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Effects of Nutrient Enrichment and a Rough Fish Population (Carp) on a Game Fish Population (Smallmouth Bass)
Author(s) -
Haines Terry A.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1973)102<346:eoneaa>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - biology , bass (fish) , population , micropterus , carp , common carp , zoology , sea bass , nutrient , fertility , fishery , cyprinus , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology
This experiment was conducted to test the effects of nutrient enrichment and a rough fish population, individually and in combination, on a game fish population. The rough fish and game fish species used were carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui Lacépède) respectively. Two fertility levels (low and high) were established in a series of artificial ponds. Low fertility ponds were undisturbed, while nitrogen and phosphorus were added biweekly (i.e., once every 2 weeks) to the high fertility ponds. Replicates of three fish population types were established at each fertility level: game fish only, rough fish only, and game and rough fish in combination. Physical, chemical and biological conditions in the ponds were measured regularly; the fish populations were censused after 15 months. Growth rate was used as an index of the status of the fish populations. The growth rate of each species was not significantly (p = 0.5) affected by species interactions at either fertility level. Bass growth rate in high fertility ponds was significantly (p < 0.01) lower than in low fertility ponds; carp growth rate in high fertility ponds was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than in low fertility ponds. The depression of bass growth rate in high fertility ponds may have resulted from the increased diurnal dissolved oxygen flux, decreased water clarity, or increased ammonia concentrations. Carp apparently were not affected by these factors and were able to utilize the increased food supply in the enriched ponds.