Feeding habits of the annular seabream, Diplodus annularis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces: Sparidae), in the Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean)

The feeding habits of the annular seabream, Diplodus annularis (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Gulf of Gabes (south Tunisia, central Mediterranean), were studied by stomach contents analysis of 1405 individuals ranging from 7.7 to 18.5 cm in total length (TL). This study was based mainly on frequency of occurrence (F%), numeric percentage (Cn%), percentage by weight (Cw%), and the evolution of the index of relative importance (IRI) with respect to fish size, season and sex. Of the total number of stomachs examined, 1150 were empty (%VI = 81.85). This percentage varied significant- ly with season and among fish size. This sparid principally fed on Molluscs (%IRI = 37.2) and Teleosts (%IRI = 29.77), while plants (%IRI = 15.96) and crustaceans (%IRI = 14.47) were the also important food categories consumed. There were no significant differences neither in the diet between males and females nor among size-classes but significant differences were found with season.