Selection of Microhabitat in Summer by Juvenile Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar )

This study was designed to define the microhabitats selected in summer by juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Curves were developed describing the preference of 880 young salmon for water velocity at the fish's position (nose velocity), mean water column velocity, total water depth, and str...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Main Authors: Morantz, D. L., Sweeney, R. K., Shirvell, C. S., Longard, D. A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1987
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f87-015
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f87-015
Description
Summary:This study was designed to define the microhabitats selected in summer by juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Curves were developed describing the preference of 880 young salmon for water velocity at the fish's position (nose velocity), mean water column velocity, total water depth, and stream substrate size. Study sites were chosen in six morphologically diverse streams in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick during 1982–84. Of the four variables measured, only nose velocity chosen by both fry and parr was not significantly different among years or rivers. Atlantic salmon fry (< 65 mm) most frequently selected nose velocities between 5 and 15 cm∙s −1 , small parr (65–100 mm) between 5 and 25 cm∙s −1 and large parr (> 100 mm) between 5 and 35 cm∙s −1 . Apparently, juvenile salmon utilized water depths and stream substrates which varied within tolerable limits according to their availability in conjunction with preferred water velocities. Significant differences in the body shape and size of the pectoral fin of Atlantic salmon parr in different rivers did not influence the selection of nose velocities within the range of flow conditions sampled.