The autecology of a fish species: Ictalurus nebulosus (Lesueur).

Abstract

This is the second of two reports on Ictalurus nebulosus (brown bullhead) discussing: 1) physical habitat - both its general and microhabitat, 2) population - structure and growth rates, 3) food habits - general diet, feeding times, special feeding structures, 4) behavior - territory and home range, competition, social behavior, 5) predation - what preys upon I. nebulosus and what predator avoidance characteristics it has, 6) parasitism - common parasites of I. nebulosus, 7) reproduction - spawning behavior, habitat preference and parental care. In addition to htese aspects, the experiment that my partner and I performed on the effect of water temperature on the respiration rate of I. nebulosus will be discussed foremost.