Variations in Stomach contents and Biochemical composition of Tissues in some Marine Fishes

Abstract

Relationship between calorific values and protein, fat and carbohydrate of the stomach contents (food) and body tissues of marine fishes, Sardinella longiceps, Valenciennes, Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier), Otolithus ruber (Schneider) and Lactarius lactarius (Schneider) is studied. Ratios of food cal to body cal in S. longiceps (phytoplankton-detrital feeder) is 0.3 while in R. kanagurta (phyto- and zooplankton feeder), O. ruber (carnivore) and L. lactarius (carnivore) it is between 0.7 to 0.8. S. longiceps, with the lowest ratio, is the most efficient energy converter among the 4 and also as compared to detritus - animal matter feeders like prawns