PEARSE FISHES OF LAKE VALENCIA, VENEZUELA 



21 



Curimatus argenteus Gill, Cula 



Mouth of Rio Bue, July 19; number examined, 5; lengths 

 107-88, ave. 98. Food: fine organic sediment and mud 100. 



Rush-grown shore, Maracay, July 22, no. ex., 2; lengths 

 102, 93. Food: algae, some filamentous blue greens, 99.5; 

 ostracod .5. 



This species has a very long coiled intestine (Figs. 3, 4) 

 and a gizzard at the posterior end of the stomach. It apparently 

 subsists mostly on mud and algae. 



FIG. 4. A cula opened to show the coiled intestine. 



Gephyrocharax valenciae Eigenmann, Sardina 

 Mouth of Rio Bue, July 20; number examined, 10; lengths 

 40-30, ave. 37. Food: undetermined insect larvae 10;, 

 chironomid larvae 1; chironomid pupae 6; cladocerans 5.5; 

 cyclops 5.5; ostracods 1.1; mites 1.5; plants 14; algae 21.4; fine 

 sediment 12.5; unknown 21.5. 



Rush-grown shore, Maracay, July 24; no. ex., 10; lengths 

 39-30, ave. 33. Food: undetermined insects 12.5; water bug 

 5.5; beetle 8; ants 29.5; mites .5; eggs (snail or amphibian?) 40; 

 plants 7.2; unknown 4. 



This sardina is versatile in its food habits. It is probably 

 the most abundant fish in Lake Valencia. It occurs in enormous 

 numbers along all shores but is most common over muddy 

 bottoms. It serves as food for many other animals such as 

 herons, cormorants, gulls, caimans, and predacious fishes. 



Hoplias malabaricus Bloch, Guabina 



Isla del Buro, 3 m., July 9; number examined, 2; lengths: 

 155, 160. Food: fish 95, eggs 5. 



