The feeding habits of 0+ stone loach, <i>Noemacheilus bavbatulus</i> (L.), and bullhead, <i>Cottus gobio</i> L.

Abstract

The feeding habits of the 0+ year class of two of the most common small fish species in the River Ouzel, Milton Keynes, stone loach, Noernacheilus bnrhafulus (L.), and bullhead, Coftus gobio L., are assessed throughout the first growing season and compared. Despite similarities in the diets of the two species, differences in feeding behaviour and in morphology, especially in gape, may serve to reduce interspecific competition by partitioning of food resources.