Food habits of fishes on unvegetated tidal mudflats in Tokyo Bay, central Japan

ABSTRACT:   To clarify the feeding habits of tidal mudflat fishes, the gut contents of 29 fish species, collected from unvegetated tidal mudflats in Tokyo Bay, central Honshu, Japan, were examined. Ontogenetic changes in food preference were recognized in 21 species, including several of commercial importance (e.g. Acanthogobius flavimanus , Konosirus punctatus , Mugil cephalus cephalus , Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis , and Sardinella zunasi ). In general, larvae and/or juveniles of these species fed mainly on small zooplankton or benthic harpacticoid copepods, later switching to other prey items with growth (e.g. gammaridean amphipods, mysids, polychaetes, detritus, bivalves, and juvenile fishes). A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the tidal mudflat fish assemblage comprised six feeding guilds (small benthic and epiphytic crustacean, zooplankton, detritus, mollusc, polychaete, and fish feeders). Of these, small benthic and epiphytic crustacean feeders were the most abundantly represented in the number of species.     

Food habits of small fishes in seagrass habitats in Trang,southern Thailand

To clarify the feeding habits of seagrass fishes, we examined the gut contents from 42 fish species collected in seagrass habitats in Trang. Thirteen species showed ontogenetic and/or seasonal changes in food-use patterns. Smaller individuals generally preyed on small planktonic items (e.g., copepod larvae) or small benthic/epiphytic crustaceans (e.g., harpacticoid copepods), with subsequent changes to other prey items (e.g., shrimps, crabs, detritus and filamentous algae) with growth. The most important dietary items for the seagrass fish assemblages comprised benthic/epiphytic crustaceans, detritus, and planktonic copepods. Cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the seagrass fishes comprised eight feeding guilds (large benthic/epiphytic crustacean, detritus, planktonic animal, small benthic/epiphytic crustacean, mollusc, invertebrate egg, polychaete, and fish feeders). Of these, the first three guilds were the most abundantly represented, whereas the last three were each represented by only a single species.     

Food habits of fishes in a freshwater reed belt in Lake Kitaura,eastern Japan,in summer

The diets and feeding guild structure of a freshwater reed belt fish assemblage (30 species) were examined in Lake Kitaura, part of the Lake Kasumigaura system, eastern Japan, from June to September in 2009 and 2010. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were recognized in 14 species, including several species (e.g., Cyprinus carpio, Tridentiger brevispinis and Hyporhamphus intermedius) targeted by local fisheries. Juveniles of these species generally fed on zooplankton, later switching to other prey items (e.g., benthic chironomid larvae, gammaridean amphipods, shrimps, juvenile fishes, diatoms and decomposing reeds) with growth. A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the reed belt fish assemblage comprised five feeding guilds (plant, zooplankton, benthic invertebrate, terrestrial insect and fish feeders). Of these, zooplankton feeders were the most abundantly represented in terms of species numbers, suggesting that the main food items for the fish assemblage were zooplankton (e.g., cladocerans, and calanoid and cyclopoid copepods). Fish feeders included five species, of which one was an alien species introduced from another region in Japan (Opsariichthys uncirostris) and three were from foreign countries (Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus macrochirus and Ictalurus punctatus).     

Differences in fish assemblage structure between vegetated and unvegetated microhabitats in relation to food abundance patterns in a mangrove creek

In order to clarify the mechanisms determining fish distribution patterns in a mangrove system on Iriomote Island, in southern Japan, fish assemblage structures were determined by visual observation, along with food abundance and environmental factors, in an area of mangrove roots on the banks, and a bare sand area at the center, within downstream, midstream and upstream portions of a branch creek from the Urauchi River. The fish assemblage structures differed significantly between the area types, with the mangrove-root area supporting a more diverse and abundant fish fauna. A canonical correspondence analysis revealed that the relationships between fish distribution and their food abundance differed among trophic groups. Benthic crustacean or plant feeders were positively associated with their prey i.e. crabs and macroalgae—in other words, these trophic groups were abundant in downstream and/or midstream mangrove-root areas in which their prey were also particularly abundant. However, zooplankton feeders did not show such relationships, their abundance being positively associated with fine sediment particles (characteristic of areas with weak water movement). These results suggested that food availability is a major factor determining the distribution patterns of benthic crustacean feeders and plant feeders, whereas for zooplankton feeders other factors, such as sheltering effects against water current and/or predators, may be more significant.     

Dependence of fish on subtropical riverine mangroves as habitat in the Ryukyu Islands,Japan

To examine whether fish were dependent on mangrove habitat in the Ryukyu Islands (southern Japan), fish assemblage structures were compared on the downstream side between mangrove-rich and mangrove-free rivers on Ishigaki and Okinawa Islands in 2014 and 2015. The mean species richness and abundance of fish were significantly higher in mangrove-rich rivers than in mangrove-free rivers. Mangrove-related food feeders (e.g., benthic invertebrate and detritus) were more abundant in mangrove-rich than mangrove-free rivers while mangrove-unrelated food feeders (e.g., zooplankton feeders) showed no difference between river types. Cluster and ordination analyses demonstrated that fish assemblage structures were clearly different between mangrove-rich and mangrove-free rivers. Of all of the fish species collected (88 species), half of the species (45 species, 51%) occurred exclusively in the mangrove-rich rivers, 9 species (10%) in the mangrove-free rivers and 34 species (39%) were common in both types of rivers. Commercially important fish (e.g., Lutjanus fulvus and L. argentimaculatus) showed greater abundance of juveniles in mangrove-rich rivers than in the mangrove-free rivers, indicating that mangrove-rich rivers can provide important habitat for a variety of fish, including those commercially important to fisheries.     

Effects of mangrove deforestation on fish assemblage at Pak Phanang Bay,southern Thailand

Daytime sampling using a seine net was conducted at Pak Phanang Bay (Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand) in February and July 2006, to determine differences in fish assemblage structures between a mangrove site and an adjacent site completely cleared of mangroves. The overall numbers of fish species and individuals were significantly higher at the mangrove site than the cleared site in both months. Although benthic crustacean feeders showed more species and individual numbers at the mangrove site in both months, the opposite was found for zooplankton feeders. A cluster analysis, based on the abundance of each species, demonstrated that the fish assemblage structures were distinctly different between the two sites. In addition, significant differences in length frequency distributions for each of the four most abundant species were found between the sites in February and/or July. Small individuals of Scatophagus argus, Ambassis nalua, and Tetraodon nigroviridis were more common at the mangrove site, and of Chelon subviridis at the cleared site. These results suggest that mangrove deforestation exerts marked effects on fish assemblages.     

内陆水库放养西伯利亚鲟的食物组成及与底栖动物资源的关系

为了解西部内陆水库放牧式养殖西伯利亚鲟的生产潜力,以甘肃省酒泉市的红砂墩水库为例,调查了水库中底栖动物的资源以及西伯利亚鲟的食物组成和季度摄食量。结果显示:水库中底栖动物12种,其中,腹足类3种,寡毛类3种,水生昆虫3种,甲壳类2种。2龄西伯利亚鲟的食物组成包括调查所得的全部底栖生物,以甲壳类、腹足类、寡毛类和昆虫幼虫为主要食物,随着鲟鱼的生长,秋冬季后开始逐渐摄食小型底栖鱼类。研究表明2龄西伯利亚鲟食谱范围较广,适合在此类水库中养殖。另对底栖动物的鱼产潜力进行估算,该水库底栖动物每年提供给鲟鱼生长的鱼产潜力为18.55 t。     

The microhabitat and size of gammarid species selectively predated by young red sea bream Pagrus major

