Feeding ecology and stomach content analysis of the kingsoldier bream, Argyrops spinifer (Forsskal 1775) (Perciformes: Sparidae) from the offshore waters (Northern Arabian Sea) of Pakistan.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to examine the feeding habits of the kingsoldier bream, Argyrops spinifer (Sparidae) from the offshore waters of Pakistan. Total of 629 specimens was collected using bottom trawlers from the offshore waters (North Arabian Sea) of Pakistan on monthly basis. Samples were taken from the landing center to the laboratory to analyze the variability in the choice of foods. Examination of gut contents of A. spinifer revealed that this fish is carnivore feeding habit on variable food items representing six different groups dominated by Crustacea (46.3%), Cephalopoda (27.1%), Teleostei (15.3%), Digested food (6.3%), Gastropod (4.3%) and Echinoderm (0.8%). Seasonal variance in the stomach contents of A. spinifer suggested that crustaceans were the dominant food in the stomach in post-monsoon 2013 (63.8%). During pre-monsoon season 2014, this fish preferred cephalopods (42.0%) followed by crustaceans (39.5%). During monsoon 2014, nearly 50% of the food constituted the crustaceans while in post-monsoon 2014, the preferred food was cephalopods (47.6%). During pre-monsoon and monsoon 2015, the fish fed mainly on crustaceans (40.0 and 46.2%, respectively) followed by fish (25.0 and 34.6%, respectively) instead of cephalopods. This studغ provided basic information on feed diets of A. spinifer, which would be helpful in its fisheries management.