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THE UNIVERSITY
OF ILLINOIS
LIBRARY
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
http://www.archive.org/details/ecologicalstudyo11cahn
THE LIBRARY OF THE
OCT 24 1927
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL
MONOGRAPHS
Vol. XI January, 1927 No. I
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
STEPHEN ALFRED FORBES Homer LE Roy SHANTZ
HENRY BALDWIN WARD
PUBLISHED UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL BY
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
CopyricHT, 1927, By THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
DISTRIBUTED OcTOBER 21, 1927
AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF SOUTHERN
WISCONSIN FISHES
The Brook Silversides (Labidesthes sicculus) and the Cisco
(Leucichthys artedi) in Their Relations to the Region
WITH 16 PLATES AND 27 TABLES
BY
ALVIN ROBERT CAHN
Contributions from the
Zoological Laboratory of the University of Illinois
under the cnecen of Henry B. Ward
(0. 297
THESIS
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ZOOLOGY IN THE
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
1924
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Ecological Considerations... 0.20.66. 7
Introduction <2..c. cee seas aes 2: Re op Meow ate eeccrein ; 7
The region under discussion. .. . : me : . 9
Climatology. . Pate ae abc aut behets tase | 18
Lake Conditiens: i hdusienaierncts as mannan ere Benes . 19
Ecological Habitats of Fishes. . ‘ : : . : nine E2e
Rivers and Streams. . 9 va a eer ey eee 4
Fishes of Southern Wisconsin way mines ee ote acnt a es
Order Rhomboganoidea. . we ree ; . >. 25
Family Mss penne eee . Ee a. ees
Order Cycloganoidea........................ ae an 25:
Family Amiidae........ a Pease ve ita etree Waa iae eee | LO
OrderIsospondylisc.s5 ¢s:cceq oc ce se bene ween os Ree htste . 26
Family Salmonidae..... eee : . ... =26
Order Apodes............... See : : : . 30
Family Anguillidac............. ae . 30
Order Eventognathi................ : . 30
Family Catostomidae.... . : . 30
Family Cyprinidae................ Bauch es
Se a ee : : : . 40
Family Siluridae. . 40
Order Haplomi.. Re Seen : : creomeria a. VAL
Family Umbridae,. Berea A aes et ates, Wee
Pied Py eee eee a
amilvsPOeCCUUGaAC: gay ers raasee coals Seam als wut mewies andere, — Ah
Order Acanthoptertncncutacis-ie Meletaeeehcanas Suse ar gata aeaweaeene (45
Family Gasterosteidac. ... 2.2.0.0... ce eee eee ee eee 45
RamilyzA therinidae ar <7 oy soeleuste tuaccresaieid <2 cuss citesensigtecmiane cides aeiotei emis once 340:
FamilyCentrarchidac: <2. 6.0642 ceeneedeea ce acwl geet eeenteoenteesasene 40
Family:Percidaess sc aaceccser ut joteseer ese cee ce stats. Haaeteanros OL
iRamily,Serranidae:ses re tecciec haute eas fees Sete cetera reeeae 100)
Hamily Sciaenidae:...c2 s:0ciansceduenseesee ceenes aonese om eacems coke GOL
Family Cottidae: era: cthocsaths estes tit aa claals se ah fcaslensioceiuraaaesitaicmaen OL
SUMMALY OL SPeCleS travis cae sas MSs sede e oe ta dere wdahe ew oe emee dewlsan om gsls 58
Distribution of species by habitat... 2.0.2.0... 00 ec ee eee 58
PHS LE ST i tO SS 62
Introduction and description. . SRet SGN. Sie TSA ce ee Oe
ay anneal She, Mets he Meat acta raise kis Hee eae men OF
Mevelopmen tarps one ee ass eee eon eieienae recente seers 00
The young.. : Ben Rene ee A ee ee te racemase ae 10d
Growihef ie vome. FO eee ee See cee, Mark
Migration of the immature fish.............. 0.0.00 c cece cece e eee eee
Analysis of:migrationss,.0 ceeseniet atic sien eesieuee arsine. actrees tece ate cre uareusie ereiieneee
Temperatures cco! he cen th. ccc Gee eh oe ke gunteee aes
ORY EMG sar'sfereran, eeahecdia aeie eseunsg Sheed anelebaesr es tieraca ce alereeae) Sener toeee eee
Food. .
Eeenens 2S
Reaction to Ghee. teense
Hydrogen ion Paentior atl rote SF yoga angers daeyenees
Hydrogen ion concentration of the blood.................2......
The adult fish. . sa
Summary of reulise on A tabidesties
The Cisco, Leucichthys artedi (Le Sueur)...
Tptspdiiction ard discasGbit ence Me on. dye sone ee ee
Methods: of investigations. jc. oes ce eteuit es as ceraralecderue perme
Breeding habits. ..
Development. .
Eine sone.
Cronin
Food abies
Migrations... ..
Behavior es, sic0i ti. asacager a core orcvsasttase toads sncve gata sitda arsuenaisaeaoaeanaa eae ere
Conservationiy. sca cnca gsc oes cece pee mod ene. thee ae. geet air alts once oPerenstemetels
Summary.......
Bibliography............
7) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN if
GENERAL ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The first section of this paper is intended to serve as a general intro-
duction to a series of ecological studies made upon the fishes of southern
Wisconsin. At the present time the writer has a record of ninety species of
fishes from within the boundaries of Waukesha county alone, and upon
these species a considerable number of ecological studies have been com-
pleted. Two of these studies are herewith presented, one on the brook
silversides (Labidesthes sicculus), the other on the cisco (Leucichthys artedi).
These have been selected as the first studies presented for three reasons.
In the first place, the fishes themselves differ greatly, one being a minnow,
the other a valuable game and food fish; secondly, the fishes occupy posi-
tions in the lake as widely divergent as possible, the silversides being a
surface species, the cisco an inhabitant of the deepest water; and lastly
because the study of the cisco brought out a series of ecological problems
of approximately ordinary complexity, while the study of the silversides
presented a series of problems for solution that is far more complicated than
has been encountered in any of the other investigations so far undertaken.
The writer feels, therefore, that, taken together, they give a comprehensive
idea of the type of problems encountered in a series of ecological studies
dealing with the fishes inhabiting our inland lakes.
It is altogether probable that no lakes in the United States have been
more carefully or more extensively studied than those of southern Wiscon-
sin, from the point of view of hydrography, morphometry, chemistry and
yearly cycle. The pioneer limnological studies of Birge and Juday have
yielded a mass of information relating to the behavior and physical and
chemical status of these bodies of water which is second to none in the
entire country, the closest approach being the “finger lakes’ of north-
central New York, which is also due largely to the work of these investi-
gators. Their most extensive studies have been made on Lake Mendota,
at Madison, Wisconsin, together with Monona and other lakes connected
by the Yahara river to the Rock river, but their surveys have encompassed
as well the lakes farther east, lying in Waukesha county. As a result of
these researches one has very excellent hydrographic and morphometric
data invaluable for the further study of aquatic biota of this region. The
yearly behavior of the lakes is well known; the progress through the seasons
of the thermocline and the associated phenomena have been comprehen-
8 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (8
sively tabulated; the dissolved gases of the water have been extensively
studied, and the seasonal variations carefully recorded. Thus, by the
foundations laid down by these investigators, the road has been paved for
further studies of the lakes of southern Wisconsin, and it must be admitted
that, in spite of the excellent beginning that has been made, all the work
so far has been only a beginning. Our knowledge of the lakes in question
is still only skin deep—surface deep—if indeed it is not merely a ripple on
the surface. The work of Birge and Juday has been followed by the studies
of Pearse on certain fish occurring in the Madison waters, and by Mutt-
kowski with his quantitative and qualitative study of the fauna of Lake
Mendota, with special reference to insect life. Concerning the Waukesha
county group of lakes, nothing has been published outside of the work of
Birge and Juday, excepting only a few records of fish foods furnished by
the writer to Pearse and included in one of his papers (43).
The present paper is, in a way, the result of circumstances. Having
lived in Waukesha county for over twenty summers, and having, during
the last twelve years, his own private laboratory for carrying on investiga-
tions, the present writer has attempted to avail himself of the opportunities
lying literally at his door. A serious study of the fishes of the region was
begun in 1914 when, as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin,
the writer undertook an intensive study of the life history of the cisco
(Leucichthys artedi (LeSueur) ) in Lake Mendota and in the Waukesha
county lakes which contain the species. A collection of the various species
of fishes of the region was begun long before this date in an effort to ascer-
tain what fishes inhabited the lakes and rivers. While the original idea
encompassed only a listing of the species, this was enlarged in 1915 to
include an intensive study of every species possible. Thus the study of the
biology of the cisco was subordinated to a study of the biology of the fishes
of the region, and forms one of a series of studies dealing with ecological
life history investigations of individual species.
This series of papers, of which this is the first, purports to be a series of
ecological studies made upon the fishes found within the boundaries of
Waukesha county, Wisconsin, together with certain observations made
upon identical species in other regions of the state where opportunities or
facilities proved more advantageous for carrying on the work. The data
presented are entirely original unless otherwise specifically stated. These
include the results of something over one hundred gas analyses to deter-
mine the position of the thermocline in various lakes at different times of
the year in order to ascertain its effect upon the distribution of the fishes;
over two thousand H-ion determinations, accompanied in some cases by
oxygen determinations, in an effort to discover if either of these factors is
responsible for certain behavior phenomena; thousands of temperature
readings at all depths of water, and many visibility readings by means of
9} STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 9
Secchi’s disc. The fish have been collected from practically every lake,
and from all rivers and streams. In collecting fish, gill nets were used. For
the smaller species and the young of the larger, minnow nets of various
lengths were drawn where opportunity afforded. When physical conditions
rendered this method impossible and in all streams where a current made
it practicable, the glass minnow trap was used with excellent results.
It is impossible to state exactly how many collections were made as in the
early stages of the investigation the only records kept concerned the
presence or absence of species; however, beginning with 1918 the following
number of collections are recorded: 1918—216; 1919—none, due to the
presence of the writer in France; 1920—547; 1921—520; 1922—738;
1923—1,264; a total of 3,285. Certainly well over 4,000 are represented.
Further information has been obtained by examining the catches of
commercial fishermen who nearly every fall seine in the neighborhood.
By this means many data have been accumulated regarding the relative
abundance of species, together with information dealing with size and
growth otherwise unobtainable. The investigations have been, perforce,
largely carried on during the summer months, but from two to three weeks
have been spent in the region every winter, during which time the condition
of the lakes and the fish in winter have been investigated. Allidentifications
have been made by the writer and in every case this has been checked by
an expert ichthyologist.
In presenting this paper the writer wishes to express his appreciation
to several gentlemen whose kindly encouragement and ever-ready advice
have made the pursuance of the problem a real pleasure: to Dr. A. S.
Pearse, under whose guidance the problem was originally begun; to
Dr. Bashford Dean and to Dr. T. L. Hankinson, who have checked up
identifications of the fishes involved; to Dr. H. B. Ward whose suggestions
and criticisms have always been freely given, and to Dr. V. E. Shelford, at
whose suggestion several hitherto uninvestigated angles of the problem
were undertaken and under whose guidance the innumerable loose ends
accumulated during something like twelve years of investigation were
drawn together and synthesized. To these the writer finds it a rare privilege
to express his sincere thanks.
REGION UNDER DISCUSSION
Waukesha county, Wisconsin, with an area of 560 square miles (Fig. 8),
lies in the second tier of southern counties of the state, with its eastern
boundary about twenty miles west of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee county
intervening. Of this area, the northwestern quarter, comprising some 170
square miles, is the center of the investigations considered in this report,
and is the so-called ““Oconomowoc-Waukesha lake district.’’? This region
extends from the Ashippun river on the north 14 miles south to Hunter’s
10 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [10
lake, and from Golden lake on the west 12 miles east to Pewaukee lake and
the Fox river. Within the rough rectangle thus formed lie no fewer than
forty-five lakes of various sizes, ranging from Pewaukee lake with an area
of 2,297.8 acres down to such small bodies of water as Washtub and Mud
lakes, with an area of three or four acres only. Of these, twenty-five of the
largest and most important have been surveyed, and their depth, area,
shore-line and general topography recorded by Birge and Juday (1914).
These lakes show a total water surface area of 9,971 acres. Besides these
lakes five river systems drain the region, and there are many streams of
lesser magnitude.
Outside the Oconomowoc-Waukesha group the county contains a
number of lakes of considerable size, scattered over the remaining three-
quarters of the area. The largest of these, Muskego, near the town of that
name in the southeast corner of the county, nearly equals Pewaukee in
size, but it has never been surveyed, and its exact area is unknown. Here,
too, lie Little Muskego, Denoon, Muckwonago, Phantom, Eagle, and
many smaller unsurveyed lakes, all of which, however, are included in this
report. In the northeast corner of the county there are no lakes, but here
is found the Menomonee river, which introduces the Lake Michigan
drainage area into the scope of the investigation, along with which come
several species of fish found in no other part of the county. The lakes and
river systems will be listed subsequently.
The region under discussion is of importance in connection with the
work of Dr. Stephen A. Forbes and R. E. Richardson, together with their
associates in the Illinois State Natural History Survey, because within it
lies the source of the Fox river of Illinois, together with a great number of
lakes. and several river systems which flow into the Rock River and the
Illinois, on which rivers the Illinois Natural History Survey is working so
intensively. The region is, therefore, one of the great tributary areas to the
river systems upon which they are focusing their energies.
The lakes of Waukesha county owe their origin to the action of the
great ice sheet which featured the pleistocene epoch of the quaternary
period. There were several great movements north and south of the
Labrador glacier and other huge ice masses hundreds of feet thick. These
glaciers crawled southward from their northern source, then slowly re-
treated, causing great changes both in the topographic and climatic condi-
tions of the regions invested, and it is largely to the influence of this glacial
movement that is due the present day distribution of the plants and
animals both within the territory concerned and the adjacent regions.
There seem to have been at least three—probably five—more or less dis-
tinct advances of the ice, the three most important being the Pre-Wiscon-
sin, the Early Wisconsin and the Late Wisconsin, and it is to the last of
these invasions that is traced the origin of the Waukesha county lakes.
11] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 11
At this time the invasion came from the Labrador glaciers and the move-
ment was in a southerly direction, with a slight westerly trend. The
movement of the ice sheet followed in a general way the already formed
basins of the Great Lakes, and overflowed into the surrounding country
(Fig. 9). Asa result of this guiding of the course of the glacier, the ice mass
assumed a lobate form, coinciding roughly with the general shore line of
the basin down which it flowed. Thus the glacier that came down the basin
of Lake Michigan, known as the Michigan glacier, put out a lobe, or sub-
glacier, which traveled down the basin formed by Green Bay,and is known
as the Green Bay glacier, while the ice mass occupying the basin of Lake
Superior sent out smaller lobes which followed roughly the larger bays of
its shore line. Following the outline of the glacier westward, one finds a
series of smaller lobes and glaciers, the Langlade, Wisconsin Valley, Chip-
pewa and Superior off-shoots which, however, did not reach far into the
state, and which are of no significance in so far as the present paper is
concerned.
By referring to figure 9 it will be seen at once that the edges of the
Michigan glacier and the Green Bay glacier came in contact for quite a
distance. Asa result of this contact, and because each glacier was acting
as an independent unit, the adjacent lateral moraines also came together
and were built up side by side as a continuous ridge, forming a medial
moraine which, because of its very broken and uneven appearance, is of the
type known as a kettle moraine, extending as a ridge of glacial deposit
down the middle of the apparently united ice mass. In this manner was
formed the ridge of broken hills, over one hundred and fifty miles in length,
which crosses Waukesha county in a northeast-southwest direction,
forming the most important topographic feature of the landscape. Within
the county the highest point in this ridge is Government Hill, with an
elevation of 1,233 feet. With the retreat of the glacier, not only was this
great moraine left stranded, but great blocks of ice were broken off and
remained imbedded in this moraine area. These melted with the advance
of the warmer climate accompanying the retreat of the main body of the
ice, and left innumerable depressions varying in size from “‘pot-holes”
a few yards in diameter to lake basins having an area of over a thousand
acres. Some of these depressions filled with water, the source of which was
surface drainage and a multitude of springs, and formed the abundant
lakes of the district. In this manner all the lakes of the county were formed,
with the exception of Pewaukee lake, which lies outside the area of the
kettle moraine. This lake differs, then, from the others in that it lies in the
area of the ground moraine, and occupies a shallow valley which resulted
from the failure of the glacier to fill in this basin with ground moraine
deposits. At the same time that the lake basins were being laid out, the
general plan of the river systems were being formed, with the natural result
12 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [12
that the river beds form a series of connecting channels between the
various lakes.
After the formation of the lakes, it was a simple matter, as has been
said, to establish connections between the lakes by means of river systems.
The second source of water in the lakes is springs, which are extremely
abundant throughout the region. Practically all of the lakes, whether they
have inlet and outlet or not, are spring fed. These springs are the termini
of great under ground water systems, and arise in the bottom of the lakes
as bubbling streams. Nothing is known at the present time concerning the
abundance of these springs in any lake, but data at hand indicate that
they are numerous. In many places along the shores these springs have
been “‘captured”’ and show an output of a vast quantity of marvelously
clear, cold water, which is none other than the famous ‘‘Waukesha water”
for which the county is well known. The temperature at which these
springs enter the lakes is very low, the temperature of nine springs, taken
in June, being as follows: 5.1, 5.4, 5.0, 4.8, 5.8, 5.6, 5.0, 4.9, and 5.0 degrees
centigrade.
The medial moraine, to which I have previously referred, divides the
county into two primary drainage areas, namely that of 1) the Rock river
and 2) the Fox river. The northwestern third of the county contributes
either directly or indirectly to the Rock river, while the southeastern
third contributes to the Fox river drainage basin. Both of these rivers are
tributaries to the Mississippi within the boundaries of Illinois, the Rock
river entering directly, the Fox river by its union with the Illinois river.
The northeastern third of the county lies outside of the Mississippi drain-
age, its one river, the Menomonee, flowing almost due east into Lake
Michigan.
There are five river systems within the county, and these may be tabu-
lated as follows:
1. Rock river tributaries:
1. Ashippun river.
2. Oconomowoc river.
3. Bark river.
a) Scuppernong river and creek.
2. Illinois river tributaries:
4. Fox river.
a) Muckwonago river.
b) Pewaukee river.
3. Lake Michigan tributaries:
5. Menomonee river.
An examination of the map will show that a vast majority of the larger
lakes are arranged in two chains, the component lakes being connected
13] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 13
by rivers. These chains lie in a general northeast-southwest direction,
and are the courses of the Oconomowoc and Bark rivers. Of the five
river systems listed, it is of interest and importance to note that of the
twenty-eight most important lakes of the county, no less than eighteen
fall into these two chains, a condition which permits the passage back and
forth of at least the smaller species of fishes, and of the fry of the larger
species. The relation existing between the lakes and the river systems is
indicated herewith:
1. Oconomowoc river system:
1. Lake Keesus. 6. Garvin Lake.
2. North Lake. 7. Oconomowoc Lake.
3. Pine Lake. . Fowler Lake.
4
8
. Beaver Lake. 9. Lac La Belle.
5. Okauchee Lake.
2. Bark river system:
10. Nagawicka Lake. 15. Crooked Lake.
11. Upper Nashotah Lake. 16. Golden Lake.
12. Lower Nashotah Lake. 17. Hunter’s Lake (Scuppernong creek
13. Upper Nemahbin Lake. and river).
14. Lower Nemahbin Lake. 18. Dutchman’s Lake (Scuppernong
creek and river).
3. Fox river system:
19. Pewaukee Lake.
20. Muckwonago Lake.
21. Phantom Lake (Muckwonago river).
22. Eagle Lake (Muckwonago river).
23. Lulu Lake (Muckwonago river).
24. Millpond Lake (Muckwonago river).
4, Ashippun river system:
25. Ashippun Lake.
The Menomonee river receives the water from no lake within the limits of
the county, while there are nine lakes of some importance that have
neither inlet nor outlet:
1. Genesee Lake. 6. Henrietta Lake.
2. Otis Lake. 7. Silver Lake.
3. Duck Lake. 8. Pretty Lake.
4, Mouse Lake. 9. Little Silver Lake.
5. Forest Lake.
The Ashippun river, a small stream which rises to the northward in
Dodge county, enters Waukesha county from the north, then bending
sharply westward, drains a narrow valley in the northwest corner of the
county. It isa slow, shallow stream which flows for the most part between
14 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {14
low, swampy banks in a bed that is made up largely of soft muck. It varies
in width from twelve to nearly fifty feet during the early summer, but the
end of the warm weather often finds the stream reduced nearly to a mini-
mum. A number of gravel areas occur and here riffles afford local swift
water habitats, characterized by typical swift water species of fishes.
Plant growth is abundant and during the late summer the stream becomes
practically choked with thick beds of Potamogeton, Nymphaea and
limnophilous species of filamentous algae, while areas of Ceratophyllum
occur particularly in regions of entering springs. The stream has a total
length within the county of approximately sixteen miles, and has no
tributary streams of consequence. It enters Rock river three quarters of
a mile west of the county line, the closest approach of Rock river to
Waukesha county.
The Oconomowoc river drains a long, torturous, but rather narrow
valley lying south and east of the Ashippun drainage. Serving, as it does,
as a connection between a large number of lakes, and as it is a river of
considerable size, it affords an important fishway. Innumerable streams
and creeks, all of them spring fed, are tributary to it in the northern
portion of its course, of which the Little Oconomowoc and Mason creek
are the largest. In its northern reaches the river flows through a low,
swampy, spring-fed country of loose black muck, varied with areas of
gravel and sand. For the most part it is slow and sluggish, but there are
occasional regions of considerable drop, where swift water habitats pre-
dominate. Such areas are plantless, while in the sluggish regions Potamoge-
ton sp., Elodea canadensis, Nymphaea advena, Chara sp., and Vallisneria
spiralis occur in considerable abundance, but not thick enough to choke
the river. In stagnant backwaters local regions of Lemna minor are found.
Important as is the river as a fishway, its value is greatly reduced by the
presence of six dams—Monches, North Lake, Okauchee Lake, Oconomo-
woc Lake, Fowler Lake, and the outlet of Lac La Belle. These dams afford
a downstream passage for many species of fish, but are impassible barriers
in upstream migrations—particularly the spring and fall migrations of the
pickerel (sox lucius), suckers of various species, and cisco (Leucichthys
artedi). As the river flows into Rock river six miles west of Lac La Belle,
the river is a constant source of supply of valuable game fish to the Rock
river, while this river can contribute nothing at all to the Oconomowoc
river above the outlet of Lac La Belle. It must therefore be considered as
an important fish tributary to the Rock river.
The Bark river cuts a diagonal from the northeast to the southwest
just northwest of the center of the county, draining a large area lying north
of the main ridge of the kettle moraine. Its course is through a rich farming
country, and it is not until it approaches the western limits of the county
that it encounters large swamp areas. This is due to the fact that the greater
15] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 15
part of its course parallels the base of the moraine, but tends to leave it
near the western limit of the county. For the most part it has cut a bed
through rich black soil, flowing in a channel from ten to thirty feet wide.
Its bed is characterized by many deep pockets located with definite rela-
tion to the innumerable bends in the course of the river, these holes afford-
ing ideal places for game fish. Areas of swift water occur, in which a fine
gravel bottom affords habitat for swift water forms and offers breeding
grounds in abundance for the many species of minnows choosing such
localities. As a fishway it is far more important than the Oconomowoc
river because of the lack of dams. A dam at Rome a short distance west
of the county line has flooded a large area which abounds in game fish,
and there is no serious barrier to river migration in both directions nearly
across the entire county (to Merton). This is especially important because
of the number of lakes involved in the course of the river. One important
tributary the Bark river has in Scuppernong creek, which edges in between
Bark river and the moraine as the former leaves the higher ground. This
stream drains a large area of swamp land, and exchanges with the Bark
river an abundant fish population. Still farther to the south the Scupper-
nong river intrudes between the Bark river and the moraine. This river
rises in Little Silver lake, a small, spring-fed body of water, and flows
through a vast swamp area in the southwest corner of the county, to unite
with Bark river south of the town of Hebron in Jefferson county. Within
the county limits it is a small river of very soft bottom and water stained
a deep brown from the decomposition of organic matter.
The Fox river rises from a series of springs in the northeastern corner
of the county, a short distance north of Lannon. From here it flows in a
general southwesterly direction, its valley lying between two morainic
ridges. Its course takes it through regions of rock and swamp, agricultural
land of high quality and regions of gravel, so that the bed of the river
offers an alternation of conditions which meet the requirements of a wide
range of species of fishes. Near its source it is a tiny stream with patches of
Potamogeton furnishing shelter for many head-water species of minnows
as well as to the grass pickerel (Esox vermiculatus), this representing one
of the most northern records of the species. Within eight miles of its origin
the river widens rapidly and becomes a stream over a hundred feet wide
as it flows through the city of Waukesha. From here it traverses vast
swamp areas where it receives many small tributary creeks. It abounds in
carp (Cyprinus carpio) whose great numbers and constant activity keep
the water in a constantly muddy condition. At this point its general course
is almost due south, and it leaves the county as a river more than two
hundred feet wide with low, boggy, undercut banks and water of a deep
brown, opaque appearance. Throughout its entire course within the
county its flow is unobstructed, affording excellent opportunities for fish
16 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [16
movements in both directions. Its chief tributary is the Pewaukee river,
the outlet of Pewaukee lake.
The Menomonee river rises in Washington county just north of the
northeastern corner of Waukesha county, through which it flows in a
northeasterly direction. It is a very small stream, flowing almost entirely
through limestone (Niagara) formation. Its bed is a mass of limestone
rocks which afford no footing for plant growth, so that both plants and
fishes are few. Occasional areas of swamplands bound the river as it
progresses eastward, and here there is an abundance of minnow life very
different in composition from the other river systems, none of which are
tributary to Lake Michigan into which the Menomonee empties via a short
connection with the Milwaukee river within the city limits of Milwaukee.
Within Waukesha county it has but one tributary stream, the Little
Menomonee, which joins it from the north. Within the county there is no
place at which the river is large enough to offer game fish habitation, but
it is of importance to the fish fauna of the county, introducing as it does a
number of species not found in the western part of the state—the Rock
river and the Illinois river tributaries.
As has already been mentioned, the vast majority of the lakes of the
county fall into a series of chains with river connections. There remain,
however, a great number of small lakes, almost too many to count, unless
one designates a minimum size as to what constitutes a ‘“‘lake’’—which
lie outside of these river systems, and which have neither inlet nor outlet.
The larger of these I have already listed. However, many small lakes
abound. North of Okauchee lake lies a series of lakes, some seventeen in
number, all containing fish life, which are known as the Skidmore ponds,
and similar areas are found scattered over the county. All of these are
relatively small in size and all occupy depressions in morainic areas. Most
of them are quite deep—much deeper than their size would lead one to
infer—and all are spring fed, relying upon springs and surface drainage
and rainfall as their source of water supply. Many of these lakes lie in
swamp areas, and are the last remnants of former lakes of considerable
size,though of little depth. In many cases the former shoreline of these
old bodies of water is plainly visible, being indicated by gravel terraces.
Although all of the lakes are of practically the same age, the smaller
ones in many cases already show marked indications of old age. The
encroachment of the shore vegetation upon the lake is very evident, as
shown in the photograph of Laura Lake, while the old lake bed and an
island which is now a point is clearly shown in Plate I. The larger lakes,
naturally, show less evidence of ageing, though of course the process is
going steadily on.
The water of all of the larger lakes is remarkable for its purity and
clearness, and none of the lakes within the county suffer from the pollution
17] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 17
so common to the lakes and streams of Illinois. The clearest of all the lakes
is Upper Nashotah, with Oconomowoc second and Lower Nashotah third.
By use of the Secchi.disc, a white enamel disc 10 cms. in diameter, the
visibility of these lakes has been tested, with the following results:
June February
Nashotah, Upper 605 cms. 728 cms.
Oconomowoc 587 “ 697 ©
Nashotah, Lower 524 “ 632 “
Lac La Belle 354 “ Side
Fowler 368 “ 570 “
Nemahbin, Upper 365 “ 368 “
Nemahbin, Lower 330° 6 345 “
Pine 345“ 340 “
North 351) 334 “
Pewaukee 25S 316 “
Dutchman’s 195 “ 287 «
Silver 208 “ Rey Wats
Laura 84 “ 103 “
The shoreline of all of the lakes is constantly undergoing change and,
although this alteration is almost imperceptible from year to year, yet
it has an important effect upon the lakes. This action is two-fold: 1) that
of the waves, and 2) that of the ice. The constant attack of the water upon
the shores is constantly eating away the shoreline and the material thus
removed is carried out to be deposited eventually in the lake. This action
has in the course of time profoundly changed the shoreline of the lakes, and
has built up a characteristic series of sand bars which extend around the
lakes at a varying distance from the shore. This is particularly true in the
case of all lakes lying in a sand-gravel formation and less true in the case
of those small lakes lying in a loose, black muck soil. This muck tends toa
far more uniform deposition and consequently is deposited more nearly
over the entire lake bottom, and bars do not occur. Such facts are of
extreme importance to the fish life of the lakes as the presence or absence
of bars may in many cases mean the presence or absence of breeding
grounds, which in turn limits the possible species population.
As has been stated, most of the larger lakes of the county have been
surveyed by the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, and
their hydrography and morphometry is well known. The results have been
published by Birge and Juday (1914) and the reader is referred to this
work if details are desired. The following table has been compiled from
that source in order to bring the general facts into this paper for ready
reference.
18 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {18
TABLE i
DATA ON THE LAKES OF THE OCONOMOWOC-WAUKESHA GROUP
(Compiled from Birge & Judav)
Area Max. Ave. Shore- Volume:
Lake in Depth: Depth: line: Cubic
Acres Meters Meters Km -Meters.
La Belle 1,137.4 14.2 3.3 1275 15,165,000
Fowler 83.5 15.2 4.4 1.5 1,478,500
Oconomowoc 631.3 19.1 9.5 (ies) 24,303,000
Oconomowoc, Bay 170.8 15.0 7.9 Sef 5,750,000
Okauchee 1,056.7 28.6 121 17.9 43,721,000
Mouse 90.4 20.2 9.1 3.9 3,092,000
North, East 329.0 23.7 WET 5.2 17,020, 000
North, West 11553 22.4 11.4 Qi 5,329,000
Pine 755.5 27.4 42.1 10.9 37,015,000
Beaver 305.5 15.0 Sel 5.4 6,312,000
Nagawicka 917.6 28.8 11.0 113 40,961,000
Pewaukee 2,297.8 13.8 3.9 19.5 36,694,000
Nashotah, Upper 136.8 15.6 7.0 SS 3,885 , 000
Nashotah, Lower 100.5 14.1 6.1 3.0 2,498 , 000
Memahbin, Upper 270.9 18.9 9.0 4.5 9,958, 000
Nemahbin, Lower 265.5 10.8 250) 4.1 2,670,000
Crooked 54.8 4.8 1.9 2.9 425, 000
Genesee, South 62.7 14.5 6.7 1.9 1,717,000
Genesee, North 102.0 died 4.5 2.4 1,865,000
Silver 231.9 13.4 ° 4.8 4.6 4,499,000
Garvin 2037 11.0 5.0 123 435,800
Otis 40.0 8.6 4.9 1.9 789 , 000
Eagle 241.2 1.5
Keesus 236.8 12.5
Golden 256.0 13.0
Denoon 185.6 19.0
Five 128.0 5.0
Muskego, Big 2,739.0 8.0
Muskego, Little 518.4 14.0
Phantom 108.8 8.5
CLIMATOLOGY
Waukesha county lies within the zone of influence of Lake Michigan,
which tends to temper the summer heat. Winds off the lake lower the:
temperature and tend to increase the relative humidity. Winters are
ordinarily severe, with the temperature dropping as low as —28 (Jan. 17,
1924). Precipitation (Fig. 10) is abundant and affords an enormous supply
of water directly to the streams and indirectly to the lakes. This causes a
seasonal fluctuation in the water level of the lakes, which has a certain
influence upon some species of fish. It is of particular importance to the
pickerel (Esox lucius) as the excessive amount of water inundates the
swamps bordering the lakes, affording excellent weedy breeding grounds
19} STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 19
for the species, but the drop in level occurs often before the eggs mature
and a majority of them are left stranded and never hatch. During the
winter the formation of the ice plays an important part in the life of the
fish of some lakes—as Mud lake north of Pine lake—where, if the ice
forms in excessive thickness and so completely as to leave no free water,
thousands of fish of all species are killed from a lack of oxygen. Such lakes
are deficient in springs, and with the cutting off of the contact between the
water and air, oxygen deficiency occurs. Such a condition a number of
years ago completely robbed Washtub lake of its entire larger fish fauna—
sunfish, perch, bass, pickerel, carp—leaving it almost a dead lake. Winter
fishing through the ice is of great importance as thousands of perch, silver
bass, pickerel, cisco, white bass and wall-eyed pike are caught at a time
when the species (excepting only the cisco) are heavy with spawn. The
result is a serious drain on the fish population, which is offset only to a
slight degree by the food value of the fish—most of the fish caught are
sold in spite of the law—with the maximum amount of waste and the
minimum amount of sport.
TABLE 2
CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA FOR WAUKESHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN
(City of Waukesha; elev. 864 ft.)
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921
Maximum Temperature...... 97 95 87 103 98 102 101 93 100
Minimum Temperature...... —12 —20 —23 -17 —18 —23 —21 15 -—3
Average Temperature........ Aveo 43.8 43.6 45.7 42.7 46.5 46.3 45.9 50.2
Maximum Monthly Precipi-
tationnc sn ceetis acco: 7.06 6.90 10.0 6.60 7.44 5.60 6.97 4.71 9.30
tation wiv seins “ese ceen.e 49? 65 41.38 1.29.32 38.30
Month of Minimum Precipi-
LQUION Spetersiele wisie'e's:a\a's'ssia)a 12 ? 12 7 11 9 1 2 i
Total Precipitation.......... 39.7 32.7 32.68 42.3. 35.0 30.4. 36.9 = 30.5 40.4
Total Snowfall.............. 39.4 47.1 ? 58.0 35.9 71.0 43.7 35:0: 3129
Mean annual temperature for 25 years........... 46.0
Mean annual precipitation for 28 years.......... 30.16 inches.
