Growth and diet of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) in two French reservoirs

Abstract

The pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) is present in numerous French water bodies. However, few studies have focused on the biology and ecology of the species and, as a result, references are lacking to assess its adaptation to lacustrine environments. The growth and diet of pikeperch were investigated in two reservoirs located in southern France. The fish at both sites show similar growth rates to those reported in other European countries, but slower than those observed in the Camargue. It is faster in the warm, eutrophic waters of the Treignac Reservoir than in the deeper, oligotrophic waters of Castillon Reservoir. A late shift to piscivory with strong cannibalism was observed at both sites, and the condition factors were low. These elements suggest successful adaptation to these environments though shortages of prey fish are likely to occur.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Christine Argillier, Cemagref/GAMET, UR Ressources Ichtyologiques en Plans d’Eau, (Fish Resources Management Research Group), 361 rue J-F. Breton, BP 5095, 34033 Montpellier cedex 1, France; Tel./Fax.: (33) 4 67 04 63 60, (33) 04 67 63 57 95;
e-mail: christine.argillier@montpellier.cemagref.fr