Influence of sediment on the settlement of larvae and juvenile sole,<i>(Solea solea</i>l) in laboratory conditions

Abstract

The effects of different substratum on survival, swimming activity and settlement of metamorphosing larvae and young juvenile sole were studied in the laboratory by visual observation and automatic recording. Presence or absence of sediment did not affect fish survival within the 3 month period of investigation and had little effect on the rhythmic swimming activity of juvenile sole. Sensitivity to sediment color and/ or sediment type varied during ontogenesis. Old larvae located preferentially on bright colored sediment, whatever the grain size, and recently metamorphosed juvenile settled preferentially on sandy or muddy substratum whatever the color. Ecological implications of the role of substratum type in the settlement of young sole in coastal and estuarine areas are discussed.