Feeding behavior of Red mullet Mullus barbatus in Benghazi coast, on the Mediterranean Sea, eastern Libya

Feeding behavior of Red mullet Mullus barbatus in Benghazi coast, on the Mediterranean Sea, eastern Libya

Abstract:

The feeding habits of 411 of Mullus barbatus (family: Mullidae), inhabiting Benghazi Mediterranean coast, were studied monthly from January to December 2022. The annual diet composition, monthly variations in the diet composition, the variations of diet with length and the intensity of feeding were studied. The feeding habits of 411 of Mullus barbatus (family: Mullidae), inhabiting Benghazi Mediterranean coast, were studied monthly from January to December 2022. The annual diet composition, monthly variations in the diet composition, the variations of diet with length and the intensity of feeding were studied.  M. barbatus feed mainly on shrimp (47.9%) supplemented by decapoda (17.5%), amphipoda (16.4%), bivalvia (5.9%), polychaeta (5.1%), isopoda (4.2%), and others (3.1%).  Shrimp, and decapoda were found in all year round and in all length groups for M. barbatus. In the present study shrimp, amphipoda and decapoda increased as the size increased while bivalvia and polychaeta, decreased as the fish size increased for M. barbatus. the feeding activities were quite high during winter (68.5%), summer (60.5%) and autumn (65.1%). There are minimal rate of feeding intensity recorded in spring (36.1%) for M. barbatus.

      Keywords: Feeding behavior, M. barbatus, eastern Libyan Mediterranean coast