Food and feeding habits of Hemibagrus menoda (Hamilton, 1822) (Siluriformes, Bagridae) in Kangsha River, Bangladesh

FEED AND FEEDING HABITS OF HEMIBAGRUS MENODA

Abstract

The menoda catfish, Hemibagrus menodais is highly cherished due to its tasty flesh and market value but catches of this species from open water fisheries in Bangladesh are dwindling as a result of frequent overfishing and various anthropogenic and environmental causes. This research was conducted to identify the seasonal variation in food and feeding habits of the menoda catfish in its natural habitat which will assist in the design of an aquaculture program for the species. Freshly caught fishes were collected from the Kangsha River, located at Jaria-Janjhail (250 0? 41.10? N; 900 38? 27.16? E) Netrakona, Bangladesh, from March 2016 to February 2017. Stomach contents of the fish were analyzed by the frequency of occurrence, volumetric (points) methods and index of preponderance. The decapods, detritus, small fish and polychaetes constitute 1, 2, 3 and 4 ranks in the diet of H. menoda. Highest gastrosomatic index was recorded for male in September (6.90±1.03) while for the female, the highest was in November (6.34±0.41), indicating the period of highest feeding activity of both sexes. Feeding intensity based on size group showed that the rate of feeding decreases as fish increases in size. It is obvious that H. menoda is a carnivore and feeds mainly on crabs, prawns and small fishes.