MCCULLOCH. 31 



XLII. Family Cyprixidae. 



69. Cakassius Nilsson, Prodr. Iohth. Seandan. iv, 1832, p. 290 (carassius). 

 69a. C. OABASSIDS. Carp. Cyprinus carassius Linn., Syst. Nat. 10th ed., 



3758, p. 321. 

 Since the introduction of tins and the succeeding species into Australia, they 

 have spread rapidly, and are now found in most of our fresh waters. They devour 

 the eggs of other fishes, and as they are of no value as food-fishes, are to be re- 

 garded as pests. 



69b. C. auratus. Gold Fish. Cgprinus auratus Linn., Syst. Nat. 10th ed., 



1758. p. 322. Carassius auratus Day, Fish. Gt. Brit. & Irel. ii, 1880-1884, 



p. 166, pi. exxx, 2. (PI. vii.). 



This species is so variable as to be scarcely distinguishable from the Carp, 



though its scales arc typically larger. Its colour varies from greenish-black to 



silver and red. 



Other Cyprinoids said to have been introduced into New South Wales are the 

 Tench, Tinea tbtca Linn, (vide Ogilby, Cat. Fish. N.S. Wales, 1886, p. 53), the 

 Roach, Leuciseus rutilus Linn (vide Stead, Fish Austr., 1906, p. 39), and a species 

 of Carpiodes (vide Maeleay, P.L.S. N.S.W. (2) iii, pp. 1507 & 1559). 



Cat Fishes— Suborder SILUROIDEI. 

 Pectoral fins armed with spines. 

 A. Caudal pointed, united with the second dorsal and anal fins. 



Family Plotosidae (No. xliii.) . 

 AA. Caudal forked, quite distinct from the dorsal and anal fins. 



Family Ariidae (No. xliv.) . 



XLIII. Family Plotosidae. 



A Yentrals below the anterior portion of the second dorsal; a dendritic anal 

 appendage. 

 B. Gill-membranes meeting across, and narrowly united with the isthmus. 

 C. Axillary pore minute; premaxillary teeth numerous. Plotosus (70). 



CC. Axillary pore larger; premaxillary teeth few. Cnidoglanis (71). 



BB. Gill-membranes separated by a wide isthmus; axillary pore minute. 



Eur isthmus (72). 

 AA. Ventrals in advance of the second dorsal; no dendritic anal appendage. 



' Tandanus (73). 



70. Plotosus Laeep., H.N. Poiss. v, 1803, p. 129 (anguillaris). 



70a. P. anguillaris. Striped Cat Fish. Platystacus anguillaris Bloch, 

 Ichth. i, 1794. pi. 373, 3. Plotosus arab Bleeker, Atlas Ichth. ii, 1862, p. 

 98, pi. 95, 2. (PI. vii.). 



An ornate tropical marine species which is not common on this coast. 



71. Cnidoglaxis Gthr., Brit. Mus. Cat. Fish, v, 1864, p. 27 (megastomus) . 

 71a. C. iiegastoiius. Estuary Cat Fish Plotosus megastomus Rich., 



Ichth. Erebus & Terror, 1845, p. 31, pi. 21, 1-3. (PL vii.). 

 Very common on muddy bottoms all along the coast, and growing to about 

 three feet in length. Like all other members of the family, this species inflicts 

 painful wounds with its spines. 



