The Freshwater Catfish Feeding Intensity, Maturation and Food

The freshwater catfish Eutropiichthys vacha, is highly predaceous in nature. Feeding intensity with respect to season, maturity stages and food items of this fish were investigated. There was no major shift from the carni-omnivorous orientation of the fish during its various life stages. Aquatic insects, crustaceans, annelids, small forage fish were the main food of adult fish. While Phytoplanktons (Blue green algue, diatoms and desmids) and crustaceans and macrophytes constitute basic food of juveniles. Feeding intensity was high in early maturation and post spawning stages and was relatively lower in the specimens with ripe gonads. Adult consumed more food in autumn than in winter and raining season. Food intake in younger specimens was greater during mansoon and post mansoon season, well developed dentation, strongly built stomach and short intestine besides other characteristics are related to its dietary habits.