FEEDING MODES IN ARCTIC CHARR, SALVELINUS-ALPINUS L - THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTTOM FEEDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF GROWTH

Results of short-term experiments revealed that Artic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, may take a substantial proportion of their food from the bottom, both under light and dark conditions. Longer term studies showed that charr required access to food on the bottom in order to maintain high rates of feed intake and growth. Fish appeared unable to adapt to taking food exclusively in the water column since food intake of fish prevented from feeding on the bottom remained low throughout the 17-week experiment. © 1990.