Volume 39, Plate II / Ichthyology (Fish)

Vendace & Argentine

Coregonus Willughbii & Scopelus Humboldtii

1. The Vendace. Noted for its beauty and delicacy, the Vendace occurs only in the lochs near Lochmaben, where tradition holds it was introduced by Mary Queen of Scots. Swimming in large shoals, retiring to the depths in warm weather and spawning about November, it feeds chiefly on minute entomostraca, takes no bait, is much preyed upon by pike, and is esteemed a great delicacy resembling the Smelt.
2. The Argentine. This resplendent little fish was first noticed as British by Pennant and has since been picked up singly at Sheppey, Orkney, Exmouth, Portobello, and Redcar on the Yorkshire coast. Its most remarkable external feature is the rows of small rounded spots ranged along each side of the abdomen, the specimens agreeing closely in form and markings.