Forage fish
Forage Fish
Forage fish, also known as bait fish or prey fish, are small pelagic fish which are preyed on by larger predatory fish, marine mammals, and birds. They are in turn key predators of zooplankton and smaller benthic species.
Pronunciation
Forage fish: /ˈfɔːrɪdʒ fɪʃ/
Etymology
The term "forage fish" is derived from the act of "foraging" or searching for food, which these fish are known for. The term "bait fish" comes from their use as bait in fishing.
Related Terms
- Pelagic fish: Fish that live neither close to the bottom nor near the shore, but in the open water column.
- Predatory fish: Fish that prey upon other fish or animals.
- Marine mammals: Mammals that rely on the ocean for their existence.
- Birds: Warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves, characterized by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton.
- Zooplankton: Plankton composed of animals, as opposed to phytoplankton, which are plants.
- Benthic: Pertaining to the bottom of a sea or lake or to the organisms that live there.
Forage fish often travel in large schools featuring thousands of individuals. They are short-lived, and reach maturity quickly. Examples of forage fish include herring, sardines, and anchovies.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Forage fish
- Wikipedia's article - Forage fish
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