REPORT UPON THE FISHES OF KENTUCKY. 
283 
FISHES OF THE BIG SANDY RIVER. 
1. Noturus miurus Jordan. (B.) One small specimen was obtained. It bad the usual markings 
across the back, but with the rest of the body covered with small black spots; upper third 
of dorsal black. 
2. Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque). Quillback. (R, L, J, C.) Common wherever taken; most 
abundant in the Big Sandy. 
3. Carpiodes difformis (Cope). Carp sucker. 
4. Catostomus nigricans Le Sueur. Hog sucker. (Bea, R, S, 1, L, C, B.) Quite common in Island, 
Coon, and Blaine creeks; most abundant in Island Creek, the specimens from which place 
were somewhat lighter in color than the average. Lateral line, 47, 49, 46, 45, 47, 46 46. 
5. Moxostoma duquesnei (Le Sueur). Redhorse. (Bea, R, I, L, C, B“.) Common, except in Coon 
and Blaine creeks. Lateral line, 41. 
6. Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque). Dough-belly. (Bea, R, S, I, L, J, C*.) Rare except in 
Island and John Creeks, preferring clear streams with pebbly bottoms. Lateral line 47 
48, 50. 
7. Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque). Blunt-nosed minnow. Taken at every station in this basin. 
Rare only in Robinson Creek. 
8. Cliola vigilax (Baird and Girard). Bull-headed minnow. (B.) Taken at only one station; very 
rare. Lateral line, 43. 
9. Hybognathus nuchalis (Agassiz). * Silvery minnow. 
10. Notropis deliciosus (Girard). (Bea, I, L, J, C.) Common, except in Levisa Fork. Five of the 
largest specimens from Island Creek measure as follows : 
Length. 
Head. 
Depth. 
Eye. 

! | 
Lateral | 
line. | 
Scales 
before 
dorsal. 
49 
12 
10 
1 4 
36 1 
14 
48 
.12- 1 
9.5 
4— 
34 
14 
45 
10 
10 
3 
36 
13 
45 
10 
9.5 
3 
36 
13 
44 
10 
9 
3 
36 
13 
Compared with specimens from the more sluggish streams of Kentucky and other States 
these are more slender ; the caudal peduncle especially is less deep ; the lateral band is distinct 
from the dorsal to the caudal; vertebral line well marked. Specimens from John Creek 
have a dark spot before caudal and dorsal. Scales before dorsal, 13, 15, 14, 15. 
11. Notropis whipplei (Girard). Blue minnow. Common at every station; the only minnow that 
was abundant in Blaine Creek, 
12. Notropis megalops (Rafinesque). Common shiner. Taken at every station, but not common in 
the Big Sandy River or Blaine Creek. Lateral line, 40 to 48. 
13. Notropis ariommus (Cope). (L.) Rare. Eye 2.5 in head ; lateral line, 34. 
14. Notropis dilectus (Girard). (Bea, R, S, I, L, J, B.*) Rare only in the Big Sandy River and 
Blaine Creek. Specimens from Island Creek are even darker than those from the Green River 
system, and are more slender from the dorsal to the caudal. Six specimens measure: 
Length.' 
Head. 
Depth. 
Eye. 
Lateral 
line. 
Head in 
length. 
Depth in 
length . 
| Eye in 
head. 
51 
12+ 
10.5 
4— 
39 
4.25 
4. 85 
3 
53 
13 
11 
4- 
38 
4. 46 
4.81 
3.25 
55 
13 
12 
4 
38 
4. 22 
4. 85 
1 3.25 
54 
12.5 
4 
39 
4. 15 
4.5 
I 3.25 
54 - 
12.5 
11.5 
4 
40 
4. 32 
4. 6 
3.12 
55 
13 
' 12 
4 
40 
4. 38 
4. 85 
l 3 ' 12 
Specimens from the Big Sandy River much lighter in color. Those from John Creek 
were large, from 61 to 62 millimeters long, but with all the true characters of the species. 
