The Fish Size, Prey Size, Handling Time Relation in Several Sunfishes and Some Implications

Abstract

The relation between fish size, prey size, and handling time was determined for bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and green (L. cyanellus) sunfishes with both artificial and natural prey. When scaled by plotting handling time against the ratio of prey size to mouth size, the relation was quite general across fish size and species and is described by a modified exponential equation. Handling time increases [Formula: see text] fold as fish approach satiation. Curves of handling time/unit return define optimal prey size for fish of different size and/or species and illustrate comparative aspects of the breadth of diet for different sized sunfish. Certain life history features of the bluegill are interpreted on the basis of these curves. Optimal prey size occurs at a prey size to mouth size ratio of 0.59 regardless of fish size.