The Role of Optical and Chemical Stimuli in the Feeding Behavior of Striped Jack Pseudocaranx dentex

In order to collect basic information necessary for striped jack (Pseudocaranx dentex) marine ranching, we investigated the dominant senses involved in the feeding behavior of artificially reared striped jack (96 mm in FL and 132-days-old). Four types of prey-bags were tested for the induction of feeding behavior: 1) a bag giving both optical and chemical stimuli, 2) an empty bag, 3) a bag giving only optical stimuli, and 4) a bag giving only chemical stimuli. The prey-bag giving both optical and chemical stimuli was the most effective. The bags giving either optical or chemical stimuli attracted roughly the same number of fish and produced higher attraction rates than the empty one. Both optical and chemical stimuli seem to be important in the feeding behavior of this species.