MISCELLANEOUS FRESH-WATER FISH 77 



so rapidly in America, wherever planted, that they 

 can now be taken in almost any waters in the Eastern, 

 Middle, and Southern States. While averaging small, 

 about 3 to 8 pounds, they are occasionally taken of 

 from 15 to 25 pounds. In Germany carp of 50 

 pounds and over have been caught. 



Of the bullheads or catfish we have numerous 

 species, there being very little distinction or difference 

 between them, except in size. All have the numer- 

 ous long horns about the mouth, and the long, sharp 

 spines at the front of the dorsal and pectoral fins. 

 They are the most abundant fish found, occupying all 

 fresh waters east of the Rocky Mountains naturally. 

 The whole family are voracious and indiscriminate 

 feeders, eating any kind of animal substance, dead 

 or alive, and are especially destructive to fish eggs. 

 They are extremely tenacious of life, living for a very 

 long time out of water, and are able to resist impuri- 

 ties in the water far better than any of our food fish. 

 For stocking muddy bottom ponds in which trout, 

 bass, and other fish would not live, the catfish or bull- 

 head are especially adapted. Any water that does not 

 dry up entirely to the bottom in summer suits them. 



There are several varieties of catfish, ranging 

 from the common channel cat, weighing from 5 to 10 

 pounds, to the Great-Lakes species, ranging from 50 

 to 100 pounds, and the well-known great Mississippi 



