Lessepsian puffer fishes on the Turkish coasts and their feeding properties

The aim of this study to determine the feeding properties of lessepsian puffer fishes, Lagocephalus sceleratus, Lagocephalus spadiceus, Lagocephalus suezensis in the Turkish coast of Mediterranean sea. Samplings were performed a deep trawl, hand line and trammel net in 6 different stations Mersin, Taşucu, Alanya, Finike, Fethiye and Marmaris, at shallow water depths between 8-70 m, between 2009 and September and 2011 April.Beside the general distribution of the lessepsian puffer fishes in Turkish Seas was determined. L. sceleratus, L. spadiceus and L. suezensis were found to be common in the Mediterranean Sea and towards to the Northern Aegean Sea their populations decrased. For the other 2 lesepsian puffer fishes T. flavimaculosus and T. spinissumus, their distribution were so rare in the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey.L. sceleratus individuals, fed mainly with crustacea (%IRI=85,424), pisces (%IRI=13,637) and mollusca (%IRI=0.786). Brachyura was the most prefered food item for all seasons (%IRI=84,011). Diet composition of L. spadiceus individuals was determined as pisces (%IRI=66,69) crustacea (%IRI=28.139) and mollusca (%IRI=2,153). Pisces was the most prefered food item for all seasons. Crustacea was the main item (%IRI=96.617) in the food choice of L. suezensis. Within the crustacea, brachyura (%IRI=91.46) and penaeaidae (%IRI=4.995) were the most frequently consumed diets.Keywords: Tetraodontidae, Lessepsian fishes, Feeding Habits, Distribution, Mediterranean sea