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Energy Dynamics of Benthic Fishes in a Small Kentucky Stream
Author(s) -
Small James W.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1936294
Subject(s) - cottus , benthic zone , standing crop , etheostoma , environmental science , ecology , biology , trophic level , biomass (ecology) , zoology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , habitat
Energy dynamics of the benthic stream fishes, Etheostoma flabellare, Etheostoma spectabile, and Cottus carolinae were studied in an upper and lower section of Steeles Run, a small stream in central Kentucky. Production was estimated from the exponential model of growth and energy consumption with the use of models derived from laboratory studies on caloric intake and growth. For comparative purposes, energy consumption was also estimated with equations based on an approxiation of the metabolica rate. Both systems gave good agreement varying 2%—7%. Annual production estimates of 10.89 and 14.88 kcal/m 2 were made for two upper and 3.56—2.58 kcal/m 2 for two lower sections of stream. Annual consumption by these fish was estimated to be 52.22 and 67.59 kcal/m 2 for the two upper and 21.83 and 17.87 kcal/m 2 for two lower sections. Measurement of total fish standing crop gave 1.70—15.95 kcal/m 2 for the upper and 1.15—7.83 kcal/m 2 for the lower section. The three benthic species make up about 40% of this biomass. Food studies indicate benthic fish are the primary users of aquatic invertebrate production, other sampled species using mostly terrestrial production. Cottus carolinae spawns in winter and the other benthic species in spring. Caloric content varies and drops to its lowest point the season before spawning and then rises rapidly to its peak. Period of miximum growth rate differed among the benthic species; this division of resource usage may allow greater production.