LAKE CONDITIONS
One of the most significant features of the lake environment is the
seasonal cycle which the waters undergo. These changes are both thermal
20 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {20
and chemical, and are the direct results of atmospheric, or at least non-
aquatic conditions. The prime cause of these changes is the warming of the
water due to the activity of the sun’s rays during the spring and summer,
and the subsequent cooling again as the sun drops to the north. During
the winter, when the lake is covered with ice, the aquatic environment is
in a state approaching stable equilibrium and a constant temperature,
equal oxygen and carbon dioxide distribution is found from top to bottom.
Under these conditions there is a complete circulation of the water and,
because of the uniform distribution of the gases, the entire lake is acces-
sible—at least insofar as the gas content of the water is concerned—to
fish life. This is particularly important for the deep water species as
Leuciscus artedi, for example,as will be discussed in the section dealing with
the cisco. Thus the lake starts out in the early spring with a uniform
temperature normally below 4°C, and a uniform gas distribution. With
the warming of the surface water, the complete circulation of the water is
checked and the lake becomes divided into two regions, separated from
each other by a sharp break in temperature. This break is the thermocline,
the warmer region above it is known as the epilimnion, the cooler region
below it as the hypolimnion. The position of the thermocline is at first
in deep water, but with the continued warming of the water the thermocline
crawls slowly upward until in mid-summer the hypolimnion greatly
exceeds the epilimnion in depth. These temperature changes which check
the free circulation of the water result in marked changes in the gas
content of the water, as the oxygen content cannot be restored, nor the
carbon dioxide distributed. The result is that the hypolimnion becomes
an area deplete in oxygen and replete in carbon dioxide, forming a region
into which fish may venture only for a short period of time. Thus, through
the formation of the thermocline, a large portion of the lake becomes
unsuited for fish life, and a consequent movement of the deep water fish
to shallower waters results. This seasonal cycle has been well worked out
for many Wisconsin lakes by Birge and Juday, including many of the
Waukesha county lakes.
The importance of these seasonal changes in oxygen, carbon dioxide
content and temperature variations of the water will be fully discussed
in their relation to the distribution of fish life in the section dealing with
the life history of the cisco (Leuciscus artedi). Suffice it here to say that the
behavior of the thermocline offers barrier conditions which force the deep
water species of fish to leave the deep places and seek more favorable
conditions of gas content of the water. The serious results which accrue
when the thermocline forces these deep, cold water species up into the zone
of warm surface water to which they are not tolerant, will also be discussed
in that section.
21] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN “21
Still another problem that assumes an important rdle in the life history
of various fish is the hydrogen ion concentration of the water. Insofar as
the lakes are concerned, the range of variation is not great within the
county, all of the lakes investigated being alkaline from the surface to the
bottom. This is in spite of the acid condition of much of the spring water
which forms one of the main sources of water supply to the lakes. Through-
out the summer of 1923 a total of 634 hydrogen ion concentration deter-
minations were made by the colorimetric method in the various lakes, at
different depths, day and night. During the first ten days of February,
1924, a series of 160 readings was made to determine the winter conditions
in respect to the ionic concentration. In collecting the samples of water for
the determinations, a special apparatus designed by Shelford (1923) was
used, consisting of a specially designed pump with two-way pet cocks, by
means of which a vacuum is established within a small test tube and a
sample of water drawn in without contact with air. Into this tube the two
drops of indicator were injected through a rubber membrane by means of
a hypodermic outfit, and the concentration read and compared with the
standard series of tubes. A long rubber hose with a hole diameter of 1 mm.
was used in bringing up the sample, and for bottom work a pan designed
for the purpose of confining a local area of water assured the sample being
of the region desired.
The results of the field work show that there is a definite relation
between oxygen content of the water and the H-ion concentration, which
may be stated: 1) As the oxygen content of the water decreases, the H-ion
concentration increases. 2) While ordinarily there is an increase in CO
accompanying a decrease in O, the H-ion concentration seems to bear
very little if any relation to the CO changes: that is, changes in O are
regularly accompanied by changes in the H-ion concentration in the
opposite direction, while changes in the CO, content either may or may
not be accompanied by a change in the H-ion concentration.
The following table, 3, gives a partial summary of a part of the data:
TABLE 3
Showing Gas and Temperature Conditions at Different Levels in
Characteristic Wisconsin Lakes
Depth
Date Lake in pH
meter
°
Q
2
o
B
‘
June 12, 1923 Oconomowoc 0
—
uaunweond
—_ AO Oe
22
June 29, 1923
July 1, 1923
August 24, 1923
February 3, 1924
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
Oconomowoc
Lac la Belle
Oconomowoc
Oconomowoc
Oconomowoc
0
10
15
20
NVNIVY VS OOYVYY VOW IV AYA
DANDDORFPNRONNNUUNWODWODNNWaND
wv
nn
—_
NVNVWwATAW OOP ANF RFK NDAD RNAANNNCSO
PPP PRE TOD DE ATA OEP POANNUDAH Ww
|
ae Ree ROE SE POA Be eS PPE OOO RH BM ee
NTOOOORP NOR NOeHENNWNANWOA OH OK
|
|
mph mh bt
BDBNONWANNWAUOwWUanNN SY
ADAANNSCP HER ADWPOONHEFARPANNMWH PNY
myo w
WQwWaWNn Oo
The work of Shelford (1923), Powers (1921), Wells (1915), and others
has indicated that the H-ion concentration plays an important réle in the
distribution and behavior of fishes. That this is true has been demonstrated
by the writer both in the laboratory and in the field, and will be discussed
in considerable detail in the subsequent sections of this paper, and in later
papers dealing with the life histories of the different fishes.
ECOLOGICAL HABITATS OF FISHES
It is well to glance for a moment at the various aquatic habitats existing
within the area. For this purpose one can divide the fresh water environ-
ments as follows:
I. Rivers and streams.
1. Rapids or rock-bottoms.
2. Sand or gravel-bottoms.
3. Silt, or sluggish-streams.
a. Bare bottom.
b. Vegetation.
II. Lakes.
. Open water.
. Eroding rocky-shores.
. Depositing sandy-shores.
. Vegetation.
a. Submerged vegetation.
b. Emerging vegetation.
Rm WN &
23) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 23
Rapids or rock-bottoms: In this group one finds those species which
are found commonly associated with swiftly flowing water which, in
the region under discussion, is normally over a rock bottom. These fish
have a common ability to maintain themselves in the swiftly flowing water,
and agree in an ecological sense in at least two factors: 1) a thigmotactic
reaction to large objects; and 2) a positive rheotaxis. Among the most
typical fishes are the darters, the miller’s thumb, the stonecat and the
hog-nosed sucker.
Sand or gravel-bottoms: Normally a habitat of less swiftly flowing
water and a bottom of finer material than the preceding. This is the
habitat which comprises most of the rapid water streams of the region.
It is for the most part without heavy vegetation, though islands of Potamo-
geton and other aquatic plants intrude and afford regions of very temporary
shelter to the fish of the open waters. Here one finds the chubs, shiners,
various species of darters and stone rollers as typical species.
Silt or sluggish-waters: These are the waters found commonly in
regions where the streams traverse swampy lowlands. The banks are
usually steep, the bottom offering very uncertain footing to one who would
seine. The current is slow and sluggish, the water often a dark color
both because of the organic matter in solution and because of the black
silty nature of the stream bed. The non-vegetated areas are in this condi-
tion because of the lack of solid bottom for the insertion of the roots of
aquatic plants, and the shifting nature of the bottom material. Such
habitats ordinarily have fairly deep water, and are inhabited by carp,
suckers, pickerel and a few darters. The vegetated associations are of a
similar structure but with a bottom hard enough to afford footing for
Potamogetons, Elodea and various other aquatic plants, including masses
of filamentous green algae.
Open waters: The deep water habitats of the lake, and including
everything from the surface over deep water to the bottom. These are the
least populated habitats of the lake; the fish are mostly suckers and ciscos
on the bottom, and silversides and gar on the surface, with a large zone
between which is for the most part uninhabited by fishes or at best receives
but a transient population. Thelower regions of this habitat are rendered
uninhabitable during the summer by the formation of the thermocline.
Eroding rock-shores: For the most part shallow water habitats, which
are characterized by the eroding action of the waves. These are rough of
bottom, and afford certain ecological affinities with the rocky-bottom
communities of the streams and rivers. Vegetation is practically lacking,
due to the character of the bottom and the action of the waves. It is the
home of various darters, minnows of many species and the young of
several species of the Centrarchidae.
24 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [24
Depositing sandy-shores: Another habitat scanty in vegetation, this
time because of the constant deposition of sand and shore material by the
water. The bottom is much less rugged, and shows affinities to the sand
and gravel-bottom stream communities. (Fig. 4.)
Vegetation covered areas: These are characteristically of two kinds:
1) the submerged vegetation of the mediumly deep water; and 2) the
emerging vegetation, characteristically in shallow water. The submerged
vegetation reaches its maximum depth at the edge of the sand bars in
water of from fifteen to thirty-five feet in depth, depending on the specific
character of the lake. Here great beds of Potamogeton, Nymphaea and
Vallisneria afford the normal habitat of the basses, pickerel, dogfish, adult
sunfishes, silverbasses and other species. The zone of emerging vegetation,
largely rushes, arrow-head and lilies, offers protection to hosts of minnows
and the young of many of the larger game fishes.
25] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 25
FISHES OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN (WAUKESHA COUNTY)
Order RHOMBOGANOIDEA
Family LEPISOSTEIDAE
1. Lepisosteus osseus (Linn.). Long-nosed Gar; Billfish.
Common in all of the larger lakes in the Oconomowoc and Bark river
systems, as well as in Pewaukee and Ashippun lakes. During the greater
part of the year the gar is a characteristic species of the topmost stratum
of the pelagic environment. A gregarious species, it spends most of its
time just under the surface, most commonly over deep water. In the spring
and during the breeding season (May and early June) the fish often ascend
the rivers to spawn, or deposit the eggs over the weed beds of the shallower
waters. The young hatch in from six to eight days, depending upon the
temperature of the water, and show a marked tendency to come inshore
shortly thereafter. During late June young gar two inches or less in length
are often taken from weeds by means of minnow seines drawn along the
lake shores. Their growth is very rapid, the young fish attaining a length of
five to six inches by the end of the first summer. As they grow, they tend
to leave the shore environment and assume their position over the deeper
water. The food of the adult is almost exclusively minnows, such as
Labidesthes sicculus, Fundulus notatus, Notropis blennius, but the young
of game fish are sometimes found in stomach examinations. Thus I have
taken Micropterus salmoides, M. dolomieu, Leucichthys artedi and Roccus
chrysops on numerous occasions. The food of the very young consists almost
entirely of entomostraca of a variety of species, but very small minnows
appear early in the diet of the fish. About 50% of the food of a gar two
and a half inches long is fish life. Minnows are always captured sidewise,
after which the gar is likely to descend to a considerable depth while the
prey is juggled about and worked into position to be swallowed head first.
Economically, the species is of little importance; they are of no food value
and do considerable damage by the destruction of the young of food fishes.
The short-nosed gar, Lepisosteus platostomus Raf., has not been taken
by me within the county, but there are records of the species from Rock
river near the mouth of the Oconomowoc river, only a short distance from
the Waukesha county line.
Order CYCLOGANOIDEA
Family AMIIDAE
2. Amiatus caluus (Linn.). Dogfish; Bowfin.
26 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [26
A very common species in practically every lake of any size in the
county. An inhabitant of weed beds, the dogfish is found most commonly
just over the edge of the bars where heavy beds of Potamogeton offer a
congenial environment. Breeding begins early, probably often late in
April but more frequently early in May, the nesting site preferred being
weed beds in water from three to five feet in depth. As I have seen many
nests guarded by the parent fish, I conclude with Reighard that it is always
the male that protects the nest and guards the young after they leave the
nest. The eggs hatch in from nine to twelve days, depending upon the
water temperature, and the young fish remain for a little over a week within
the confines of the nest. Thereafter they all leave the nest together,
traveling in a compact mass and zealously guarded by the very pugnacious
male. As the young grow, the compactness of the school slowly lessens
until, when the young are nearly four inches long, the mass formation
disappears and the young go about their business on their own responsi-
bility. While guarding the young, the male dogfish will attack anything
that threatens the precious mass of youngsters. I have had the parent
attack nets, rakes, sticks—anything I thrust toward the ball of young;
a vicious attack, a strike at the intruding object, and a dash away to a
distance of about six feet; a swift turn and another vigorous attack.
During this performance by the old fish, the school breaks up in every
direction, the young going to the bottom and scurrying toward deeper
water under the protection of the vegetation. The food consists entirely
of animal matter, varying between fish and crayfish at different seasons
of the year, the late summer and fall finding the latter the dominant food.
Among the fish, over and above many species of minnows, which I have
taken from the stomachs are: Lepomis pallidus, Lepomis gibbosus, Mtcrop-
terus salmoides, M. dolomieu, Perca flavescens—in fact, small specimens of
all of the game or food fishes. Economically, then, inasmuch as the dog-
fish is never considered as of any food value in this region, it must be
classed as a species destructive of game fish. Commercial fishermen always
destroy every gar and dogfish they catch in their nets. The species attains
considerable size, specimens that I have taken weighing as high as eight
pounds.
Order ISOSPONDYLI
Family SALMONIDAE
3. Coregonus albus (Le Sueur). Whitefish.
The whitefish is not a native of the inland lakes, and is included in this
list because an attempt was made to introduce the fish, an effort which was
only temporarily successful. In 1887, according to the report of the game
warden department, 350,000 whitefish were planted in Oconomowoc lake.
Nothing was seen of the fish for several years. About 1891 whitefish were
27} STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 27
caught in winter by fishermen working through the ice, along with ciscos,
from which they apparently were not distinguished. The weight at this
time was four and five pounds. During the few years following, the original
planting was entirely caught out, and there is no evidence of the whitefish
ever having reproduced while in the lake. The writer-has examined many
thousands of ciscos caught in this lake during the winters but has never
seen any sign of the whitefish. It is concluded that the species has become
extinct. The inland lakes of southern Wisconsin are not of sufficient depth
or coldness to accommodate whitefish, the thermocline forcing the deep
(and therefore cold) water species into near-surface water of a temperature
too warm for their existence.
4, Leucichthys artedi (Le Sueur). Cisco.
The cisco, a deep water fish, is confined to those bodies of water having
a considerable depth. I have taken ciscos from the following lakes: Lac La
Belle, Fowler, Oconomowoc, Okauchee, North, Pine, Nagawicka, Upper
and Lower Nashotah, Upper Nemahbin, Golden and Dutchman’s. Of
these, La Belle, Cconomowoc, Okauchee and Pine contain the species in
the greatest abundance at the present time. Lower Nashotah and North
lake ciscos average the largest in size, while Pine lake is literally full of
small ciscos averaging not over a fifth of a pound. In the other lakes
mentioned, the numbers are not great. When cisco fishing first began, the
average size of the catch was somewhere around two and a half pounds
each; today a cisco weighing a pound causes a sensation and is an object
of admiration. As a result of observations during winter fishing over a
long period of years, I come to the conclusion that Oconomowoc lake alone
yields not less than 40,000 ciscos each winter.
The cisco normally inhabits the deepest and coldest parts of the lake.
With the formation of the thermocline, however, the fish are forced up
from the depths into water uncongenially warm. During exceptionally hot
summers the fish are forced into water so warm that they can not adjust
to it, the result being ‘‘epidemics”’ of dead fish, during which seasons
literally thousands of ciscos perish in each of the lakes so affected. I have
witnessed this in Oconomowoc, Pine and Okauchee lakes during the last
six years. The summer of 1925 witnessed such an epidemic in Okauchee
lake. On September 1 I counted 72 dead ciscos on ten feet of shoreline!
The entire lake shore was strewn with dead fish, and after a careful survey,
an average of two and a half fish per foot of shoreline was estimated. Since
Okauchee has 8.1 miles of shoreline, it is estimated that on that date there
were no less than 116,700 dead ciscos on Okauchee shores. The epidemic
lasted for about six days, which gives some idea of the toll taken of the
species. During the winter, when the thermocline does not exist, ciscos
are normally caught in water 45 to 55 feet deep.
28 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [28
Spawning occurs in the fall, usually early in November, at which time
the fish come into the shallow water along the shore or ascend the rivers
to lay their eggs. Development follows very slowly, the young fish hatching
sometime early in the spring, probably just prior to the breaking up of the
ice. The young ciscos go immediately into deep water. The food consists
almost entirely of plankton organisms, principally Cyclops, Daphnia,
Diaptomus, Bosmina, Chydorus, rotifers and other organisms of a similar
nature, as well as large numbers (in one case 376) of Sayomia albipes
larvae. From an economic point of view, the cisco is a valuable food fish,
particularly in the winter when the meat is firm and solid. Every effort,
including the artificial propagation of the species, should be exerted to
save these fish which are rapidly nearing the point of extermination. While
the fish remain in deep water they have but few natural enemies; when they
come into the shallower regions they are preyed upon voraciously by large
pickerel (Esox luctus) and to a lesser extent by the gar (Lepisosteus osseus).
5. Oncorhynchus tschawytscha (Walbaum). California Salmon, or Chinook.
Like the whitefish, this fine species was introduced into Oconomowoc
lake, but without success. The state fish commission reports show that in
1877, 4,800 fingerling California salmon were planted in this lake, and in
1879, 1,500 somewhat larger individuals were liberated in Nagawicka lake.
Some of the fish were caught in the years immediately following, but the
fish never reproduced and are now entirely extinct. The lakes are not cold
enough to accommodate these fish, so that such transplantations are utterly
fruitless.
6. Salmo sebago (Girard). Landlocked Salmon.
In 1879 the reports of the state fish commisson at Madison show
that 12,000 of these fish, in fingerling size, were planted in Nagawicka lake.
Like the above species a few were caught shortly after the transplantation
occurred, these weighing in the neighborhood of a pound to a pound anda
half, but the species failed entirely to establish itself and quickly became
extinct.
7. Salmo irideus (Gibbons.) Rainbow Trout.
The rainbow trout is not a native species in southern Wisconsin, but,
notwithstanding this fact, the transplantation of the fish into the suitable
trout streams of the county has resulted in the firm establishment of the
species. Planted in such admirable streams as Rosenow’s creek, flowing
into Lac La Belle on the east, and Scuppernong creek farther south, the
rainbows have bred and successfully maintained themselves amid the
water-cress beds and the clear, cold spring water. Traveling down stream,
the fish have entered various lakes, so that at least two—Lac La Belle and
Dutchman’s—contain the species in some numbers. I believe that I have
taken the record rainbow for the county: a fish weighing four and three-
quarters pounds, from Dutchman’s lake, August 29, 1912. Since then many
29) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 29
smaller specimens have been taken from that lake. The seining of Lac La
Belle for carp has revealed the presence of many fine rainbows in that
lake. So far as I can see, the planting of the fish has in no way altered their
breeding habits. Those fish that are in the lakes have been repeatedly
seen going up the trout streams during the breeding season. The food of
the fish consists almost entirely of insect life—flies, gnats, caterpillars,
grasshoppers—anything that drops upon the surface is eagerly snapped up.
Nothing need be said of the high quality of the rainbow as a food fish,
and it is to be hoped that continued and enlarged plantings will proceed.
8. Salmo fario (Linn.). German Trout; Brown Trout.
Like the rainbow, an introduced species. Scuppernong creek, together
with Waterville and Rosenow creeks, are the main sources of this verv fine
trout, which seems to do exceedingly well in its new environment. Dutch-
man’s lake contains some very fine specimens up to three and three and a
half pounds, and Lac La Belle likewise harbors some fine individuals.
Under existing conditions, the brown trout seems to grow somewhat more
rapidly than the rainbow, but tends to average about the same in ultimate
size. I have records of several weighing between three and four pounds,
taken mostly from the Rosenow stream, and a record of one ‘‘whopper’’
caught by Dr. F. F. Maccus, which weighed 4% pounds. A fine fish, whose
table qualities, however, hardly equal those of the rainbow trout.
9. Cristivomer namaycush (Walbaum). Great Lake Trout.
Another fish that was introduced in the early years of experimental
transplantation. Like the California and Land-locked salmon, the lake
trout was planted in lakes in the county. The records give no account of
which lakes were stocked, but probably Oconomowoc and Nagawicka were
the ones chosen. In 1877 and 1878 some 690,000 young were liberated.
There is no evidence that any survived and it is certain that not one exists
to-day. This is another well-intentioned experiment which went wrong
because of the unsuitable lake conditions. These northern species can not
withstand the warm water and relatively shallow conditions which exist in
Waukesha county lakes.
10. Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill). Brook Trout; Speckled Trout.
Brook trout have been introduced into a great many spring fed streams
throughout the county and there are few which meet the requisite condi-
tions of cold, fast water which do not contain the species in some abun-
dance. Scuppernong, Waterville and Rosenow creeks abound in brook
trout from six to ten inches in length, and an occasional “‘monster’”’ weighing
over a pound and a half. I have records of three brook trout weighing over
two pounds: 2}; 23; 23. Ican see no modifications of general habits of
these transplanted fish. Their food, behavior, breeding habits, all are
similar to those I have observed on the same species in their home en-
vironment. If these trout leave the streams and enter the lakes, I have
30 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [30
little evidence to show for it. Nets drawn in Lac La Belle have shown me
only two brook trout, but this may be due to the smaller size of the fish
and their consequent escape through the mesh of the nets. However, I
am inclined to believe that the species shows less tendency to migrate
than either of the other common trout—the rainbow and the brown.
Order APODES
Family ANGUILLIDAE
11. Anguilla rostrata (La Sueur). Eel.
The eel is a rare fish in the Waukesha county lake district. During
the years I have been gathering data on the fishes I have seen but five
eels taken in the county, though there are records of an equal number at
least that have been hooked, lost or seen. Four of the fish I have handled
come from Lac La Belle, under the falls at the outlet of Fowler Lake.
These fish measured: 2 feet 9 inches, 3 feet 6 inches, 3 feet 7 inches, and
4 feet 2 inches in length. Two were caught at night by men fishing for white
bass in late May, worms as bait; the other two were speared. The fifth
specimen came from the Oconomowoc river at the outlet of Lac La Belle
and was speared. I have no doubt but that eels are more plentiful than
these data seem to indicate, but these are all the records I have.
Order EVENTOGNATHI
Family CATOSTOMIDAE
12. [ctiobus cyprinella (Cuv. & Valen). Big-mouth Buffalo; Buffalo-fish.
This, the commonest of the buffalos, is found in those streams tributary
to the Rock River, in which water it is more common than in any of the
Waukesha county streams. Found also abundantly in the Fox river,
particularly south of the city of Waukesha. A fish of considerable size,
often reaching ten pounds, it is taken in nets during carp seining and never,
so far as I know, on hook and line. I have seen the fish taken from the
Oconomowoc river near its entrance to the Rock, and in Lac La Belle,
but never in numbers. My figures show an average of 91 carp (Cyprinus
carpio) to 1 of this species. The food consists almost entirely of vegetable
matter—algae, leaves and seeds of aquatic plants (Potamogeton, Elodea,
etc.), together with a considerable number of zooplankton organisms, insect
larvae (Chironomus) with mollusca represented occasionally by small
Sphaerium. These forms are all sucked in and strained out of the water
by the gill rakers which pass the mud and silt out with the water. Locally
the fish are not looked upon with much favor as a food fish, there being
plenty of bass and other high grade food fish available, but they bring a
good price when shipped by commercial fishermen.
13. Ictiobus urus (Agassiz). Round Buffalo; Mongrel Buffalo.
The various species of buffalo fish inhabiting local waters are not
distinguished by local fishermen. This species is far less common than
31] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN Si
either the preceding or the following, and I have seen it only twice, both
times from Lac La Belle, into which it has undoubtedly come directly
from the Rock river. These two seinings yielded 7 of the species weighing
from 3 to 52 pounds. The food and habits are almost identical with those
of the preceding species, though a distinctly greater proportion of the
food seems to be mollusca—Sphaerium, Valvata, Planorbis and Pisidium
predominating.
14. Ictiobus bubalus (Raf.). Smail-mouthed Buffalo; Quillback.
This is distinctly a deeper water species than either of the other two
buffalo fish, and has been taken from the deep holes in the Fox river near
Waukesha and in Lac La Belle. The species is much more common in
the Rock river where conditions seem to be more congenial. A smaller
species than either of the preceding, the small-mouthed buffalo averages
about 44 pounds within the region under discussion, though I have seen
one specimen from the Fox river that weighed 13 pounds. The food
consists of about equal parts of animal and vegetable matter, the former
being algae, Potamogeton, Ceratophyllum, the latter entomostraca, crus-
tacea (small crayfish occasionally, as well as zooplankton), and in one
instance, bass eggs (Micropterus salmoides). The buffaloes are all considered
valuable food fish, greatly preferred to carp (Cyprinus carpio) but none
are eaten especially eagerly in this vicinity.
15. Capriodes velifer (Raf.). Quillback Carp; Silver Carp.
Not common within Waukesha county, but occurring in the Oconomo-
woc river between Lac La Belle and the outlet into the Rock river; the Fox
river west of Duplainville and down the river to the southern county
limits; and in Lac La Belle. A small species which, when caught in nets,
is not distinguished by the fishermen from the buffaloes, and it has no
value as a food fish, the average size being under 12 inches. Its food consists
very largely of vegetable matter—fragments of aquatic vegetation and
algae, with occasional insect larvae (Chironomus) and quite a variety of
gastropod mollusks (Planorbus, Physa) and small clams, mostly young
individuals. It is distinctly a shallower water form than the buffaloes.
16. Erimyzon sucetta oblongus (Mitchill). Chub Sucker.
The first records I obtained of this species, and for a long time the
only records, came from the Menomonee river in the northeast corner of
the county, a stream draining into Lake Michigan. Here the species is
not uncommon and it was only in 1924 that I discovered the species in
Fowler lake, the only other record I have. The fish is small in size; five
inches is the longest individual I have taken, the majority being under
four inches long. In the river habitat they prefer flowing water of not
great depth, where they have the darter habit of maintaining their position
on the gravelly bottom by means of the pectoral and pelvic fins, head
upstream. In Fowler lake, however, I have seen no indication of this habit,
32 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [32
the fish behaving in normal minnow fashion. They are bottom feeders,
taking in much silt from which the plankton organisms are strained and
retained as food. Diatoms, algae, Sphaerium, small bivalves, Physa and
Planorbis, insect larvae and an occasional insect form the chief items of
food, the vegetable matter dominating to the extent of about 70%.
Of no value as a food fish because of its small size.
17. Catostomus commersonii (Lacepede). Common Sucker.
A common sucker in the Oconomowoc, Ashippun, Bark, Muckwonago
and Menomonee river systems, being almost wholly confined to these
streams. In the rivers the fish attain a length of from 10 to 12 inches,
rarely more, but I have taken specimens 13 and 15 inches long from
Cconomowoc lake. Those individuals which inhabit the lakes of these
river systems often ascend the streams soon after the ice goes out in the
spring, and spawn on the riffles, usually about the middle of April. The
young remain for the most part in the rivers, going down to the lakes only
when they are nearly fully grown. That some of the fish spawn in the
lakes is indicated by the presence of young fry taken in minnow nets along
the shores of Oconomowoc, Silver, Golden, Keesus, Pine and La Belle
lakes. The chief economic value lies in their being used as food for bass,
pickerel and other valuable food fish.
18. Hypentelium nigricans (Le Sueur). Hognosed Sucker; Stone-roller.
This sucker is confined strictly to the rivers, and I have no lake records
for the species. The Bark river contains the greatest numbers of these
interesting fish, and I have taken them in the Oconomowoc river as well.
They show a preference to swiftly flowing water, avoiding those reaches of
the river where silty bottom or deep water slows up the current. Like the
darters they come to rest heading upstream, the large pectoral fins acting
as a brace against the current. Very fast of movement, when disturbed
they dart off at great speed, but only for a very short distance, while the
dark mottled coloration of the back acts as a protection, rendering the
fish almost invisible against the mottled river bottom. The food consists
almost entirely of animal matter, largely insects and larvae, with only a
small proportion (6%) of mollusca, and 12% of vegetable material. Of no
economic value.
19. Moxostoma aureolum (Le Sueur). Common Red-horse.
A very common sucker of the Rock river, the red-horse is found in all
streams tributary to the rock, and only as far as dams prevent their distri-
bution. Thus they are found abundantly in the spring in the Oconomowoc
river as far as the Lac La Belle dam, where many are speared every year.
The Ashippun river and the Bark river, together with the Scuppernong
river also contain red-horse and the fish are caught in some numbers from
all of these streams. They are used as food by many, but during the summer
(August) when they can be caught on hook and line, the meat is soft and
33] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 33
of poor keeping quality. Though the average weight is about two pounds,
I have taken specimens weighing 33 and 4} pounds. The smaller in-
dividuals are occasionally found in the stomachs of wall-eyed pike and
pickerel, and less frequently in the black and green bass. While the species
may prefer clear water and a gravel bottom, the fact that they are found in
water rendered turbid by the activity of the carp, speaks for a wide range
of tolerance if no actual impurities exist. They can not stand pollution.
20. Moxostoma breviceps (Cope). Short-headed Red-horse.
Somewhat less common than the preceding, though of the same dis-
tribution, this species is not separated ordinarily by local fishermen. I have
taken the species in all of the rivers named for the preceding, but the fish
are more numerous in Rock river and in the Rubicon river in Dodge county
to the north. }
Family CYPRINIDAE
21. Cyprinus carpio (Linn). German Carp; Leather Carp.
“The day will come when the people of the state (Wisconsin) will thank
the men who have introduced and planted this extra fine species of fish
(carp).’’ So said Dr. Lapham in a paper published in 1882. Since that time,
this “extra fine’’ species of fish has spread to almost every lake in the county,
and is in all the river systems. So abundant has it become in certain lakes
(Lac La Belle) that periodic seining is necessary to save the game fish and
their protecting weed beds. There is no mystery as to how the carp has
become so widely distributed: young carp were formerly used as bait
(being easily caught in the rivers) and being tenacious of life, the minnows
left over were thrown overboard, to live and establish themselves. It is
difficult to name a single lake in the county that does not contain carp.
The only one of the larger lakes in which I have never seen a carp is
Oconomowoc lake, on which I have lived for twenty-two summers. Yet
Okauchee which flows into it, and Fowler into which Oconomowoc flows,
both contain carp, and the rivers between are alive with them. The
average size of carp in the county is from four to six pounds, though I have
weighed specimens from Lac La Belle that went to 31 pounds, and the
Rock river contains specimens up to 42 pounds. The fish prefer soft-
bottomed lakes, in which they nose around, much like so many pigs. The
result is the uprooting of the vegetation, the destruction of weed beds,
and the dispersal of the game fish that habitually frequent such beds.
Not only this but the water is muddied by the digging to such an extent
that in many cases it is opaque. This sediment of course tends to settle
over deposit-eggs, and many are destroyed. I had opportunity in 1924 to
examine the entire fauna of a large lake as it was drained, and in a future
paper I shall show just how the carp affects a lake.
Spawning is in late May or early June, the carp coming into the shallow
waters and depositing their eggs in tremendous numbers on the shallow
34 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [34
water plants and roots of trees that may extend out into the water. Thus
I have seen roots of willows so loaded with eggs that the roots themselves
were invisible. There is a very high mortality among the eggs, many of
them dying before gastrulation takes place. The young carp, like the old,
are gregarious, and often come up into the shallow waters along the shore.
I recall a school that tried to ascend the Oconomowoc river from La Belle.
Ina single dip with a net twelve inches in diameter, I scooped out 291 carp.
Growth is rather slow; by the end of the first summer the fish are just
approaching four inches. The food consists of a tremendous amount of
bottom debris which is sucked in and the minute organisms strained out.
The fish bite readily usually on such bait as clam meat and put up a very
vigorous fight. A carp caught on a fly rod is about as good sport as one
could ask for. As a food fish it is little used, though many of the
farmers ‘“‘put them up sour” as they are not bad. However, the damage
they do outweighs their food value so far as local consumption goes, though
the commercial seiners, catching anywhere from five to fifteen or twenty
tons a year, make good money selling them outside of the state at eight
cents a pound. A determined effort should be made to rid the lakes of the
carp, and then to keep them out. This can be done if systematically
undertaken.
22. Carassius auratus (Linn.). Goldfish.
Although, of course, an aquarium fish, many goldfish have been
liberated in Oconomowoc and La Belle lakes, where they have established
themselves, reproducing in considerable numbers. Two schools of large
fish, weighing up to two pounds, exist in La Belle, and one school in
Oconomowoc lake. That the fish are breeding successfully is indicated by
the varying sizes of the individuals forming the schools, and by the presence
of individuals under three inches in length. They frequent the deep water
off the bars during most of the year, but spring (late April and early May)
finds them up in the shallows, where they are quite a sight for a few days.
23. Campostoma anomalum (Raf.). Stone-roller.
A very common minnow of the Ashippun, Bark, and Menomonee rivers,
with a few of the species found in almost any gravelly stream. They avoid
muddy or stagnant water entirely, being most abundant just under rapids
of clear water. They attain a size of five inches, rarely more, though the
average is not over four inches. In June the males of the species, in full
nuptial coloration and adorned with tubercles over the entire body,
can be seen carrying stones for the construction of the nest. Many small
pebbles measuring up to 2 inch in diameter, are carried in the mouth
upstream to a clear gravel area and deposited in a pile eighteen inches in
circumference. In Bark river I have seen piles of nearly half a bushel
above the nest. The work is done entirely by the males and it would appear
that several work together on a single nest. The food consists entirely of
35] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 35
vegetable matter, mixed with a large amount of fine mud and silt, all of
which is passed through the digestive system. Algae, diatoms, desmids
and particles of larger aquatic plants are the principal food I have found.
The species is hardy and makes very good casting bait. An inhabitant of
shallow water, it apparently has few enemies among the fishes, though
many are eaten by herons and bitterns.
