Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some effects of food density on the growth and behaviour of plaice larvae

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of food density on the growth, survival, and swimming activity of plaice larvae (Pleuronectes platessa L.) was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Suboptimal food concentrations decrease the growth of the height of the body musculature relative to length, and increase the amount of time spent searching for food. Older larvae are able to withstand much longer periods without food than young larvae. On the basis of these experiments, it is suggested that food limitation in a larval plaice population is likely to result in a concave mortality curve.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Blaxter, J. H. S.: Feeding and condition of Clyde herring larvae. Rapp. P.-v. Réun. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 160, 128–136 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  • — and G. Hempel: The influence of egg size on herring larvae (Clupea harengus L.). J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 28, 211–240 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushing, D. H.: The dates at which fish spawn. Proc. Challenger Soc. 4, 1–33 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjort, J.: Fluctuations in the great fisheries of northern Europe viewed in the light of biological research. Rapp. P.-v. Réun. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 20, 1–228 (1914).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marr, J. C.: The “critical period” in the early life history of marine fishes. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 21, 160–170 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitson, R. B.: Marine fish culture in Britain. V. An electronic device for counting the nauplii of Artemia salina L. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 28, 262–269 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Riley, J. D. and G. T. Thackeb: New intergeneric cross within the Pleuronectidae, dab x flounder. Nature, Lond. 221, (No. 5179), 484–486 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryland, J. S.: Observations on the development of larvae of the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., in aquaria. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 30, 177–195 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelbourne, J. E.: The feeding and condition of plaice larvae in good and bad plankton patches. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 36, 539–552 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilela, M. H. and J. J. Zijlstra: On the condition of herring larvae in the central and southern North Sea. Rapp. P.-v. Réun. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 160, 137–141 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. T. Wyatt

    Present address: Fisheries Laboratory, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. T. Wyatt
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Additional information

    Communicated by J. H. S. Blaxter, Oban

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Wyatt, T. Some effects of food density on the growth and behaviour of plaice larvae. Marine Biology 14, 210–216 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348281

    Download citation

    • Accepted:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348281

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation