234 Fretp Museum or Narturat History — Zoéxoey, Vor. X. 
Foop FiIsHES oF PANAMA. 
The most important food fishes of the fresh waters of Panama are 
the characins belonging to the genus Brycon. These fishes reach a 
larger size than any of the other fresh water species. They are of good 
flavor, but the flesh is penetrated by numerous small bones. This fish 
is used both in the fresh and smoked state. The species of the genus 
Hoplias reach a rather large size and are of some value as food but are 
considered of inferior flavor. The catfish, Rhamdia wagneri, is every- 
where considered a good food fish. In the Darien region the Indians 
quietly wade around in the creeks to seek out their hiding places and 
take them with a spear. A few of the Loricariide are also used as 
food to a limited extent. 
The fresh water species of the family Mugilide are food fishes of 
some value. The largest species, Joturus pichardi, occurring only at 
the base of waterfalls, reaches a length of about two feet. It takes 
the hook quite readily and is considered the best game fish of the 
streams of Panama. The members of the family Cichlide, are used to 
some extent, but are of relatively little importance, their size seldom 
exceeding a length of 12 inches. A few species of Gobiide, those of the 
genera Philypnus and Guavina, are sometimes eaten, but are of little 
importance. 
There is little fishing carried on on the rivers of Panama, yet in the 
more thickly populated regions the larger species are comparatively 
rare, while in the unsettled regions they are rather abundant. Little 
or nothing has of course been done to protect the fisheries. The natives 
have learned the use of dynamite in killing fishes, and this distructive 
method probably, to a large measure, accounts for the diminished supply 
in the populated regions. 
NOTES OF EXPLANATION, 
The plan that has been followed is to give the name of each species, 
the name of the original describer, and a brief synonomy. The synon- 
omy includes all the names that have become synonyms, together with 
references to literature of local interest, and often a reference to a general 
work is given. Then follows a diagnostic description; then a brief 
statement of the size and number of specimens at hand, where taken, 
and what, if anything, is known of the habits, food, etc., and finally 
in a very brief statement the range of distribution is given. 
The proportions given in the text for the different species are based 
upon measurements accurately made with calipers and slide rule. 
