Predation by Striped Bass and Striped Bass × White Bass Hybrids on Redbelly Tilapia and Common Carp

Abstract

Abstract In laboratory experiments conducted to evaluate the suitability of redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zilli) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) as forage for striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and hybrids of striped bass × white bass (M. chrysops), the hybrids ate larger redbelly tilapias than did striped bass, but striped bass ate the larger common carp. The mean vertical buccal gape of striped bass and hybrids did not differ significantly over the length range of predators tested. The maximum body depths of the prey consumed were about 30% smaller than the vertical gapes of the predators. Although girth of common carp was larger than girth of redbelly tilapias of the same length, striped bass ate larger common carp than redbelly tilapias. The selection of larger redbelly tilapias by hybrids than by striped bass suggested that hybrids were the more aggressive.