Foraging Responses of Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to Items of Different Sizes and Colors

ABSTRACT

We examined whether mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) exhibit any preferences for potential prey items on the basis of size or color. Using fishing lures to control for movement and other variables, we compared the number of initial foraging attempts (biting) exhibited towards lures based on size and based on color. Mosquitofish showed a non-significant trend (P = 0.14) toward preferring the largest item. Mosquitofish showed an overwhelming preference for a green lure compared to red, black and yellow, and black and green lures. These results suggest that mosquitofish may exhibit preferences for prey based on color, and to a lesser extent, on size.