252 



Roosevelt Wild Life Au)ials 



The significance of this microscopic population of plants and animals for 

 fish culture has been the basis for many elaborate investigations. It is definitely 

 known that micro-organisms, both plants and animals, are eaten by the small 

 animals, including young fishes, many of which are largely dependent upon 

 such food. The larger or gross vegetation, which abounds in the shallow waters 

 of the lake, and even the large algae, are eaten by very few fishes, the Carp being 

 the main herbivorous fish in these waters. 



In concluding his notes Mr. Doolittlc adds, on the basis of his general studies 

 of the food of young fish: 



"In rivers and streams, diatunis and otlu-r material gatbcrrd from tbc liciitum 

 mud, enters largely into the first fdod of the river and stream fish. A thousand or 

 more of young fish, taken from lakes, belonging to upwards of a score of species, 

 had eaten Entomostraca exclusively for their first food. The entomostracan diet 

 continued as the almost exclusive diet for most of the si)ccics until collections 

 ceased in the fall. Pickerel {Esox rcticidatus) is one of the species which licgins 

 to change its diet and take insect food in August." 



The Fish Habitats of the Lake and their Fishes. In a relatively 

 shallow lake such as Oneida, the variety of fish habitats is limite.l. Baker's ("18) 

 .studies .showed tliat about SS',' of the macroscojiic fish food in Lower South Bay 



