910 FISHES — CYPRINODONTID^, 



105. Zygoneotks kotatus (Rafinesque) Jordan. 



Top ninnotr; Top Swimmer. 



SemoUlus t noiatm, Bafimesqxie, loh. Oh., 18^0, 86. 



Zggonectes notaiua, Jordan, Man. Vert., 2d Ed., 1878, 261, and elsewhere. 



Pwcilia oUvaeea, Stoker, Froo. Boat. Soc. Nat. Hist., July, 1845 ; Synopsis, 430. 



Zygoneoiea olivacms, Aoassiz, Amer. Joam. Sci. Aits, xtU, 1854, 353. — Jordan, Man. 



Vert., 252. 

 Fundalus tenellus, Baird and Girakd, Proo. Phila. Acad., 1853, 289. 

 Zygonectea tenellaa, Girard, Proo. Phila. Acadi Sol., 1859, 66. 

 Zggonectes lateralis, Agassiz, Journ. Sci. Arts, 1854, 353. 

 Zygonectes zonatus, Agassiz, Amer. Jonm. Sol. Arts, 1854, 353. 

 Zggonectes pulchellas, Girard, Proo. Phila. Acad. Soi., 1853, 113.— Jordan, Ind. Gaol. 



Surv., 1874, 218. 

 Saplochilus pulchellas, Qunther, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus., v, 1866, 314. 

 FunduluB aureus, Cope, Proo. Acad. Nat. Soi. Phila., 1865, 78. 

 JEaplochilus aureus, Gunther, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mus., vi. 1866, 315. 



Description. — Body rather slender, oosapressed behind ; head low, depressed, and rather 

 elongate, the snout somewhat produced, the lower jaw scarcely projecting; interorbital 

 space broad, its width about half length of head ; eye large, less than snout, about three 

 in head ; fins moderate, the dorsal and anal elevated in the males ; teeth in a broad 

 band, the outer series considerably enlarged and canine-like ; coloration brownish-olive, 

 with a broad, dark purplish-black lateral band running from tip of snont through eye 

 to base of caudal ; darker in males than in females ; yonng specimens have the edges 

 of the band serrated ; a few series of small, black dots along the side of the back ; dor- 

 sal, caudal, and anal fins dotted with black ; top of head with a conspicuous translucent 

 spot in life, which fades in spirits; concentric gtrise on scales, strong ; head 4; depth; 

 4i ; D. 9; A. 11; scales 34x11. 



Habitat, all waters of the basin of the Mississippi, and in southern tribut0>ries of the 

 Great Lakes. 



Diagnosis. — This is the only Ohio fish with the caudal fin rounded be- 

 hind, the head flattened above, and a purplish-black lateral band which 

 passes around the nose. 



Habits. — This is a very common species in the basin of the Mississippi. 

 It frequents still waters, especially canals and ponds made by overflow 

 of creeks in the spring. In open rivers it is found chiefly in stilly 

 weedy places. Where found, it always swims near the surface, and may 

 be recognized as far as seen by one expert in little fishes. It is too small 

 for food, but is sometimes used for bait. Its beauty and extreme hardi- 

 ness render it a desirable aquarium fish to those few who prefer our 

 graceful native fishes to the gaudy and vulgar gold-fish, 



106. Zyqonkctes dispak Agassiz. 

 Striped Top Rliunow^. 



Zggonectes dispar, Aoassiz, Amer, Jonrn. Sci. Arts, 1854, ?53.— Nelson, Ball. IIU. Ma.9.. 



