The Inhabitants of the Aquarium 163 



near the anal fin. According to close ob- 

 servation the position of the vent changes 

 with the age of the fish, being closest to the 

 throat on full grown specimens. 



The Pirate Perch is found in slow flow- 

 ing streams along the Atlantic coast and in 

 some of the western and southern states. 

 It favors waters with dense vegetation in 

 which it hides. It also uses the roots of 

 trees or overhanging embankments for its 

 haunts. While it remains almost motion- 

 less much of the time, it is very quick if 

 disturbed, or if following its prey. Its 

 movements then consist of a jerky shooting 

 of lightning rapidity. It is very voracious 

 and cannot be kept safely with smaller or 

 slower fish. When mating time approaches 

 male and female construct a nest, where they 

 watch and defend first the eggs, and then 

 the young until they are strong enough to 

 take care of themselves. Full grown speci- 

 mens reach the length of five inches. 



The Black-nosed Dace (Rhinichtys atrona- 



