A study of stomach content of billfish in Kuala Rompin, Pahang

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.