Food consumption and growth of three esocids: Field tests of a bioenergetic model

摘要: Abstract We quantified diet and compared field estimates of growth daily ration with predictions from a bioenergetic model for young-of-year muskellunge Esox masquinongy, northern pike E. lucius, tiger masquinongy × lucius introduced into five Ohio reservoirs. Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum dominated esocid diets (77–97% by weight) through autumn but were absent spring. Diets in late spring included sunfishes Lepomis spp. brook silversides Labidesthes sicculus. Northern grew faster than the first year. Food consumption was highest muskellunge, followed pike, then muskellunge. Growth rates rations immediately after stocking, declining to their lowest levels December A underestimated final mass factor two three all esocids; food better those still overestimated o...