Stomach content analysis of freshwater cat fishes from Semara Taal, a wetland of district Siddharthnagar, U.P.

Abstract

The quality and quantity of available food in a particular aquatic environment affect the growth of fish. Present study is an attempt to investigate the food and feeding habit of catfishes, Heteropnetues fossilis (Bloch) and Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus). The gut content analysis of both fishes showed various types of food items such as zooplanktons (Rotifers & crustacean), animal matter (worms, insect, molluscan & small fishes), phytoplankton (Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae & myxophyceae), plant matter (diatoms & macrophytes) and dead organic matter but the quantity of animal origin matter is higher than plant origin matter. The quantitative analysis of gut content shows that about 70% and 90% animal origin matter present in the gut of Clarias batrachus and Heteropnetues fossilis, respectively where as the plant origin food about 6% and 29% was present in the gut content of Heteropnetues fossilis and Clarias batrachus, respectively. On the basis of these findings it was concluded that both cat fish, Clarias batrachus and Heteropnetues fossilis feeds on animal and plant origin matter hence omnivorous in habitat.