Data from: Food and initial size influence overwinter survival and condition of a juvenile marine fish (age-0 Atlantic cod)

• Main Authors: Geissinger, Emilie A., Gregory, Robert S., Laurel, Benjamin J., Snelgrove, Paul V.R.
• Other Authors: Geissinger, Emilie
• Language: English
• Published: Borealis
• Subjects: Earth and Environmental Sciences; juvenile fish; marine; growth; food availability; Gadus morhua; Canada; Sept-Îles; atlantic cod; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5683/SP2/8KUABH

To examine the consequences of size variation on overwintering success under contrasting food scenarios, we collected demersal age-0 cod from Newman Sound, Newfoundland and brought them to the laboratory for 114-day feeding trials at ambient overwinter sea temperatures. From January to April 2017, we reared two size-classes of juvenile cod under four daily ration levels (starvation, 2.5%, 5%, 10% dry body weight). We then used Fulton’s K condition factor to interpret how food availability and fish size interact to impact survival during the critical overwinter period. Size, weight, temperature, survial, and food consumption were measured throughout the 114-day experiment. This research is sponsored by the NSERC Canadian Healthy Oceans Network and its Partners: Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and INREST (representing the Port of Sept-Îles and City of Sept-Îles).