What food source dominates the diet of juvenile Pacific whiting before they mature into large predators?
Answer
Smaller zooplankton and invertebrates
The feeding ecology of whiting species shows a distinct life-stage dependency. When Pacific whiting are in their juvenile phase, their dietary focus is significantly smaller, consisting primarily of smaller zooplankton and various invertebrates floating in the water column. As they transition into adulthood and become more formidable predators, their diet shifts dramatically toward larger, more energy-dense sources such as small pelagic fish and crustaceans like euphausiids (krill). This progression from tiny food sources to larger prey items reflects classic predatory development within their marine environment.
Related Questions
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