Effect of Zooplankton Abundance and Body Size on Growth of Age-0 Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Oneida Lake, New York, 1975–86

Abstract

We examined an 11-yr (1975–86) field data set to determine whether annual differences in age-0 yellow perch (Perca flavescens) growth in weight were related to the abundance, size structure, and species composition of zooplankton in Oneida Lake, New York. A model for prediction of age-0 yellow perch weight was determined using a multiple regression technique; age-0 yellow perch wet weight (grams) was the dependent variable while age-0 yellow perch density, water temperature, calendar day, and cumulative biomass of both zooplankton taxonomic groups (daphnids, "other cladocerans," calanoids, cyclopoids, and nauplii) and zooplankton size classes (< 1.1 mm, 1.1–1.7 mm, and > 1.7 mm) were the independent variables. Analyses were based on an integrated approach where time was measured in cumulative temperature units and yellow perch weight was considered a function of the cumulative amount of food available. Below a cumulative temperature of 1350 °C∙d−1, none of the independent variables were related significantly (P < 0.05) to yellow perch weight. Beyond 1350 °C∙d−1 age-0 yellow perch weight was strongly correlated with the biomass of Daphnia and significant (P < 0.05) prey size variables shifted toward larger prey as fish grew. Our results indicate size- and species-based interactions between fish and zooplankton play an important role in regulating growth of age-0 fish.