Some preliminary results on food and feeding of young capelin larvae
Original version
This report is not to be quoted without prior consultation with the General Secretary.Abstract
The gut contents of young capelin larvae sampled during a 24 hour period around a floating drogue were examined to study their feeding. The food consisted mainly of Calanus eggs (52%) and Calanus nauplii (42%). Compared to their abundance in plankton, Calanus eggs were by far preferred. The young larvae started to feed while still having large yolk-sacs, and the percentage of larvae feeding increased with decreasing yolk-sac size. No change in diet with age could be seen. Feeding started shortly after sunrise and declined at nightfall. A low percentage of larvae with gut content might indicate that the densities of food particles in plankton were too low to maintain survival and growth.