Chub whole body calorimetry, feeding trial ration, and chironomid weights to develop inputs for a bioenergetics community model

A series of laboratory studies were conducted to understand Sicklefin and Shoal Chub feeding rates and maximum ration. Data included determination of Chironomid weight, estimated by taking weights and counts of approximately 5 grams of laboratory cultured chironomids. Chub maximum ration was determined by finding the feeding rate of dry commercial fish food that thar resulted in complete consumption of all food in a tank on a daily basis. These values were specific to species, sex, and reproductive status. Using those estimated rations a feeding trial was conducted with each species grouped by sex and reproductive status, where tanks were fed no food, half maximum ration, and maximum ration for 21 days and caloric density and other endpoints were determined using combustion analysis.