FISH CONTROL 



181 



is very prolific and very active. It is oviparous, the females 

 spawning virtually the whole summer. The eggs are somewhat 

 heavier than salt water. This little fish is occasionally found in 

 strictly salt water, and foul water does not seem to inconvenience 

 it. 



Adult females average about 45 millimeters in length; males 

 about 48 millimeters. Newly-hatched young are about 4 milli- 

 meters long. 



Fig. 126. — Lucania parvia. (From Jordan and Evermann, Bull. 47, U. S. 



National Museum.) 



THE RAIN-WATER FISH (Lucania parvia) 



This fish, which ranges from Vy^ to 2 inches in length, is not a 

 top feeder, but has been considered as of some value in anti- 

 mosquito work. The males are olive or light-brown, the edges 

 of the scales being darkish; the females have light, olive fins, 

 with no dark markings. 



THE SPOTTED TOP MINNOW (Fundulus notatus) 



The spotted top minnow is found in the Mississippi Valley 

 from Michigan to Louisiana and regions adjacent thereto. It 

 occurs only in fresh water. While its value in anti-mosquito 

 work is not fully understood, it appears to be worthy of further 

 investigation. 



THE STAR-HEADED MINNOW (Fundulus notii) 



This little fish closely resembles in habits and appearance the 

 spotted top minnow. Its habitat, however, does not appear 

 to be large, since, according to Hildebrand, it seems to be confined 

 to the Atlantic slope from North Carolina to Florida. The 

 star-headed minnow occurs in fresh water only. 



