Abstract
From August 1977 to February 1983, the distributions and food habits of righteye flounders Limanda herzensteini and L. yokohamae in Mutsu Bay, Aomori Prefecture, were investigated. Results of tagging experiments conducted for six years suggested that both species in the bay hardly migrated outside it. In winter they were found chiefly in West Bay. In the other seasons L. herzensteini concentrated in West Bay or western part of East Bay, or both, while L. yokohamae in the eastern part of East Bay. L. herzensteini fed chiefly on polychaetes, sea-hares, bivalves, and ophiuroides from spring to autumn and in winter fish and macrurans became very important in their diet. On the other hand, L. yokohamae fed exclusively on polychaetes throughout the year. There was a considerable difference in species selection for prey and food composition in stomachs between the two species. However, ingested-food compositions did not differ very much between the two species in the same area, suggesting that they need a similar food resource and so compete potentially for food and habitat.
