The diet of different size groups of Naqim (Pomadasys maculates) ranging in length from 160-400 mm collected from Red Sea coast near Hodeidah City, Yemen was investigated, during the period from Nov. 2000 to May 2001. Contents of 140 stomachs were analyzed using fullness index, percentage of occurrence, volume and relative importance. Crabs, shrimps and other crustacean comprise the most important food source occurred in 59% of the examined stomachs and 26% of the total volume of diet on average. Clams and snails (Molluscs) were the second most important food group (47% & 23% respectively). Other items include worms and algae comprising 5 and 7% only. Detritus and unidentified digested materials occurred in all examined stomachs. Wide variations in feeding habits were noticed among different size groups. Crabs and aquatic plants increased while mollusks decreased with increasing fish length. Diet composition in relation to time period was studied. Autumn months revealed the highest feeding intensity followed by Spring and Winter months, with the lack of Summer samples. Little variations in filling index and food composition between male and females were detected among mediumsized fish, possibly due to state of maturation. The feeding spectrum analysis and relative gut length measurements suggest that Al-Naqim feeds as an active predator feeding just above the bottom, utilizing mainly pelagic or bottom invertebrates and few algae.

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