Feeding Habits and Interspecific Feeding Associations of Caranx Latus (Carangidae) in a Subtropical Reef

I studied the feeding behavior and diet of the carangid jack Caranx latus in a subtropical reef at Búzios Island on the southeastern Brazilian coast. Caranx latus foraged alone or in small groups of up to three individuals during daytime employing two main feeding styles: searching for prey while swimming in mid-water and following individuals of other fish species which disturbed the substrate while foraging among the rocks. The labrid wrasse Bodianus rufus was the main fish species followed by the jack. The jack feeds on crustaceans and fishes some of which are benthic rocky bottom dwellers and are caught during following. The behavioral flexibility of C. latus enables this fish to consume both crustaceans from the water column and benthic rocky dweller fishes. There is little dietary overlap between C. latus and the followed B. rufus. The interspecific feeding associations could be regarded as advantageous for C. latus allowing access to a broader range of prey categories and increasing the food intake through the consumption of large benthic fish prey