The effect of prey density on the growth of P. hypophthalmus larvae
can be accounted as follows. Young larvae of this species swim
There was no adverse impact of high prey densities on food intake
or fish growth, in contrast to the situation in redfish Sebastes spp.
(Laurel et al., 2001). Redfish larvae offered high prey densities
frequently abandoned a prey capture sequence and re-orientated
towards other prey, thereby resulting in slower growth. The absence
of such confusion effect in P. hypophthalmus is consistent with their
very simple foraging behaviour, which merely relies on constant
swimming and little orientation towards prey.