86 



FISHES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



This minnow inhabits clear streams from New Jersey to Missouri and Texas, 

 and is abundant in most localities. In Pasquotank River in April, 1902, the 

 present writer found this species numerous, probably surpassing in abundance 

 any other fish of the family; it was also common in Albemarle Sound near Eden- 

 ton and in Roanoke River near Plymouth. The maximum length is 6 to 7 inches, 

 but the average is only 4 inches. The fish feeds largely on minute water plants 

 and the intestine is often enormously distended with vegetable matter. It freely 

 takes the hook baited with angle-worm and is often caught for food. It is 

 important as food for other fishes, and is a desirable bait for black bass and 

 perch. 



Genus SEMOTILUS Rafinesque. Horned Dace; Fall-fishes. 



Large minnows with rather robust form, large head, wide terminal mouth, 

 protractile upper jaw, a small barbel at posterior extremity of each maxillary, 

 short alimentary canal, complete lateral line, teeth 2,4 — 5,2, without grinding 

 surface. Two species, one of which inhabits North Carolina waters. (Semo- 

 tilus, spotted banner or fin.) 



62, SEMOTILUS ATROMACULATUS (Mitchill). 

 Horned Dace; Dace; Chub. 



Cyprinus atromaculatus Mitchill, American Monthly Magazine, ii, 1818, 324; Wallkill River. 



Semotiliis corporalis, Cope, 18706, 457; French Broad, Catawba, Yadkin. Deers, and Neuse rivers. 



Semotilus atromaculatus, Jordan 188%, 125, 131; Tar and Cape Fear rivers. Smith, 1893a, 199; Roanoke 



River at Weldon. Evermann & Cox, 1890, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 



222, pi. xl, fig. 100. 



Fig. 25. Horned Dace. Semotiliis atromaculatus. 



Diagnosis. — Body rather elongate, back slightly elevated, the highest point being in 

 front of dorsal fin; depth .25 length; head very large, broad, more than .25 length; snout broad, 

 mouth wide, oblique, maxillary extending to pupil; barbel small, hardly visible in young fish; 

 teeth 2,5 — 4,2; eye small, .2 length of head; scales 48 to 55 in lengthwise series, about 15 in 

 crosswise series; lateral line abruptly decurved over pectorals, thence straight to tail; dorsal 

 rays 7, anal rays 8. Color: dull bluish above, white or creamy on sides and belly; a black or 

 dusky lateral band, most distinct in young and disappearing in large fish; a black spot always 

 at anterior lower angle of dorsal fin, this spot edged with red in males; fins plain, the anal, 

 ventral, and pectoral bases sometimes pinkish, and caudal yellowish; males in spring with rosy 

 sides and coarse tubercles on snout (whence the common name of horned dace.) {atromac- 

 ulatus, black-spotted.) 



