Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 larvae feeding ability of Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) in laboratory condition

When Puntius sophore was offered larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus separately then it consumed more or less similar number of larvae and pupae but when it was offered both of these food item in equal proportion, then it consumed significantly more pupae than larvae. The fish had a definitive preference for Chironomus ramosus larvae irrespective of whether those were offered separately or together with C. quinquefasciatus larvae. However, when the habitat structure was modified by the addition of sand and gravels on the bed of the aquarium then the dietary preference altered in favour of C. quinquefasciatus larvae indicating that the food preference of P. sophore depends not only on alternative prey but also on habitat structure.