New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

---

FEEDING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TARAKIHI AND SNAPPER IN WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY, NEW ZEALAND

Bruce L. Godfriaux*

Marine Laboratory, Zoology Department, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract Feeding relationships between two predatory demersal fishes, tarakihi Cheilo-dactylus macroplerus (Bloch & Schneider) and snapper Chrysophrys auratus (Bloch & Schneider), in relation to the benthos were examined at six sampling areas in the western Bay of Plenty during October to December 1969 and April to June 1970. Food selectivity was determined. The results showed that both fish species positively selected many of the same food categories. The average Food Similarity Index based on volume data was 18.9% and the average number of food categories shared was approximately 60% of the total number of food categories consumed. The feeding relationships between tarakihi and snapper and the benthos varied with both sampling area and sampling period. Competition for food is probably minimal, since both fish species eat a wide range of foods and feed at different times.

N.7.. Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 8 (4) : 589-609.
(Received for publication 26 June 1973)

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1203K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

---

This year's abstracts | Journal home page | All abstracts | Publishing home page