Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 357 



silvery ; cheek and opercles silvery, with faint brownish dustings ; 

 caudal peduncle with an ill-defined plumbeous spot posteriorly ; 

 dorsal fin dusky anteriorly, the rays white ; last 3 interradial mem- 

 branes satiny-black, especially that between last 2 rays but one ; 

 caudal pale, dusky on edges ; anal and ventrals satiny-white ; pec- 

 toral pale, with faint lemon wash in richly colored males ; female 

 less brilliant than the male, the side more plumbeous. Length of 

 specimens described 3 to 4 inches. 



The Silver- fin can be readily distinguished from any other min- 

 now of the lake by the elongate dark spot on the posterior part of 

 the dorsal fin. 



27. SHINER 



NOTROPIS CORNUTUS (Mitchill) 



(Plate 16) 



The Shiner or Red-fin is distributed through the entire region 

 east of the Rocky Mountains, excepting the South Atlantic States 

 and Texas, and is almost everywhere the most abundant fish in 

 small streams. 



Although usually a creek fish it is not uncommon in Lake 

 Maxinkuckee; during the seining operations, 688 specimens were 

 secured. The greatest number obtained in one haul was 208. It 

 was frequently seen during the spring of 1901, usually in the Out- 

 let under the wagon or railroad bridge or between them. On April 

 19, 1901, a fisherman, fishing from the pier by the Ice-houses, 

 caught an 8-inch example. On September 30, 1907, on a trip down 

 the Outlet, good schools of these fish, some of large size, were seen. 



The Shiner is one of the handsomest and best known of the 

 minnows. It reaches a length of 8 to 10 inches and, with the ex- 

 ception of the species of Semotilus and Hybopsis, is one of the larg- 

 est species in the Eastern States. While it prefers the smaller 

 streams it may also be found in lakes and rivers as well. In small 

 brooks and in quiet places in creeks and rivers the young may be 

 found in myriads. The adults are vigorous, active fish frequenting 

 the rapids and swifter parts of the streams. 



This fish takes the worm-baited hook with avidity and is 

 the minnow most frequently seen on the small boy's string. The 

 large individuals possess considerable game qualities often agree- 

 able to boys of larger growth. Although attaining some size and 

 sometimes used as food, it is not of much value for that purpose, 

 as the flesh is soft and spoils very soon after death; hence the 

 name Rot-gut or Rot-gut minnow often heard applied to it in 

 southern Ohio, Indiana and southward. 



