Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Food and feeding behaviour of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch) populations off Visakhapatnam, South India.

Volume 33 Issue 1&2

D. Manikyala Rao and K. Srinivasa Rao

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative analyses (volumetric and frequency of occurrence methods) of stomach contents of Nemipterus japonicus, caught off Visakhapatnam, are made. Squilla, crabs, prawns, teleosts, cephalopods, amphipods, polychaetes and other miscellaneous items in that order of preponderance constituted the food spectrum of the species. Degrees of fullness, on the basis of stomach wall distensions are assessed and average amount of feeding calculated. Feeding intensity is high during March-November and low during December-February. Nature of food is size-dependent and fishes in higher length-groups preferred large-sized prey like crabs, teleosts and cephalopods. The composition and preference of food items are not sex-dependent.

Date : 31-12-1991