Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-11-29
FISH EATEN BY FISH.
How the Little "Killies" Seek TO
EIude the Big Bass and Trout.


The species of fish OF which the New
York aquarium has the largest mum
Der, but Of which the public sees the
least. is the killilsh. Although they are
only from one TO three inches long
they are as quick witted as the bright.
est Of the big fish. They have to be,
for they have so many enemies. Al
the aquarium they have an Opportu-
nifty 10 display their powers OF adapta'
ton. They have only one opportunity
TO show what they can do in this di-
rection, but they make good use of IT.
There Is only an instant i'll which to
decide upon the use which they Will
make of this opportunity, but there is
no hesitation in making the decision.
The "killies" are collected every day
for the aquarium by q man employed
for the purpose. They are needed in
large numbers. for they are used as
food for the other fish. Every day a
quantity Of them are thrown to the
bass and trout alive. 1t is then that
they display Their intelligence or in
stinct, whichever it is. One is inclined
at first thought to believe it is the for
mer, for il is certain that they have
never been called upon to meet the
enemy in tanks shaped like those into
which they are thrown. They quickly
adapt themselves to tie conditions I'M
der which the conaict for survival
must be fought The f3e is as Keen in
the hunt as the hunted. Ii is war OF
the wits.
The striped bass are kept In one OF
the oval basins ON the main floor
There are a score or more Of as fine
specimens Of the species as fisherman
ever looked upon in ii. and it is tan
talizing to one fond Of fishing 70 watch
them laZily moving across the white
enamel bottom. A few minutes before
o'clock one Of the keepers approaches
the tank with pail containing hun
dred or two of the little fish. He leans
over the edge dips his hand into the
pail takes out handful ana losses
them into the center Of the poll Their
u
The bass are rising to the surface with
a rush. 1t is now or never with the
little fish. Do they lose their heads!
No. The fight between the bass and
their supper is now on. VIII the bass
have their supper? They have jumped
for the largest of the "killies," leaving
the smaller ones for dessert.
When by themselves, the smaller
'killies' usually remain at the bottom
Of their tank. They do not seek the
bottom now. 1t is safer on top. With
sundry darts they sprint for the side
Of the tank. They know the habits of
bass. The bass jump for their food.
The small fish says 10 himself: IF l
can only get to the side of the tank
before the bass gets me. have n fight
ing chance Unless he is exceptionally
clever he cannot get me without hurt
ing his snout when he jumps for me"
He succeeds in reaching the white tile
side and finds there many Of his fell
lows. They swim along the tank sid
in groups, and the bass leave them
alone for a time.
But, unfortunately for them, the
hunter is as willy as his game. The
larger "killies" swallowed, he turns
his attention to those gliding along the
basins side. He creeps up behind
them and drives a number together.
Then, skillfully darting upward at an
angle which will just save his snout.
he opens his mouth as he slides along
the side, and in tumble a half dozen
Of the little fellows. His jaws snap
together above the water with crash
which suggests that he has struck
against the side. He has not, however, |
for he has learned from experience.
He turns at just the right moment and
drops to the bottom, leaving the top OF
the pool a chOppy sea. The "killies,"
with all their skill, lose the battle at
last, for they are smaller, but they
give the bass "a run for his money