Dietary analysis of Coryphaenoides serrulatus, C. subserruiatus and several other species of macrourid fish (Pisces: Macrouridae) from northeastern Chatham Rise, New Zealand

Abstract

The diets of Coryphaenoides serruiatus, C. subserruiatus and 11 other macrourid fish species sampled at depths of 901–1196 metres from the northeastern Chatham Rise are reported. Examination of stomach and intestinal contents of these fish permitted dietary reconstruction of species typically with high stomach‐eversion rates, and description of novel dietary information; the diets of all these species were dominated by small invertebrates, particularly Crustacea and Mollusca. The diets of C. serruiatus and C. subserruiatus were subject to ontogenetic change, with larger food items increasing in importance in the diet of larger fish. Benthic food items are important for some species, whereas overall the diets probably reflect seasonal levels of prey or carrion abundance.