there are seven broad, green bars running from the back almost to 

 the belly. The belly is yellowish white. The dorsal, pectoral and 

 tail fins are gray-green. The pelvic and anal fins vary from greenish 

 through orange to crimson, depending upon habitat and season. 



Size. The adults may exceed 300 mm. in length. 



Habitat. In deep, cool lakes and streams; particularly abundant 

 in the Great Lakes. 



Breeding Habits. This species is said to spawn in pairs on peb- 

 bly or sandy shallows. Sometimes after storms on the Great Lakes 

 long windrows consisting of strings of perch eggs are to be found 

 along the shore. The eggs are laid in April and May. 



Food. Insects, crustaceans of all sizes, worms, snails, fish and 

 fish eggs. 



Small perch are interesting additions to an aquarium. They eat 

 prepared foods readily but should be given some living food to 

 maintain their health and color. Lean beef or liver can be substi- 

 tuted for aquatic animals. 



Central Johnny Darter 

 (Boleosoma nignun nigrtun) 



Appearance. Once identified, a darter is usually recognizable at 

 a glance. A description is of small help. The identifying character- 

 istics are the combination of small size and a sparrowlike air of 

 alertness, which is due to the darter's habit of resting propped up 

 on the sand by means of the pelvic and anal fins. Furthermore, it 

 can turn its head without moving its body and roll its eyes in their 

 sockets. When startled it will sometimes bury itself in the sand 

 with a great swirl so that when the sand settles only the great, 

 protuberant eyes can be seen. This behavior is typical of the darters 

 but of no other native fish. 



This species is a pale straw color along the back and sides. Sprin- 

 kled over this color are brown dots and a series of indefinite W- 

 and V-shaped blotches along the lateral line. The belly is pale green 

 or golden. The pupil of the eye is black with a gold ring around it. 

 The dorsal, tail and pectoral fins are barred with brown, the other 



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