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Fundulus CKr^sotus 



ERNEST LEITHOLF 



The Golden Fundulus is a native of 

 the southeastern States, ranging from 

 South Carolina to Florida. Notwith- 

 standing the generic name Fundulus, 

 which is derived from the Latin "fun- 

 dus," meaning bottom, this species is a 

 pronounced surface fish. Chrysostus 

 means golden. 



The male and female are both attrac- 

 tively colored, but very distinct from 

 each other. Were it not for the similar- 

 ity in shape, one would be inclined to 

 think them separate species. As a mat- 

 ter of history, Jordan described the fe- 

 male as a new species, in the Proceedings 

 of the U. S. National Museum, 1879, 

 calling it Zygonectes henshalli. Even 

 authorities may err ! The male is 

 speckled with reddish brown or wine- 

 colored spots on a glistening ground of 

 bronze green, suggesting upright parallel 

 lines. The effect of the spots is very 

 variable, being pronounced on some fish 

 and on others entirely absent. The gill 

 covers are adorned with a large shining 

 green spot ; dorsal, anal and caudal fins 

 with reddish spots ; ventrals and pec- 

 torals colorless. The female upon a 

 warm, mellow olive ground color dis- 

 plays glistening silver spots, these in a 

 certain light assuming a greenish cast. 

 The cool silver in contrast with the warm 

 background produces a striking effect. 

 The gill covers, like those of the male, 

 are green. Other than by coloration, the 

 sexes can be distinguished by the larger 

 anal and dorsal fins of the male. 



Breeding in the aquarium is not diffi- 

 cult, though it is well to maintain a tem- 



perature of 75 degrees, Fahrenheit. The 

 antics of the male in courting his mate 

 are interesting. At times he will swim 

 directly above her, or, trembling vio- 

 lently, be at her side. When ready to 

 deposit an egg they will approach, swim- 

 ming side by side, the place selected, 

 which may be a protruding stone, the 



Fundulus chrysotus 



side of the aquarium or a group of plants. 

 Generally I have found them to prefer 

 the roots of floating plants, such as 

 Salvinia or Water Hyacinth. During the 

 orgasm the male presses closely to the 

 side of the female, then with vehement 

 trembling and sidelong twisting an egg is 

 expelled and fertilized. This may occur 

 from ten to twenty times daily for a week 

 or more. My largest day's find has not 

 exceeded ten eggs, but no doubt some 

 were devoured and others overlooked. 



The eggs hatch after ten to fourteen 

 days' incubation. Beautiful babies they 

 are ! Examine one with an ordinary 

 hand magnifying glass and it appears as 



