Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Length-weight relationship, relative condition and food and feeding habits of the goatfish Upeneus sulphureus in Safaga Bay of the Red Sea.

Volume 26 Issue 1&2

Fawzy A. Boraey and Faiza M. Soliman

Abstract

Upeneus sulphureus is a seasonal migratory fish in Safaga Bay of the Red Sea and it has high economic value and considerable fishery importance in the area.

The fish has the logarithmic equation: Log W= - 4.385 + 2.890 log L which indicates closely the cubic law (n=2.89) for isometric growth of the fish in its natural habitat.

The mean relative condition (K^ was 1.03 which indicates the well-being of the fish under investigation.

The fish is a carnivore feeding mainly on annelids, crustaceans, molluscs and miscellaneous organisms. The annelid worms were found to be the most preferred food item. Like the other goat fishes inhibiting the Red Sea, Upeneus sulphureus reveals bottom feeding habits and an active seasonal migrations for feeding and spawning in the studied area from the Red Sea.

Date : 31-12-1984