An in situ Evaluation of the Day-to-Day Variation in the Quantity of Food Consumed by Fish

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Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that the mean quantity food consumed by fish in situ does not vary significantly over successive days. The daily ration of minnows (Phoxinus eos × P. neogaeus) was estimated over 5–12 consecutive days (June 1–5, July 6–17, and August 3–9, 1992). Mean daily ration ranged from 0.60 to 1.32 g dry∙100 g wet−1∙d−1 and varied significantly over consecutive days in June and July, but not in August. Average day-to-day variation in food consumption rates ranged from 7.0 to 16.3%. Mean daily ration was not influenced by either water temperature or percent cloudiness. Simulated long-term consumption rates of minnows did not vary by more than 19.3% among sampling intervals ranging from 1 to 30 d. We conclude that long-term consumption rates can be accurately determined using time series of daily ration estimated at 3- to 4-wk intervals.

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