SUMMARY: Mechanisms of prey selection by young red sea bream Pagrus major were examined in Shijiki Bay by comparing the species composition of gammaridean amphipods in the diet with that in the environment. Although gammarids were the major source of food for young red sea bream, their species composition in fish stomachs changed with the growth of fish from June to October and always differed from that in the environment. The patterns of selection of gammarids were related most closely to the microhabitat of each species before mid-July. The order of selectivity of species in terms of the microhabitat was as follows: epifaunal species > shallow-burrowing species > infaunal tube-dwelling species > deep-burrowing species. After mid-July, however, selection was determined by the body size of gammarid species. Byblis japonicus that were large enough as a prey species were mainly consumed and other smaller species were not selectively eaten. Thus, the microhabitat and the body size of gammarids play dominant roles in prey selection by young red sea bream.     

Linking fish ecomorphotypes to food categories and local-scale habitat uses along a Brazilian coastal stream

Fish ecomorphological analyses often deal with several traits simultaneously, making it challenging to interpret general patterns, and have not addressed the longitudinal component of streams in morphology-habitat relationships. We identified ecomorphotypes of fishes and correlated their morphological variation with food, structural/hydrological variables, and abundances to detect their links with diet and local-scale habitat categories. Eighteen morphometric traits were obtained from specimens collected by electrofishing in a coastal Atlantic stream in Brazil. To test for morphology-habitat associations, headwaters, middle, and mouth reaches were divided into shorter sampling sites, with the middle reach being classified into riffle, run, and pool mesohabitats. Multivariate analyses highlighted the morphological variations and associated the form categories of 18 fish species with food and habitat categories. It resulted in four combined trophic and habitat ecomorphotypes: (1) benthic AB/lithophilic, composed of smaller to longer loricariids, detritivores, of fast-water, and pebbly habitats; (2) benthic C/lithophilic of very fast-waters, algal and detritus scrapers, with longer intestines than the other benthic species, wider suctorial mouths, inhabitants of headwaters, and riffles habitats; (3) nektobenthic/lithophilic with streamlined bodies, invertebrate feeders, and dwellers of faster-water, cobbly habitats; and (4) nektonic/limnophilic composed mainly by characins, which had strong correlations with terrestrial insect consumption, and lentic/pool, sandy habitats. The morphology–environment correlations linked these ecomorphotypes to the broad habitat gradient arrayed in longitudinal and local scales. These results permit inferring the larger form patterns expected for local fish assemblages and emphasise the fish trait categorisation as a possible surrogate to reveal broader ecomorphological associations.     

官井洋大黄鱼夏季食物组成和摄食习性

2010年6月在福建省官井洋海域收集579尾大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)标本进行胃含物分析,同步采集取样点附近水域浮游动物及张网样品,比较大黄鱼胃含物种类与水域中生物种类组成的相似性。结果表明:大黄鱼食物种类共32种,种类广泛。大黄鱼主要摄食十足类(相对重要性指标百分比%IRI=49.14%)、鱼类(%IRI=20.47%)、磷虾类(%IRI=18.31%)和糠虾类(%IRI=2.34%),具有以游泳动物、浮游动物为主要食物对象的肉食性摄食习性。细螯虾(Leptochela gracilis)(相对重要性指标IRI=976.10,%IRI=35.38%)和中华假磷虾(Pseudeuphausia sinica)(IRI=505.27,%IRI=18.31%)为大黄鱼食物组成中最重要的食物种类。海区中,浮游动物以桡足类为主,占所有浮游动物总丰度的45.03%,主要优势种为太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica,优势度Y=0.14)、双刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera bipinnata,Y=0.09)和中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus,Y=0.06);张网渔获物共鉴定91种,主要为细螯虾、白姑鱼(Argyrosomus argentatus)、大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)蟳、双斑(Charybdis bimaculata)、三疣梭子蟹(Portunustrituberculatus)、银鲳(Pampus argenteus)鮻和棱(Liza carinatus)。研究表明,大黄鱼对食物种类具有明显的选择性,主要体现在喜好追逐捕食海区中的小型虾类和仔、稚、幼鱼以及体型相对较大的浮游动物磷虾类和糠虾类。     