24. Chrosomus erythrogaster (Raf). Red-bellied Dace.
One of the most beautiful of our fresh water fishes. The brilliant
coloring of the male, together with the very fine scales, has confused the
species in the local minds with trout, for which it is often mistaken. It is
abundant only in the Ashippun river, but occurs sparingly in the Ocono-
mowoc and Scuppernong rivers. In the Ashippun it is found over gravel
bottom, in clear, running water and associated with Notropis cornutus
and Hybopsis kentuckiensis. Breeding occurs late in May or early in June,
and the male carries traces of his brilliant red belly late into the summer.
The food consists entirely of entomostraca, algae and particles of aquatic
vegetation, with an occasional Hyalella or Gammarus.
25. Hybognathus nuchalis (Agassiz). Silvery Minnow.
A very rare species, recorded only from the Menomonee river, and
therefore found only in the Lake Michigan drainage area. Three specimens
are all that I have taken. These came from water slightly muddy in quality,
over a fine silt bottom, and with only slight current. Two specimens were
examined for food, and showed an abundance of entomostraca, diatoms
and algae (mostly Spirogyra) abundantly mixed wih fine silt.
26. Hybognathus nubila (Forbes).
Another rare species, found most commonly in the Scuppernong creek,
where I have taken thirty-eight specimens. The water here is dark grayish
brown in color due to a large amount of fine silt and muck in suspension.
The bottom is soft, the water eighteen inches deep and normally with little
current. The food seems to consist almost entirely of algae (Spirogyra,
Zygnema, Closterium) with occasional entomostraca and small insect
larvae. Nothing is known of the breeding habits.
27. Pimephales promelas (Raf). Fathead Minnow.
Like Hybognathus nuchalis, with which it is associated, this species is
recorded only from the Menomonee river, where, however, it is extremely
abundant. In this river it is the dominant fish species, and I have taken
two hundred or more in a single sweep of a minnow net. It is most common
in muddy water, and entirely absent from those parts of the river flowing
over clear gravel. It is a bottom feeder, apparently grubbing in the soft
bottom for insect larvae which form over 90% of its food. The species
breeds in June, usually rather late in the month, the nests being shallow
depressions near or under the banks. In this region the fish are characteris-
tically infected with the small black cysts of a fluke probably Diplostomu-
36 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [36
lum cuticola, so heavily, in fact, that the fish often appear entirely black
in color.
28. Hyborhynchus notatus (Raf.). Blunt-nosed Minnow.
One of the very commonest of the local minnows, found in nearly
every lake and every stream. It shows little preference as to lake or stream
habitat, but is distinctly more abundant in clear than in muddy water.
It prefers the shallows, seldom venturing into water more than three feet
in depth, and in the lakes, at least, is most often taken in water of a foot or
eighteen inches in depth. The fish breed in June, though I have found
females carrying eggs well into July. The eggs are laid on the underside
of stones, cans, boards, or even pieces of paper provided the material is
not actually buried in the bottom. How the eggs are deposited in this
position I can not say. I have taken many nests along the shores of
Golden and Oconomowoc lakes, with invariably one of the parents on
guard, usually the male, as can be told by the group of tubercles on the
snout. The eggs hatch in eight or nine days in water varying from 70° to
75°F. The fish are used abundantly as bait for bass, perch and silver bass.
29. Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill). Horned Dace; Chub.
Abundant in the Ashippun, Oconomowoc, Bark and Fox rivers, together
with such of their tributary streams as afford congenial environment. Very
gregarious, these minnows are found in schools of many hundreds, or at
times thousands, in streams of moderately swift water and gravel bottom.
During the warm weather, when the water level of the streams lowers, the
minnows retire to the deeper holes, from which they are easily caught on
hook and line with small angle worms as bait. Breeding occurs in early
June, nests being constructed of much the same type as those of Cam posto-
ma anomalum with which they are frequently associated. This species,
together with Hybopsis kentuckiensis, is the best bait available for bass,
pike and pickerel, and many thousands are captured in the glass minnow
traps for this purpose every year. So long has this been going on that the
species is in danger of extermination in the not far distant future. A very
game minnow, they feed on animal matter entirely, a large part of the food
being insects which fall upon the water.
30. Clinostomus elongatus (Kirtland).
This exquisite fine-scaled minnow has been taken by me only in the
Menomonee river, and is therefore represented only in the Lake Michigan
drainage area. In this river it is associated with Pimephales promelas
and Hybognathus nuchalis, inhabiting slightly muddy water of 18 inches
depth and little current. The species is not common, and I have taken only
10 specimens. The food consists of entomostraca, with a few insects and
insect larvae and quite a bit of algae (Spirogyra). The spawning apparently
occurs in June as I have a specimen heavy with eggs taken June 14. It is
rather surprising to find this species so far west; until I obtained my
37] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN. 37
specimens I believe that Michigan was considered the western limit of its
range.
31. Opsopoeodus emiliae (Hay). Small-mouthed Minnow.
Rather an uncommon species, taken by me only in the Oconomowoc
and Ashippun rivers. Small in size—usually under two inches—the fish
often escapes notice, as it frequents water somewhat muddy in quality
and of considerable depth. In the Ashippun the species inhabits the
deeper holes over soft bottom, where the fish feed upon entomostraca and
small crustacea such as Hyalella.
32. Notemigonus crysoleucas (Mitchill). Golden Shiner.
A species with a very peculiar distribution within the county. For
a long time I knew it only from Washtub lake, where it is extremely
abundant. In 1924 I found it in shallow weedy water along the shores of
Lac La Belle, and in 1925 I took it from shallow water weeds in Oconomo-
woc lake. In Washtub, which is a small lake nearly choked with weeds,
the species seems to be at its optimum. The fish reach a length of four
inches or less, and are not particularly hardy if used as bait. A great
variation in color exists locally. Those from Washtub are very dark witha
brassy tinge, while those from La Belle are very light and show almost no
trace of yellow. The food consists largely of entomostraca Hyalella, with
a large number of young water-boatmen (Corisa sp.) and backswimmers
(Notonecta sp.), and occasionally young leeches (Placobdella parasitica).
Aquatic vegetation comprises about 20% of the food. Gravid females
have been taken early in June and well into July, while spawning apparently
occurs normally about the middle of June.
33. Cliola vigilax (Baird & Girard). Bullhead Minnow.
Locally common, but very circumscribed in distribution. I have taken
the species in the Menomonee River, closely associated with Pimephales
promelas and Hybognathus nuchalis, and in the Ashippun river in associa-
tion with Campostoma anomalum and Catastomus commersonii. The food
consists of about equal parts of aquatic vegetation, entomostraca and
occasionally mollusca, such as small Physa and Planorbis.
34. Notropis cayuga (Meek). Blunt-nosed Minnow.
A very abundant species in the Mukwonago river, and present to a
much less extent in the Fox and Oconomowoc rivers. I have taken the
species several times in Oconomowoc lake, but it is very rare in lakes.
Usually found associated with Notropis cornutus and N. whipplii, it
prefers gravel bottom, medium current and relatively shallow water,
seldom being taken in water more than twenty inches deep. The food is
largely entomostraca, though insect larvae and a little vegetable matter
in the form of algae are often found in the stomachs. Although I know
nothing of the breeding habits, it would seem that the species is a late
breeder, as gravid females have been taken commonly in July and several
as late as August 10. A good bait minnow.
38 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [38
35. Notropis heterodon (Cope). Black-striped Minnow.
Common locally in most of the larger lakes—Oconomowoc, La Belle,
Golden, Keesus, Pewaukee, Pine—where the species goes in schools
often numbering two hundred individuals. Seldom taken in streams, the
only record I have being the Oconomowoc river below the outlet of Ocono-
mowoc lake from which the fish may well have come. The Milwaukee
Museum has specimens from Stonebank creek at Hartland. The fish feed
almost entirely upon entomostraca, though I have found insect larvae and
Hyalella, very small snails (Physa) and leech cases (Placobdella parasitica)
in a number of instances. A hardy bait minnow, much used for silver
bass fishing.
36. Notropis blennius (Girard). Straw-colored Minnow.
Probably the most abundant minnow in all of the large, sand-and-
gravel lakes. In such lakes as Oconomowoc, La Belle, and Pine it is the
dominant shore minnow, present in incredible numbers. The species is
gregarious and I have seen schools in Oconomowoc lake containing at least
5,000 individuals. They are commonly associated with Fundulus diaphanus *
menona and the young of Lepomis pallidus, L. cyanellus, Perca flavescens
and Ambloplites rupestris. Spawning occurs along the shores in water from
twelve to eighteen inches deep in late May and early June, usually under
the protection of shallow water submerged vegetation. The standard
small bait minnow of the region. I have found the fish in Oconomowoc
lake often infected with large tapeworms (Ligula sp.). In August, 1925,
I took a minnow 5 cms. long whose body cavity contained a Ligulid 6.2
cms. in length.
37. Notropis hudsonius (DeWitt Clinton). Spot-tailed Minnow.
Exceedingly abundant in Bark, Ashippun and Oconomowoc rivers; less
so in the Fox river and its tributaries. To some extent found in Oconomo-
woc lake; rare in Okauchee, Pine, La Belle, and North. In the rivers,
which seems to be its normal habitat, the species prefers clear water,
and gravel bottom with not much current. It is associated with Notropis
cornuius, Hybopsis kentuckiensis, and Semotilus atromaculatus. A hardy
bait minnow, though very small in size, seldom reaching a length greater
than 3 inches. While Forbes and Richardson feel that the species inter-
grades with NV. whipplii, I can see no evidence within the region to bear
out such a conclusion. To the extent of 80% the food is animal matter,
being entomostraca, small crustacea, and occasionally young mollusca
of any species that may be at hand.
38. Notropis whipplii (Girard). Silverfin Minnow; Lemon-fin Minnow.
The name used locally for these minnows depends on the season of the
year and on the sex of the minnow in question. Extremely abundant in the
Muckwonago river, and quite common in places in the Oconomowoc and
Fox rivers. It is a swift water, clear gravel-bottom species, which avoids
39] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 39
heavy vegetation except for momentary protection. I have taken the
species in Lac La Belle, where it is established and breeding. In rivers
it is usually associated with Notropis cornutus, Hybopsis kentuckiensis and
Campostoma anomalum. A beautiful minnow, but not hardy enough for
bait purposes.
39. Notropis cornutus (Mitchill). Common Shiner.
The characteristic minnow of Ashippun, Bark, Mukwonago and Fox
rivers where it is exceedingly abundant. In the Bark and Ashippun rivers
I have often taken a glass minnow trap so full of these shiners (as many
as 277 in a single trap) that movement within the trap was impossible.
The fish attain a large size, often reaching 6 and 7 inches, and are excellent,
though short lived and tender mouthed bait. They are commonly used for
clear water trolling, not for casting. They prefer clear water (in fact they
cannot survive in muddy water), gravel bottom with protecting weeds near
at hand,andsome current. Asa result of excess bait being thrown over-
board, the species is sometimes found established in lakes—Oconomowoc,
Pine, North (very abundant), and Okauchee. The food is about equally
divided between entomostraca, crustacea and insect larvae as animal
food, and algae, slime, and particles of aquatic plants on the vegetable side.
40. Notropis atherinoides Raf. Shiner.
Taken by me only in the Menomonee river, where it is not very com-
mon. Here it was associated with Pimephales promelas. The food consists
almost wholly of animal matter, largely insect larvae, but many adult
insects which have fallen on the surface are eagerly snapped up. I have
found these fish likewise infected with a species of Ligula.
41. Notropis rubrifrons (Cope). Rosy-faced Minnow; Skip-jack.
The only place I have taken the species is in the Mukwonago river,
where it occurs in large numbers at certain seasons of the year. It would
appear that the species comes up from the Fox river in late spring, return-
ing to that river again about October. In no other way can I explain the
complete disappearance of this species which is so common in the Muk-
wonago during the summer. Inhabiting water two feet or more in depth,
the species is often eaten by bass (Micropterus salmoides) and pickerel
(Esox luctus). A very interesting minnow, about which little is known.
42. Rhinichihys atronasus (Mitchill). Black-nosed Dace.
This peculiar little minnow which, because of the profusion of small
black pigment spots looks as if it were heavily infected with cysts of
Diplostomulum cuticola, has been taken only from the Lake Michigan
drainage in the Menomonee river. Here it is quite common, associated with
Pimephales promelas and Clinostomus elongatus. It prefers rapid, clear
water, and gravel bottom with some vegetation. The mouth is rather
sucker-like and the food consists largely of vegetable matter, together with
what entomostraca and small crustacea and insect larvae may come
with it.
40 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [40
43. Hybopsis kentuckiensis (Raf.). Chub; Horny-head.
One of the most abundant fish in the Ashippun, Bark and Mukwonago
rivers, together with their tributary streams. Formerly abundant in the
Oconomowoc river, but the numbers here are now greatly reduced. This
fine minnow, reaching a length of 6 and 7 inches, is, together with Semotilus
atromaculatus, to which it is superior for the purpose, the best casting
minnow, and tens of thousands of them are captured yearly for the purpose.
I personally know two guides who have taken not less than 600 of these
chubs a week for five months a year for more than forty years, from the
Ashippun river, and still the fish are abundant. This is to say nothing of
dozens of other bait catchers who also frequent this productive stream.
The fish breed in May and June, spawning over clear gravel in which a
nest is constructed of pebbles. I have frequently seen several females
spawning in the same bed, the construction of which is undertaken by the
horny-headed males. The chubs bite readily on hook and line, by which
method they formerly were captured for bait. However, the glass minnow
trap has superseded this method, and hundreds can now be caught in an
hour without injury to the fish.
Order NEMATOGNATHI
Family SILURIDAE
44, Ictelurus punctatus (Raf.). Channel-cat.
An introduced species which is' in the process of establishing itself.
Since the reclamation service along the Mississippi has been functioning,
many of this species have been shipped in and planted in various lakes.
Thus Oconomowoc received about 700 fingerlings in August 1925, and other
plantings have been made in Nagawicka, Golden, Fowler and La Belle. In
1909 ten fish of this species, weighing about half a pound apiece were
planted in Nagawicka lake. In July, 1923, one was caught in that lake
weighing just under 5 pounds. I have no evidence to show whether or not
the species is breeding.
45. Ameiurus natalis (Le Sueur). Yellow Bullhead.
The characteristic bullhead of the Rock river and its tributaries, as
well as of most of the larger lakes. I have taken the species in Fowler,
Oconomowoc, La Belle, Okauchee, Pine, Nagawicka, both Nashotahs
and Nemahbins, Pewaukee, and Ashippun lakes. A lover of soft bottom
and heavy weeds, usually Potamogetons. Usually about 14 to 34 of a pound
in weight, an occasional individual weighing 2 pounds is taken. The species
seem to do equally well in clear and muddy waters, lakes or rivers. The
fish are for the most part inactive during the day so far as feeding is
concerned, but they bite well as dusk approaches, and far into the night.
The fish spawn in the lakes in heavy banks of weeds; in the rivers usually
up under overhanging banks or at the entrance of deserted muskrat
41] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 41
burrows. Their food is anything that may come to hand: they feed
almost wholly on animal matter, alive or in any stage of decomposition,
fish, crayfish, and any refuse they can find. Notwithstanding, an excellent
pan fish.
46. Ameiurus nebulosus (Le Sueur). Brown Bullhead.
By far the least common of the native bullheads, taken by me only
in Oconomowoc, Ashippun and Laura lakes, in the Oconomowoc river
near its entrance into Rock river and in the Pewaukee river near its en-
trance into the Fox river, and only sparingly here. They seldom attain
a length of more than fourteen inches, and are not ordinarily separated
from the preceding species by fishermen. A good table fish, whose diet
is entirely animal food, but much less of the scavenger type.
47. Ameiurus melas (Raf.). Black Bullhead.
This is an abundant species in all of the soft-bottomed lakes and muddy
streams. It is characteristic of small ponds. I have caught dozens in the
Skidmore ponds and the small pot-holes near Okauchee lake. They live
among submerged vegetation, and a characteristic sight of June and July
is the little balls of young bullheads herded about by the adult, up near
the surface of the water and along the shoreline. The nests are made either
at the base of the weed beds, or under the overhanging banks. The old
fish are very solicitous about their young, and attack any small fish that
approaches the family school. On being disturbed the little black babies
disappear into the weeds in every direction, but soon come together again
in deeper water. The smallest of our bullheads, seldom exceeding 6 or 8
inches, and hence of little food value.
48. Leptops olivaris (Raf.). Mud-cat.
Like Ictalurus punctatus, the mud-cat has recently been introduced
from the Mississippi overflows and is thriving in Nagawicka and Ocono-
mowoc lakes. There are, apparently, only a few of these large catfish in
the lakes, and I have no evidence of their spawning. One of these fish,
weighing 16 pounds, was caught on August 7, 1923, in Nagawicka lake, the
bait being “night-crawlers.”
49. Noturus flavus (Raf.). Stonecat.
I have taken this little fish in two localities: the headwaters of the
Fox river near Lannon, and the Oconomowoc river at Stonebank. The
stonecat is a fish of clear water and fast current exclusively, living under
stones in the midst of the fastest rifles and rapids. Habitually headed
upstream, the fish are very quick in their movements, and escape almost
miraculuously under a minnow sein. The food seems to be entirely ani-
mal matter, largely insects and Chironomus larvae, though small mollusca
are sometimes found in the stomach. I have twice found in the stomach
a considerable number of Planarians.
42 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [42
50. Schilbeodes gyrinus (Mitchell). Tadpole Cat.
This little stonecat is,like the members of the entire group,an inhabit-
ant of clear rapid water, where it is associated with Noturus flavus and
various darters. I have taken it only in the Oconomowoc river at Stone-
bank, where it lives in the riffles under stones, cans, logs or any other avail-
able covering. The food is entirely animal matter, similar in composition
to that of the preceding species. That breeding occurs late in May is
indicated by the fact that while I have taken many gravid females before
May 15, I have never seen one after May 25.
51. Schilbeodes exilis (Nelson). Slender Stonecat.
Also from the Oconomowoc river at Stonebank, and twice I have taken
the species in the Mukwonago river. The rarest of the genus within our
limits. Food and habits apparently very similar to the preceding species.
52. Schilbeodes miurus (Jordan). Brindled Stonecat.
Strangely enough, this species, while inhabiting very similar waters,
has never been taken by me in association with either of the preceding.
My specimens have come almost entirely from the Menomonee river, and
for a long time I thought the species was limited to the Lake Michigan
drainage area. But in June, 1925, I took two specimens from the very
headwaters of the Fox river near Lannan. The fish inhabit running water
but seem to avoid the fast current preferred by the two preceding stone-
cats. They likewise live largely under stones, logs or other protecting
objects but seek water of a somewhat greater depth, two feet as against a
foot or often less for the other species. They also show a somewhat greater
tolerance for muddy water but are never found in water that approaches
opaqueness. The food is, again, entirely animal, largely larvae of Chirono-
mus, Hydropsyche, Aconeura and various species of mayfly, and small
dragon-fly nymphs. The stonecats are not separated by natives and are
all grouped together as ‘‘young bullheads.”
Order HAPLOMI
Family UMBRIDAE
53. Umbra limi (Kirtland). Mud Minnow.
An abundant inhabitant of the innumerable small, muddy vegetation-
choked ponds scattered throughout the region, and also in streams of a
similar character. Among the latter I have taken the species from the
headwaters of the Fox river in association with Esox americanus, Schil-
beodes miurus, Catastomus commersonti and the crayfish Cambarus propin-
quus. In this stream it provides one of the chief foods of the grass pickerel.
In the ponds it is most frequently associated with Ameiurus melas. No
water seems too foul or too stagnant for these fish and no ordinary amount
of drying up of ponds during a hot dry summer seems to exterminate them.
They seek refuge in the soft muck of the bottoms, often completely burying
43] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 43
themselves in the ooze. Their tenacity of life is unique among our fishes,
in spite of which they are never used locally as bait, presumably because
of their dark color. The food is very largely aquatic plant material, duck-
weed (Lemna), particles of Elodea, Ceratophyllum,etc., together with any
minute animal life that may be attached to this growth. Thus I have
found particles of Hydra sp. in the intestine, probably off of Elodea. They
spawn very early, probably as soon as the ice goes off the ponds, as I have
no gravid females later than April 12. In the Fox river I have never seen
a mud-minnow more than 3 inches long, while in the ponds near Okauchee
lake I have taken them 53 inches in length. Generally known as ‘“‘young
dogfish” locally.
Family ESOCIDAE
54. Esox americanus (Gmelin). Grass Pickerel; Little Pickerel.
Found in only one locality in the county, the headwaters of the Fox
river in the vicinity of Lannan. It was quite a surprise to find this little
pickerel so far north as this is one of the most northern records, but in
the northern waters of the Fox river and until the river becomes about
twenty feet wide, this pickerel is the dominant and characteristic species.
In this region the water is muddied by carp activity, normally but two
feet deep, slow and sluggish, but not stagnant, and the bottom is a mixture
of sand and mud. Here the pickerel lives on mud minnows and crayfish,
and attains a length of 9 inches, though I have taken few so large. The
fish spawn in typical pickerel manner, coming up into the overflowed
marsh during the spring flood, to lay their eggs in the shallow water. The
young pickerel are about two and a half inches long at the end of the first
summer, their food consisting of young crayfish (Cambarus propinquus)
which are unusually abundant there, and darters and small minnows
(Notropis hudsonius, N. cornutus, Umbra limi) with an occasional Physa
and Gammarus. The fish are so small as to be of no economic value.
55. Esox lucius (Linn). Great Northern Pike; Pickerel.
The common pickerel of the region. Very abundant in all of the lakes
and less so in all of the rivers, except during the spawning season. The
greater part of the summer is spent just off of the sand bars in water 18
to 25 feet in depth, where the voracious fish lie in the Potamogeton beds
and gorge themselves on any passing fish of convenient size. Feeding is
almost entirely during the daytime and only very seldom is one caught at
night. The food is normally fish, all species of minnows and small Cen-
trarchidae included, with crayfish varying the diet during late summer.
They grow to very great size, the largest I have weighed was 2734 pounds;
it was caught in the Oconomow river near Fowler lake. I have many
records of fish weighing between 15 and 18 pounds, but each year sees
fewer of these large specimens caught. Newspapers published during the
44 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [44
early summer of 1925 a photograph of 16 pickerel with a total weight of
112 pounds, caught in Muskego Lake, but such catches are unusual, to
say the least. Okauchee lake probably has more pickerel than any other
lake in the county, and not long ago catches of 15 or more a day were
standard. The larger pickerel do some damage by their destruction of
game fish. Small bass, sunfish, silverbass, perch, suckers and cisco are
preyed upon. I have taken three cisco weighing nearly half a pound each
from stomachs of pickerel weighing 8 pounds. The pickerel spawns soon
after the ice goes out, passing up into the marsh overflows to deposit their
huge quota of eggs. These eggs hatch in about two weeks, the young fish
spending the summer in the weed beds along the lake or river shore. By
the end of the summer they attain a length of 8 or 9 inches, and have worked
out into deeper water near the edge of the bars. A great game fish, that
takes any good minnow bait readily and puts up a stubborn fight. Not
particularly prized as a food fish because of the many bones.
56. Esox immaculatus (Garrard). Muskallunge.
No longer present in the county, there seems little doubt but that this
greatest of freshwater game fish formerly occurred in the Fox river, which
seems to have been a considerably larger river not very long ago. Dr. P. R.
Hoy reports the species from this river, with a specimen weighing 40
pounds, caught in 1877. It is certain that the species has been extinct with-
in the region for at least thirty years, in spite of reports which reach me
constantly. Every large pickerel is’ suspected of being a ‘“‘musky.”’
Family POECILIIDAE
57. Fundulus diaphanus menona (Jordan & Copeland). Menona Top-
minnow.
This is the most abundant of all the Killifishes in the region and is
characteristically a lake species. All of the larger lakes, those with gravel
and sand shores, such as Keesus, Oconomowoc, La Belle, etc., harbor
great numbers of these fish. They are distinctly shallow water forms,
seldom entering water more than twenty inches in depth, and are commonly
associated with Notropis blennius, Labidesthes sicculus, and young Cen-
trarchidae. Of the three species of Killifishes in the region this is the
least “top-water’”’ of the group. They remain well toward the bottom,
feeding on crustacea, entomostraca and some insect larvae, and only
occasionally come to the top to get a gnat or fly that has fallen on the
surface. They spawn very late, often not until late in July, though they
seem ready to burst with eggs by late June. An excellent bait minnow
seldom more than 2% inches long.
58. Fundulus dispar (Agassiz). Top-minnow.
This interesting killifish has been taken by me only in the Mukwonago
Millpond, at the town Mukwonago. Here the species seems to be abun-
45] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 45
dant. The water of the millpond is dark due to much sediment in suspen-
sion, and has very soft mucky banks and reedy shores. Among these
reeds this species is seen swimming just under the surface, or even some-
times with the dorsal fin out of water, feeding largely on tiny insects that
chance to fall in the water. They are rather slow in their ordinary move-
ments, but zig-zag away rapidly if disturbed, usually to return very
shortly to the spot they left.
59. Fundulus notatus (Raf.). Top-minnow.
Next to F. diaphanus menona, the commonest of the killifishes. They
frequent rivers and streams in preference to lakes, and I have taken them
in Battle creek, and in all of the river systems except the Menomonee.
They prefer slowly flowing water, and do not seem worried by sediment
in suspension. Like the preceding species, this top-minnow remains
constantly just under the surface, and when disturbed it zig-zags wildly,
but it does not descend. Yet their food habits are in striking contrast to
the preceding: about 75% of the food is vegetable matter, almost wholly
filamentous algae, Spyrogyra, and Zygnema predominating. The remainder
of the food is mostly insects picked from the surface. They spawn late,
seemingly carrying nearly mature eggs for several weeks. I have taken
gravid females from June 10 to July 8. One of the stable foods of the
small-mouth bass (Micropterus dolomiew) that inhabit the rivers.
Order ACANTHOPTERI
Family GASTEROSTEIDAE
60. Eucalia inconstans (Kirtland). Brook Stickleback.
The characteristic inhabitant of small, weed-choked creeks, so heavily
overgrown with brush, usually willows, as to be almost invisible. In such
little streams, tributaries to the Scuppernong river and creek of the same
name particularly, this pugnacious little fish builds its nest, rears its young,
and lives its life. This is the only fish here that actually builds a nest,
in the usual sense of the word. This nest, made of tiny twigs and branches
of water plants, is almost round in shape, and is well hidden in the dense
aquatic vegetation. The fish guards the nest vigorously, and will strike
at anything that intrudes on the premises, including the finger if it is
advanced slowly. The food is largely insect life, over 50% being small
non-aquatic insects that fall into the water. An interesting variation in
the number of dorsal spines exists among the sticklebacks of Scuppernong
creek particularly. While 5 is the typical number, both 4 and 6 occur.
Out of 100 fish examined, 13 had 4 spines, 69 had 5 spines, and 18 had 6
spines.
Family ATHERINIDAE
61. Labidesthes sicculus (Cope). Brook Silversides; Top-water.
In southern Wisconsin this is characteristically a clear-water lake
species, seldom found in streams. Especially abundant in Oconomowoc
46 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [46
lake but common also in Fowler, La Belle, Pine, the Nashotahs and
Nemahbins, North, etc. Occasionally taken in the Oconomowoc and Bark
rivers. Together with Fundulus notatus and F. dispar the most persistently
“top-water” minnow. They inhabit the upper foot of water normally,
varying in their distribution with day and night and with the seasons as
to whether they are littoral or pelagic. Very gregarious, they travel in
large schools, and may be seen leaping out of the water after insects on the
surface. The fish breed in May, spawning in the shallow water along the
lake shore, and the eggs hatch in from 8 to 9 days. The young fish travel
out to assume a position over deep water, and here many fall prey to small-
mouth bass (M. dolomieu) cisco (L. artedi) and gar (Lepisosteus osseus).
The food is very largely animal matter—entomostraca, rotifera (Anuraea),
Mysis relicta, and occasionally a considerable amount of insect material
(dipterous larvae). An interesting point to be noted is that the fish live
for only fifteen to seventeen months: they die during the summer following
their one and only spawning. Of no use as a bait minnow, and usually
carefully replaced by fishermen who uniformly believe them to be young
ciscos.
Family CENTRARCHIDAE
62. Pomoxis annularis (Raf). White Crappie; Silver Bass; Strawberry Bass;
Calico Bass.
Less common than the following species, the white crappie is never
distinguished from the darker species by local fishermen, who believe it
a color phase of the latter. It is found in nearly all of the larger lakes, and
in some of the smaller, such as Laura, showing no particular aversion to
muddy water or soft bottoms, though it is more common in lakes with
sand and gravel beds. It is a deep water species, living off the bars in 15
to 30 feet of water, and frequenting the Potamogeton beds. The young
of the year are found in the shallow water weeds along the lake shores,
and to some extent up the streams. They bite readily on small minnows
(N. blennius) and are a high grade pan fish. I have taken this species in
Neosha Millpond, Dodge County, just over the Waukesha county line,
weighing 33 pounds.
63. Pomoxis sparoides (Ladepede). Silver Bass; Crappie; Strawberry Bass;
Calico Bass.
By far the most common of the silverbass in Waukesha county, in-
habiting nearly all the lakes, whatever the size, though absent from the
small ponds. Like the preceding, an inhabitant of the deeper water and the
submerged vegetation. Here they feed voraciously on small minnows of
many species, and young of perch, sunfish, pumpkinseed and occasionally
of bass. The fish spawn during April, rarely carrying their eggs as late as
May 5, and, like the preceding, the young are found along the lake shores
47] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 47
where they attain a length of just under two inches by the end of the
summer. During the winter the fish bite in water 6 to 10 feet deep, and
thousands are caught in Oconomow, Pewaukee, Okauchee and other lakes
where ice fishing is practiced. The best bait is any of the shore minnows
of small size, and rarely are they caught on angle-worms. An excellent
pan fish, not as large, however, as the white crappie. These fish seldom
attain a weight of over a pound, half a pound being normal size.
64. Ambloplites rupestris (Raf.). Rockbass.
An abundant species in every lake and in all of the rivers, less frequently
taken in the smaller creeks. The rockbass seems to prefer the shallow water,
though occasionally taken from the weed beds off the edges of the bars.
They prefer weeds as their environment, and are commonly caught in the
midst of heavy masses of Potamogeton. They spawn in the shallow water
along the shore, often among rushes, where a slight depression is made in
the sand or gravel, the adults keeping guard until the young hatch. The
young rockbass is found in the shallow water weeds all summer, attaining
a length normally of hardly more than an inch by fall. These are handsome
little fish, with a coloration entirely different from that of the adult, being
heavily mottled with very large pattern. The food is composed of about
equal parts of insects, fish and crayfish, the young of the latter being the
dominant food during the late summer and fall. They bite on almost any
bait, worms, minnows, chub, or spoonhook, but are not game fighters.
While they are really a very good pan fish, they are looked upon with
distaste by local fishermen because of an entirely mythical infection of
“srubs.”” They are, however, often parasitized rather heavily with the
cysts of (?) Diplostomulum cuticola, as are the perch, which, notwithstand-
ing, are regarded as an excellent table fish.
65. Chaenobryttus gulosus (Cuv. & Valen.). Warmouth Bass.
A rather uncommon sunfish, which is not ordinarily separated by local
fishermen from the rockbass, which it somewhat resembles. A fish of the
smaller lakes—Laura, Skidmore ponds, Genesee—it prefers soft, muddy
bottoms to sand or gravel, and is tolerant of dirty water. It inhabits the
dense weed beds of -these lakes, feeding upon insects and small fish, and
to a much less extent upon crayfish. It bites readily upon worms or min-
nows (N. blennius), and puts up about the same sort of fight as the rockbass.
It reaches a length of about 8 inches, 6 inches, however, being nearer the
average size. Not highly ranked as a pan fish because of its small size and
resemblance to the ill-favored rockbass.
66. Lepomis cyanellus (Raf). Logfish; Green Sunfish; Blue-spotted Sunfish.
An abundant inhabitant of rivers, and to a less extent of lakes, though
quite common in lakes of muddy rather than clear water. Weeds are
essential to their habitat, and Potamogeton and Ceratophyllum afford
48 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [48
protection in most of the river systems. I have taken the species, which is
common, in all the rivers except the Menomonee, where itis absent. Of the
lakes, the smaller bodies of water likeSkidmore ponds, Laura lake and similar
ponds, have their logfish in large numbers, and they also occur to a lesser
extent in clear lakes, Oconomowoc, Lower Nashotah, as well. In these
latter, however, the fish seem not to attain so large a size. In Oconomowoc
lake, I get a great many very small logfish in the shore weeds, yet large
ones are rare. They attain a weight of a quarter of a pound or a bit more
in the Oconomowoc and Fox rivers, but are not prized as a pan fish—for
no particular reason it would seem. The food consists of any animal life
that happens to be at hand—fish, crayfish, insects, larvae, mollusca. They
bite readily on worms, but rarely on minnows, and put up a fight about
equal to that of a goodsized rockbass. The fish spawn in June and July,
making shallow depressions in the shallow water near the shore—often in
rushes. Here the old fish bravely defends its nest against intruders. So
strong is the defense reaction that I frequently have caught the fish on
the nest with no other equipment than my hands. The eggs are whitish,
and very sticky, lying in the nest in a mass. They hatch in 7 to 9 days.
67. Lepomis euryorus (McKay). McKay’s Sunfish.
The rarest of the sunfish, known to me only from three specimens
taken in Oconomowoc lake, on three different occasions, and always at
night. Whether this is significant or not I can not say, as the habits of the
species are but little known. These fish came from the north shore of the
lake, in water less than a foot deep, over gravel bottom, and were taken in
a minnow seine along with Microperca punctulata and Labidesthes sicculus.
The largest specimen measures 23 inches long.
68. Lepomis humilis (Girard). Orange-spotted Sunfish.
This tiny little sunfish is also rare in Waukesha county, and has been
taken by me only from the headwaters of the Fox river at Lannon where
it is associated with Esox americanus and Umbralimi. My largest specimen,
23 inches long, was a male in full nuptial coloration, taken July 7, 1920,
and is one of the most beautiful of our local fishes. I have not taken the
species since this date, and a total of only five specimens has come to hand.
