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Home / Bulletin of Marine Science, Volume 96, Number 3

Open Access Variation in diet composition of the mudskipper, Periophthalmodon septemradiatus, from Hau River, Vietnam

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Periophthalmodon septemradiatus (Hamilton, 1822) is a mudskipper of the Mekong Delta that can be found along estuaries and lower reaches of rivers. In the present study, we determined diet and feeding ecology of this species by analyzing the contents within the stomachs of 1360 fish samples collected from August 2017 to July 2018. Data analysis suggested that P. septemradiatus is a carnivorous fish. We found six main food item categories: small fishes, prawns (Acetes spp.), crabs (Uca spp.), molluscs, ants (Dolichoderus sp.), and detritus. Both males and females at different sizes, seasons, and habitats ingest primarily Dolichoderus sp., secondarily detritus, and rarely other prey. Diet composition was similar between sexes but varied according to fish size, season, and habitat. Dolichoderus sp. and detritus regulate the spatial variation of food composition. Our findings contribute to future artificial cultivation for conservation.

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biology, School of Education, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Xuan Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam;, Email: [email protected] 2: Bac Lieu University, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu 960000, Vietnam 3: Centre for Continuing Education of Soc Trang Province, Soc Trang 950000, Vietnam 4: Department of Biology, School of Education, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Xuan Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam 5: An Khanh High School, An Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam 6: College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Can Tho University, 3/2 Street, Xuan Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho 900000, Vietnam

Publication date: 01 July 2020

This article was made available online on 28 March 2019 as a Fast Track article with title: "Variation in diet composition of the mudskipper Periophthalmodon septemradiatus from Hau River, Vietnam".

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  • The Bulletin of Marine Science is dedicated to the dissemination of high quality research from the world's oceans. All aspects of marine science are treated by the Bulletin of Marine Science, including papers in marine biology, biological oceanography, fisheries, marine affairs, applied marine physics, marine geology and geophysics, marine and atmospheric chemistry, and meteorology and physical oceanography.
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