A simple approach for the estimation of food consumption from growth rates at different environmental conditions and its application to juvenile cod (Gadus morhua L.) of a fjordic sea loch on the west coast of Scotland

Abstract Growth and condition of fish are functions of available food and environmental conditions. This led to the idea of using fish as a “consumption sensor” for the measurement of food intake over a defined period of time. A bio-physical model for the estimation of food consumption was developed based on the von Bertalanffy model. Whereas some of the input variables of the model, the initial and final lengths and masses of a fish and the temperature within the time period considered can easily be measured, internal characteristics of the species have to be determined indirectly. Three internal parameters are used in the model: the maintenance consumption at 0°C, the temperature dependence of this consumption and the food efficiency, the percentage of the ingested food utilized. Estimates of the parameters for a given species can be determined by feeding experiments. Here, data from published feeding experiments on juvenile cod, Gadus morhua L., were used to validate the model. The average of the relative error for the food intake predicted by the model for individual fish was about 24 %, indicating that fish used the food with different efficiencies. However, grouping the fish according to size classes and temperature lowered the relative error of the predicted food intake for the group to typically 5 %. For a group containing all fish of the feeding experiment the relative prediction error was about 2 %. Zusammenfassung Wachstum und Kondition der Fische sind von der verfügbaren Nahrung und von Umweltbedingungen abhängig. Dies führte zur Idee, Fisch als „Konsum-Sensor“ für die Messung der Nahrungsaufnahme über einen definierten Zeitraum zu verwenden. Auf Grundlage des von Bertalanffy-Modells wurde ein bio-physikalisches Modell zur Schätzung der Futteraufnahme entwickelt. Während einige der Eingangsgrößen des Modells leicht gemessen werden können (Anfangs- und Endlänge und -körpermasse der Fische und die Temperatur innerhalb des betrachteten Zeitraum), können interne Parameter der betrachteten Art nur indirekt bestimmt werden. Drei interne Parameter werden in dem Modell verwendet: Die Erhaltungskonsumtion bei 0° C, die Temperaturabhängigkeit dieser Rate und der Wirkungsgrad der Nahrung (der Anteil der Nahrung ,der aufgenommen und verwendet und nicht ungenutzt wieder ausgeschieden wird). Die Modellparameter für eine bestimmte Art können durch Fütterungsversuche bestimmt werden. Um das Modell zu validieren wurden Daten aus veröffentlichten Fütterungsversuchen mit juvenilen Kabeljau (Gadus morhua L.) verwendet. Modell und Wirklichkeit weichen in der Regel voneinander ab. Der durchschnittliche relative Fehler der durch das Modell vorhergesagten Nahrungsaufnahme betrug für Einzelfische etwa 24%, was darauf hinweist, dass einzelne Fisch die Nahrung mit unterschiedlichen Wirkungsgraden verwerten. Allerdings senkte die Gruppierung der Fische nach Größenklassen und Temperatur den relativen Vorhersagefehler für die Nahrungsaufnahme der Gruppe auf etwa 5%. Für alle Fische im Fütterungsversuch ist der relative Vorhersagefehler etwa 2%.

Investigations on the vertical migration of planktonic Crustacea in the Bodensee-Obersee. [Translation from: Schriften des Vereins fur Geschichte des Bodensees und seiner Umgebung, 87, 177-187, 1969.]

The vertical zoning of the planktonic Crustacea in a lake is the expression of a complex set of different factors. Besides the measurable, external influences such as light, temperature, acid and C02 stratification, a particularly large part is played by internal factors, which co-ordinate a specific reaction in each species depending on state of development, age and sex. Supporting this extensive, predictable, annual course of diurnal depths and the daily vertical migrations, whose extent is again dependent on external conditions, primarily of course on the amount of light. The individual factors mentioned, however, are here also of great significance. Within the scope of a long-term study of the planktonic Copepoda of Lake Constance, some day and night series were in 1963 also carried out in the Obersee, in order to obtain at least volumetric data on the extent of the daily migrations of these creatures.

