Food of Kyphosus elegans (Perciformes: Khyposidae) in Loreto, Baja California Sur, México.

Abstract

This study describes the diet of the Chopa del Mar de Cortés Kyphosus elegans (Peters, 1869) in the area of ​​Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Fish (N = 55) were captured in April and July 1997. The seagrass of the Sea of ​​Cortez is considered a general herbivore, however there is not enough data to support this conclusion. Stomach contents are identified a total of 13 genera of algae and one of seagrass. The brown algae Sargassum spp. was the most frequent food and with greater contribution by weight. It was concluded that K. elegans is a primary consumer with a marked preference for Sargassum spp.