ONTOGENIC CHANGE IN EFFECT OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND
TURBIDITY ON PREY CAPTURE BY LARVAL STRIPED BASS
C.E. White, J. Duston
Abstract:
The capture of Artemia salina by larval Morone
saxatilis was quantified under four treatments (each replicated) in a 2*2
factorial design: 2 lux and 0 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), 2 lux and
50 NTU, 20 lux and 0 NTU, and 20 lux and 50 NTU. Eight black plastic tanks
illuminated by incandescent bulb/neutral density filters were each filled
with 30L brackish water made turbid by adding clay. Gentle aeration kept
both clay and prey in suspension. Fish were acclimated to tanks for 2-6h,
then Artemia were added to a density of 0.1/ml. After 60 minutes, prey
capture rates were determined by one of two methods depending on larval age:
a) counting number of prey in gut (<15 days post hatch, dph); b)
estimating decrease in prey density in tank (15 dph
(Dept. Plant & Animal Sciences, Nova Scotia
Agricultural College, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada)