Growth and diet of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) in two French reservoirs

Abstract

Abstract. The pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) is present in numerous French water bodies. However, few studies have focused on the biology and ecology of the species and, as a result, references are lacking to assess its adaptation to lacustrine environments. The growth and diet of pikeperch were investigated in two reservoirs located in southern France. The fish at both sites show similar growth rates to those reported in other European countries, but slower than those observed in the Camargue. It is faster in the warm, eutrophic waters of the Treignac Reservoir than in the deeper, oligotrophic waters of Castillon Reservoir. A late shift to piscivory with strong cannibalism was observed at both sites, and the condition factors were low. These elements suggest successful adaptation to these environments though shortages of prey fish are likely to occur.

Diet of the introduced pikeperchSander lucioperca(L.) (Osteichthyes, Percidae) in a recent colonised reservoir in south-western Iberian Peninsula

“…A general pattern for the feeding habits of pikeperch was suggested by numerous authors (Kangur 2000;Keskinen & Marjomäki 2004;Kangur et al 2007), in which small individuals (young individuals of approximately under one year old) prey mainly on arthropods and while larger individuals feed on fishes. However, the shift to piscivory may occur later in environments with lacked forage fish (Argiller et al 2003). Ontogenetic change in feeding habits is an almost universal phenomenon in fishes and thus its occurrence in pikeperch is not surprising.…”

“…Thus some studies have demonstrated that cannibalism is related with both the abundance of young-of-year and adult pikeperch (Frankiewicz et al 1999;Kangur 2000;Lappalainen et al 2006). The abundance of other prey is often suggested to affect the cannibalism of pikeperch (Campbell 1992;Argiller et al 2003). If other prey is very abundant, the degree of cannibalism should be lower as compared with the situation when other prey is rare and the probability of cannibalism is increased.…”

Pikeperch, Sander lucioperca Invasion in the Neretva River Watershed (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia) After Alteration of River Flow

“…The capacity of the species to utilize different prey with equal success not only ensures its ability to colonize the Neretva River but also to position itself as the dominant species in the local food webs, outcompeting other endemic species. A similar feeding pattern was reported for pikeperch from Lake Võrtsjärv (Estonia), including cannibalism, forcing to extinction of one native species and shifting towards other small pelagics (Kangur et al ., ), and in two French reservoirs (Argillier et al ., ).…”

Opvolging van het visbestand in het Zeeschelde-estuarium : Viscampagnes 2016

“…Ze zijn dan ongeveer 4 maanden oud. In het eerste jaar zijn maximale lengtes genoteerd van 23 cm tot 42 cm in het tweede jaar (Argillier et al, 2003 …”