Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (4), pp. 191-198, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fish feeding habits in Anwai stream ichthyofauna, Niger-Delta

Temi Ebibote, Ayebaemi Preye and Ileberi ogele

National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, P.M.B. 071, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Nigeria.

E-mail:[email protected]

Accepted 11 March, 2014

Abstract

The food and feeding habits of some fish fauna in Anwai stream were investigated. Fish samples (160 individual fish in 19 species) were collected using combination of traps, gill nets of various mesh sizes and baited hooks and lines in the three zones (upper, middle and lower reaches) of the stream. Stomach content analysis was carried out using frequency of occurrence, numerical analysis and volumetric analysis. It was observed that Hemichromis Fasciatus competed with fish species of commercial importance viz Tilapia zilli, Christinus guentheri and Oreochromis niloticus for major food items (100 F% of blue green algae, green algae and diatom). Feeding intensity (absolute importance index) of Hemichromini bimasculatus (700) and O. niloticus (801) remain relatively higher than that of the other fish species during the study.

Key words: Stomach content analysis, frequency of occurrence, absolute importance index, Anwai stream.