42 FISHES OF THE VICINITY OF NEW YORK 



edge behind the belly fins but this is covered by scales; its color is whiter 

 in the adult, with sharply red fins, and its pharyngeal teeth are quite 

 different. In the Golden Shiner there is a single row of teeth, their inner 

 edges more or less wavy only, instead of sharply saw-edged, and no 

 second shorter row of smaller teeth as in the Rudd. 



European species which have been introduced and are more widely 

 spread are the stout-bodied Carp and Goldfish which may be recognized 

 by their long back fins of eighteen to twenty soft rays, preceded in each 

 case by a stout spine. The former has four short barbels about the 

 mouth, the latter none. Carp grow to be a foot and a half or more long. 

 Goldfish are much smaller. Both species multiply prodigiously in muddy 

 waters which are not too swift, the former, especially, rooting in the mud 

 like pigs. 



Though generally looked down upon as food fish, the Carp has this 

 advantage, that it can be transported to considerable distances alive. 

 It is sold in very large quantities in New York City, affording inexpen- 

 sive and nourishing food. In this country the Carp, so far as we know, is 

 never sought as game fish, but since early times European anglers have 

 gotten enjoyment from its pursuit. This is one of the largest species of 

 the Minnow family, commonly reaching a weight of five pounds and 

 sometimes a much larger size. 



Two other European species have been introduced and occur locally, 

 the Tench and the Golden Ide. The Tench may at once be recognized 

 by its unforked tail fin, emarginate at most, very small scales, ninety to 

 one-hundred-and-five cross series, and long barbel at the corner of the 

 mouth. The Golden Ide is an artificial variety of the Ide, of a golden 

 color like the Goldfish. Where the Goldfish runs wild, it reverts to a dull 

 greenish, golden examples occurring only occasionallJ^ It is probable 

 that the Golden Ide does likewise, in which case it would be easily con- 

 fused with some of our native species which have not yet been mentioned, 

 and is taken up with these in the following artificial Key. 



Carps from within fifty miles of New York Cit}^ with the lower jaw 

 not peculiar and three lobed, the upper jaw protractile, the belly not 

 compressed to form a keel, the back fin short not beginning with a stout 

 spine, and the scales not very small, less than seventy-five cross series, 

 are numerous and difficult to identify. The following Key will be found 

 useful in determining them. 



