FOOD HABITS AND STOMACH CONTENTS OF EUROPEAN SEA BASS (Dicentrarchus labrax) FROM BARDAWIL LAGOON, NORTH SINAI, EGYPT

This study investigates the feeding habits and stomach contents of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in Bardawil Lagoon, North Sinai, Egypt, over one fishing season from June 2023 to January 2024. A total of 413 specimens were collected monthly from commercial catches to examine their dietary composition, seasonal variations, and feeding intensity. The analysis revealed that the diet of D. labrax is diverse, consisting mainly of crustaceans and fish parts, followed by polychaetes, mollusks, seagrasses, and unidentified materials. Crustaceans (53%) and fish remains (28%) were the predominant food sources across all size groups, while the consumption of polychaetes (6%), mollusks (6%), and seagrasses (5%) decreased as the fish grew larger. Monthly variations in diet composition indicated that crustacean consumption peaked in October (60%), while fish parts were most consumed in September (35.5%). Feeding intensity varied throughout the year, with the highest proportion of full stomachs recorded in September (35.29%), suggesting increased feeding activity, whereas the lowest feeding intensity was observed in December, with 75.86% of the stomachs empty. A size-based dietary shift was also noted, where smaller fish relied more on crustaceans, while larger individuals preferred fish as a primary food source. The findings of this study provide insight into the trophic behavior of D. labrax in Bardawil Lagoon, which can aid in sustainable fishery management and aquaculture practices.