The feeding pattern of kingklip (Genypterus capensis) off the coast of Namibia (Southwest Africa) was studied between 1980 and 1982. Fish (mainly Merluccius capensis) were the most abundant prey, and prey size increased with predator length. The results suggest that kingklip is a nocturnal benthic feeder and that larger prey items are caught by ambush or by stalking. The presence of only heads or the anterior portion of larger fish in kingklip stomachs and the relationship of this feeding habit with prey density would seem to indicate a certain degree of selective feeding and optimization strategy. Food consumption is 0.35–0.45% of the body weight per day. The incidence of predation on the hake population is also estimated, and consequently, almost one-fifth of the natural mortality of the 1–6 age groups of hake could be due to predation by kingklip

8 pages, 4 figures, 8 tables

Peer reviewed