Use of sand wave habitats by silver hake

Journal of Fish Biology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Silver hake Merluccius bilinearis are common members of fish communities in sand wave habitats on Georges Bank and on Stellwagen Bank in the Gulf of Maine. Observations of fish size v. sand wave period showed that silver hake are not randomly distributed within sand wave landscapes. Regression analyses showed a significant positive relationship between sand wave period and fish length. Correlation coefficients, however, were low, suggesting other interactions with sand wave morphology, the range of current velocities, and available prey may also influence their distribution. Direct contact with sand wave habitats varied over diel periods, with more fish resting on the seafloor during daytime than at night. Social foraging, in the form of polarized groups of fish swimming in linear formations during crepuscular and daytime periods, was also observed. Sand wave habitats may provide shelter from current flows and mediate fish-prey interactions. ?? 2003 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Use of sand wave habitats by silver hake
Series title Journal of Fish Biology
DOI 10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00016.x
Volume 62
Issue 1
Year Published 2003
Language English
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 10 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Fish Biology
First page 143
Last page 152
Country United States
Other Geospatial Gulf of Maine
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