<p>The knowledge of natural fish feeding is important to understand the species feeding habits and how they interact with the environment. In addition to that, this kind of research can provide relevant data to improve the capture of these animals, considering their economy and social importance. This study aimed to analyze the food composition of Larimus breviceps specimens from the northern coast of Cabedelo city, evaluating the importance of each food item for their diet. The specimens came from the local artisanal fisheries. In laboratory, the individuals were identified, measured and dissected to remove the stomachs content and then examined. Three different analyzes were performed, percentage by frequency of occurrence, by number and by weight, then the index of relative importance (IRI%) was computed. In total, 30 stomachs were analyzed, 15 distinct food items were identified, the most representative prey were fish fragments, Copepoda, Gammaridae, Decapoda (shrimp), algal fragments and synthetic material. Given the results, the diet of this species becomes more diversified as young individuals reach the adults size, and ingest marine debris which indicates an anthropogenic impact.</p>
Aspectos da alimentação natural de Larimus breviceps Cuvier, 1830, proveniente do litoral norte da Paraíba, Brasil
