Habitat use and foraging success of 0+ pike (Esox lucius L.) in experimental ponds related to prey fish, water transparency and light intensity

Abstract  – This study investigated the habitat use of 0+ pike (9–17 cm) in relation to two different water transparency regimes (clear water/chlorophyll water), two different light regimes (day/night) and the presence/absence of prey using 16 m² experimental ponds. Pike could freely choose between two structured habitats (a simple structured and a complex structured), an interface habitat (between the structured habitats and open water) and an open water habitat. Foraging success of the pike in relation to water transparency was investigated by comparing mean condition (Fultons K ) of the pike as well as the number of surviving prey fish. Habitat use was influenced by the presence/absence of prey and varied between waters with different transparency. The presence of prey intensified the use of structural habitats of 0+ pike in both clear and chlorophyll waters. A preference for complex habitats was found in clear water and was presumably related to foraging. The pike in chlorophyll water, in contrast, appeared more evenly distributed among all habitats, as illustrated by a more intensive use of open water in chlorophyll water compared to the clear water. No detectable impact of water transparency on the foraging success of 0+ pike was found.     

Factors influencing the abundance of the common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall, in small, North Island, New Zealand, lakes

Adult common bullies, Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall, are small (total length =  30–120 mm), benthic fish commonly found in the littoral zones of New Zealand lakes where they are a major prey species for trout and eels. Differences in their relative abundance (CPUE) were determined between 21 shallow North Island lakes. Mean CPUE ranged from 2 to >  1000 fish net^{− 1} night^{− 1} and was inversely related to water transparency. The abundance of bullies was not reduced in lakes containing rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), but was reduced in all lakes containing self-recruiting populations of eels, Anguilla spp. Mean densities of planktonic larval bullies in the limnetic zone were also inversely related to water transparency. Since low water transparency is related to increased trophic status for these lakes, the abundance of bullies is likely to be related to lake productivity, rather than turbidity.     

Preliminary telemetry data on the movement patterns and habitat use of European catfish (Silurus glanis) in a reservoir of the River Ebro, Spain

Abstract –  Knowledge of the movements and diel behaviour of the European catfish ( Silurus glanis ), the largest European freshwater fish, is limited to anecdotal information. In a preliminary telemetry study of European catfish, the spring diel movement patterns of five adult catfish were examined. After intraperitoneal insertion of the acoustic tags, the positions of the fish were recorded automatically in the Flix Reservoir (River Ebro, NE Spain). A marked nocturnal mobility pattern was observed throughout the study. During daytime, the catfish were consistently located in the littoral zone and spent extended periods of the day hidden in concealed habitats. Catfish movements were in a radial pattern, with upstream and downstream excursions followed by returns to a previously occupied location. Significant individual variations in movement pattern were observed among the tagged fish and within the 24 h cycle for each fish. Mean instantaneous swimming speed was 0.17 body lengths per second (BL·s⁻¹) at night but 0.09 BL·s⁻¹ during the daytime.     

Proximate composition of some north-eastern Pacific forage fish species

To understand the relative dietary value of forage fish as prey in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, whole organisms of 13 species were analysed for proximate composition (protein, oil, ash and moisture content). Eulachon ( Thaleichthys pacificus ) were high in oil (total lipid) (16.8% to 21.4%) and low in moisture (64.6% to 70.8%). Oil in capelin ( Mallotus villosus ) ranged from 2.1% to 14.0%. Juveniles of walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ), Atka mackerel ( Pleurogrammus monopterygius ), Pacific herring ( Clupea pallasii ), and prowfish ( Zaprora silenus ) had low oil contents (< 1.8%) and high moisture contents (> 80.3%). Rankings of median proximate values illustrate the similarities. Surf smelt ( Hypomesus pretiosus ), rainbow smelt ( Osmerus mordax ), pricklebacks ( Lumpenus spp.), Atka mackerel, Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes hexapterus ) and Pacific sandfish ( Trichodon trichodon ) ranked high in median protein content (> 15.4%). Median ash content for all species ranged from 0.6% to 3.3%. Total wet mass caloric content (kcal g^–1) was calculated for the four main species and a linear model was developed for caloric content as a function of moisture. The linear models (caloric content = b₀ + b₁ × moisture) were Pacific sand lance and Pacific sandfish (b₀ = 7.82, b₁ = – 0.09); eulachon (b₀ = 7.97, b₁ = – 0.08); and capelin (b₀ = 9.70, b₁ = – 0.11).     

