200 



UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



STICKLEBACKS: Family Gasterosteidae 



These are small fishes typical of bays, estuaries, brackish waters, and streams 

 of north temperate and arctic seas. The ventral fins are each supported by a 

 stout spine, and there are 2 to 9 spines preceding the soft dorsal fin. They 

 are mainly olivaceous in color, but in the spring when thev enter fresh water 

 to breed, the males become flushed with a striking and quite beautiful red on 

 the sides and head. At that time, the eggs are laid in nests built around the 

 stems of water plants, and the pugnacious male guards the nest. 



Two-spiNED stickleback: Gastewstetis aculeatus 



Size: Up to 4 inches. Females are larger than males. 

 Distribution: Circumpolar. South to New Jersey and to Baja California. 

 Identification: Separated from most other sticklebacks bv the presence of onlv 

 two dorsal spines. 



Habits: The food is varied from small fishes and crustaceans to algae. 



Fig. 101. Two-spined stickleback. 



TRUMPET FISHES: Family Aulostomidae 



These are extremely odd, elongate, and compressed fishes, characteristic of 

 coral reefs all over the world. The colors are mostly browns and dull yellow. 

 It is the movement of this fish that is most fascinating. They seem to float 

 through the water with no body motion whatsoever. Actually, the nearly 

 transparent dorsal and anal fins are the active propulsion units, waving rapidly 

 to and fro. If the fish has to move quickly, it does so by a strong lateral motion 

 of the tail as do other fishes, but the trumpet fish would rather not so exert 

 itself. It far prefers to move on its slow course, head up or head down, back- 

 wards or forwards surveying all with its large eves. It seems to depend on con- 

 cealing coloration and habits for protection. It has been observed bv the authors 

 to stand with its head down in imitation of the branches of a oorgonian when 

 approached, and it will frequently keep to the opposite side of objects in the 

 water like a squirrel does on a tree trunk. Trumpet fishes are solitary and very 

 common. They eat small fishes, crustaceans, and worms. The small mouth 

 is at the end of a very long snout. 



TRUMPET fish: Aidostovia vmcidatiis— Figure 97 



Size: Up to 3 feet long and possibly longer. Averages Wi to 2 feet. 

 Distribution: Coral reefs of Bermuda, Florida, and the West Indies. 

 Identification: The principal ground color is brown, but occasionally very 

 yellowish ones arc seen. 



