Food of predatory demersal fish in Hauraki Gulf

Abstract

Feeding was examined in 1,194 snapper, Chrysophrys auratus (Forster), from Hauraki Gulf and north‐west Bay of Plenty. Occurrence and points (bulk) methods of food analysis were used in this study. By occurrence and bulk, crustaceans, polychaetes, echinoderms, molluscs, and teleosts formed the main snapper food groups, with crustaceans being the most important. Size of snapper, bottom type, depth, time of day and geographical regions affected the occurrence and importance of food items, while sex of fish probably did not. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.