Testing in situ avoidance reaction of vendace, Coregonus albula, in relation to continuous artificial light from stationary vertical split-beam echosounding

Abstract  The in situ avoidance reaction of vendace, Coregonus albula L., in relation to continuous artificial light in terms of a scaring device was tested by split-beam echosounding. The tests were carried out in the mesotrophic Bigge Reservoir (Germany) in November 2007 and 2008 using a Simrad EK 60 echosounder (120 kHz). An underwater lamp with light turned on and off was lowered to 30 m water depth at four sampling sites. No reaction of vendace was observed for the sampled references (light off), but strong avoidance behaviour by swimming mainly downwards was observed when the light was turned on. The light avoidance reaction was confirmed by the volume backscattering strength ( S _v) and calculated fish densities (fish ha⁻¹). The mean fish densities for the samples carried out with light turned on were lower (268 fish ha⁻¹, ±409 SD, n  =   32) than for the references with light turned off (5028 fish ha⁻¹, ±2317 SD, n  =   56). The related median values (33 and 3726 fish ha⁻¹, respectively, n  =   88) differed significantly (Mann–Whitney test, P  = <0.001). In conclusion, artificial light has great potential to scare pelagic vendace from areas near the bottom outlets of reservoirs to prevent entrainment losses.     

Growth efficiency, body composition, survival and haematological changes in great sturgeon (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles fed diets supplemented with different levels of Ergosan

Growth performance, carcass quality, survival and haematological responses were determined when Huso huso juvenile (41.7±1.8 g) fed diets containing Ergosan (an algal product) at 0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 g kg⁻¹ for 60 days. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish at 10-day intervals (1–10, 20–30 and 40–50 with non-supplemented diets and 10–20, 30–40 and 50–60 with supplemented diets). Results showed that fish fed diets containing Ergosan had significantly higher growth than the control group ( P <0.05). Survival was not different among all dietary treatments ( P >0.05). Food conversion ratio in the fish fed a diet containing 4.0 and 6.0 g kg⁻¹ Ergosan was significantly better than the other treatments ( P <0.05), whereas protein efficiency ratio was not different between experimental diets. Lymphocyte count in the fish fed diets containing Ergosan was higher than the other treatments. Haematocrit, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, number of erythrocytes, total leucocytes, monocyte, eosinophil, myelocyte, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not different between treatments. Neutrophil count in the control group was higher than the fish fed supplemented diets. Furthermore, whole body lipid, moisture and fibre were not different among dietary treatments ( P >0.05) but body protein in the fish fed a diet containing Ergosan at the level of 2.0 and 4.0 g kg⁻¹ was higher than the other treatments. Whole body ash content was higher in the control group. It was concluded that dietary administration of Ergosan can influence some growth and haematological parameters in great sturgeon, H. huso juveniles.     

