Changes in the larval nutrition of Black Sea fishes with respect to plankton

Data on the nutrition of the larvae of main Black Sea fish species (Engraulis encrasicolus (L,.), Trachurus mediteraneus ponticus, Aleev) and some species of Blenniidae and Gobiidae occuring in the Black Sea, are presented in this article. It is shown that changes which took place in the plankton community due to stress caused by anthropogenic impact considerably influenced the feeding of fish larvae. Food items which dominated in the 1950's and 1960's disappeared. Larvae began to eat organisms which were earlier considered to be of secondary importance for their nutrition. The number of larvae with empty guts increased, thus adversely affecting their survival.