Fisheries Behavioral Ecology - Abstracts
Steiner, W.W. and B.L. Olla. 1985. Behavioral responses of prejuvenile red hake, Urophycis chuss, to experimental thermoclines. Environmental Biology of Fishes 14:167-173.
Abstract
Prejuvenile red hake, Urophycis chuss, that had reached the developmental interval where they normally descend from the planktonic to the benthic environment, were tested for their responses to experimental thermoclines. Laboratory thermoclines were created that simulated natural field conditions of late summer/ early fall (20°C at the surface and 10°C at the bottom). Prejuveniles did not descend immediately through the thermocline; rather, they remained in the water column at temperatures above 15°C. Results indicated that fish in the sea that do eventually reach the bottom despite the presence of a thermocline, must undergo an acclimation period while descending through the thermocline. The timing of prejuvenile descent may depend on a variety of factors including optimal growth conditions, susceptibility to predation, and competition for resources.
Last updated
26 April, 2007
FBE Webmaster
|
