Food Habits Of Larval Lepomis SPP. In Old Hickory Reservoir, Tennessee

In the Dixon Springs area of the Cumberland River, Tennessee, larval Lepomis spp. began feeding upon crustacean zooplankton, especially Bosmina longirostris, when the fish attained lengths of 6.7 mm in 1975 and 8.8 mm in 1974. Cladooerans remained the dominant food item throughout the larval stage. The fish food selection diversified [to include other taxa.] larva reached approximately n.5 mm. At greater lengths, Lepomis spp larvae and postlarvae begin to rely more on chironomid larvae.