Feeding Habits of Larval Japanese Anchovy Engraulis japonicus in Eastern Jinhae Bay, Korea

The feeding habits of larval Engraulis japonicas (3.2-11.0 mm SL) were examined based on 414 individuals, collected in October 2010, and from June to September 2011, in the coastal waters of Eastern Jinhae Bay, Korea. E. japonicus, fed mainly on copepods 62.6% IRI and tintinnid were the second-largest dietary component. E. japonicus diet also included small quantities of rotifers, eggs and diatoms. The results of analysis of ontogenetic changes showed that E. japonicus of small size classes ( ≤4mm ) fed primarily on tintinnids. The dietary percentage of copepods decreased, as fish size increased, and monogeneans became increasingly important as size class increased above 4-6 mm. The highest rate of daily feeding E. japonicusi took place during the day.