Feeding habits of the sharp snout sea bream, Diplodus puntazzo (cetti, 1777) (teleostei: sparidae) from Benghazi coast, Eastern Libya

Author(s): Hana M Saleh*, Mohammad El-Mor

Abstract

The feeding habits of 500 specimens of Diplodus puntazzo (family: Sparidae), inhabiting Benghazi Mediterranean coast, were studied monthly from September 2013 to August 2014. The annual diet composition, monthly variations in the diet composition, the variations of diet with length and the intensity of feeding were studied. Diplodus puntazzo feed on a wide variety of prey types: crustaceans) 40.1%), cephalopods (22.1%), green algae (17.7 %), mollusks (5.2%), polychaetes (1.1%) and sediments (13.7%). The crustaceans, cephalopods and green algae were the major food item all year round and it was found in all length groups. In the present study crustaceans, green algae and sediments increased as the size increased while cephalopods, mollusks and polychaetes decreased as the fish size increased. The feeding intensity was quite high in winter (78.5%).

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