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Food and Feeding Habits of Gagata Youssoufi (rahman) from the River Padma in Rajshahi

Md. Abdur Razzaq Joadder
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The highest percentage of molluscs was observed in September (21.75%) and lowest in June (3.15%). Fish scales, small fishes, fish fries and fish eggs were recorded the highest in April (18.23%) and the lowest in December (7.17%). There was no fish scale from the months of January to March. The highest percentage of sand and mud was recorded in January (25.75%) and lowest in the month of June (1.5%). Sand and mud were absent from July to October. The highest percentage of unidentified food materials was found in March (9.96%) and the lowest in September (1.46%). The maximum number of empty stomachs was recorded in March (45.45%) and the higher percentage of full stomachs were observed from August to January. The adult fish was found to be poorly feed during February and July. This period of poor feeding activity coincided with the peak spawning season because the abdominal cavity is fully occupied by the voluminous ripe gonads and so the stomachs were always empty and small in size.

Keywords: Food, Feeding habits, Gagata youssoufi (Rahman), Padma, Rajshahi

Location: Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

Start Date: 00-11-2004

End Date: 00-10-2005

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Cat fish

Objectives:

To select the species for culture, and to produce an optimum yield by utilizing all the potential food of the water bodies.

Methodology:

A total number of 339 specimens of G. youssoufi were collected during November 2004 and October 2005 from the river Padma in Rajshahi Metropolis in every month with the help of cast nets, dip nets and drag nets (Tana jal). Immediately after collection, 70% alcohol was injected into the guts of all the fishes in order to stop digestion of food items. The stomach contents of all the specimens were noted and the stomachs were classified into full, 3/4 full, 1/2 full, 1/4 full, 1/8 full and empty. The stomach of each specimen was dissected with a pair of fine scissors and stomach contents were taken. Alimentary canal length (ACL) was measured and weight of food of each fish was recorded using an electronic balance (Model-400EX, MFD by A & D Co. Ltd., Korea). The percentages of different food items were calculated month-wise by using gravimetric method. Afterwards the undigested gut contents were estimated under simple and binocular microscopes at each 10× and categorized them under different taxonomic hierarchy. Relationship between the total length (TL) and ACL was established by using the statistical formula: Y = a + bX. The monthly percentages of stomach condition of G. youssoufi were calculated. Out of 339 stomachs, 290 (85.83%) were with food and 49 (14.57%) were empty. Of 290 stomachs, 76 were full, 65 were 3/4 full, 66 were 1/2 full, 40 were 1/4 full, 43 were 1/8 full. The highest percentage of fullness of the stomachs was observed in January and September (41.93%). After these months the percentage of fullness gradually decreased and it was least in March (3.03%). The highest percentage of empty stomachs was found in March (45.45%), after which the percentage of emptiness gradually decreased and the lowest percentage of emptiness was found in April (2.86%). The mean TL of the fishes was 7.37±2.57 cm and the mean ACL was 7.15±3.24 cm. The TL and ACL ratio was 1: 0.97, the calculated regression equation was ACL = -2.0866 + 1.2525 TL (r = 0.98).

Source of Information: Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 25, 2006. pp. 69-71; ISSN 1023-6104

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Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the analysis of food in the gut contents, it is evident that G. youssoufi is neither a true surface feeder nor a true bottom feeder, rather its food substances mainly consisted of crustaceans, molluscs, plant parts, fish scales, algal filaments and sand and mud were distributed throughout the different layers of the water bodies. On the basis of different food items found in the stomach contents, G. youssoufi may therefore be conveniently regarded as an omnivorous catfish.

Knowledge Management: Journal