Ogunmoriye O.A* and Bello-Olusoji O.A
The quantitative and qualitative gut analyses of Notogladinum macrostoma (52) and Chrysichthys auratus (51) were investigated in River Ogbese, Ondo State, Nigeria. Standard length ranged from 15.9 to 19.5cm and 15.0 to 24.7cm and the weight ranged from 57.04 to 98.67g and 42.65 to 116.60g for N. macrostoma and C. auratus respectively. K-values for C. auratus ranged from 0.83 to 1.19, while that of N. macrostoma ranged from 1.27 to 1.48. The mean K-value was 1.33 and 1.01 for N. macrostoma and C. auratus respectively. Gut contents were analyzed using Numeric and Volumetric methods. The result revealed that N. macrostoma and C. auratus feed on various food items ranging from plant origin to animal materials with dietary preference classified into eight major groups: Phytoplanktons and Zooplanktons Macrophytes, Fish remains, Insect remains, Gastropods, Crustacean and Detritus. Of all the stomach examined, 21.2% of N. macrostoma, had an empty stomach, 19.2% had quarter full stomach, 25% had half-filled stomach, 21.2% and 13.4% had three quarter and full stomachs respectively, while C. auratus had 25.5% empty stomach, 21.5% quarter full stomach, 19.6% half full stomach, 15.7% and 17.7% were three quarter full and full stomachs respectively. The result revealed that N. macrostoma and C. auratus Feed on a wide variety of food materials and are therefore said to be omnivores. It is hoped that the present data will complement the limited information on the food, feeding habit of C auraus and N macrostoma in River Ogbese, and prove useful in the management and conservation of these important commercial fish species.
Published Date: 2021-11-27; Received Date: 2021-08-09
