Diet composition and feeding habits of Atlantic bumper, Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Pisces: Carangidae), larvae in the southern Gulf of Mexico

Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Atlantic bumper) is an ecologically important species in the southern Gulf of Mexico, as it is abundant throughout the area and contributes to the diet of a great number of species of recreational and commercial value. For this reason, changes in the size of its populations can have an effect on these fisheries. The larval stage of fishes generally has the highest mortality rate, and because mortality rate is often influenced by prey availability, this study focused on the feeding habits of Atlantic bumper larvae. Zooplankton samples were collected during five oceanographic cruises (1987-1993) and the digestive tracts of 297 larvae, 1.03-8.07 mm SL, were analyzed. Larvae of this species fed mainly during the day, and feeding incidence was greatest for postflexion larvae (values of 100%) when the larvae capture their prey more efficiently. Larvae fed primarily on Penilia avirostris (Cladocera), copepods and nauplii, and the number and size of prey increased with larval development.