Re: NANFA-- Freckled Madtom Eating Behavior

John Bongiovanni (bongi_at_cox-internet.com)
Thu, 25 Mar 2004 8:47:16 -0600

I think their primary senses are scent and feel (via lateral line). But they very intelligent and can learn from visual cues. For instance, my Madtoms when I first collected them would hide under logs and rocks. But they seem to have associated either my presence or the vibrations of a feeding frenzy by other fish with the prezence of food. At the Texas Fresh Water Fisheries Center they have a pond with a glass viewing wall filled with Blue Cats. AS soon as someone walks by those guys are up against the glass begging for food pellets.

John

>
> From: matt ashton <ashtonmj2003_at_yahoo.com>
> Date: 2004/03/25 Thu AM 07:14:03 CST
> To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
> Subject: Re: NANFA-- Freckled Madtom Eating Behavior
>
> The nature center/field station I worked at had a 2.5 acre pond with one flathead in it that was about 2 ft long but was definately what I would call trained. The bluegill in the pond would rush to the benches and just wait for people to be there and devour anything you threw in the water. shortly after so would the flathead...you would think he would go after the bluegill that are helpless in 6 inches of water and not paying attention all densley schooled up but only twice did I not see him go after bread. if you threw some bread way out into the pond and it wasnt gotten by the bluegills shortly after you would see a boil on the surface and a tail roll.
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