Gut contents of the silverbelly Leiognathus brevirostris from the fishing grounds off Kerala was studied.The study showed that the fish is a demersal planktophagus and benthophagus carnivore feeding mainly on planktonic crustaceans, diatoms, nematodes, polychaetes, benthic foraminiferans, mud and miscellaneous food items. There was no significant seasonal variation in the types of food consumed by the fish, but there was a significant ontogenetic variation in the trophic spectrum. The young ones fed mainly on planktonic copepods, amphipods, diatoms and Coscinodiscus whereas the larger ones consumed more worms, benthic foraminifera, Squilla and cuttlefish. Feeding intensity was seasonal, but independent of length of fish. The monsoon is the period of active feeding and showed highest gastrosomatic index.

Leiognathus brevirostris, ontogenetic variation, feeding intensity, planktophagus, benthophagus, carnivore, gastrosomatic index