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British Museum (Natural Histor;>^
Dept. of Zoology
Guide to the British fresh-
water fishes
GUIDE
TO THE
BRITISH FRESH -WATER FISHES
EXHIBITED IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY),
CKOMWELL ROAD,. LONDON, S.W.
WITH , VENTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIU
LONDON
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
BRITISH MUSEUM
1917
PRICE SIXPENCE.
2v
PRESENTED
HY
The Trustees
OK
THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
-Z.oo\
GUIDE
TO THE
BRITISH FRESH -WATER FISHES
EXHIBITED IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY),
CEOMWELL EOAD, LONDON, S.W.
WITH TWENTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIONS
LONDON
FEINTED BY OEDEE OF THE TEUSTEES OF THE
BEITISH MUSEUM
1917
{All rights reserved.)
LIINUOX :
PRIXItU IIY WIU-IAM CLOWLS AND SONS. LIMITED,
DIKE STREET, STAMKOKD STHEET, S.E., AND OKEAT WINDMILL STREET,
(StL
PREFACE.
The present Guide to the British Fresh-water Fishes has been
written by Mr. C. Tate Began, M.A., who has given much atten-
tion to the improvement of the exhibit during the last few years.
The small collection to which it furnishes explanatory notes is
exhibited at the extreme western end of the Bird Gallery, on the
Ground Floor of the western wing of the building. The following
pages contain particulars of the fishes exhibited, when these are
of interest, and give a brief account of the characteristic features
and distribution of each species, with an indication of the size that
may be attained by individual specimens. Fuller information will
be found in Mr. Eegan's work, "British Fresh- water Fishes."*
Most of the specimens are recent acquisitions, but some of them
are old ones which have been re-modelled and re-painted. Several
of the new specimens have been received as the result of an
appeal to anglers for specimen fish, kindly inserted in " The
Fishing Gazette" by the Editor, Mr. E. B. Marston.
The successful and artistic models of the Minnow, Stickleback
and Gudgeon are the work of the donor, Mr. F. Page. Nearly all
the rest of the exhibited specimens have been prepared by Mr. A.
Fieldsend in the Museum. The series of photographs of scales
are the work of Mr. J. A. Milne, who presented them.
In addition to the above, the thanks of the Trustees are due to
Messrs. J. Andrews, F. Barker, F. E. Graham, J. A. Hutton, E.
Kempsey, W. E. Park, and A. P. Zerfass, for gifts of specimens
which have been used in the preparation of the exhibition.
SIDNEY F. HAEMEE,
Keeper of Zoology,
British Museum (Natuead Histoky),
Cromwell Road, London, S.W.
January 29th, 1917.
* London. Methueu and Co., 1911, price 6s.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Fig
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2.
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3.
11
4.
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5.
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6.
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7.
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8.
91
9.
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10.
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11.
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12.
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14.
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15.
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16.
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17.
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20.
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23
PAGE
Diagrammatic Figures of Perch and Trout .... 8
Sea Lamprey 9
Mouth and Suctorial Disc of Sea Lamprey and Lampern 9
Sturgeon 10
Salmon Parr and Young Trout ... .... 12
Scale of Salmon 13
Lough Melvin Char 15
Lochmaben Vendace 16
Shannon Pollan 17
Heads of Houting and Schelly 17
Twaite Shad 19
Anterior Branchial Arch of Twaite Shad and Allis
Shad 19
Metamorphosis of Eel 21
Pharyngeals of Chub 22
Scale of Rudd 23
Crucian Carp 25
Minnow 26
Chub 27
Dace 27
Roach 28
Rudd 29
Bream 30
Ruffe 33
BRITISH FEESH-WATER FISHES.
INTRODUCTION.
The British Fresh-water Fishes are exhibited in the British Saloon
at the far end of the Bird Gallery. On entering the Saloon from
the Bird Gallery the visitor turns sharply to the right and finds
the fishes facing him, occupying two adjacent wall-cases. In the
limited space available it has been impossible to adhere strictly lo
a systematic arrangement, but the general plan is that the Sturgeon
and the Salmonoids occupy the case on the right and the
Cyprinoids that on the left ; the other families, which together
include but a small proportion of the species, are placed above,
below and to the left of the Cyprinoids. Each specimen exhibited
is provided with a number, and these numbers are repeated in
the Guide.
Many of our fresh-water fishes spend part of their life in the
sea ; some of these, such as the Stickleback, both feed and breed
in either fresh or salt water ; others, like the Salmon, feed in the
sea and breed in the rivers, whilst the Eel, on the contrary,
descends to the sea to breed. Marine fishes that ascend rivers
may form perumnent fresh-water colonies, and in time these may
become distinct races or even species. All the fresh-water fishes
peculiar to the British Isles, such as the Char and Whitefish of
different lakes, and the Killarney Shad, are closely related to
marine fishes that spawn in fresh water. On the otlier hand, our
Perch, Pike, Roach, Bream, etc.. are true fresh-water fishes ;
they and their relatives are found only in fresh water. All our
fishes of this type are found also on the continent of Europe, and
as they cannot cross the sea it is evident that they reached our
islands at a time when the latter were joined to the continent and
our eastern rivers were, in all probability, tributaries of the Rhine.
The accompanying figures of the Perch and Trout (fig. 1) are
intended to iUustrate some of the differences used in characterising
the families. In the Trout the maxillary bones form part of the
upper border of the mouth, but in the Perch the praemaxillaries
exclude them from the oral margin. In the Trout the pelvic fins
are abdominal, far behind the pectorals ; in the Perch they are
8
Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes
thoracic, below the pectorals. In the Trout all the fin-rays are
tiexible, jointed and branched ; in the Perch some of the rays
are stiff pointed spines.
pmx
J3mx
Fig. 1.— Diageammatic Figures of Perch (A) and Trout (B).
jpmx, praemaxillary ; mx, maxillary ; op, operculum ; d, dorsal fin ; d', spinous
dorsal fin ; d", soft dorsal fin ; ad, adipose fin ; c, caudal fin ; a, anal fin ;
pv, pelvic fin ; p, pectoral fin.
PETEOMYZONIDAE.
This family includes about twenty species from the coasts and
rivers of all temperate regions ; some of these feed in the sea, but
all breed in fresh water.
The Lampreys resemble Eels in form, but differ from them
widely in structure ; the most notable external differences from
other fishes are that the mouth is surrounded by an expanded
circular lip, the suctorial disc, which bears horny teeth, and that
there is a series of seven small gill-openings on each side. There
are no jaws, but there is a very muscular protrusible tongue, also
furnished with horny teeth.
Lampreys attach themselves by means of the suctorial disc to
other fishes and devour them, sucking the blood and scraping off
Petromyzo7iidac 9
the tiesh. They breed in the sprhig or early summer, when they
make a sort of nest by clearing the stones away from a circular or
oval space ; the eggs are shed in the sand at the bottom of the
Pio. 2. Sea IjAmtrkv.
nest and develop into a larva [Aniiitocoefes), which has neither
suctorial disc nor teeth, and lives in the sand like a worm ; these
larvae are called Prides. After three or four years of larval life,
when the Prides are 4 to 6 inches long, the metamorphosis into
the adult form takes place.
I. Sea Lamprey, Pctromyzon marinus (fig. 2). — This species
has the suctorial disc completely covered with series of teeth
(fig. 3a) ; its marbled or spotted coloration is also distinctive. It
Fig. .3. — Mouth and Suctorial Disc of (A) Sea Lamprey and
(B) Lampern.
attains a length of 3 feet and a weight of 5 lbs. or more. It occurs
on both sides of the North Atlantic and in the Mediterranean,
preying upon Cod, Mackerel, etc. In the spring or summer the
lo Guide to tJic British Frcsh-Watcr FisJics
sexually mature individuals migrate into tlie rivers to spawn, after
which they die. The specimen exhibited, 3i inches long, is from
the Severn.
