34 



D. 10, A. 10. Scales 36-13. Length up to four inches. 

 This fish does not enter streams to any great distance, prefer- 

 ing strongly brackish waters. It occurs along the entire 

 Atlantic coast. 



Fundulus majalis (Walb.). 



Mayfish; Mummichog. 



Head long, scales large. Male olivaceous, brassy, with 

 twelve bars of darker color ; dorsal fin spot black, lower fins 

 yellowish. Females paler with black lines on side and one or 

 two bars at base of caudal. D. 12, A. 10. Length to six 

 inches. 



Atlantic coast. This species does not ascend rivers as far as 

 the next. The female exceeds the male in size. 



Fundulus heteroclitus L. 



Common Killy; Cobbler. 



Body short and robust. Male greenish, more yellowish 

 below, with bluish and silvery bars ; dorsal dark with large 

 black spots ; lower fins yellowish. In the breeding season 

 often deep blue on back and sides. Females more silvery. D. 

 11, A. 10. Scales 35-12. Length two to five inches. 



Atlantic and Gulf coasts; runs up stream further than the 

 last species. Stands captivity well and is often found ' ' land- 

 locked ' ' in ice or quarry ponds. The flesh has a sweet taste. 

 This killy appears in countless numbers at times. 



Fundulus diaphanus (Les.). 

 Transparent or Freshwater Killy. 



Body more slender and head more pointed than in the others. 

 Sexes nearly alike. Olivaceous, sides silvery with many 

 narrow dusky crossbars, fins plain or yellowish. 



Northern and eastern United States to the Rocky Mountains, 

 in all waters. This killy, though often found in the salt 

 water inlets, nevertheless must be considered as a fresh water 

 species. 



In the aquarium it lives better than any of the others, 

 excepting F. heteroclitus. All killies are extremely voracious 

 and attack the fins of other fishes. They become very tame 

 in captivity. 



