The feeding habits of the saddled bream, Oblada melanura (Linneaus, 1758), from the Adriatic Sea were investigated with respect to fish size and season. Stomach contents of 926 specimens, 11.3-29.3 cm TL, collected by beach seine from 1992 to 1993, were analyzed. Of the total number of examined stomachs, 87 were empty (9.4%). This percentage varied significantly over the year, with a maximum number of empty stomachs recorded during the winter and a minimum number recorded during the summer. Copepods constituted the main prey in all size-classes. With fish growth, the proportion of planktonic organisms decreased, while that of fish and benthic organisms increased. The mean weight of stomach contents increased significantly for fish larger than 22.0 cm TL. Diet composition showed little seasonal variation, copepods were the most prey item important in all seasons, especially during the warmer part of the year. Higher intensities of feeding activity in spring and summer could be related to temperature and maximal abundance of zooplankton and benthic organisms. The results indicated that the saddled bream fed on a wide range of prey items and could be considered an opportunistic predator.