2. Lampern or River Lamprey, Lanqjetrafinviatilis. — This is
placed in a genus distinct from that of the Sea Lamprey on account
of differences in the dentition of the disc and tongue (fig. 3). It
is not spotted or marbled, and does not grow to a length of more
than 16 inches. It inhabits the coasts and rivers of Europe,
Northern Asia and Western North America; it resembles the
Sea Lamprey in habits, but is more alnindant. In some rivers,
such as the Trent, a considerable proportion of the Lamperns do
not migrate to the sea after metamorphosis, but pass their whole
Hfe in fresh water.
3. Brook Lamprey or Planer's Lamprey , Lamjyctra 2)laneri.
— Tliis is very similar to tlie preceding species, but it has blunter
teeth, and the edges of llie disc are more strongly fringed ; the
dorsal fins are continuous, whereas in the Lampern they are
separated liy an interspace. This species ranges Irom Europe
tlirough Northern Asia to Japan ; it is found in small streams
and ditches, never goes to the sea, and grows but little, if at all,
after the metamorphosis, reaching a length of only 6 or 7 inches.
ACIPENSERIDAE.
This family inhabits the seas and rivers of Europe, Asia and
North America. The produced snout, with a transverse series of
four barbels in front of the small protractile mouth, the longi-
tudinal rows of bony plates on the body, and fli(> upturned tail are
cbaractoristic.
4. Sturg-eon, Acipenscr stuiin (fig. 4). — The Sturgeon occurs
on the cuasis of eastern North America and of Eui'ope from
Fig. 4. — Sturgeox.
Scandinavia to the Black Sea; it ascends rivers to spawn, but
those that enter British rivers mav be regarded as stragglers, as
Salmonidae 1 1
it is doubtful if this fish breeds in our waters. It attains a length
of 18 feet. It feeds on small invertebrates, stirring up the sand
or mud with its snout and feeling for them with its barbels. A
specimen 6 feet long is exhibited ; it was taken in the Thames
before 1855, in which year it was presented by the Zoological
Society.
SALMONIDAE.
The Salmonidae are soft-rayed fishes with the pelvic fins far
behind the pectorals, and vvith the non-protractile moutii bordered
aliove by the praemaxillaries in the middle and the maxillaries at
tlie sides ; they are distinguished from other British fresh-water
fishes, except the closely related Osmeridae, by the presence of an
adipose fin — a small fleshy rayless tin placed on the hinder part
of the back. These features are illustrated in the diagTammatic
figure of a Trout on p. 8 (fig. 1b). This is a northern family ;
many of the species are marine, but ascend rivers to breed ;
others are permanently estalDlished in lakes or rivers. The
British Salmonidae belong to four genera, which may be shortly
characterized as follows : —
1. Salmo (Salmon and Trout). — Mouth rather large ; a double
or zig-zag series of teeth along the vomer (in the middle
of the roof of the moutli) present, at least in the young ;
dorsal fin i-elatively short, of 10 to 16 rays.
2. Salvelinus (Char). — Differs from Salmo in that vomerine
teeth are present only as a group at the anterior end of
the bone, which is raised and has a boat-shaped depres-
sion behind it.
8. Goregonus (Powan, Vendace, etc.). — Differs from Salvio in
having the mouth small, without or with minute teeth.
4. Thijmallus (Grayling). — Mouth small ; dorsal fin long, of
18 to 24 rays.
5 — 12. Salmon, Salmo .^.a/ar. -This important fish is too
well known to need much description, but it is very closely related
to the Trout, and it is not always easy to distinguish between
them. In the Salmon the dorsal tin usually has more branched
rays (10 to 12) than in the Trout (8 to 10), the scales on the tail
number 10 to 13 in an oblique series from the adipose tin to the
lateral line (13 to 16 in the Trout), the maxillary is shorter, even
in large fish not extending far beyond the eye, and the tail is
more constricted at the base of the caudal fin, which is more
I 2 Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes
emarginate than in Trout of the same size, although in old fish it
may he truncate.
The Salmon is found on both sides of the North Atlantic,
ranging from Hudson Bay, Greenland, Iceland and Northern
Europe to Cape Cod and the Bay of Biscay. The size attained
varies according to locality ; a fish of 84 lbs. has been recorded
from the Tay. Salmon feed on Herrings, Mackerel, Sand-eels,
etc., and ascend rivers only for breeding purposes. Spawning
takes place in the autumn or winter, the female fish scooping out
a trougli in which she deposits the eggs and then covers them
Fnjui a photoijraiM ['"J J- -4- Hutton, E.iij.
Fig. 5.— Salmon Parr (lower figure) and young Trout (upper figure).
Note the shorter maxillary, fewer spots, more slender tail and more deeply
notched caudal fin of the Salmon.
with gravel. The young fish live in fresh water and are known
as Parr (fig. 5). When they are about 6 inches long and usually
two years old the PaiT lose the large bluish spots or bars on the
sides called Parr-marks, become very silvery, and are now termed
Smolts. The Smolts migrate to the sea, usually in May, and
grow very rapidly ; they may return to fresh water after about a
year in the sea as Grilse, weighing from Ih to 10 lbs., or may
defer their i-eturn until they have spent two winters in the sea.
Such fish, running up in the spring, are known as " Small Spring
Salmon." But Salmon may pass several years in the sea and
attain a large size before entering fresh water to breed. It
Salmonidae
13
seems that Salmon seldom live longer than ten years or spawn
more than three or four times ; many spawn only once. After
spawning the Salmon is termed a Kelt.
Enlarged photographs of scales of Salmonidae, presented by
J. A. Milne, Esq., are exhibited in a frame on the wall to the
Fig. 6. — Scale of Salmon.
1 marks the edge of the Smolt scale ; 2 indicates the first \vinter zone formed
in the sea ; 3 the spawning mark ; and 4 the second winter zone formed in
the sea, which has been obliterated, except anteriorly.
right. Nos. 1 to 7 are scales of Salmon, and illustrate how the
age and life-history of the fish can be read on the scales. One of
these photographs is reproduced here (fig. 6). The scales of a
Salmon show concentric rings ; as the fish gi-ows the scales
increase in size and more rings are added. In the summer,
14 Guide to the British Fresh-Water" Fishes
when growth is lapitl, numerous complete rings separated by
relatively wide interspaces are formed ; in winter, when growth
is slower, the rings are fewer, incomplete and closer together :
thus broad summer zones and narrower and darker winter
zones are marked on the scales. Tiie rings formed during the
Parr stage are much closer together than those formed in the
sea. When tlie Salmon enters fresh water to breed growth ceases
and the edges of the scales become worn and irregular ; if the
Kelt gets liack to the sea and resumes feeding new ridges are
added outside this irregular edge, which then appears as a
" spawning mark."
The specimens exhibited are a Parr (5) and a Smolt (6), each
about 6^ inches long ; a Grilse (7) of 4^ lbs. from the Eiver Moy,
Ballina, Ireland, taken in June, 1912; male (9) and female (8)
Small Spring Salmon. 8 to i) ll)s., also from the Moy, taken in
April, 1912 (in the male the snout is longer than in the female) ;
a female Kelt (10) from the Wye, February 8, 1914, presented by
J. k. Hutton, Esq. (a lean and dull-coloured fish) ; a female
Salmon (11), 46 inches long and weighing 44-| lbs., taken in tlie
Wye on April 7, 1912, by the donor, J. A. Hutton, Esq. (hke the
Grilse and Small Spring Salmon this is a fresh-run fish, silvery
and well proportioned); and a male Salmon (12), 55^ lbs., from
the Tay, Sept. 28, 1898 (the produced jaws, curved at the tip,
are characteristic of large males).
