ISSN:
1095-8649
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
The food habits of the mudskipper, Pseudapocryptes dentatus (Val.) ranging from 43 to 205 mm in total length collected from the mudflats at Fao estuary, Iraq were studied. A combination of numerical, frequency occurrence and gravimetric methods was used to analyse the stomach contents, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The fish was found to be a strict herbivore and a frequent feeder. It fed solely on phytoplankton dominated by benthic forms. Diatoms were the most important food item in respect of both numerical and frequency occurrence methods comprising about 84% of the total number of phytoplankton organisms. The types of phytoplankton that contributed significantly to the diet were, in decreasing order of importance, Pleurosigma, Navicula, Nitzschia, Synedra, Closteriopsis and Oscillatoria. Larger fish had consumed lesser amount of food, and there was usually a gradual decrease in consumption with increase in size. The mudskipper consumed food ranging from 1·3 to 10·5% of its body weight.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1980.tb02796.x
