Synopsis
We tested depth selection by different sizes of mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi, in a southern Appalachian stream. Field observations indicated that, during one hour periods, both small (<50 mm SL) and large (≥55 mm SL) individuals move within an area less than 0.50 m2. Individuals of both sizes, placed in field enclosures, preferred deep microhabitat. When large fish were placed in cages with small fish, small fish initially spent more time in slope and shallow microhabitats. Average interfish distances were not correlated with their absolute size differences, suggesting C. bairdi interactions may involve both predation and competition. In streams, size-related differences in microhabitat depth may result more from intraspecific interactions than from size-specific depth preferences.
References cited
Anderson, C.S. 1983. The influence of stream size on sculpin population dynamics. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 161 pp.
Brandt, S.B. 1986. Ontogenetic shifts in habitat, diet, and diel-feeding periodicity of slimy sculpin in Lake Ontario. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 115: 711–715.
Downhower, J.F. & L. Brown. 1979. Seasonal changes in the social structure of a mottled sculpin (Couus bairdi) population. Anim. Behav. 27: 451–458.
Grossman, G.D. & M.C. Freeman. 1987. Microhabitat use in a stream fish assemblage. J. Zool. 212: 151–176.
Schlosser, I.J. 1987. The role of predation in age- and size-related habitat use by stream fishes. Ecology 68: 651–659.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Freeman, M.C., Stouder, D.J. Intraspecific interactions influence size specific depth distribution in Cottus bairdi . Environ Biol Fish 24, 231–236 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001226
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001226