Occurrence, distribution, and feeding habits of juvenile lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus L. in the Bay of Fundy

Abstract

Juvenile lumpfish (< 55 mm length) occur in near-surface waters of the Bay of Fundy from July to September. Samples collected simultaneously with neuston and subsurface nets indicate that the juveniles occur primarily in the top few centimetres of the water column. Seasonal changes in distribution may be related to wind drift of surface waters and the residual circulation of the inner Bay. The length–weight relationship (W = 8.7 L3.36 × 10−6) indicates allometric growth up to 50 mm, at which time lumpfish probably leave surface waters and adopt a pelagic or benthic existence. Juvenile lumpfish feed on a wide range of near-surface plankton, shifting with growth from harpacticoid copepods (particularly Harpacticus chelifer) to the amphipods Calliopius laeviusculus and Parathemisto gaudichaudi.