13 — 19. Trout, Salmo triUta (fig. 5). — In the sea the Trout
ranges from Iceland and Northern Europe to the Bay of Biscav.
and as a fresh-water tish it extends to Southern Europe and
even to Sardinia, Algeria and Morocco. Trout very similar to
ours inhabit the Black, Caspian and Aral Seas and their trijjutaries.
In our islands the Trout is found all round the coast, and in most
lakes and rivers ; it varies greath in size, appearance, and habits.
In some brooks and tarns it averages only 3 or 4 ounces, but in
large lakes, such as Lough Neagh, it is said to grow to 50 lbs., and
the Sea Trout of the Tweed and Coquet also attain a large size.
Many Trout never go to sea ; those that do may descend as smolts
when about the same size as Salmon smolts, but they do not go so
far out to sea as the Salmon, and often frequent the estuaries.
Trout, unlike most Salmon, appear to be annual spawners.
The specimens exhibited illustrate to some extent the variation
in size and colour. They are : (13) Sea Trout, 8 lbs. 4 oz., Mont-
rose, July, 1901 ; (14) Great Lake Trout, the so-called " Salmo
Salni07iidac
15
ferox,'' length 35 inches, estimated weight 18 lbs., Loch Awe, 1906,
presented by Major H. Maclean ; (15) Loch Leven Trout, Loch
Leven ; (16) Gillaroo Trout, 5 lbs. 1|- o/... Lough Arrow, presented
by J. Gunning, Esq. ; (17-19) Trout from three Sutherlandshire
lochs, Scovu'ie, BoroUan and Crocach.
Attention may be called to specimens illustrating the difference
between our Trout (S. trutta) and the Californian Eainbow Trout
(.S'. irideus) ; these are in table-case 43 in the Fish Gallery.
20 — 27. Char, Salvelinus. — -Char are very similar to Trout,
but they have smaller scales and there are no black spots ; pink
or orange spots are usually present, and the lower part of the fish
is often of the same colour, or, in the lu'eeding season, even
crimson. Char are found in numerous lakes of Ireland, Scotland,
the Lake District and North Wales, and of Scandinavia and the
Alps. The Char {Salvelinus aPpimis) of the Arctic Ocean ascends
rivers to spawn, and does not range southwards as a marine fish
beyond Hudson Bay, Iceland, Helgeland in Norway and the
Kurile Islands. It is evident that the British and Irish Char are
lacustrine colonies of the northern Char, which must have
ascended our rivers when our seas were colder. The Char found
in our lakes differ from Salvelinus alpinus and from each other, and
may be regarded either as sub-species of S. alpinus or as so many
separate species ; fifteen have been recognized as distinct and have
received specific names.
Fig. 7. — Lough Melvin Char.
The exhibited specimens are : (20) *S'. grayi (fig. 7), from Lough
Melvin, distinguished by its deep body, few scales and large fins ;
(21) Salvelinus gracillimus, from the Shetlands, notable for its
1 6 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes
slender form ; (22, 23) S. n-il\iu\hhii, the Windermere Char ;
(24, 25) S. maxiWaris, from Ben Hope, Sutherlandshke, remark-
able for the large mouth and strong jaws ; and (26, 27) -S.
kiUincnsis, from Loch Killin, Inverness-shire, a Char with blunt
snout and subterminal nioutii, large lins and very small scales.
Whitefish, Coreqonus. — These fishes differ from Salmon,
Trout and Char in their smaller mouth, with the teeth minute or
absent, and in their larger scales. They have the general appear-
ance of Herrings, but are distinguished by the presence of an
adipose fin. They feed on minute Crustacea, insect larvae, etc.
Our species may be distinguished thus : —
Mouth terminal ; lower jaw projecting . Coregonus vandcsius.
Mouth terminal ; jaws equal in front .
Mouth subterminal ; lower jaw the
shorter ; snout truncated
Mouth inferior; snout produced .
C. pollan.
C. clupeoidcs.
C. oxyrhynchus.
28. Vendace, Coregonus vandesius (fig. 8). — This little fish
inhabits two lochs at Lochmaben, in Dumfriesshire, and is repre-
''':j^fr.!^^
Fig. 8. — Lochmaben Vendace.
sented in Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lakes by a distinct
sub-species, Coregonus vandesius gracilior, which differs from tjie
typical form in having the body more slender, the fins smaller
and the dorsal rays more numerous. Vendace are never more
than 9 inches long. Species related to the Vendace inhabit the
countries round the Baltic, and others ascend Siberian rivers from
the Arctic Ocean.
29. Pollan, Goregonvs pollan. — This species is abundant in
Lough Neagh, where it is regulai'ly netted for the market. The
Salmo'iiidae
17
Lough Erne Pollan [G. pollan altior) and the Shannon Pollan
((7. pollan elegans) (fig. 9) differ slightly from the typical form
found in Lough Neagh. Pollan are usually 8 to 12 inches long,
Fig. 9. — Shannon Pollan.
but sometimes measure 18 inches. An arctic marine species
that ascends the rivers of Siberia is the nearest relative of this
exclusively Irish fish.
30. Powan, Coregonus clupeoides (fig. 10b).— The Powan of
Lochs Lomond and Esk, the Schelly (C chqyeoides stigmaticus) of
Ullswater and Haweswater, and the Gwyniad (C clupeoides pen-
nantii) of Bala Lake, are all forms of a species that is represented
in Scandinavia and Central Europe by a number of very similar
species or sub-species, including the Blaufelchen (C ivartmanni)
A. B.
Fig. 10. — Heads op (A) Houting and (B) Schelly.
of the Lake of Constance. Coregonus muksun, a migratory arctic
species, is also closely related. The Powan is of the same size as
the Pollan.
Houting, Coregonus oxyrhynchus (fig. 10a). — This is a migra-
tory species of the coast of Europe from Scandinavia to Holland ;
c
1 8 Guide to tJic BritisJi Fresh-Water Fishes
occasional specimens cross the Nortli Sea and have been
captured in our eastern rivers.
31. Qraylinff, Thymallus thymaUus. — The Grayhng is dis-
tinguished by the rather long dorsal fin, witli the rays more
numerous than in other Salmonoids. In scaling and size of the
mouth it resembles tlie Whitefish more than the Salmon or Trout,
but the teeth, although small, are quite distinct. The Grayling
inhabits rivers of Northern Europe and of the Alps ; in England
and Wales it is rather local ; it has been introduced into Scotland,
but is absent from Ireland. Other species of Grayling are found
in Siberia and in North America. In this country a Grayling of
5 lbs. is exceptional, but in northern Scandinavia they grow to
more than twice that weight. The food consists of flies, insect
larvae, small molluscs and crustaceans, etc. The breeding season
is from Marcli to May, later than in other Salmonidae. The fish
exhibited is from the Test at Stockbridge ; weight, 2 lbs. 12 oz. ;
presented l)y E. J. Power, Esq.
OSMEEIDAE.
This family resembles the Salmonidae in external features,
but differs in some important structural characters. Like the
Salmonidae, it comprises northern marine fishes that breed in
fresh watei'.
