Biology and diet of Coryphaenoides subserrulatus and Etmopterus baxteri from the Puysegur region, southern New Zealand

Abstract

Aspects of the biology and diet of Coryphaenoides subserrulatus and Etmopterus baxteri from hill features in the Puysegur region, southern New Zealand are described. More female C. subserrulatus than males were retained, and females were significantly larger than males. Coryphaenoides subserrulatus fed primarily on Calanoida, the overall weight and number of which increased with fish size. Females consumed significantly heavier food items than males. For males, the number of food items consumed increased significantly with fish size, but not for females. There were more male E. baxteri than females, females were significantly larger, and both sexes fed on teleosts and Teuthoidea. No relationships between the numbers or weight of food items and increasing fish size or sex were apparent. Coryphaenoides subserrulatus and E. baxteri fed on benthopelagic organisms, and the diet of C. subserrulatus may vary spatially in New Zealand waters.

Keywords:

• fisheries
• bycatch
• diet
• benthopelagic
• orange roughy