Feeding dynamics and diet composition of Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) from the Kerala coast

Tomy, Elezebath and Abdussamad, E M and Thomas, Sujitha and Gopinath, Ashly (2024) Feeding dynamics and diet composition of Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) from the Kerala coast. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 66 (2). pp. 53-58. ISSN 0025-3146

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Abstract

The diet composition and feeding intensity of the Giant trevally, Caranx ignobilis, along the Kerala coast, was studied during 2018-2019. The feeding behaviour of C. ignobilis revealed that it is a highly carnivorous species having a selective feeding nature, with fish accounting for 82% of the stomach contents, followed by crustaceans (13.7%) and molluscs (2.7%). Crabs emerged as the predominant individual prey item, accounting for an Index of Relative Importance (IRI) of 29%. The Stomach Fullness Index (SFI), the Vacuity Index (VI) and the gastro-somatic index were evaluated to assess its feeding dynamics. The SFI was significantly higher in spawning months (August to December) showing a direct relationship with feeding intensity. The VI showed variation in feeding during different months with the lowest VI in October (15%) and the highest in February (80%). Generally, the VI was higher from January to July and lower from August to December. Gastro somatic index was also found to be in a positive correlation with breeding time for C. ignobilis.

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