32. Smelt, Osmerus eperlanus. — The Smelt is distinguished by
its thin transparent scales and by its coloration. The translucent
olive-green hue of the back is sharply defined from the bright
silvery colour of the sides. The Smelt ranges from the Baltic
southwards on our east and south-east coast to Hampshire, and
on the west coast to North Wales. In the spring the shoals enter
rivers to spawn ; the eggs are not buried as in the Salmonidae,
but lie on the bottom, adheiing to the stones, etc., on which they
fall. After spawning, the fish may stay in fresh water, sometimes
remaining until the autumn ; in Eostherne Mere, in Cheshire, the
Smelt is a permanent resident. This fish feeds on small fishes,
crustaceans, worms, etc. ; it grows to a lengtli of 13 inches.
CLUPEIDAE.
This important family inhabits the seas of all parts of ihe
world ; many of the species ascend rivers to breed, and a few are
permanent residents in fresh water. The Chijieidae are similar to
Clnpeidae
19
the Salmonidae in most external features, but difier in the absence
of the adipose fin. Of our British species, the Shads differ from
the Herring, Sprat and Pilchard structurally in that the upper
jaw has a well-marked median notch, and biologically in that they
ascend rivers, especially the Shannon and the Severn, from April
to June, to spawn in fresh water. The eggs lie at the bottom of
the river, and the young fish migrate to the sea when they are
two years old and about 6 inches long.
^^. Allis Shad, Aloui alosa. — This species is especially dis-
tinguished by the long and slender gill-rakers, numbering 55 to 85
on the lower part of the anterior branchial arch (fig. 12b). It
reaches a weight of 8 lbs. The specimen exhibited, 24 inches
long, is from the Severn at Gloucester.
Fig. 11.— Twaitr Shad.
B.
Fig. 12 — Anteeior Bbanchiai, Arch of (A) Twaite Shad axd
(B) Allis Shad.
r, gill-rakers.
34. Twaite Shad, Alosa finta (fig. 11).— The Twaite Shad
has the gill -rakers much shorter and fewer than in the Allis Shad,
numbering only 24 to 27 on the lower part of the anterior
branchial arch (fig. 12a). It attains a length of 20 inches and
c 2
20 Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes
a weiglit ut -1 lbs. The example exhil)iteLl, taken from the Severn
at Worcester, was presented by C. H. Cook, Esq.
Killarney Shad, Alosa finta killarnensis. — This interesting
l)ut little-known form is a permanent resident in the Lakes of
Killarney. It ditiers from the migratory Twaite Shad in the
deeper body and the more numerous gill-rakers ; the latter
number 30 to 33 on the lower part of the anterior branchial
arch. The largest specimen as yet recorded is only 8 inches long.
ESOCIDAE.
This family differs from the Salmonidae and Clupeidae in tiie
postei'ior position of the dorsal fin, which is above the anal ; there
is no adipose fin. It includes the single genus Esox, with six
species in Europe, Northern Asia and North America.
35. Pike, Esox liicins. — This fish is so well known as to need
no description ; but it may be noted that the strong erect fixed
teeth of the lower jaw are adapted for holding its prey, and that
the bands of slender depressible teeth on the tongue and on the
roof of the mouth help its passage inwards. The Pike is found
all over Europe, except Spain and Portugal ; it ranges through
Kussian Turkestan, Siberia and Mongolia, and in North America
from Alaska to the Great Lakes ; in the British Isles it is
generally distributed, but becomes local in Northern Scotland. A
weight of 40 lbs. is rarely exceeded in this country, but there
seems little reason to doubt that a Pike of 52 lbs. was taken
when Whittlesea Mere was drained in 1851, or that a still larger
one was taken about 1775 in Loch Ken. The Pike is sohtary,
and feeds on other fishes ; in the winter they pair, and in the
early spring they make their way into ditches, backwaters, etc.,
and spawn among the weeds. The specimen exhibited, from
Lough Arrow, was presented by Messrs. Williams and Son in
1907. It measures 46 inches in length, and probably weighed
about 35 lbs. Another fine Irish Pike, 30 lbs. in weight, from
Lough Conn, is shown in the Pish Gallery (Case 10, No. 407).
ANGUILLIDAE.
The Eels are recognized by the long, subcylindrical body, the
terminal mouth, with bands of pointed teeth, the small gill-
openings, the absence of pelvic fins, and the long dorsal and anal
fins extending to the end of the tail. The family Anguillidae in-
cludes the genus AngniUa, with several Tndo-Pacific species and
Anguillidac
21
two from the Atlantic, of which the American Eel ranges from
Greenland to the Antilles.
Fig. 13. — Metamorphosis of Eel, from Leptocephalus to Elyeb.
(After Johs. Schmidt.)
36. Eel, AnguiUa anguilla. — This species ranges from Iceland
and Scandinavia to the Azores and Morocco : it inhabits the
2 2 Guide to tJic British Fresh- J]\itcr Fishes
Mediterranean but not the lilack Sea. Eels occur in both fresh
and salt water, in the former penetrating to the smallest brooks
and ponds, in the latter lurking among rocks and weeds near the
shore. They are almost omnivorous, but feed chiefly on small
fishes, crayfishes, worms, etc. ; they are nocturnal, in the day
usually hiding in holes or lying buried in sand. jNIale Eels rarely
grow to more than 20 inches long, but females grow much larger,
especially in the fen district, where a length of over 5 feet and a
weight of 20 lbs. or more may be reached. It is now established
that the Eel breeds only once in its life. Towards the autumn a
certain number become silvery and migrate to the sea and make
their way far out into the Atlantic ; their breeding place is in deep
water, probably south of the Azores. The transparent strongly
compressed larvae (Leptocephalus) are quite imlike the adult ;
when about 8 inches long they cease feeding, and during their
migration towards the coasts and rivers, which occupies several
months, they shrink both in depth and length, until they become
little Eels, or Elvers, about 2^- inches long (fig. 13). A series
illustrating the metamorphosis of the Eel is exhibited in the case
entitled " Fisheries Investigations " on the left of the staircase in
the Central Hall. Tlie Eel exhibited is from the Thames at
Teddington ; it measures 35 inches, and may have weighed from
4 to 5 lbs.
CYPRINIDAE.
This large family of strictly fresh-water fishes inhabits Europe,
\sia, Africa and North America. All or most of the fin -rays are
flexible and jointed, and the pelvic fins
are abdominal in position ; there is no
adipose fin ; the mouth is toothless,
protractile, and l)ordered above by the
praemaxillaries only.
The pharyngeal bones, a pair of
bones that lie in the throat just behind
the gills, bear a small number of teeth
that bite upwards against a hard plate
supported by a process from the skull.
In a wall-frame are exhibited the
pluiryngeals of some British species,
to illustrate tlie ditterences in the form, number and arrangement
of the teeth.
Fig. 14;. — Pharyngeals oi'
Chdb.
Cyprinidae
23
1. Carp, Cyprlntiti cariyio ; teeth inolanform, triserial, 1.1.3-
3i.i.*
2. Crucian Carp, Carassms carassius ; teeth compressed,
uniserial, 4-4.
3. Tench, Tinea iinca ; teeth wedge-shaped, uniserial, 5-4.
4. Barhel, Barbus harbus ; teeth subconical, hooked, triserial,
3.3-5-5-3-2.
5. Chub, LeuciscHs cephaliis (fig. 14) ; teeth subconical,
hooked, biserial, 2.5-5.2.
6. Eudd, Scardiniiis erijihroplitlKdmiia ; teeth compressed,
with pectinated (comb-like) edges, biserial, 3.5-5.3.
7. Eoach, Buiilus rutilns ; teeth conical or sHghtly compressed,
not pectinated, uniserial, 5-6.
