IMIS - Marine Research Groups

Pomatoschistus minutus were caught in the Oosterschelde, The Netherlands in the vicinity of NIOO-CEME in Yerseke. A subsample of these fish were analysed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values of heart, liver and muscle tissue (= initial isotope values). Then these fish were placed in aquaria for a duration of 90 days under controlled conditions (O2, temperature, salinity). The fish were either fed an experimental (isotope value differed from the isotope value of the natural diet), a control (Arenicola spp. And Mytilus edulis) or no diet. Fish were sampled for stable isotope analysis after 45 and 90 days. On the basis of the observed changes in fish stable isotope values in function of time and fish weight, a time and growth model respectively were constructed.