Feeding Habits of Predatory Thermophilic Fish Species and Species with Subtropical Affinity from Recently Extended Distributional Range in Northeast Adriatic Sea, Croatia

The study investigates feeding habits of thermophilic species and with subtropical affinity in the fishing catch Bay Medulin (northeastern Adriatic Sea), contributes to knowledge about their presence recently extended distributional range. In our methodology, Seriola dumerili, Sphyraena sphyraena, Lichia amia, Coryphaena hippurus, Caranx crysos, Pomatomus saltatrix, incidence Trachinotus ovatus is recorded. A total 220 specimens are captured during 2017, 2018 2019. dietary assessment performed, index relative importance IRI was calculated for each prey category. Diet overlap using Schoener’s index, based on IRI. principal diet C. hippurus included Sardina pilchardus Loligo vulgaris. saltatrix consumed from Sparidae family T. crustaceans Mysidacea family. Different genus Atherina represented important foods L. S. dumerili sphyraena. Diets significant amia fishes Sparidae, sphyraena Carangidae family, Clupeidae Muliidae families. Our analysis suggests no between analysed fish Bay, that these utilise differing trophic niches.