Interactions between substrate and temperature preference in adult American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides)

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the substrate preference of American plaice and the interaction between substrate and temperature preference. When given a choice of several substrate types, American plaice clearly preferred substrates that had a finer particle size than gravel, but did not totally avoid any substrate type. When given a choice between sand and gravel, they clearly preferred sand. Preference for substrate took precedence over temperature preference down to a temperature of‐1.0°C. An examination of field data showed that American plaice were widely distributed across both gravel and sand substrates at temperatures above and below‐1.0°C. Broad tolerances of substrate and temperature are probably a factor in this species’ wide distribution throughout the northwest Atlantic.