PARENTAL CARE AMONG FRESH-WATER FISHES. 



493 



ina}" shock tlie feelings when ik^scrihed, is not worse than the crimp- 

 ing of cod on the Lon(h)n Hsli stalls." It is almost superfluous to 

 add, after this account, that " they are vin-y tenacious of life." 



By the natives the adult fishes, as well as their eggs, are " greatly 

 sought after as food." 



To insure a continuous supply they are kept to a considerable 

 extent in ponds or tanks and even in aquaria, but their wandering 

 proclivity and climbing capability entail precautions against their 

 emergence. " They are exceedingly difficult to retain in aquaria 

 unless the tops are covered over, as otherwise they manage to escape 

 and proceed on their travels." 



FifJ. 7S. — rnnimon Tliref-spined Stickk^back (Gasltrfisttiis eculcatus). Enlargod. 



STICIvl^EBACKS. 



The Gasterosteids, or sticklebacks, are more or less compressed fusi- 

 form or moderately elongated fishes with a partly or wholly naked 

 skin, but generally with a row of high plates along part of the tail at 



Fig. 79. — Four-spincd Stickleback (Apeltes (luadracus) . Enlarged. 



least; the head is conic and pointed in front or prolonged into a short 

 tube, and the jaws armed wnth narrow bands of teeth; the ventrals 

 are a short or moderate distance behind the bases of the pectorals, 

 and each has a stout spine and one or two reduced rays; the dorsal 

 furniture consists of two to fifteen free dorsal spines and behind them 

 a dorsal fin with branched rays, and the anal is like the second dorsal. 



