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Growth energy partitioning by juvenile bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque
Author(s) -
Booth D. J.,
Keast J. A.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1986.tb05139.x
Subject(s) - lepomis macrochirus , biology , juvenile , lepomis , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , zoology , centrarchidae , body weight , ecology , endocrinology , micropterus
Growth energy build‐up and partitioning by immature bluegill sunfish were studied over the summer months from May to September 1984. Fish sampled in May showed low condition and low lipid reserves. Condition was restored to summer levels within the following month. Fat reserves were built up from 7% to 14% of body weight over the entire summer. Most (80%) of the annual length increase occurred from 1 June to 15 August. Over the winter period (October‐April) condition dropped and lipids were depleted. Calculations showed that energy liberated through lipid depletion over this period could supply the energy requirements of inactive wintering fish. It is concluded that the sequencing of growth energy diversion into changes in body length, condition, and lipid build‐up enhances mid‐summer growth and overwinter survival.