336 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



At certain places in the Mississippi Valley this fish, along with 

 other species of suckers, is utilized to some extent by salting for 

 winter use. 



Head 4 to 4.5 in body ; depth 4.5 to 5 ; eye rather small, 4.5 

 to 5 in head, placed very high. D. 10 or 11 ; A. 7 ; V. 9 ; scales 7-48 

 to 55-6. Head flattened above, transversely concave between the 

 orbits, the frontal bone thick, broad and short, the physiognomy 

 being, therefore, peculiar. Upper lip very thick, strongly papil- 

 lose, with a broad free margin, which has upward of 8 to 10 series 

 of papillse upon it; lower lip greatly developed, considerably in- 

 cised behind, but less so than in related species. Fontanelle shorter 

 and smaller than in C. commersonii, pectoral fins usually larger. 

 Color olivaceous ; sides with brassy luster ; belly white ; back brown, 

 with several dark cross-blotches, irregularly arranged, these be- 

 coming obsolete in old individuals ; lower fins dull red, with some 

 dusky shading ; young considerably variegated, the sides spotted. 



13. CHUB SUCKER 



ERIMYZON SUCETTA (Lacepede) 



(Plate 8) 



The Chub Sucker, or Creek Fish as it is sometimes called, is 

 found throughout the Mississippi Valley, the region of the Great 

 Lakes and in coastwise streams from Maryland to Texas. It pre- 

 fers small lakes, bayous and sluggish lowland streams, and, where 

 found, is usually not uncommon. 



At Lake Maxinkuckee it is not often seen in the main lake but 

 in the Outlet and in Lost Lake it is not rare. 



In our seining operations about the lake numerous specimens 

 were secured. Between July 25 and August 25, 612 hauls were 

 made and Chub Suckers were taken in 24 of them, the total num- 

 ber of specimens being 109. The largest number in any single 

 haul was 23. Specimens were obtained in Culver Inlet, Lost Lake, 

 and in the Outlet between the two lakes. A few were got near 

 the Vandalia pumping station at Culver and a few in Norris Inlet. 

 On May 29, 1901, one was found dead in Aubeenaubee Bay, and 

 another May 31 near the Assembly grounds. 



The young of this species bears but slight superficial resem- 

 blance to the adult, the jet black lateral band and the small mouth 

 making it easy to mistake them for minnows. 



This species reaches a length of 6 to 8 inches. Like all suck- 

 ers it is quite full of fagot bones but is, nevertheless, a delicious 

 little panfish. The flesh is firm and of attractive flavor. 



