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A Pond Evaluation of Habituation as a Means to Reduce Initial Mortality Associated with Poststocking Predation of Hatchery‐Reared Largemouth Bass
Author(s) -
Schlechte J. Warren,
Buckmeier David L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/m05-064.1
Subject(s) - predation , micropterus , bass (fish) , habituation , hatchery , biology , habitat , fishery , predator , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , neuroscience
We investigated whether habituation (i.e., allowing fish to become accustomed to their new environment) and habitat complexity affected poststocking predation of hatchery‐reared fingerling Florida largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus stocked in research ponds containing high densities of predators. We found that in open‐water habitat, habituation for 60 min before release significantly (| t 44 | ≥ 2.13; P ≤ 0.039) reduced predation. In the presence of complex habitat (i.e., stem density > 250 stems/m 2 ), overall predation was reduced but habituation failed to further reduce predation (| t 44 | ≥ 0.13; P ≤ 0.899). Habituation appears to be a feasible method for reducing predation at release locations with little to no structurally complex habitat and high predator densities.