Predation by non-native fishes is one of the hypothesized contributors to the Pelagic Organism Decline in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, in addition to effects of water diversions, habitat deterioration, and changes in the food web, among others. Even though predation is a natural process and predators have always been in the Delta, abundance of some introduced predators have increased in recent years and may have important impacts on native fishes.

Our recent studies have focused on the distribution, abundance, and diet of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Additionally, Mississippi silversides, Menidia beryllina, are being investigated as a possible predator of larval Delta smelt, Hypomesus transpacificus.

• Largemouth Bass Research
• Mississippi Silversides