Larval and juvenile Australian smelt Retropinna semoni somatic and otolith growth parameters – implications for growth interpretation of wild fish

Abstract –  Relationships between fish length, otolith size, age and weight were assessed for a population of wild Australian smelt ( Retropinna semoni ) larvae and juveniles captured over a 4-year period to aid further interpretation of growth and condition during the early life history of the species. Nonlinear smoothed generalized additive models best described the fish–otolith size relationship during the larval and juvenile period, indicating that the proportionality between fish length and otolith size varies in relation to size. It is proposed that back-calculated predictions of fish size at a previous age or otolith size, accounting for individual variation is possible by assuming a body proportional hypothesis. Growth rate of larval and juvenile Australian smelt was best described using the Gompertz model that indicated a steady decline in growth rate after around 30 days of age. The allometric growth of larval and juvenile Australian smelt established from the length/weight relationship can subsequently be used to assess the condition of fish within this population using a relative condition or relative weight condition index. The results of the study have provided significant information to enable more precise growth reconstruction and condition assessment for the species in Australian lowland rivers.     

Patterns of movement and habitat use by tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) in the Upper Zambezi River (Namibia)

Abstract – During 6 November to 24 December 2000, 23 tigerfish [( Hydrocynus vittatus ), 30–54 cm] were tagged with radio transmitters in the Zambezi River (Namibia) to record habitat utilisation during low, rising and high water levels. The fish were tracked, on average, every fourth day during 23 November to 18 May. Two movement patterns were detected. Approximately 50% of the fish moved <1000 m among tracking surveys, staying within 'defined' home ranges. The remaining fish showed consistent site fidelity for periods, with long distance movements (>1000 m) to new areas among residency periods. Overall, mean distance moved between tracking surveys was 1447 m. Home range size varied among individuals, with a 95% probability of localisation within an average area of 276,978 m². The fish utilised a mean river stretch of 18,836 m (range = 90–71,840). All the fish were recorded in the main stem, and on average, 95% of the fixes were in the main stem during low water. However, the fish used temporary flooded areas to an increasing extent during the rising and high water period, but did not undertake long-distance migrations into the floodplains. Fish were sometimes near vegetation, but were never recorded into or under vegetation.     

Do summer temperatures trigger spring maturation in Pacific lamprey,Entosphenus tridentatus?

Abstract –  Pacific lamprey, Entosphenus tridentatus , return to streams and use somatic energy to fuel maturation. Body size decreases, the lamprey mature, spawn, and then die. We predicted that warm, summer temperatures (>20 °C) would accentuate shrinkage in body size, and expedite sexual maturation and subsequent death. We compared fish reared in the laboratory at diel fluctuating temperatures of 20–24 °C (mean = 21.8 °C) with fish reared at cooler temperatures (13.6 °C). The results confirmed our predictions. Lamprey from the warm water group showed significantly greater proportional decreases in body weight following the summer temperature treatments than fish from the cool water group. A greater proportion of warm water fish sexually matured (100%) and died (97%) the following spring than cool water fish (53% sexually mature, 61% died). Females tended to mature and die earlier than males, most obviously in the warm water group.     

Post-release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes, exposed to different handling practices during catch-and-release angling in Eleuthera, The Bahamas

Abstract  Bonefish, Albula spp., are popular sportfish that inhabit shallow nearshore environments in tropical and subtropical seas. Although catch and release is a common voluntary practice for anglers seeking bonefish, the post-release fate of bonefish is poorly understood. Gastrically implanted acoustic transmitters were used to assess the short-term (<48 h) and long-term (>48 h) post-release mortality of bonefish, Albula vulpes (Linnaeus), in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, subjected to gentle handling (quick retrieval, 0–15 s of air exposure and brief handling time) or rough handling (longer retrieval, 30–60 s of air exposure and extended handling time). Of the 12 fish captured and released, one was preyed upon by two lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris (Poey), within the first hour post-release, and this fish was handled roughly. The transmitter from another bonefish was found on the substratum 2 days post-release near the site at which the fish was originally caught. Of the remaining 10 fish, all were tracked and alive for at least 13 days and up to 24 days, suggesting that the negative impacts of catch-and-release angling that lead to mortality for bonefish likely occur within minutes post-release.     

