Tidal migration and feeding of the shrimp Palaemon pacificus (Stimpson)

A transect through a Zostera capensis meadow in Tippers Creek, Swartkops river estuary, Cape Province, was sampled over 24 hours during a spring tide to measure the effect of tidal flux on the migration and feeding of the shrimp Palaemon pacificus . They were found to invade the Zostera and adjacent Spartina maritima beds with the flood tides, then retreat back to the creek channel on the ebb tides. Significantly higher P. pacificus numbers were recorded throughout the transect during the day than during the night. The gut fullness index exhibited two peaks (day and night) and both were coincidental with the high tides. The composition of food items in the guts changed with time.