Biological Survey — Erie-Niagara Watershed 177 



89. Ammocnjpta pellucida (Baird).* — Sand darter. Rare. The U. S. 

 National Museum has specimens that were collected in Cazenovia creek, 

 near BufiFalo, and in Cattaraugus creek, at Gowanda and at Irving, by A. J. 

 Woolman in 1893. This species may, quite possibly, have been e^errainated 

 in these creeks by pollution. 



90. Boleosoma nigrum 7iigrum (Rafinesque). — Johnny darter.^ Common and 

 widely distributed, inhabiting nearly all stream systems as well as Lake 

 Erie and the Niagara river. In the lake it is most common in weedy places. 



91. Poecilichthys coeruleus coeruleus (Storer). — Rainbow darter, soldier 

 darter. Common. This is distinctly a stream fish, living in shallow creeks, 

 especially in the riffles, and avoiding lakes. It is found in the majority 

 of streams of the southern and western part of the drainage, becoming less 

 common to the east and north. A few were found in trout streams. 



92. Poecilichthys exilis (Girard). — Iowa darter. Uncommon. It is locally 

 common in sheltered spots along Lake Erie, especially Dunkirk harbor. 

 Specimens were collected in one of the small lakes, Java lake. 



93. Catonotus fiahellaris (Rafinesque). — Fan-tailed darter, 2 Common. Like 

 the rainbow darter, it is a stream species. It inhabits practically every 

 stream system, ranging farther into headwaters than any other darter, and 

 being commonly found in trout streams. Eggss were found in EUicott creek 

 near Bowmansville, on June 18, They were attached to the under side of a 

 stone. 



94. Etheostoma hlennioides Rafinesque. — Green-sided darter. Uncommon. 

 It was taken in shallow, warm streams of the eastern and southern divisions 

 of the drainage. Like the other darters, with the exception of the fan-tail, 

 it does not inhabit headwater streams of the region. 



Cbntrarchidae Sunfishes 



95. Micropteriis dolomitii Lacepede. — Small-mouthed bass, black bass. Com- 

 mon. This is one of the most popular angler's fish of the region, especially 

 in the shore zone of Lake Erie. Bass are found in tlie Niagara river and 

 in several of the larger creeks, as Cattaraugus. Many of the lake bass enter 

 creek mouths to spawn, and the young inhabit such situations during their 

 first season. The protection given by law does not fully cover the spawning 

 season, as several bass taken after July 1 had not laid their eggs. The 

 latest of these, of which we have record, was a female which was caught 

 at the mouth of Sister creek, on July 8. It seems to be the general opinion 

 that bass are decreasing; probable causes are intensive angling and the 

 tapeworm disease. * Young were common in the Niagara river, and in 

 sheltered areas along the lake shore. The smallest were from % to % of an 

 inch, taken at the mouth of Eighteenmile creek, July 18. 



96. Aplites salmoides (Lacepede). — Large-mouthed bass. Uncommon, 

 Less important as an angler's fish than the preceding species. In Lake Erie 

 it is limited to weedy areas, as Dunkirk bay. It is well established in Lime 

 lake and Crystal lake, and is found in Tonawanda creek and several other 

 large, sluggish streams. This species spawns earlier than does the small- 

 mouthed bass. Young from Lake Erie, seined July 19, measured from 1^/4 

 to 1% inches. 



97. Chaenohryttiis gulosus (Cuvier & Valenciennes).* — War-mouth bass. 

 Rare. Mentioned as occurring in Lake Erie by Forbes and Richardson. 

 There are apparently no definite records. 



98. Helioperca incisor (Cuvier & Valenciennes),* — Bluegill sunfish. Rare, 

 Mr, T, L, Hankinson took specimens at the mouth of Delaware creek in June, 

 There are several records for Lake Erie, It is too rare, at present, in this 

 region to be an important angler's fish but is being recommended for stocking 

 small ponds. 5 This species is larger, and more desirable than the common 

 sunfish, 



1 Illustrated (subspecies olmstedi) in Oswego Survey Report, 1927. 



2 Illustrated in Oswego Survey Report, 1927. 



^ For description see Genesee Survey Report, 1926. 

 * See page 198 

 ^See'page 235 



