Foraging kinematics of barramundi during early stages of development

Contrary to expectations there was no transition from a saltatory to a crui se search strategy in foraging behaviour of 7- to 33-day-old barramundi ove r the period of metamorphosis. Rather, there was a continual change in fora ging behaviour, with increasing durations between swimming pauses and incre asingly straight swimming paths, implying that hydrodynamic constraints on swimming may be a key determinant of foraging kinematics. It is suggested t hat the notion of saltatory search as a third, unique foraging strategy nee ds to be re-evaluated. (C) 2000 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.