Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus Ginsburg, 1954) diet in autumn 2012

Abstract

Between May and June 2012, the demersal resources assessment cruise was carried out on board the R/V José Olaya Balandra, its main objective was the evaluation of the Peruvian hake resource. One of the biological aspects assessed was trophic ecology. A total of 28 prey were recorded (8 crustaceans, 17 fish, and 3 cephalopods); euphausiids, squat lobster, cannibalism, and anchoveta predominated in all subareas and strata for their importance in contributing to the diet; the daily ration of 7.84 g/ind/day was estimated, with a greater contribution from cannibalism. Peruvian hake can be characterized as a general carnivorous predator, with ontogenetic changes regarding prey size depending on length. Cannibalism was observed in specimens from 20 cm in total length, behavior that was increasing its importance as hake reached greater size.