Author(s): Zin Mar Aye

Abstract: Food and feeding habits of Rastrelliger brachysoma was investigated from April 2018 to March 2019 in Palaw and adjacent coastal waters, Taninthayi Region. The size range of R. brachysoma was from 10.5 cm to 24 cm. The length group of 16.5-19.5 cm size group was abundantly found during the sample collection. The feeding intensity of R. brachysoma was higher at 19.5-21.44 cm size group than those of other size groups. Maximum and minimum of gastro-somatic index (GaSI) were estimated 2.9 and 1.4 in October and July, respectively. Average percentage of feeding intensity of R. brachysoma was 51.7% (actively fed), 32.1% (moderately fed) and 16.03% (poorly fed). According to the relation to maturity stages, feeding was active in mature specimens and was poor in ripen stages. Diatoms were the most dominant food items, comprising with the average percentage of 51% of all food items, followed by dinoflagellates 17%, copepods 15%, protozoan and other zooplankton 9%, blue-green algae 4%, larvae 2%, fish eggs and fish scale 2%. Therefore, diatoms, dinoflagellates and copepods were the main food items in the diet of R. brachysoma. The results indicated that R. brachysoma was pelagic feeders which consumes plankton as the main feed.

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