A Predator–Prey Interaction in Freshwater Fish

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Abstract
The predator–prey interaction of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, and the redside shiner, Richardsonius balteatus (Richardson), in Paul Lake, British Columbia, depends on such factors as distribution and movements of predator and prey, behaviour of predator and prey, lake morphometry, shoal water temperature and characteristics of the fish.In adult trout, activity associated with predation follows a stereotype pattern. Behaviour may also be responsible for the fact that trout under 10 inches in length do not utilize, as food, even small shiners to any extent, even though under laboratory conditions they will kill and eat them. The estimated annual kill of shiners by predatory trout is 150,000 and the shiner population is probably in the millions. Shiners preyed on are such that predation appears not to limit recruitment to the prey population. Shortly after their introduction to the lake shiners reduced the growth rate of small trout by competition. There is evidence that feeding on shiners now increases the growth rate of at least those trout over 14 inches whose food is as high as 98% shiners in summer.

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