Feeding Ecology of the White-spotted Conger Eel(Conger myriaster) in the Southern Sea of Korea

Feeding ecology of the white-spotted conger eel Conger myriaster in the Southern Sea of Korea was examined. Specimens were caught monthly from January 2004 to December 2006. Primary prey items of C. myriaster included fish, shrimp, and crabs. C. myriaster exhibited a nocturnal feeding strategy and preyed upon a wide range of pelagic fish groups(e.g., Engraulis japonicus, Glossanodon semifasciatus, and Maurolicus muelleri). This species was also an opportunistic feeder that exploited the available prey in each area(i.e., fish in the A area and shrimp in the B area). The composition of the diet of C. myriaster exhibited seasonal fluctuations that were related to food availability during each season. The observed ontogenetic shifts in diet were relatively clear, despite substantial overlap between the 10 cm and 20 cm groups of C. myriaster.