Investigation of the Stomach Composition and Feeding Habit of Bagrus bayad,(Macropterus) Catfish Specie in Kiri Dam Reservoir, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the food and feeding habit of Bagrus bayad specie in Kiri Reservoir. Sample collected were one hundred and seventy-four species of Bagrus bayad, randomly sampled for a period of six months. Male and the female were determined by physical observation of the fish gonad. The determination of the food and feeding habit of the fish were done through visceral dissection of the fish from mouth to anus to reveal the intestinal organ. Stomach ware removed and the contents are emptied in to a clean petri-dish. Food materials in the stomachs were analysed under light microscope; and each food item from the content was identified using a provided recommended guide. Data were analysed using percentage, mean and standard deviation. Result of the analysis shows that the food from stomach content are mostly of plant and animal origin. The percentage mean for the food items in the six months shows that plant parts have the highest mean of 17.94% and fish parts have a mean of 16.76%. This is an indication that Bagrus bayad fish are omnivorous, based on this outcome it is recommended that aquaculture farmers of Bagrus bayad should effectively utilised plants and animals’ materials in the formulation of feeds for feeding Bagrus bayad fish in culture.