A Review of Food and Feeding Habits of Carangids Occurring Along the Indian Coast

Abstract

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the feeding habits of fishes belonging to the family Carangidae occurring in Indian waters. Carangids are commonly known as jacks, trevallies, scads, queen fishes, runners, amberjacks and pompanos. They are well distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Carangids are carnivorous fishes primarily feeding on crustaceans, small teleostean fishes, molluscs and polychaetes. Some species are known to exhibit cannibalism. Ontogenic shift in food and feeding is noted in carangids. Young ones prefer zooplankton and crustaceans, whereas adults mainly feed on small teleostean fishes. The intensity of feeding is higher in smaller individuals. Considerable seasonal variation in the type of prey consumed by the carangids is observed. Fishes with empty stomachs are noted mostly during peak spawning season.