Abstract
Food and Feeding, length-weight and condition factor of the Catfish Synodontis membranaceus from the Lower Benue River at Makurdi, Nigeria, was studied for 12- month period from July, 2013 to June, 2014. A total number of 202 specimens, comprising of 101 males and 101 females at a ratio of 1:1 were studied. The Length-Weight Relationship (LWR), correlation coefficient (r) for all males and females were highly positive and significant at (P<0.01), with r values of 0.972 for males, 0.899 for females and 0.952 for combined sexes. The mean b values (regression coefficient) were 2.68 in all the males, 2.46 in all the females and 2.63 in combined sexes indicating that all the sexes had negative allometric growth pattern. The mean condition factor (K) for both sexes ranged from 2.21-3.35. The lowest K range (1.81) for males was observed in July, 2013 while the highest K range (3.05) was observed in April, 2014. Similarly, the lowest K range (1.83) for females was observed in August, 2013 with the highest K range of 3.14 in the same month. Out of the 202 stomachs examined, only 9 males (8.91%) and 5 females (4.95%) had empty stomachs, about 91.09% of males and 95.0% of females had varied quantities of food items in their stomachs. Synodontis membranaceus in the Lower Benue River was found to be omnivorous, feeding on food items, which included artificial meal, plant remains, variety of algae, insect parts and larvae, bivalves (Molluscs), crustaceans, protozoa, worms, detritus, sand particles and mud and many unidentified quantities of food items.
Highlights
Fish, as all animals, require adequate nutrition in order to grow and survive
According to Akange (2011), no species of fish is associated with a particular kind of food item
S. membranaceus has been found to be a typical example of fish without strict feeding habit and it is regarded as omnivore, because of its ability to use any food material available in its habitat (Owolabi, 2008)
Summary
Some fish feed on plant materials; others feed only on animals, whereas a third and larger group derive their proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals necessary for their growth and maintenance, from both plant and animal sources (Lagler, et al, 1977). Depends on the abundance and availability of potential food items (Lagler et al, 1977). S. membranaceus has been found to be a typical example of fish without strict feeding habit and it is regarded as omnivore, because of its ability to use any food material available in its habitat (Owolabi, 2008). The feeding habits of fish as well as its feeding habits influence its growth, behaviour and other ecological characteristics (Ogbe et al, 2008)
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