Food history of Eleginops maclovinus (Valenciennes, 1830) (Teleostomi: Nototheniidae) in Mehuin, Chile

Abstract

Food history of Eleginops maclovinus (Valenciennes, 1830) (Teleostomi: Nototheniidae) in Mehuin, Chile?. Three hundred and sixty three specimens of Eleginops maclovinus (Valenciennes, 1830) were studied to know its food habits in the river Lingue mouth (Chile, 39°25?S; 73°10?W). Male-female proportion (%) is shown for every month. The sample statistically shows size class of males between VII and XI and in the females between VIII and XIV in comparison with other studies (Gosztonyi, 1974). 44% of the stomach samples were empty. Stomach contents were 84.32% of weight in animals and 11% in plants, mainly algae. Most abundant animals were crustacea. Figurae in relation with the fishes sample characteristics and in relation with stomach contents are presented. As conclusions, E. maclovinus is an omniporous species feeding principally on bentic animals.