BARBEL

Found in a few Eastern and Southern English rivers - where it favours swift gravelled streams near weirs - or deep fast currents between the pylons of bridges. There shoals of Barbel swim powerfully against the flow - hugging the bottom with their flattened bellies - and feeding on worms - insect larvae - small fish and vegetable matter. The Barbel is olive-green on the back - silvery underneath. It has a crescent-shaped mouth with four barbels - and smallish scales.

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GUDGEON

This small fish is abundant in England - except in the Lake District and in Cornwall - especially over the gravelly stretches of rivers. It keeps to the bottom - grubbing for insect larvae - worms and small shellfish. The body is dark - with a longitudinal row of squarish blue-black blotches on each side. The tail is forked - the scales rather large. It can be distinguished from similar fish because it has only two barbels.

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COMMON CARP

It grows large in lakes and in the quiet reaches of rivers - but may remain tiny in small ponds. The body is thick and deep - olive-bronze in colour - with large scales; the mouth bears four barbels - two small - two large; the dorsal fin is long and concave - highest at the beginning. The Carp feeds mostly on vegetable matter - but worms, insect larvae and shellfish are also eaten. It has a reputation for caution and cunning.

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CRUCIAN CARP

Found mostly in Eastern and South-Eastern English still waters. It is olive-brown - deeper and thicker than the Common Carp - from which it can be distinguished by its long - convex dorsal fin - highest in the middle - and by having no barbels. The short anal fin and the long dorsal are the most obvious differences from the Bream. A variety of this fish - called the Prussian Carp - is often found in garden ponds. The Crucian is not as large as the Common Carp.

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GOLDFISH

A fish from the Far East which has been introduced in many ornamental ponds; it often reaches sizes rivalling those of the Crucian Carp - which it closely resembles in the wild state (even in colour). It must not be confused with the golden varieties of the Carp - Tench or Orfe - frequently seen in aquaria and garden ponds. Fish breeders have evolved many varieties of Goldfish with an astonishing assortment of freakish colours and appearances. The Goldfish may reach 4 or 5 lbs. in weight.

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DACE

This slim and sprightly fish is widespread in England and Wales. It favours fast water - where is can be seen in active pursuit of insects and crustaceans - or rising to flies. The body is silvery - with a dark brownish or blue-green back; the lower fins seem yellowish or pale pink; the dorsal and anal fins are concave ("Dented Dace" - say fishermen - so distinguish it from Curved Chub); the anal fin is short - with 7 to 9 rays. It is usually well under a pound in weight.

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CHUB

Common everywhere in Britain except in Northern Scotland, West Wales and Cornwall; not found in Ireland. It likes running water - preferably under trees - where it feeds on insects - small fish and frogs - fruit fallen in the river - worms and shellfish. The back is dark - the sides silvery - usually with a faint brassy tinge; large mouth with whitish lips; tail often with a black edge; the dorsal and anal fins are convex the lower fins bright red.

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BLEAK

Sometimes called the Freshwater Sprat - from its close resemblance to that sea fish - both in size and appearance. In Summer - it dashes here and there near the surface in the slow-flowing rivers of Eastern and Southern England - in pursuit of insects and crustaceans - or following pieces of bread; in Winter it retires to deep water. The body is compressed - green on the back - silvery on the sides and belly - the fins whitish; the anal fin is rather long (having from 15 to 20 rays) - unlike that of the Dace (from 7 to 9 rays).

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ROACH

The Roach - probably the most popular fish among freshwater anglers - is found in most kinds of water in Britain - except Northern Scotland. The back is dark green - blue or brown - the sides and belly silvery. The concave dorsal fin begins above the base of the ventral fins. The anal fin is concave - short - and bright red. The mouth is small - with a projecting upper lip. It prefers gently flowing weedy water - and feeds on small creatures and vegetable master.

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RUDD

Widespread in England, Wales and Ireland (where is is called "Roach") it is found especially in ponds and lakes - or the quieter reaches of rivers. It resembles the Roach - but a yellow, golden or brownish tinge covers the silvery sides; the dorsal fin is well behind the beginning of the ventral fins - and the lower lip projects (unlike the Roach's). The fins and sometimes even the lips are red. It feeds higher up in the water than the Roach - taking flies and also shellfish - worms and plant material.

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TENCH

Distributed irregularly over the British Isles. It is very tenacious of life - and easily transported alive in damp moss. It prefers weedy and muddy ponds and meres - where it grubs at night in the mud for shellfish, worms and vegetable matter. The colour varies from olive to blackish; there is also a golden ornamental variety. The eye is small and red - the fins rounded - and there are two little barbels on the side of the mouth.

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Originally Illustrated by E V Petts and described by A F Magri Macmahon for Brooke Bond as part of their educational tea cards series.