A study of feeding in some inshore reef fish of the Natal Coast, South Africa

Abstract

A detailed quantitative investigation of the feeding habits of seven important Natal inshore reef fish (Epinephelus andersoni Boulenger, 1903, Coracinus multifasciatus (Pellegrin, 1914), Pomadasys olivaceum Day, 1875, Diplodus sargus Linnaeus, 1758, Sarpa salpa (Linnaeus, 1766), Acanthurus triostegus Linnaeus, 1758 and Neoscorpis lithophilus (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1908)) is described. Qualitative information on the feeding of 23 other species is also given, and when all species are considered the ratio of carnivores, omnivores and herbivores is 4:1:1.