Stable Isotopic Evaluation of the Relative Assimilation of Natural and Artificial Foods by Golden Shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas in Ponds

Stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) were used to estimate the relative contributions of natural and prepared feeds to the nutrition of golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas in ponds. Concurrent feeding trials were conducted in tanks (110 L) and ponds (0.04 ha) to determine the response of golden shiners to three isotopically distinct prepared diets both in the presence (pond) and absence (tank) of natural food. Seston was the primary indicator of the δ¹³C of natural foods available in the ponds, but δ¹³C's of free-swimming, unfed golden shiners provided an additional index. Fish receiving experimental diets were maintained in floating nets within the same ponds. After 6 wk, fish in tanks fed all three diets had acquired the diet label to some degree, while fish in ponds also tracked their respective feeds except for those fed diet 3. This diet contained a large amount of corn meal, which appeared to be poorly assimilated by golden shiners. The use of natural foods by golden shiners fed all three prepared feeds ranged from 40–83% and was inversely correlated with the relative assimilation of the prepared feeds.