The foraging behaviour variability of three striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus L. 1758)
populations with respect to the vegetation cover was examined along the French Mediterranean coasts.
We tested both the carrying capacity of different habitats and the hypothesis of a food segregation by
the invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agardh, on the functioning of benthic fish populations. The
results indicated a significant site effect on M. surmuletus foraging behaviour and movements. The
vegetation cover may play an important role in modifying the striped red mullet cost of foraging
(sampling effort) and thus its strategy of prey capture.