, and in the basin of the Rio 

 Lerma are several species of Chirostoma, known as Pescados B Ian cos 

 (whitefishes) , which are excellent food fishes, but none of these will 

 take the hook. The smaller species of the whitefishes are dried in 

 large quantities in this region and shipped to different parts of the 

 republic. 



The Trucha, or trout (Agonostomus monticola Bancroft), is a first- 

 class food fish, but it is found nowhere in any considerable numbers. 

 The Cichlids, which much resemble our sunfishes in form and general 

 habits, are only fair food fishes. They are very abundant in all of the 

 rivers of southern Mexico, and in the Atlantic coast streams north 

 to Texas. Most of the fishes seen in the markets of the City of Mexico 

 are brought from Vera Cruz, and are salt-water forms. A few 

 whitefishes are shipped from Lago de Chapala to the City of Mexico, 

 and some are brought in from the neighboring lakes. Many buffalo 

 fishes are eaten in the region where found, but these are regarded as 

 considerably inferior to the catfishes. Tamales are made of the 

 Juilis, Algansea tincella (C. & V.), taken from the lakes in the Valley 

 of Mexico. The species of garpike found in the Rio Panuco find a 

 ready sale in the markets of Tampico. It is quite probable that the 

 flesh of these fishes, like that of the fresh-water drum (Haploidonotus 

 grunniens Raf.), improves in southern waters. In the Great Lake 

 region of North America the drum is quite worthless for food, but in 

 Louisiana it is an important market fish. The negroes along the 

 lower portion of the Arkansas river eat many garpike and consider 

 them as good for food as the catfishes. The larger species of the killi- 

 fishes, Pceciliidce, in the basin of the Rio Lerma, some of which in this 

 region reach a length of eight inches, are quite important food fishes. 



FISH CULTURE IN MEXICO. 



Very little has been done in Mexico in regard to stocking streams 

 with fishes not native to the country. Goldfish and carp are quite 

 abundant in the lakes in the Valley of Mexico, and also in some of the 



