Feeding habits of the marbled flounder Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae (Günther, 1877) in the coastal waters off Pohang, East Sea of Korea

Authors

1 Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture Science, Institute of Marine Industry, Marine Bio-Education & Research Center, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong-si 53064, Republic of Korea

2 South Sea Fisheries Research Institute, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Yeosu 59780, Republic of Korea

3 Distant Water Fisheries Resources Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan 46083, Republic of Korea

10.22092/ijfs.2025.134861

Abstract

The diet composition of the marbled flounder Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae was examined using 975 specimens collected from January to December 2022 in the coastal waters off Pohang, East Sea of Korea. The range of total length was 14.4–47.6 cm. Polychaetes were the most important prey item, accounting for 91.9% of the index of relative importance, with the Lumbrineridae family being the most dominant, followed by Ampharetidae and Terebellidae. The trophic level of P. yokohamae was 3.08. Polychaetes showed no significant differences in dietary composition among size classes (<25.0 cm, 25.0–30.0 cm, 30.0–35.0 cm, and ≥35.0 cm), although the mean prey weight per stomach differed significantly with size. Polychaetes were the dominant prey item across all seasons. Both the mean prey weight per stomach and mean number of prey items per stomach varied significantly by season. A two-way PERMANOVA revealed that both size class and season had significant effects on dietary composition (p>0.05). To assess the nutritional status of individuals, the condition factor was calculated. It was lowest in March and highest in November. Therefore, increase in feeding activity and prey intake during spring is likely associated with post-spawning energy recovery.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 157-171

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