Influence of Larval Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) Density on Piscivory and Growth of Young-of-Year Saugeye (Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense)
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Date
1994
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Abstract
Growth and survival of young-of-year saugeye (Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense) (stocked into Ohio reservoirs to create sport fisheries) are probably influenced by prey availability, variations in which may
account for historically documented variability in stocking success. Because saugeye switch from a diet of
zooplankton to fish once stocked, we sought to determine experimentally if saugeye size and available ichthyoplankton,
i.e., larval gizzard shad (Borosoma cepediaraum), affected this switch and whether piscivory improved saugeye growth. In an enclosure experiment, saugeye (33.9 mm TL) immediately switched to
piscivory when exposed to ichthyoplankton densities of 20 and l00m^-3, growing faster when more gizzard shad were available. In another enclosure experiment, saugeye 30-49 mm TL consumed 14-mm gizzard shad. In ponds (N = 4 ponds-treatment-1) containing zooplankton and chironornids, we compared
saugeye growth with and without larval gizzard shad and found, as in the first enclosure experiment, that piscivory improved saugeye growth. Neither saugeye size nor ichthyoplankton density influenced
how quickly saugeye switched to piscivory. We conclude that managers should stock saugeye >=30 mm 1-2 wk before peak ichthyoplankton densities to improve saugeye growth and survival by enhancing
opportunities for exploitation of young-of-yeas gizzard shad.
Description
Abstract in English and French.
Keywords
young-of-year saugeye, larval gizzard shad, enclosure experiment
Citation
Stahl, Thomas P.; Stein, Roy A. "Influence of Larval Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) Density on Piscivory and Growth of Young-of-Year Saugeye (Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense)," Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, v. 51, no. 9, 1994, pp. 1993-2002.