72 THE FISH FOR THE 



cured by Mr. J. G. Bell. It will flourish in an Aqua- 

 rium. But the best of this genus for the fresh-water 

 collection is the black-nosed dace (L. atronasus). The 

 body of this little fish is of a greenish color above, and 

 the abdomen silvery. A broad dark brown or blackish 

 band passes from the nose, down each side, including the 

 lower half of the eyes. This band proceeds, in a straight 

 line, to the tail. On the head, behind and above the 

 eyes, is a brown mark, in the form of a heart, the point 

 towards the tail. The brown stripe on the fish, which 

 passes over the nose, gives him a comical appearance on 

 being viewed from the front. It is an abundant fish in 

 this and adjoining States, in fresh-water streams and 

 rivulets. It is easily kept and tamed. I have some that 

 are extremely tame, and who, when I tap on the glass, 

 come to the side of the tank that I may happen to bo 

 at, and, if I allow them, will nibble at my finger. They 

 do not, however, like the minnow, jump out of tho water 

 when I present my finger to them, but readily take food 

 from my hand, and seem to like being stroked gently, 

 turning quickly around, as if in astonishment, but hardly 

 ever attempting to escape. They never exceed the length 

 of three inches ; those I have are two inches long. 

 The scales of this fish are very small, giving it a sleek, 

 glossy appearance. 



Eels have also been recommended for the fresh-water 

 tank, as their peculiar mode of swimming contrasts well 

 with that of the other fish ; but I have found that even 

 such small ones as are not more than two inches in 

 length have an unpleasant habit of making away with our 



