SIXTY-TWO SPECIES OF FISHES FROM LAKE ERIE 
347 
length of head, 3.75; length to vent, 10.25; greatest depth, 2.8; diameter of eye, 1.5 
millim eters. Myomeres, about 23 to vent plus 16 behind. Mouth inferior, hori- 
zontal, lower jaw included; snout abruptly decurved; body slender with depressed 
back and slender caudal peduncle. 
Pigmentation. — The young adult is characterized by a very prominent round 
black spot at base of caudal, and a lateral pigment band, which starts behind the 
head and is narrower and less noticeable than in Semotilus, Campostoma, and other 
banded minn ows. The top of head has many round chromatophores and smaller, 
longitudinal rows extend along dorsal aspect of body, irregularly marked, with a 
concentration of larger ones at base of dorsal fin. Above the lateral band only a 
very few scattered pigment cells are present, and none below, with the exception 
of a series 2 to 4 chromatophores in width at anal base, and a double line on ventral 
edge behind vent to caudal. Dorsal, caudal, and pectorals are marked. The peri- 
toneum is blackish. 
BREEDING 
The breeding season of the blunt-nosed minnow extends from late spring until 
late su mm er. During this time the male develops 14 to 17 large tubercles on snout, 
the head and front part of dorsal fin become black, and often the lower fins take on 
an orange hue. John Greeley (1929) observed the eggs near the mouth of Sister 
Creek on July 13. 
They adhered, individually, to the underside of a large, flat stone, and covered an area 7 by 
4/4 inches. The total number, accurately estimated, was 11,812. These were laid by more than 
one female, judging by the fact that some were hatching when found, and others were far less ad- 
vanced. The eggs were guarded, when found, by a male fish approximately 3J4 inches long, whose 
position was directly under the stone. The water temperature was 82 degrees. It is interesting, 
in its bearing on the subject of the efficiency of natural fertilization of fish eggs, to note that every- 
one of these was fertile with live embryo. 
28. Pimephales promelas promelas Rafinesque. Fat-head minnow; black- 
head minnow. [Pimephales promelas Rafmesque. Jordan, Evermann, 
Clark, p. 145.] 
RECORD OF CAPTURE 
The fat-head minnow was found commonly at the mouths of several tributaries 
to Lake Erie, and in greater numbers in several small ponds nearby. 
DESCRIPTION 
The present species differs from the closely related H. notatus in its much stouter, 
shorter body and lack of a very distinct round black spot at base of caudal. Although 
there are some chromatophores in Pimephales in this region, they are mostly subsur- 
face and the lateral band is considerably lighter. 
11 .6 -millimeter stage. — Total length, 11.6; standard length, 10.2; length to vent, 
6.8; length of head, 2.65; diameter of eye, 0.8; greatest depth to vent, 2.19; depth 
behind vent, 1.35; length to dorsal, 5.25; to anal, 7.0 millimeters. Myomeres, 20 to 
vent plus 16 behind. Dorsal I (rudimentary), 8; anal I (rudimentary), 7; ventrals 
small, unrayed, inserted immediately below dorsal origin; caudal moderately forked. 
Body rather robust; head short with obtuse snout; mouth very small, terminal, 
oblique. 
