Here's a breakdown of those two categories:
Surface Feeders:
* Fish that primarily eat insects, small crustaceans, and other surface organisms:
* Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Striped, etc.): Especially young bass will actively hunt insects on the surface.
* Pike: They will often strike at surface lures and may hunt frogs or other small animals at the surface.
* Trout (Brown, Rainbow, Brook): While not exclusively surface feeders, they will readily take insects, flies, and other small prey on the surface.
* Panfish (Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish): Many panfish feed on insects and other small organisms at the surface, especially in the warmer months.
* Gar: These fish have specialized jaws and teeth designed for catching surface prey like frogs and fish.
Apex Predators:
* Fish that sit at the top of the food chain in their ecosystems:
* Shark (Great White, Tiger, Hammerhead, etc.): Top predators in oceans, feeding on seals, dolphins, other fish, etc.
* Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin, etc.): Large and fast, these fish are apex predators in their oceanic environments.
* Billfish (Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish): These fish are known for their speed and powerful hunting abilities.
* Grouper (Goliath, Nassau, etc.): Top predators on coral reefs, capable of consuming large prey.
* Barracuda: Aggressive predators that can hunt a variety of fish and other prey.
* Pike: As mentioned earlier, Pike are apex predators in their freshwater habitats.
Important to Note:
* Many fish are opportunistic feeders and can adjust their diet based on the availability of prey.
* Even fish that primarily feed on surface prey may also consume food from the bottom or mid-water depending on circumstances.
* "Top feeders" in one context might not be considered "top feeders" in another. For example, a bass may be a top predator in a small lake, but it would be considered prey for a larger predator like a pike.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.