Biological Survey — Genesee River 57 



ANNOTATED LIST OF FISHES OCCURRING IN THE GENESEE RIVER 



DRAINAGE * 



AciPENsEEiDAE Sturgcovs 

 Acipcnser fulvescens Rafinesqiie. — Lake Sturgeon. A Great Lakes species. 

 Reported (Mr. Chas. H. O'Doiiiiell of Muniford) to ascend lower Genesee river 

 verv rarely. This fish was formerly more common in Lake Ontario (Smith 

 1890, p. 185). 



Lepisosteidae Gar Pikes 

 Lepisosteus osseus (Linnaeus). — Long-nosed gar pike, billfish. Common 

 in Lake Ontario (Evermann and Kendall, 1901). Doubtless enters the 

 mouth of the Genesee river, though none were seen. 



Amiidae Boicfins 

 Amia colra Linnaeus. — Bowfin, dogfish, mudfish. Occurs in Lake Ontario 

 (Smith 1890, p. 213). Doubtless enters lower Genesee river in spring at 

 spawning season. Xone were seen. 



Ameiuridae Ca tfish es 



Ameiurus nehulosus (Le Sueur). — Common bullhead, horned pout. Locally 

 abundant. Lakes, ponds and sluggish streams. Thrives best in warm waters 

 where bottom is mud or muck and weeds are present. An excellent food fish. 

 Natural range has been increased by artificial i)lanting in numerous ponds 

 and reservoirs of the region. August 19. Silver lake, specimens up to 141/2 

 inches (2 lb.) common. Food of 17 from 10-14i/l> inches was 100% midge 

 larvae {Chironomvs plumosus) , taken from mud on bottom in lo to 30 feet 

 of water. 



Ameivrns melas (Rafinesque). — Black bullhead. Rare. Our two speci- 

 mens are from warm streams: Genesee river l>elow dam at Belmont; and a 

 tributary of Black creek (Allegany Co.). 



Xotiintfi fronts Rafinesque. — Stone-eat. Rare. Warm, shallow streams 

 with hard bottom. Rapids. Genesee river near Pennsylvania l>oundary; 

 near Belvidere (Allegany Co.); 2 miles north of Mt. Morris; Van Campoi 

 creek (Allegany Co.). A good bait for small-mouthed black bass, but rare. 



SchUbeodes gyriniis (Mitchill). — Tadpole stone-cat. Recorded from the 

 Genesee river from below Gold (Potter Co.), Pennsylvania (Fowler, 1907). 

 Proljably occurs in our limits but is rare and was not taken. 



Cat()Sto>[11)ae S'uckers 



Cafostomus commersoniii (Lacepede). — Common sucker, white sucker, 

 mullet. Almndant. Streams and lakes. Warm or cold waters. The only 

 sucker common in trout streams of the region. A common food fish, es- 

 pecially in spring when it is caught on hook l>aited with angleworm. Flesli 

 good but bony. Small specimens are used as bait for pike and pikerel in the 

 lakes. June 18, Brimer brook (Allegany Co.), 2% inches. Food: mnd 

 containing diatoms and filaments of algae. August 4, Honeoye creek. 

 inches. Food: mud containing diatoms and a few midge larvae (Chirono- 

 iH idae ) . 



H)ipcu1cUum vif/ricoiis (Le SiuMir). — Hog sucker, stone-roller sucker, hog 

 molly, black sucker. Abniulant. Warm, sliallow waters usually with swift 

 current and l>ottom of rubble or other hard material. Little used as food 

 fish due to small size and numerous bones. Young are good bait fish for 

 small-moutherl bass. July (1, Caneadea Creek, young (% inch). Food: 

 about 40 Crustacea (Chi/dorinae) which were 90% of the content. Midgs^ 

 larvae (Chironomidae) made up the other o^/r. A wheel animalcule (Roti- 

 fera) and diatoms amounted to a trace. August 4, Honeoye creek, ly^ 

 inches. Food: a small <|uantity of miid, containing a few diatoms. 



* In the following annotated list the nomenclature has been largely based 

 upon that given by Professor Carl L. Hubbs in "A Check-List of the Fishes 

 of the Great Lakes and Tributary Waters." 



