PLANTING FISH IN THE OPEN WATERS: A RESCUE PARTY ON THE MISSISSIPPI 



Fish not wanted for distribution to applicants are transferred in tubs and liberated in the 



open river 



torn species, inhabiting moderately deep 

 water, was, unlike most bottom fishes, a 

 lover of warm water and found congenial 

 haunts on a narrow strip where the Gulf 

 Stream touched the edge of the conti- 

 nental shelf. There is evidence to show 

 that about the time in question the Gulf 

 Stream was receding, or moving off- 

 shore, and that its warmth eventually 



ceased to bathe the bottom frequented by 

 the tilefish, which therefore came under 

 the influence of a cold inshore current 

 that took the place of the Gulf Stream. 

 Being unable to adapt itself to the new 

 conditions or unable to find new grounds 

 where the depth and temperature were 

 congenial, the tilefish in reality suc- 

 cumbed to a cold wave. 



573 



