Hydrobiological Journal

Feeding and Feeding Behavior of Invasive Fish Species in the Water Bodies of the West Polissya of Ukraine

ABSTRACT

Complex study of the invasive ichthyofauna of the West Polissya of Ukraine has been carried out. Feeding spectra of the most abundant alien species − the Chinese sleeper Percottus glenii (Dybowski, 1877) and the brown bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus (Le Sueur, 1819) have been determined. Selectivity of feeding on the aboriginal fishes’ spawn (roach Rutilus rutilus, bream Abramis brama, perch Perca fluviatilis and pike Esox lucius) has been studied in the experiment. Spawn of the pike appeared to be the most attractive food object and spawn of the perch − the less attractive. Differences in the feeding behavior of two considered species have been revealed. Ictalurus nebulosus actively searched for spawn using whiskers, independently on its mobility. Percottus glenii consumed spawn when it was mobile, either under the effect of flow or at the stage of the movable embryo.