Feeding habits of larval Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis (Percidae)

Feeding during the development of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) larvae was studied in sitze in cylindrical cages. Initially perch larvae were maintained in cages, 0.2 mm of mesh size. The initial stocking density was 7 000 larvae per cage. Fish were fed with zooplankton and after 17 days were transplanted to cages with a larger mesh size (1.2 mm). Development was observed for additional 17 days. Larval survival was about 25% and 65% for the initial and secondary rearing, respectively. Perch larvae ate initially rotifers and later ate nauplii and copepodites. Cladocera was the dominant food item in the diet of perch at the conclusion of our observations.