Evaluation of Dietary Choices and Feeding Behaviour of Pseudotholithus elongatus (Bobo Croaker) from Jaja Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This study of the diets of the Bobo croaker (Pseudotholithus elongatus) in Jaja Creek, Ikot Abasi LGA Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021. It was found that fed specimens accounted for approximately 60.55% and unfed specimens (empty stomach) accounted for approximately 39.44%. Crayfish was the most commonly consumed food with a frequency of 45.87% and a numerical frequency of 32.05%, while detritus was the food with a frequency of 2.75% and a numerical frequency of 1.92%. The total number of foods consumed by all fish was 156 and the number of specimens found with foods was approximately 109. P. elongatus has been identified as a vigorous omnivore based on a gut repletion index of approximately 70%, and this fish can be characterized as an active feeder.