Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Filtering rates of the juvenile Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Pisces: Clupeidae), with consideration of the effects of detritus and swimming speed

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

From July to September 1982 feeding experiments were conducted with 138-mm fork length Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Latrobe) (Pisces: Clupeidae) to determine their particle size-specific feeding abilities. Monoculture clearing-rate experiments showed that the minimum size of particles filtered, the minimum size threshold, for 138-mm fish is 7 to 9 μm. Filtration efficiency for three species of phytoplankton below the minimum size threshold. Pseudoisochrysis paradoxa, Monochrysis lutheri, and Isochrysis galbana, averaged 1.0% (n=14). Tetraselmis suecica, Prorocentrum minimum, and 2-celled Skeleionema costatum, phytoplankton which are larger than the minimum size threshold and smaller than the 20-μm upper limit for nanoplankton, were filtered at efficiencies averaging 21% (n=24). S. costatum chains of 3 to 6 cells, prey particles exceeding the size limits of nanoplankton, were filtered at average efficiencies ranging from 22 to 84%. The mean filtration efficiency for Artemia sp. nauplii (San Francisco Bay Brand) of 36% (n=7) was lower than for smaller phytoplankton prey. The presence of detritus at concentrations usually encountered in nature enhanced filtering efficiency and lowered minimum size thresholds at which phytoplankton were retained. For small food particles, filtering efficiency decreased as swimming speed of the menhaden increased. As menhaden grow, their feeding tepertoire shifts to larger planktonic organisms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Avninelech, T., B. W. Troegur and L. W. Reed: Mutual flocculation of algae and clay: evidence and implications. Science, N.Y. 216, 63–65 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaxter, J. H. S. and J. R. Hunter: The biology of the clupeoid fishes. Adv. mar. Biol. 20, 1–223 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chipman, W. C.: The use of radioisotopes in studies of the foods and feeding activities of marine animals. Pubbl. Stn. Zool. Napoli (Suppl.) 31, 154–174 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Darnell, R. M.: Food habits of fishes and larger invertebrates of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, an estuarine community. Publ. Inst. mar. Sci. Univ. Tex. 5, 353–416 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Drenner, R. W., J. R. Strickler and W. J. O'Brien: Capture probability: the role of zooplankton escape in the selective feeding of planktivorous fish. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 35, 1370–1373 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dryfoos, R. L., R. P. Cheek and R. L. Kroger: Preliminary analyses of Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, migrations, population structure, survival and exploitation rates, and availability as indicated from tag returns. Fish. Bull., U.S. 71, 719–734 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dupuy, J. L., N. J. Windsor and C. E. Sutton: Manual for design and operation of an oyster seed hatchery. Spec. Rep. Appl. Mar. Ocean Eng. Va. Inst. Mar. Sci. 142, 1–104 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Durbin, A. G.: Food selection by plankton feeding fishes. In: Predatory-prey systems in fisheries management, pp 203–218. Ed. by H. Clepper. Washington, D.C.: Sport Fishing Institute 1979

    Google Scholar 

  • Durbin, A. G. and E. G. Durbin: Grazing rates of the Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus as a function of particle size and concentration. Mar. Biol. 33, 265–277 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Durbin, E. G. and A. G. Durbin: Assimilation efficiency and nitrogen excretion of a filter-feeding planktivore, the Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Pisces: Clupeidae). Fish. Bull., U.S. 79, 601–616 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Durbin, E. G., R. W. Krawiec and T. J. Smayda: Seasonal studies on the relative importance of different size fractions of phytoplankton in Narragansett Bay (USA). Mar. Biol. 32, 271–287 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Durbin, A. G., E. G. Durbin, P. G. Verity and T. J. Smayda: Voluntary swimming speed and respiration rates of a filter-feeding planktivore, the Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus (Pisces: Clupeidae). Fish. Bull., U.S. 78, 877–886 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerber, R. P. and N. Marshall: Ingestion of detritus by the lagoon pelagic community of Eniwetok Atoll. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19, 815–824 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gifford, D. J., R. N. Bohrer and C. M. Boyd: Spines on diatoms: do copepods care? Limnol. Oceanogr. 26, 1057–1061 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haas, L. W.: Improved epifluorescent microscopic technique for observing planktonic micro-organisms. Ann. Inst. Oceanogr. 58, 261–266 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, W. H.: Note on selective feeding by Calanus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 22, 97–100 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkin, A. D. and P. D. Anthony: Aquarium design and construction. In: Aquarium systems, pp 1–47. Ed. by A. D. Hawkin. New York: Academic Press 1981

