Question

Orange roughy fish are a fourth-level consumer. We may see fifth- or sixth-level consumers, but not as many as at lower levels on a trophic pyramid. Why are the upper levels of a tropic pyramid limited?

Answer 1

An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the distribution of the biomass to different organisms in successive trophic levels. The energy is being lost by 10% in every higher trophic level, when one organism is consumed by another organism in a food chain. Therefore, the number of trophic levels in a pyramid will be limited.

Answer 2

As energy is lost through the energy pyramid, where it is the primary producers at the base, the upper levels of a tropic pyramid are limited as there is less to consume from as you go down the pyramid.