The Sunfish Family 8i 



It grows to about the same size and weight 

 as the calico-bass, ten or twelve inches, though 

 under favorable conditions it grows larger, reach- 

 ing a weight of three pounds. I have frequently 

 taken it as heavy, or a little heavier, in Kentucky, 

 where many ponds and streams seem peculiarly 

 fitted for it. In coloration it is much paler than 

 the calico-bass, and the markings are not so 

 dark or in such large spots or blotches. It is 

 silvery olive-green, much mottled with a darker 

 shade of same color, especially on the back, the 

 lower sides and belly being more silvery and 

 seemingly translucent. The dorsal and caudal 

 fins are much mottled with shades of green, 

 though the anal fin is almost plain. The iris of 

 the eye is dark, with a silvery or golden border. 



It is found in clear streams and likewise in 

 still, weedy ponds and bayous, or in all situations 

 adapted to the large-mouth black-bass, with which 

 fish it is nearly always associated. It is admirably 

 suited for pond culture. It is quite gregarious 

 and loves to congregate about the submerged top 

 of a fallen tree or sunken brush, and about mill- 

 dams. It feeds on all small aquatic organisms 

 and insects and their larvae, and the fry of other 

 fishes, tadpoles, etc. 