    Google Scholar 

  • Jefferies, H. P.: Diets of juvenile Atlantic menhaden in three estuarine habitats as determined from fatty acid composition of gut contents. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 32, 587–592 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • June, F. C. and F. T. Carlson: Food of young Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, in relation to metamorphosis, U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Fish. Bull. 68, 493–512 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremer, J. N. and S. W. Nixon: A coastal marine ecosystem, 217 pp. New York: Springer-Verlag 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnuson, J. J. and J. G. Heitz: Gili raker apparatus and food selectivity among mackerels, tunas, and dolphins. Fish. Bull., U.S. 69, 361–370 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Malone, T. C.: Light-saturated photosynthesis by phytoplankton size fractions in the New York Bight, USA. Mar. Biol. 42, 281–292 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Malone, T. C., M. B. Chervin and D. C. Boardman: Effects of 22 μm screens on size frequency distributions of suspended particles and biomass estimates of phytoplankton size fractions. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 956–960 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, J. J., W. R. Taylor and M. E. Loftus: Significance of nanoplankton in the Chesapeake Bay Estuary and problems associated with the measurement of nanoplankton productivity. Mar. Biol. 24, 7–16 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • McHugh, J. L.: Estuarine nekton. In: Estuaries, pp 581–620. Ed. by G. H. Lauff. Washington, D. C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, W. R.: Movements and population structure of Atlantic menhaden indicated by tag returns. Estuaries 1, 141–150 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oviatt, C. A., A. L. Gall and S. W. Nixon: Environmental effects of Atlantic menhaden on surrounding waters. Chesapeake Sci. 13, 321–323 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck, J. I.: On the food of the menhaden. Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. 13, 113–126 (1893)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, D. S.: Feeding selectivity in juvenile Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus (Pisces: Clupeidae). (Abstract). ASB (Ass. Southeast. Biol.) Bull. 19, 91 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, D. S. and M. A. Kjelson: Composition and utilization of food by various postlarval and juvenile fishes of North Carolina estuaries. In: Estuarine research, vol. 1, pp 447–472. Ed. L. E. Cronin. New York: Academic Press 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, D. S. and W. E. Schaaf. Food requirements and sources for juvenile Atlantic menhaden. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 110, 317–324 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K. G., Y. S. Feig and E. F. Vetter: Morphology, flow regimes, and filtering rates of Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia, and Bosmina fed natural bacteria. Oecologia 58, 156–163 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reintjes, J. W. and A. L. Pacheco: The relation of menhaden to estuaries. Am. Fish. Soc. Spec. Pub. No. 3, pp 50–58 (1966)

  • Rice, D. L.: The detritus nitrogen problem: new observations and perspectives from organic geochemistry. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 9, 153–162 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, S.: The demersal fish population of Long Island Sound. Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Collect. Yale Univ. 18, 5–101 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Runge, J. A. and M. D. Ohman: Size fractionation of phytoplankton as an estimate of food available to herbivores. Limnol. Oceanogr. 27, 570–576 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, R. W. and W. H. Sutcliffe: Retention of marine particles by screens and filters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14, 441–444 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sieburth, J. M., V. Smetacek and J. Lenz: Pelagic ecosystem structure: heterotrophic compartments of the plankton and their relationship to plankton size fractions. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23, 1256–1263 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Singarajah, K. V.: Escape reactions of zooplankton: the avoidance of a pursuing siphon tube. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 3, 171–178 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenore, K. R.: What controls the availability to animals of detritus derived from vascular plants: organic nitrogen enrichment of caloric availability? Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 10, 307–309 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Valkenburg, S. D., J. K. Jones and D. R. Heinle: A comparison by size and class and volume of detritus versus phytoplankton in Chesapeake Bay. Estuar. cstl mar. Sci. 6, 569–582 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. K. D. Friedland

    Present address: National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Fisheries Center, Sandy Hook Laboratory, 07732, Highlands, New Jersey, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, 23062, Gloucester Point, Virginia, USA

    K. D. Friedland & L. W. Haas

  2. National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Center, Beaufort Laboratory, 28516-9722, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA

    J. V. Merriner

Authors
  1. K. D. Friedland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. W. Haas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. V. Merriner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. M. Lawrence, Tampa

Contribution No. 1201 Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Friedland, K.D., Haas, L.W. & Merriner, J.V. Filtering rates of the juvenile Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus (Pisces: Clupeidae), with consideration of the effects of detritus and swimming speed. Mar. Biol. 84, 109–117 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392994

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392994

Keywords

Search

Navigation