Juvenile migration in brown trout: a consequence of energetic state

Abstract

1. We explored the mechanisms determining age and size at juvenile migration in brown trout Salmo trutta L. A 133 Cs tracer methodology was used to estimate food consumption of juvenile brown trout in a Norwegian stream, and the energy budgets of early migrants and stream residents were compared. 2. Fast‐growing brown trout migrated to the lake earlier and at a smaller body size than slower‐growing individuals. The 2+ migrants were significantly larger than those that remained 1 or more years longer in the stream. The 3+ migrants were significantly larger than the 2+ migrants. Some fast‐growing males matured in the stream, whereas all females left the stream before maturing sexually. 3. The food consumption and the energy budgets for 2+ migrants were more than four times higher than those of the resident 2+ fish. Total energy allocated to growth was also higher among migrants, and the total metabolic costs were five times higher among migrants than among resident fish. 4. The proportional energy allocation to growth among the 2+ migrants was much lower (about half) than that of those remaining longer in the stream. The reduction in the proportion of energy available for growth from age 1+ to 2+ was larger among migrants (88%) than among resident fish (68%). Reduction in the proportion of energy available for growth is a probable explanation for why migrations are initiated at age 2. 5. Our study supports the hypothesis that fast‐growing individuals shift their niche earlier and at a smaller body size than slower‐growing individuals because they maintain higher metabolic rates and are energetically constrained at a younger age by limited food resources than slow growers.