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- Title
Spatial and Ontogenetic Variation in the Diet of Wild and Stocked Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus, Sciaenidae) in Australian Estuaries.
- Authors
Taylor, Matthew D.; Fielder, D. Stewart; Suthers, Lain M.
- Abstract
Prey importance and ontogenetic transitions in the diet of stocked and wild mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) were compared between a southeast Australian riverine estuary and a coastal lagoon. Stomach content analysis of fish captured from these estuaries in 1977–1979, 1997–1998, and 2003–2005 revealed size-specific and estuary-specific diets. Mysid shrimp were most common in diets of fish < 250 mm total length (TL), and prawns were common in diets of fish measuring 301–450 mm. Forage fish were most abundant in diets of mulloway > 500 mm. Index of Relative Importance (IRI) of forage fish increased with TL, while IRI of mysids decreased with TL. Prawn IRI was greatest for fish 150–600 mm TL Comparisons between benthic resources and dietary composition revealed that Georges River mulloway consumed prey categories in proportions similar to those in their environment. No mysid shrimp were detected in the coastal lagoon or in the diet of mulloway captured there; growth was comparable to the Georges River. Hatchery-reared fish fed < 16 d after stocking, indicating normal behavioural adaptation after release. Dietary information can be used to optimize stocking locations, times, and densities, as well as estimate potential effects of mulloway on potential prey and wild conspecifics.
- Subjects
GEORGES River (Sutherland Shire, N.S.W.); NEW South Wales; FISH food; FOOD preferences; FORAGE fishes; MYSIDAE
- Publication
Estuaries & Coasts, 2006, Vol 29, Issue 5, p785
- ISSN
1559-2723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/BF02786529