International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2019, Vol. 7, Issue 5, Part A
Feeding ecology of two sciaenid species (Johnius belangerii and Johnius dussumieri) in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq
Author(s): Abdul-Razak M Mohamed and Abdullah N Abood
Abstract: The food and feeding habits of two sciaenid fish species
Johnius belangerii and
Johnius dussumieri in the Shatt Al-Arab river, Iraq were studied from November 2015 to October 2016. Fish were caught by gill nets, cast net and electro-fishing. The stomach contents of 220
J. belangerii specimens (122-235 mm total length) and 227
J. dussumeiri (92-225 mm total length) were examined.
Results from the stomach contents analysed using the index of relative importance (IRI %) of food items showed that both species were carnivores. The main food items of
J. belangeriiwere shrimps (52.9%), crabs (37.9%) and fish (9.2%). The diet of
J. dussumeiri composed mainly of shrimps (77.4%), followed by fish (18.4%) and crabs (7.3%). The diet breadth (
Bi) values indicate that
J. dussumeiri is a high specialist feeder (
Bi = 0.196) while
J. belangerii was considered non-specialized feeder (
Bi = 0.635).
Pages: 08-13 | 1205 Views 422 DownloadsDownload Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Abdul-Razak M Mohamed, Abdullah N Abood. Feeding ecology of two sciaenid species (Johnius belangerii and Johnius dussumieri) in the Shatt Al-Arab River, Iraq. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2019;7(5):08-13.
