Synopsis
Distribution and growth of the embryos, larvae and juveniles of Rutilus rutilus (roach), Scardinius erythrophthalmus (rudd) and Leuciscus cephalus (chub) from an oligotrophic subalpine lake in Tyrol, Austria, were studied during the first three to four months after hatching. R. rutilus was the first to spawn, a single cohort hatching around May 23rd. Four cohorts of S. erythrophthalmus hatched between June 19 and August 1. Three cohorts of L. cephalus hatched between July 3 and 25. The length/weight relationship of all species changed at a length of approximately 15–16 mm. R. rutilus, hatching at the lowest temperature, also showed the lowest growth rate during early life (maximum 10.4 per cent fresh body weight day−1). In the other two species relative growth rates up to 20% day−1) were measured. Rudd and chub remained in the shallow littoral during the whole period of observation, whereas roach left the littoral a few weeks after hatching and migrated into deeper water. A subtle shift in vertical distribution was observed for the first cohort of rudd which moved into slightly deeper water when the second cohort made its appearance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References cited
Balon, E.K. 1984. Reflections on some decisive events in the early life of fishes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 113: 177–185.
Braband, A. 1985. Food of roach (Rutilus rutilus) and ide (Leuciscus idus): significance of diet shift for interspecific competition in omnivorous fish. Oecologia 66: 461–467.
Crecco, V.A. & M.M. Blake. 1983. Feeding ecology of coexisting larvae of American shad and blueblack herring in the Connecticut River. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 112: 498–507.
Dbrowski, K. 1984. Influence of initial weight during the change from live to compound feed on the survival and growth of four cyprinids. Aquaculture 40: 27–40.
Floyd, K.B., R.D. Hoyt & S. Timbrook. 1984. Chronology of appearance and habitat partitioning by stream larval fishes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 113: 217–223.
Frank, K.T. & W.C. Leggett. 1983. Multispecies larval fish associations: accident or adaptation? Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 40: 754–762.
Galat, D.L. & N. Vucinich. 1983. Food partitioning between young of the year of two sympatric Tui Chub morphs. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 112: 486–497.
Hammer, C. 1983. Improvement of a fry trap and investigations on the catch rate in a limnic environment. Arch. Hydrobiol. 98: 533–544.
Hammer, C. 1985. Feeding behaviour of roach (Rutilus rutilus) larvae and the fry of perch (Perca fluviatilis) in Lake Lankau. Arch. Hydrobiol. 103: 61–74.
Kolder, W. 1970. Die Fischfauna am Piburger See. Acta Hydrobiol. 12: 329–355.
Lister, D.B. & H.S. Genoe. 1970. Stream habitat utilization by cohabiting and underyearlings of chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (O. kisutch) salmon in the Big Qualicum river, British Columbia. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 27: 1215–1224.
Pechlaner, R. 1979. Response of the eutrophied Piburger See to reduced external loading and removal of monimolimnic water. Arch. Hydrobiol. 13: 293–305.
Tölg, I. 1981. Fortschritte in der Teichwirtschaft. Paul Parey, Hamburg. 175 pp.
Werner, E.E. 1986. Species interactions in freshwater fish communities. In: T.J. Case & J.M. Diamond (ed.) Community Ecology, Harper and Row, New York. (in press).
Werner, E.E. & J.F. Gilliam. 1984. The ontogenetic niche and species interactions in size-structured populations. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 15: 393–425.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
To whom correspondence should be addressed
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rheinberger, V., Hofer, R. & Wieser, W. Growth and habitat separation in eight cohorts of three species of cyprinids in a subalpine lake. Environ Biol Fish 18, 209–217 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000360
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00000360