What is the main food source for juvenile White Crappie as they develop?
Answer
Zooplankton
The diet of the White Crappie undergoes a distinct dietary shift as the fish matures. When they are in their juvenile stage, their primary sustenance comes from small organisms suspended in the water column, specifically plankton. Among the plankton community, zooplankton constitutes the main food source for these young fish. As the White Crappie grow larger and transition into adulthood, their diet broadens considerably to include larger prey items such as small crustaceans like crayfish, aquatic insects, and small baitfish. This shift reflects their transition from feeding on abundant, tiny organisms to becoming more active, visual predators targeting bigger fare.
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