Billfish, Agujon 309 



a copulatory organ. Fertilization of the eggs is internal and 

 the young are born alive. Broods of young are produced 

 from May to September and a brood may consist of from 

 just a few fish to over 200 fish. Several broods may be 

 produced by a single female in one year. Newborn young 

 are about one-third of an inch long. The Top Minnow 

 feeds mostly on the surface and eats a wide variety of 

 foods including insects and small shrimp-like animals. 

 Economic Importance: This fish and closely related forms 

 are widely used both in the United States and in other 

 countries, where they have been introduced, to assist in the 

 control of mosquitoes. The Top Minnow feeds voraciously 

 on the aquatic larval stages of mosquitoes and therefore 

 helps to reduce the mosquito population. 



Billfish, Garfish 

 Tylosurus marinus (Walbaum) 



Color: Greenish above; silver on sides; white below. A 

 dark green stripe on the central line of the back. A blue- 

 silver stripe along the sides. 



Distribution: Cape Cod to Texas. Infrequently to Maine. 

 Size: Grows to a length of about 4 feet. 

 General Information: Common in bays and mouths of 

 rivers in some years, frequently going up coastal rivers to 

 fresh water. It is often seen swimming near the surface of 

 the water singly or in small schools. It feeds on small fishes. 

 Economic Importance: None. An edible species not often 

 used. It frequently takes the bait of the angler fishing near 

 the surface of the water. 



Agujon 

 Tylosurus acus (Lacepede) 



