Feeding habits of stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber Linnaeus, 1758) in the southern Adriatic Sea (Croatia)

The feeding habits of the stargazer Uranoscopus scaber Linnaeus, 1758 were analysed using 360 stomachs specimens collected in southern Adriatic Sea between October 2011 and September 2012. total body length ranged from 9.7 to 32.1 cm (18.89 ± 3.34 cm) weight 11.7 618.7 g (112.79 63.17 g). In sampled population there 213 females (59.17%) 147 males (40.83%). Stargazer is carnivorous fish its diet was composed teleost fish, cephalopods crustaceans. According numerical abundance predominated followed by crustaceans, while according gravimetric composition cephalopods. Teleost dominant prey all seasons, principal hake Merluccius merluccius argentine Argentina sphyraena. Argentine primary food summer (IRI = 61.63), occur other seasons. relation dominated whose < 25 cm. size group I II (TL 20 A. sphyraena main food, M. III – cm). Vacuity index relatively low (%V 11.11%). During seasons percentage empty varied significantly with highest value winter 15.55%) lowest spring 7.78%). vacuity recorded for 5.83) VI 0).