Food and feeding habits of the big-eyed mojarra, Gerres macracanthus Bleeker of the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar

Gut contents of Gems niacracanthus from the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar landed by trawl net at Rameswaram and Mandapam were analysed. A total of 1,602 fishes from the Palk Bay and 102 fishes from the Gulf of Mannar were examined for stomach content analyses. The points method was followed in the present study. The frequency of various components in the food has been estimated by occurrence method and expressed in percentages. Polychaetes were the most common food item followed by Penaeus semisulcarus, Parapenaeopsis tennella and Metapemeus afinis, in the order of abundance. Much difference could not be noted in the food components of the fishes occurring in the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay.