A family raises a species of fish in a pond. At the end of each summer, the family sells the fully grown fish. One year, the family notices that the fish are smaller than they had been the previous year. Which statement best explains this observation?(1 point) Responses There were fewer fish this year than there were last year. There were fewer fish this year than there were last year. The type of fish in the pond this year tended to be smaller than the type of fish last year. The type of fish in the pond this year tended to be smaller than the type of fish last year. There was less food available in the pond this year than last year. There was less food available in the pond this year than last year. There was more space in the pond this year than last year.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains the observation that the fish are smaller than they had been the previous year is: "There was less food available in the pond this year than last year."

Less food would directly impact the growth and size of the fish, leading to them being smaller at the end of summer compared to the previous year.