Feeding biology of the Japanese Threadfin Bream (Nemipterus japonicus)

In order to study the feeding biology of the Japanese Threadfin Bream in the Northern parts of Oman Sea (Chabahar Area), a total of 212 specimens were collected in 2009-2010, and different indices of VI, FP and GSI were taken into consideration. Of total stomachs, 51, 44 and 117 numbers were full, semi-full and empty, respectively. The VI index was estimated 55.2%, and amount of Food Preference Index were estimated as: Crustacean (63.2%), Fishes (38.9%), Molluscs (36.8%), Nematoda (25.3%), Polychaeta (8.4%), Sipuncula (7.4%), Foraminifera (6.3%), Phytoplanktons (4.2%), Seeweeds (2.1%) and Nemertean worms (1.1%). The maximum and minimum Gastro-Somatic Index for males were in autumn and winter season; and for females in summer and spring. It was concluded that N.japonicus is a moderate feeding fish and it’s main food is Crustacean and minor foods are Molluscs and Fishes.