Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Studies on the feeding biology of Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius) along the Kakinada Coast

Volume 30 Issue 1&2

G. Sudhakara Rao

Abstract

The stomach contents of 470 specimens from inshore catches at Kakinada and 475 specimens from the backwater catches at Boddu Venkataya Palem collected from January 1974 to December 1975 are analysed to study the food and feeding habits of Metapemeus monoceros. The food of M. monoceros in the inshore waters comprised of ' other crustaceans ' (30 %), polychaetes (19.1 %), prawns (17.5 %), detritus (10.6%), fishes, (7.0%), algae (4.6%), molluscs (4.8%) and sand (2.6%) whereas it comprised of detritus (36.8%)' other crustaceans' (15.5%), algae (11.6%), copepods (9.3%), polychaetes (8.6%), prawns (8.4%), molluscs (3.1%), angiosperm matter (2.9%). diatoms (2.7%) and fishes (1.2%) in the specimens obtained from backwaters. No seasonal variation either in the food items consumed or in the feeding intensity is apparent. In the inshore waters, adults eat more of' other crustaceans' (38.9%), prawns (23%) and polychaetes (20.4%), whereas the juveniles preferred detritus (49.2%), algae (20.5%) and copepods (16%). In the inshore waters feeding intensity is formed to be better in adults and at night than in juveniels ard during the day. The juvenile M. monoceros is an omnivore but it becomes a carnivore on attaining adulthood.

Date : 31-12-1988