Feeding of tub gurnardChelidonichthys lucerna(Scorpaeniformes: Triglidae) in the north-east Mediterranean

Abstract

The stomach contents of 1096 specimens of Chelidonichthys lucerna were examined in order to analyse their diet composition according to fish size, sex, depth and season. Sampling was carried out from May 2005 to March 2007 during several bottom trawl surveys in the Adriatic Sea (north-east Mediterranean). Feeding activity was more intense in juveniles than in adults. The most important prey was Crustacea (mainly Decapoda: Brachyura, such as Goneplax rhomboides, Liocarcinus spp., Philocheras spp.) and Teleostei (mainly European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and black goby Gobius niger). There was no difference between male and female diet. Feeding habits varied with size, with fish dominating the stomach contents of larger specimens. Finally, fish increased in winter and crustaceans in summer. Chelidonichthys lucerna shows a generalist and opportunistic foraging behaviour, preying mainly epibenthic and nectobenthic organisms.

Trophic relationships among scorpaeniform fishes associated with gas platforms

“…A comparison between the diets of the three predators has evidenced the widest prey variety in C. lucerna; said array is mainly made up of epibenthic and infaunal organisms encompassing a variety of crustaceans, molluscs and fish that are typical of soft bottoms. Said feeding behaviour is in line with what reported in literature for this species in other areas (Collignon and Aloncle 1960;Colloca et al 1994;Costa 1988;Morte et al 1997;Stagioni et al 2011), although prey composition may vary depending on local resource availability.…”

“…Diet variation by size in C. lucerna was also reported by Colloca et al (1994) in the Tyrrhenian Sea and by Stagioni et al (2011) in the Adriatic Sea, albeit at smaller sizes (i.e. 14-16 cm standard length and 180 mm L T , respectively), which are possibly ascribable to the threshold from a juvenile to an adult stage.…”

“…Unlike summer decreases in feeding activity reported for these three species in natural environments, which are possibly related to reproductive events (Bradai and Bouain 1990;Pallaoro and Jardas 1991;Morte et al 2001;Stagioni et al 2011), our results showed no significant temporal variations in prey abundance, thus suggesting a constant resource exploitation by the three predators throughout the year.…”

Suitability of artisanal fishery discards as feed for juvenile tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna L.) reared in sea bottom cages in the mid Adriatic Sea

“…Previous studies (D'Andrea et al, 2012;Roncarati et al, 2013) evaluated the potential domestication of C. lucerna, focusing on how this species responds to aquaculture practices (Parisi et al, 2014). One study also noted that tub gurnard exhibit opportunistic foraging behavior, mainly preying on epibenthic and nectobenthic organisms (Stagioni et al, 2012) that are highly represented in fishery discards.…”

Flesh Qualitative Traits of Tub Gurnard (Chelidonichthys LucernaL.), A Promising Species Candidate for Aquaculture, Captured in the Middle Adriatic Sea in Different Seasons

“…It is important to obtain this information to formulate a balanced diet that includes feedstuffs able to cover metabolic requirements, and provide a quality end product that will be purchased by consumers. The feeding habits of tub gurnard has been investigated, and it has been ascertained that this species exhibits opportunistic foraging behaviour, mainly preying on epibenthic and nectobenthic organisms (Colloca et al, 1994;Morte et al, 1997;Serena et al, 1998;Stagioni et al, 2012) that are rich in essential fatty acids (Dalsgaard et al, 2003).…”