The food of Pomatoschistus minutus (Pisces, Gobiidae) in Belgian coastal waters, and a comparison with the food of its potential competitor P. lozanoi

Data are presented on the food and gonadosomatic index of Pomatoschistus minutus obtained from the bycatch of a commercial shrimp trawler. P. minutus has a diverse diet including zooplankton and hyperbenthos but mainly epibenthic and benthic animals. During the spawning season males consumed high numbers of Pomatoschistus eggs, presumably after aggressive take–overs of territories. The food of P. minutus is compared to the food of P. lozanoi of the same size classes obtained from the same hauls. In the absence of data on predator and prey abundance the discussion on possible interference competition between the two species remains largely speculative.