On drift and diel vertical migration of bottom invertebrates of the Amur. [Translation from: Zoologicheskie Zhurnal 42 1601-1612, 1963.]

Planktobenthos was sampled in 1957-58 in the river Amur. A determination of the kind of organisms drifting in the mass of water of the Amur was carried out. Of special interest for the authors was the activity of drifting of benthic larvae.

Bird migration and the spread of Crustacea. [Translation from: Verhandlungen der Deutschen Zoologischen Gesellschaft 27, 311-316, 1963.]

The passive spread of a high percentage of freshwater organisms is one of the most important requirements in short-lived and insular communities for species to attai n and survive - and consequently to balance the lack of a topographical continuity of most inland waters. Unfortunately hardly anything is known about the amounts of seed material typical for any lake into which it is carried. The causes of passive dissemination - wind, water and animals as well as man - are confirmed by many examples. It has been assumed now for at least a hundered years that , among animals, birds play a prominent role, although also disappointingly few facts are at hand. The passage and spread through birds' intestines has up to now been supported only by some limited data. This paper reports on experimental research where the eggs of Daphnia magna, Triops cancriformis, Artemia salina, Diaptomus spinosus and Cypris pubera were introduced by means of gelatine capsules into the oesophagus of a drake. The bird's excrements were inspected under a microscope for eggs and resting stages, and these were transferred into corresponding cultures.

Growth rates of bacteria in rivers

Three different methods for determining bacterial growth rate in rivers are described. Two of the methods are for bacteria in suspension: a recirculating experimental channel method and a radioactive tracer technique using super(35)SO sub(4). The third method is for bacteria attached to surfaces and specifically considers the surface of the common duckweed Lemna minor).

Bilan des recherches sur la crevette rose Penaeus duorarum notialis de Côte d'Ivoire et conséquences en matière d'aménagement

A summary of results obtained from 1969 to 1977 is given. It concerns the biology of the species (ecology and distribution of the adults, behaviour and diel variation of catch rates, reproduction and larval migration, juveniles migration and recruitment at sea, sexual maturity, growth and mortality by marking experiments) and the history of the fishery (catches, efforts, seasonal variations of catch rates). The combined use of a dynamic pool model of Ricker and a production model of Fox leads to the evaluation of the potential of the stock. The simulation of different and combined fishery strategies on adults at sea and juveniles in lagoons, allows the evaluation of the consequences (in yield, value, biomass and potential fecundity) of the different proposed management procedures (reductions in fishing effort, closed seasons on both fisheries).

An investigation of the recaptures rates for tagged brown trout stocked into the River Ribble

The angling season for non-migratory brown trout, in the Environment Agency (EA) North West Region, runs from March 15th to September 30th. Each year, large numbers of farm reared brown trout are stocked into the rivers of the North West Region's Central Area. In 1994, approximately 20,000 brown trout were introduced into the River systems of the Lune, Wyre and Ribble by local angling clubs and fishery owners. Most of these fish were stocked at a length greater than that defined by local byelaws as the takeable size (200mm). Introductions are made to supplement the existing wild brown trout populations within the river and increase the probability of an angler catching a fish. Stocking with fish of a sufficient length allows the successful angler to remove the catch for their own use. In this way, stretches of the rivers are effectively managed as "put and take" fisheries for brown trout. A number of brown trout fingerlings are also introduced each year by angling clubs and fishery owners. These are stocked with the expectation that the fish will survive in the river to grow, over-winter, and eventually attain a takable size with an increased degree of "wildness". The lower cost of fingerlings, as opposed to trout of a takable length, makes their introduction more attractive to angling clubs since a greater number can be stocked for a given cost. Although the practise of stocking brown trout has occurred for many years in the Central Area, there is little information of its success in terms of increasing anglers catches, or the survival offish introduced. This study was initiated to determine the recapture rates by angling of brown trout following their introduction into a river fishery. The information gained from this study can then be used to give guidance to angling clubs and fishery owners on the optimal strategies for stocking fish.

