Natural diet of the deep water crab Charybdis smithii McLeay (Brachyura : Portunidae) of the seas around India


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Authors

  • C P Balasubrahmanian Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India
  • C Suseelan Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India

Abstract

Natural diet of potentially commercial deep-water crab Charybdis smithii
comprised a wide variety of invertebrates and myctophid fishes. Pelagic
juveniles and subadults of this crab were found to feed actively than benthic
adults. The diet of juveniles were mainly composed of pelagic shrimps (20 %
by volume) and crabs (17 %). The stomach contents of subadult crabs were
dominated by teleost fishes and decapod crustaceans (64 %) whereas in adults,
crabs were the major food (42 %). Pronounced cannibalistic tendency was
observed in this species especially among juveniles.

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Author Biographies

  • C P Balasubrahmanian, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India
    Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India
  • C Suseelan, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India
    Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin - 682 014, India

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How to Cite

Balasubrahmanian, C. P., & Suseelan, C. (2011). Natural diet of the deep water crab Charybdis smithii McLeay (Brachyura : Portunidae) of the seas around India. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 45(4), 407-411. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF/article/view/8685