This study investigated the trophic morphology, feeding habits, and natural diet of Hyporhamphus limbatus in Bac Lieu and Ca Mau province, Southwest Vietnam. A total of 960 individuals were sampled monthly from August 2023 to July 2024 at two sites, Vinh Phuoc, Bac Lieu and Dam Doi, Ca Mau (∼40 fish per site per month). Morphological assessments included mouth orientation, dentition, tongue structure, gill arch anatomy, and intestinal configuration. The mean relative gut length (RGL) was 0.34, consistent with carnivory. Gut content analyses were performed on the subset of fish with non-empty guts (n = 703). Small fishes dominated the diet (58.65 %), followed by ants (13.64 %) and shrimp (12.46 %); other items each contributed < 10 %. PERMANOVA indicated a significant seasonal effect on diet composition (df = 1, F = 11.24, p < 0.001), with fish biomass in guts higher during the wet season, whereas ants increased markedly during rainfall events. No significant dietary differences were detected between sexes or sampling sites. The morphology and diet demonstrate a specialized, primarily piscivorous strategy, which has implications for fisheries resource management and the potential development of aquaculture in Southwest Vietnam.
扫码关注我们
求助内容:
应助结果提醒方式:
