Milford chronicle., 1903-01-16
FISH EATEN BY FISH.
How the Little "TIilHes" Seek to
EIude the DiS Bass and Ft~nt.

How the Little 'IIillics" Seek 10
EIude the niS Bass and Ts~ni'
The species of fish of which the New
York aquarium has the largest mum
Der, but Of which the public sees tne
least. is the killihsh. Although they are
only from one to three inches long
they are as quick witted as the OflsnI-
est Of the big fish. They have 80 pe'
for they have SO many enemies. AT
the aquarium they have an opportu-
nity to display their powers OF adapta-
tioa. They have only one opportunity
to show what they can do IN TINS ul-
rection. but they make good use Oh IT,
There is only an instant in WAch 70
decide upon the use which they VIII
make Of this opportunity but q . Is
no hesitation in making the dec- d.
The "killies" are coilectc' - eiA Gay
for the aquarium by Il rE. ,.1p-oyod
for the purpose. They are needed IN
large numbers. for they are used as
food for the other fish. Every day Il
ouantity of them are thrown to the
bass and trout alive. Ii is then That
they display their intelligence or IN
stinct. whichever it is. one is inclined
Mt first thought to believe il is the lor-
mer for it is certain that they have
never been called upon TO meet the
enemy in tanks shaped Ike those INTO
which they are tmsa a. They quieAly
adapt themselves to The conditions un-
der which the conflict for survival
must be fought The foe is as Keen I'D
the hunt as the hunted. Ii is war Oh
the wits.
The striped bass are kept i'm one OF
the oval basins on the main looi-
There are a score or more Of rs nne
specimens Of the species as a fisherman
ever looked upon in it, ana it is tan
talizing to one fond of fishing TO watch
them lazily moving across the white
enamel bottom \ few minutes before
4 O'Clock one Of the keepers approaches
the tank with a pail containing nun
dred or two of the little fish. He leans
over the edge dips his hand into the
nail. takes out a handful and losses
them into the center Of the pool There
is sudden commotiOn in the water
The bass are rising to the surface with
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 "kiliies,' leaving
the smaller ones for dessert
When by themselves, the smaller
"llillies" usually remain at the bottom
of their tank. They DO not seek the
bottom now. Il 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 to himself: IF l
can only get to the side Of the tank
before the bass gets me. l have fight
ing chance Unless he is exceptionally
clever ne 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 fel-
lows. They swim along the tank side
i'm 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 g iding along the
basins side. He cre&ps up behind
them and drives a number together
Then, skillfully darting upward at al
angle which will just save his snout
he opens his mouth as he slides along
the side. and in tumble a half dozer
of the little fellows. His jaws snaI
together above the water with crasI
which suggests that he has strucf
against the side. He has not, however
for he has learned from experience
He turns at just the right moment ah'
drops to the bottom leaving the top o.
the pool a choppy sea. The "killies'
with all their skill, lose the battle a
last. for they arel smaller, but they
give the bass "a rin for his money
New York Tribund