ON THE FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF MUGIL CAPITO (CUV~) .IN I~AKE QUARUN.

ON THE FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF MUGIL CAPITO (CUV~)
.IN I~AKE QUARUN.
8.S. EL-SEIV\FYj A.S. AL-ZAIIABYj AND !Yl.A. SWEILUM.
Department of Zoology, University of Zagazig.
* Institute of Oceanography and Fish~ries.
ABSTRACT
Food and feeding habits were studied at three
different localities In L3k~ Quarun. It was found
that the feed1ng rate of H. capito is fo~d availability
dependence related to the favourable ecological
conditions. The nature of the bottom’s Lake has a
role in the feeding habtt of the fish.
Small she of M. capito tends to feed exclushlely
on plant organisms. mainly chrysophyta, chlorophyta
and cyanophyta. “s tht! Fish grows up to certain size
the dIe,t becomes mi xed of phytoplankton, lOOPlankton
and detrital materials. The fish of largest size
feed on animal organisms (Copepoda, Flagellata and
For”aminffera), detritus and sand grains.
Analysis of stomach content was also examined
seasonaly from summer 1985 to Spring 1986. Feeding
rate is lowest during autumn and winter due to the
‘jon,,'” 1 maturation and the drop of water temperature
in this perfod.