76 



ftqaattc Jlttc 



seems necessary for the following notes. 



Fundulus luciae was found rather 

 abundantly in a number of small tidal 

 ponds near Lewisetta in company with 

 other species of Fundulus, Gambusia, 

 Cyprinodon and Lucania. These ponds 

 have a soft, muddy bottom from which 

 aquatic weeds grow abundantly in 

 clumps, leaving small areas free of 

 growth. When such a place was ap- 

 proached cautiously, numerous minnows 

 could be seen feeding, but upon the 

 slightest movement, they would dart into 

 the clumps of weeds and bury them- 

 selves in the mud. If the eye was quick 

 enough to follow them, they could be 

 taken very easily with a small dip-net. 



It was observed that Fundulus luciae 

 prefers to feed on the bottom, evidently 

 catching the numerous animalcules which 

 are found in such places. When these 

 minnows remain undisturbed for a 

 while, they rise to the surface and lie 

 motionless for long periods of time with 

 the posterior half of the body hanging 

 somewhat limply downward. Except for 

 their darting movements, they swim 

 slowly and only for short distances be- 

 tween resting periods. 



Seven specimens were brought back 

 to Washington alive, and these were 

 placed in a small aquarium with some of 

 the original brackish water and native 

 plants. In a short time, they became 

 accustomed to their confinement and 

 further observations were made. The 

 habit of feeding on the bottom which was 

 observed in the field was again noted. 

 Floating food was not touched, but when 

 particles sank to the bottom they were 

 quickly seized. A number of small crus- 

 taceans were placed in the aquarium, but 

 they were not eaten until after they had 

 settled to the bottom. 



On June 15, about a week after the 

 fish had been placed in the aquarium, the 

 water became very foul and a small para- 

 site attacked the tail of one of the fish. 

 The fish were removed to clean, fresh 

 water and the aquarium thoroughly 



washed out, after which tap water was 

 used to replace the original brackish 

 water. Further growth of the parasite 

 seems to have been checked. The min- 

 nows remained on the bottom and lay 

 very still for several days. It was noted 

 that this habit is usually displayed in 

 bright sunlight, but when the light is 

 diffused, the fish swim upward from the 

 bottom. 



The colors have faded somewhat in 

 captivity, and they become even dimmer 

 if the aquarium is shaded with a black 

 cloth, but they are very bright at times 

 when the sunlight strikes through the 

 water. The yellow tints of the fins and 

 lower parts of the body are brightest 

 when the water is warm. The black spot 

 on the dorsal fin, which does not show in 

 the illustration, is sometimes scarcely vis- 

 ible in strong light. 



While at the surface, two or more of 

 the minnows usually lie near each other, 

 sometimes one above the other. They 

 frequently come into contact while swim- 

 ming about, but they are not quarrelsome 

 and seldom molest each other. 



Mr. C. M. Breder, of the U. S. Bu- 

 reau of Fisheries, deserves much credit 

 for taking the photograph which accom- 

 panies this article, for it was only after 

 four hours of painstaking effort that a 

 suitable one was obtained. 



A joint meeting of the Executive and 

 Annual Exhibition Committees of the 

 Brooklyn Aquarium Society was held on 

 Friday evening, June 4th. Subject to the 

 approval of the Board of Directors of 

 the Brooklyn Museum, September 23, 

 24, 25 and 26 were decided as tentative 

 dates for the next annual exhibit. The 

 secretary was instructed to' communi- 

 cate with nearby societies to ascertain if 

 the designated days conflicted with any 

 arrangements they may have made. The 

 committee is composed of Dr. Freder- 

 ick Schneider, chairman ; C. E. Visel, C. 

 J. Heede, George W. Post, John Debus, 

 F. B. Johonnot, A. L. Wright, J. H. 

 Shenk, secretary, 500 Eastern Parkway, 

 Brooklyn. 



