394 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



Evermann and Jenkins in "Notes on Indiana fishes"* that it is 

 "very common" in Lake Maxinkuckee appears to be no longer the 

 case; only a few individuals were obtained in the two seasons de- 

 voted to the study of that lake, and not exceeding 6 or 8 were 

 seen in Lost Lake. It is probably the rarest member of the fam- 

 ily in these waters. On September 11, 1906, two examples, each 

 about 2,5 inches long were seined in the Outlet of Lost Lake near 

 the old mill-site. These are the only specimens recently obtained 

 by us. 



The Blue-spotted Sunfish does not attain a greater length than 

 6 or 8 inches and a weight of 4 or 5 ounces, but it is a sprightly 

 little fish and excellent for the pan. Like the pumpkin-seed, it is, 

 where common, a favorite with the small boy. It takes readily a 

 hook baited with grub or angleworm, and would make a vicious 

 fight for liberty if it were only larger. 



A specimen at hand from Bruce Lake is quite difi'erent from 

 the specimens of Lepomis and Eupomotis in the collection. It is 

 characterized by the large number of scales, the large number of 

 rows of scales on the cheek, the low fins and a conspicuous black 

 spot on the posterior base of the dorsal and anal fins. 



Head 3; depth 2i; D. X, 11; A. Ill, 9; scales small, 6 or 7-45 

 to 55-16, 40 to 48 pores, 8 rows on cheek; gillrakers moderate, 

 X -]- 13. Body rather elongate, moderately compressed, becoming 

 stouter with age; head large, the snout projecting; mouth quite 

 large, maxillary broad and flat, reaching middle of eye; a small 

 supplemental maxillary above; lower jaw projecting; dorsal spines 

 quite low ; pectoral short, not reaching anal, 1^ in head ; ventrals 

 not reaching vent. 



Color variable, the pi'evailing shade green, with strong brassy 

 luster on sides which becomes nearly yellow below; each scale 

 usually with a sky-blue spot and more or less of gilt edging, form-" 

 ing pale lateral streaks, dusky or obscure vertical bars often pre- 

 sent and the sides sprinkled with dark dots ; vertical fins marked 

 with blue or green, the anal edged with pale orange in front ; 

 usually a conspicuous black spot on posterior base of dorsal and 

 anal fins, these often obsolete ; iris red ; cheek with narrow blue 

 stripes; opercular spot smaller than eye, broadly margined with 

 bronze, the black confined to the hard or bony part of the opercle, 

 a character which readily distinguishes this from all other species 

 of sunfishes. 



* Proc. U. S. N. M. XI, 55. 



