Other Game Fish i\'-j 



The spawning processes of the two species are essentially 

 similar, and their domestic life is much more elaborate than 

 is found in any other of the game fishes. It is suggestive of 

 the jewel described In Chapter VIII, although the mating 

 is much more perfunctory, and the care of the young is not 

 so prolonged. 



Spawning does not take place until the water temperature 

 rises above 60 degrees. The season therefore varies with the 

 latitude, and may begin as early as March in the south, as 

 late as June in the north. In both species the male alone 

 makes a nest. The small-mouth chooses a sandy or gravelly 

 bottom, from eighteen inches to six feet deep, on which he 

 prepares a circular, concave, saucer-like depression, its diam- 

 eter about twice his length, with sand and small stones in a 

 ring around the edge, larger stones in the center. The large- 

 mouth can utilize a muddy bottom, where he sometimes 

 makes a foundation of sticks and stones cleaned of mud. 



Although nests may be quite close together, each male 

 looks upon his nest as his own very private property, and 

 allows no other male to come within his territory. Fights 

 among the males occur, especially when females enter dis- 

 puted or borderline regions. Having provided what the 

 female wants — a home — he makes no effort to pursue her, 

 but takes up his post there and waits for her to make the 

 advances. When she enters his territory, he comes out to 

 meet her with raised fins. After a brief courtship, consisting 

 of advances and retreats, they begin to circle inside the nest, 

 she laying a few eggs at a time, he fertilizing them. The 

 minute laying is over, he throws her out, and is at once ready 

 to take in another prospective mother and do what is neces- 

 sary for her. As many as three females have been known to 

 lay in one nest in quick succession. A two-pound female 

 contains about six thousand eggs, and although it is probable 

 that all of these are not deposited at one time nor in one 



