Feeding Habits of the Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata, Linnaeus, 1758) in Ain El-Ghazala Lagoon, Eastern Libya

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Omar AL-Mukhtar University

2 Fisheries department, Faculty of fish resources, Suez University, Suez, Egypt

10.21608/ejabf.2025.435389.6865

Abstract

The feeding habits of Sparus aurata (family: Sparidae) were studied using 350 specimens collected monthly from Ain El-Ghazala Lagoon between September 2024 and August 2025. The investigation focused on seasonal changes in diet composition and examined the relationship between food items and fish size. Results indicated that S. aurata consumed a wide variety of prey, mainly crustaceans (41.5%), mollusks (23.3%), polychaetes (18.1%), bony fish (8.1%), foraminifers (5.9%), and algae (3.1%). Crustaceans, mollusks, polychaetes, and bony fish were the dominant food groups throughout the year and were found in all size classes. As the fish grew, the proportions of crustaceans, polychaetes, bony fish, and algae increased, whereas mollusks and foraminifers decreased in larger individuals. Feeding intensity varied seasonally, reaching its peak during spring and early winter and declining in mid-winter and summer. These variations are likely influenced by environmental conditions, prey availability, and the reproductive cycle of the species.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
Volume 29, Issue 6
November and December 2025
Pages 1129-1139

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