A critique of field methodology for determining fish feeding periodicity

Abstract

Two major criticisms are directed at studies which attempt to determine changes in the feeding intensity of fish in the natural environment over a 24 hour period. A confusing vocabulary in the literature has lead to misinterpretation of data and erroneous conclusions about the diel nature of fish feeding. Workers also tend to conclude that there is variation in stomach content (and by implication feeding rate) over time, without testing observed differences statistically. Large variations in data render such conclusions suspect.