A Food Habit Study of the Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion Nebulosus, in the Biloxi Marsh Area, Louisiana

The spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, are found throughout the year in the Biloxi Marsh Area in southeastern Louisiana. A total of 368 stomachs were analyzed; 152 were empty. Fish occurred in 74.4 per cent of these stomachs and crustaceans in 25.3 per cent. During the summer months fish and crustaceans were comparable in per cent occurrence as food items. In this same period food availability samples showed that crustaceans had become more prevalent. This suggests a correlation of the food habits of the spotted seatrout to food availability. Fish seem to be the most important food group in the Biloxi Marsh Area utilized by the spotted seatrout.