DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS AND FEEDING SUCCESS OF ANCHOVY, ENGRAULIS-ANCHOITA, LARVAE OFF SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Feeding success and changes in horizontal patchiness relative to size were studied for anchovy, Engraulis anchoita, larvae caught with a Bon go net off southern Brazil. Results show higher feeding success rates during winter, when the combined effect of enrichment, stability and r etention mechanisms seems to create optimal conditions for larval feed ing. Under optimal feeding conditions larvae of more than 10 mm have h igher feeding success rates than smaller size classes. With a simple b ody structure and low swimming capabilities, larvae of up to 10 mm sho w a low level of patchiness, low evasion rate of the sampling gear and feeding on small food particles only. Results corroborate the hypothe sis of a critical period between two important ontogenic phases: the b eginning of exogenous feeding and the onset of active swimming, gas gl and buoyancy and school forming behavior.