AGE, GROWTH AND FEEDING OF THE EXOTIC SPECIES LEPOMIS-GIBBOSUS IN A SPANISH COOLING RESERVOIR

Feeding patterns and growth of pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) were stu died in Arrocampo cooling reservoir (Caceres province, Spain). Pumpkin seed fed mainly on chironomid larvae, but when other resources such as zooplankton peak and terrestrial prey were available a food segregati on by year classes was produced. It was found that both, temperature a nd the efficiency in resources exploitation influence directly the hig h growth rates observed. Results were compared with those obtained for European and North-American populations.