Undergraduate Research and Creativity

URECA

2008-2009

Effect of density on growth in a common marine fish

Kristen D. Onsgard, Kestrel O. Perez, and Stephan B. Munch
School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

Many studies have shown that density impacts growth and population dynamics including predation, competition, and reproduction. In fish species that are valuable commercially, density also has an effect on growth and survival. We investigated the effect of stocking density on growth in Atlantic silversides, Menidia menidia, a common estuarine fish. We stocked fish of the same initial mean size at three different densities (low (n=20), medium (n=50), and high (n=70), and measured all individuals on a bi-weekly basis for 1 month. After two weeks, the effect of density on growth was clear: individuals stocked at the highest density had significantly slower growth (regression p=0.0007, n=6). The effect of density after 1 month was not as apparent, as growth in all treatments slowed (regression p=0.3, n=6). These results indicate that density effects on growth are most important early in life. This research was conducted at the Flax Pond Marine Lab and supported, in part, by grants from NY DEC and the National Science Foundation.