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



more abundant and require legal protection. In the northeastern part of its habitat 

 the Brook Trout grows much larger, specimens Aveighing from 3 to 6 pounds being 

 not uncommon; and in one of the Rangeley lakes an individual weighing 11 pounds 

 is recorded, while Seth Green took a 12-pound specimen in the Sault St. Mary, and 

 Hallock mentions one which was said to weigh. 17 pounds. 



The Brook Trout does not flourish in water warmer than 68° and prefers a tem- 

 perature of about 50°. It is an inhabitant of the cold, clear mountain streams, and 

 will leave a region which becomes polluted by mill refuse and other hurtful sub- 

 stances. In the Long Island region and around Cape Cod, where the Brook Trout 

 has free access to salt water, it has the habit of going to sea in the fall and remain- 

 ing during the winter. It then grows rapidly and becomes a much more beautiful 

 fish than many which live exclusively in fresh water. In hot weather, when the 

 temperature of the streams becomes too high and lakes are accessible, trout seek 

 the deep parts of the lakes and the vicinity of cold springs. In streams they are to 

 be found in deep pools or in channels. They feed in spring and early summer 

 among the rapids on insects and small crustaceans. 



The Brook Trout is a nest-builder. Cavities are made in the gravel, and the nest 

 is shaped with the tail, and the larger stones are carried in the mouths of the 

 parents. After the eggs are deposited they are covered with gravel. The eggs are 

 not all deposited at one time. Spawning usually begins in October, but Brook 

 Trout are spawning at some locality in almost every month of the year except mid- 

 summer. The egg is about one-fifth of an inch in diameter, and varies in color from 

 pale lemon to orange red. The average yield of the female is from 400 to 600. 

 Livingston Stone has taken 1,800 from a fish weighing i pound. 



The period of hatching will depend on the temperature, ranging from 165 days 

 in water of 1"]° to 32 days in water of 54°. The yolk sack is absorbed in from 30 to 

 80 days, and after its absorption the young fish begin to feed. The rate of growth 

 will of course depend on the amount of food consumed. In artificial culture year- 

 lings, according to Mr. Ainsworth's estimate, will average 2 ounces; fishes of two 

 years 4 ounces; of three years, 8 ounces, and of 4 years, i pound. 



The value of the Brook Trout as a food fish and its game qualities are so well 

 known that I need hardly refer to them here. 



The Brook Trout is well adapted to domestication in aquarium tanks ; it soon 

 overcomes its fear of moving objects, takes its food regularly, and is always attrac- 

 tive because of its beauty and graceful movements. It will live in fresh and salt 

 water. When it is attacked by fungus in fresh water, the parasite is easily killed by 

 introducing salt water, gradually increasing in salinity, and the trout is not at all 



