The first evaluations of the daily ration and population food consumption of four Sciaenid fish, under natural conditions for the Brazilian south-western Atlantic shelf (23degrees35'S, 45degrees00'W) are presented. The average daily ration ranged from 4.38 to 12.92 % body mass (90% confidence interval) for the juvenile shortfin corvina (Isopisthus parvipinnis), from 0.41 to 5.52 % body mass (90% confidence interval) for the juvenile shorthead drum (Larimus breviceps) and from 3.14% to 3.15% body mass for the juvenile whitemouth croacker (Micropogonias furnieri). Juveniles of the banded croacker (Paralonchurus brasiliensis) showed higher estimates (2.58-2.60% body mass) than those for the adults (1.2-1.84% body mass). The mean food consumption rate of the... |