The food consists of about equal parts of vegetable and animal matter,
being composed of bits of Ceratophyllum, Potamogeton and Elodea, with
some algae, together with entomostraca, insect larvae, a few tiny mollusca,
and some very small crayfish (Crambarus propinguus). I know nothing
of its breeding habits. The fish is so small as to be of no economic im-
portance.
69. Lepomis incisor (Cuv. & Valen.). Bluegill; Sunfish.
Abundant in all the lakes and streams in the county, and by far the
commonest of the true sunfish. In the lakes they are found in deep and
49] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 49
shallow water, the former being the large adults, the latter young individ-
uals ordinarily not sexually mature. The fish are gregarious, inhabiting
the heavy off-bar weed beds in association with Micropterus salmoides
the silverbass (Pomoxis sparoides) and pickerel (Esox lucius). They vary
greatly in coloration, depending upon the character of the water they
inhabit, those coming from muddy water being very dark. Bluegills
weighing a pound are frequently caught, and the species is highly prized
as a pan fish. They are very game fighters, utilizing their width to the
utmost to resist the efforts of the fisherman. The food is largely animal
matter. The young fish live mostly on entomostraca and bits of leaves of
Potamogeton and other aquatic plants, while the adults eat fish, crayfish,
small mollusca, insect larvae and often insects which fall upon the surface
of the water.
70. Lepomis gibbosus (Linn.). Pumpkinseed.
This is distinctly a fish of the rivers and streams, and only to a slight
extent of the lakes. In the latter they are most frequently found near
the mouths of the rivers, from which they probably came. They are also
found in the smaller ponds, Skidmore and Okauchee ponds. The fish
show a decided preference for weed beds in soft bottom, usually muck, and
are consequently very tolerant of dirty water. They are only to a slight
extent gregarious, and have a more general distribution through the
streams than do the preceding species. They prefer deeper water, and seek
refuge in holes in the stream bed. Vegetation is also a requisite of their
environment and much of their time is spent in the shade of aquatic plants
or overhanging banks. They breed in June, nesting in the shallows along
the shore where a nest is excavated in the bottom, always amid vegetation,
and here the male valiantly guards the eggs. The young leave the nest
almost at once, and no further parental care is displayed. The food is
essentially like that of the preceding. Their size is a bit too small to make
them a choice food fish, as they seldom exceed 5 or 6 inches in length.
71. Micropterus dolomieu (Lacepede). Small-mouth Black Bass; Red-eye.
This is the gamest of all the local fishes, the best fighter known. It is
abundantly distributed throughout the county, but is decidedly a fish of
clear lakes though it is also found in muddy streams. The factor which
determines the persistence (if not the existence) of the red-eye in a lake is
gravel bars. While food may be abundant and water conditions ideal in a
lake, if gravel bars are not present neither is the red-eye. These bars are
essential to their breeding habits, and the breeding habits of a fish, far
more than the food habits, determine whether a species can survive in a
given body of water. The red-eye occurs in most of the larger lakes, and is
conspicuously absent from the following: Golden, Ashippun, Genesee,
Pewaukee, Henrietta, Dutchmans, Otis and other small ponds. The
50 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (50
fish inhabit the deeper water off the bars after the breeding season, but
are not as dependent upon weed beds as is the next species. On still, hot
days in mid-summer one often sees these fish at the surface, breaking water
in quest of insects of all sorts that have fallen upon the surface. Thus
I once took 8 honey bees from the stomach of a red-eye caught on a dry
fly in the middle of Oconomowoc lake when the fish were very evidently
“up.”” The species is very voracious and largely piscivorous during
most of the summer, but toward fall the food changes to crayfish of which
they are inordinately fond. During September and October the stomachs
are packed with crayfish, often as many as 6 or 8 in a single alimentary
canal. They bite well on chubs (H. kentuckiensis and S. atromaculatus),
shore minnows (any species of Notropis) and frogs (Rana pipiens), but
the best bait undoubtedly is “nightcrawlers’” (Lumbricus terrestris).
They spawn on gravel bars, clearing out a depression 2 or 3 inches deep
in which the eggs are laid and over which the fish lies, gently fanning the
water to keep it in circulation. Any intruder is met by a furious rush and
either driven off or devoured. The young bass frequent the shallow water
along the edges of the lake, and are not at all confined to the presence of
weeds. In fact, in La Belle lake they are most abundant in water a foot
deep without a sign of vegetation. The young grow rapidly and reach a
length of about 3 inches by fall. Spawning occurs in May, but is hurried
or delayed by the temperature of the water, 65° to 68°F being the critical
temperatures in Waukesha county. The average size is 2} pounds, but
I have taken specimens 5 to 53 pounds, these being about the maximum
size attained. An excellent table fish, second to none.
72. Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede). Large-mouth Black Bass; Green
Bass; Oswego Bass.
By far the most abundant of the bass, inhabiting all of the lakes and
rivers. While the species is dependent upon bars for breeding purposes,
they are not particular, and any ledge two feet wide will do for the purpose.
This at once extends the possible distribution of the species over that
of the preceding. The green bass is also a fish of the deep water just off
of the bars, but those bars must be bordered by weed beds, usually Pota-
mogeton. In these weeds the fish lie, and into these weeds goes the fish
with any bait as quickly as possible. The average size is between 2 and
2; pounds, though bass weighing 5 pounds and over are on rare occasions
caught. The largest of which I personally have a record which I know to
be authentic is 8} pounds, caught in Eagle lake. Between this enormous
fish and bass weighing 6 pounds I have no record. The fish breed in May
and if the season be backward are often still upon the beds by June 20
when the fishing season opens. These beds are shallow depressions well
up on the bars and, if the spawning space be limited, the nests are often
as close together as it is possible to put them. Over these beds the male
51] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISH ES—CAHN 51
lies, keeping the water in circulation and sediment in motion until the eggs
hatch. Thereafter the male accompanies the swarm of tiny bass for a
period of about two to three weeks, protecting them against the ravages
of larger fish. The food of the young fish is almost exclusively entomostraca,
but they begin their piscivorous habits when about an inch long, eating
young shore minnows, darters, etc. The adults are almost exclusively
fish-eaters, crayfish playing only a very minor réle in their diet. Unlike
the red-eye, the green bass is active all winter and hundreds are caught
through the ice on most of the larger lakes. At this time of the year they
inhabit water 10 feet or less in depth and are associated with the silverbass
(Pomoxtis sparoides) which are caught in the same holes. The greenbass
bites best on chubs (H. kentuckiensis and S. atromaculatus) but will also
take frogs, crayfish or angleworms. An excellent table fish, prized next to
the red-eye.
73. Scardinius erythropthalmus (Linn.). European Rudd; Pearl Roach.
In 1916, Mr. B. O. Webster, at that time superintendent of hatcheries,
now a member of the Wisconsin state conservation commission, went to
New York at the request of Mr. Fred Pabst of Oconomowoc, and obtained
from the New York Aquarium “‘several pails’’ of this species. These
fish were successfully brought back to Waukesha county and were planted
in Oconomowoc lake, where they are doing very weil. At present there are
three sizes of fish in this lake, indicating two successful spawnings at least.
The fish have never traveled more than half a mile from the site of the
original planting, at the southeast end of the lake. Knowing the location
of the school in a general way, I have caught three specimens since 1918,
always on worms as bait. The food of these has been entomostraca,
aogether with insect larvae and small minnows, with a few snails (Physa)
tnd small clams (Pisidium).
Family PERCIDAE
74. Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill). Wall-eyed Pike.
An introduced species which has been abundantly planted in Golden,
Oconomowoc, La Belle, Forest, both Nashotahs and Nemahbins, Laura,
Pine, Pewaukee and Nagawicka lakes. Except during the spawning season
when they ascend the rivers, the pike is distinctly a lake fish within the
limits of the county, but in Rock river just over’ the boundary it is very
abundant. It inhabits the deep water off the bars, ordinarily in the vicinity
of weed beds. The fish are of a wandering disposition, here today and
there tomorrow, so that their capture is often rather difficult. They
spawn early in the spring, ascending the rivers for the purpose soon after
the ice goes out. In this respect they resemble the pickerel (£. Jucius)
which they follow and are themselves followed by the various species of
suckers. The young wall-eyes return to the lakes rapidly after hatching
52 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (52
and go into deep water where many must fall prey to larger fish. However,
young pike are extremely pugnacious and begin their piscivorous diet
when 5 or 6 days old. In my collection I have a string of seven wall-eyes of
this age, each member of the string with the posterior half of the preceding
pike well down his throat. Thus the whole string died. The fish attain a
good size; I have records of many weighing between 7 and 10 pounds, and
I have no doubt that 15 pounders are not unknown to Golden, Oconomowoc
and the Nashotahs. They are frequently the host to the peculiar ecto-
parasite Argulus stizostethi which crawl over them much in the manner
of lice.
75. Stizostedion canadense griseum (DeKay). Gray-Pike; Sand Pike;
Wall-eye.
This species, like the preceding, has been widely introduced throughout
the county, and is never distinguished by local fishermen who take it
for small fish of the preceding species. They differ from the preceding
markedly both in coloration and in size. This fish is distinctly of a gray
tinge while the other is very golden. Furthermore, this species is much
smaller, seldom exceeding a pound or a pound and a half. They are very
abundant in Forest and La Belle lakes, much less so in all the other lakes.
Their general habits and food are so nearly like those of the preceding
species that they need not be discussed. Decidedly a less desirable table
fish because of its smaller size.
76. Perca flavescens (Mitchill). Perch.
Abundant in all of the lakes and rivers in the county. The large perch
are distinctly a deep water fish, inhabiting the Potamogeton beds in the
deep water off the edge of the bars. If one were to make a survey of the
water between here and the shore, one would find a gradual decrease in
size of the perch correlated with a decrease in the depth of the water,
with the young-of-the-year in the very shallow water along the shore
associated with Notropis blennius and N. hudsonius. The nest is a shallow
depression in the sand along the shore and here a string of very beautiful
eggs is laid. The young remain in the shallows and attain a length of
about three inches by fall. The food of the young is largely entomostraca
and insect larvae while that of the big adults is largely crayfish and min-
nows. Like the green bass (M. salmoides) and silverbass (P. sparoides)
the perch is active and feeding all winter and thousands of them are
caught through the ice when they are so heavy with spawn that they can
barely flop. Such fish often weigh a pound or a pound and a half. A very
excellent table fish, readily caught on either worm or small minnows.
Subfamily ETHEOSTOMINAE
77. Percina caprodes (Raf.). Log-perch.
A common species of darter in the deeper portions of the larger rivers,
53] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 53
particularly in the Fox and Oconomowoc. It is an inhabitant of water of
moderate current and reasonable clearness, avoiding foul or muddy water.
The fish prefer a rocky or heavy gravel bottom to sandy bottom, and
avoid entirely mud or silt. Very fast in action, they are easily approached
but disappear under rocks or stumps as if by magic if disturbed. In this
characteristic only do they resemble the other darters. They feed on bottom
animal matter almost exclusively, Chironomus, Simulium, Allorchestes
and other small crustacea, with occasionally a minute mollusk. They
have no particular economic value and are never used as bait because of
their small and tender mouth. I have found them as food in Micropterus
salmoides, Esox lucius and Stizostedion vitreum.
78. Hadropterus aspro (Cope & Jordan). Black-sided Darter.
A darter of the river systems only, taken in all but the Menomonee
river, particularly common in the Mukwonago and Fox rivers. A fish of
medium current, but preferring water a bit faster than the preceding.
Usually found where some vegetation is present into which the fish retreat.
Fine gravel is the preferred type of bottom but they are occasionally found
over muck, in which case the fish are decidedly darker in coloration. In
the Fox river they are associated with Esox americanus, Umbra limi and
Cottus sp.; in the Mukwonago especially with Semotilus atromaculatus.
The food is largely entomostraca and crustacea (copepods) with large
numbers of insect larvae and nymphs. Spawning occurs early in June,
in shallow water, often under overhanging banks or amid vegetation, in
water of some current.
79. Diplesion blennioides (Raf.). Green-sided Darter.
Distinctly a stream species, though I have taken the species a number
of times in both Oconomowoc and La Belle lakes. Common wherever
found, this beautiful little darter prefers a sandy bottom and medium
current, being absent from rock and mud environments. On this sand they
lie supported by their very ample pectoral fins, as if they were resting on
their elbows, ready for instant departure. When they start off, the quick
flip of the tail stirs up the soft bottom in a whirl of sand and by the time
this settles, the darter is nowhere to be seen, having made good its escape
behind the “smoke screen.’”? While I have never seen the nest in a
river habitat, I have found several in Oconomowoc lake. These have
invariably been under small pieces of water-logged wood, from beneath
which protrudes the peculiarly shaped head of the watching fish. This is
the male; and if an intruder of considerable size appears, he retreats under
his shelter without delay. If the enemy be a small minnow, the male
makes a furious dart out of his hole, flies at the intruder, and returns
again so quickly that about all one sees is a cloud of sand which conceals
for a moment the opening to the nest into which the male has dived. By
54 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [54
the time the sand settles again, the head of the male is once more poking
out of the nest entrance. Food is entirely bottom fauna of small size, as
entomostraca, small crustacea like Hyalella and Gammarus, and small
mayfly and damsel-fly nymphs.
80. Boleosoma nigrum (Raf.). Johnny Darter.
The characteristic and most abundant darter of the region, found in
every lake and in every river and stream. It is equally at home in the
swift current of the Bark river and the still waters of the large lakes, its
one demand being gravel bottom or coarse sand. Mud it strictly avoids.
It is distinctly a shallow water darter, found resting upon the bottom
supported by the pectoral fins in true darter attitude. It is not particularly
timid, often joining Nofropis blennius in investigating one’s toes when
one goes swimming. However, when frightened, Johnny is off amid a
swirl of sand and is found in a rigid, expectant attitude when the cloud
settles. The eggs are laid on clear sand, no nest being constructed that
is worthy of the name, during May and very early June. The food of the
species is composed of Chironomus and Simulium larvae to about 50%;
with crustacea (Hyalella) and entomostraca (Cyclops, Daphnia, etc.)
composing the other half.
81. Ammocryfta pellucida (Baird). Sand Darter.
This peculiar darter is recorded from a single specimen taken by me
in the Ashippun river. The region from which it came is one of clear sand
over a stretch of perhaps 300 yards, with not a sign of aquatic vegetation
of any sort, or of a pebble larger than a sand grain. In looking over this
barren stretch I found this darter buried in the sand, with nothing visible
but the eyes and mouth. Such is the normal habit of the species: avoiding
vegetation they protect themselves by imbedding the body in the soft
sand. I know nothing about its breeding habits or its food, as careful
search here and in other similar localities has revealed no further specimens.
82. Etheosioma towae (Jordan & Meek). Iowa Darter.
A common species in certain lakes, Oconomowoc, Pine, and La Belle,
where it inhabits the shore waters above a sand or fine gravel bottom with
some low, submerged vegetation present. Here it isassociated with Boleosoma
nigrum, Etheostoma coeruleum, and Notropis blennius. While the pectoral
fins are well developed, the species has rather less of the darter habit of
resting upon them, the fish being more constantly in motion than the
Johnny darter. While capable of very rapid motion, the Iowa darter tends
to be more deliberate than many other species of darters, though the fish
is, of course, a member of the bottom fauna. The food is largely copepods,
with some insect larvae and many small mayfly and stonefly nymphs.
I have taken gravid females during May and early June.
55] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 55
83. Etheostoma jessiae (Jordan & Brayton).
Not an uncommon species in lakes of certain kinds. I took the species
first in Oconomowoc lake, but it is much rarer in the large, gravel bottom
lakes than in the smaller, soft bottomed lakes and ponds. I have the species
from Laura lake, the larger of the Skidmore ponds, Okauchee ponds,
Forest lake, and the Genesee lakes. It is a small, inconspicuous darter,
rapid in movements, and using the darter trick of stirring up the bottom
by a violent flick of the tail in order to hide or escape enemies. It is dis-
tinctly a solitary fish, being much less gregarious than any of the preceding
species, and seldom more than a single specimen in taken in the net at one
sweep. The fish breed in May, but I have taken gravid females in Ocono-
mowoc lake as late as June 12. They spawn in the shallow water along
the shore, usually in a clump of submerged vegetation. The food is typical
of the darters, being largely entomostraca and insect larvae, mostly
Chironomus, but with some nymphs or small crustacea (Hyalella) as well.
The species is often rather heavily infected with the cysts of the parasite
(?) Diplostomulum cuticola.
84. Etheostoma coeruleum Storer. Rainbow Darter.
While this species somewhat resembles the preceding, it is a fish of
the larger gravel lakes, Oconomowoc, Pine, La Belle, Okauchee, North,
Keesus, Pewaukee, Silver, Golden and Beaver. It is in all respects a very
typical darter, and one of the most common species of the group. It
inhabits the shore water along with Boleosoma nigrum and Notropis
blennius, and few collections along the lake shores fail to yield two or three
of this species. It is very fast in its actions, and resembles Diplesion
blennioides in its habit of seeking refuge under stones or sticks though
it does not remain under objects for any length of time. The fish spawn in
May, usually the latter half, laying in shallow depressions well up toward
the shore, within the zone of wave action. The food is mostly cladocera
and copepods, while crustacea (Hyalella and Gammarus) form about 25%
of the total bulk. Often used as bait for silverbass and perch, though not
desirable because of the dark color and not very great vitality.
85. Etheostoma flabellare lineolatum (Agassiz). Fan-tailed darter.
In delicacy of markings, if not in color, this is one of the most attractive
of our darters. It is an inhabitant of very rapid water, being associated
most frequently with Cottus bairdii bairdii and Noturus flavus. It is very
local in its distribution, being confined to those parts of the various rivers
in which the current is great and the bottom hard. The Little Oconomowoc,
Oconomowoc, Scuppernong and Bark rivers contain large numbers of
fan-tails where these conditions prevail, and it is a rare fish in the Muk-
wonago river. They attain a length of 3 inches in the Scuppernong, though
the average size is 24 inches. The fan-tail is very rapid in its movements,
probably the fastest of all the darters, and this speed stands it in good
56 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [56
stead in its habitat. The food is largely insect larvae, Simulium predomi-
nating when the form is in season. These, together with mayfly and small
dragon fly nymphs, Planaria, and occasionally young leeches make up the
bulk of the food, while entomostraca and tiny gastropods are also items.
During the breeding season the cheeks of the male swell up, each spine of
the first dorsal fin develops a tiny white mushroom-shaped tip, the color
deepens, and the fish becomes really an exquisite example of the darter
group. They spawn just below the rapids, usually behind a stone, clearing
out a shallow depression in the immediate vicinity of which the now very
pugnacious male patrols. Infection with cysts of (?) Diplostomulum cuticola
is not infrequent, but never heavy. They spawn in June.
86. Boleichthys fusiformis (Girard). Spindle-shaped Darter.
This is one of the rarer species of darters in the county, and has been
taken by me in Oconomowoc, Pine, and La Belle lakes, and in the Bark
river. It isa fish of quiet water and hard bottom, avoiding dirty conditions
entirely. A depth of about 18 inches of water is preferred, and the fish
show little of the typical darter characters of behavior, rather resembling
Etheostoma towae in this respect. I have, however, taken them in tribu-
taries of the Bark river in much shallower water, amid heavy vegetation.
Gravid females have been taken in May and only once as late as May 30.
87. Microperca punctulata (Putnam). Least Darter.
This tiny darter, by far the smallest of the group, is quite rare in
Waukesha county, having been taken by me only in the Bark river north
of Rome, on the very western edge of the county. Here, however, it is
locally common, inhabiting water of 2 feet or more in depth, heavily
loaded with Potamogeton and Elodea. It avoids any considerable current,
preferring the quiet, deep pockets along the muddy shores, associated with
young Pomoxis sparoides and Micropierus salmoides, which in turn feed to
some extent on it. Giants of the species measure 1% inches, but the average
size is under one inch. Their food is entirely animal matter, being about
equally divided between insect larvae, nymphs and entomostraca. It is
an exquisite little fish whose reticulate markings remind one of the fan-
tailed darter (Etheostoma flabellare lineolatum) while the lateral markings
resemble those of the Johnny darter (B. nigrum).
Family SERRANIDAE
88. Roccus chrysops (Raf.). White Bass; Striped Bass.
Another introduced species which has taken firm hold in a large number
of lakes. In La Belle and Pewaukee the fish are very abundant, while the
species is present in somewhat lesser numbers in Oconomowoc and Naga-
wicka. The most gregarious of our fresh water fishes, the adult white bass
seem at all times to travel in large schools of several hundred individuals
while the young are apparently solitary. During most of the year the fish
57] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 57
inhabit the deep water off the sand bars where they can be caught on
small shore minnows by deep trolling. However, on quiet hot days in
July and August the great schools often come to the surface, frittering
along half out of water as they travel rapidly in a zig-zag course. At such
times they offer great sport to the dry fly fishermen, as the fish often strike
furiously and follow it up with a very game fight in the deep water. They
attain a size of over three pounds, with 2 pounds as a good average.
Spawning occurs about the middle or end of May, and the fish ascend the
rivers if possible, to lay their eggs among the rocks and under the falls
or amid the riffles. The ascent of the rivers is usually at night and the
spawning occurs at night, as I have often witnessed in the Oconomowoc
river below the falls marking the outlet of Fowler lake into Lac La Belle.
Here the water is literally alive with white bass for three or four days
and nights. As soon as the eggs are laid the fish return to the deep water
of the lake. The young remain in the shallows along the banks of the river
or return to the lake and follow the shallows of the shoreline where they
are taken in association with Notropis blennius and young-of-year of
Ambloplites rupestris and Lepomis pallidus. The food is almost entirely
small minnows, with occasional insect larvae or nymphs. This food is
taken while the fish are in deep water, as stomachs of fish caught frittering
along the surface are invariably empty. An excellent game and food fish,
the continued planting of which is earnestly urged.
Family SCIAENIDAE
89, Aplodinotus grunniens (Raf). Sheepshead; Drum.
This species is included in the list solely upon the authority of Dr. I. A.
Lapham, who lists it as an inhabitant of Oconomowoc lake in the only
published list of fishes of the region (1882). The sheepshead is no longer a
native fish in the county, though occasionally young individuals are
planted along with shipments of bass, whitebass, perch and catfish from
the Mississippi river overflows. Several fingerlings went into Oconomowoc
lake in August, 1925. The prevalent idea of the undesirability of the
sheepshead as a food fish is not concurred in by the writer, who considers
it equal to the white bass and the croppies, and better than the sunfish,
pickerel and buffalo.
Family CoTTIDAE
90. Cottus bairdii bairdii (Girard). Sculpin; Miller’s thumb.
This peculiar looking fish is a common inhabitant of rapid water regions
of the Oconomowoc, Little Oconomowoc, Bark and Fox rivers. It lives
only in regions of the greatest current, frequenting the rocks below falls
and the riffles of the many small rapids. Here the sculpin is associated with
Noturus flavus and Schilbeodes sps. The great pectoral fins are used in
darter fashion to support the body against the current, head upstream.
58 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
[58
The movements are likewise darter-like in their rapidity. The fish lie on
the bed of the stream or under the edges of rocks, the belly pressed in close
contact with the bottom. The food is composed of entomostraca and small
crustacea, with occasional insects, stonefly larvae and small dragonfly
and mayfly nymphs, Chironomus and Simulium larvae, and rarely a small
mollusk.
TABLE 4
A LIST OF THE FISHES OF WAUKESHA COUNTY, SHOWING THE
NUMBER OF LAKES IN WHICH EACH SPECIES IS FOUND,
AND THE NUMBER OF COLLECTIONS IN THE
RIVER SYSTEMS IN WHICH EACH
SPECIES HAS APPEARED
Rivers
) bo
t=] & I
o & SE 8
4 8 8 8 & i gig
a “< © 8 & &. a
Lepidosteus osseus 26 9 46 27 14 12
Amiatus calvus 31 12 31 28 11 13
Leucichthys artedi 13 _— _ = — <=
Salmo irideus 3 1 — — — —
Salvelinus fontinalis 1 6 = — —
Salmo fario 3 — = — — —
Anguilla rostrata 2 —_ 1 _— — —
Ictiobus cyprinella 2 9 12 14 8 =
Ictiobus urus — 7 20 11 9 —
Ictiobus bubalus 4 14 17 9 12 1
Catastomus commersonii 11 91 37 29 52 31
Catastomus nigricans — 33 16 87 35 16
Moxostoma aureolum 10 12 31 62 27 3
Moxostoma breviceps — 1 14 15 6 8
Cyprinus carpio 11 34 43 46 72 —
Campostoma anomalum 14 63 66 34 41 62
Chrosomus erythrogaster — a 13 23 —_— _—
Pimephales notatus 38 a a a 18 a
Semotilus atromaculatus 2 a a a a 8
Notemigonus crysoleucas 3 2 = — _— —_
Notropis blennius 41 37 46 39 13 _
Notropis whipplii 2 19 Zi. 22 26 _
Notropis cornutus 4 a a a a 13
Ameiurus natalis 9 22 13 Di 17 3
Ameiurus melas 21 42 19 36 32 9
Leptops olivaris _ — — — 1 _
Umbra limi 18 9 2 4 10 —
Esox lucius 38 ii 52 24 19 _
Fundulus diaphanus menona 41 10 13 9 22 16
Fundulus notatus 7 1 _ 3 — 4
Eucalia inconstans — _ _ _ _ 1
Labidesthes sicculus 28 19 26 20 11 2
canSeul Sern leewskSSERBaean!] SSS! a1
59] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN
Species
Pomoxis sparoides
Amploplites rupestris
Lepomis cyanellus
Lepomis incisor
Eupomotis gibbosus
Micropterus salmoides
Micropterus dolomieu
Stizostedion vitreum
Perca flavescens
Percina caprodes
Boleosoma nigrum
Etheostoma iowae
Etheostoma coeruleum
Etheostoma flabellare
Roccus chrysops
Cottus ictalops
Ictalurus furcatus
Cristovomer namycush*
Coregonus albus**
Salmo sebago***
Oncorhynchus tschawytcha®
Esox masquinongy °°
Etheostoma jessiae
Hybopsis kentuckiensis
Cliola vigilax
Esox vermiculatus
Hadropterus aspero
Lepomis euryorus
Lepomis humilis
Opsopoeodus emiliae
Ameiurus nebulosus
Pomoxis annularis
Aplodinotus grunniens
Fundulus dispar
Notropis atherinoides
Stizostedion canad. griseum
Schilbeodes exilis
Hybognathus nubila
Diplession blennioides
Notropis hudsonius
Microperca punctulata
Etheostoma zonale
Number of species:
(Continued)
59
Rivers
So i-To}
e 3 6&8
[=| ° 8 a
a =| 8 o
& & E nd 2 a
ces 8 & g 7 3
4 a o fn ea = A
13 i 6 — — _ =>
36 a a a a 4 a
27 25) 49 23 31 8 21
41 68 71 44 RYE 14 68
40 19 63 31 25 3 22
37 45 87 72 a 17 31
17 9 2 33 17 =~ —
19 - 3 — 8 —_ _—
41 52 a 47 63 10 26
9 14 8 3 11 1 —_—
35 57 a a 29 33 18
21 5 19 5 1 3 8
8 12, 17 9 16 3 11
3 19 22 10 8 31 18
9 = = = = —_ —
a 2 21 13 — — —
2 = 7 — ieee — —
3 peasy Reece —n pee — omese
2 — — es — — —
2 — — pone a — nn
ae — —— pa oo —_— —
} — —
if 2 4 1 1 _ 2
ik a a a 44 23 36
— 19 7 _ 12 2 7
— — _— — 10 a =
4 5 2 18 ) 11 4
as 1 = == a =
— 1 1 == 1 — —
2 3 3 _ — — 2
10 4 19 13 3 1 14
5 _ — — a — —
ees = 1 1 —_ _ =
3 — — 2 4 1 oa
— 3 i 1 4 — =
8 ss aes — pte. — SS
— 12 8 2 6 1 3
—_ — 1 = = = _
2 | 5 1 4 2 —
21 42 18 14 10 19 23
4 ae san a ped ~—s —s
5 1 9 13 1 —_ 8
48 55 53 49 51 37 46
60 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [60
* 690,000 planted 1877, 1878, Oconomowoc and Nagawicka lakes; no sign of the species
now.
** — 350,000 planted 1887 in Oconomowoc lake; probably gone.
*** 12,000 planted 1879 in Oconomowoc and Nagawicka lakes; gone.
9 6,300 planted in Oconomowoc lake in 1879; gone.
90 Formerly in several of the rivers; now exterminated.
TABLE 5
Total Planting of Fish in Waukesha County, From 1877 to 1918*
(Compiled from records of the State Game Commission)
Rain- Wall- Black | Black White- Califor-| Land-
Brook | bow eyed Bass | Bass | White fish Lake nia | Locked
Year | Trout | Trout Pike Carp |} Fry | Finger- | Bass | Perch Trout | Salmon} Salmon
ling
1877 10000 360000 |(1) 4800)
330000 _
1878 _ (2) 1500} 12000
1879} — (2)
1880 —_
1881 20000)
1882] 20000
1883 10000
1884 20000} 20000) 1300000
1885] 15000} — 2650000
1886} 55000) — 850000] 135
1887 50000} 30000) 1100000) 250 350000
1888} 85000) — 800000} 975 (1)
1889 | 90000} 85000) 1200000) 75 2500
1890} 80000] 165000] 2080000] 200 _
1891] 80000} 80000] 1800000] 800 —
1892 50000} 80000 300000} 750 _—
1893 25000} 10000 800000] 100 | 14000 _—
1894] 40000} — 1500000] so} 9000 1700
1895} 16000} — 3400000 27500 —
1896} 25000] 40000] 1500000 35600 5050
1897 14000) 6000) 1800000 _— 3525
1898} 33000] 40000] 2850000 15200 7800
1899} 20000} — 2660000 15900) 2500
1900} 33000} 40000) 8960000 _ —_
1901 18000} 25000} 1800000) _ _
1902 40000] 22000] 2000000 3600) _
1903} 24000] 30000} 1740000 45000 —
1904] — _ 100000 44000} 10300 | —
1905 | 15000} 6000} 6850000 30000] 1800} 5950
1906 17500 7500} 5480000 127000; _
1907} 20000] 15000] 2400000 50000] — 2
1908} 42000} 27000] 9100000 4000} 44300
1909 | 28500] 20400] 11800000 27700} 46000
1900 | 30000] 46500] 3720000 96000] 12300
1911] 40000] 32000] 22020000 47500} 14275
1912 | 103000] 22000] 16900000 6000} —
1913 76000} 27000} 11670000 12000] 111925
1914} 93000] 51000] 8795000 — | 102000
1915] 95400] 39200] 6672000 — | 91000 3840
1916] 56000} 26400] 7192000 — 4847 4440
1917} 48000] 44200] 5690000 115500) — 4200
1918] 42000) 57800] 8950000 122500] — —
Total:| 1579400] 1095000] 165429000] 3335 1848000! 438747 | 29025 | 12480! 350000 | 690000 | 6300] 12000
(1) Oconomowoc Lake.
(2) Nagawicka Lake.
* No accurate data are available since 1918.
61] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 61
TABLE 6
Plantings of Pike, Black Bass and White Bass in Certain
Lakes, Between 1895 and 1908 inclusive*
Lake Wall-eyed Black White
Pike Bass Bass
Oconomowoc 2,900,000 43,600 3,850
Pewaukee 5,140,000 68,950 1,000
Okauchee 5,065,000 59,200 4,900
La Belle 3,200,000 30,100 4,050
Pine 2,175,000 11,500 2,625
Nemahbin 2,720,000 26,400 1,500
Nagawicka 4,735,000 26,100 2,250
Silver 1,850,000 4,600 200
Nashotah 3,650,000 8,500 1,600
Keesus 920,000 9,000 —
Beaver 1,900,000 28,100 700
Moose 1,550,000 35,100 --
North 60,000 — —
Ashippun 1,050,000 3,000 —
Lake Five 1,430,000 _ --
Eagle 2,210,000 7,750 --
Forest 200,000 4,500 900
Crooked 150,000 7,000 500
Fowler 2,250,000 4,500 500
Hunter 180,000 27,000 —
Golden — 20,000 500
* No tabulated data available since 1908,
62 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {62
THE BROOK SILVERSIDES LABIDESTHES SICCULUS (COPE)
INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION
The brook silversides, Labidesthes sicculus (Cope), which in southern
Wisconsin is characteristically not a brook species at all, being found most
commonly in clear water lakes, is one of the most abundant and typical
species of lake minnows found in Waukesha county. While its abundance
varies considerably in the different lakes, yet it has been found in all of the
lakes of considerable size (28 in number, table 4) and is conspicuously
absent from the small, muddy-bottomed ponds, and from all lakes and
rivers whatsoever their size in which the water is not clear.
This little species is the only Wisconsin representative of the family
Atherinidae of Linnaeus (1758). These fish, known generally as the
‘friars’ or “silversides’’ compose a family whose members are typically
salt water forms. The family is composed of sixteen genera and about
seventy species, none of which attains a large size. Among the more
familiar genera can be listed Atherina, the friars; Chirostoma Swainson;
Menidia (Bonaparte) Jordan and Gilbert; Atherinopsis Girard; Atherin-
opus Steindachner; and Labidesthes Cope. Of these genera, Menidia is the
closest to Labidesthes both in morphological characters and in general
habits, as Menidia, typically a marine genus, often ascends streams and
rivers, passing from the brackish water environment to the fresh water
conditions beyond the tidal zone. Structurally Labidesthes differs from
Menidia in the prolongation and depression of both jaws to form a “beak”
which characteristic gives the name to the genus—‘‘a pair of forceps.”
The name is well chosen, and gives a clear picture of the daintiness of the
mouth structure. The Atherinidae are all carnivorous in their habits and
in common all the species have a straight gut lacking entirely pyloric
ceca. The small size of the individuals makes them of little economic
importance as food fishes but those which reach a size sufficiently large to
warrant attention are highly valued as food, hence the common name of
some of the marine species: “Pez del Rey’’—fishes of the king! This applies
particularly to the genus Menidia, and more especially to Menidia sardina.
