Constraints on prey size selection by the three‐spined stickleback: energy requirements and the capacity and fullness of the gut

Abstract

An experiment was designed to study how gut fullness and encounter with 5‐mm Asellus aquaticus influenced acceptance or rejection of less profitable 8‐mm Asellus. 45‐mm sticklebacks were found to always accept 5‐mm prey whereas 8‐mm prey were accepted with an initial probability of about 0.9. This probability decreased as the gut filled. Fish of differing sizes and sex had similar daily energy intakes per unit body size, however the acceptance of 8‐mm prey was related to fish size. Whenever a fish orientated to a prey it was followed by pursuit and manipulation independently of prey size. The decision to accept or reject prey occurred after one manipulation, a criterion that was more variable for the larger prey. For one feeding session per day the total energy intake was almost constant despite the changing combination of prey sizes eaten. The fish ate prey with long handling times if the energetic contents of the stomach had not reached 450 J. Calculations were made of how many of each millimetre prey size group would satisfy the 450 J demand and how long the estimated number would take to handle. This showed that the best option is to consume 5‐mm prey if given the choice.