Gut Content Analysis of Wallago attu and Mystus (Sperata) seenghala The Common Catfishes from Godavari River System in Maharastra State

摘要

Gut content analysis in freshwater common catfishes Mystus (Sperata) seenghala and Wallago attu from Godavari river system indicate that in both the fish species the gut content consists of about 80-90% is animal food matter of which the major food components are locally available weed fish species Puntius ticto, Chela phulo, Ambasis nama. The percentage of animal matter in the diet of both the species increased by 5-10% with increase in body size from small (20-25cm) to large (60-65cm)in Mystus seenghala and small (30-35 cm.) to large(105-110 cm.). There are no major variations in the gut content of Mystus (Sperata) seenghala & Wallago attu with difference in their habitat from Godavari river system in Maharashtra State of India, indicating the food of the both fish species do not change though they live in different habitats of a major ecological niche.