Food of Gag (Mycteroperca Microlepis) from North Carolina and Three Areas of Florida

Stomachs of 2,377 gag caught by hook aM line from April 1979 through October 1981 from Nortb Carolina, south Florida, west central Florida, and northwest Florida were examined. Data were analyzed for variations between area, size of fish, and season by using percentage volume and percentage frequency. of occurrence. About 59% of the stomachs were empty. The percent volume of fish ranged from 95.1% in northwest Florida to 99.8% in south Florida. Twenty-five families of fish were represented in the diet. Six families were oominant: Clupeidae, Sparidae, Carangidae, Sciaenidae, Mugilidae, and Haemulidae. The dominant fish species were Sardinella aurita, Iagodon rhomboides, and Decqpterus punctatus. Invertebrates never exceeded 5% of the total volume or 12% in occurrence in any area. Relatively minor differences in diet among size classes and among seasons were noted; however, between areas the diet varied considerably.