The food and feeding habits of the goatfish, <i>Parupeneus barberinus</i> (Lacepede), from Aqaba, Jordan

Abstract

The food habits of the goatfish, Parupeneus barberinus , from Aqaba were studied. A total of 166 fish over a range of 15 to 27.7 cm and representing five age groups were examined. The major dietary components, based on occurrence, were crustaceans (82.6%), sand (71.1%), foramniferans (55%), detritus (52.3%) and polychaetes (49%). Based on gravimetric analysis, crustaceans and sand were the major food components comprising 54.4% and 23.3% of the total food weight respectively. The food consumption decreased from 1.5% of body weight in the 2‐year group to 0.3% of body weight in the 6‐year group. Seasonal variations were observed in relation to food consumption, percentage weight composition and intensity of feeding.