Hábitos alimentares do peixe boca-mole Larimus breviceps (Cuvier, 1830), (Actinopterygii: Sciaenidae), no litoral norte de Pernambuco

Abstract

The soft-mouthed fish, Larimus breviceps, belongs to the Sciaenidae family and is distributed from the Antilles to Costa Rica, along the coast of South America, to the coast of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Being a common species in fishing carried out on the North coast of Pernambuco. Although it is abundant in fisheries, L. breviceps has few studies on food. The present study aims at the eating habits of L. breviceps on the north coast of Pernambuco, Ilha de Itamaracá. Monthly trawls were carried out during one year, in the surf zone of Jaguaribe beach, and the collected ones were taken to the laboratory to collect data on length, weight and stomachs. 165 specimens of L. breviceps were supplied, which have a standard length (CP) ranging from 1.5 to 12.3 cm and the total weight (PT) ranged from 0.078g to 47.920g. Of the 165 stomachs following the methodology for degree of repletion, 90 stomachs were empty (grade 0), 46 partially empty (grade 1), 18 partially full (grade 2) and 11 were full (grade 3). Food items were classified into four categories: fish, plant material, shrimpand debris as well as microplastic. Being the frequency of occurrence (FO) of fish 93.4%, shrimp 25%, plant material 26.3%, detritus 42.1% and microplastic 13.2%. Of the 165 individuals, those with CP between 0-2 cm consumed more of the shrimp item. While individuals with CP between 10-12 cm more debris. The fish item was consumed during all months of the study. Thus, L. breviceps was classified as having a generalist feeding habit, with a tendency to piscivory. The results from the present study on feeding are necessary to understand the biology of the species (L. breviceps) generating subsidies for a sustainable management and management of this fishery resource.