107 



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Central stone-roller 



The stone-roller is a minnow of creeks and small 

 rivers and prefers rocky, shady sti-eams with swift 

 water. It is common in south Michigan, Minnesota, and 

 Wisconsin but is found from the St. Lawrence to Mexico, 

 excluding the southeastern part of the United States. 



This fish spawns from May to June 15. Great 

 numbers ascend streams, where the males excavate 

 funnel-shaped cavities several inches deep and guard 

 these and the eggs for a short time. The stone-roller 

 minnow reaches maturity during its second or third 

 summer. The males attain a size of 6 inches and the 

 females less than 5. This fish is regarded as one of 

 the best baits for bass. It is tenacious of life, and 

 it is brightly colored during the breeding season. 



The stone-roller minnow is chiefly a bottom feeder. 

 It has been known to eat algae, diatoms, small amounts 

 of animal plankton, a few aquatic insects, and plant 

 tissue. Sand and clay a re often found in the intesti- 

 nal tract but are probably taken along with the various 

 foods. A study of 20 specimens from the Oswego River 

 system (New York) showed food percentages as follows: 

 midge larvae, 10.0; diatoms, 50.0; algae, 10.0; and 

 sand and silt, 30.0. 



Common sucker 



Catostomus c. commersonii (Lacepede)- 



General description. — Sucking mouth with thick 

 fleshy lips on under side of head; fine scales near head 

 and coarse ones on tail; small specimens have three 

 large dark blotches on each side of body; more than 10 

 rays in dorsal fin ( true, native minnows have less than 

 10); no spiny rays in any of the fins. 



This fish is widely distributed in the United 

 States, occurring east of the Great Plains from Canada 

 to Georgia. It thrives under a variety of conditions 

 but prefers clear water in lakes and streams. 



