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Studies on the Food Habits of Three Species of Mastacembelidae

M.S. Ali
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

M.M. Rahman
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

L. Hossain
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

M.F.A. Mollah
Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

To identify the food habits of three species of Mastacembelidae namely Mastacembelus armatus, Mastacembelus pancalus and Macrognathus aculeatus, the gut content analysis was performed by three methods i.e. occurrence method, points method and index of fullness method. All three species were found to consume prawn, molluscs, insects, earth warm, debris and plant materials. M. armatus and M. pancalus were found to feed mainly on animal food items and 84.68% of different types of animal food were taken by M. armatus and 62.72% by M. pancalus. M. aculeatus was found to consume 44.86% of different types of animal food items, 53.51% of debris and plant materials which indicated that this fish feeds almost equally on animal and plant food. Analysis of the food habits showed that both M. armatus and M. pancalus are carnivore in nature with higher feeding preference for animal food namely prawn, crabs, fishes, molluscs etc. On the other hand, M. aculeatus is an omnivore in nature feeding almost equally on animal and plant food.

Keywords: Food, Food habit, Mastacembelidae

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-00-2001

End Date: 00-00-2001

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To identify the food habits of M. armatus, M. pancalus and M. aculeatus to generate base-line information for facilitating the future aquaculture practice of these species.

Methodology:

Materials and methods: Collection and preservation of fish sample The fishes were collected from the Brahmaputra river on several occasions. Immediately after collection, the whole alimentary canal of each fish was dissected and preserved in 10% formalin to prevent further digestion of food. Laboratory studies and stomach analysis In the laboratory, the stomach content (lying between the esophagus and intestine) was taken out from the preserved vial into a petridish with the help of fine forceps. For the qualitative and quantitative analyzes of different food items eaten by fish, several methods have been used. The commonly used methods ar: i) numerical method, ii) weight method, iii) volumetric method (index of fullness method), iv) points method and v) percentage of frequency of occurrence method. In the present study percentage of frequency of occurrence method, points method and index of fullness method were used. Counting procedure: To study the gut content each stomach was analyzed separately. The stomach of individual fish was cut open and removed on to a petridish with the help of very fine forceps. The percentage of occurrence of a particular food item was calculated. To apply the points method all the food items eaten by the species were identified. Then the volume of the stomach contents of each fish was estimated by observation and recorded on an absolute scale and points were allotted to each stomach according to the volume of its contents. The stomach with largest volume was allotted 100 points, and each of the stomachs as examined was then rated in one of the following point categories; 0, 3, 6, 12, 25, 50 and 100 points, according to volume of the food present. The categories were based on inspection and estimation of stomachs of all categories made from extra stomach and was used in relating absolute volumes to assigned point values. Then the occurrence of each and every food item in the individual stomach was recorded and point allotted for every food item. In case of Index of fullness method, the index of fullness of the stomach was recorded irrespective of the size of the stomach of the fish using '0' for empty; '1' for one fourth full; '2' for half full, '3' for three fourth full and '4' for full stomach.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Fish. Res. 7(1), 2003: 43-52

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Both M. armatus and M. pancalus are carnivorous and M. aculeatus is omnivorous.

Knowledge Management: Journal