The effect of water temperature, prey availability and presence of conspecifics on prey consumption of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

In this study, the effect of water temperature, predator’s sex, prey density, and presence conspecifics on consumption pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) was experimentally tested. Experiment 1, predators both sexes [males: total length (TL) = 473 ± 22 mm body weight (BW) 1 070 100 g females: TL 464 12 BW 060 g] were kept in separate tanks exposed to different densities (Pseudorasbora parva; 3, 6, 12, 24 48 fishes per tank) under fixed temperatures 4.5 °C, 8.5 12.5 °C. After 63 days experiment, it found that predation significantly affected by increasing temperature. The density significant at all tested temperatures. Pikeperch females tended have higher than males, although trend statistically insignificant. Results suggest increased feeding demands above °C can lead predator starvation conditions low availability. Due consumption, could be more vulnerable availability during their culture. 2, 4, 8 individuals tank supplied with a rate 50 predator, ensuring ad libitum rate. average daily multiple predators, accounting for 17.6 3.57 fishes/day compared 11.6 2.33 single predator. These results indicate activity availability, conspecifics. findings contribute understanding predatory function, natural request its potential importance broodstock culture final maturation successful spawning season. Also, information used better management pond aquaculture or bio-melioration process open bodies ecosystems.