Fish–Zooplankton–Algae: Is it Possible to Control Eutrophication in Water Bodies?

Trophic pressure from planktivorous fish suppresses the development of large filter-feeding cladocerans, leading to their replacement by small-sized species. In a flow-through ecosystem isolated from planktivorous fish, the cladoceran population—particularly Simocephalus vetulus—increased to 4200 specimens/L. In natural ponds, large filter feeders are consumed by fish and occur only in small quantities. Zooplankton are capable of fragmenting large colonies of cyanobacteria and green algae, thereby improving food availability. Isolation of zooplankton from ichthyofauna leads to an increased proportion of large filter-feeding species.