SPAWNING HABITS AND FRY OF THE CISCO (<i>LEUCICHTHYS ARTEDI</i>) IN LAKE ONTARIO

Abstract

The spawning habits of the cisco (Leucichthys artedi) and the fry were studied in the bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario. It was found that the cisco spawns during the last two weeks of November and in December. The eggs are deposited in crevices of the rocks in water from two and a half to three metres deep. They hatch in late April and early May, the period of incubation depending on temperature and other conditions. The fry are found schooling with the whitefish in shallow, protected bays until they are about a month old, when they disappear. Fry commence to feed when about ten days old, their food consisting chiefly of algae, copepods and cladocerans.