Ecology of Merluccius capensis
 
Main Ref. Pauly, D., 1989
Remarks Found on the continental shelf and slope to depths over 1,000 m (Ref. 27121). Juveniles (to about 64 cm) feed on small crustaceans and small deep-sea fishes such as lanternfishes, whereas larger individuals feed chiefly on small hakes and jack mackerel (Ref. 1371, 9708, 9583 ); cannibalism is common (Ref. 27121). Migrates southward in the spring and northward in autumn (Ref. 1371).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Merluccius capensis may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Pauly, D., 1989
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Pauly, D., 1989
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 4.46 0.79
From individual food items 3.88 0.65 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Pillar, S.C. and I.S. Wilkinson, 1995
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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