Changes in Behaviour at Onset of Exogenous Feeding in Marine Fish Larvae

The activity and swimming speed of fed and starved larvae of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) were measured from hatching to metamorphosis. The results indicate changes in behaviour over time, as well as differences between starved and fed larvae. It is suggested that determining the point at which activity increases and swimming speed during active periods decreases may be relevant as an indicator of the time of first feeding in marine fish larvae.