Feeding habits of mullet fry in the Arno River (Tyrrhenian coast). II. The diet

Abstract

The diet of fry of Mugil cepbalus, Uza aurata, Uza ramada, Liza saliens, Chelon labrosus, caught over 24‐hour cycles, during the peak migrating period of each species was studied. Stomach contents were studied by means of qualitative and quantitative methods. The five species feed mainly during the morning hours. Their diet largely consists of small freshwater planktonic forms, but benthonic organisms, e.g. insect larvae, although few in number, represent a considerable fraction of the ingested food. Similarity in the diet of simultaneously caught species was also tested. Chelm labrosus and Uza aurata have significantly different diets. Due to its larger size, the fry of L. aurata are predominantly bottom feeders, and they ingestes the food throughout the day. L. saliens and M. cepbalus ingest the same food items, and to reduce competition, M. cephalus also feeds at dusk. Moreover, the larger specimens of L. saliens ingest greater quantities of larger zoobenthonic organisms.

Key words:

• Mullet
• Feeding habits
• Mugil
• Uza
• Chelon