Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports

Understanding fish feeding patterns is crucial for assessing trophic interactions and sustainable fisheries management. This study examines the dietary composition of Alosa fallax, a commercially significant species within the Clupeidae family, in the marine waters off the coast of Latakia, in the eastern Mediterranean. A total of 2,400 specimens were collected using locally employed fishing techniques, including gillnets and purse nets, between October 20, 2021, and September 14, 2023. The sampled individuals exhibited a standard-length range of 10.4–21.19 cm (mean 14.27±3 cm) and a weight range of 15.72–102.81 g (mean 43.78±27.61 g), with a maximum body height averaging 3.01±0.59 cm. Dietary analysis revealed that A. fallax is a planktivorous species, consuming 12 different planktonic organisms classified into four major taxonomic groups:  Crustaceans ranked first in frequency (52.51%) and relative importance (49.59%), with a total of 8141 points. The crustaceans consisted of copepods (mainly Calanoidea), as well as malacostracans, including species from the orders Euphausiacea, Isopoda, Amphipoda, and Decapoda (such as Zoea, Penaeus, Crab megalopa, and Mysidacea)., Phytoplankton: Ranked second, with a frequency of 8.94% and a relative importance of 14.07%, totaling 6262 points. Organic Detritus: Ranked third, with a frequency of 14.68% and a relative importance of 12.37%, totaling 1348 points. Fish: Ranked fourth, with a frequency of 9.10% and a relative importance of 5.04%, totaling 1459 points. The fish consumed included species such as Anguilliformes (eel), Ophidion rochei (shriat), and Trachurus trachurus (horse mackerel). Polychaete Worms: Ranked last, with a frequency of 3.43% and a relative importance of 0.18%, totaling 85 points. This study enhances our ecological understanding of A. fallax feeding habits, providing valuable insights for fisheries management and the conservation of marine biodiversity along the Latakia coastline.