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Abstract

The present laboratory bioassay was designed to determine the predatory potentiality of the bronze featherback, Notopterus notopterus (Actinopterygii: Osteoglossiformes) against the larvae of Culex vishnui, vector of the zoonotic disease Japanese Encephalitis. The objectives of the present study includes: analysis of the functional response of the fish species against mosquito immature, determination of functional response parameters and the effect of habitat complexity on consumption efficacy of the predatory fish. The results of the investigation revealed that consumption rate of predator increased with time from the lowest number of 650 larvae on the 1 st day to 1039 larvae on 7 th day. The functional response was Type II having handling time of 0.15 min and attack rate of 2.95. Habitat heterogeneity also showed a significant effect on the consumption rate of the fish. The result of the study suggests that N. notopterus can be effectively used in fields to reduce the population of Cx. vishnui.