Food Habits, Length-Weight Relationship, and Condition Factor of the Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellata) in Southeastern Louisiana

Abstract

Abstract A total of 349 adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellata) were collected from the coastal marsh below Hopedale in southeastern Louisiana, between October, 1967 and October, 1968. A total of 286 fish (82%) contained identifiable food items which were analyzed as to frequency of occurrence and percent of total volume. The main food items in order of occurrence were fish, shrimp, and crabs. Blue crabs, mud crabs, and penaeid shrimp were the crustaceans most frequently eaten, and at least 14 different species of fish were utilized to some degree. Food habits varied substantially from season to season. Fish was the main food item during winter and spring months. Crustaceans, crabs and shrimp combined comprised the bulk of the diet during the summer and fall months. Only slight differences in food habits were detected due to size or sex. Gonadal examination of eight adults indicated that spawning took place between September and December. The length-weight relationship and seasonal condition values were deter...