The genus Labidesthes was created by Cope in 1870 to hold the type
species, sicculum, originally described by himself as Chirostomea sicculum
in 1865, the type specimen coming from the region of Grosse Isle in the
Detroit river. This places the type locality as the inlet of the Detroit river
into Lake Erie, some twelve miles south of Detroit, Michigan. The genus
comprises a single species, of which the following description is given by
63] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 63
Jordan and Evermann (1896: 805): “Head 43; depth 6; eye 33; D. IV-1,
11; A. 1,23; scales 75. Body elongate, very slender, compressed. Head
long, flattened above, narrow below. Snout slender, conic. Premaxillaries
broad posteriorly, very protractile, produced forward, the snout longer
than the eye. Edge of upper jaw strongly concaved. Teeth very slender,
mostly in one series, forming a narrow band in front. Scales small, thin,
with edges entire (cycloid). Spinus dorsal very small; soft dorsal short.
Anal fin long, caudal forked; pectorals moderate. First dorsal inserted
somewhat behind the vent. Pale olive green, translucent; lateral silvery
band very distinct, scarcely broader than pupil, bounded above by a dark
line; back dotted with black. In the black waters of the lowland swamps
the silvery is underlaid by black. Length 33 inches. Ponds and sluggish
streams; Lake Ontario and southern Michigan to Iowa, Florida and Texas;
locally abundant; a very graceful little fish, widely distributed, confined
to fresh waters.’’ The present writer can offer no improvement on the
above description beyond pointing out the fact that the tendency of the
black pigment to underlie the silvery band is evident in a vast majority of
the specimens from southern Wisconsin where the water is anything but
like the ‘“‘black waters of the lowland swamps.”
In spite of the familiarity of all ichthyologists with this attractive
species, and despite the fact that it is listed as common or abundant in
practically every list of fishes of the Mississippi valley, no comprehensive
study of the species has been published, nor are observations of the habits
or general behavior of the species to be found in other than the most general
terms. “Beyond cbservations that Labidesthes remains near and feeds
at the surface and that it frequently skips through the air, nothing has been
published concerning the habits of this fish’? (Hubbs 1921). Notes on its
food have been presented by Forbes (1878, 1883, 1888), Forbes and
Richardson (1908), Baker (1916, 1918), Evermann and Clark (1920),
Pearse (1915) and Hubbs (1921). This represents the status of our knowl-
edge at the time of publication by Hubbs (1921) of his ecological study
of the life-history of the species in 1921. This report contributed con-
siderable to our knowledge of the species and pointed out several problems
which enter into the life-cycle of the fish from a behavioristic standpoint.
Explanations of these problems are offered, but they are essentially
theoretical in nature, and the present writer, as a result of five years of
observations and as a result of experimental procedure, finds it necessary
to disagree with Hubbs in some of his conclusions. Several important
points in the behavior of the species have been entirely overlooked by the
previous author, and several errors appear as a result no doubt of having
failed to find these facts. Thus he says: ‘In striking contrast to their
intense activity by day, the adults at night were observed to lie quiescent
as though asleep.”” This statement points to entirely erroneous conclusions,
64 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [64
for under certain conditions, and at certain times of the year the “‘intense
activity” of the species during the day is as naught compared to the
frenzied activity of the species at night. A small point, perhaps, but the
key to many of the problems requiring solution in a study of the life
history of the silversides.
BREEDING HABITS
The adult of Labidesthes sicculus is primarily a shallow water inhabitant.
After the fish has attained approximately two thirds of its mature size, the
species takes up permanently a shallow water habitat which is in direct
variance with the habits of the immature fish. Both young and adults
are surface species, living normally within less than a meter of the surface
of the water, and spending most of their time within ten or twelve centi-
meters of the surface. Indeed, the species is the most consistently ‘‘top-
water” fish in these fresh water lakes, distinctly more so even than the gar,
Lepisosteus osseus. The gar often seeks very deep water when it feeds,
grasping a minnow sidewise the fish descends at an angle of about 45°
to a depth of from ten to thirty feet, where the juggling which accompanies
the adjustment of the food into a position permitting its entrance into the
small mouth takes place. After feeding the gar may remain in the deep
water for some time, upward of fifteen minutes, before ascending slowly
to the surface. The silversides never under any conditions descends below
the upper meter of water, this being the maximum depth sought by the
adults, while nothing can drive the immature individuals more than a few
centimeters below the surface. Hence the statement that the silversides
is the most characteristic of our surface fishes. It is as typical of the upper
stratum of water as the Johnny darter (Boleosoma nigrum) or Miller’s
Thumb (Cottus bairdii bairdii) is of the very bottom of the lakes and
rivers.
The breeding habits occur during May and June under normal, season-
able conditions, the exact time being closely correlated with the tempera-
ture of the water. As the surface waters warm up under the influence of
the May sun, the silversides are to be seen swimming near the shores often
in pairs. As there is no sexual dimorphism it is impossible to distinguish
the sexes while the fish are in their element, but repeated captures and
laboratory examinations show that the two individuals associated at this
time are male and female. The fishes often swim in perfect alignment,
one above the other, a distance of approximately ten inches to a foot
intervening. This alignment is under the control of the upper fish which,
because of the position of the eyes, can keep the lower individual under
observation. This was repeatedly borne out by observations which showed
the fact that when the path of progression deviated from a straight line,
the first sign of the turning was made by the lower fish. The upper fish is
the male, the lower the female. Frequently two, three or more males may
65] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 65
be associated with a single female during the height of the spawning
season, but this poly-association usually terminates by one of the males
driving away the others. During the early part of the breeding season the
progress of the fish is leisurely, a foot being traversed in from three to four
seconds. As the breeding season advances and the water warms up still
more, the speed of progression increases until the fish travel in spurts,
covering a foot in a fraction of a second and often breaking water. At the
same time the interval of alignment has been decreased to about two
inches, and finally, as the breeding season reached its peak, the position is
shifted to a horizontal one, the male following the female which travels at
a furious pace. A school of silversides reveals a wild sight when the spawn-
ing activities are in full sway. In and out dart the females, pursued by one
or more males, darting this way and that, shooting an inch or more out
of the water and landing again three or four inches from the spot of their
emergence amid a spatter of spray, followed immediately by the attending
male retinue. Suddenly the female slows down her pace and comes to
what amounts to comparative rest. The first male to reach her approaches
from the rear and draws up along side. This apparently is the signal for
the departure of any other males that may be pursuing that particular
female, for never have I seen any disturbance once a male is associated
along side of a female. Other males simply disperse and join in the chase
of other females. The paired fish now begin a downward glide, approach-
ing the bottom at an angle of approximately 30°. During the descent, the
fish bring the edges of their abdomens into repeated momentary contacts—
from eight to twenty-one times being the extreme numbers observed, with
fourteen as an average of forty-six observations. During the descent
the eggs are extruded from the body of the female and may be seen slowly
settling toward the bottom in the wake of the descending pair. Fertilization
takes place in the water immediately after the eggs leave the female, the
spermatozoa being extruded by the male coincident with the momentary
contact with the abdomen of the female. By the time the pair reach the
bottom the egg complement has been deposited. Observations on twenty-
six females captured immediately after the completion of the descent,
show the ovaries empty, with only occasionally (three cases) some half
dozen eggs still retained. Normally the female is entirely spent on the
completion of a single breeding performance, and hereafter she is com-
pletely ignored by the still active males. The males, on the other hand,
hesitate not at all on the completion of the breeding descent, but ascend
at once to the surface and are off in pursuit of other females.
A series of observations over four breeding seasons in which a series of
temperature readings of the water was taken during the period of breeding
activity, shows that the vertical pairing of the fish begins when the water
has reached a temperature of 18°C (64.4°F), that the spawning begins at a
66 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [66
temperature of 20°C (68°F), and reaches its climax with the water at a
temperature of 22.4°C (72.9°F), the place of observation being the north
shore of Oconomowoc lake, where the silversides breed abundantly over
the sand and gravel bottom. These facts are brought out in table 7.
TABLE 7
TEMPERATURE OF WATER OF OCONOMOWOC LAKE ASSOCIATED
WITH BREEDING PHENOMENA OF LABIDESTHES SICCULUS
Degrees Centrigrade
1920 1921 1922 1923 Av.
Vertical pairing first noted 18.3 17.8 17.7 18.2 18.0
First spawning noted 20.3 20.0 20.0 19.7 20.0
Climax of spawning 23.2 22.1 22.3 2251 22.4
After extrusion the egg settles slowly to the bottom. It is armed with an
“organ of fixation,” consisting of a single gelatinous filament of a length
equal approximately to six times the diameter of the egg. This is called
by Hubbs an organ of flotation, but its primary function seems, rather, to
be that of fixation. It adheres to the first thing with which it comes in
contact, either vegetation or bottom material, and the egg is firmly at-
tached. Where spawning occurs in rivers, the secondary function of
flotation may well be of some importance in relation to distribution by
current, but as the species is so active and this activity carries it such long
distances, this slight distributional value must be regarded as subordinate
to the fixation function. As the egg itself is not at all viscous, it would
become buried in the debris and sand at the bottom, did it not become
fixed before reaching it.
DEVELOPMENT
Nothing whatever is known regarding the embryological development
of the species, and the present writer has not considered this phase of the
life of the species as within the scope of his problem. That development is
quite rapid is indicated by the fact that eggs hatched in eight days in the
writer’s laboratory in water kept at approximately 25°C (77°F). This
temperature is two degrees above that of the lake from which the specimens
were taken. Observations on eggs located in the lake and observed daily
indicate that the hatching period is very close to 8 days (between 8 and 9)
with the water at 23°C. That temperature affects the rate of development
is very probable from what is known concerning other species, in which
the rate of development increases with an increase in the temperature
of the water; therefore one would expect a variation in the normal hatching
periods of the eggs in a lake depending upon the fortuitous chances of the
eggs becoming fixed in water of varying depths. For it must be remembered
that since the eggs are laid in shallow water, a considerable range of
temperature variation will be encountered, the range being greater the
67] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 67
shallower the water is. One would therefore expect the eggs that drift into
shallow water to hatch earlier than those that settle in deeper water, as
they receive more degree-hours of heat per day. Such conclusions are
borne out by the facts as shown in table 8.
TABLE 8
EFFECT OF DEPTH OF WATER UPON THE HATCHING
PERIOD OF EGGS OF LABIDESTHES SICCULUS
Depth of Eggs Eggs Average Time
water: laid hatched noon required
inches temp.
16 6/14/23 6/22/23 24 8
22 6/14/23 6/23/23 23 9
29 6/14/23 6/23/23 2322 9
37 6/15/24 6/24/24 22.8 9
THE YOUNG
Immediately after hatching the young silversides wiggle themselves
to the surface. The term “‘wiggle”’ is used advisedly as best describing the
action of the young fish: the activity consists of much lateral movement
with relatively little forward progression. The activity of the fish begins
before it leaves the egg, and is responsible for the rupture of the egg mem-
branes and the subsequent liberation of the fish. Once the young reach the
surface it is a long time before they see the bottom of the lake again, for
they remain permanently just under the surface of the water for the
following weeks, and never forsake the upper few centimeters under any
circumstances. Their relation to the surface may be stated in these terms:
the younger the fish the closer to the surface film of the water do they
remain. Newly hatched Labidesthes frequent the upper three centimeters
or less of their habitat.
As they hatch, then, the young work to the surface, where they congre-
gate in rapidly increasing numbers. Inasmuch as the eggs laid by a single
female in the course of her breeding activities do not scatter very far—
there is no current in the lake sufficient to cause a wide dispersal—all hatch
at very nearly the same time. Thus are built up at the surface schools of
young silversides varying in component numbers from thirty to perhaps
two hundred. The individual fish are constantly active, swimming around
in a course conspicuous for its irregularities. Yet there is a certain co-
ordination within the school: if the school is going ahead, all the members
are going in a course almost exactly parallel to each other; if the school
veers to the right, all the members shift in the same direction and almost
at the same instant. While the course of the school is therefore very
irregular and the progress in any one direction slow and uncertain because
of the many turnings and twistings of the path of progression, the school
68 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [68
is very evidently heading for the deep water, or rather, for the surface
water over a pelagic habitat. For be it remembered that of the deep water
itself and its contents, Labidesthes sicculus knows nothing, nor in its entire
existence does it ever learn by exploration what the depths contain.
By the end of the first day the young are well out of the shallows,
but unless the deep water be close to the shores—that is, unless the sand
bar is narrow—they will still be over relatively shallow water. The one
outstanding feature of the behavior of the young during the day is their
activity; during three years of intensive observation on the species the
writer has never seen a living, healthy silversides’ that was not in action.
While I have seen hundreds of thousands of these little fish in dozens of
different lakes and streams of every size, I have never during the hours of
daylight, seen one at rest for a period of time measurable with a stop-
watch. It is by all odds the most active minnow of our fresh waters, and
were it not for the fact that this activity is, during most of the year, con-
fined to the hours of daylight, I would venture the statement that it is the
most active of all our fresh water species. As it is, this honor must go to the
cisco (Leucichthys artedi) later to be discussed, which is active day and
night the years around. Yet, during the hours when it is active, no fish
is more active or vigorous. Certainly no fish covers more distance in the
course of the hours of daylight than does this, in relation to its size. Some
idea of this activity is brought out in the following experiment: Six young
silversides were brought into my laboratory and placed in a large boiler,
where they were permitted to swim around and get over any shock their
transfer from the lake might have caused. Two hours later, when their
activities were perfectly normal, a tracing was made on a large sheet of
wrapping paper of their individual movement for a period of two minutes.
While watching the movements of an individual fish I traced as nearly as
possible its every movement. At the end of the experiment the distance
traveled was measured. The results follow.
TABLE 9
DISTANCE TRAVELLED IN TWO MINUTES BY YOUNG
LABIDESTHES SICCULUS
Fish Length Distance
No. cm. cm.
1 222 176
2 2.4 234
3 2.0 211
4 2e2 220
5 2e1 209
6 2.3 216
Average 2.2 211
69] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 69
On this basis one can figure as follows: 211 cm in 2 minutes; that is 6,330
cm per hour; and since this is early summer, one can figure at least fourteen
hours of activity, which gives 88,622 cm traveled in the course of a day,
by a fish that is 2.2 cm long. That is 40,283 times its length!
Throughout the day these tiny, semi-transparent fish work their way
incessantly back and forth just under the surface of the water. Their small
size, together with their inconspicuous coloring and nearly transparent
bodies affords them a protection against wandering enemies, both in the
water and in the air. At the approach of a boat the school breaks up
immediately, the individuals darting like lightning in every direction
except down. When the school is broken up the tiny individual fish is
extremely difficult to see, while its zig-zag course makes it difficult to
capture even after it is discovered. The approach of a tern (Clidonias
nigra surinamensis or Sterna hirundo) sends the fish scattering wildly,
and a similar reaction follows the approach of a larger fish either from below
or from their own level. This indicates a keen alacrity on the part of the
silversides, which no doubt saves many of them from destruction, for
they have many enemies.
With the coming of darkness, however, all this changes. The incessant
activity dies down with the failing light until darkness finds the fish entirely
inactive, floating motionless just under the surface. Thus they remain
throughout the night, drifting back and forth with the waves, or hanging
suspended under a glassy surface. Little co-ordination exists within the
school at night, for a spotlight flashed upon the school shows the fish point-
ing in all directions: there is no marked orientation. This is particularly
true on quiet nights. When the surface is agitated by wind, however, there
is a vague indication of orientation with a tendency on the part of the
individuals to head into the waves. The following table (10) shows the
results of a series of observations on orientation in relation to the pre-
vailing night wind.
TaBLe 10
ORIENTATION AT NIGHT OF LABIDESTHES
SICCULUS IN RELATION TO WIND
No. fish Direction Number of fish heading
Date in school wind S SE SW W E N NE NW
8/6/23 31 Ss 8 4 5 3 5 0 2 4
8/12/23 49 SE 6 12 9 5 3 B 3 7
8/13/23 26 None 3 5 2 4 3 2 4 3
8/20/23 44 S 12 6 8 4 5 ) 2 4
8/25/23 58 S 1610)" 40 80.79 4> 5 4
8/27/23 36 E 5 5 4 0 It 3 5 3
8/30/23 41 None 3 2 7 6 4 9 6 4
9/12/23 22 N 0 1 0 0 1 12 2 4
70 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [70
It will be noted that in every case the tendency is to orientate to face the
waves, but in only one case is even one-half of the school oriented.
As the writer had no instrument for measuring the light intensity, the
Eastman Kodak Company’s exposure-meter was used as the basis for the
determination of the amount of light present when activity ceased in the
evening and began again in the morning, and this method proved satis-
factory in as far as it goes. The principle involved in this instrument is the
exposure of a piece of photographic paper until it darkens to match a color
shade on the dial of the instrument. Since one piece of paper may be used
twenty times or more by exposing only a small surface of it at a time, the
method of comparing light intensities is fairly accurate after one has had
a little experience matching colors. As a result of a series of experiments
dealing with the intensity of light at which activity ceases at night and
begins again in the morning, the writer finds that the light is slightly less
intense when activity begins than when it ends. This conclusion is reached
from the following data:
TaBLE 11
TIME REQUIRED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER TO MATCH DIAL SAMPLE
COLOR, IN THE MORNING AND EVENING AT THE TIME
ACTIVITY CEASES AND BEGINS AGAIN
Time in Seconds
Morning Evening
64 i 53
ie 70
56 58
53 44
65 50
62 61
59 46
61 54
55 43
70 62
62 60
88 52
74 48
64 46
67 by
64 50
68 44
Average: 65.32 52.59
Since the length of time required to darken the paper is a measure of the
light intensity, and since the more light present the shorter will be the time
required, one may say that the time required is inversely proportional to
the amount of light present. In the case of Labidesthes sicculus it appears,
71] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 71
then, that the fish are 23.44% more sensitive to light in the morning than
they were in the evening. From this one must conclude that the sensitivity
of the fish to light increases in the absence of light, which is perhaps not
surprising when one recalls that the fish lives at the very surface of the
water where it receives at all times the maximum amount of light. This
sensitivity to light following a period of darkness was checked in the
laboratory by confining a number of fish in the total darkness of a photo-
graphic dark room for varying periods of time. Each fish was kept in a
separate dish, and the following data were taken (table 12):
TABLE 12
LIGHT INTENSITY IN TERMS OF SECONDS OF EXPOSURE OF THE
EXPOSURE METER, AT WHICH FISH REACT AFTER CONFINEMENT
IN DARKNESS FOR VARYING PERIODS OF TIME
Fish number Number of hours kept in dark
34 48 72 96
1 54 47 42 48
2 63 t4 39 42
3 58 46 38 40
4 60 48 42 42
5 ay 30 33 28
6 50 34 30 32
7 46 30 25 25
8 41 42 40 38
9 49 44 36 36
10 55 + 46 38 36
Average: o138 46.1 36.2 36.7 seconds
In this experiment the light from a 100 watt Mazda light was permitted
to fall upon the fish, and the length of time required for their reaction was
noted. Thus one finds that up to a certain point, namely 72 hours, the
sensitivity to light increases, and that beyond this point there is practically
no change. Confinement in total darkness for 48 hours has increased their
sensitivity 11% over what it was when confined for 24 hours; that this
sensitivity is increased 21.25% when the fish are confined in darkness for
72 hours over that recorded for the 48 hour period, and that the total
increase in sensitivity is 30.11% when kept in the dark for 72 hours over
that recorded for the 24 hour period. This bears out one of the fundamental
principles of physiological ecology: that a factor becomes of increasing
importance to an organism when there is the least of it.
GROWTH OF THE YOUNG
During the period immediately following the hatching, the young
silversides grow rapidly. This growth approximates very closely the
surprising total of a millimeter a day for a period of nearly two weeks, this
72 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [72
period being the first two weeks of the life of the minnow. This period of
rapid growth gradually passes into one of slower increase, which lasts
from about the second week in July through August. A second rapid
growth period starts about the first week of September and continues for
about three weeks, ending with the cooling of the water late in that month
(see figures 11 and 12, which should be considered together). By the end of
September the fish have reached a length of 6.5 cm, and this length is not
increased during the winter period, as specimens caught in December,
February and April show no appreciable increase in length. As the water
warms up toward the end of April, however, a new growth stage is inaugu-
rated with the increased activities of the fish, so that the mature size of
7.62 cm is reached at about the spawning season, though data indicate
that there is often a slight growth even after the deposition of the eggs.
In obtaining data from which these conclusions could be drawn regarding
the growth rate of the species two hundred and fifty individuals were
measured and the average of the lot was taken as the mean size on the date
of capture. Figure 13 shows the number of individual fish of different
lengths as taken on August 1, 15, 29, September 12 and 26. Two pre-
cautions were taken to unify the results: all adults captured were excluded
from the tabulation, and the individuals used for measurements were
obtained from as many schools of fish as practicable without too much
waste of time in hunting for them, as the schools of very young Labidesthes
are at times provokingly difficult to locate in a large lake. During the
months of ice, the species is rather difficult to capture, as the number of
individuals is greatly reduced (the reason for which I shall discuss shortly)
the schools are very much broken up and the fish somewhat sluggish in
movement. The following table shows the number of fish measured on
different dates, together with the average size of the individuals involved.
In all cases the measurements were taken from the tip of the snout to the
base of the caudal fin.
In this table correction must be made for those variations which have
been starred because of the small number of individuals involved. The
small numbers are due to the difficulties encountered in securing the fish
during the period when the lake is covered with ice. The figures, however,
tend to indicate that there is no appreciable increase in size during these
months.
It is interesting and important to note that the change in growth rate
which occurs toward the end of July, as shown in figure 22, is intimately
correlated with two important changes in the habits of the fish: 1) the
assumption of a shallow water habitat in place of the deep water situation;
and 2) the change from an entomostracan diet to a mixed ration of entomos-
traca and insects, which is merely a transition stage leading to a culmina-
tion in an almost entirely insectivorous diet which is characteristic of the
73) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 73
TABLE 13
MEASUREMENTS OF LABIDESTHES SICCULUS FROM LAKE
OCONOMOWOC FROM JUNE, 1922, TO JULY, 1923
Date No. Fish Averagelengthinmm Growth in mm
6/22/22 254 1122 —
6/29/23 250 20.0 9.8
7/6/22 252 28.6 8.6
7/13/22 255 35.8 Hine?
7/20/22 255 39.1 3.3
7/27/22 253 40.2 1.1
8/2/22 250 41.9 1.7
8/17/22 252 46.2 4.3
8/31/22 253 48.8 2.6
9/7/22 250 53.3 4.5
9/14/22 250 58.0 4.7
9/28/22 251 63.9 5.9
10/5/22 250 65.1 1.2
10/12/22 255 65.5 0.4
10/26/22 250 65.6 0.1
1/3/23 10 65.6* —
2/5/23 8 65.2* —
3/2/23 vA 65:..5* —
4/6/23 35 65.4* _
4/27/23 15 64.9* _
5/4/23 112 65.6 —
5/18/23 170 68.6 3.0
6/1/23 185 12.2 3.6
6/8/23 116 73.0 2.2
6/22/23 80 1522 2:2
7/6/23 110 76.0 0.8
8/1-9/1/23 370 76.2 0.2
* Numbers too small to be significant.
adult. This point will be discussed in detail under the heading of food
habits. The change from the position over deep water to the shallow water
habitat will be considered at once.
MIGRATION OF THE IMMATURE FISH
I have repeatedly stated that after hatching the young leave the shallow
water and travel toward the deep. During the first month or six weeks
after hatching the silversides is to be found only over the deep waters of
Oconomowoc lake and other bodies of water investigated (La Belle,
Fowler, Golden, Silver, Upper and Lower Nashotahs and Nemahbins,
Okauchee and Pine lakes). Occasionally a school will be located well over
the edge of the sand bars in water from three to five meters deep, but far
outnumbering these are the schools found over the water of a depth of
from 10 to 20 meters. During July, 1923, the writer located 460 schools of
silversides in Oconomowoc lake, and measured the depth of the water at
74 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [74
the point where the schools were found. Every effort was made to equalize
the search over both shallow and deep water, and an equal length of time
was spent hunting for schools in water of the different depths. The results
are shown in table 14. Since the edge of the bar occurs in water between
5 and 6 meters deep, a total of 14.77% of the schools occurred upon the
bars as against 85.23% over the deep water. The difference is sufficient
to show a decided preference on the part of the fish for a pelagic habitat
over deep water.
TABLE 14
THE DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOLS OF YOUNG LABIDESTHES OVER
WATER OF DIFFERENT DEPTHS (OCONOMOWOC LAKE) IN JULY, 1923
Depth in meters Number of schools Percent of total
0-1 0 0.00
1-2 2 0.43
2-3 14 3.04
3-4 18 3.91
4-5 12 2.61
5-6 22 4.78
6-7 16 3.48
7-8 14 3.04
8-9 31 6.75
9-10 20 4.35
10-11 16 3.48
11-12 44 9.57
12-13 ' 31 6.75
13-14 36 7.83
14-15 32 6.97
15-16 29 6.30
16-17 40 8.70
17-18 16 3.48
18-19 36 7.83
19-10 31 6.75
460 100.00
However, this distribution of immature fish undergoes a radical change
toward the end of July. This fact was discovered quite by accident while
investigating a very different problem—the distribution of the shore fish
at night as compared to daylight dispersal. Beginning late in June, 1923,
the writer collected the fish present along a given strip of shore line on
Oconomowoc lake after dark and again at noon over the same area and
listed the species found. This area was seventy-five feet in length and was
dragged with a twenty foot fine meshed minnow seine. Silversides were
found in almost every collection, but more commonly at night than in the
day time, and all the specimens were fully grown. It was decidedly interest-
ing, therefore, to find, on the night of July 10, five young silversides in the
75) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 75
collection, these young averaging 1.4 cms in length—evidently early-
hatched young of the year. Not one was found in the day seinings. Here-
after, with occasional exceptions, young Labidesthes were found every
night in the shallow water, and were conspicuously absent during the day
from the same region. The one factor which kept the fish from the shallows
at night was the condition following occasional heavy rains when the
shallow water was in a state of great turbidity. Attention was therefore
centered on this migration phenomenon and its progress investigated
from various angles. Beginning with July 21, an increase in the number
of silversides found each night was noted, and this increase reached its
climax on August 6, when the astonishing total of 621 young silversides
was collected in a single drawing of the net. Investigation was immediately
started at other points along the shore to determine if this was merely a
local condition, with the following results:
TABLE 15
DISTRIBUTION OF YOUNG LABIDESTHES SICCULUS IN OCONOMOWOC
LAKE ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 6 IN RELATION TO TYPE
OF BOTTOM SELECTED
Type of bottom Location No. fish found
Gravel North shore 621
Sand South shore 316
Gravel South shore 508
Rushes on gravel North shore 141
Potamogeton on gravel Northeast shore 12
From this table two conclusions can be drawn: 1) that the condition noted
was not a local exception but a general rule, that throughout the lake there
was a great inshore migration of young silversides; and 2) that these young
fish showed a preference to a gravel bottom relatively free from plant
growth, that the increasing abundance of vegetation reduced markedly
the number of young inhabiting the location. A mechanical error may
creep into these figures because of the increasing difficulty of drawing a
seine through heavy weeds, but as the silversides is strictly a surface
inhabitant, this error is reduced to a minimum as the surface water is
covered with reasonable efficiency even in the presence of heavy bottom
vegetation. The next morning the same areas were re-seined, with the
result that only 38 young were found. Of this number 21 were evidently
injured, and probably were cripples left over from the night seining—for
it must be said that every effort was made to replace the fish as quickly as
possible after they were caught, and with the least possible injury. Since,
therefore, the fish have returned to the deep water again in the daytime,
a third conclusion can be drawn from the facts: 3) that this migration is
a nocturnal-diurnal phenomenon. Figure 14 shows the abundance of the
76 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [76
silversides along seventy-five feet of the north shore of Oconomowoc lake
at night, from July 10 to September 24, 1923.
Once the fact of this nocturnal-diurnal migration was established, the
next step was to accumulate the facts concerning it: the time at which it
occurred both in the morning and at night; the conditions existing when
the migration did not occur as well as when it did occur; a correlation
between light conditions and migration; chemical conditions of the water
in possible relation to the movement, and various other phases of the
problem. These will now be discussed.
The fact that young Labidesthes sicculus proceed after hatching to a
pelagic habitat over deep water, while the adults select a shoal environ-
ment was noted by Hubbs (1921), who dismisses the subject with the single
sentence: ‘As these young fishes rapidly grew during the summer, they
showed less aversion to shoal waters.’ It is evident, therefore, that Hubbs
has missed entirely the tremendously interesting fact of the nocturnal
migration.
In an effort to analyze the change in preference from a suprapelagic
habitat to a shoal environment as the fish ages, Hubbs offers a series of
possible causes, and rejects them all in turn. It is well to summarize his
conclusions briefly, 1) Temperature: this is cast out as a deciding factor
as the difference in temperature of the water inhabited by the young over
deep water and the adult over shallow water is too small to be effective and
is wholly inconclusive. 2) Light: since both adults and immature live
very near the surface the light intensity for each would be essentially the
same. 3) Oxygen: the amount of oxygen is so nearly the same in both
habitats and the range overlaps to such an extent that this is eliminated
as the causing factor. 4) Food: is eliminated on the grounds that food is
abundant where the species is not found. 5) Protection: is eliminated on
the ground that the young were found to “avoid shoals even when other
fish were not in evidence” nor “‘can the seclusion from enemies explain the
invasion of the shoals by these young silversides in the Jate summer, nor
the exclusive presence there of the adults.”’ 6) Reaction: Hubbs reaches
the conclusion that the young have a negative reaction to large objects,
hence seek the uniform environment over deep water, and bases his con-
clusions partially on the fact that the fish “swam away from the boat’
as it approached. Had Hubbs hit upon the night movements of the fish,
this conclusion would have had to be given up.
The discovery by the writer of this nocturnal diurnal migration puts
an entirely different aspect on the problem, which becomes not what causes
the young to assume a different habitat from the adult during the early
summer and causes them to come back again to the shallow late in the
summer? but: what are the factors at work that result in the production of
this daily migratory phenomenon?
77) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 77
1. Temperature: The writer agrees with Hubbs that there is relatively
little difference between the surface temperature over deep water and over
the shallows if he specifies during the day (which he does not) but with the
new turn the problem has taken, a more careful study of temperature
relations and conditions must be considered before any conclusions are
drawn.
The following table (16) shows a series of temperature readings made
over shallow and deep water at 10 o’clock in the morning and again in the
same place at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. These readings were made over
TaBLe 16
SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF OCONOMOWOC LAKE OVER SHALLOW
AND DEEP WATER
Date Surface temperature over water Surface temperature over water
1 m deep 16 m deep
10 a. M. 3 P.M. 10 a. M. 3 P.M.
6/10/23 18.4 19.5 18.1 18.7
6/20/23 25.3 27.4 25:1 26.7
6/30/23 28.4 29.6 28.2 28.3
7/18/23 27.7 27.9 27.5 27.6
8/1/23 30.8 31.4 29.6 29.8
8/16/23 25.6 25.8 25.4 DSi2:
9/1/23 30.0 30.9 29.7 29.9
9/24/23 28.4 28.6 28.3 27.8
10/12/23 14.4 14.5 13.6 13.9
locations in which silversides were found, and represent the relative
environmental temperatures selected by the adults (1 meter deep) and the
immature (over water 16 meters deep). It must be admitted that the
absolute differences are slight, but it must also be remembered that fish
are very sensitive to change in temperature: Shelford and Powers (1915)
report a reaction to a change of 0.2°. The table shows conclusively that
the adults are located in water that is uniformly warmer than the immature;
hence the young, on establishing themselves permanently in the shallow
water are coming into a region of water that is uniformly a little warmer.
It does not, however, explain why the young seek the deeper water to
begin with.
Turning now to an examination of the temperature conditions over
shallow and deep water during the day and night, I find a situation a little
more definite, and results a little more decisive. In compiling the following
table, two sets of temperature readings were taken, one just under the
surface of water 1 meter deep, the other just under the surface of water
16 meters deep. With the aid of an assistant anchored in a row boat over
16 meters of water, I was able to obtain thermal readings of the two locali-
ties taken at exactly the same time. These records are tabulated in Tabie
Af
78 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [78
TABLE 17
TEMPERATURE READINGS OF WATER TAKEN AT FIFTEEN MINUTE
INTERVALS DURING THE EVENING OVER SHALLOW AND DEEP
WATER: OCONOMOWOC LAKE, 1923
Over water 1 meter deep Over water 16 meters deep
Date 3:00 6:30 6:45 7:00 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00 3:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00
8/8 24.5 24.3 24.3 24.2 24.1 23.9 23.9 23.8 24.0 23.7 23.4 23.1 23.6
8/10 25.7 25.5 25.3 25.1 25.0 24.8 24.6 24.3 25.1 24.7 24.4 24.1 23.7
8/11 27.2 27.0 27.0 26.8 26.6 26.6 26.5 26.4 26.4 26.1 25.8 25.5 25.1
8/13 30.5 29.9 29.7 29.5 29.2 29.0 29.0 28.8 28.2 27.4 26.8 26.2 25.8
8/14 31.2 31.7 31.4 31.2 30.9 30.7 30.5 30.3 29.4 29.0 28.6 26.2 25.8
8/17 25.9 25.5) 25.3 2553 25.2) 25.0) 2570: 24.9 24.6 23.7 23.5 23.1 22.7
8/18 29.2 29.0 28.8 28.5 28.4 28.1 27.9 27.7 28.1 27.7 27.3 26.8 26.3
8/22 30.3 30.5 30.4 30.1 30.0 30.0 29.8 29.6 29.8 29.4 29.1 29.0 28.6
8/23 32.1 32.4 32.2 32.0 31.9 31.8 31.6 31.6 31.7 29.9 29.6 29.2 28.8
8/24 30.5 31.0 30.8 30.7 30.4 30.2 30.3 30.1 30.0 29.2 28.7 28.4 28.1
8/26 28.4 28.2 28.0 28.1 27.9 27.7 27.6 27.6 27.5 27.2 26.8 26.4 26.2
9/5 26.3 26.6 26.4 26.3 26.0 26.0 25.8 25.7 25.5 25.0 24.7 24.5 24.2
9/7 23.7 23.6 23.3 23.2 23.0 22.9 22.7 22.4 22.2 21.9 21.6 21.2 20.8
A study of this table will show a number of interesting and important
facts. To begin with, it will be noted that there is consistently a slight
difference in temperature over the shallow and deep water, and that the
shallow water is consistently warmer than is the deep. In the second place
it should be noted that the shallow water retains its heat better than does
the deep water—that is, the surface water in the shallows tends to cool off
less rapidly than does the surface water over the deep. Thus a greater
drop in temperature is noted, in a short time over the deep water than
over the shallows, and this occurs where the water is already cooler. This
is due very largely to the fact that much heat is retained by the sand and
bottom material, and tends to replace the heat given off by surface radia-
tion. Therefore, while the difference in actual temperatures is, as has been
said, not great, there is a decidedly greater drop over the deep water, and
this is the habitat which the young forsake as the temperature begins to
drop. Correlated with the preceding table, the following tabulation gives
further information: the time at which the young silversides arrive in the
shallow water. Standing at the end of a pier in 70 cm of water the young
were plainly seen coming in from the deep water. The hour of their arrival
at this point was noted on the same dates as the datain Table 18 were taken.
