Arabian red shrimp, Aristeus alcocki Ramadan, 1938 constitutes an economically important decapod in the southern coast of India. The caught occurred more than 2,122 tons per year. The diet content in relation to the sex, season, maturity, and size group of the species were investigated using 1,519 samples collected from the Southwest coast of India. The diet of A. alcocki consisted of 71 different prey categories predominantly smaller crustaceans (e.g. decapods, amphipods euphausiids), foraminiferans (Miliolida), molluscs (bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods), polychaetes, and bryozoans. Feeding pattern was examined using Amundsen graphical method, which indicated A. alcocki exhibited with varying degree of specialization and generalization on different prey. There was slight seasonal variation relation to major prey items which might be due to the high environmental fluctuations of the deep waters and other biological processes. Females tend to be an effective predator than males considering stomach fullness and food quality. Parameter such as population characteristics, somatic and gonadal development might have attributed to this variation.The results of the present study indicate the quantitative criteria for the determination of major prey taxa which in turn emphasizes the need for the development of spatial management plans of the species.
Key words: Deep water shrimp, Arabian Sea, Feeding pattern, Effective predator, Amundsen graphical method