The food of early post-larval plaice, <i>Pleuronectes platessa</i>

Food-limitation in late larval and early post-larval plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, may be an important factor in the determination of year class strength. In this study data on stomach content, hepato-somatic index and condition index of metamorphosing and early post-larval plaice from a sandy beach in the mouth of the Western Schelde are compared to data from the Zwin lagoon. Settlement in the area starts at the end of february. All plaice examined from the sandy beach were fasting. Their condition, as measured by hepato-somatic index and condition index, did not differ significantly from the condition of feeding post-larvae from the lagoon. Thus starvation during metamorphosis is rejected as an important factor in determining year class strength. In the Zwin lagoon the juveniles of less than 20 mm standard length feed mainly on Calanoidea, Polychaetes and Harpacticoidea