Predation by Fishes on Larval and Juvenile Japanese Flounder at Yanagihama Beach, Nagasaki, Japan.

Abstract

Fish predation on larval and juvenile Japanese flounder was studied at Yanagihama Beach in Nagasaki Prefecture from March to July 1990-1991. Of 21 fish species examined for their diets, 9 had eaten a total of 57 flounders. The conspecific elders, two Psedoblennius species and Chelidonichthys spinosus were the most significant predators. The eaten flounders were mostly newly settled ones, while older juveniles seldom occurred in the diets of predators. Incidences of predation suggested that both larval flounder and their predators are diurnal animals. The flounder larvae settling later in the season are considered to have a greater risk of cannibalism.