Food and feeding habits of Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847 caught along Veraval coast of Gujarat

Abstract

This study is based on the examination of gut contents of 351 specimens of Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847landed at Veraval Harbour, Gujarat. Feeding intensity of S. longiceps was reduced during spawning season andgradually increased during post-spawning period. The fish was found to be a planktivorous species consuming diatoms, dinoflagellates, zooplankton and unrecognisable matter. Diatoms were the most dominant group followed by zooplankton and dinoflagellates. Unrecognisable matter comprised of mud, detritus and sand particles were observed in the stomach of S. longiceps throughout the study period. Index of preponderance values showed that the diatoms (57.17%) and zooplankton (36.51%) were the major components of the diet. Keywords: Arabian Sea, Diet analysis, Indian oilsardine, Trophodynamics