Annual and seasonal dynamics of fish in the brackish-water Matsalu Bay, Estonia

Abstract –  Matsalu Bay in the Väinameri (West-Estonian Archipelago Sea) is a relatively shallow but large bay. It is the only real delta estuary in the northern Baltic Sea. The fish fauna is strongly dominated by freshwater species such as perch Perca fluviatilis , roach Rutilus rutilus , white bream Blicca bjoerkna and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus . The study presents CPUE data describing annual and seasonal variations in the species composition, abundance and spatial distribution, based on 1 year of monthly samplings from August 2001 to August 2002 and routine coastal monitoring (in late July–early August) between 1994 and 2003. The bay can be divided into three rather distinct parts. The fish fauna of the inner part (salinity 0–2 p.p.t.) is different from two open parts and resembles that of freshwater lakes. In the openmost part (salinity usually 4–6 p.p.t.) some marine species, such as herring Clupea harengus membras , flounder Platichthys flesus and eelpout Zoarces viviparus may seasonally be abundant. Species composition and abundance of most species varies seasonally and interannually. Only the abundance of few species such as pike Esox lucius and pikeperch Stizostedion lucioperca was not impacted by seasonality. The most dynamic period in the bay is spring, when several species (some of them very rare in summer, such as herring and smelt Osmerus eperlanus ) enter the bay for spawning.     

Growth of the fourspine sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus kazika</Emphasis> in the Gonokawa River,Japan, and effects of water temperature on growth

ABSTRACT:   The fourspine sculpin Cottus kazika is indigenous to Japan and found in Honshu except for the waters facing the Seto Inland Sea, and was also found in southern Shikoku and eastern Kyushu. This species has a catadromous lifestyle and migrates as juveniles from the sea to the middle reaches of rivers to grow. The growth pattern of this fish was investigated by a mark-and-recapture method from July 1994 to December 1996, in the Nigorikawa River, a tributary of the Gonokawa River system, Shimane Prefecture. 0-year-old fish of 50–70 mm total length ( TL ) occurred in the study area from June to July, grew to 90–140 mm  TL by the following April, and attained 160–210 mm  TL by December. This fish grew rapidly in September–November and April–July, almost ceasing to grow in July–September. It seems that this stagnant growth phase in summer is a characteristic of the seasonal growth pattern of C. kazika . A rearing experiment indicated that the growth rate of C. kazika was higher at 16–22°C than at 12–14 and 24–26°C. This result supports the field evidence of a stagnant growth phase in summer in the Nigorikawa River.     

Predation of smelt on vendace larvae: experimental and field studies

Abstract –  Lake Höytiäinen in eastern Finland has suffered from a prolonged vendace Coregonus albula (L.) recession during the last two decades. The present study examined the capacity of smelt Osmerus eperlanus (L.) to prey on vendace larvae as well as the diet of smelt in Lake Höytiäinen to reveal its possible predation on vendace larvae. The larvae were observed to be most vulnerable to smelt >100 mm (TL) predation at a total length of 13 mm. In Lake Höytiäinen, the diet of smelt was clearly dominated by zooplankton and no vendace larvae were found in the stomachs, probably due to small size of the smelt and low abundance of the larvae. Spawning time of smelt and larval period of coregonids overlap in spring and an observed decrease in feeding activity of smelt during spawning time may provide a temporal refuge against predation. Although smelt has been found to intensively predate on coregonid larvae in other lakes, it does not play an important role in maintaining the present low-density state of vendace in Lake Höytiäinen.     

Comparison of mortality of wild and released reared 0-group turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, on an exposed beach (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain) and a study of the population dynamics and ecology of the natural population

Abstract  Marked reared turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.) (594) were released onto an exposed beach nursery ground together with marked wild fish (438) of approximately the same size (4–6 cm TL) and were sampled at intervals for 38 days. A consistent ratio of marked wild: unmarked wild indicated that marking did not increase mortality. The wild 0-group turbot population size was estimated at 1540 at the time of release, indicating that hatchery-reared individuals could theoretically make a significant contribution to the local population size. However, the absolute and relative catches of the marked, reared fish were lower than those of the marked wild fish, and no reared fish were caught after 23 days. The higher mortality rate was attributed to both a smaller size and their hatchery-reared origin. The population dynamics of the 1994–1995 year-classes of wild turbot were also studied. Recruitment of post-larvae (3 cm) to the beach started in March and continued until October. Population size peaked over the August–October period. Juvenile turbot remained on the nursery beach until June of the following year when they presumably emigrated to deeper water. During this 15-month period their length increased from 3 to 12–15 cm.     

