Growth-temperature relation for young-of-the-year ruffe

Journal of Great Lakes Research
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Abstract

The ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes basin from Eurasia and has established a breeding population in the St. Louis River, a major tributary to western Lake Superior. We captured young-of-the-year ruffe in the St. Louis River; acclimated groups of 90-91 fish to test temperatures of 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C; and fed them ad libitum for 42 days at those temperatures. Ruffe grew at all five temperatures, but the optimum temperature for growth was about 21°C. Because the optimum temperature for growth of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), sauger (Stizoste-dion canadense), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is about 22°C, ruffe will probably attempt to share their thermal habitat. A recent survey of the St. Louis River revealed that yellow perch and small forage fish declined sharply as ruffe abundance increased. A similar decline in yellow perch abundance in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie would seriously affect the fisheries in these lakes.

Suggested Citation

Edsall, T.A., Selgeby, J.H., Desorcie, T.J., and French, J.R., 1993, Growth-temperature relation for young-of-the-year ruffe: Journal of Great Lakes Research, v. 19, no. 3, p. 630-633, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0380-1330(93)71247-2.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Growth-temperature relation for young-of-the-year ruffe
Series title Journal of Great Lakes Research
DOI 10.1016/S0380-1330(93)71247-2
Volume 19
Issue 3
Year Published 1993
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 630
Last page 633
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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