Prey Detection in Cyprinids during Early Development

Larval and juvenile fish of roach (Rutilus rutilus L), bleak (Alburnus alburnus L), and blue bream (Abramis ballerus L.) were investigated weekly to define the ontogenetic development of prey detection capacities. Visual acuity was determined by measuring reactive distances for zooplankton prey for fish from 8 to 50 mm standard length using video recordings. Data of reactive distances, swimming speeds, and the characteristics of the visual field were combined to calculate prey location volumes. Prey location capacity increased exponentially with fish size which implies enormous differences in prey encounter rates among size classes of cyprinids. Distinct differences of prey location capacities occurred between species in the juvenile, planktivorous stages of the three cyprinids coinciding with the trophic differentiation of the adults.