Growth changes in bighand thornyhead <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sebastolobus macrochir</Emphasis> off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu,Japan

ABSTRACT:     The biomass of bighand thornyhead Sebastolobus macrochir was increased by the high recruitment success of the 1999–2002 year classes off the Pacific coast of northern Honshu, Japan. In this study, the growth of bighand thornyhead was examined over a 9-year period from 1996 to 2004 in this area. The growth of the 1999 year class and the 2000–2002 year classes was reduced at 3 and 2 years old, respectively, while the 1999–2002 year classes were smaller than the 1993–1998 year classes. In 2-, 3- and 4-year-old fish, the relationship between abundance and mean standard length was expressed by negative linear regressions, while fish became smaller when abundance of the year class was larger. Mean bottom temperatures were stable at depths of 350–900 m; variations in water temperature were small in the main distribution area of bighand thornyhead. We discuss the factors affecting the growth of bighand thornyhead via changes in the demersal fish community and feeding habits.     

Analysis of the trophy sport fishery for the speckled peacock bass in the Rio Negro River, Brazil

Abstract  The middle portion of the Rio Negro River in Brazil near the equator supports a popular recreational sport fishery for speckled peacock bass, Cichla temensis (Humboldt). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fishing mortality on this population. Fish were collected from sport-fishing ( n  = 72) and commercial ( n  = 103) catches and otoliths were aged to estimate longevity, growth and natural mortality. Recreational anglers in this region seek to catch, then release, larger speckled peacock bass; and fish larger than 62 cm standard length (SL) (about 4.5 kg) served as a bench mark to assess the potential impact of subsistence and commercial harvest on the abundance of larger fish in the sport fishery. Time of opaque band formation on otoliths generally coincided with the dry season (November to April); these bands appeared to form once per year, but formation was highly variable. Speckled peacock bass grew to 62 cm SL on average in 6.4 years, but some fish obtained this size in 4–5 years. Maximum age was 9 years, but most fish were less than 7 years. Instantaneous annual natural mortality ( M ) estimated from maximum size, longevity and growth ranged from 0.19 to 0.44. Simulation modelling predicted that exploitation rates of fish >25 cm SL similar to the estimated natural mortality rates would reduce the abundance of fish >62 cm by 67–89% compared with no harvest. Even modest exploitation rates of 5% and 10% would result in approximately 30–50% reduction, respectively, of these larger fish. Abundance of large speckled peacock bass that sustains the sport fishery is susceptible to low rates of exploitation in this remote region of Brazil.     

Temperature and salinity tolerances of yellowfin sea bream, Acanthopagrus latus, at different salinity and temperature levels

Abstract Yellowfin sea bream Acanthopagrus latus (Houttuyn) (0.98 ± 0.27 g) were examined for temperature and salinity tolerances at nine different environmental regimes (0.3, 15 and 33 ppt combined with 10, 25 and 32 °C), in which the fish were subjected to gradual and sudden changes in temperature and salinity respectively. The 50% CTMax (critical thermal maximum) and the UILT (upper incipient lethal temperature) were in the range of 34.8–38.2 °C and 32.8–36.4 °C respectively. The 50% CTMin (critical thermal minimum) and the LILT (lower incipient lethal temperature) were in the ranges of 4.9–9.4 °C and 7.1–17.6 °C respectively. The 50% CSMax (critical salinity maximum) and the UILS (upper incipient lethal salinity) were in the ranges of 54–69‰ and 9–44‰, respectively. The fish at lower temperature (10 °C) and salinity of 33‰ tolerated temperature as low as 6 °C when the temperature was decreased gradually. The fish at 33 and 15‰ and lower temperature (10 °C) tolerated salinity as high as 66–67‰, whereas those at freshwater salinity level (0.3‰) and 32 °C tolerated salinity to 50‰ when salinity was increased gradually. The relationships among UILT, LILT, 50% CTMax, 50% CTMin, UILS, 50% CSMax, salinity and temperature are given.     

