Activity, movements, and feeding behavior of the cunner, Tautogolabrus adspersus, and comparison of food habits with young tautog, Tautoga onitis, off Long Island, New York

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Fish. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7195196

Olla, B L; Bejda, A J; Martin, A D

Field observations off Long Island, N.Y., using scuba and ultrasonic tracking, showed the cunner Tautogolabrus adspersus, to be active during the day and inactively lying in shelter at night. Fish restricted their movements during the day, remaining within 2 m of the structure providing the nighttime shelter. The fish overwinter within their home territory in a torpid, nonfeeding state. Cunner fed primarily on invertebrates, foraging both benthically and in the water column. Competition between cunner and young tautog, Tautoga onitis, for Mytilus edulis was apparent during May-June when it is the major food item for both species. But beginning in July and extending through October, while tautog continued to feed primarily on mussels, cunner shifted to a diet consisting mainly of the isopod, Idotea baltica. (auth)

• Research Organization: National Marine Fisheries Services, Highlands, NJ
• OSTI ID: 7195196
• Journal Information: Fish. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Fish. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 73:4; ISSN FSYBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
CRUSTACEANS
DIET
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
FISHES
FOOD CHAINS
INVERTEBRATES
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
MOLLUSCS
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOUND WAVES
ULTRASONIC WAVES
USA
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
WATER POLLUTION
WATER QUALITY