Growth and condition of young plaice were measured in the Wadden Sea (2 stations), in the North Sea (1 station) and in the laboratory (6 groups at three constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20°C and two feeding levels: excess food and limited food). Growth of the young plaice (0-group and I-group) in the North Sea was much better (ca 1,3 cm/month) as compared to the Wadden Sea (0,9 cm/month). The condition of the plaice in both areas, however, was more or less the same. The condition increased in spring to a maximum in July-August, the water content showed an inverse relation to the condition. With excess food the young plaice in the laboratory showed rapid growth at 15 and 20°C (ca 1,25 cm/month). With limited food growth appeared to be better at 15°C (0,9 cm/month) as compared to 20°C (0,3 cm/month). There was no direct correlation between growth and condition in plaice, differences in size between young plaice from the Wadden Sea and the North Sea may have been due to selective migration. |
