Water Temperature Patterns and Distributions of Fish Eggs and Larvae in the Vicinity of Shallow Sea Front

Abstract

Water temperature patterns and distributions of fish eggs and larvae in the vicinity of shallow sea front were observed at the mouth of Wakasa Bay, the Japan Sea. The front was formed between nearshore and offshore waters. The concentration per 100m³ of eggs and larvae of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in the surface layer sometimes corresponded with the direc-tion and scale of the front. The effect of the swimming activity of a larva on distribution pattern was little during the first two days after hatching out. The front shifted horizontally with tidal cycle and its pattern was affected by the longer period wave. The wave longer than tide period was caused by typhoons and low pressure.