Feeding biology of the giant clingfish Chorisochismus dentex – implications for limpet populations

Abstract

The behaviour of the giant clingfish, Chorisochismus dentex, feeding on limpets was investigated in the laboratory and in the field. Prey size and species preference were determined in captivity, and compared with observations of stomach contents obtained from fishes in the field. Eleven captive clingfish (8–108 g) ate limpets of a wide size range, although the modal size selected increased with fish size. Prey species selection was investigated in the laboratory, where six fishes were...