Age, Growth, and Summer Foods of Four Centrarchid Species in a Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Stream Fish Community
Swann DL, Rider LE, Bulow FJ. 1991. Age, Growth, and Summer Foods of Four Centrarchid Species in a Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Stream Fish Community. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science. 66(1):23-28
ABSTRACT: Age structure, growth, and summer food habits were determined for populations of rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), and spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) in a Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area stream, Station Camp Creek. Relatively cool water temperatures, short growing seasons, low benthic macroinvertebrate densities, and low preyfish abundance contributed to growth and longevity characteristics that were comparable to slow growing, more norther-latitude populations. Food habits were similar to those reported for other populations of these species in the southeast. Water was generally of high quality, although low alkalinity and occasional low pH indicated acid sensitivity. The stream contained a rich assemblage of fish species, including species indicative of high quality water.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Swann, David; Rider, Lance; Bulow, Frank
- Units
- BISO
- Keywords
- Ambloplites rupestris, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, BISO, Fish, Lepomis megalotis, longear sunfish, Micropterus dolomieui, Micropterus punctulatus, rock bass, SER, smallmouth bass, Southeast Region, spotted bass, Station Camp Creek, water quality