Data from: Feeding ecology of Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) living in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Data files
Jun 03, 2026 version files 128.33 KB
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Raw_data_Ellochelon_vaigiensis.xlsx
125.33 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
Ellochelon vaigiensis (squaretail mullet) adapts to a wide salt spectrum, grows quickly, and is easy to raise with other species, so it is the object of attention in aquaculture. Information on the biology and ecology of the species, diet, in particular, is still scattered. Here, we explore the feeding habit, feeding intensity, and food composition of the squaretail mullet. A total of 942 fish (526 males and 416 females) were collected from November 2020 to October 2021 at four coastal sites in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The squaretail mullet is an algi-omnivorous fish, as their relative gut length (1.81) falls into the range of 1–3, and the diet is mostly based on algae. The feeding intensity is high due to the high value of the fullness index (4.39 ± 0.08%). The fullness index did not vary by sampling site and month, while RGL and FI changed depending on sex. Bacillariophyta (49.13%), detritus derived from organic matter (30.37%), and Cyanophyta (18.39%) are the dominant food items in the diet composition of E. vaigiensis, in which detritus is the most important food with the highest IRI index. Besides, Euglenophyta (1.00%), Chlorophyta (0.95%), Paramecium (0.06%), Copepoda (0.04%), Rotatoria (0.03%), Polychaeta (0.02%), and Cladocera (0.01%) are also recorded and ranked based on their biovolume. Some differences in diet composition are observed between immature and mature at different seasons and their interactions. Our results increase the knowledge about the feeding ecology of squaretail mullet and can help the sustainable management of this commercially important fish species.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.z08kprrg3
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset provides the raw data associated with the study “Feeding ecology of Ellochelon vaigiensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) living in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam”, first published on 20 September 2022 in Ecology and Evolution. The dataset includes measurements and dietary records of E. vaigiensis specimens collected in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. These data were used to analyze the feeding ecology of the species, including food composition and variation in diet. The dataset is made available to facilitate verification of the published analyses and to enable future comparative studies on fish feeding ecology.
Files and variables
File: Raw_data_Ellochelon_vaigiensis.xlsx
Description: This Excel file contains the raw data used for the study on the feeding ecology of Ellochelon vaigiensis in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The dataset includes biological measurements and dietary records of examined specimens. These data were used to analyze diet composition and feeding characteristics of the species.
Variables
- No: specimen identification number.
- W (g): body weight of the specimen.
- TL (cm): total length of the specimen.
- Mouth diameter: mouth diameter of the specimen.
- Lgut (cm): gut length of the specimen.
- Wgut (g): gut weight of the specimen.
- Month: sampling month, coded from 1 to 12.
- Site: sampling site; 1 = BT, 2 = TV, 3 = ST, 4 = BL.
- Sex: sex of the specimen; 0 = female, 1 = male.
- Season: sampling season; 1 = dry season, 2 = wet season.
- Detritus: Amount of detritus recorded in gut contents
- Bacillariophyta: Amount of Bacillariophyta in gut contents
- Cyanophyta: Amount of Cyanophyta in gut contents
- Chlorophyta: Amount of Chlorophyta in gut contents
- Euglenophyta: Amount of Euglenophyta in gut contents
- Paramecium: Amount of Paramecium in gut contents
- Polychaeta: Amount of Polychaeta in gut contents
- Cladocera: Amount of Cladocera in gut contents
- Copepoda: Amount of Copepoda in gut contents
- Rotatoria: Amount of Rotatoria in gut contents
Code/software
The dataset is provided as an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx). It can be opened and viewed using Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets, or other spreadsheet software compatible with .xlsx files. No custom code or scripts are included with this dataset. No specialized software or additional packages are required to view the data.
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data: Not applicable. This dataset is being made publicly available through Dryad.
Data was derived from the following sources: Not applicable. The dataset was generated from original field sampling and gut-content analysis of Ellochelon vaigiensis specimens collected in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.