ACCLIMATIZATION OF FISH IN THE PACIFIC STATES. 
397 
The fish commissioners introduced to the waters of California, among some of good quality, two 
species of what were called edible fish that now have come into the category of nuisances. If every 
one of these fish could he removed from the water to the land, and there employed as fertilizers, a 
substantial gain would be made. 
Drs. Jordan and Gilbert, in a paper* on the fishes of Clear Lake, California, 
condemn the carp in severe terms. They say of this fish: 
Everywhere very common; burrowing into the mud among the tules or in shallow waters, thus 
keeping the shoal waters roily all the time. This species is regarded as worthless for food. It destroys 
the eggs of the Sacramento perch and also devours the Yallisneria or water celery, on which the canvas- 
back and other ducks feed. In California this species is a nuisance, without redeeming qualities. 
The remarks of these writers on the Sacramento perch and the catfish in this lake 
are also applicable to the question of the destructiveness of the carp : 
Arohoplites interruptus {Perch). Formerly very common, but now becoming scarcer, as its 
spawning-grounds are devastated by the carp. The destruction of this valuable fish is one of the 
most unfortunate results of the ill-advised introduction of the carp into California waters. 
Ameiurus nebulosus (Catfish). Extremely abundant and destructive to the spawn of other species. 
It is, however, a fair food-fish and much less objectionable than the carp. 
The following statements concerning the destruction of vegetation by carp in 
California are from a letter from the late Mr. Ramon E. Wilson, secretary of the 
California fish commission, dated November 12, 1891 : 
I took advantage of the first opportunity presented, November 3, to visit the duck-shooting 
preserve of the Tule Shooting Club, located in the heart of what is known as the “Suisun Marshes,” 
lying midway between Benicia and Suisun. These marshes for twenty years have been famous for 
duck shooting, and for the past ten years have been preserved by five clubs. Each of these clubs has, 
from year to year, supplemented the natural and indigenous growth of vegetation by planting non- 
indigenous seeds and grasses, until about two years ago the ponds, ditches, and sloughs had so grown 
up with vegetable matter that upon the opening of the season it was almost impossible to push a boat 
through the dense growth. Last year, the season of 1890, it was discovered that a marked change had 
taken place. The cause was attributed to the winter, which was a rather severe one, in that there 
were many overflows and freshets occasioned by heavy storms. This year the change in the respect 
mentioned was much greater. It was early reported in the spring that there was very little sign 
of vegetable growth in any of the ponds. Investigation followed, and it was found that fish in large 
numbers, ranging from a few inches in length to 15 pounds in weight, had invaded the grounds and 
taken entire possession of all the waters. These fish came, say, in May and remained until about the 
latter part of July — that is, the bulk, but many remained later. We are convinced that these great 
numbers came to spawn. About August, this great school, if you can so call it, suddenly disappeared 
that is, the larger ones and the majority of the whole. Their going was not unlike the grasshopper 
in effect on vegetation — not a sign or remnant left. The result is that to-day, where these same ponds 
have heretofore afforded unlimited food supply for surface-feeding ducks in the early part of the season 
and a like supply of celery bulbs for the canvasbacks and redheads for the balance of the season, there 
is absolutely not a single sign of vegetation. At the time mentioned I carefully examined the beds of 
the ponds and found them positively barren of vegetable matter. Notwithstanding the emigration, if 
it can be so called, of the larger fish, the waters are still alive with the same fish, ranging from 2 to 
8 inches in length. These ponds, heretofore quite clear, are now nothing more than mud holes. That 
this fish burrows in the mud there is no question. The beds of the waters are not unlike a sieve in 
appearance, with holes, round in form, ranging from one-half inch to 3 inches in diameter. The banks 
of the ponds and sloughs are quite like the bottoms. The fish have burrowed to the depth of a foot 
in many places, and it can be readily seen that it has been done for the purpose of getting at the roots 
of the vegetable growth. 
Following out your suggestion, I secured three of the largest specimens of the fish. I caught 
* Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, 1894, p. 141. 
