Title: Aquatic life
Identifier: aquaticlife219161917baus (find matches)
Year: 1916-1917 (1910s)
Authors: Bausman, Joseph E
Subjects: Aquariums; Fish culture
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. E. Bausman
Contributing Library: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
Belonesox Belizanus j WALTER LANNOY BRIKfD, F. Z. 5.
Text Appearing After Image:
This peculiar aquarium fish is a native of Belize, British Honduras; hence the specific name helizanus; Belonesox means Silver Gar-pike. Though this name suggests relationship to the pike and pickerel family, the connection is net particularly close, and it is probably as closely akin to our favorite Gaiiibusia affinis holbrooki, which is also live-bear- ing. In point of color Belonesox is not re- markable. A dull grayish-olive on the back or dorsal region shades to a bluish leaden tint on the sides; abdominal area whitish; gill-covers with a shimmer of metallic green. All the fins are watery- olive or transparent, the anal fin of the male being modified into a conspicuous intromittent organ. A black spot at the base of the tail gives the species a cer- tain neatness and finish. Males attain a length of six inches; females, seven inches. The live-bearing pickerel, for such we may call it for sake of popularity, par- takes of the disposition of our native pickerel in its method of feeding and choice of foods. A tender, young fish is the racy tidbit it demands. From a hid- ing place amongst the plants it will rush out to capture and swallow (all practi- cally in one movement) any small fish luckless enough to venture near. A glance at the illustration is sufficient to give a wholesome conception of the power of the alligator-like jaws of this rapacious rascal. A temperature of 70 to 75 degrees.

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