Alimentação de Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) (Osteichthyes, Erythrinidae) no rio Vermelho, Pantanal Sul Mato-Grossense

Resumo

Hoplias malabaricus (Bloch, 1794) is a Neotropical fish with a wide distribution in South America, being abundant in the South Pantanal Mato-Grossense, mainly during the dry season. The goal of the present study was to identify the prey composition of H. malabaricus diet and to evaluate the relation between predator standard length and preys’ size. The samples were performed in 4 sites of Vermelho River, South Pantanal, utilizing drag seine. Forty individuals were captured and empty stomach frequency was 50%. In adults the main food items were Charax leticiae Lucena, 1987 and Hyphessobrycon eques (Steindachner, 1882), small fishes belonging to the family Characidae. Insects were observed only in the stomach of immature individuals. No significative relation was observed between H. malabaricus standard length and preys’ size (standard length, width and volume), evidencing the opportunistic habit of this specie.