NOTES ON FIVE FOOD-FISHES OF LAKE BUHI. 
171 
marked by about 12 narrow, dark vertical stripes; a blackish spot at base of caudal surrounded by 
a lighter area. The deriticulations on the preorbital are concealed by a fold of skin, and the spines 
on the opercle are less numerous and less strongly developed than in a specimen of similar size in the 
U. S. National Museum from Ceylon and than in examples figured by Bleeker and Day, but in other 
respects these specimens conform with the descriptions of - I. scanclens. 
Dr. Richardson states that this fish is known as “attas” at Buhi and as “poyo” in other Bicol 
towns. It is reported to attain a weight of 1J to 2 pounds. If this is correct, the Lake Buhi fish is 
larger than the specimens recorded from any other waters. 
This is the celebrated climbing perch of the fresh waters of India, China, and the East Indies. 
By means of a freely movable opercle, it is enabled to ascend trees for a distance of 5 to 7 feet; and the 
possession of an accessory breathing apparatus makes it adapted to both an aquatic and a terrestrial 
existence. The fish is said to die when prevented from exercising its aerial respiration. 
The climbing fish is highly esteemed for food, and in India is extensively employed for stocking 
ponds. 
Ophiocephalus striatus Bloch. “ Ovoon”; “ Terehog” ; “ Tnlosog.” 
Two young specimens, 73 and 87 mm. long, respectively, were received. Head 3 in length; depth 
6 in length; eye 7 in head, 1.5 in snout; dorsal 44; anal 26; scales 53-15. 
According to Dr. F. W. Richardson, this fish in Lake Buhi attains a weight of 5 pounds and is 
called by the Bicols “ovoon” when young, and “terehog” or “talosog” when grown. It is an 
important food-fish of the lake, probably exceeded in importance only b}^ the “sinarapan.” 
This species is known from other parts of the Philippine Islands, and is widely distributed in the 
fresh waters of China, Burma, and India. According to Day (Fishes of India), it attains a length of 
3 feet or more, takes a bait, especially a frog, very readily, and is said to rise to a salmon fly. Day 
gives the following general information about the Ophiocephaliclue, or serpent-headed fishes: 
The Ophioceplialidx, having hollow cavities in their heads and an amphibious mode of res pi ration, 
are able to exist for lengthened periods out of their native element and can travel some distance over 
the ground, especially when moist. They possess an accessory cavity to the gills, and are able to 
respire direct from the atmosphere. Jugglers both in India and China exhibit these fishes walking 
on the land, and children amuse themselves by making them crawl along. “In China they are often 
carried alive in pails of water and slices are cut for sale as wanted, the fish selling dear whilst it retains 
life, w'hile what remains after death is considered as of little value.” Owing to the breadth of their 
bodies, they are able to progress in a serpentine manner, chiefly by means of their pectoral and caudal 
fins, first one of the former being advanced and then its fellow T . They are exceedingly difficult to 
retain in aquaria, unless the top is covered over, as otherwise they manage to escape and proceed on 
their travels. These fishes appear to be .monogamous, some breeding in grassy swamps or the edges 
of tanks; some in wells or stone-margined receptacles for water, and others again in holes in the 
rivers’ banks. When very young the fry of all these species keep with and are defended by their 
parents, but as soon as they are sufficiently strong to capture prey for themselves, they are driven 
away to seek their own subsistence; those which are too obstinate to leave being, it is believed, eaten 
by their progenitors. The varieties which live in tanks and swamps delight in residing at their 
shallow and grassy edges, so that they can take in with ease their modicum of air for the purpose of 
breathing, or capture any frog that may incautiously venture too close to their lair. These fishes 
appear to be well adapted for pisciculture, as some grow to a large size, whilst all are good eating. 
The smallest, 0. gachua, attains about a foot in length and thrives in almost any situation. They are 
rather voracious, but appear to consider a frog, mouse, or rat as luscious a morsel as a fellow fish. 
They assist in keeping water pure by destroying either animal or vegetable substances which may 
come in their way. 
