Substrate preference in age-0 red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus |
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Authors: | Stephen T Szedlmayer Jeffrey C Howe |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center, 4170 Commanders Drive, Mobile, AL, 36615, U.S.A |
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Abstract: | We tested age-0 red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, for sand or shell substrate preference in a circular tank (1.5 m diameter × 0.6 m deep). The test tank was divided into two equal areas of whole oyster shell or sand substrates. All trials were video taped for 20 to 25 min. Tapes were viewed on a monitor and locations of all fish recorded and timed with respect to substrate. Mean ± SE time on shell was 11.6 ± 0.5 sec (4 fish trial–1) and 13.8 ± 1.1 sec (1 fish trial–1). Mean ± SE time on sand was 9.7 ± 0.4 sec (4 fish trial–1) and 8.9 ± 0.5 sec (1 fish trial–1). Fish spent significantly more time on shell compared to sand substrate in four-fish trials (paired t-test, p < 0.10) and also in single-fish trials (paired t-test, p < 0.05). Shell substrate may offer increased food and shelter for age-0 red snapper compared to sand substrate. However, a preference for shell substrate in the natural habitat may occur only during the nursery period, because as fish grow (> 100 mm TL) in the late fall they probably outgrow the shell habitat. |
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Keywords: | young-of-the-year Lutjanidae fish behavior |
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