Characteristic of the shoreward journey is the speed with which the min-
nows travel: they swim at top speed straight for the shore. Thus, knowing
something about the rate of speed with which the fish travel one can figure
back and find that the shoreward migration begins at the time the tempera-
ture starts to drop over the deep water. Furthermore, be it noted that the
minnows atrive éogether, which fact is significant. In from ten to twenty-
79] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 79
TABLE 18.
TIME OF ARRIVAL OF LABIDESTHES SICCULUS IN THE SHALLOW
WATER DURING THE EVENING MIGRATIONS
(To be considered in connection with Table 26)
Date Time of arrival Weather
S/S tee cad ahead neces esree cd 40
CHALE Sir ee eee aoe 7:42
Ey AU rs Sereie a a ee U35
RYE fn. hoch wie ROA Ao ern eee
3 /sLEee, Se: 8, A sas Be oS 7:41
Sl ep re ayes avenues 2 bare 7:25 cloudy
eV ALGE 35 einen pals cree ea ee eee Uae very cloudy
LP Re a ee 7:20
8/23 Ee ee ac eto mere 1:39
CO ree RY Lol
O/ 20sec setae twine sess <.04208
0 (SEPP EEE eee eee cee OOD
A As Te ne ae 6:50
five minutes the entire silversides population of the lake is inshore. Since
there is a lessening gradient in radiation as one approaches the shallower
water, it is evident that the fish over the deeper water start their migra-
tion first, and move shoreward, picking up the fish nearer the shore as
they advance with the drop in temperature, this bringing all the fish into
the shallows within a very short interval of time.
With the coming of fall and the cooling of the water, the shallows
warm up increasingly more than does the deep during the day, and rela-
tively more heat is stored up in the bottom for radiation during the hours
of darkness. Hence the immature fish, on coming into the shallow water
to assume the same habitat as the adults, are seeking an environment of
warmer water. Data indicate that, while the diurnal range of variation
may be greater in the shallows than over the deep, the average condition
is upward of 3° warmer. Since a factor is of increasing importance as its
abundance decreases, this excess of warmth in the shallows must be con-
sidered as being important.
One other point needs emphasis in connection with the temperature
problem. Observations show that cold water acts as a depressor on the
silversides, for the fish are very much less active in winter than in summer.
In fact, the fish are so sluggish and slow moving that, when seen under
the ice in winter, one hardly recognized the dashing, darting minnow of
the summer. The following figures bear out this point:
August 8, 1923. By means of a stop watch the number of vibrations
of the pectoral fin were counted. The average of ten counts of 100 vibra-
tions shows the rate of movement per 100 vibrations at a water temperature
of 26.2°C as 100 vibrations in 34 seconds.
80 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [80
February 3, 1924. A similar experiment. The average of ten counts of
50 vibrations at a temperature of 4.5°C shows 100 vibrations in 2 minutes
and 24 seconds.
This must be taken as an indication of the reduced activity of the fish
due to a low temperature, as control conditions were the same in both
cases. Hence it can be assumed that a drop in temperature has an effect
upon the fish.
In order to ascertain whether or not the fish react to a drop in tempera-
ture, ten Labidesthes sicculus were placed in a galvanized iron tank four
feet long by eighteen inches wide by twelve inches deep. Water taken
from their own environment was placed in it, stirred up to give it a uniform
temperature, and temperature readings were taken (as well as hydrogen ion
concentration readings). The fish were placed in the tank and their move-
ments noted and traced. At the beginning of the experiment the fish
traveled consistently the length of the tank, turning back when they hit
the ends. As soon as the normal behavior was noted, a piece of ice was
suspended in the upper three inches of water at one extreme end and a
subsequent tracing of the movement of each of the fish was taken (the
experiment being performed separately for each fish). It was found that as
the fish approached the ever increasing zone of cooler water they turned
back sharply toward the warmer water, and the temperature was taken
at the point at which the fish turned back. The results of one of these
experiments, which has been selected as typical, is presented (Fig. 15). It
will be noted that the fish reversed itself at the first 0.4°C drop in tempera-
ture, and that a drop of 0.7°C was sufficient to confine it to one end of
the tank. Since the fish used in the experiment were immature individuals
measuring 4.5 cm, the conclusion is warranted that the young at least are
very sensitive to slight temperature changes. Their sensitivity is not quite
as marked as the case of Shelford and Powers (1915) where the reaction
occurred at a change of 0.2°C.
The writer can not agree with Hubbs in his statement that the light
intensity is the same over deep and shallow water. In fact, when the bot-
tom is clear sand or fine gravel of a light color, the writer believes that there
can be no question but that the intensity of the light is much greater over
the shallow water, due to the reflection from this bottom. Since the bars of
Wisconsin lakes are largely light sand, plainly visible because of the clear-
ness of the water to a depth of twenty feet or more, the writer would em-
phasize the fact that as the fish approach the shore over water becoming
increasingly shallower, the light intensity increases in direct proportion
to the closeness with which the shore is approached. Hence with the failing
light of evening, zf the fish be positively phototropic, one would expect a
shoreward migration in correlation with the decreasing daylight. Does
such a correlation exist? I have already mentioned the time at which the
81] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 81
fish come from the deep. By referring once more to table 18, one will find
that there is a slow but very definite time gradient, from 7:45 on August
8 to 6:50 on September 7. One notes, further, that on cloudy days, when
the light intensity is lessened, the hour of inshore migration is notably
earlier, as on August 18. These facts, coupled with the known fact that
Labidesthes sicculus is a surface inhabitant, point to a conclusion that the
species is positively phototropic. Is there any further evidence on the
question? This brings us again to Hubbs’ statement that at night the
fish lie motionless as if asleep. Had he happened to visit the lake on a
clear moonlight night, he would have seen a sight that would have caused
him to alter his conclusions.
During the permanently deep water stage of the life history of the fish
the young do lie motionless at night—motionless, that is, except for the
fin movement necessary to sustain their position. But with the change in
habits which propels them shoreward at dusk, certain other changes
occur. If the night be dark and calm, with no moon—or at best a new or
old moon—the fish come in and behave essentially as they do in the
earlier stage of their history over deep water: they lie suspended, motion-
less. But let the moon be two thirds or more full, and the shallows becomes
the scene of one of the most startling activity in the fish world. The
silversides seem to go crazy, as if they were moon-struck. They dart about
at a most startling speed, dashing here and there, leaping out of the water
again and again, bumping into each other, splashing, circling, behaving in
a most exaggerated manner. If the water be calm, the surface becomes
entirely agitated by their activity so that a myriad of tiny waves dance
upon its surface, and the gentle splashing of the “breaks” is the character-
istic night sound of the lake. Such activity goes on during the entire night
if the light holds. But let the sky become clouded and the moon be hidden,
and the activity immediately dies down. That this is a phototropic reaction
can not be doubted. If the moon is not sufficiently bright, no activity
results; if the moon be full, but so low that the light is refracted from the
surface instead of penetrating into the water, no reaction occurs. But let
the point of refraction be passed and the activity begins at once. Again,
late at night, let the point of refraction be again reached by the setting
moon, and activity ceases. It is a phototropic reaction in response to a
certain minimum amount of light. Thus one can explain not only their
activity on bright moonlight nights, but their incessant activity during
the daytime.
A series of simple experiments was designed to see if this activity is
a phototropic reaction. On the night of August 10, with no moon present,
the fish were up in the shallows, lying quiescent. A bright, focused beam
from a pocket flash-light was thrown upon the water. To begin with, there
were no fish in the circle of light (two feet in diameter) ; however, the fol-
lowing results were obtained:
82 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (82
15 seconds after light was thrown, 2 fish were within the circle.
3 0 “ “ “ “ “ 8 a“ “ “ “ “
45 « “ “ “ “ 14 “ “ “ “ “
60 “ “ “ “ “ 23 “ “ “ “ “
| 5 “ “ “ “ “ 38 “ “ if “ “
90 « “ if “ “ 42 “ “ ““ “ “
Thus, within the short period of a minute and a half 42 fish were attracted
into the circle of illumination. This experiment was performed on 32
nights under varying conditions, always with the same general results—
the fish always came to the light. How strong was the attraction of the
light on the fish? By walking out on the pier, a distance of 100 feet, shining
the light in the water as I walked, I was able to lead the fish entirely around
the pier again and again: they would follow as long as the light was there,
with an increasing number of individuals in the procession as new fish
found the illuminated area. By sitting in the back end of a row boat with
an assistant at the oars, I found that I could lead the fish for quite a dis-
tance out into the lake, and once, on a very hot, quiet night, I was able to
lead a little school of five silversides entirely across Oconomowoc lake, a
distance of seven-eighths of a mile, in three hours and ten minutes. Seven-
teen fish started the trip; five arrived, the others getting lost en route. On
all other occasions the school abandoned the light as deep water was
reached, and here it was found that a difference in temperature of 4.3°C
existed between the point where they started and the point where they
turned back. How far inshore would they follow the light? With the fish
normally over 30 cm of water I have repeatedly lead them inshore into
water 1 cm or less in depth—up among the stones where there was scarcely
enough water to float their slender bodies. Further: I have often had them
leap clear out of the shallow water, up onto the dry land, when they were
unable to follow the light any farther because of insufficient depth. The
conclusion must be drawn that the fish are very strongly positively photo-
tropic and that light intensity plays an important part in their migrations.
The writer has been unable to demonstrate any measurable difference in
the oxygen content of the upper water and over the deep water which
might account for the diurnal-nocturnal movement. Repeated analysis
has failed to yield any clue that oxygen is a determining factor in the migra-
tion. This conclusion is further borne out by Mr. Juday, who tells me that a
demonstratable change in the oxygen content of the water during the day
as compared with the night is almost unknown in his experience.
As has been already stated, a change of food habits occurs at the time
the shoreward migration begins. Up to this time the food of the young has
been almost entirely entomostraca, and entirely plankton organisms. An
examination of the stomachs of 250 young Labidesthes taken prior to the
beginning of the inshore migrations by night, shows the following results:
83] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 83
Entomostraca:
Cyclops............... 14.5%
Daphnia: : 6 sc ceaseaes 16.8%
BOSMING 4 s.0 Go csserssictasr 35.7%
Other species.......... 5.0%
Rotifera:
Anuraea.............. 16.6%
Diatomes, Algae etc....... 8.4%
Unidentified.............. 3.0%
An examination of 250 stomachs of immature individuals taken August 12,
at night, while inshore, gives the following results:
Entomostraca:
Copepoda’, <4 sac oe-3.-s 5.5%
Gladoceraviaeeeneee ee 10.8%
Ostracoda... sos. es4 172%,
Mysis relicta............. 10.3%
Plant remains............ 9.5%
Insecta:
Diptera ceteris 35.2%
Coleoptera... sce. va 9.0%
Parvaesencc. sciqien-s st 22.4%
Unidentified........... 312%
Arachnida................ 1.9%
100.0%
A comparison between these two tables will show very clearly that a great
change accompanies the initiation of the migratory habits of the species,
resulting in a much more varied diet when the fish enter the shallow waters.
A third series of stomach examinations, consisting of 45 stomachs of adults
taken on the night of August 14, gives the following tabulation:
Entomostraca:
Ostracoda............. 0.5%
Copepoda s.ccatcic.e4 4.7%
Cladocera............. 12.5%
Plant remains............ 1.4%
Insecta:
Chironomus larvae..... 58.5%
Diptera, adult......... 21.5%
Miscellaneous.......... 34005
100.0%
Thus there appears a transition from the micro-organism diet to a predomi-
nantly insectivorous diet, and this change in the food habits accompanies
the change in environment selection. However, since entomostraca are
84 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [84
still eaten commonly by the adults, and since insect food is notably absent
over the deep water of the lake, it must be assumed that the change in
food habits is a secondary one, a result of the changing of the environment,
rather than a cause of it. It is a well known fact that the food habits of a
species undergo radical changes as the fish grow; this has been pointed
out by Forbes, Turner, Pearse, and others, but in no case has it been shown
that this change causes migration or in any way disturbs the distribution
of the species. However, the consideration of the cisco later furnishes an
example of just this type of phenomenon. The case of Labidesthes is
different, and it is necessary to consider the change in diet as characteris-
tically an accompanying phenomenon, not a causing one.
There can be no doubt but that the habit of the young silversides in
assuming a pelagic environment over deep water is a very great protection
to the species. As they are for the most part the only inhabitants of these
waters, they escape the very keen competition existing in the shallow water.
Their very small size would make them ideal food for the dozens of species
of larger fish which feed in the shallows along the shore. As it is their ene-
mies are reduced to a minimum as long as they remain over the deep water.
In this habitat they are preyed upon by the following species: Clidonias
nigra surindmensis; Sterna hirundo; Lepisosteous osseus; Leucichthys artedi
which occasionally comes to the surface and captures them; Micropterus
dolomieu; Micropterus salmoides. The last two named make occasional
raids into the region and capture a good many silver sides.
However, once the species begins its shoreward movement, the number
of enemies increases tremendously. I have found remains of silversides
in the stomachs of the following animals which captured the fish while in
the shallow water:
Micropterus dolomieu; Micropterus salmoides; Amiatus calvus, Esox
lucius; Amploplites rupestris; Lepomis cyanellus; Lepomis incisor; Eupo-
motis gibbosus; Roccus chrysops; Perca flavescens; Esox vermiculatus (Fox
river only); Leucichthys artedi (during spawning season only); Botaurus
lentiginosus; Ixobrychus exilis; Ceryle alcyon; Mergus serrator; Necturus
maculatus; Chelydra serpentina; Natrix sipidon; Cambarus spp.; and
Mustela vison.
Thus it becomes evident that the species is tempting fate when it
comes inshore, and that this temptation results in wholesale destruction
of the species is evidenced by the curve showing the abundance at night
along the shore (Fig. 14). Here is shown the tremendous decrease in
numbers that occurs between August 6 and September 6, when the silver-
sides are reduced to such an extent that they no longer offer the wholesale
food supply to their competitors. From these facts two conclusions can
be drawn: 1) that the pelagic habitat is a great protection for the young
as long as they remain in it; and 2) that the change from the deep to the
85] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 85
shallow water environment is not due to enemies in the deep. Hence
protection can not account for the migration toward the shore.
The suggestion of Hubbs that the species seek the deep water as an
avoiding reaction against large objects falls down when the species is
found returning to the shallows under cover of twilight and associating
itself more closely with large objects than any fish with the exception of
those characteristically bottom thigmotactic forms such as many of the
species of Boleosoma, Cottus, Etheostoma, etc. Since the fish return to
their deep water station again during the day, it would be hard to account
for this reversal of their reaction if the behavior were merely a negative
response to large objects.
In order to determine in the laboratory whether the young fish tend
to avoid large bottom objects, the same tank used in the work on changing
temperature was used. This time three large stones were placed near one
end, and the fish permitted to swim around in the tank. The results as
shown in figure 16 indicate that the fish pay no attention to the presence
of large objects on the bottom. In the case of a piece of floating wood,
however, the fish show a marked aversion to its vicinity. This however,
is not surprising, and can be considered as nothing more than a normal
reaction to an object in the path of progress. It could hardly be expected
that a fish or any other animal would do anything other than avoid such
an object.
This brings us to the last of the factors investigated by the writer as
a possible cause of the migrations which Labidesthes performs, the change
in hydrogen-ion concentration of the water. It was previously noted that
there is a slight change in the H-ion concentration of the lake water from
top to bottom, the pH readings (colorimetric) being higher at the surface
than at the bottom (see table 3) indicating a lesser (more alkaline)
condition near the surface. Inasmuch as the silversides is confined to the
surface waters, it is these surface conditions that are important. The
question under consideration becomes: is there any change in the H-ion
concentration over the deep water that could cause or initiate the shore-
ward movement as evening approaches.
With the aid of the assistant, a series of readings of H-ion concentra-
tions were made over the shallow and deep waters, a duplicate, checked
series of phenol red indicators being used. Two samples of water were
taken in each case, and if there occurred a material difference between the
two readings, a third was immediately taken. In order that the light
conditions remain constant throughout the work both day and night, a
small black box was fixed to the end of a pocket flashlight, and the light
sent into the box through a pale blue glass, to give as nearly a white light
as possible. Both batteries were checked at the beginning and end of the
work each day. A hole in the top of the box permitted the insertion of the
86 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [86
tube containing the sample to be examined and a vertical slit made possible
a clear reading under constant illumination. This precaution regarding
the light was made necessary as it was found that very deceiving results
were obtained as the light intensity diminished, the weakening light
giving higher readings than normal light, thus leading to conclusions wholly
erroneous and misleading. The results obtained over a period of a month
are given in table 19.
TABLE 19
CHANGES IN HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION IN THE EVENING
OVER SHALLOW AND DEEP WATER: OCONOMOWOC LAKE, 1923
Over shallow water Over deep water
Date 3:00 6:30 6:45 7:00 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00] 3:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00
8/8 8.0. 8.0 7:9 7:8 7.8 97265.7.6 7.6) 7-8 7-8 7.6 F-Gn5
8/10" 8.18.00 7595 7.9" WB Ga a s05| 18) so isl dOe whs0d
8/11 8.0 8.1 7.96 7.95 7.85 7.7 7.65 7.6] 7.7 7.7 7.65 7.6 7.5
8/13, (822). 8:05 7:9) 94999 85) e570. F20n) 7.9 1.8207..0) 10 eo
8/148:2 8.1 7.95 7.95 7.85 1:8 1.8 7h | 7.8 7.15 71 7.658 720
8/17 7.9 7.8 7.8 7.7 7.65 7.65 7.6 7.7| 7.7 7.65 7.55 7.5 7.45 cloudy
8/18 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.75 7.65 7.6 7.6 7.6] 7.7 7.65 7.6 7.55 7.5 cloudy
8/227 8:0" 7.95.0.9 1.9 9 7.85 0.8) oS Tal |i dS Fh 1.0i ic ooalno
8/23 8.2 8.1 7:9 7.85 7.8 7.7 7.7 T.647.9 7.585 7.75 726) 7595
8/24.-8.0° 8.07.9 785 4.8. 750 F:.09 7.6.) 5.8 fal 100 fond. e
8/26 1.99 4.8. 78, Tal Shah hLOSAOn FcOMl fad hsO5a/ 05h 25 aaliso
O/S eS ek. 1205 7.09 61.6 5 1-00 1.0 F095) 150) 1.0510, iso" co
O/T V8 1:8 VAS Td 0 166 76: *7-55| 1.69 7.6 7-5: 7-45) 7.45
From this table certain facts become clear: 1) that the H-ion con-
centration over the shallow water is lower (pH higher) during the day than
over the deep water. This is undoubtedly due to the great activity of
the shallow water vegetation, which during the day is giving off oxygen
and taking on carbon dioxide. 2) It is to be noted that with the coming of
darkeness the H-ion concentration increases, as indicated by the de-
creasing amplitude of the figures. 3) The change in H-ion concentration
is greater along the shore than over the deep water. This again is due to
the plant activity and the reversal of the photosynthetic process; oxygen
is now being taken up and carbon dioxide given off, thus increasing the
acidity and increasing the H-ion concentration. 4) Both the shallow and
deep water reach a stage of more or less stable equilibrium with the pH
of the shallow water higher than that over the deep. 5) Finally, Labides-
thes sicculus moves toward the higher pH value as the change begins to
occur over the deep water. That the species is sensitive to changes in the
H-ion concentration of the water is further made clear by a series of
laboratory experiments to be discussed.
87] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 87
So far I have considered only the shoreward migration of the evening,
and have said little as to the outward migration of the morning. This
morning movement is very much harder to study, as it is less definite,
less of a mass movement, than is the evening migration, and this in itself
indicates what might be termed “reluctance” on the part of the fish to
leave the shallows, and also because the departure of a few fish from a great
school is less easily noted than the first arrivals in an area theretofore free
of the species. The region into which the evening movement comes is
relatively limited; that into which the morning migration goes is relatively
unlimited. Yet a study of the H-ion concentration changes during the
early hours of dawn gives a very good clue as to the cause of this second
phase of the daily shifting. The results of the changes in H-ion concentra-
tion along the shore and over the deep water, made in the same way as the
night readings, are given in Table 20.
TABLE 20
CHANGES IN HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION IN THE MORNING
OVER SHALLOW AND DEEP WATER OCONOMOWOC LAKE, 1923
Over shallow water: Over deep water:
Date 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 9:00} 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30
S/9MN720 8 1205) 1.09 Fal 7.82 7-85 7.9 4)7.5 7.5 726. 7.65. 7.7 7.7
SALON sie6) eOon vied, 728 4285 7.85 8:0 |] 7:5 7:5 7.6 7.05 727% 7.8
SMe O5 wat F.1d 9.00 7:9 821 {7S 765 765 726° 727 71075
8/14 7.6 7.7 7.75 7.8 7.85 7.85 8.0] 7.55 7.6 7.6 7.7 7.75 7.8
S/ieieOS OS Fade f.0 tel held 1.9 (4.5) 125 %.55°760 7.65 0..7
8/18 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.65 7.65 7.7 7.9) 7.5 7.5_7.5 7.55 7.6 ie
(cloudy)
8/228 1209, feO0d 19) Fs 785 069° 2821 7.55 7.6. 7.6: 7265: 7.7 7.8
8/ 24g .O8 i205 dal, 1.75) 0.85 (395 8.0) 7.5. 7.5 7.55 7.6 7:6 1.7
8/26) 7:55" 7.6 7.65. 7.75 7.75 7.85 7-951 7.45 725 7.50 7.55 7.65 7.75
O/SeP feo00 doo: eno 7.00 7,65 7:0 7.8: 17.45 7.5 7.5 7.99 756 7.7
OS coo eieOoN 1998 1.55. 050 94.65 768 | 7.45 7.5 7.5 °7.5> 4269 7.0
As compared with Table 19 showing the evening changes, certain
marked and important differences are to be noted. Conspicuous among
these is the fact that the H-ion concentration along the shore begins to
change considerably earlier than over the deep water, as indicated by the
rise in the pH values as early as 3:30 on August 8. The fact that the pH
values for September do not change as early as those in August must be
explained as being due to the light conditions as affecting the respiratory
activity of the aquatic vegetation. It is a well known fact that photo-
synthesis takes place in the presence cf very little light; hence the night
intake of oxygen and output of carbon dioxide are reversed in the early
morning hours long before the sun gets up, resulting in the output of oxygen
88 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [88
and intake of carbon dioxide. With the intake of CO, the change in the
H-ion concentration of the water begins and this is indicated by the slowly
rising amplitudes of the pH values, showing an increase in alkalinity. Since
the surface water over the deep is less abundant in photosynthesizing
organisms, the larger aquatic plants being entirely absent, the change in
pH values is measurably slower. It is to be noted further that on cloudy
days (August 18) the pH values change more slowly and at a later hour,
due to the absence of sufficient light to start the photosynthetic processes
of the water plants.
The morning off-shore migration of the silversides starts with a definite
change in the H-ion concentration of the shoal water. This becomes
evident if one compares the different pH values with the hour at which the
fish start out.
TABLE 21
HOUR OFFSHORE MIGRATION BEGINS AND pH OF WATER AT THAT TIME
Date Time of start of outgoing pH of the water at that time
8/9 4:20 7.65
8/10 4:05 Vek
8/11 4:08 7.7
8/14 3:48 7.65
8/17 3:58 Teed
8/18 9:20 7.65
8/22 4:10 eS
8/26 4:22 teats
9/5 3:55 7.65
9/15 5:10 7.6
Average: 7.68
Thus it is seen that the fish leave the shore as the pH reading reaches 7.65
to 7.7, the average being 7.68, which can not be read by the colorimetric
method. This gives a clue to the cause of the morning movement: it is
an avoiding reaction to a higher pH reading, that is, to water of increasing
alkalinity. Since the water in the shaol environment shows a higher pH
reading during the day than does the water over the deep, and since the
water over the deep shows a lower pH value at night than does the shallow
water, it must be assumed that the fish are reacting negatively to a high
pH value and negatively to a low pH value, indicating a marked sensitivity
to H-ion change and a limited range of tolerance. This conclusion is borne
out in a series of laboratory experiments. It is impossible to account for
the morning migration by light, temperature, food, oxygen or protection,
but one can account for it as a reaction to changes in the hydrogen-ion
concentration of the water.
89] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 89
In order to ascertain the pH preferences of the fish the galvanized iron
tank was again used. This was filled with water and well mixed so as to
give a uniform pH value throughout the tank. The fish were placed in
the tank and their normal movements noted. Then the pH readings were
taken at different points in the tank to make sure that the environment
was uniform. At one end of the tank a small amount of acetic acid was
added, this lowering the pH readings as the H-ion concentration increased
with the increased acidity of the water. The behavior of the fish was noted
and the pH of the water was taken at the point where the fish turned back
in its avoidance reaction. The results of this procedure are given in figure
17. The fact that the fish react against a slight increase in the acidity of
the water is shown by their returning to the less acid end of the tank as
soon as they come in contact with the increasing zone of water of a higher
acidity. The change from the pH of 7.9 is noted by the fish at once, and
the pH value of 7.7 and 7.65 are evidently the critical points. The fish
does the best it can to avoid the increasing acidity by retreating before
the advancing zone of pH 7.65, and the experiment ends with the fish
flat up against the end of the tank farthest away from the acid, with further
retreat impossible.
Essentially similar results were obtained by the use of carbonate in-
stead of acid, thus increasing the alkalinity of the water. These results are
given in figure 18. It is evident from a glance at this figure that the fish
avoid water of a higher pH than 8.2 if possible. It is further evident that
their avoidance to increasing alkalinity is less decided than to an increasing
acidity as evidenced by their frequent lingering along the advancing pH
8.2 line. As in the case of acidity, the fish are evidently doing their best
to avoid the radical change in pH until retreat is impossible longer. In
this connection it is well to note that the critical point is very close to
pH 8.2, which is also the pH value of normal sea water. This may be
significant when one recalls again that this is a fresh water representative
of an otherwise strictly marine family, and becomes more marked when one
compares the reactions against higher alkalinity and higher acidity; it is
to be noted that the reaction against higher acidity is less decisive.
In order to see how the fish would react in a tank with high alkalinity
at one end and high acidity at the other, a third series of experiments
was run under combined conditions. The results are very similar to those
of the two preceding experiments combined. The fish retreat before in-
creasing acidity and tolerate greater alkalinity in preference to greater
acidity, as shown in figure 19. It will be seen that as long as any real
choice was possible, the fish chose a pH value very close to 7.7.
From these experiments it must be concluded that: (1) the fish are
very sensitive to pH changes in the water; (2) their range is from pH 8.3
to pH 7.5, with the optimum approximately 7.65 to 7.7; (3) the experi-
90 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [90
mental results check very closely with the behavior of the fish in nature;
(4) there is a greater tolerance for increased alkalinity than for low alka-
linity or acidity; and (5) the experimental data bear out the assumption
that the early morning change in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the
shore water is sufficient to cause the offshore migration of the species at
that time.
This sensitivity on the part of the silversides suggested an experimental
study of the pH of the blood of the species in an effort to ascertain whether
or not there is a correlation between the pH preference of the fish and the
pH of the body fluid. The procedure followed was that of Levy, Rowntree
and Marriott. Celloidin sacs (or dialyzing tubes) were made according to
their method, and stored until used in normal salt solution. The idea
of the experiment was to obtain an amount of blood of the fish and dialize
this blood through the celloidin sac suspended in normal salt solution.
The dialysis excludes from the liquid outside of the sac both proteins and
coloring matter, but permits the free outflow of hydrogen ions. As the
amount of blood obtainable from a single silversides is small—even in the
case of the adults—it became necessary to use a number of fish in each
experiment. A thin hypodermic needle was inserted directly into the heart
of the fish, this being rendered a simple operation by the transparency of
the fish. The blood drawn out was placed in a small test tube, the mouth
of which was covered with a rubber membrane to exclude the air. In an
effort to exclude the maximum amount of air, the test tube was filled with
normal salt solution before the rubber membrane was put on, and the
liquid was then drawn off by means of a hypodermic needle inserted through
the membrane. When 3cc of the blood was obtained, the blood was trans-
ferred to the celloidin sac and suspended in a slightly larger glass test tube
containing 3cc normal sodium chloride solution. After standing for five
minutes, the pH of this solution was read. This experiment was performed
on both immature and adult fish with the following results:
TABLE 22
TESTS OF BLOOD OF YOUNG AND ADULT LABIDESTHES SICCULUS
Young Adults
No. Fish used Av. length pH No. fish used Av. length pH
14 2.4 7.7 8 7.6 7.8
17 2.0 (iat) 7 7.62 7.85
18 Del 7.75 10 7.61 7.85
Average: hes EA 7.83
These results are interesting and instructive, for they show that the pH
value of the blood has undergone a modification as the fish mature. It
91] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 91
shows that the pH of the blood of the young fish is lower than that of the
adults, and it will be remembered that the young fish on coming into the
shallow water, are entering a region of higher pH values: the older they
are the more permanently do they select the shallow water with its higher
pH values, and the older they are the higher the pH of the blood becomes.
Thus the change in habitat selection appears as a reaction to a physio-
logical change in the body which results in a change in the H-ion concentra-
tion of the body fluid.
THE ADULT FISH
Once the fish establish themselves inshore toward the end of the sum-
mer, their lives assume a much more even and less exciting level. With
the coming of the cold weather and the coincident cooling of the water,
the activity of the species becomes conspicuously reduced. The species
remain inshore all winter, with the exception of a slight tendency to wan-
der about, due probably to the uniform conditions of the water. Occasion-
ally they drift slowly through the openings in the ice where the cisco
fishermen are at work over the deep water. Much more frequently,
however, they are seen along the shore over water up to two meters deep
where the ice cutters have cleared their fields. Movements are slow and
sluggish and in marked contrast to the summer activity as already noted.
The food habits revert back to those of the immature, principally because
of the almost total absence of other food in the upper stratum of water. In
fact, it is quite a difficult task at times to obtain sufficient fish during the
winter to get a fair idea of what they are feeding upon, so scantily do they
appear to feed. This is borne out by the fact that growth ceases entirely
and the fish are living on a maintenance ration only. With the coming of
spring and the warming of the water, the normal activity slowly returns
and the species goes back to its insectivorous diet. With this increase in
activity and the excess of rations above the point of mere maintenance, a
new growth period is initiated and the fish attain their full size during the
early summer (Figs. 11, 12). In June comes again the spawning season,
the young of the previous summer go through their breeding performances,
and the life cycle begins over again in the new generation.
As to the old generation, their fate is apparently sealed, for they die
before the second winter is upon them. The problem of their death and
its causes has not been attempted by the writer. It is evident, however,
that the adults die sometime during the last half of their second summer,
for neither Hubbs nor the writer has ever seen a silversides showing two
annuli on the scales. In an examination of 478 adults, no second winter
ring has ever been found. Then too, as the summer advances, the adults
grow notably less common. On the night of July 18, 1923, I was able to
pick up 26 adults along a few hundred feet of shore line in a few minutes;
92 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL. MONOGRAPHS [92
on September 12 I was able to get only 5 after several hours of search over
a considerably more extended area. By adults are meant, of course, those
individuals which have passed through one winter and have spawned once.
Therefore it must be concluded that the old fish die at the age of about
fifteen to seventeen months, breeding but once and leaving it at that to
the young to carry on the species.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS ON LABIDESTHES
1. Labidesthes sicculus is the only fresh water representative of the
marine family Atherinidae found in Wisconsin waters.
2. The fish are found only at the surface of the water, and under no
conditions will they descend below a meter from the surface.
3. The spawning habits are described and data are presented which
show that the deposition of eggs begins when the water reaches a tempera-
ture of 20°C, with the optimum temperature of 23°C.
4, The eggs hatch in approximately eight days at 23°C.
5. The embryological development is unknown.
6. On hatching, the young fish migrate at once away from the shore,
and assume a position over the deep water, living at all times within a
few centimeters of the surface film while the adults remain permanently
inshore.
7. After hatching, the young grow very rapidly, and complete data
for the growth of the species are presented.
8. When the young reach an-average length of 1.4 cm, they migrate
into the shallow water each night and before sun-up they migrate back
again to their pelagic habitat over deep water.
9. Data are presented which show that this inshore movement is co-
incident with a drop in temperature of the surface water over the deep
water, as well as with a change in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the
water at that stratum.
10. Evidence is presented which shows that the shoreward migration
is in the direction of increasing light intensity, indicating a positive photo-
tropism.
11. The fish are constantly active during the day; at night, if it be dark,
the fish remain quiescent over the shallows.
12. If the night be light, due to a nearly full moon, the fish show ex-
treme activity, leaping out of the water and displaying unparalleled
vivacity.
13. This activity can be induced on a dark night by introducing a
spot light on the water, proving the species to be positively phototropic.
