BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 321 



VoL IV, No. 21. Washinj^ton, ». C. Aug. 13, 1884. 



.163.-THt: SPECKI^EO CATFISH. 



By J. F. JO-^ES. 

 [From letters to Prof. S. F. Baud.] 



The general species of fisli is common, but the valuable and highly 

 aj)preciatcd variety that I have domesticated is different from all of 

 the kind, both in habit and color. The "speckled catfish" is naturally 

 a pond fish, and found only in one locality^ in the South ; at least, such 

 is my information and observation. That locality is on Fhnt Eiver, 

 running south and emptying into the Oiattahoochee some distance be- 

 low Columbus, Ga. Many years ago this fish was plentiful, being found 

 only in still water, lagoons, or ponds. The Flint Eiver runs through 

 the Pine Mountain. Not far south or north of the mountain these fish 

 cease to occupy the waters and inhabit only the tributaries to the river, 

 including a space of about 50 or 75 miles. 



Some time since I determined to try and domesticate them, and the 

 effort has resulted in success. The species is easily tamed or domesti- 

 cated. They can be tiaiued like pigs; incrcse and grow fast when 

 well supplied with food; subsist upon vegetation, but in the absence of 

 it can be fed any kind of fruit, such as peaches, apples, persimmons, 

 watermelons and the like, corn, wheat, and sorghum seed. I put fifty, 

 3 inches long, in a cotton basket and set it iu my pond. I fed them 

 well on corn shorts and dough. Iu the short space of six weeks they 

 grew to be and 7 inches long and trebled in weight. They spawn 

 when one year of age, and twice a year — May and Sei)tember. Last 

 spring I procured only eight wild ones. -After feeding them well up to 

 this time they have spawned in May and September and have filled my 

 pond. They have grown to be 15 and 18 inches long and weigh 4 

 and 6 pounds. They take care of their own young and trouble no 

 other fish, bite readily at hooks, and offer all the sport at catching that 

 a trout does. 



They resemble the leather carp more than any other fish, are oval 

 from head to tail fin on the back, and have a sharp mouth. The 

 under part, or belly, is as white as cotton. The sides and back are as 

 spotted as a leopard. The flesh is perfectly white and tender, and no 

 better for the table is to be found ; bones are rather small and slender. 

 At the same time they carry more flesh than any fish I ever saw. They 

 love a pond of clean water and a mud bottom. All the floods that 

 come cannot wash them from their home unless the whole of the poud 

 is carried away. They will not go in running water if they can avoid 

 it. Disturb them, and, like a carp, they will sink in the mud to hide. 

 Bull. U. S. F. C, 84 21 



