Intertidal Life-History of the Rock Gunnel, Pholis gunnellus, in the Western Atlantic

Abstract

Intertidal populations of Pholis gunnellus from the Bay of Fundy, southern Maine and New Hampshire coasts were investigated. Data gathered were compared, in part, with information published by Qasim (1957) who studied the same species in Wales. Small crustaceans make up 75% of the rock gunnels' food on both sides of the Atlantic. Growth rates of specimens collected in southern Maine, New Hampshire, and Wales were comparable. Threeand four-year-old fish attained lengths of about 130 mm and 150 mm respectively on both sides of the Atlantic. Pholis from the Bay of Fundy grew more slowly. Spawning was found to occur at approximately the same time on both sides of the Atlantic. However, Pholis on the North American coast leave the intertidal area about 1 December and do not return until early March. Spawning occurs during this period while they are below the low tide mark. Individuals on the east side of the Atlantic disappear from the intertidal zone only during December. In contrast, the egg masses of those populations are collected frequently in the intertidal area.