6Q THE FISH FOR THE 



other fish, for they arc nearly as greedy as minnows, which 

 gorge themselves until the food fills even their throats, 

 and then will settle themselves down in some secluded 

 corner of the tank to sleep it off, in the manner of a 

 boa-constrictor after a feast. 



The Minnow, Minny or striped Killiefish (Fundulus fas- 

 ciatus), all of which names this fish bears, is also a very 

 good inhabitant for the fresh-water tank, and will be de- 

 scribed in the chapter on marine fish. 



The American yellow Perch (Perca jlavcscens) is a beau- 

 tiful fish, and is said to thrive in the confinement of an 

 Aquarium. It is one of the best known and most widely 

 distributed of all of our fluviatile fishes, and is closely 

 allied to the P. Jluviatilis of Europe. 



The Niagara Gudgeon (Gobio cataracUe) is one of the 

 class of fish bearing barbules, which arc in this species 

 very small, and, indeed, arc to be observed with difficulty. 

 It is found at the Falls of Niagara. The Gudgeon of 

 Europe is so free a biter, that his name has become con- 

 nected with a proverb. Unlike many of the fish that we 

 could introduce into our tank, he does not grow large. 

 The New York species never exceeds five inches in length. 

 The Killiefish (F. fasciatus) is, in this state, called Gudgeon. 



The Stickleback (Gastcrostcas), four species of which arc 

 found in the State of New York, is recommended as an 

 inhabitant of Aquarium tanks ; but from not having had 

 any great experience in them, I cannot describe their 

 habits from personal observation, so the best thing I can 

 do is to give the description of this fish that is presented to 

 us by Dr. Lankestcr, a gentleman who understands perfectly 



