434 REPORT OF THE 



Group PERCOIDEA. Perch-like Fishes. 

 Family CENTRARCHID^. Sunfishes. 



145. Rock Bass {Ambloplites rupestris Rafinesque). Introduced. 



The Rock Bass inhabits the fresh waters from Vermont through the Great Lake 

 region, west to Manitoba, south to Louisiana. It is very common west of tlie 

 Alleghanies. It grows to the lengtli of 12 inches and attains to the weight of more 

 than 2 pounds. It is a game fish and a fine food fish. 



DeKay calls it the Fresh-water Bass. He obtained it in Lake Champlain. He 

 states that since the completion of the Erie and Champlain Canals it has made its 

 appearance in the Hudson River. The Rock Bass was introduced into Lake 

 Ronkonkoma according to Mather and Dean, in i8th Report, Commissioners of 

 Fisheries of New York, 1890. 



146. Sunfish {Euponiotis gibbosiis Linnaeus). 



The Sunfish frequents the Great Lake region eastward to Maine and southward, 

 east of the Alleghanies, to Florida. It is found only in the northern parts of the 

 Mississippi Valley, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc. It grows to the length of 8 

 inches. . 



DeKay describes it as the common Pond Fish. He states that the name 

 Sunfish is derived from the glittering colors it displays while basking in the sun. 

 He states also that the numerous spots on the body have occasioned it to be called 

 Pumpkin Seed in some districts of the State. He further states that it has no value 

 as food, but is often caught for amusement. 



Mather and Dean reported the Sunfish to be abundant in Great Pond, at River- 

 head. The fish is found at Water Mill, and was taken once in the brackish water 

 in Mecox Bay. It is abundant in nearly all the fresh waters in Long Island, and is 

 taken occasionally in slightly brackish water in Ouantic as well as Mecox Bay. 



147. Small-mouthed Black Bass {Microptcrus dolomieu Lac€pede). Introduced. 



The Small-mouthed Black Bass is described and figured by DeKay under the 

 name of the Obscure Fresh-water Bass. His specimens were obtained from 

 Onondaga Creek, where it is called, with many others. Black Bass. 



Mather and Dean record this Bass in Lake Ronkonkoma, where it was intro- 

 duced about 1871. 



