Food Habits of Spotted Sand Bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, Serranidae) from Bahia De Los Angeles, Baja California

Abstract

In this study, we compare feeding habits of spotted sand bass, Par- <br /><br />alabrax maculatofasciatus, between two sampling periods, fall 1992 and spring <br /><br />1994, characterized by different local oceanographic and environmental condi- <br /><br />tions, at Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico. Fish, ophiuroids, and <br /><br />brachyuran crabs dominated sand bass diet in fall 1992, contrasted with mysids <br /><br />in 1994. Diet was more diverse in 1992 than in 1994, and higher in prey evenness <br /><br />and lower in index of specialization and prey dominance, indicating a few items <br /><br />had a large impact on the diet in 1994. Among size classes within each year <br /><br />sampled, the largest fish consumed the most mobile prey items. The spotted sand <br /><br />bass' ability to utilize such a wide variety of prey appears to be the key to its <br /><br />success in varying habitats.