Investigating the Dietary Flexibility and Feeding Behavior of Clarias anguillaris and Auchenoglanis biscutatus in a Tropical River Ecosystem

Year : 2025 | Volume : 02 | Issue : 01 | Page : 1 9
    By

    Tivfa Samuel Gbaior,

  • Joel Inya Odo,

  • Charles Ifeanyi Odoh,

  • Edward Terhemen Akange,

  • Ayush Madan,

  1. Lecturer, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, , Nigeria
  2. Lab Technologist, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, , Nigeria
  3. Student, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, , Nigeria
  4. Lecturer, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, , Nigeria
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Research & Technology, People’s University, Bhanpur, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

Studies on food and feeding habits of fishes are required to guide the selection of fish species for culture. The current study determined the food and feeding habits of Clarias anguillaris and Auchenoglanis biscutatus in the Lower River Benue at Makurdi, Nigeria. Fish samples were collected biweekly from local fishermen at the Wadata landing site who fished with different gears like gillnets, cast nets, hook and line, traps and lift nets. Fish specimens were collected and transported in ice boxes to the laboratory for dissection and identification using a stereoscopic microscope. Percentages of food items for C. anguillaris ranged from sand/mud (3.75%) to Daphnia and insects (14.29%) using the frequency of occurrence method, the numerical method recorded a range of sand/mud (2.63%) and Daphnia (15.46%) while the volumetric method range was between detritus (2.86 %) and insects (whole/parts) with 7.77%. Results of the frequency of occurrence, numerical, and volumetric methods for A. biscutatus ranged from Daphnia and insects (7.10% each) – sand/mud (13.55%), plant materials (4.61%) – Annelids (15.46%) and Algae (2.77%) – sand/mud (18.14%), respectively. Dietary overlap analysis revealed notable similarities between the fish species, especially for insect parts and detritus. The high index of relative importance (IRI) values for specific food items showed that both fish species exhibited the omnivorous and opportunistic feeding habit. It is therefore concluded that both fish species are valuable choices for culture, having high dietary variability.

Keywords: Food sources, ecological stability, fish and adaptability, dietary overlap, stomach content analysis

[This article belongs to International Journal of Marine Life ]

How to cite this article:
Tivfa Samuel Gbaior, Joel Inya Odo, Charles Ifeanyi Odoh, Edward Terhemen Akange, Ayush Madan. Investigating the Dietary Flexibility and Feeding Behavior of Clarias anguillaris and Auchenoglanis biscutatus in a Tropical River Ecosystem. International Journal of Marine Life. 2025; 02(01):1-9.
How to cite this URL:
Tivfa Samuel Gbaior, Joel Inya Odo, Charles Ifeanyi Odoh, Edward Terhemen Akange, Ayush Madan. Investigating the Dietary Flexibility and Feeding Behavior of Clarias anguillaris and Auchenoglanis biscutatus in a Tropical River Ecosystem. International Journal of Marine Life. 2025; 02(01):1-9. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijml/article=2025/view=202989


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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 02
Issue 01
Received 12/02/2025
Accepted 17/02/2025
Published 07/03/2025
Publication Time 23 Days
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