8. Bream, Abrmnis bnoiKi ; teeth compressed, notched, uni-
serial, 5-5.
Enlarged photographs of the scales of Cyprinidae (Eoach,
Gudgeon, Barbel, Chuli ;ind Tench) and of some other British
Fig. 15. — Scale op Rudd.
* The formula 1.1.3-3.1.1 indicates that on each side there is one tooth in
the outer series, one in the next, and three in the inner series. The number
of teeth is not always the same on both sides ; 5-4 (Tench) means 5 on one
side and 4 on the other.
24 Guide to the British Fresh- Water Fishes
fresh-water fishes, presented by J. A. Milne, Esq., are shown in a
frame below that illustrating the scales of the Salmonidae. The
C}^rinoid scales differ in detail, but all show concentric ridges
and radiating grooves (fig. 15), as do the scales of the Pleuro-
nectidae and Percidae ; in the last named the free edge of the
scale is studded with little denticles ; in the Salmonidae and
Gadidae the grooves are absent ; and in the Clupeidae both ridges
and grooves tend to become transverse.
The British Cyprinoids are more or less gregarious, and in the
spring or early summer, when they breed, they crowd together on
the shallows. The majority are found in lakes or ponds as well as
in rivers, but some, such as Carp, Tench, Rudd and Bream, prefer
still or slow-running water, w^hilst others, such as the Dace,
frequent the swifter streams. They feed on a mixed diet of weeds,
insect larvae, small Crustacea, insects, etc., and the Chub may
even eat small fishes.
The British Cyprinidae may be grouped as follows : —
I. Dorsal fin long ; anal fin short. Carp, Crucian Carp.
II. Dorsal fin short ; anal fin short. Barbel, Gudgeon, Tench,
Minnow, Chub, Dace, Eoach, Eudd.
III. Dorsal fin short; anal fin long. Bream, White Bream,
Bleak.
37, 38. Carp, Cxj'prmus carpio. — The long dorsal fin and the
presence of two barbels on each side of the mouth distinguish this
species, which is a native of China and not indigenous to Britain.
In this country it attains a weight of about 25 lbs., but it is said to
grow much larger on the Continent.
Of the two specimens exhibited the larger (38) belongs to the
variety known as " Mirror Carp," or " King Carp," which has the
scales enlarged but reduced in number, part of the body being
naked. This fish, weighing 20 lbs. 8 oz., was caught in the lake at
Aldermaston, Herts, in December, 1911, and was presented by
C. E. Keyser, Esq. The smaller fish shown (37) was taken from
a pond in Kew Gardens in June, 1906 ; weight, 12 lbs. 8 oz. :
presented by the Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
39. Crucian Carp, Carassius carassius (fig. 16). — This species
is placed in a genus distinguished from that of the Common Carp
by the absence of barbels and by the very different pharyngeal
dentition. It inhabits Europe, Turkestan, Siberia and Mongolia ;
in Britain it is rare, except in the Thames and some of the eastern
Cyprinidae
25
counties of England, and it may not be indigenous. It is said to
attain a weight of 7 lbs., but the fish exhibited, 3 lbs. 12 oz., is
believed to be the largest caught in this country liy an angler ; it
'^..
Fig. 16. — Crucian Carp.
was taken in Cheshunt Eeservoir in September, 1915, by the
donor, J. Andrews, Esq.
The Gold-fish, Carassius auratus, is closely related ito the
Crucian Carp. It is a native of Eastern Asia, but has been intro-
duced into almost every part of the world.
40. Barbel, Barbus barbus. — The Barbel is distinguished by
the inferior horse-shoe-shaped mouth, with thick lips and with
two barbels on each side, and by the strong serrated spine of the
dorsal fin. It ranges from France through Germany to the
Danube, and in Britain seems to be restricted to the Thames, the
Trent, and some of the Yorkshire rivers. In this country a length
of 36 inches and a weight of 20 lbs. is the maximum recorded, but
in the Danube a much larger size is reached. The exhibited
specimen is 30 inches long, and probably weighed about 13 lbs. It
was taken from the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park in 1844.
41. Qudgeon, Gobio gobio. — The Gudgeon is very similar to
the Barbel, but the dorsal fin has no spine and the mouth has
only one pair of barbels. It is found all over Europe, except the
Iberian Peninsula and Greece, and extends through Northern Asia
2 6 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes
to Mongolia. It is couimuu in England, except Coinwall anil the
Lake District, and in Wales and Ireland, but it is absent from
Scotland. Tlie shoals frequent quiet shallows with a sandy or
gravelly bottom. This is a small species, rarely growing to a
length of 8 inclies. The example exliibited, from the Thames,
was mounted and presented by F. Page, Hsq.
42. Tench, Tinea /wcrt.— The small scales, rounded fins and
greenish colour are characteristic of this species, which is quite
unlike any of the other T^ritish Cyprinoids. It inhabits Europe,
Asia Minor and Western Siberia; in ouv islands it is generally
distributed, except in Scotland north of Loch Lomond. It is a
sluggish fish, found in lakes, ponds and slow-iunuing rivers.
There is a British record of a specimen weighing 11 lbs. 9 oz., but
the angler does not often capture a larger Tench tiian the one
exhibited, a fish of 5 lbs., which was taken in the lake at Gatton
Park, Surrey, in June, 1915, by the donor, F. E. Graham, Esq.
43. Minnow, Phoxinus 2}hoxinus (fi,<4. 17). — ^The Minnow is in
most respects a miniature Chub or Dace, but the scales are much
smaller than in those species. It inhabits Eiirope, except the
Iberian Peninsula, and extends through Russian Turkestan and
Siberia ; it is generally distributed in England and Wales, is
W
Fig. 17. — Minnow.
absent from the northern Highlands of Scotland, and is local in
Ireland ; 3 or 4 inches is the usual size, but examples 6 or
7 inches long have been taken. The pretty little fishes exhi])ited,
showing the difference in coloration of the sexes in the breeding
season, were mounted and presented by F. Page, Esq.
44. Chub, Leiiciscus cephalus (fig. 18). — The Barbel and
(xudgeon have barbels, the Tench and Minnow have small scales;
in the remaining species with both dorsal and anal fin short the
Cyprinidae
27
mouth is terminal, without barbels, and the scales are relatively
large. Of these the Chub is distinguished from the Dace, Roach
and Rudd by its large head and wide mouth, but especially by
having the margin of the anal fin convex instead of concave.
The Chub ranges from Europe through Asia Minor to Persia ; in
the British Isles it is absent from Ireland, Scotland north of the
Forth, and Devon and Cornwall. It is a river fish and likes swift
Fig. is.— CHu?i.
shallows ; the larger ones often eat minnows and other small
fishes. A length of 24 inches and a weight of 8 lbs. appears to be
the maximum size for this country, but Continental specimens of
12 lbs. have been recorded. The fish exhibited, 6 lbs. 5 oz., was
taken from the Avon at Christchurch on March 14, 1906, by the
donor, E. J. Walker, Esq.
Fig. 19.— Dace.
45. Dace, Leuciscus leuciscus (fig. 19). — The Dace is a graceful
and silvery fish ; it is distinguished from the Chub by the concave
edge of the anal fin. The dorsal fin, of 3 simple and 7 or 8
branched rays, originates above the base of the pelvic fins. The
28 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes
Dace is found in Europe noitli of the Pyrenees and Alps, and
ranges throughout Siheria ; it inhabits most rivers of England
and Wales, but is absent from Scotland and Ireland. Dace of
li lbs. have been recorded, but the specimen exhibited, 1 lb. 4 o/...
is exceptionally large ; it was taken from the Kennet at Kintbury
in September, 1916, and was presented ])y Frank Barker, Esq.
