What do baby trout eat?

Baby trout, also known as fry, have a very specific diet that changes as they grow:

Immediately after hatching (sac fry stage):

* Yolk sac: The fry rely on the yolk sac attached to their bellies for nutrition.

As they develop (alevin stage):

* Zooplankton: Tiny, microscopic animals like copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers.

* Insect larvae: Smaller insects like midge larvae and mayfly nymphs.

As they grow larger (fry stage):

* Larger insects: Fly larvae, caddisfly larvae, and stonefly nymphs.

* Small fish: Other small fish species.

Factors that influence their diet:

* Water temperature: Warmer water increases metabolism and food requirements.

* Availability: The types of food available in the water body will determine what the fry can eat.

* Competition: Competition with other fish for food can influence the diet.

It's important to note that wild trout fry are very vulnerable to predation and need access to a diverse food source to thrive.