Bionomics of the poor-cod (Gadus minutus L.) in the Plymouth area

Abstract

The volumetric and qualitative analysis of the food of Gadus minutus has been discussed. The post-larvae feed entirely on copepods, mostly Pseudocalanus elongatus. The O-group feeds on copepods, small decapods, amphipods, polychaetes and isopods. The adolescent and adult groups feed on larger decapods like Processa canaliculata, Galathea spp. and Portunus spp., fish, polychaetes and amphipods.The age and rate of growth of G. minutus have been computed from a study of the supra-occipital crest. These age determinations have been correlated with the age determined by scales, otoliths and size-analysis. Back-calculations have been made by graphical method and by using the Lea-Dahl formula. The differences between the back-calculated lengths and actual observed lengths are negligible.