Food of the grey mullet Mugil cephalus (L.) from the Goa region

Abstract

From the analysis of gut contents of grey mullet Mugil cephalus the food preferences of the size range 98 mm to 415 mm were determined. Algae and diatoms in fresh and decaying state and organic matter appear to be the favourite food items of mullet in marine, estuarine and riverine environments of Goa (India). Foraminifera and copepods form a small fraction of the stomach contents. Small quantities of gill rakers were observed in a few cases. There was a remarkable increase in the intensity of feeding from October to February when algal blooms occur in the environment. The food intake declined during the monsoon months when the water was highly turbid with a heavy silt load