Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons^™

Effect Of Fish Size On Prey Size Selection In Gambusia Affinis, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Joseph J. Cech Jr., James Compton

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Food size selection of the mosquitofish , Gambusia affinis affinis. was measured in aquaria using juvenile stages of the mosquito, Clllex tarsalb;, as prey. Fish size varied from recently born fry to large adult females. Food size selection was positively correlated with fish size. Mosquitofish fry (6-8 111m standard length) attacked and ate primarily first and second instar larvae. Fry attacked larger instars, but attack success on these was low (0 - 50%). Fish larger than 20 mm attached primarily pupae and third and fourth instar larva. No first instar mosquitoes were eaten. Attack success for these fish was above …