Trawling experiment in a circular water tank to assess the effects of towing speed,light intensity,and mesh shape on active escape of undersized fish

ABSTRACT:   To assess the effect of towing speed and light intensity on the active escape of undersized fish through diamond and square mesh panels, a trawling experiment was simulated in a circular water tank. Juveniles of Japanese dace Tribolodon hakonensis (13-cm length class) were used as experimental fish. They were forced to swim inside a closed framed net with either diamond or square mesh (65-mm mesh size) that was moved using a speed-controllable motor. A submersible infrared CCD camera was used to observe and record the behavior of fish inside the net when it passed in front of the camera. Results indicated significant effects of towing speeds and light intensities ( P  < 0.05) on the escape of fish through the diamond and square meshes. Increase in light intensity enhanced the ability of fish to escape at lower towing speeds. At higher towing speeds, few fish could escape under light conditions. A strong negative correlation was found between towing speed and the frequency of fish escape (diamond mesh R ² = 0.99, square mesh R ² = 0.96). There was no significant difference between the numbers of fish escaping through the diamond and square meshes. These results suggest that the square-mesh panel may not be effective in the trawl cod end under dark or very low light intensity at high towing speed.     

Food Production and Water Conservation in a Recirculating Aquaponic System in Saudi Arabia at Different Ratios of Fish Feed to Plants

An indoor aquaponic system (i.e., the integration of fish culture with hydroponic plant production in a recirculating setup) was operated for maximizing water reuse and year-round intensive food production (Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , and leaf lettuce) at different fish feed to plants ratios. The system consisted of a fish culture component, solid removal component, and hydroponic component comprising six long channels with floating styrofoam rafts for holding plants. Fish culture effluents flowed by gravity from the fish culture component to the solid removal component and then to the hydroponic component. Effluents were collected in a sump from which a 1-horsepower in-line pump recirculated the water back to the fish culture tanks at a rate of about 250 L/min. The hydroponic component performed as biofilter and effectively managed the water quality. Fish production was staggered to harvest one of the four fish tanks at regular intervals when fish attained a minimum weight of 250 g. Out of the total eight harvests in 13 mo, net fish production per harvest averaged 33.5 kg/m³ of water with an overall water consumption of 320 L/kg of fish produced along with the production of leaf lettuce at 42 heads/m² of hydroponic surface area. Only 1.4% of the total system water was added daily to compensate the evaporation and transpiration losses. A ratio of 56 g fish feed/m² of hydroponic surface effectively controlled nutrient buildup in the effluents. However, plant density could be decreased from 42 to 25–30 plants/m² to produce a better quality lettuce.     

Winter short-distance migration of juvenile fish between two floodplain water bodies of the Lower River Rhine

Abstract –  During winter, large numbers of juvenile fishes (mainly roach, Rutilus rutilus L.) were observed to migrate at dawn from a floodplain lake into a connected channel, whereas they migrated in the opposite direction at dusk. The diurnal migration pattern was strongly correlated to light intensity. The total number of migrating fish decreased from autumn to spring. Ice coverage and water temperature were the only abiotic factors that affected the seasonal migration pattern significantly. Moonlight, water level, current velocity, rainfall, insolation and wind velocity did not influence the observed migration of juvenile fish. The results are discussed in relation to food availability, predation risk and energy conservation.