106 NATIVE FISHES 



THE SUNFISHES 



The Sunfishes are one of the most widely distributed and best 

 known families of our freshwater fishes, American boys being well 

 acquainted with them. There are a number of varieties. Most of us 

 have seen the tidy, clean spots fanned out by a pair of Sunfishes. This 

 is the "nest" in which the eggs are deposited. Both parents protect 

 the young, attacking all comers in a vicious manner. Excepting the 

 so-called Chaetodon, or banded sunfish, all of the several species are 

 pugnacious, especially when large. They should not be kept with 

 other fishes unable to protect themselves and it is inadvisable to have 

 one much larger than its fellows, as it will "bully" the other inmates 

 of the aquarium. Sunfishes have a decided carnivorous tendency, 

 much preferring live worms or flies to prepared foods. They can be 

 induced to take shreds of raw liver. Of the dry foods, ground dried 

 shrimp is the best for them. The coloring of the Sunfish shows to 

 excellent advantage in the aquarium, and it will be found a very 

 tame and interesting pet. It can withstand severe temperature 

 changes and will survive for years if suitably fed. Particularly 

 destructive to aquarium snails. 



Owing to their abundance the beauty of the members of the Sun- 

 fish family is usually overlooked. The Blue Spotted and the Long 

 Eared of the Eastern United States, the Orange Spotted of the Missis- 

 sippi Valley and the Blue Gill from Lake Erie are among the mem- 

 bers which rival many of the tropical fishes. The Blue Gill is now 

 widely cultivated in state hatcheries as a food fish, attaining the 

 weight of a pound. It is one of the best fishes with which to stock a 

 private pond. 



THE CHAETODON 

 Mcsogonistius chaetodon 



Banded Sunfishes (known also as the Chaetodon from its specific 

 technical name, which was applied because the vertical bars or bands 

 suggest the marine Chaetodons or Angel Fishes of tropical seas) build 

 their nests directly among plants ofl: the bottom. These fish are less 

 of fighters and depend more upon hiding their young than upon 

 boldly protecting them. The Chaetodon is one of the most charm- 

 ing of all aquarium fishes. Many of them are exported to Europe, 

 where they are highly esteemed and bring good prices. This fish 

 has quite an individuality — its peculiar markings, precise movements 

 and genteel manners setting it quite apart from most other fishes. 

 It swims principally by use of the pectoral fins, which are so trans- 

 parent as to be scarcely observable, giving the fish the appearance 



