This study investigated microplastic (MP) contamination in six tropical fish species of different mouth sizes and trophic levels from Saint Martin's Island, Bay of Bengal. A total of 309 microplastics (MPs) were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract (GT) of these selected fishes, where the presence of MPs was 100 %. The mean abundance of MPs was significantly varied among the species and ranged from 4.38 to 10 MPs/GT (p < 0.05). This study revealed that MP incidence was strongly correlated with the mouth-to-body ratio of the selected fishes (r = 0.424, p = 0.003) and trophic levels (r = 0.458, p = 0.002). Results suggest that fish with larger mouths are more likely to ingest MPs, intentionally or unintentionally, compared to those with smaller mouths.

Department of Oceanography Noakhali Science and Technology University Noakhali 3814 Bangladesh

University of Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters South Bohemian South Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrogenases Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology Zátiší 728 2 389 25 Vodňany Czech Republic

University of Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters South Bohemian South Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrogenases Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology Zátiší 728 2 389 25 Vodňany Czech Republic; Department of Oceanography Noakhali Science and Technology University Noakhali 3814 Bangladesh

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Unveiling Microplastics in Commercial Brackish Water Fishes from the Lower Meghna River Estuary of Bangladesh