Abstract:
This study was done in order to study the stomach content of bill fish, Makaira
indica and Istiophorus platypterus in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, as well as to determine
the major food items in stomach content of the billfish by using Index of Relative
Importance (IRI).Fish stomach content from 5 black marlin, Makaira indica, and 13
sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, that were caught as by-catch in purse-seiner and
trawler vessels in Kuala Rompin was examined. The major food items in the stomachs
were determined with Index of Relative Importance (IRI).As carnivorous species, the
Makaira indica were found fed on 4 species of fish, while the /stiophorus p/atypterus
were found fed on nine species of prey foods, consisted of squid and 8 fish species.
All food items were identified to the possible lowest taxonomic level. The total
number, wet weight and frequency of occurrence of each prey food item were
recorded. The shortfin scad, Decapterus spp. was found as the major prey food item
in the Makaira indica ,diet. On the other hand, the Engraulis spp. was found to be the
most abundant as prey food item for /stiophorus platypterus.
