Selective feeding in a generalist invertivore, age-0 striped bass

Age-0 striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and potential benthic and epibenthic invertebrate prey were collected at three sites in the mid-estuarine region of the Hudson River, New York, USA. Diet was related to prey availability to investigate the role of selectivity in feeding behaviour. The effects of prey availability and selectivity on stomach fullness were also examined. Gammarid amphipods and chironomid larvae were most numerous as stomach contents; and chironomid larvae, polychaetes, and isopods were the most numerous invertebrates captured. When selective feeding occurred, gammarid amphipods, Crangon spp. shrimp, and chironomid larvae were most commonly the preferred prey. Selective feeding correlated with higher stomach fullness. Fullness was also higher when the preferred prey was categorized as epibenthic versus benthic. Interaction between prey availability and environmental conditions appears to be an important determinant of age-0 striped bass feeding behaviour