Feeding habits of some freshwater fishes in streams of Moorea, French Polynesia

Abstract

Animal remains were present in stomach contents of 6 of 13 fish species collected at 10 sites in freshwater streams on Moorea, French Polynesia. The eel Anguilla marmorata contained both freshwater and marine prey, and the eel Anguilla obscura contained larvae of the pollution-tolerant rat-tailed maggots (Insecta: Diptera: Syrphidae). Fish stomachs contained prey not previously collected in these streams. There is clear habitat partitioning between the two most common stream fish. The spotted flagtail, Eleotris fusca, feeds benthically and stomachs contains large numbers of neritid and thiarid snails. The sleeper, Kuhlia marginata, feeds primarily on surface drift, with ants being the most common prey item. The freshwater fish of Moorea have few parasites relative to those found in Hawaiian Island stream fishes.