Baikal amphipod (Gmelinoides fasciatus) and is contribution to the feeding of Ladoga Lake perch

The feeding of perch (Perca fluviatilis) from the littoral zone of Ladoga Lake was studied. Attention was focused on the colonizer species, a Baikal amphipod (Gmelinoides fasciatus), and its contribution to feeding. The invasion of Ladoga Lake by the Baikal amphipod has provided a new food item accessible to the fish. The results of the study have shown that the habitat of perch is largely the same as that of the Baikal amphipod. The food of perch was found to consist of various bottom fauna representatives. The colonizer Baikal amphipod made up over 40% of the food bolus by weight, indicating its great contribution to perch’s feeding.