Examination of feeding biology of Hemiculter leucisculus in the Sefidrood River, southwestern Caspian Sea basin, northern Iran

The Hemiculter leucisculus, is a non-indigenous fish in the Caspian Sea basin. Inpresent study, feeding biology of this species was investigated using sampling atmonthly intervals throughout the year from the Sefidrood River. In total 235individuals of H. leucisculus, were caught from the Sefidroo River in thesouthwestern Caspian Sea basin, northern Iran. Relative length of gut, Gastro-somaticindex, Vacuity index and Feeding intensity with respect to season, were measuredthe Relative length of gut for four total length groups < 9.45, 10-13.5, 14-17.5 cmand > 17.5 cm were 0.936, 0.819, 0.921 and 0.863, respectively, showing that therewas no major shift from the carnivorous orientation of the fish during its various lifestages. Feeding intensity was high in early gonad maturity (July) and post spawningstages (September) and was relatively lower in the specimens with ripe gonads(August). There was no significant difference in feeding intensity among youngerand adult specimens.

Keywords:

Carnivorous , Feeding intensity , Relative length of gut , Sefidrood , Sawbelly