FISHES OF COLORADO 6 1 



rays of each caudal lobe dusky at base. Length 2 inches. Tributaries of Arkansas River in Kansas 

 and Arkansas; not rare; a most remarkable little fish, the only American Minnow with more than 

 two barbels. — Jordan and Evermann, Bull. 47, U.S. Nat. Mm., pp. 315-16, 1896. 



Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque) 

 Horny-head, Indian Chub, Jerker 



Luxilus kentuckiensis Rafinesque, Ichthyologia Ohiensis, p. 48, 1820 (Ohio River). 

 Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Rafinesque) — Juday, Univ. Colo. Studies, Vol. IL P- 113, 1903 (Boul- 

 der; Longmont); Jud.'vy, Bull. U.S. Fish Com. for IQ04, p. 227, 1905 (Boulder; Longmont). 



Body elongate, somewhat compressed; head rather long, equalling or usually 

 exceeding the depth of the body; depth 4 to 4. 75, head 3. 75 to 4. i in the length 

 to the base of the caudal; eye medium, 4 to 4. 25, or even 5.6 in large specimens, 

 in the head, i . 5 to 2 in the snout, and 2 or a little more in the interorbital distance; 

 mouth rather large, terminal, slightly oblique; angle of the mouth not reaching 

 the anterior margm of the eye but reaching the level of the posterior margin of the 

 nostril; maxiUary barbel prominent, its length a little more than 2 in the diameter 

 of the eye, situated in the depression at the junction of the upper and lower jaws- 

 dorsal fin short, base of the first dorsal ray on a level with or usually distinctly 

 posterior to the ventral; dorsal rays 8; pectorals short, 1.5 to 1.75 in the head, 

 not reaching the ventrals by half or more of the length of the latter; ventrals 

 short, barely reaching the anal opening; anal fin with 7 or 8 rays; caudal peduncle 

 rather broad, least depth about 2 in the head; caudal fin moderately forked; 

 scales 6 or 7, 40-45, 5; lateral line almost straight, scarcely decurved in the 

 pectoral region; size rather large, reaching the length of 10 inches, average adults 

 6 or 7 inches in length. 



Color above dark green shading to yellowish gray below; sides dull gray 

 with greenish or brassy iridescence, but not silvery; a more or less indistinct 

 lateral dusky band ending in faint caudal spot (this stripe and spot quite prominent 

 in young specimens) ; sides of the head yellowish green with a pale red spot just 

 back of the eye; a dusky bar just back of the operculum; dorsal and caudal 

 fins yellowish to orange yellow, margined with bluish gray; pectoral and ventral 

 fins light; anal fin yellow or orange; breeding males with the colors much brighter; 

 top of the head elevated and with numerous tubercles. 



The Horny-head ranges through the northern portion of the United States 

 east of the Rocky Mountains and south through the Mississippi Valley into 

 Alabama. It is a species of small streams and lakes, preferring rather rapid 

 water. This species is an omnivorous feeder, taking both animal and vegetable 

 matter. The larger individuals have many of the qualities of true game fish and 

 would doubtless be prized as such were it not for the fact that the bass and other 

 more interesting game fishes are usually found in the same locality with the Horny- 

 head. It will take any kind of bait and on light tackle wUl give an interesting 

 fight. The flesh of this species is of fair flavor and is often eaten. The young 



