Note on the food of flying gurnard, Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier)

Abstract

Very little is known about the biology of the flying gurnard, Dactyloptena orientalis (Cuvier) which has a fairly wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific (Beaufort 1962 and Jones 1965). Presumably, in view of its occurrence in the fish catches in stray numbers it is considered by some as rare (Menon and Rao 1963). On 8-2-1961 the Japanese trawler ' Kaikamorov ' conducting experimental fishing off the Karwar Coast in about 20 fathoms area caught about 300 specimens of D. orientalis measuring from 130 mm to 205 mm in total length which would indicate its shoaling habit and occurrence in large numbers. Subsequently on 24-2-1964 a specimen 140 mm in total length was caught by the Indo-Norwegian Project vessel KARWAR I from about the same depth. Guts of 30 specimens were analysed and the observations made are recorded in this note.