14. Further proof of this phototropism is presented by the fact that
the young can occasionally be lead entirely across the lake, a distance of
nearly a mile, as they follow a light; at all times they can be led to a point
93] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 93
where change in hydrogen-ion concentration and low temperature over-
come the phototropic reaction and cause the fish to turn back. The fish
will even leap out of the water upon the dry land in an effort to follow the
light.
15. This night activity is due to moonlight of a certain intensity and
it occurs only when the light penetrates into the water.
16. As the season goes on, a marked decrease in the abundance of
Labidesthes along the shore is noted.
17. Data are given which show that the species in coming into the
shallows is attempting to maintain a pH equilibrium of approximately 7.7.
18. Further data show that the species migrate to the deep water in
the morning with the rising pH value of the water due to the photosyn-
thetic activity of the shallow water vegetation.
19. Experimental data show that the species avoid and react to a drop
of 0.4°C in the temperature of the water.
20. Further experimental data show that the fish avoid both increasing
acidity and increasing alkalinity, but that the aversion to a higher alka-
linity is less marked than to a lower alkalinity; that a pH of 8.2 is tolerated
without resistance, and it is noted that this is the normal pH for sea water.
21. Experiments on the blood of the fish show that there is a difference
in the pH values of the blood of young and adults; that of the young is
pH 7.71; of the adult 7.83.
22. The migrations of the fish are therefore correlated with the hydro-
gen-ion concentration of the blood: the young fish with the low pH values
remain in that portion of the lake having the lowest pH readings, as they
begin to mature and the pH of their blood changes, they begin to come
into water having a higher pH value.
23. The food habits of 550 individuals of all ages were studied. The
young are plankton eaters; as they begin their shoreward migrations a
change in food habits occurs and insect food tends to replace the plankton
organisms; that the adults are very largely insectivorous during the sum-
mer, but tend to revert to the food habits of the immature during the
winter.
24, Examination of 478 adults has shown the presence of but a single
annulus on the scales, from which, together with the decreasing abundance
of the adults in late summer, it must be concluded that the individuals
live for but fifteen to seventeen months.
94 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [94
THE CISCO LEUCICHTHYS ARTEDI (LE SUEUR)
INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION
Among the most abundant of the food fishes of the great lakes is the
Lake Herring or Cisco, Leucichithys artedi (Le Sueur). Either this species
or a variety of it is an inhabitant of all the great iakes and is particularly
abundant in Lake Michigan, the southern end of which marks the southern
limit of the fish. It is found also abundantly in most of the larger lakes of
Wisconsin, and must be considered as a characteristic fish of the deeper
inland bodies of water of that state. In southern Wisconsin, within the
limits of Waukesha county, the species has been taken in the following
lakes: North, Pine, Nagawicka, Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Fowler, La
Belle, Upper and Lower Nashotah, Upper and Lower Nemahbin, Silver
and Dutchman’s. In the largest lake of the county, Pewaukee, the species
does not occur as the lake is too shallow to accommodate it.
The family Salmonidae comprises two great groups of fishes, the white
fishes or Coregoninae and the salmon and trout series, the Salmoninae.
Three genera make up the Coregoninae: Coregonus, the true whitefish;
Stenodus, a peculiar trout-like whitefish from the Mackenzie river, a
genus represented by a single species, mackenzii; and Leucichthys, the lake
herring or cisco, represented by about ten species, which may or may not
prove valid. The exact number of species is not known, as the ciscos are
extremely variable; hence it is probable that many of the present so-called
species will be shown to be synonymous. Variability is, as a matter of fact,
characteristic of the whole family. This variability, taken in connection
with the fact that no salmoid fish is known in a fossil condition except from
very recent deposits, forces the conclusion advanced by Giinther that the
group is of recent origin. Certain it is that, though the ciscos from the
above mentioned lakes are all alike in essential structures, if one is familiar
with the fish from the different lakes, it is possible to sort out a mixed
collection according to the lakes from which the fish came on the basis of
variations in color or body proportions, length and depth of caudal pe-
duncle, and other characters. Yet the writer believes that, until a much
more careful study of the genus Leucichthys is made than has appeared
to date, all the fish should be considered as merely local environmental
variations of the single species Leucichthys artedi. (Fig. 3.)
Leucichthys artedi was described by Le Sueur in 1818 from specimens
taken in Lake Erie, near Buffalo, under the name of Coregonus artedi. In
95] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 95
1850 Agassiz separated the herrings from the white fish, placing them in
the genus Argyrosomus. However, it has been found that the name Argy-
rosomus is preoccupied, having been given to a group of French species
by de Fougeres in 1834. In 1874 Dybowski gave the generic name of
Leucichthys to a group of Siberian species of the genus Argyrosomus
Agassiz, creating Leucichthys omul and L. tugun. These become the type,
therefore, of the genus Leucichthys to which the American species belong.
The first to recognize the true situation was Gill, and he is followed by
Jordan and Evermann (1911) who apply the name Leucichthys artedi for
the first time. A similar confusion exists regarding the species which occur
in Wisconsin, but until the genus is entirely and thoroughly reviewed
little can be done to straighten out the matter. Jordan and Evermann
(1896) refer to the cisco of Oconomowoc lake as Argyrosomus artedi in
their next review of the group (1911) they call it Leucichthys cisco the type
being from Lake Tippecanoe, near Warsaw, Indiana. However, they state
that it is simply a land-locked artedi, structurally indistinguishable from
it. In view of this confusion, the writer is inclined to follow the original
work of Jordan and Evermann, and calls the fish Leucichthys artedi, it
being understood that the species in question is the common cisco of Ocono-
mowoc lake, Waukesha county, Wisconsin.
Leucichthys artedi is described by Jordan and Evermann as follows:
“Head 43; Depth 43; eye 4 to 44; D. 10; A. 12; Scales 8-75 to 90-7; 10
rows under base of dorsal; vertebrae about 60. Body elongate, compressed,
not elevated. Head compressed, somewhat pointed, rather long, the
distance from occiput to tip of snout usually a little less than half the
distance from occiput to dorsal fin. Mouth rather large, the maxillary
reaching not quite to the middle of the pupil, 3} to 33 in head; mandible
2% Preorbital bone long and slender; suborbital broad. Gill rakers very
long and sledner, 15-17—28 to 34, the longest 13 in eye. Dorsal fin high,
its rays rapidly shortening. Bluish black or greenish above; sides silvery,
scales with dark specks; fins mostly pale, the lower dusky-tinged. Length
12 inches. Great lakes and neighboring waters. An active, voracious fish.
Represented in numerous small lakes in Indiana and Wisconsin (Ocono-
mowoc, La Belle) by the slightly modified Argyrosomus artedi cisco Jordan.”
The latter is differentiated from the regular artedi by no other fact than
that it is a bit smaller and living in deep water. The only lake in southern
Wisconsin which contains ciscos as small as 12 inches when mature is
Pine lake. Until the last few years, Oconomowoc lake averaged fish 16
inches long or more, and weighing up to 43 pounds. Beyond the de-
scriptions of various species and subspecies of the genus, the ichthyological
literature is entirely silent concerning the cisco of the inland lakes, and
other than the fact that they “spawn in shallow water in November,”’
notes on the food habits of other species, notably L. birget Wagner as
96 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [96
described by Pearse (1921), and the statement also by Pearse that the
cisco is a bottom seeking form (based on the independent work of Pearse
and Cahn) nothing has been published regarding the ecology of the fish.
Two studies of the Lake Erie cisco (Leucichthys sp., but not artedi) have
recently been published by Clemens (1922). This report is, therefore, the
first contribution to a life-history study of the cisco, Leucichthys artedi.
The following ecological study was begun in 1915 at the University
of Wisconsin on the species inhabiting Lake Mendota, which is the same
as that occuring in the other southern Wisconsin lakes. In 1917 the study
was begun in Oconomowoc lake and in other lakes in Waukesha county,
and has been carried on each summer since then (except 1919, when the
writer was in France), and at intervals during each winter. During the
summer the fish have been caught in numbers by means of gill nets;
during the winter with hook and line. Live fish were kept in the large
concrete tank in the vivarium at the University of Wisconsin during the
winter of 1916, and their reactions and habits were under constant observa-
tion. Thousands of fish have been examined for age, weight, length, food,
parasites, and these examinations and observations are the basis of this
report.
BREEDING HABITS
The cisco is essentially a deep water fish, spending its life in the deepest
part of the lakes during such times of the year as conditions (oxygen content
of the water, etc.) permit. This is of interest in view of the statements of
Ward, Milner and others to the effect that the fish are surface species in
the Great Lakes. This is one of the differences that have been mentioned
as separating the small lake forms from the Great Lakes fish. Thus one
finds the fish in the deep water of Oconomowoc lake following the fall
over turn when the winter conditions of the lake are established. The
thermocline has descended and a uniformity of oxygen content exists
throughout the water, making the entire lake available to the fish. How-
ever, the part selected by the fish is the cold water of the bottom. As the
thermocline descends, the temperature of the water also drops slowly.
As the water of the lake cools and approaches a mean temperature of
5.0°C (41°F) the fish show the first signs of the breeding migration, and
approach the shallower waters near the sand bars. With the continued
cooling the fish approach the shore still more closely, surmounting the
bars and appearing in water from one to three meters deep. If rivers enter
the lake, the fish may ascend them. Thus, the ciscos come up the Ocono-
mowoc river from Fowler lake, only to be stopped by the locks and dam
at the outlet of Oconomowoc lake. Much of this trip is made in water not
over 1 min depth and still shallower water is encountered by the Oconomo-
woc lake ciscos in their ascent of the Oconomowoc river toward Okauchee
97) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 97
lake. True, the ascent of the rivers is a rheotropic reaction, but too much
weight must not be placed on this because of the fact that in reality only
a small part of the fish of the lake actually travel up the streams, the
majority of the individuals, all of whom had the same chance to go up-
stream, content themselves with approaching the shore and lay their eggs
there. This is perhaps well for the species, for it is very doubtful, indeed,
if any of the eggs laid in the shallow water of the rivers ever hatch and
return young fish to the lake: there are too many voracious small fish
seeking to devour the eggs and fry.
The first fish to reach the shallows are the males, and they are function-
ally ripe when they arrive. These early arrivals strip easily and microscopic
examination shows abundant normally active spermatozoa. The first
arrivals usually come in at night, but this is not always the case. They
swim leisurely about, occasionally wandering toward the deep water, but
show a distinct tendency to follow the shoreline. This movement exhibits
no co-ordination as to direction, about equal numbers traveling in each
direction, which is in marked contrast to the behavior of the fish when they
are “schooled up” in the deep water. The arrival of the males precedes
that of the females by from two to four or five days. As the controlling
factor for the arrival of each sex is the water temperature, no definite
statement can be made as to the intervening time; it depends on the
weather and the resulting influence on the water temperature. With the
arrival of the females the breeding begins. Several males follow behind a
single female at a distance of about one foot, the number of males to a
female varying considerably. The first females to arrive may have over a
dozen males in attendance, while later on two males is more usual. The
actions of the fish are at all times slow and deliberate; there is no chasing or
darting about, no evidence at all of excitement or pugnacity. The deposi-
tion of eggs takes place in water varying from one to two meters in depth,
and the region is free from heavy aquatic vegetation. The female descends
to within six or eight inches of the bottom as the eggs are deposited, the
male following close behind and along side, his head about even with the
anal opening of the female. It is not at all infrequent to find two males
present during the fertilization process. As the eggs appear, coming from
the female in a thin cylindrical band, the males discharge the spermatozoa
freely in the water, forming a conspicuous milky cloud as they swim slowly
along. The spawning fish does not cease swimming, with the result that
the total egg complement is well scattered over a considerable area. The
eggs are slightly viscous, the result being that they become fixed to the
rocks, vegetation or debris on the bottom, where they remain during their
developmental period.
As to the conditions surrounding the nuptial migration, they have
been carefully worked out. It was early discovered that the arrival of the
98 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [98
fish from the deep water is in a direction perpendicular to the shore, hence
it proved a simple matter by means of gill nets, to follow the movements of
the incoming ciscos, and to make temperature, oxygen and hydrogen ion
readings in connection with the progressive migration stages.
Table 23 gives the results of the temperature readings made during the
spawning season of 1916, which is typical of those made in Oconomowoc
lake in 1917, 1918, 1921, 1922, and is graphically represented in figure 20.
TABLE 23
THE SPAWNING PERIOD OF THE CISCO IN LAKE MENDOTA AT MADISON,
WISCONSIN, IN RELATION TO THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR AND WATER
Temperature of Number of
Date Air Water ciscos caught Met Agee
Nov. 15 - 4.5 8.8
16 — 0.5 8.8
17 2.0 8.6
18 5.0 8.8
19 1.0 8.1
20 1.0 Cot
21 — 3.0 7.0
22 — 5.5 6.4
23 0.0 6.2
24 2.7 6.7
25 11.0 6.2
26 7.0 6.2 -
27 2.4 6.2
28 1.0 5.8
29 — 4.5 5.5
30 — 3.0 Se
Dec. 1 — 1.0 5.0
2 — 4.5 4.5
a - 1.0 4.3 3 3 0
4 — 1.0 4.3 10 10 0
5 -— 0.5 3.8 10 8 2
6 — 1.5 4.0 21 9 12
7 1.0 3.7 38 11 17
8 1.0 3.3 39 10 19
9 — 22.0 3.4 14 8 6
11 - 2.5 3.3 5 2 3
10 — 2.0 3.0
12 — 2.0 2.6
13 — 7.4 2:5:
14 —11.5 203
15 — 8.3 2.0
16 — 9.0 1.7
This gives certain definite information regarding the conditions which
precede and accompany the breeding of the cisco. Here it is seen that the
99) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 99
males come into the shallows when the water first reaches a temperature of
4,3°C; that the females arrive when the temperature has dropped to 3.8°C
and that the spawning season is at its height with the water at from 3.6°C
to 3.3°C; and finally, that the season is abruptly over as the water drops
below this figure. Table 24 gives the conditions during other years.
TABLE 24,
CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH CiSCO SPAWNED FROM 1916 to 1921
1916 1917 1918 1919 1921
M M O O O
First @ in shallows Dec. 3 Nov. 29 Nov. 30 Nov. 28 Nov. 26
Temperature water: 4.3 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.3
First 9 in shallows Dec. 5 Dec. 2 Dec. 2 Nov. 30 Nov. 29
Temperature water: 3.8 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.65
Maximum spawning: 323 3.5 35 3.4 3:9
Spawning over: 3.0 3.1 3.0 3.0 3.1
M=Lake Mendota O=Oconomowoc Lake
From these data it must be concluded that the critical temperature at
which the male cisco enters the shallows is very close to4.3°C ;for the female
it is 3.8°C; and that the optimum temperature is between 3.3° and 3.5°C,
As to the ratio between the sexes, it appears that the males outnumber
the females to some extent, as shown by the following:
No. ciscos examined Lake Males Females
163 Mendota 101 62
744 Oconomowoc 429 315
907 530 377
This is in the ratio of 100 males to 71.2 females. This difference can
be explained by the greater mortality among the females during the late
summer, as will be seen later.
The number of eggs laid by the female varies considerably, depending
of course upon the size and age of the fish. By the water displacement
method the following count of the number of eggs laid by a single female
was obtained:
Amount of water displaced by eggs..............+5++55 46.5 cc
To displace 1 cc water (av. 5 counts).............---- 329 eggs
Motal mumber Of €2 PS ec 565 veiw wis of eve de see eels 15,238
Weight of female before stripping.................--- 465 grams
Weight of female after stripping...................-. _ 405 grams
Weight of 15,238 eggs. . 2 oop ccsane caressed esses s- 60 grams
100 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [100
The following data apply to the gonads of the male:
Average weight of 45 right testes..................... 7.5 grams
Average weight of 45 left testes.................0.04. 6.5 grams
Total weight of gonads................ 2. cece eee ee eee 14.0 grams
In every case the right testis exceeded the left in weight.
In order to ascertain the effect of temperature upon the fish, twenty-five
ciscos were captured by means of a gill net and the ten least injured
were brought in alive to the vivarium, where they were placed in a large
concrete tank abundantly supplied with a constant supply of fresh running
water. The fish lived well throughout the winter, with only an occasional
mortality due to the fungus Saprolegnia. The water was kept at a tem-
perature of 4.5°C during a period of four months, covering the breeding
season. In spite of the fact that fifteen of the confined fish were females,
all heavy with eggs, not a single egg was laid during this time. In a second
tank, exactly similar to the first, and with the same water supply, but
cooled by means of ice to a temperature of 3.5°C, females from the first
tank spawned within ten minutes after transfer.
A second experiment consisted in transferring two females into the
second tank while the water was at 4.5°C. After two hours in this tank,
a large piece of ice was added and a careful record of the temperature kept.
The first female spawned with the temperature at 3.6°C, the second at
3.4°C.
From the fact that the observed temperatures at which the fish spawn
in nature coincide exactly with the observed experimental controls in the
laboratory, namely 3.3° to 3.6°C, it must be concluded that these figures
represent the critical breeding temperature of Leucichthys artedi. It must
be further concluded that the temperature is the causal factor for egg
deposition and that this critical temperature is needed before the eggs
will be laid. This conclusion is inescapable as repeated oxygen and hydro-
gen-ion concentration determinations showed the conditions in the water
to be almost constant for these factors, and the carbon dioxide variations
were so very slight and in both directions that they must be considered
as having no significance.
Nothing is known concerning the embryology of the species, and here
again the writer has considered the subject as outside of his problem.
However, it is well to point out that this egg is an ideal one for laboratory
use and experimental purposes: it is easily obtainable, available for
winter work, development is sufficiently slow for convenient study, and
the egg is of fair size and remarkable clearness, having only a very few oil
globules to obscure the cleavage. The writer has kept them in regulation
egg-hatching glass jars until the embryo was well developed, when the
set was accidentally destroyed by the breaking of the jar. These eggs were
101] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 101
fertilized in a glass dish at 3:30 o’clock in the afternoon of December 2,
the fertilization membranes appearing around the eggs very quickly.
At 9 p.m. the eggs were all in the 2-celled stage; at 12 midnight the 8-celled
stage was nearly completed, while at 8 a.m. on December 3, the 64-celled
stage was beautifully marked. The temperature here ran from 4.5°C to
5.5°C. At 3 o’clock that afternoon the cells were too numerous to count,
and from then on the eggs were permitted to develop without observation.
The exact length of the developmental period has never been worked out.
THE YOUNG
I believe that young ciscos are among the least known of all of the
Wisconsin fishes. In fact, there is no evidence that anyone other than
myself has ever taken them alive in nature, and it took me nine years of
search before I finally got three individuals. These were young of the
year, taken in Oconomowoc lake on July 20, 1922, in a trammel net set
on the bottom in 52 feet of water. They measured 6.25 cm in length, and
are the only young-of-the-year that I have ever handled. Much popular
misinformation is in circulation in southern Wisconsin concerning the
young cisco, as the brook silversides (Labidesthes sicculus) is uniformly
considered as the young of Leucichthys artedi. This is due largely to a cer-
tain similarity of shape and color, and to the well known lack of discrimin-
ate observation on the part of people in general. This mistaken identity
works for the good of the silversides, for as the cisco is protected by law,
many bait gatherers scrupulously return Labidesthes to the water.
As the ice forms over the shallow water very soon after the eggs are laid,
difficulties in determining the movement of the young after hatching are
greatly increased. Upon hatching the young fish seek the deep water, and
this occurs prior to the complete breaking up of the ice in the spring,
which takes place usually about the first or second week of April. Re-
peatedly have I marked the spot where eggs were deposited, only to find
them hatched when the breaking of the ice made re-examination possible.
That the hatching takes place late in March is suggested by the condition
of development of eggs retrieved by chopping through the ice in late
February and early March. This would make the developmental period
between ten and twelve weeks, probably with considerable variation
depending upon the temperature conditions, longer during a long winter,
and shorter in the case of an early spring. The young, then, seek the deep
water where, because of their small size, they are almost entirely inaccessible
for study. There is nothing to indicate that anything of unusual interest
takes place during this juvenile condition.
Through the codperation of the dozens of fishermen who catch the
cisco through the ice during the winter, the writer has had the opportunity
of examining hundreds of specimens for size measurements and food habits.
102 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {102
The results of these examinations are summarized in table 25 which shows
age, length and weight measurements. This table gives the number of
fish of different ages examined during the last week of January and the
first week of February 1923 and 1924, together with their weight in grams
and their length in centimeters. In compiling the table the sexes were not
separated as the compilation was made nearly two months after the
TABLE 25
THE WEIGHT AND LENGTH OF CISCOS OF DIFFERENT AGES IN
OCONOMOWOC AND PINE LAKES
OCONOMOWOC LAKE PINE LAKE
Age No. Fish Weight Length cm No. Fish Weight Length cm
Years Examined g ams Examined grams
5 mos 3 22 6.2 — — —
2 yrs. 26 105 13.5 il 45.0 12.5
3 144 166 17.4 Al 60.2 16.2
4 168 257 22.3 54 85.2 19.5
5 340 366 28.2 108 119.8 24.6
6 279 445 3125 172 190.0 28.3
if 138 527 33.6 95 262.4 31.4
8 76 oll 36.2 36 342.7 33.0
9 14 623 37.4 17 406.2 33.8
10 11 696 38.6 3 436.1 34.5
spawning period and hence the error inevitable in the case of ripe females
is not introduced. Furthermore, growth curves for the sexes coincide so
exactly that no conclusions can be drawn other than that the sexes develop
at essentially the same rate.
The comparison between the cisco of Oconomowoc lake and that from
Pine lake is exceedingly interesting, and the relationship is well brought
out in figure 21, where the growth in grams has been plotted against
the age in years of fish from the two lakes. Oconomowoc lake contains
the type of cisco most commonly found in the southern Wisconsin lakes,
while the Pine lake fish are on the average much smaller in size and weight
than those of any other lake in the county, yet entirely typical of the
species from a morphological and ecological point of view. Figure 22 shows
the length in centimeters plotted against the age in years for the two lakes.
From these figures it is seen that, while the fish do not differ greatly in
their relative lengths at the different ages, their weights do not agree at all
closely. An explanation of this condition is to be found in the physical
factors involved. The cisco is more abundant in Pine lake than in any other
lake in the county, probably many times more numerous. I have sat in a
fish house on the ice during the winter and watched the fish through a
103] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 103
hole in the ice, and have been utterly astonished at their numbers: a thick
mass of fish from just below the ice as far down as the eye could see. An
examination of the water of Pine lake shows that the plankton organisms
are relatively less abundant per liter of water than in Oconomowoc lake.
Thus one can explain the weight discrepancy on the basis of inadequate
food supply: there are too many fish for the amount of food available.
A similar condition is to be found in Otis lake in the case of the large
mouthed black bass (Micropterus salmoides) this is a small lake to which
the public does not have access, and it is full of bass, many times more
than the food will suffice for anything over a strict maintenance ration.
The result is a large number of bass of light weight and scanty measure-
ments. In a similar way one occasionally catches a cisco in Pine lake
that weighs over a pound and still is but five or six years old; but such
a one must be looked upon as a particularly fortunate individual in so far
as food supply is concerned.
FOOD HABITS
The cisco is one of the most exclusive plankton eaters among our fishes.
The food of the immature fish—up to about 16 cm. in length—is 100%
plankton organisms, being composed of Cyclops, Daphnia, Diaptomus,
Bosmina, Chydorus, rotifers and other animals of a similar nature. Bottom
material is freely taken into the alimentary canal and as this contains a
considerable amount of vegetable matter, the smaller algae, diatoms etc.
form a part of the diet. As the fish reach a larger size the food assumes a
wider range, and various mollusks, insect larvae, crustacea and small
fish appear in the food list. There is a slight tendency on the part of the
fish to feed more upon the micro-crustacea of the Daphnia-Cyclops type
during the winter than during the summer, but in Oconomowoc lake, as
in all of the lakes in Waukesha county which the writer has investigated,
these organisms form normally a,large part of the diet the year around.
This is at variance with findings of Pearse (1921a) in the case of Leucichihys
birgei in Green lake in summer, where he found 61.2% of the food to be
amphipods. However, his numbers are hardly large enough to base con-
clusions upon, nor is the seasonal range of his investigations of sufficient
duration: he had but 30 fish caught between August 13 and 19. In table
26 the writer presents a summary of 941 stomach examinations grouped
according to months in sets of two months to a group. In this table the
Cladocera are represented by species of Bosmina, Daphnia and Chydorus;
the Copepoda by Dioptomus and Cyclops; the Ostracoda by Cypris. The
mollusks include various species of Amnicola, Valvata, Sphaerium,
Pisidium and Planorbis. Sayomia (formerly Corethra) has been separated
from the other insect food because of its abundance and frequency. The
heading “other insects” includes various larvae and pupae picked up from
104 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [104
the bottom, largely Ephemerida and Plecoptera, Chironomus and an
assortment of adult insects picked up off the surface during the summer
when the fish occasionally come to the surface on a quiet evening. The
fishes eaten are usually in such a state of digestion that identification was
TABLE 26
THE PERCENTAGE OF VARIOUS ITEMS OF FOOD OF THE CISCO
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN OCONOMOWOC LAKE
Month Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Number 482 26 91 140 128 64
Food
Ostracoda 155 0.5 1.9 2-3 3-5 1.0
Copepoda 26.5 17.6 20.3 1323 19.8 15.4
Cladocera 30.7 22.8 24.1 20.8 24.6 18.6
Amphipoda 4.5 3.9 1.0 iN 3.1 5.8
Mollusca 8.1 7.4 2.6 3.2 1.9 2.4
Sayomia 13.5 23.8 18.8 20.1 25.6 19.8
Other Insects 4.3 12.6 9.4 6.8 9.2 8.6
Fishes Dee, 3.4 2.6 thaw Dei 3.9
Vegetation 2:9 2.6 6.3 3.0 4.5 9.4
Tnorganic 3.8 4.2 8.1 3.4 3.4 6.9
Miscellaneous 2.0 1,2 3.6 233 2.3 9.6
utterly impossible, but scales found in the stomach has hinted that these
are often young of the cisco itself. The vegetable matter includes algae and
plant debris from the bottom. The inorganic matter is largely fine silt or
sand, taken in as the fishes nose around on the bottom. The miscellaneous
item includes forms not found in any great numbers, such as water mites’
rotifers (Anuraea) and unidentifiable matter.
Certain facts in connection with the food habits deserve mention.
During the winter months it is a common occurrence to find a stomach
simply packed with entomostraca. One such stomach, from a fish 31 cm
long and weighing 446 grams, was carefully washed out and the contents
preserved in alcohol. This mass was then diluted in 250 cc of alcohol
and five samples of 2 cc each were carefully counted on a squared plate.
The average of the five counts gave the following:
Daphnia. ........ S415 in 250'CC.22 «aes a 67,625
Cyclopsin, ass orn2035:in 290%CCh a cig 558 32,875
Bosmina........ 121s in\2 SONCC.s te Sece cee 155125
Total: 115,625
This gives some idea of the tremendous numbers of organisms these fish
consume. A stomach was found in January, 1924, which contained nothing
105] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISH ES—CAHN 105
except Sayomia albipes larvae. By actual count 376 larvae were obtained,
of which 319 were still alive when removed from the stomach after the
fish had been out of water over three hours. While Sayomia forms a very
stable article of diet, the larvae seem to be move resistent to the digestive
juices of the cisco than any food consumed, as in a vast majority of the
stomachs examined the larvae have shown great activity after removal,
a condition found in no other item of food eaten by the fish.
MIGRATIONS
It has been said that the cisco is a bottom inhabitant and that it must
be regarded as a deep water fish. During that part of the year when the
oxygen conditions permit, Leucichthys artedi remains normally in the deep
water, spending most of the time within a meter or two of the bottom.
This fact has been demonstrated again and again, year after year by the
use of gill nets set at different depths. As I have said, this differs radically
from the habitat chosen by the Lake Michigan cisco as reported by Ward
(1897). However, with the formation of the thermocline and the accom-
panying increase in the area of water deficient in oxygen, the cisco is forced
to leave the bottom waters of the deeper parts of the lake, and assume a
position ever higher in a vertical scale. As the thermocline climbs upward
the cisco comes up with it and assumes a position in relation to the thermo-
cline which may be described as directly above it. Therefore, if one takes
the temperature of the water at different depths and thus obtains a fairly
accurate idea of the location of the thermocline, one can set gill nets just
above this depth and catch ciscos all summer. This was discovered in 1916
when the writer wanted the fish for an examination of the summer food.
Nets were set in the deep water where the fish were caught in abundance
during the previous winter, and caught nothing. After repeated failures a
series of eight nets was set, one above the other. The net which was at 10
meters yielded 11 ciscos; the one at 9 yielded none and the one at 11
yielded 2 in the upper foot of mesh; none was caught in any other net.
An analysis of the water at that time showed that the thermocline stood at
11 meters. This idea has been followed ever since, and has always yielded
fish. I have set 43 nets below the thermocline, in 9 different lakes, and have
never in a single instance caught a cisco. From these facts one must con-
clude that, while the cisco is essentially a deep water fish, it is driven from
its chosen habitat by uncongenial gas conditions, so that the species
really has a seasonal migratory rhythm in a vertical plane, correlated with
and determined by the shifting of the thermocline.
This action of the thermocline in forcing the cisco up from the bottom
has an exceedingly important effect upon the fish concerned. Being an
inhabitant of the deep water, it is a cold water species. (Fig. 23.) The
early summer influence of the thermocline has little effect on the cisco as
106 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {106
there is still a great abundance of cold water rich in oxygen, but every
meter, every centimeter that the oxygen level creeps upward, the amount
of cold, oxygen-abundant water is cut down, and the fish is forced into
water of increasing warmth. In the case of very hot summers, when the
thermocline ascends unusually high, the cisco is forced into water far
warmer than that which it ordinarily selects and to which it is therefore
best adapted. The result is often disastrous. Dead fish begin to appear
floating on the surface, fish perfect in every detail, unscarred, unpara-
sitized, uninjured. Dozens of the fish I have picked up just as they reached
the surface, to find them still alive though barely active. If the wind is
blowing the shores of certain lakes, particularly Pine, Okauchee and
Oconomowoc, become lined with dead fish. I was called to investigate
such an “epidemic” among the cisco of Pine lake in August 1917. On the
west (windward) shore I counted 72 dead fish in less than 100 feet of shore
line, and this was by no means exceptional. As the result of my survey
at that time I estimated that no less than 175,000 ciscos died within a
week in that lake alone. This is significant when one considers what I have
already said about the abundance of the fish in the lake. Similar catas-
trophes have occurred in Oconomowoc, La Bella, Okauchee and Silver
lakes, though in no other lakes have the numbers run so high. Okauchee
lake has come the closest to the record set by Pine and it ranks second
in the abundance of the species in its waters. It is significant to note, also,
that it is the larger fish which are most affected, suggesting a greater
adaptability, resistance and vitality on the part of the young fish. It is
further to be noted that the mortality is highest among the females which
at this season of the year already have a considerable mass of spawn in
the body, and this may explain the excess of males over females to which I
have already alluded. There is no remedy for these “epidemics’’: they are
caused by the fish being forced into the warm upper stratum of water by
the rise in the thermocline, and the fishes are simply not physiologically
adapted to warm water conditions. For the purpose of determining the
effect of temperature upon Leucichthys artedi, several fish were placed in
a large tank on February 3, 1924. The temperature of the water was
noted, as were the gas conditions, and then warm water from a boiler was
permitted to enter the tank slowly at one end. The results are shown in
figure 16. Here it will be seen that the fish avoid water above 17°C if
possible, but will stand a temperature of several degrees above this.
At 26°C they begin to float at the surface; this is very close to the tem-
perature encountered in nature after a prolonged, quiet, hot spell of a hot
summer. The pHreadings throughout the experiment showed no indication
that the hydrogen-ion concentration was concerned with the reaction of
the fishes; the same was true for oxygen. Since the fish require more
oxygen with a rise in the temperature of the water, the amount varying
107] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 107
directly with the increase in temperature, one can explain the mortality
as being due to three factors: 1) the thermocline; 2) warm water; and
3) insufficient oxygen available. The thermocline is responsible for
the situation. (Figs. 6, 7.)
A second migratory rhythm was discovered when it was found that
the fish in Oconomowoc lake under ordinary conditions were nearer the
surface at night than during the day. That this is not a phototropic
reaction is indicated by the fact that they can easily be attracted to the
surface during the hours of daylight, and that they will remain under the
ice during the winter for hours at a time under the brightest of light
conditions, if food is available. This suggested the idea that this daily
movement might be a feeding rhythm. Since the fish were found to be
feeding entirely upon entomostraca at the time (February 2) a series of
water samples was taken at different depths at noon and again at the
same depths at midnight. The four chief organisms found were Daphnia,
Cyclops, Dioptomus and Bosmina. The water was pumped up by means
of a garden hose and was strained through the Birge and Juday plankton
catcher kindly loaned me by Mr. Juday. The amount of water strained was
15 liters from each depth. Figure 24 shows the distribution of these four
organisms at the different depths during the day and at night. It will be
noted that in every case the organisms migrate upward at night, the
amount of the vertical change being the least in the case of Cyclops and
greatest in Daphnia and Dioptomus. Since the cisco is dependent upon
these organisms for food, and since it is well known that these minute
entomostraca have such a daily rhythm, and, lastly, since the water
conditions are uniform in the winter and the fish show no suggestion of
negative phototropism, it must be concluded that this daily movement
is a feeding rhythm following that of the entomostraca. Repeated observa-
tions and examinations have borne out this conclusion.
BEHAVIOR
I have stated in the discussion of Labidesthes sicculus that, were it not
for the fact that the silversides lie quiescent during the dark nights it would
be the most active of all our fishes. But this title belongs to the cisco which
is active, apparently, from the time it hatches until it dies. I have had the
cisco under observation in the laboratory for nine months; I have spent
two weeks each winter for nearly twelve years watching the behavior of
the fish through the ice and I have never yet seen one quiet for a period
even approaching a second. This constant activity is perhaps due in a
large measure to the food habits of the fish; since their chief item of diet is
entomostraca and since these are eaten in enormously large numbers as
has been shown, it follows that great quantities of water must be passed
through the gill rakers in order to obtain this food in quantities such as
108 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [108
are found in the stomach. A cisco with an empty stomach is the greatest
rarity I recall in the fish life of the region under consideration, rarer even
than young of the species, for I have yet to find a single empty stomach
in a healthy fish.
