Food habits and seasonal variation of stomach contents of tongue soleCynoglossus semilaevis (Günther) in the Bohai Sea

Examination of the food habits and seasonal variation of the stomach contents of adult tongue sole,Cynoglossus semilaevis (Günther) taken in July 1982–July 1983 from Laizhou Bay and the Huanghe River estuary of the Bohai Sea showed crustacea, bivalvia and small fishes comprised the main prey. Invertebrates such as polychaeta, cephalopoda, gastropoda, echinodermata and actiniaria were also intermittently found in them. They intensively fed all the year found (monthly feeding rate of over 80%). The main food items wereAlpheus japonica, Alpheus distinguendus. Oratosquilla oratoria, Eucrate crenata andCarcinoplax vestitus, etc. In summer and autumn, the portion of bivalvia such asCultellus attenuatus andMusculus senhousei increased steadily. From summer to winter, a stable proportion of small fishes such asRhinogobius pflaumi andSetipinna taty was in the diet. Contribution No. 1637 from the Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica.