Feeding habits of juvenile darkfin hind Cephalopholis urodeta (Serranidae) at Iriomote Island, southern Japan

Abstract

The feeding habits of juvenile serranids, Cephalopholis urodeta, were examined on the basis of 104 specimens (≤100mm in total length, TL) collected from coral reef areas at Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, from May to September between 1998 and 2001. Thirtyone (29.8%) of the specimens collected had empty stomachs, the overall mean stomach fullness index being low (0.94). The most important prey comprised small fishes and shrimps, food preferences not differing among three juvenile size classes (≤60, 61-80 and 81-100mm TL).