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Eulachon; Candlefish
The Eulachon is found from Oregon northward, ascending the Fraser and other rivers in spring in enormous numbers. An excellent panfish, unsurpassed by any fish whatsoever in delicacy of the flesh, which is far superior to that of any trout; remarkable for extreme oiliness, but the oil has a very delicate, attractive flavour. The oil, is sometimes extracted and used as a substitute for cod-liver oil, but it is solid and lard-like at ordinary temperatures. When dried these fish have been used as candles, a wick having been placed in them.
Colour, white, scarcely silvery; upper parts rendered dark irongray by the accumulation of dark punctulations. Length, 10 to 12 inches.
GENUS OSMERUS LINNAEUS
The Smelts
Body elongate, compressed; head long, pointed; mouth wide, the slender maxillary extending to past middle of eye; lower jaw projecting; preorbital and suborbital bones narrow; fine teeth on maxillaries and premaxillaries; lower jaw with small teeth, which are larger posteriorly; tongue with a few strong, fang-like teeth, largest at the tip; hyoid bone, vomer, and palatines with wide-set teeth; gillrakers long and slender; scales large and loose; dorsal small about midway of body, over the ventrals; anal long; vertebrae 40; pyloric coeca few and small.
Small fishes of the coasts of Europe and northern America, sometimes ascending rivers; the flesh of all very delicate and highly valued as food. Five or 6 species and subspecies in our waters.
a. Vomer with a cross-series of small teeth; small, weak species spawning in the sea; .................thaleichthys
aa. Vomer with 2 to 4 strong, fang-like teeth; species stronger in habit, ascending streams.
b. Maxillary not reaching posterior margin of eye; depth 6 to 6 1/2 in length; colour plain; ..................mordax
bb. Maxillary reaching posterior margin of eye; depth 5 1/2; colour brilliant; .............................dentex