Comparative swimming abilities of fed and starved larval largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)†

Sustained swimming abilities of fed and starved larval largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides L.) were compared in the first week after swimming initiation. Fed larvae improved to a sustained velocity of 4·0 cm/sec while starved larvae attained a velocity of only 1·5 cm/sec. Swimming behaviour for fed and starved larvae was quantified for number of moves, average distance/move, and total distance for all moves in 1 min intervals. Fed larvae were always more active than starved larvae, although real differences did not appear until the 4th day after swimming initiation.