Open AccessFood and Feeding Habits of Black Spot Cat Fish (Auchenoglanis biscutatus) from Lower River Benue, Makurdi
Author(s) -
Edem Thomas Edem,
Patience B. Opeh
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
asian journal of fisheries and aquatic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2582-3760
DOI - 10.9734/ajfar/2018/v1i3321
Subject(s) - omnivore , detritus , habit , food habits , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , natural food , fishery , food science , ecology , predation , medicine , psychology , environmental health , psychotherapist
The present study is aimed to provide information on the food and feeding habit of adult Auchenoglanis biscutatus in Lower River Benue. The natural food of A. biscutatus in the Lower River Benue was studied from stomach contents of the fish. The stomach contents were analyzed using two methods; the frequency of occurrence and point methods. A total of 100 stomachs were randomly examined. Eleven major items constituted the diet of A. biscutatus. The stomach content analysis of A. biscutatus have shown that they fed on the various food items ranging from plant parts, detritus, seeds, digested food particles, fish parts, mollusc, sand/mud, insect parts and algae. This indicates that A. biscutatus is an omnivorous bottom feeder since; bottom dwelling immature insects dominated most of the food items of animal origin, digested food and detritus. A. biscutatus in Lower Benue River feeds on a wide range of food items which could make it to be regarded as an omnivore. Future attempts to culture this species must take cognizance of its food habits in the wild.