The Effect of Barometric Pressure on Feeding Activity of Yellow Perch

Authors

Daniel VanderWeyst

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This is the first study to our knowledge that has attempted to relate feeding activity of fish to barometric pressure. This study was conducted with the expectation that a difference in food ingestion would occur in a game fish species at different barometric pressures. The overall objective of this study is to determine if barometric pressure influences the feeding activity of a popular game fish. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were collected by seine and trap net from Lake Bemidji 12 September through 24 October 2013. The range in size and weight of yellow perch used for this study were between 75 – 125 mm and 4 – 20 g. Over the course of 3 months 12 trials were conducted; 5 at rising pressure, 5 at falling pressure, and 2 at a constant or steady pressure. Barometric pressure did not have a significant influence on how much yellow perch ate (R² = 0.38, P = 0.55). However, a gradual increase in fish consumption was found throughout the duration of the study indicating that acclimation to laboratory conditions was influencing fish consumption rates (R² = 0.50, P = 0.01). Future studies attempting to relate barometric pressure to feeding activity should keep acclimation length constant.

Publication Date

2014

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

VanderWeyst, Daniel, "The Effect of Barometric Pressure on Feeding Activity of Yellow Perch" (2014). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 50.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/50