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Seasonal Variation of Food Composition and Feeding Activity of Small Adult Barramundi (lates Calcarifer, Bloch) in the South West Coastal Water Near Khulna, Bangladesh

Syeda Mushahida-Al-Noor
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Rajshahi, 6205 Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Md. Delwer Hossain
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Rajshahi, 6205 Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Sheikh Kamruzzaman
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Rajshahi, 6205 Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Only a few studies have been found on seasonal variation of food composition and feeding activity of small adult Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) from the South West coastal waters of Bangladesh. The food habits of small adult Barramundi in the Rupsha and Shibsha rivers were investigated by examining the gastro intestine contents of 720 specimens collected from June 2010 to July 2011. Food and feeding habits of small adult Barramundi were studied based on an analysis of the gut contents. Gravimetric Method was adopted for determining the fullness of the stomach of the fish. The major components of the diet in the stomach of small adult Barramundi were teleosts (32.40%), macro-crustacean (22.65%), zooplankton (17.16%), algae (10.40%), and insects (9.89%). Monthly fluctuations were also witnessed in the percentage occurrence of stomachs with different degrees of fullness. It is evident that a higher percentage of the fullness of the stomach was recorded in pre-monsoon due to the pre-spawning fattening process. A higher percentage of the emptiness of the stomach was recorded in monsoon due to starvation during breeding seasons. It is also observed that the percentage of stomach fullness was higher in Summer than the percentage in Winter in small adult Barramundi.

Keywords: Lates calcarifer, Food and feeding habits, Monsoon, Vetki, Bangladesh

Location: The Rupsha and the Shibsha river, Khulna of the South Western waters of Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-06-2010

End Date: 00-07-2011

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Feed, Fish

Objectives:

This study provides invaluable information for the online database as well as providing an important baseline for future studies within the Shibsha and the Rupsha river and surrounding ecosystems such as rivers from the Mangroove ecosystem of the Sunderbans of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Study site: Specimens of L. calcarifer were obtained from different sites from the Rupsha and the Shibsha river, near Khulna of the South Western coastal region by commercial gill net or triangular net or cast net. Both the rivers are believed to be an important spawning and feeding ground for marine fish species of the South Western coastal region of Bangladesh. L. calcarifer specimens were collected monthly from the sampling sites during daytime (11:00-17:00 h) from June 2010 to July 2011 by means of traditional gill nets. Specimens were preserved in 10% buffered formalin, packed in wooden boxes, and transported to the laboratory. A total of 720 fish measuring 25.4-40.1 cm Total Length (TL) were examined. Total Length (TL) and Alimentary Canal Length (ACL) was measured with a slide caliper to the nearest 0.01 cm and the standard length in cm were recorded. Fish were opened and the degree of stomach fullness was assessed according to the subjective scale described by Gravi. metric Method. The data were then used to calculate the monthly Fullness Index (FI): FI (%) = Number of stomachs with the same degree of fullness/The total number of stomachs examined x10. The gut was then excised, weighed (g) together with its contents, and preserved in 70% alcohol. Subsequently, stomach contents were suspended in water in Petri dishes, and undigested prey was identified to the possible taxon using the identification keys of Smith, Todd, and Levarak, and Needham and Needham. The contribution of each food type to the diet and the frequency of occurrence was determined according to Hynes. The proportion of total prey items contributed by each prey group for the entire year was determined according to the Numerical Method.

Source of Information: Journal of Fisheries International - 7 (3-6): 77-82, 2012

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.3923/jfish.2012.77.82

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the present study, it is determined that Barramundi is a mostly carnivorous fish at the adult stage, the diet of which in the South Western coastal waters of Bangladesh comprises teleosts and macro crustaceans mainly. The feeding activity of Barramundi throughout the year probably depended on breeding season and water temperature.

Knowledge Management: Journal