A re-examination of tigerfish growth rates in Lake Kariba

Growth rates of male and female tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus were determined from length/frequencies of fish from the Sanyati Basin and Sinamwenda estuary, Lake Kariba. Growth rates were similar in both sexes for the first two years, after which females grew faster and reached a greater length. Fish from the Sanyati Basin appeared to grow slightly faster than those from the Sinamwenda Estuary.

A comparative study of consumption rates and preference for some species of aquatic plants by Tilapia rendalli

The daily consumption rates and preference of juvenile Tilapia rendalli for some macrophytes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Lagarosiphon major, Najas pectinatas and Valisneria aethiopica were determined. Fish were offered single macrophyte diets to determine daily consumption and a mixture of the 4 macrophytes in equal quantities to determine selection. Consumption rates were 821.50 mg, 829.05 mg, 940.00 mg and 2293.53 mg per fish per day, respectively. The differences in consumption rates were significant. Preference was shown for V.aethiopica, whilst C.demersum was least selected. Fish fed on single species lost weight whereas those fed on a variety of macrophytes gained in weight.

Biologie de Penaeus duorarum (Burkenroad) en Côte d'Ivoire: 2 - ponte et migration

The pink shrimp Penaeus duorarum spawns from 25 to 60m, mostly in summer (October to June). Size at first sexual maturity is 31 mm (carapace length). The observed difference with the Caribbean pink shrimp is analysed. Immature shrimps migrate all year round but a peak migration occurs from January to March (in summer) and is associated with maximum salinities. A secondary peak migration occurs in October corresponding to minimum salinity and maximum river discharge. The action of salinity on migration is discussed and a preponderant action of currents in the process is also suggested. Migration is also related to moon phase, tide and day-night cycles. Migration intensity as expressed by catch per unit of effort is maximum at night, during ebb tide, on new and full moon. Seasonal variation of mean migration size and abundance are related by a negative linear correlation on a logarithmic plot (R = 0.776). This phenomenon is perhaps related to competition for food.

A preliminary investigation of Elastomer Visible Implant (EVI)tag retention rates and the effect of tagging on the growth and survival of barbel (Barbus barbus L.).

The Elastomer Visible Implant system (EVI) is a relatively new technique for batch marking fish. The aim of this study was to assess retention rates and the possible effects of tagging on the growth and mortality of barbel, Barbus barbus, (81-197mm, fork length) over approximately 2 months using a syringe injection system.

Prediction and confirmation of seasonal migration of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the California Current Ecosystem

During the last century, the population of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the California Current Ecosystem has exhibited large fluctuations in abundance and migration behavior. From approximately 1900 to 1940, the abundance of sardine reached 3.6 million metric tons and the “northern stock” migrated from offshore of California in the spring to the coastal areas near Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver Island in the summer. In the 1940s, the sardine stock collapsed and the few remaining sardine schools concentrated in the coastal region off southern California, year-round, for the next 50 years. The stock gradually recovered in the late 1980s and resumed its seasonal migration between regions off southern California and Canada. Recently, a model was developed which predicts the potential habitat for the northern stock of Pacific sardine and its seasonal dynamics. The habitat predictions were successfully validated using data from sardine surveys using the daily egg production method; scientific trawl surveys off the Columbia River mouth; and commercial sardine landings off Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver Island. Here, the predictions of the potential habitat and seasonal migration of the northern stock of sardine are validated using data from “acoustic–trawl” surveys of the entire west coast of the United States during the spring and summer of 2008. The estimates of sardine biomass and lengths from the two surveys are not significantly different between spring and summer, indicating that they are representative of the entire stock. The results also confirm that the model of potential sardine habitat can be used to optimally apply survey effort and thus minimize random and systematic sampling error in the biomass estimates. Furthermore, the acoustic–trawl survey data are useful to estimate concurrently the distributions and abundances of other pelagic fishes.