Mutual living with Pomacea maculata and catfish and their benefits for feeding

Abstract

Pomacea snails have been interested around the world due to their rich biological contents. In this study, we assessed the living condition and feeding strategies of catfish (Loricariidae) with Pomacea maculata. We used thirty catfish and ten P.maculata in three replicates for four months. There were two groups as: Control and P. maculata (catfish and P.maculata together). The body weights and lengths of catfish were measured monthly. Also feeding behavior of catfish was recorded during the trial. There were significant increases determined in last weight, total weight gain, last body length, and total body length gain in the Pomacea group compared to Control. It was observed that catfish in the Pomacea group ate the food which was lumped on the mucous of P.maculata. These results suggested that due to this feeding behavior of catfish, they had good progress. It can be concluded that P.maculata can be beneficial for ornamental fisheries.