86 FISHES OF NORTH CABOLINA. 



This minnow inhabits clear streams from New Jersey to Missouri and Texas, 

 and is abundant in most localities. In Pasquotank River in April, 1902> the 

 present writer found this species numerous, probably surpassing in abundance 

 any other fish of the family; it was also common in Albemarle Sound near Eden- 

 ton and in Roanoke River near Plymouth. The maximum length is 6 to 7 inches, 

 but the average is only 4 inches. The fish feeds largely on minute water plants 

 and the intestine is often enormously distended with vegetable matter. It freely 

 takes the hook baited with angle-worm and is often caught for food. It is 

 important as food for other fishes, and is a desirable bait for black bass and 

 perch. 



Genus SEMOTILUS Rafinesque. Horned Dace; Fall-fishes. 



Large minnows with rather robust form, large head, wide terminal mouth, 

 protractile upper jaw, a small barbel at posterior extremity of each maxillary, 

 short alimentary canal, complete lateral line, teeth 2,4 — 5,2, without grinding 

 surface. Two species, one of which inhabits North Carolina waters. (Semo- 

 tilus, spotted banner or fin.) 



62. SEMOTILUS ATROMAOULATUS (Mitctill). 

 Horned Dace; Dace; Chub. 



Cyprinus atromaculatua Mitchill, American Monthly Magazine, ii, 1818, 324; Walllcill River. 



SemoHlus carporalis, Cope, 18706, 457; French Broad, Catawba, Yadkin. Deep, and Neuse rivers. 



Semohlus atromaculatua, Jordan 18896, 125, 131; Tar and Cape Fear rivers. Smith, 1893a, 199; Roanoke 



River at Weldon. Evermann & Cox, 1896, 305; Neuse River near Raleigh. Jordan & Evermann, 1896, 



222, pi. xl, fig. 100. 



Fig. 25. Horned Dace. Semotilus atromacvlatus. 



Diagnosis. — ^Body rather elongate, back slightly elevated, the highest point being in 

 front of dorsal fin; depth .25 length; head very large, broad, more than .25 length; snout broad, 

 mouth wide, oblique, maxillary extending to pupil; barbel small, hardly visible in young fish; 

 teeth 2,5 — 4,2; eye small, .2 length of head; scales 48 to 55 in lengthwise series, about 15 in 

 crosswise series; lateral line abruptly decurved over pectorals, thence straight to tail; dorsal 

 rays 7, anal rays 8. Color: dull bluish above, white or creamy on sides and belly; a black or 

 dusky lateral band, most distinct in young and disappearing in large fish; a black spot always 

 at anterior lower angle of dorsal fin, this spot edged with red in males; fins plain, the anal, 

 ventral, and pectoral bases sometimes pinkish, and caudal yellowish; males in spring with rosy 

 sides and coarse tubercles on snout (whence the common name of horned dace.) (airomac- 

 ulatus, black-spotted.) 