46. Roach, Rutihis rutilus (fig. 20). — Although so similar to
the Chub and Dace in appearance, the Eoach is now placed in a
distinct genus because it has only one series of pharyngeal teeth
instead of two. It is usually deeper in form than the Dace ; the
rather large dorsal fin, of 3 simple and 9 to 11 branched rays,
originates above the end of the base of the pelvic fins. The Roach
Fig. 20.— Roach.
is found in Europe north of the Pyrenees and x\lps, and in Russian
Turkestan and Siberia. In Britain it ranges north to Loch
Lomond and the Teith ; it is absent from Ireland. The record
English Roach, 3 lbs. lOi oz., was taken from the Bristol Water
Company's reservoir in November, 1904. The example exhibited,
a fine fish weighing 2 lbs. 8 oz., was taken in Hornsea Mere in
January, 1915, by the donor, E. Kempsey, Esq.
47. Rudd, Scardinitis erytliropktiialmufi (fig. 21). — Biserial
pharyngeal teeth with pectinated edges characterize the genus
Scardinius. The Rudd is a deep-bodied fish, with a bronze or
golden tinge on the sides and with reddish fins ; the dorsal fin is
smaller and farther back than in the Roach, originating well
l)ehind the base of the pelvic fins. The Rudd occurs in Europe
(except the Iberian Peninsula), Asia Minoi-, Russian Turkestan
Cypj'inidae
29
and Siberia ; in England it is common in the eastern counties,
but is local elsewhere ; it is absent from Scotland, but is abundant
in Ireland. It is especially a fish of lakes, ponds and slow-running
Fig. 21.— Rudd.
rivers. A length of 18 inches and a weight of 3| lbs. may be
reached. A Eudd of about 2| lbs. is exhibited ; it is from Norfolk,
and was presented by J. G. Buxton, Esq.
48. Hybrid Roach and Rudd, Rutilus riitilus x Scardinius
erythrophthahmis. — This hybrid is probably not uncommon in
most localities inhabited by the parent species, but may generally
be mistaken for one or the other of them. It is in every way
intermediate between the parents, and this may particularly be
noted in regard to the position, size and form of the dorsal fin.
The very fine specimen shown, weighing 3 lbs., was taken from
a pond near Doncaster in August, 1915, by the donor, W. E.
Park, Esq.
49. Silver Bream or White Bream, Blicca bjoerkna. —
This species has a deep, strongly compressed body, a long anal
fin, of 2 or 3 simple and 19 to 24 branched rays, and rather
large scales, there being 8 to 11 in a transverse series from dorsal
fin to lateral line ; the coloration is silvery white, with greyish
fins. The Silver Bream ranges throughout Eiu-ope north of the
Pyrenees and the Alps into Western Siberia. In this country it
is found in east coast streams from Yorkshire to Suffolk, occurring
only in slow-running rivers or in lakes. It attains a length of
about 12 inches and a weight of 1\ lbs. The example shown is
from the Cam.
30 Guide io tJie BritisJi FresJi-Water Fishes
50. Common Bream or Carp Bream, Abramis bra ma
(fig. 22). — In this species the pharyngeal teeth are uniserial,
whereas in the White Bream they are biserial (cf. p. 23). The
branched rays of the anal fin number 23 to 29, the scales from
dorsal fin to lateral line 11 to 15 ; the coloration is brownish or
greenish, with bronze reflections ; the fins are blackish. The
young are silvery, and are generally confounded with the Silver
Bream, and with Bream hyl)rids with Rudd and Roach, under
the name Bream-flat. The Common Bream inhabits Europe
north of the Pyrenees and Alps, Russian Turkestan and Western
Siberia ; in Britain it is absent from Scotland north of the
Forth, and from the north-western counties of England; in
Fig. 22. — Common Bbkam.
Ireland it is common. It is found in lakes and sluggish rivers
There is a record of a 17-lb. Bream from the Trent. The
specimen shown, weighing 7 lbs. 14 J, oz., was caught in tlie
River Wensum, near Norwich, in December, 1915, by Mr.
W. G. Hewitt. A Bream of 8 lbs. 8 oz., a female distended
with eggs, is exhibited in the Fish Gallery (Case 8, No. 349).
51, 52. Bream Hybrids. — The Common Bream and the
White Bream are known to form a hybrid, but it does not seem
to have been recognized in this country. Moreover, both species
hybridize with the Roach and the Rudd, and in some years the
hybrids between these species and the Common Bream may be
Cyprinidae 3 1
quite abundant in certain localities. These hybrids are in every
way intermediate between the parent species.
The hybrid Bream and Eoacli {Abrainis })rama x litiiilit:^
rutilm) has the form of a deep Eoach ; the anal fin is rather long,
and lias 15 to 19 branched rays. A very fine example of this
hybrid (51), weighing 3 lbs. 10 ozs., is exhibited ; it is from a lake
at Tortworth, Gloucestershire, and was presented in 1914 by the
Earl of Ducie, F.E.S.
The hybrid Bream and Eudd {Abramis bramn x ScardinniH
erythrophthahnus) differs from the Bream and Eoach hybrid in
the same characters that the Eudd differs from the Eoach — body
usually a little deeper, mouth more oblique, dorsal fin a little
farther back, etc. This fish is well known to the Lough Erne
fishermen, who call it " White Eoach." One of a series from
Lough Erne presented by the late Major H. Trevelyan is exhibited
(52) ; the largest of these weighed 2 lbs.
53- Bleak, Alburnus lucidus. — This pretty and lively little
fish shows more resemblance to the Dace than to the Breams in
its elongate form and bright silvery coloration ; its relationship is
really with the Breams, as is shown by the rather long anal fin
and the sharp edge of the abdomen in front of it. k silvery
powder extracted from the scales of the Bleak is used in France
in the manufacture of artificial pearls. The Bleak inhabits
Europe north of the Pyrenees and Alps ; in Britain it is absent
from Scotland, the Lake District, and the counties bordering the
Channel ; it does not occur in Ireland. It grows to a length of
8 inches. The specimen exhibited, from Weybridge, was presented
by F. Page, Esq., in 1915.
54. 55- Bleak Hybrids. — The Bleak is known to form hybrids
with the Dace, Chub, Eoach, Eudd and White Bream. The
commonest of these is the hybrid Bleak and Chub {Alburnus
lucidus X Leuc'iscus cephalus), which is represented in the
Museum by specimens from the Mole, the Thames, and from a
reservoir near Oundle ; a model of one from the first-named
locality is shown (54). This hybrid combines the physiognomy of
both parents ; the anal fin has 10 to 13 branched rays. The
other Bleak hybrids are rare ; of the two examples known of the
Bleak and Eoach hybrid {Alburnus lucidus x Butilus rutilus)
one was taken in the Eiver Nen in 1889. A model of this is
exhibited (55) ; it has a deeper body than the hybrid Bleak and
Chub.
32 Guide to the British Fresh-Water Fishes
COBITIDAE.
The Loaches are closely related to the Cyprinidae, hut they
have no plate for the pharyngeal teeth to bite against. Externally
they are distinguished by the elongate body, with the scales very
small or absent, and by the presence of at least six barbels. The
majority of the species inhal)it mountain streams of Central and
Southern Asia ; two of the three European species occur in our
islands.
56. Loach or Stone Loach, Ncmachilus barbatulus. — The
Loach has the body spotted or marbled, and the fins crossed by
series of small spots. It inhabits Europe, except the Iberian
Peninsula and Greece, and ranges through Turkestan and Siberia
to China and Japan ; in the British Isles it is widely distributed,
but is absent from the Highlands of Scotland. Loach frequent
small streams, and lie concealed beneath stones during the day ;
they are said to be more active at night. A length of about
o inches may be reached.
