Feeding dynamics, consumption rates and daily ration of wahoo Acanthocybium solandri in Indo‐Pacific waters

Abstract

This study reports the diet composition of 363 wahoo Acanthocybium solandri captured from the Indo-Pacific. The study also provides the first estimates of consumption and daily ration for the species worldwide, which are important parameters for ecosystem models and may improve ecosystem-based fisheries management. Thirty-four prey taxa were identified from A. solandri stomachs with Scombridae having the highest relative importance. Actinopterygii comprised 96% of the total prey wet mass, of which 29% were epipelagic fishes, with 22% alone from Scombridae. There was no significant relationship between fish size and the size of prey items consumed. Feeding intensity, as measured by stomach fullness, did not significantly differ either among seasons or reproductive activity. The mean daily consumption rate was estimated as 344 g day-1 , which corresponded to a mean daily ration of 2·44% body mass day-1 . The results from this study suggest A. solandri is an opportunistic predator similar to other pelagic piscivores, worldwide.