Effect of shrimp farming organic waste on food availability for deposit feeder crabs in a mangrove estuary, based on stable isotope analysis

We have investigated the impact of shrimp farming waste on benthic invertebrates in a mangrove estuary in southern Thailand. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were used to assess the contribution of aquaculture feed as a nutrient source for benthic invertebrates (fiddler crabs Uca annulipes, U. bengali, and U. forcipata) and to compare the organic origin of sediments in tributaries with and without a shrimp farm. The isotopic contributions of shrimp feed to crabs varied between the tributaries: in the tributary with the farm, the crabs had higher contributions from shrimp feed, whereas there was only a small contribution from aquaculture feed in crabs from the reference tributary. In contrast, the contribution of shrimp feed to the sediment did not differ between the tributaries, the contributions to sediments from aquaculture feed were, in general, quite low. Based on these results, we suggest that, in mangrove estuaries, changes in the food sources of several surface feeder invertebrates would be an effective indicator of the possibility that aquaculture waste was affecting the benthic ecosystem.     

Natural Food Selectivity Changes with Weights of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus), Reared in Fertilized Earthen Ponds

This work was carried out to study the relationship between fish weight and natural food selectivity of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) reared in earthen ponds without supplementary diet and to guide the adaptation of feeding and fertilization strategies. Fish were stocked (1.5 fish/m²) in four fertilized earthen ponds (0.1 ha) for 6 months. Fifty fish were sampled monthly to estimate individual total weight and length and evaluate stomach contents. Fish specimens were categorized into different weight classes: <25 g, 25–50 g, 50–75 g, 75–100 g, and 100–125 g. Overall, the 50–75 g weight class had the highest degree of stomach fullness. The intestinal length-fish length ratio was similar across all fish weights, ranging from 2.9–3.4. Likewise, the composition of food items found in fish stomach was ranked as phytoplankton > detritus > zooplankton. Phytoplankton contribution to gut content increased with increasing fish weight, while detritus and zooplankton contribution decreased. Zooplankton never exceeded 1% of total stomach contents. Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae mostly represented the phytoplankton. Bacillariophyceae dominated the phytoplanktonic portion of stomach contents at small fish size (<75 g/fish), while Chlorophyceae is the dominant group at large fish size (> 75 g/fish). Fish could select Cyanobacteria and Euglenophyceae at all fish weights, meanwhile Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae were eaten with slight selectivity at larger weights..     

元江越鳠的食性研究

研究了越鳠的食物组成、摄食强度和摄食形态学。样本251尾,2008年6月~2009年5月采自云南元江。结果表明：越鳠的食物由水生昆虫幼虫和小型鱼类等15类组成,水生昆虫幼虫和小型鱼类的出现率分别为73.8%和64.2%,所占比重分别为40.0%和46.9%,小型鱼类和水生昆虫幼虫为越鳠的主要食物。随着体长增加,食物类别减少,摄食强度降低;水生昆虫幼虫的出现率降低,成虫出现率增加;体长160 mm以上个体胃中出现陆生昆虫且其出现率持续上升。食物组成的季节变化明显,摄食强度的季节变化不明显。越鳠是一种偏肉食性的杂食性鱼类,主要摄食底层小型鱼类和水生昆虫幼虫。     