57. Spined Loach, Cohitis taenia. — This species takes its
name from the erectile spine that lies in a groove below the eye ;
the most conspicuous feature of its coloration is the interrupted
dark lateral stripe or series of spots. Its general distribution is
the same as that of the Stone Loach, but in our islands it has been
recorded only from a few localities in England. It often buries
itself in the sand, and lies with the head protruding. It may grow
to about 4 inches lontr.
'o-
GADIDAE.
The Cod family includes fishes with all the fin-rays flexible
and jointed, but with the pelvic fins placed in advance of the
pectorals.
58. Burbot, Lota lota. — This is the only fresh-water fish of
the family. The head is broad and the mouth wide, with bands
of pointed teeth ; the lower jaw has a barbel ; the dorsal fin is
divided into a short anterior and a long posterior part, the latter
opposed to the anal and continuous with the rounded caudal ; the
body is spotted or marbled with brown or black. The Burbot is
found in Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece ; it
extends through Sibeiia to Alaska and the Great Lakes of North
Percidae
■^ ^
3 0
America ; in Britain it inhabits eastern rivers from Durham to
Suffolk. Like the Eel it lurks in the day-time and at night goes
in pursuit of its prey. The breeding season is from January to
March. A specimen of 8 lbs. has been recorded from the Trent ;
on the Continent twice that weight is reached, and in Alaska the
Burbot attains 60 lbs.
PEECIDAE.
The Percidae are fresh-water fishes of Nortli America, Europe
and Northern Asia. They have two dorsal fins, the anterior long
and with the rays represented by strong sharply pointed spines ;
the pelvic fins are placed below the pectorals ; the mouth is
toothed, protractile, with the maxillaries excluded from the oral
border (fig. 1a, p. 8).
59. Perch, Perca fluviatilis. — The Perch is a handsome fish,
at once distinguished by the dark bars on the sides. It inhabits
Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula ; extends through Transcaspia
Fig. 23. — Ruffe.
and Siberia, and is represented in Turkestan and in North America
by very similar species. In our islands it is common everywhere,
except in the north of Scotland, but it is not found in swift-running
streams. The shoals of Perch rove in search of little fishes,
worms, insect larvae, shellfisii, etc., on which they feed. They
breed on reedy shallows from ]\Iarch to May. A weight of 5 lbs.
is seldom exceeded, l^ut a Perch of 8 lbs. is said to have been
taken from the Avon, and one of 10 lbs. from Bala Lake.
D
34 Guide to tJic British FrcsJi-Watcr Fishes
The fish exhibited was captured in the Kenuet at Xewbuiy by the
donor, A. P. Zerfass, Esq. ; weight, 2 lbs. 12 oz.
6o. Ruffe ur Pope, Acerina ccrnua (fig. 23). — In this species
the dorsal fins are united, and it differs from the Perch in several
other characters, including the spotted or marljled coloration. It
inhabits Eui-ope north of the P\ieuees and Alps, Russian
Turkestan and Siberia ; in our islands it is absent from Scotland
and Ii-eland, and in England and Wales from the counties north
of Lancashire and Yorkshire and from the south-western counties.
It is a small fish, reaching a length of S inches. The shoals keep
near the bottom in quiet waters, and do not roam about so actively
as the Perch.
SEER AX ID AE.
The Sea Perches differ from the Perch family in that the anal
fin is preceded by three spines instead of two. The majority are
marine, but some species ascend rivers.
Bass, Morvne lahrax. — The Bass is distinguished from the
Perch by the silvery coloration. In the summer months this fish
may ascend some of our southern livers for considerable distances,
but these occasional incursions hardly give it a place among our
fresh-water fishes. One is exhibited in the Fish Gallery (Case 13,
No. 511).
MUGILIDAE.
In the Grey Mullets the spinous dorsal fin is formed of only
four sharp spines and is Avidely separated from the soft dorsal;
the mouth is small and the teeth are minute. There are three
British species, the Thick=lipped Grey Mullet (MikjH chcio). the
Golden Grey Mullet (3/. auratus), and the Thin = lipped Grey
Mullet (J/, capitd). These marine fishes frequent estuaiies, and
at times ascend beyond tidal hmits. An example of Miujil capito
is shown in the Fish Galler}^ (Case 11, No. 457).
COTTIDAE.
This family includes a large number of marine species, mostly
from northern seas, and a comparatively small number of fresh-
water species from Europe, Noithern Asia and North America.
6i. Bullhead or Miller's Thumb (Co//«s //o6/a).— This httle
fish has. a bcaleless iDody and a Ijroad head, from each side of
Gastrosteidac 35
which a rather strong spine projects ; its coloration is ohv c
spotted, marhled or liarred witli hro\Yn or l)lack. It is found all
over Europe, except the Iherian Peninsula and Greece ; in our
islands it seems to he ahsent from Scotland and Ireland. It lurks
on the hottom or under stones, waiting for the small fishes,
worms, etc., on which it feeds. In March or April the Bullheads
pair and scoop out a hole under a stone, forming a nest ; the
eggs are adherent, and are usually attached to the under side of
this stone ; the male guards the nest until the fry swim away.
The usual length of this species is 3 or 4 inches ; exceptionally
6 inches may he attained. The exhihited specimen is from a
brook at Selborne, and was presented hy Dr. E. Bowdler Sharpe.
GASTEOSTEIDAE.
The Gastrosteidae are a northern family ; they are distinguished
from other fishes found in our rivers in having the spines of the
spinous dorsal fin free, unconnected by membrane.
62, 63. Three = spined Stickleback, Gastrosteus aculeatus. —
This little fish is never more than 4 inches long ; its dorsal fin
has three (rarely two or four) spines. It is found on the coasts
and in the rivers of arctic and north temperate countries ; in the
arctic regions it is principally marine, and in Southern Europe it
appears to be strictly a fresh-water fish. The development of a
lateral series of bony plates is very variable, but as a rule the
series is complete in marine Sticklebacks and is reduced to 3 or 4
anterior plates in those from inland localities. The Three-spined
Stickleback is famous for its boldness, greediness and pugnacity.
In the spring or summer the male fish acquires a brilliant red
colour on the belly and builds a nest, a dome or barrel-shaped
structure made of bits of the roots and stalks of water-weeds
cemented together by a secretion from his kidneys ; when the nest is
made he seeks a mate, often fighting to win her, and after the eggs
are laid he guards the nest until the young fish desert it. The model
exhibited (62) is the work of the donor, F. Page, Esq. A male in
breeding dress is also shown (63).
64. Ten = spined Stickleback, Pjjgosteus i)}in(iitius. — The
spinous dorsal fin is represented l)y a series of about ten small
spines, alternately divergent to the right and left ; the body is
naked except for a few small plates bearing a keel on each side of
the tail ; the maximum length is 3 inches. This is a northern
species, and in Europe does not cross the Alps ; it varies in
36 Guide fo tJic British Fresh-Water Fishes
dilToiviil parts of its range; the form tliat inhabits the 15ritish
Islands and France is distinguislicd from that of Northern I'^urope
by its shorter spines. In habits this species differs from the
Three-spined Stickleback in that tlie nest is not Imilt on the
bottom, but is attached to weeds or grasses.
PLEURONECTIDAE.
Tlie Flat-fishes lie on one side ; both eyes are on the upper
side, which is coloured, whilst the lower side is white. Most of
the Flat-fishes are marine, but some enter fresh water.
