Abstract: By using stable isotope techniques, this paper analyzed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of East China Sea silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) and its potential feed materials, aimed to approach the potential food sources of P. argenteus in the Sea. The average δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the P. argenteus were -18.22‰ and 8.16‰, and the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of the potential feed materials  ranged in -17.33‰--21.58‰ and 3.89‰-7.96‰, with the difference of 4.25‰ and 4.07‰, respectively. The potential food sources of the P. argenteus were mainly Sagitta, shrimps, jellyfish, cephalopods, fish larva, and zooplanktons, among which, Sagitta was the most important food source and contributed 24%-78% (averagely 57%) of the total food sources, followed by shrimps (11.8%), jellyfish (8.4%), cephalopods (7.1%), fish larva (5.0%), >1000 μm zooplanktons (4.9%), 500-1000 μm zooplanktons (3.2%), and 100-500 μm zooplanktons (2.6%). The results indicated that P. argenteus was an omnivorous fish, having different food sources from zooplankton to fish and complicated carbon and nitrogen sources.

Key words: Light irradiances, Sun plant, Shade tolerant plant, N₂O emission