Feeding Ecology of the Pit Sculpin, Cottus pitensis in Ash Creek, Califonia

Abstract

The diet of the Pit sculpin, Cottus pitensis, consists mainly of benthic invertebrates and is similar to the diet of other stream-dwelling members of the genus Coitus. They feed at all hours but show a peak of feeding intensity in the early morning. Electivity indices indicate that they are highly selective in their feeding but that the reasons they select particular organisms are complex. They appear to be ecologically segregated from the three species that commonly occur with them, speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus), Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis), and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).