That the species is gregarious is borne out by the fact that during the
winter when the fish are sometimes seen at the surface, neither I nor any
of the hundreds of cisco fishers with whom I have spoken have evern seen
a lone cisco. When traveling near the surface at times the schools are
seen to number several hundred individuals; the smaller schools are
composed of from twenty to sixty fish. While these schools are to a certain
extent composed of fish of varying sizes, the large and small fish do not
mingle to any great degree, there being a marked uniformity of size in the
component individuals in each school. That these facts hold also for the
summer months is indicated by the gill net catches. Often I have missed
a catch entirely, but the smallest number of fish I ever caught is 5; the
largest is 33, in a fifty foot net, four feet deep with one and one half inch
mesh. Surely this shows unmistakable gregariousness.
During the summer when the thermocline has driven the fish from the
deepest water, the fish travel in schools, parallelling exactly the contours
of the sand bars. The interesting fact about this travel is that it has a
definite direction: the fish travel west along the north shore of Oconomo-
woc lake, south along the west shore, east along the south shore and north
along the east end of the lake. This has been demonstrated by noting the
direction in which the fish are found in the gill nets along the different
shores. This is brought out in table 27.
TABLE 27
THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE CISCO ALONG THE SHORES OF
OCONOMOWOC LAKE IN SUMMER
Number heading
Shore Net set No. caught N S E WwW
Yorth E-W 286 1 3 — =
North N-S 4 — = 12 276
West E-W 83 4 79 — —
West N-S 0 _— — — —
South E-W 6 4 2 — —_—
South N-S 146 — _ 133 13
East E-W 74 59 1 —_ —
East N-S 10 4 6 —_— _—
These figures are the result of a series of catches during the summers of
1921 and 1922 and represent the total catch of 20 nets set in each direction
along the shore. The low figures for the east and west shores are explainable
109] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 109
by the fact that the bars are much less regular here than along the north
and south shores, and the schools go south at the west end and north at the
east end over a scattered territory. The figures show conclusively that the
line of travel is well laid down. There is at present no explanation for the
phenomenon; there is no evidence of oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen-ion
concentration, light or temperature changes to account for it, nor can it
be a reaction to current, for down the north shore the fish are following the
current caused by the incoming Oconomowoc river, while along the west
and south shores they are going against the current caused by the outflow
of the Oconomowoc river at the northwest corner of the lake. It is difficult
to see in what way it could be linked to the food habits, for certainly the
entomostraca have no such migratory movement.
However, that the movement of the fish is intimately connected with
their food habits is indicated by the fact that a migrating school can be
stopped by an abundant food supply. This fact is well known to the
winter fishermen who utilize it to their benefit by dropping oatmeal flakes
into the water. Upon the descending flakes and the accompanying dust
the fish feed ravenously, and a series of schools can be held under the holes
in the ice for weeks at a time while hundreds of fish are caught from the
schools by means of a small ‘‘white bait” or a gold bead. Once the school
has been stopped in this way, the stomachs show nothing but oatmeal—
the normal food habits are entirely abandoned. Any small object descend-
ing slowly through the water is taken into the mouth, but if it be not
satisfactory it is ejected again with astonishing rapidity. This oatmeal
diet is not injurious to the fish, though the flesh is noticeably softer after
the fish have been feeding upon it for some weeks. A few years ago meat
scrap was used instead of oatmeal; it was eaten even more ravenously than
the meal, but resulted in diarrhea and in the death of many fish, so that
its use had to be prevented by law. (Fig. 5.)
One further point should be noted in this connection. In the lakes of
the north, where lumbering causes a constant distribution of sawdust over
the water, the writer has found dead Leucichthys floating at the surface,
with stomachs containing a solid mass of sawdust. These descending
particles are no doubt taken in with the water, strained out by the gill
rakers, mass in the stomach and eventually kill the ish which is unable
to void the debris.
CONSERVATION
It is generally said that the cisco will bite only during the winter, but
this is not correct as the writer has often proven. Still no one fishes for
them in the summer, which is just as well. Cisco fishing has been a winter
sport in the county for forty years and the catches are astonishing. No
less, certainly, than 15,000 are taken from Oconomowoc lake each winter,
110 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [110
and this is repeated in other cisco inhabited lakes. In former years the
catches were much larger, 200 fine fish a day per fisherman being a fair
catch. A conservative estimate places the cisco catch in Oconomowoc lake
during the last 40 years at least as high as 1,000,000 fish! There has been
no restocking, for the cisco is not raised in any hatchery in the state. In
spite of the fact that the species is prolific, the fact remains that the rate of
growth is slow. The result of the enormous catch each year is that the
size of the fish has been reduced about four fifths! I havea record of thirteen
fish caught on March 3, 1908, that weighed over 44 pounds each; a 3 pound
cisco is still occasionally caught, but is very, very rare; dead fish are some-
times found during the summer that weigh upward of 4 pounds. But in
the winter of 1924 the average weight of 244 fish weighed by the writer
was just 116 grams—a little better than four to the pound!
Until the last few years there were no laws relating to the capture of
the cisco in the inland waters of Wisconsin. Repeated pressure on the
state legislature finally placed a bag limit of 25 per man each day on the
species. But this is not sufficient. In view of the situation as it now stands
the writer recommends the following conservation methods, these being
well worth while as the species is a most excellent table fish.
1. Cisco fishing in all lakes in Waukesha county should be closed for
a period of five years.
2. A size limit of 12 inches should be established.
3. The bag limit should be reduced to 15 each day.
4. The cisco should be raised in the bass hatcheries during the winter
when these hatcheries are idle, and fry should be planted in suitable lakes.
SUMMARY
1. The cisco, Leucichthys artedi, is a member of the family Salmonidae
and has a wide range in the deeper glacial lakes of the Mississippi valley,
particularly in the northern part. Jt is known to occur in fourteen lakes in
Waukesha county.
2. It is a deep water species, inhabiting the deepest parts of the lake
during the winter, spring and fall.
3. Spawning occurs in late November or early December, the deter-
mining factor being the temperature of the water.
4. The males precede the females into the shallows, arriving when the
water cools to 4.3°C. The females arrive a few days later, with the tem-
perature dropping to 3.8°C, and spawning is at its height at 3.3°C.
5. Males outnumber the females, there being a higher mortality among
the females during the warm water period of summer.
6. The eggs develop in from ten to twelve weeks, depending on the
temperature of the water.
111] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 111
7. After hatching the young fish seek the deepest parts of the lake where
they remain until their first breeding season, at the age of three years,
except when driven out by the thermocline.
8. The rate of growth and weight increase is given for fish up to ten
years of age.
9. The cisco has a seasonal migration in a vertical plane. This is due
to the formation of the thermocline and the accompanying zone of water
deficient in oxygen. The result is that the species is slowly driven from the
deeper water into water of lesser depth and increasing warmth.
10. Since the cisco is a deep water fish, adapted to cold water, the
result of this condition is death to thousands of fish. Death is due to
suffocation as the fish require more oxygen in warm water than in cold,
and the supply is insufficient to their needs.
11. The result of 941 stomach examinations is given, showing the food
habits the year around.
12. Entomostraca form a very important item of the food. Since
these organisms are negatively phototropic, being down during the day
and up at night, a second migration, or daily rhythm on the part of the
fish, also in a vertical plane, coincides with the movement of their food.
13. The fish are active day and night the year around.
14. This activity in summer assumes a definite co-ordinated movement,
extending around Oconomowoc lake in a clockwise direction.
15. This movement is connected with the feeding habits as suggested
by the fact that the migrating schools can be stopped and held by the
presence of an abundant food supply.
16. The decrease in abundance and size of the cisco in Oconomowoc
lake call for protective and conservative measures to prevent the destruc-
tion of a valuable food fish.
112 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (112
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Forpes, S. A.
1878. The Food of Illinois Fishes. Bull. Ill. Lab. Nat. Hist., 2: 71-87.
1883. The Food of the Smaller Fresh Water Fishes. Bull. Il. State Lab. Nat. Hist.,
1: 61-86.
113] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 113
1887. The Lake as a Microcosm. Bull. Peoria Sci. Assn. (Reprint: 1925, Bull. Ill. Dept.
Reg. and Ed., 15: 537-550.)
1888. On the Food Relations of Fresh Water Fishes: Summary and Discussion. Bull.
Til. State Lab. Nat. Hist., 2: 475-538.
1903. The Food of Young Fishes. Bull. Ill. State Lab. Nat. Hist., 1: 71-85.
1907. On the Local Distribution of Certain Illinois Fishes: An Essay in Statistical
Ecology. Bull. Ill. State Lab. Nat. Hist., 7: 273-303.
Forses, S. A., AND RicHarpson, R. E.
The Fishes of Illinois. Ill. State Lab. Nat. Hist., 1 vol. and atlas, pp. 358 and
103 maps.
GARDNER, F. R., anp LEETHAM, R. T.
1914. On the Respiratory Exchanges in Fresh Water Fishes. Biochem. Journ., 8: 374-
390.
Grrrorp, E. M., anp PEckHaM, G. W.
1886. Temperature of Pine, Beaver and Okauchee Lakes, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Trans. Wis. Acad. Sci. Arts and Letters 3: 136-144.
Hoy, P. R.
1873. List of the Fishes of Wisconsin. Rept. Geol. Surv. Wisc., vol. 1: 427-436.
1886. Fish Culture. Trans. Wis. Acad. Sci. Arts and Letters, 3: 37-41.
Husss, C. L.
1921. An Ecological Study of the Life History of the Atherine Fish Labidesthes sicculus
Ecol., 2: 262-276.
Jorpan, D. S., AND EVERMANN, B. W.
1896. The Fishes of North and Middle America. U.S. Nat. Mus., Bull. 47; 4 vols.
1911. A Review of the Salmonoid Fishes of the Great Lakes, with Notes on the White
Fishes of Other Regions. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish., 29: 1-40.
JorDan, D. S., AnD Husss, C. L.
1919. A Monographic Review of the Family Atherinidae, or Silversides. Stanford Univ.
Press Pub.
Jupay, C., AnD WacnrR, G.
1908. Dissolved Oxygen as a Factor in the Distribution of Fish. Trans. Wis. Acad. Sci.
Arts and Letters, 16: 17-22.
KENDALL, W. C.
1918. The Rangeley Lakes, Maine; with Special Reference to the Habits of the Fishes,
Fish Culture, and Angling. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish., 35: 487-594.
KNAUTHE, K. ,
1908. Der Kreislauf der Gase in unseren Gewissern. Biol. Centr., 18: 785-805.
Lapuam, I. A.
1882. Oconomowoc Lake and Other Lakes of Wisconsin Considered with Reference to
their Capacity for Fish Production. Bull. Wis. Acad. Sci. Arts and Letters,
3: 31-50.
Levy, R. L., Rountrer, L. G., anp Marriott, W. M.
1915. A Simple Method for Determining Variations in the Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
of the Blood. Arch. Intern. Med., 16: 389-405.
Mavor, A. C.
1918. Hydrogen-Ion Concentration and Electrical Conductivity of the Surface of Water
of the Atlantic and Pacific. Carnegie Inst. Wash., 312: 61-86.
MiLner, J. W.
1874. Report on the Fisheries of the Great Lakes. Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., 1-78.
Mosere, E. J.
1918. Variations in the Horizontal Distribution of Plankton in Devil’s Lake, North
Dakota. Trans. Am. Mic. Soc., 37: 239-267.
114 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [114
PEARSE, A. S.
1915. On the Food of the Small Shore Fishes in the Waters Near Madison, Wisconsin.
Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc., 13: 7-22.
1921a. Distribution and Food of the Fishes of Green Lake, Wisconsin, in Summer. Bull.
U. S. Bur. Fish., 37: 255-272.
1921b. The Distribution and Food of the Fishes of Three Wisconsin Lakes in Summer.
Univ. Wis. Stud. Sci., 3: 5-61.
Pearse, A. S., AND ACHTENBERG, H.
1920. Habits of the Yellow Perch in Wisconsin Lakes. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish., 36: 1-74.
Powers, E. B.
1921. Experiments and Observations on the Behavior of Marine Fishes Toward Hydro-
gen-Ion Concentration of Sea Water. Pub. Puget Sound Biol. Sta., 3: 1-22.
1922. The Physiology of the Respiration of Fishes in Relation to the Hydrogen-Ion
Concentration of the Medium. Jour. Gen. Physiol., 3: 305-317.
ReeEvEs, C. D.
1919. Discrimination of Light of Different Wave Lengths by Fishes. Behavior Mono-
graphs, 4: 1-106.
REIGHARD, J.
1913. Methods of Studying the Habits of Fishes, with an Account of the Breeding Habits
of the Horned Dace. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., 28: 1111-1135.
1915. An Ecological Reconnaisance of the Fishes of Douglas Lake, Cheboygan Co.,
Michigan, in Mid-summer. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish., 33: 215-249.
Scott, G. G.
1908. Effects of Changes in the Density of Water upon the Blood of Fishes. Bull. U. S.
Bur. Fish., 28: 164-181. .
SEYLER, C. A.
1894. Notes on Water Analysis. Chem. News, 70: 39-47.
SHELFORD, V. E. :
1911a. Ecological Succession. I. Stream Fishes and the Method of Physiographic
Analysis. Biol. Bull., 21: 9-35. *
1911b. Ecological Succession. II. Pond Fishes. Biol. Bull., 21: 121-149.
1911c. Ecological Succession. III. A Reconnaisance of its Causes in Ponds, with Par-
ticular Reference to Fish. Biol. Bull., 22: 1-28.
1912. Ecological Succession. V. Aspects of Physiological Classification. Biol. Bull.,
23: 331-370.
1913. Animal Communities in Temperate America. Univ. Chicago Press. 362 pp.
1923. The Determination of Hydrogen-Ion Concentration in Connection with Fresh
Water Biological Studies. Bull. Ill. State Nat. Hist. Surv., 14: 379-395.
SHELFORD, V. E., AND ALLEE, W. C.
1913a. Rapid Modification of the Behavior of Fishes by Contact with Modified Water.
Journ. An. Behav., 4: 1-30.
1913b. The Reaction of Fish to Gradients of Dissolved Atmospheric Gasses. Journ.
Exp. Zool., 14: 207-266.
SHELFoRD, V. E., AND Powers, E. B.
1915. An Experimental Study of the Movements of Herring and Other Marine Fishes.
Biol. Bull., 28: 315-334.
TurRNER, C. L.
1919. The Seasonal Cycle in the Spermary of the Perch. Journ. Morph., 32: 681-711.
WAGNER, G.
1911. The Cisco of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc., 9: 73-77.
115] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 115
Warp, H. B.
1897. Biological Examination of Lake Michigan in the Traverse Bay Region. Bull.
Mich. Fish Comm., 6: 1-99.
Wells, M. M.
1913. The Resistance of Fishes to Different Concentrations and Combinations of Oxygen
and Carbon Dioxide. Biol. Bull., 25: 323-346.
1914. Resistance and Reactions of Fishes to Temperature. Trans. Ill. Acad. Sci., 7: 39-
58.
1915, Resistance and Reaction of Fishes in Their Natural Environment to Acidity,
Alkalinity and Neutrality. Biol. Bull., 29: 221-257.
WaiTsBeEcK, R. H.
1921. The Geographic and Economic Development of Southeastern Wisconsin. Bull.
Wis. Geol. Nat. Hist. Surv., 58: 1-178.
Youne, R. T.
1923. Resistance of Fish to Salts and Alkalinity. Journ. Physiol., 63: 373-388.
116 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {116
EXPLANATION OF PLATES
The following photographs are from original negatives made by the
writer within the limits of Waukesha county, Wisconsin. The graphs and
diagrams are made from original data taken both in Waukesha county and
at Madison, Wisconsin, the data being included in the body of the paper.
117] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 117
PLATE I
118 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {118
EXPLANATION OF PLATE I
Fic. 1, Laura Lake. A small body of water showing signs of old age.
Fic. 2. Pretty Lake. A small body of water that is nearly completely filled up. The mound
in the middle foreground formerly was an island.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
CAHN PLATE I
119] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 119
PLATE II
120
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
EXPLANATION OF PLATE II
Fic. 3. The Cisco, Leucichthys artedi, from Oconomowoc Lake.
{120
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
CAHN PLATE II
a
cy
121] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 121
PLATE III
122 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [122
EXPLANATION OF PLATE III
Fic. 4. The zone of wave action along a steep shore, marked by a paucity of vegetation and
fish life.
Fic. 5. Shanties used by cisco fishermen in Waukesha county during the winter fishing
season. Oconomowoc Lake.
VOLUME XI
CAHN PLATE III
ne
-
123) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISH ES—CAHN : 123
PLATE IV
124 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [124
EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV
Fic. 6. Forty-eight dead ciscos along fifteen feet of shore. Okauchee lake epidemic of August,
1925.
Fic. 7. Fifty-six dead ciscos drifting into shore during the Okauchee lake epidemic of August,
1925,
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME IX
CAHN PLATE IV
125] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 125
PLATE V
126 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (126
EXPLANATION OF PLATE V
Fic. 8. Sketch map of Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and the region joining it to the south,
showing the distribution of the lakes and river systems.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
DODGE CO. WASHINGTON
co.
co.
MILWAUZEE CO.
SS) JEFFERSON
=
co
Wind L
CAHN PLATE V
127] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 127
PLATE VI
128 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [128
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VI
Fic. 9. The Labrador glacier and its principal lobes. It is this ice sheet which is responsible
for the outstanding topographic features of Waukesha county. (Modified after Fenne-
man)
VOLUME XI
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
~ -
so see SS i
: go
AITIY A NISNOICIN\
\
yIIVID
UMIdc/HI
me
Y5IIVI9 YOIEIAN
YET Bo) vig VLOSINNIL/
\
\
i
YIWIMWTID NvVIHIIP]
PLATE VI
CAHN
129] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 129
PLATE VII
130 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [130
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VII
Fic. 10, Graphshowing the mean rainfall in inches permonth in Waukesha county, Wisconsin
from 1871 to 1924 inclusive. Station located in city of Waukesha.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
Dec
Meon
Feb Mor Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct Nov
3.8
3.6
3.4
32
24
ara
Jon
40
26
ya
CAHN PLATE VII
131} STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 131
PLATE VIII
132 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [132
EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII
Fic. 11. Growth curve for brook silversides, Labidesthes sicculus: June to November. Length
in millimeters.
Fic. 12. Growth curve for brook silversides, Labidesthes sicculus: March to August. Length
in millimeters.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
October
1a
;
q
&
z
CAHN PLATE VIII
133] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 133
PLATE IX
134 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [134
EXPLANATION OF PLATE Ix
Fic. 13. Measurements of 250 young-of-the-year of the brook silversides, Labidesthes sicculus,
on different dates during the summer. Length in millimeters. Data from north shore of
Oconomowoc lake.
VOLUME XI
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
LI SF 82545) 169) 7g
19°09 6S 85 Ls
Ssaqgeuwrypiw Ul yz6uaz
9§ SS +S £5 tH If OF 6H Bb Le 9% Sb th Eb Zh Ih OF GE BE LE 9¢ SE 4c CE 7E
————
x,
SS
St
$§2'z) ydag —-.—
OST ‘Ge bay .—.—
sse'sr by...
sporpinipuy est, ény ——
OGNI9I1
49g UunN
3
S/DOPIAIPUT yo
st
PLATE Ix
CAHN
135] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 135
PLATE X
136 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [136
EXPLANATION OF PLATE X
Fic. 14. Showing the abundance of the brook silversides at night along the north shore of
Oconomowoc lake, July 10 to Oct. 5, 1923.
Fic. 15. Figure to show the reaction of the brook silversides to water of increasing coldness.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
(
26
Ice
FR eT
eT4
26 8
15
28°C
Sept
14
Aug
July
CAHN PLATE X
137]
STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN
PLATE XI
sw
138 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XI
Fic. 16. Showing the reaction of the brook silversides to objects of large size.
Fic. 17. Showing the reaction of the brook silversides to water of increasing acidity.
[138
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
74 72 ee
74 erat 6.6
16 17
CAHN PLATE XI
139) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN .FISHES—CAHN 139
PLATE XII
140 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [140
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XII
Fic. 18. Showing the reaction of the brook silversides to water of increasing alkalinity.
Fic. 19. Showing the reaction of the brook silversides to water of increasing acidity and
alkalinity.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
VOLUME XI
ar
Corbonote x
62
62
be
bz
6.4
8.25
a2
Qe be 8.25
84
a2 87 as
18
CAHN
Carbonate x
81
74
88 7.25
19
PLATE XII
141] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 141
PLATE XIII
142 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS (142
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIII
Frc. 20. Showing the spawning period of the cisco in relation to the temperature of the water
and of the air. Data from Lake Mendota at Madison, Wisconsin, Nov. 15 to Dec. 16,
1916. This is typical of the conditions existing during the spawning period in the Wau-
kesha county lakes.
VOLUME XI
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
42quiacag 4aqguaron
asl vi el et lh Ol G ¢ £9 & FY E 2 |! O€ G2 827'42 92 Se v2 C2 Zz IZ O2 Gi BI LI 2) SI
daly
Gola3d
ONIG33N¢G
PLATE XIII
CAHN
e4
143] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 143
PLATE XIV
144 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [144
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV
Fic. 21. Showing the relationship existing between ciscos from Pine and Oconomowoc lakes.
The age in years is plotted against the weight in grams. Pine lake has many times more
ciscos per volume than has Oconomowoc lake.
Fic. 22. Showing the relationship existing between ciscos from Pine and Oconomowoc lakes.
The age in years is plotted against the length in centimeters.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
VOLUME XI
7.6
7.65
76 Fao
75
5
TA ete
fae ial
16 y/
CAHN
66
PLATE XI
145] STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISHES—CAHN 145
PLATE XV
146
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XV
Fic. 23, Showing the reaction of the cisco to water of increasing temperature.
{146
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
VOLUME XI
{7.0
raoyas}
PLATE XV
147) STUDY OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN FISH ES—CAHN 147
PLATE XVI
148 ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS {148
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVI
Fic. 24. Showing the diurnal and nocturnal distribution in a vertical plane of certain entos
mostraca in Oconomowoc lake, February 2, 1916. Number of organisms represented as
per 15 liters of water pumped from given depths.
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS VOLUME XI
ee
Depth in meters
yy ,
@
KiGcr
Diaptomus
ea Bosinathicd
—-— Dophnia
\ Wh
re eer I RC t=se== Cyclops
a (Heavy = Diurnal
12 Light = Nocturnal
=
No per !3 liters of Woter
20 ] fie)
CAHN PLATE XVI
(Acanthopteri......c0.¢s0s0-es----s
Ambloplites rupestris..........0...-.
Ameiurus melas. .......00.0 0222 e eee
Amiidae..........
Ammocrypta pellucida. ...... 0.2.2...
Anguilla rostrata..........5+-2+2-++5
Anguillidaee: osceecee es ose ues
A plodinotus grunniens.........
PADOGES victecs seyeteten cree seers Wale ayetie elec eeotrn oi
Atherinidae wee eee uses oes
Bass; Blackiayaaraaniacs cx cesergtas
@alicotmnemmte st cere cn cirotn as
Green: sees eae wei eae sas
DLarge-mouth.. 0.0.2. .020 sc ec ees
Smallemouth eeeaeu acto ves 2 ee ae
Strawberry... .......-.--200:-:
Warmouths., 220... 0005.%
IWiNIt eve tanes nel Ae tke sc dees
TINTS (Giclee cre eeca ee ae
Buco ees alesis ee ciserss
Boleichthys fusiformis...............
Boleosoma nigrum............
Buffalo, Big-mouth.................
Mongrel gence oceeencs aahs s
Small-moutheeeni cee ae ee ae
Bullhead, Black....................
EV cllowsereecsecee ath
Campostoma anomalum..............
Carassius auratus.............
@arp, Germans 2 62 sseescsens ec cnes
Weatherya Sted. ccs s oe ae ws
(Oye oevd le: AAA Rees
Capriodes velifer....................
Cat, Brindled,.....................
(Channeltiseceeiscctee ts.cae a
INDEX
45
47
41
40
41
25
25
54
30
30
57
30
45
49
46
50
50
49
47
46
49
46
47
56
25
48
56
54
30
30
30
31
41
41
40
34
34
33
33
31
31
31
42
40
41
Slender ee acy eeuasnens es
Stonecuee scenic ns hanna 6
Madpolea.ncyst sts cette aishesvee casas
Gatostomid derma nis coacneereles ees
Catostomus commersonii.....-.......
Centrarchidae............
Chaenobrytius gulosus... 0.0.0... 000%
Chrosomus erythrogaster.............%
Ciscom isnt ae serien nae eee cte tae
Behavior......
Breeding habits................
Conservation...............--.
DeScriptions2y0ies. esse uae. ss
Pipi emiess (2 sce eee a se oem
MOOG S josenecttinaane 6 eee ercwun e
Growthicc faces cnet eee: ccatn
Miprationsen weenie ssesees ne
Nit nine iain a paokneeisy por ae coe
VOUN GS 55.25 oe sc ots ha tesee anges
Climatology: curiae hae deieniea ae
Clinostomus elongatus .........-....:
Gligla we ptlan reteset yao eee ae
Coregonus albus... 2.2.2.0. eee eee
Cottiddesti.nye carne eae 4
Cottus bairdii bairdii..............4.
Crappie ds cemiee eins tetcan cote cos
DWH Gly. ccd crepe crc cytercnen were
Cristovomer namaycush.......
(Cycloranoided sajcect sence sce meas
Cyprinus Carpio... 0.0.0 ccc ec eee ee
Dace, Black-nosedss.i. cececc. eee nee
ELODN ed epi eerste a teres ns
Red-bellied.............-
Darter, Black-sided..........
Fan-taileds jecce cwesiee eerie save
Green-sided <2 wins oenec nner ce «
TO Wea cece reiterate ate naa vires
WOHNNVaeeee eee nee cioae eee sane
TeGaSte cose. ciate sia lscaievere wavereve sone
Rain bOW en oe 0 ee eis ce
Sandisscas «
Spindle-shaped ne es aire. srr ai~ 2s
149
150
Diplesion blennioides............-4-%
Erimyzon sucetta oblongus.........0.%
Esocidae
Esox americanus.........205020000 0%
immaculatus.. 2... cee ee eee
lucius. . tel anceene
Etheostoma en ee
flabellare Tineabaseunn, soneutenig henselae
LOWE os iacas aiaveie tines siayelntes a seaistene eee
OSSUGE’ «chon cad. 5 s neetsle sea ha aces
Etheostominae. ..................--
Eucalia inconstans............0.50+-
Eventognathi. . : ase
Fund lus diaphanus menona........-
IS POT soe oe oe alesote cus sas veneisunit aes
WOUALUS day sxegas eispzcagonereysvetaie a tehace ae
Gar, Hong-nosed’: 5... cst aise eet nes
Gasterosteidils... ¢224 05.6 .ec0eees oo
Glaciation: aceicacnatea ee onsen
Goldfish: 4. Sataeces oh oelecioaluneei ne
Habitats, pee ee eT eee ee
Hadropterus aspro..
Hybagnathus nubila...........4.0+5+
nuchalis . Seamer ne
Hybopsis Lenton ee
Hyborhynchus notatus . :
Hydrogen Ion @onceneanon: a atiecrsse
Hypenthelium nigricans
Ictalurus punctatus... 20... 0.00 000s
Tetrobus:bubalussya.ccce gees: cones
CY PYINEWG. saree neistetensis| erase css ee
MPU Sorc s speck 5) 4h 4 ag dese eS
Tsospondylit uf neste soe eer
Labidesthes sicculus ..........200055
Lakes, Waukesha county..........-.
Condition Of, 2.6562 sec ers ere =
Lepisosteidae’....0. c<ccn6 ee css oh niet
DEPtSOSLEUS) OSSCUS som rnin cae aes ees
Lepomis cyanellus.oicecccsiciisssieas
CUVJOTUS sana ae edeislsa ee acne sieists
PUDDOSUSs a c.20eoe eines ores | wees
HUNTS Serscin plas ers ei soesror eters cat
UNGCIS OP fia o Enero esbod ass Bm 6 Susie ees Salas
Leplo ps olwar1ss.eiccca2 cataseice see a
LOUGH hys O71 so oie nie as 4s eek es
Log hshwte cence eee eae errs
MOS =PexX Chis fagstsscrstsi corse sere yee ster
Microperca punctulata............-..
ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
33
25
30
31
43
43
44
43
55
55
54
55
32
45
30
44
{150
Microplerus dolomieu................ 49
SalmOtdeS: i hc< os eve eee 50
Minnow, Black-striped.............. 38
Blunt-nosed................-..36, 37
Bullhead: 2.25 Gans: ocche eee Be
Fathead ie iso sscs0:se oats eek OD
Menona Top-... 42. 4.26-icueion AS
Rosey-faced............-00000 05 39
Silver-fin... .< .:2ec. gosh Ree eS
Silvery’s «.<.06. 2 0244 + eects BOER 35
Small-mouthed).:... .4...2 Heed
Spot-tailed..,... 22.2. 4:ens wesee 38
Straw-colored.................. 38
TOPs iia ccc cocore cu ole pee ee eS:
Moxostoma aureolum..........-0.4++ 32
OEUICEDS ace ee Sodas oF ta
Muskallunge: 24.5 sconce weno. 44
Nemathognathi. . ....5 00.205 enaeile 40
Notemigonus crysoleacds.........++-+ 37
Notropis atherinoides..............-- 39
DIENNIUS 2 © ce onc eee eS
COYURG « oeoaee aimee ikededat SOE 37
COTMULUS sin faye. ossicles eyes heen eae 39
helerodow's.. sce- nc cca ceelse? 099
RALGSONUUS .. onc ss cckunieasen 135
TUDUTONS « o< 2 cue ten ae cesta 39
WRUP PIU A desc, 22 -< yas acroee teens 1 OS
NOturUus AGVUS) oe oecccce onc. swat 41
Oncorhynchus tschawytscha.........-. 28
Opsopoeodus enviliae ...........---.. 37
Perea flavescenSc scars sen NOL
Pereh’24. sated don ane te ete apes eae sts 52
TO p25 sao Son creeccesacnieis easier etre cea ue Oe
Percidaes. cscs ccisen ae eG elie soe. aol
POrCin@ CO PTOG ES Waren-aidcvennc tase tee POS
Pickerel.. 5.205 scat sees ee aS
GYASS 2 iau.cg ieee es besa ceeees wA4S
Pike, Gray soc asanstaaeaveernvcere FOZ
Great) Norther ncce.cc ac iseerntere 43
Sando ia.deun pore paeeeain ee Seles D2
Wallteyed sca sccccn asec anenee 51
Pimephales promelas.........0-+00+5 35
Poecilidaesss avec « eccsemce emcee 44
Pomoxis annularis..........0 000000. 46
SPOTOULES Mase see mals eet ae O
Pumpkinsééd). .c.<s2e.eetsevuen-2s. 49
Redhorse, Common... :.s.0.2nceee 9 02
Short-headed:ys ws. seein ais 33
Rhinichthys atronasus............... 39
Rhomboganoidea............-...5-+ 25
151] ILLINOIS BIOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 151
RIVET SYSCEMS aura ais © aieleiciceueis sieeve « 12 ENEmMieS i, see ees oe eee meen oe:
Roccus chrysops.-..2.--+-..:-.s--2-- 26 BOO 34). cc iiecvass nied sacrs cect O2
Rudd}Muropeaneaecemeiesse enc. | OL SUMMALY:, seiscierccs nesses a Oe
SCLIN ON G70 ne a ereiciae teats sic cae sisi visice 29 MOUND Gis orasiseni grees eee ere ane 67
WVGCEUS Here ea tate dae tid nee sce s e 28 Growth of. . 71
SCDGLO aa wnaete ssi aasienss 28 Migratione emis css eaten oe 73
Salmon; Californias. ..--s2seesieno-s- 20 wolluridaé.c..2c.ccs cccssaees ecu. oe 40
Ghinook2v seta cseesader ete teens 28 Stickleback, Brook................. 45
Land-locked................--- 28 Stizostedion canadense griseum........ 52
Salmonidaeyascecser se -seeeee ee |20 UAT CUD ate ce aia sheet cera 51
Salvclinus fontinalis............0005-5 29> ‘Stone-roller. . cance eee eectese ae vege 32, 34
Scardinius erythropthalmus........... 51 Sucker, Chub........ 31
Schalbeodes extlis.........0...0220... 42 Commoni ce necs sees seesnicas 32
BYPLIVUS 3 chacey hevepsetainie Pease Tesh 42 TOS NOSEd setae ptaiteanensisaes’ | (62
MIUTUS Seals os sad site dhe sie este eumersiess AQ UWSUNASH aie onic ction peiewes 48
Sclaenidaestr. cnn wausscesG asee ine Gees 57 Blue-spotted.................5. 47
Sculpinsececnr scares 57 Greentmnemrcecaieitsaceusecens 47
Semolilus atromaculatius.............. 36 IMcKayise csi: oe cee wis etree ne 48
Serraniddensaseev ses acesedt ceaeer 0 Orange-spotted................. 48
Sheepshead... 4... sees aes cee Ome Op-waterancime seine an ei serene 45
Shinervpeeseee ne een eee eae 9 9 Prout, Brooks. d2c5 ccciesw seizesie ee 29
Commonine wee esi. c2s tee ciate ci 39 (BrOWMac enrrmionee ecnt ens 29
Golden tec erns aviscienc. dhe eaters 37 German jisc-aurs sero veers caine = oe 29
Silversides, Brook. .... 45 Great Laken. aac auctewe cece 29
PA GUL torrie eteetcietstelaevsiens <feise ey etaie.s 91 Ram DOWs. siete ec ein on-ctevareveis avs sie 28
Breeding Habitsx..-.<.0.-2066 O64: “Umbra lumis. vac. ce0caccssucves scan 42
Mescnption.e.csees ses cinsee wee 02 | Umbridaesy icc cen; ccccees ons eas 42
Development.............-.-.- 66 Whitefish. 26
THE LIBRARY OF THE
OCT 24 1927
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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