Feeding ecology of monkfish Lophius gastrophysus in the south-western Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The diet of the monkfish Lophius gastrophysus is described based on the analysis of stomach contents, for the south-western Atlantic from samples landed in the fishing port of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, from April 2004 to March 2006. Feeding intensity, measured as the presence or absence of contents in stomachs, and differences in the items' composition were analysed by sex, size-class and season. High feeding intensity predominated for females >32 cm and for males <31 cm. There was no seasonal pattern in the occurrence of full or empty stomachs. The most important category in the diet was fish with 25 identified species. Dactylopterus volitans showed the highest alimentary index value, mainly because of the feeding of juvenile monkfish. The second most important category was Mollusca, represented mainly by squid. No relationships between predator- and prey-lengths and weights were observed; but there was a tendency to consume light and small prey independently of the size of the monkfish.

Growth, reproduction, and feeding of large monkfish, Lophius americanus

“…Laurenson and Priede (2005) attributed large proportions of empty stomachs in large L. piscatorius to infrequent feeding. The large proportions of unidentified bony fish and skates found within stomachs from all seasons could be an indication that the digestion process is slow, especially for larger prey items (Valentim et al, 2008). However, estimates of daily ration and rates of gastric evacuation are not available for L. americanus.…”

Dining in the Deep: The Feeding Ecology of Deep-Sea Fishes

“…Images courtesy of the Deep Pelagic Nekton Dynamics (DEEPEND) Consortium and Danté Fenolio ( c 2015) (panels a-c); the Deep-Sea Fish Ecology Lab and the Abyssal Baseline (ABYSSLINE) project (panels d and e); and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Exploration and Research (panel f ). Macpherson 1985, Madurell & Cartes 2005b, Solmundsson 2007, Sulak et al 1985, Valentim et al 2008 Demersal piscivores (active) Bjelland et al 2000, Carrasson et al 1992, Churchill et al 2015b, Gordon & Mauchline 1996, Jones & Breen 2014, Martin & Christiansen 1997, Mauchline & Gordon 1984, Navarro et al 2014, Pearcy & Ambler 1974, Saldanha et al 1995 Carrasson & Matallanas 2001, 2002aCarrasson et al 1997;Drazen et al 2001;Hoff et al 2000;Jones 2008b;Lee et al 2008;Mauchline & Gordon 1980, 1984Würzberg et al 2011 Epifaunal Bjelland et al 2000, Buckley et al 1999, Saldanha et al 1995, Sedberry & Musick 1978 Megafaunal Gartner et al 1997 Example species and studies are meant as representatives only and are not comprehensive lists. For additional examples, see Gartner et al (1997 turn over the surface of the oozes" (Marshall 1965, p. 305).…”