A 20‐year census of a rocky littoral fish community in Lake Tanganyika

Takeuchi Y, Ochi H, Kohda M, Sinyinza D, Hori M. A 20‐year census of a rocky littoral fish community in Lake Tanganyika. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 239–248. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Tropical fish communities are highly diverse with large numbers of allied species coexisting. Concerns have been raised about changes in such communities caused by anthropogenic disturbances, but little is known about long‐term changes. We investigated changes in the littoral fish community of Lake Tanganyika. A 10 × 40‐m quadrat was placed on a rocky shore in the southern part of the lake, and fish censuses were conducted once a year during most years in 1988–2008. In total, 54 cichlid and 6 non‐cichlid species were recorded. Aufwuch feeders were most abundant, followed by plankton feeders, detritus feeders, piscivores, shrimp eaters, zoo‐benthos eaters, and scale eaters. Species richness and abundance were sustained over the study period, with biodiversity, as evaluated by the Shannon–Wiener index, remaining high. However, Mantel tests between the Bray–Curtis index and the difference in years between compared censuses revealed that the species composition of the community gradually changed with time. The fish community gradually underwent a change that may be due to low anthropogenic impacts on food condition. Our results promote awareness about the conservation of diversity in Lake Tanganyika.     

Longitudinal variation in fish species composition in the Angabanga river, Papua New Guinea with observations on the trophic status of certain fish species

Abstract– Longitudinal variation in fish species composition at various sites on the Angabanga river showed an increase in diversity from source to mouth and that only a few fish species occur at all sites. The fish assemblage of floodplain pool areas contained fewer species than the main channel and was dominated by two exotic species Oreochrornis mossambicus (Peters 1852) and Trichoguster pectoralis (Regan 1910). Most native fish species utilize invertebrates as a food source. The absence of indigenous detritus/substrate feeders in the Angabanga community may account in part for the success of the two introduced species on the floodplain.     

莱州湾鱼类群落的营养结构及其变化

2011年5月~2012年4月期间对莱州湾进行了9次底拖网调查,对采集的20种鱼类4 854个胃含物样品进行了分析。结果表明,莱州湾鱼类群落包括浮游动物食性、底栖动物食性、鱼食性、杂食性和广食性5种食性类型,其中底栖动物食性鱼类是莱州湾各月份鱼类群落的重要食性类型,钩虾和双壳类等底栖动物饵料在莱州湾生态系统的食物关系中起着关键的作用。秋末和初春的莱州湾鱼类群落以底栖动物食性鱼类为主,食性类型单一;随着水温升高,鱼类群落的食性类型逐渐变得丰富。分析表明,莱州湾海域鱼类群落的营养结构有利于增殖放流品种后期的生长存活,建议跟踪调查增殖放流点周边海域的食物关系和饵料基础,同时结合多学科调查,选择最佳的增殖放流地点和时间,才能切实有效地保证增殖放流的效果。     

Comparison of invertebrate abundance in a seagrass bed and adjacent coral and sand areas at Amitori Bay,Iriomote Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   To examine whether or not reef-associated seagrass beds harbor abundant food resources for resident and visiting fishes, the invertebrate density and biomass in a seagrass bed were compared with those in adjacent coral and sand areas at Amitori Bay, Iriomote Island, Japan, in June 2002. The vegetation within the bed was dominated by Enhalus acoroides , the coral area comprising primarily Acropora spp. Epifaunal density was greater on the seagrass than on the corals, whereas biomass was greater on the latter. Tanaids, chironomid larvae, errant polychaetes, and gammaridean amphipods were dominant taxa on the seagrass; larger crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimps, being abundant on the corals. The density of infauna was greatest in the seagrass bed, followed by the coral and sand areas, whereas biomass was greatest in the coral area, followed by the seagrass bed and sand area. Each of the three habitats was dominated by harpacticoid copepods and errant polychaetes, although the density of each taxonomic group differed among the habitats. Important food items of seagrass bed fishes, such as harpacticoid copepods, gammaridean amphipods, errant polychaetes, and tanaids, were abundant in the seagrass bed, the density of each being greater than in the other two habitats.     

黄山殷溪河光唇鱼食性特征的初步研究

基于2014年7月于黄山殷溪河采集的94尾光唇鱼(Acrossocheilus fasciatus)标本,初步研究了该物种的食性特点,分析了其食物组成及其多样性随年龄和全长增长的变化。渔获物的个体全长为17.93~357.72 mm,分为5个年龄组。光唇鱼的食物由陆生和水生植物、陆生昆虫、碎屑以及环节动物、软体动物、甲壳动物、水生昆虫等水生动物组成,其中以水生昆虫、水生植物和碎屑为常见和优势饵料种类。单因素相似性分析结果显示,1~3龄组间的食物类型数无显著差异,但食物多样性指数和宽度指数均存在显著差异。Pearson's相关分析结果显示,随个体全长增大,食物类型数显著增多而宽度指数显著下降,但食物多样性无显著变化。此外,冗余分析结果显示,光唇鱼的食物组成与个体全长显著相关;随个体全长增大,胃含物中水生昆虫类逐渐减少而甲壳类和陆生昆虫逐渐增多,但水生植物和碎屑的多度与全长无明显关系。     

Feeding habits of Pacific pomfret Brama japonica inthe transition zone of the central North Pacific

ABSTRACT:   We examined the diets of three size groups of the Pacific pomfret Bramajaponica collected in April and May 2000 in the transition zoneof the central North Pacific. Amphipods, cephalopods and fish werethree of the most common prey groups of pomfret. Of the three size groups,small pomfret (11.0–19.9 cm standard length (SL))preyed mainly on amphipods and occasionally on cephalopods (mainlytransitional species Onychoteuthis borealijaponica ) and fish.(These prey amphipods and fish could not be identified to lowertaxonomic levels because they were too digested.) Medium and largepomfret (20.0–30.9 and 31.0–40.9 cm SL,respectively) preyed mainly on cephalopods (mainly O. borealijaponica ,but also on two subarctic species, namely Berryteuthis anonychus and Gonatopsisborealis ), suggesting that these cephalopod species ensure energyfor the northward migration of these two size groups in the transitionzone in the spring. The next most common prey for medium pomfretwas amphipods (mainly subtropical species Phronima sedentaria and Platyscelusovoides ), followed by fish (mainly Bathylagus sp.). However,in the case of large pomfret, fish (mainly Paralepididae sp. 'A')were the next most common prey, followed by amphipods (mainly P.sedentaria and P. ovoides ), indicating that the importanceof fish as prey increases with growth for medium and large pomfret.     

应用稳定同位素技术分析枸杞岛近岸海域褐菖鲉的食性

为获知褐菖鲉的食性,本研究应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术分析了不同季节和发育阶段褐菖鲉的摄食习性,并评估了浮游动物、端足类、虾蟹类和小型鱼类等饵料生物对褐菖鲉的营养贡献。结果显示,枸杞岛近岸海域4个季节褐菖鲉的δ~(13)C值为–18.2‰~–14.7‰,平均值为–15.6‰;δ~(15)N值为3.3‰~9.9‰,平均值为7.9‰;单因素方差分析显示,褐菖鲉的δ~(13)C值和δ~(15)N值在不同季节之间差异都不显著,说明不同季节之间褐菖鲉的食性差异不大。对褐菖鲉全长和碳、氮稳定同位素比值进行线性回归分析,显示其δ~(13)C值和δ~(15)N值随全长变化都极显著,表明不同发育阶段褐菖鲉的食性差异极显著。聚类分析将不同全长的褐菖鲉分为3组,其中0~19 mm为一组,20~79和80~109 mm为一组,110~199 mm为一组,ANOSIM分析3组之间的差异极显著。褐菖鲉的δ~(13)C值与虾蟹类和鱼类等饵料类群δ~(13)C值较接近,应用Iso Source软件分析饵料类群的营养贡献时发现,麦秆虫对褐菖鲉的的营养贡献均值最大,为22.3%,鱼类、虾蟹类等饵料类群的营养贡献均值都超过了12%。枸杞岛近岸海域褐菖鲉的平均营养级为3.18,属于低级肉食性鱼类,主要摄食麦秆虫、鱼类和虾蟹类,是底栖动物食性,而非浮游动物食性。