The Influence of Ecklonia kurome Densities Feeding Behavior of Siganid Fish, Siganus fuscescens

Abstract

We examined the influence of seaweed, Ecklonia kurome densities to the feeding behavior of a siganid fish, Siganus fuscescens. Three kinds of artificial seaweed stocks at densities of 5, 15, and 30 plants/m² were prepared and placed in a concrete tank with 20 fish. The fish intensely fed seaweed stocks of 15 and 30 plants/m². The fish cut off leaves frequently and many seaweeds dispoused on the tank bottom. However, the fish did not cut off seaweed stock of 5 plants/m², and hardly ate them. A large quantity of laminas was scattered on the tank bottom against the seaweed stocks of high densities. Estimated feed consumption in considered scattered laminas was more occurred for seaweed stock of the high densities. The feeding behavior was observed mainly in the circumference of the artificial seaweed stocks, and rare and at random in the central regions. This study suggest that Signid fish intensively feed on E. kurome living at high density.