Effect of habitat structure on the feeding efficiency of young stages of razor fish (Pelecus cultratus (L.)): an experimental approach

Abstract

The effects of a submerged macrophyte (Potamogeton pectinatus), turbidity (produced by 50 mg l−1 kaolin), and their combination on the feeding rate of young razor fish (Pelecus cultratus (L.)) were studied in the laboratory. Young razor fish showed preference for Copepoda in most of the simulated habitats. Razor fish fed more efficiently in the absence of any environmental structure, but the more structured habitats, 3 g wet wt l−1 of simulated submerged macrophyte and turbidity combined with vegetation, had a negative impact on food consumption rates.