Feeding Relations of the Atlantic Silverside Menidia menidia in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy

Abstract

Feeding habits of the Atlantic silverside M. menidia were studied from June to November 1979. Analysis of gut fullness with respect to tidal state suggests that feeding occurs on ebbtide and not during flooding tide. It is suggested that extreme turbidity prevents feeding on the rising tide. The major prey of larvae and early juveniles was Eurytemora herdmani ; large silversides (>100 mm) fed more heavily upon Corophium volutator , Diastylis polita , Crangon septemspinosa , various isopods and insects. These benthic organisms may be made more accessible to the silverside by tidal turbulence causing resuspension of the sediments and benthos during the flooding tide. Tiderelated movements of M. menidia result in maximum utilization of these periodically available food resources