Experimental studies on the deep-water pelagic community of Korsfjorden, Western Norway

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Observations on the feeding behaviour of adult female Chiridius armatus indicated that the species is an active predator which could accept or reject particles of a suitable size for capturing and eating entire. Larger prey could be taken and partially broken up by the mouthparts. Cannibalism became rife after some days in filtered sea water. Experiments showed that: a) Dunaliella was ingested but apparently not assimilated; b) Chiridius thrived on Artemia nauplii and almost invariably weighed more than specimens caught at the same time but dried and weighed immediately; c) the feeding rate was affected by food concentration and the previous feeding of Chiridius; d) mixed Zooplankton (mostly Calanus V) was ingested to a limited extent but did not seem to be a satisfactory food; e) development of stage V to adults was supported by Artemia but not by Dunaliella. Assimilation of Artemia by Chiridius was estimated at 90 %. Assimilation of mixed zooplankton seemed to be even a little higher.