A sample taken at 8:00 a.m., May 8, 1946 
Mt. at a depth of one meter showed 1. 
per million of carbon dioxide. Samples taken at 270 meters and 320 meters at 10:00 ane 
way 9, 1946, contained 1.7 and 1.0 part per million, respectively of carbon dioxide. . 
Temperatures in Centigrade taken at 8:00 a-m May 8 
. $ ole 19 wer follows: 
“5 ti ana Basu ae 1 eo 23.33 degrees; and at aco waa (bottom) A 21-67 
- Temp en av 9:30 aom., May 15, 1947, were as follows: Air ~ 2) degrees: 
water at 1 meter - 23.33 degrees; and at 312 meters = 20 degrees. Meek (1908) fovea. ‘ 
20 degrees ne the water temperature from surface to 750 feet (229 meters). Juday (1915) 
recorded water temperatures on February 12, 1910, as follows: surface, 19.6 degrees; at 
5 meters, 19.6 degrees; and at 50 and 315 meters » 19.2 degrees. : 
Meek (1908) found three species of fishes in the lake. hese we 
(Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum), pescadito (Mollienisia sphenops), eit ana fore benitins 
uatemalensis). In recent years, other fishes have been introduced as follows: the pepesca 
hat rama} » the pupo (Poecilistes), and three species of mojarras (Cichlasoma). Neither the 
larger mojarras nor the pepesca are utilized extensively as food, because they are difficult 
to catch by hook and line. The remaining species are small, usually reaching lengths of 
a than i ee ae ‘trapped in the shallow water areas, dried, and utilized 
n soups. e crab or cangrejo (Potamocarcinus guatemalensis) occurs abundantly during the 
breeding season with extends through February, March, and &pril, and is common Trenghok 
the year. It appears to be utilized for food more than the fishes. The shrimp or camaron 
(Palaemon carcinus) has not been recorded from the lake. although it 
and lakes in the Republic. 3 & occurs in most streams 
Although Lake Atitldn is large, having approximately 250 kilometers of shore line, 
dried fish are brought from the coastal areas to supplement the fish caught in the lake. 
There is. no foreseeable reason why a fish supply adequate for local food requirements 
cannot be produced in the lake, Moreover, since the lake has become a popular resort be- 
cause of its delightful climate and beautiful scenery, it is important that sport fishing 
be developed as an additional attraction. 
To develop the food and sport fishing, the introduction of crappie (Pomoxis nigro- 
maculatus) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is recomended. The introduction of 
largemouth bass is not recommended, for the lake appears better suited to the smallmouth 
bass, a superb sport fish. Later, it may become desirable to introduce the largemouth bass 
(M. Salmoides) in order to prevent the crappie from becoming too mumerous. 
Lago de Ayarza 
Lago Ayarza, an area of about 2800 hectares, is approximately seven kilometers 
southeast of San Rafael la Flores, from which it may be reached easily with pack animals. 
The lake lies in an old volcanic crater at an altitude of 1,450 meters, and the rim of the 
surrounding mountain is about 500 meters above the lake surface on the average. The lake is 
approximately seven kilometers long and four wide. The greatest depth found ‘was 229 meters, 
at a point near the middle of the west end. No soundings were made in the eastern end of 
the lake. The lake bottom descends to depths of 10 meters or more within a distance of 5 to 
10 meters from shore. The marginal vegetation is usually not more than one or two meters in 
width, and consists of Potamogeton for the most part. 
The dissolved oxygen was 7.5 parts per million at 1 meter, 7.0 at 35 meters, 0.7 
at 120 meters, 0.16 at 171 meters, and 0.43 at 223 meters. These tests were made at 6:00 
pem., May 10, 1947, with the surface water at 23 degrees Centigrade and bottom water 
(229 meters) at 22 degrees. The methyl orange alkalinity was 125 parts per million. The 
Secchi disk (20 centimeters in diameter) disappeared at 10.6 meters. 
The lake is considered to be less productive of fish foods than any of the larger 
lakes observed in Guatemala. It supports a large population of cangrejos or crabs 
(Potamocarcims guatemalensis), and Amphipoda are abundant in the shore areas. The gulmina 
(Profundulus) was the only fish collected in the lake. Although fish prodiction cannot be 
expected to be as heavy as in most of the other lakes, there is no apparent reason why more 
than sufficient fishery foods cannot be produced for the people living in the vicinity of 
the lake as well as good sport fishing for those visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and 
play. 
109 
