Food preferences of Pike Perch, Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758) in Morocco

Abstract

Sander lucioperca hasbeen introduced in Morocco since 1939. This noble fish has shown a good ability to acclimatize to Moroccan conditions and has developed well [1]. The present study examines diet composition and predator-prey relationships that are dependent on size and weight between sander and its preys during the period October 2018-April 2019. Stomach contents of 287 specimens, whose size varies between 17 and 72 cm, from Al-Massira dam, wereanalyzed. The results showed that Sander feeding is composed of six categories of prey, the most important species was the Blue gill (Perch) with an occurrence index equal to 14.9%, the occurrence indices for other preys were respectively : Pike perch (8.01%), Tilapia (5.57%), Roach (0.69%), Black bass (0.69%) and Common carp (0.69%). It has been found that the total length of the preys increases with that of the Pike perch. Thus, the Pike perch is able to ingest preys of big weight and size. We also revealed that cannibalism was high, indicating a lack of forage fish in this lake.

Two Age Groups of Adult Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) as Bioindicators of Aquatic Pollution

“…Pikeperch prefers hard substrates (gravel and sand) and plant roots for egg deposition [1]. As an ichthyophagous species native to Eastern Europe, it plays an important role in the regulation of phytophagous fish used for the improvement of water quality, especially in reservoirs and lakes [2]. Large predatory fish, such as pikeperch, are keystone species, and their status can show profound indirect effects on ecosystem functioning [3].…”