Fish
Is it fish or fishes? If you are talking about one individual, then the term is fish. If you are talking about a group or school of the same species then the term is also fish. However, if you are talking about a variety of different species, then we use the term fishes. Shown below are some of the fishes you may find in Nova Scotia ponds.
Banded Killifish
This small fish is very common over all of Nova Scotia. It is often seen collecting in warm, shallow water in large numbers, which scatter quickly when approached. It feeds on plant seedlings, aquatic insects and their larvae, and any other insects that may land on the water's surface. Because this is a small fish, it is fed on by many predators, like Brook Trout, Snapping Turtles, Painted Turtles, and Raccoons.
Brown Bullhead Catfish
The Brown Bullhead lives in quiet, weedy, mud-bottomed lakes, streams, and ponds throughout mainland Nova Scotia. Both parents take part in caring for their young for several weeks and then they disperse. The Bullhead hunts for food at night. It is an omnivore, eating a variety of insects, crustaceans, snails, clams, plant material, leeches, green algae, small fishes and fish eggs. The adult may be eaten by larger Snapping Turtles and herons. The babies are eaten by dragonfly nymphs, Giant Water Bugs, and other aquatic insects.
Yellow Perch
The Yellow Perch does well in both lakes and ponds that have lots of vegetation. It is well known for its schooling behaviour, which helps to protect it from its predators. Yellow Perch are fed on by Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Bullfrogs, and Snapping Turtles, to name just a few, while the babies are fed on by Giant Water Bugs and Dragonfly nymphs. Yellow Perch feed on aquatic insects, small fish, snails, mussels, fish eggs, and worms.
Brook Trout
The Brook Trout prefers cooler waters and so in summer whern the pond water begins to warm, this trout is often found at the mouths of streams where the water enters the pond. They are most active in the early morning and evening when insects are most active. Brook Trout are voracious eaters, feeding on smaller fish and many insects like Mayflies, Mosquitoes, and Caddisflies. These trout are eaten by Snapping Turtles, Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers, and larger fish.
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