65. Flounder, Plcuronccics flesus. — The Flounder is closely
related to the Plaice ; it is common on all the coasts of Europe,
and ascends rivers as far as the first falls. It is 'remarkable for its
power of changing its coloration to resemble the ground on which
it lies. It feeds especially on small shellfish, but also eats worms,
little fishes, etc. It grows to a length of ai)out 18 inches.
?>1
INDEX.
PAGE
Abramis brama . . . . 23, 30
Acerina cerniia 34
Acipenser sturio 10
Acipenseridae 10
Albiirnus lucidus 31
AUisShad 19
Alosa alosa 19
,, finta 19
,, killarnensia 20
Ainmocortes 9
Anguillidae 20
Angnilla anguilla 21
Barbel 23,25
Barbus barbns 23, 25
Bass 34
Blaufelchen 17
Bleak 31
Bleak hybrids 31
Blicca bjoerkna 29
Bream, Carp 23, 30
„ Common . . . .23,30
„ Hybrid 30
„ Silver 29
„ White 29
Bullhead 34
Burbot 32
Carassius carassius . . . 23, 24
Carp . .• 23, 24
., Crucian 23,24
„ King 24
„ Mirror 24
Char 11, 15
,, Lough Melvin .... 15
Chub 23,26
Clupeidae 19
Cobitidae 32
Cobitis taenia ,,,... 32
PAGE
Corrgoniift 11, IG
,, clupcoidcs . . . IG, 17
,, ,, pennantii . 17
,, ,, sfignuiticus 17
,, mulmim . . . . 17
oxijrhynchus ... 17
,, pollan IG
,, ,, altior .... 17
,, ,, elegans ... 17
vandesms .... 16
,, ., gracilior . . 16
Cottidae 34
Cottus gobio 34
Crucian Carp 23, 24
Cyprinidae 22
,, pharyngeals . . 22, 23
scales .... 23,24
Cyprinus carpio .... 23, 24
Dace 27
Eel 21
Elver 21,22
Esocidae 20
Esox luchis 20
Flounder 36
Gadidae 32
Gastrosteidae 35
Gastrostens aculcatim .... 35
GiUaroo Trout 15
Gobio gobio 25
Grayling 11, IS
Grey Mullet 34
,, ,, Golden .... 34
Thick-lipped . . 34
,, Thin-lipped ... 34
Grilse 12,14
;8
Index.
I'AGE
Gudgeon 25
Gwyniad 17
Houting 17
Hybrid Bleak 31
Bream SO
,. Roach and Rudd . . . 29
Kelt, Salmon 13, 14
Ki Harney Shad 20
Lampern 9, 10
Lamjpetra JJnviafilis .... 10
„ p/ft?u'.'i 10
Lamprey 8
Planer's 10
River 10
Sea 9
Leptocpphalus 21, 22
Lcuciscus cephalns ... 23, 26
., leuciscns .... 27
Leven Trout 1.5
Loach 32
,, Spilled 32
., Stone 32
Lota lota 32
Melvin Char 15
Miller's Thumb 34
^Minnow 26
Morone labra.r 34
Miigil anratiiK .34
,, capita 34
,, chelo 34
^lugilidao 34
NemachiluR barbatuluK ... 32
Osmeridae IS
Osmerus eperlanus 18
Parr, Salmon 12, 14
Perca fluviatilis 83
Perch 8,33
Porcidae 33
Fetromyzon maiinus .... 9
Petromyzonidae 8
Pharyngeals of Cyprinidae . 22, 23
Phoxinus phoxinus .... 26
Pike 20
PAGE
Plcuroncctcs Jlcstis .
. . 30
Pleuronectidae ....
. SO
P.illan
. 16
,, Lough Erne . .
. . 17
Lough Neagh .
. . 16
Shannon
. . 17
Pope ......
. . 34
Po\Yan
11,17
Pride
9
Pijgosfciis pungitiiifi .
. 35
Raiiibjw Trout ....
. 15
Roach
23, 28
Rudd
28,28
Ruffe
33, 84
Rutilus ruiihis
. 28, 28
Salmo , . ...
. 11
Salvia ferox ....
. 14
,, salar ....
. 11
„ trutta
. 14
Salmon
. 11
Salmon Kelt ....
18,14
Parr ....
12,14
,, scales ....
. . 13
,, Small Spring .
12,14
„ Smolt ....
12,14
Salmonidae
. 11
Salrelhuts .....
11,15
lllpi)l2lS .
. 15
(jraciUirmis .
. 15
grayi . . .
. 15
killineiisis .
. 16
„ viaxillaiis .
. 16
„ willughbii .
. 16
Scales of Clupeidae
. 24
,, „ Cyprinidae .
23,24
,, ,, Gadidae .
. 24
,, Percidae. . .
. 24
,, .. Pleuronectidae .
. 24
,, ,, Salmonidae . . --
13, 24
Scardinius crythropliihahnun
23, 28
Schelly
. 17
Sea Lamprey
9
Sea Trout
. 14
Serranidae
. 34
Shad, Allis
. 19
,, Killarney
. 20
,, Twaitc ....
. 19
Smelt
. 18
Index.
PAGE
Smolt, Salmon 12, 14
Trout 14
Spinod Loach 32
Stickleback, Ten-spined ... 35
,, Three-spincd . . 35
Stone Loach 32
Sturgeon 10
Tench 28,26
Ten-spined Stickleback ... 85
Three-spiued ,. ... 35
Thymallus 11
,, tliiimalliiii .... 18
Tinea tinea 23, 26
I'AGK
Trout 7,8,11,12,14
Gillaroo 15
Great Lake 14
Loch Leven 15
Rainbow 15
Sea 14
Smolts 14
Twaite Shad V.)
Vendace
Cumberland
Lochmaben
11,16
. 16
. 16
Whitefish 16
m
i
BEITISH MUSEUM (NATUEAL HISTOEY),
Ckomwbll Eoad, London, S.W.
GUIDE BOOKS, Etc.
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to the Study of Meteorites, 8vo. Is.
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Id.
The above-mentioned Guide-books, etc., can be obtained at the Natural
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Written communications respecting them should be addressed to
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BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY).
DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION.
The Galleries are open to the Public, free, as follows : —
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Daily. — Central Hall (Special Exhibits), North Hall (Domesticated
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Sundays.
Central Hall, North Hall, Bird Gallery, Mammal Galleries (including
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The Hom-s of Admission are :—
-
On Wkek-Days, throughout the year from 10 a.m., in
January ....
,
to 4 p.ra
February 1 to 14 .
„ 4.30 „
„ 15 to end.
,, 5 „
March .....
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April to August (inclusive)
„ 6 „
September ....
„ 5.30 „
October ....
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November and December
», 4 „
On SuNi^YS, in
January ....
. from 2
to 4 p.m
February 1 to 14
. „ 2
„ 4.30 „
,, 1/3 to end.
. „ 2
„ 5 „
March ....
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„ 5.30 „
April ....
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„ 6 „
May to August (inclusive)
. „ 2.30
„ 7 ..
September
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„ 5.30 ,.
October ....
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„ 5 .,
November and December
2
., 4 „
The following Galleries are closed continuously for the duration of
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etc. ; Fossil Corals and Sponges, and Fossil Plants ; Stratigraphical and
Special Palseontological Collections.
The Museum is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
By Order of the Trustees,
LAZARUS FLETCHER, Director.
LONDON : PKIKTEI) liV WILLIAM CLOWES AND SON!?, LTI>. , bL'KE STREET, bTAMFORD STREET, S.eJ
British Museum (Natural History)
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