Biological Survey — Erie-Niagara Watershed 213 



tinue day and night, during which time the carp move from one 

 spawning ground to another or to deep water. A catch of 58 

 carp taken at Damon's point June 26th had 38 males and 20 

 females, while another catch at New London had 28 males and 6 

 females. The average weight for both catches was 3.3 pounds, 

 indicating roughly that the average age was between three and 

 five years. The females run consistently heavier than the males. 



Carp spawn at approximately the same time both in Oneida lake 

 and the canal. There is a gradual increase in the number of 

 breeding fish up to the first week in July when spawning suddenly 

 ends. The period varies somewhat with the type of season which 

 affects the rise in water temperatures. No spawning carp were 

 observed where the water temperature was less than 60 degrees 

 Fahrenheit. The latest spawning was witnessed at Tannery creek, 

 in which the water is several degrees cooler than in the canal. 

 By November first female carp are very heavy with spawn, a 

 natural prevision doubtless associated with the physiological 

 inactivity of this fish during the winter. 



Carp eggs hatch four days after spawning occurs. Authenticity 

 for this statement is based on actual observations made in the 

 field, as well as from eggs artificially fertilized and developed in 

 aquaria. Judging from the exposed position of the spawning 

 grounds, carp eggs are resistant to the agitation of water caused 

 by wind or boats, yet the percentage of eggs destroyed by natural 

 enemies must be tremendous. 



Young Carp. — At the time of hatching carp fry are one-eighth 

 inch long. The rate of growth during the first three weeks as 

 recorded by Doctor W. M. Smallwood is as follows : — 

 July 2 Eggs hatched 



July 3 Fry total length 5.5 mm 



July 5 Fry total length 7 mm 



July 7 Fry total length 8 mm 



July 17 Fry total length 8.5 mm 



July 25 Fry total length 9 mm (% inch) 



At nine millimeters total length the carp fry begins to take the 

 form of adult fish, there is a distinct sucker mouth, the skin has 

 a yellowish hue and a dark spot begins to appear at the base of 

 the tail. More advanced stages of young carp were taken at 

 different points along the canal : 



July 10, two carp (1 in. long) in Elodea, shallows near Walter's island. 

 July 13, ten carp (1 in. long) in Elodea, Foul east of Fulton. 

 July 15, forty carp (^ in. long) in Elodea, Tannery creek. 



Aug. 14, three carp (3 in. long) in P. pectinatus, shallows east Cayuga Division. 

 Aug. 15, two carp (1^ in. long) Elodea, shallows back of Aqueduct at Montezuma. 

 Sept. 5, one carp (1| in. long) Elodea, Foul at Fulton. 

 Nov. 24, two carp (6 in. long) in trap net set in Foul at Fulton.* 



Little carp living in the canal inhabit the same type of region 

 as those found in Oneida lake. It is surprising however that so 



* These young carp were about six months old. They were living in water from 

 three to six feet deep in common with adult carp. 



