Seasonal and ontogenetic changes in the diet of blennyHypleurochilus fissicornis: An estuarine mariculture as a model of the reef environment

Abstract

The Blenniidae family is characterised by small cryptic fish. Due to the small size of these specimens, the sampling is very difficult and information about the ecological role of these fishes is vague. However, mariculture adds reef encrusting organisms that attract blennies, which makes sampling easier. Furthermore, recognising species feeding is critical to understand biological communities. In this study, we evaluated the diet of blenny Hypleurochilus fissicornis in a mariculture, to clarify its influence on the benthic fauna and its interactions with the reef environment. We evaluated the seasonal variation (four seasons chosen by the abiotic variables) and the ontogenic changes (three classes defined by L50 of the species: juvenile, transition and adult) in the diet. Hydrozoans were the main prey, but H. fissicornis fed on a variety of other benthic organisms, exhibiting opportunistic habits. The diet of H. fissicornis was complemented by Amphipods in autumn, Ostracods in winter, and bivalves in summer. Juveniles fed more on Ostracods than the other classes, while the transition class fed mainly on Hydrozoans and a variety of rare items, and adults consumed almost exclusively Hydrozoans and some Cirripedia. Therefore, we conclude that H. fissicornis is an opportunistic feeder and may influence benthic organisms. The establishment of fouling organisms on the mariculture structures allows the use of this area by the blenny, since they promote its feeding base.