<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The feeding ecology of <italic>Pachypterus atherinoides</italic> was investigated for two consecutive years (2013-2015) from floodplain wetlands in the Subansiri river basin of Assam, North East India. The analysis of its gut content revealed the presence of 62 genera of planktonic life forms along with other animal matters. The organization of the alimentary tract and maximum Relative Mean Length of Gut (0.511±0.029 mm) indicated its carnivorous food habit. The peak gastro-somatic index (GSI) in winter-spring seasons and summer-rainy seasons indicated alteration of its feeding intensity. Furthermore, higher diet breadth on resource use (Levins’ and Hurlbert’s) with zooplankton compared to phytoplankton and total plankton confirmed its zooplanktivore habit. The feeding strategy plots also suggested greater preference to zooplankton compared to phytoplankton. The organization of its gill rakers specified a secondary modification of gut towards either carnivory or specialized zooplanktivory. So, the fish may be a carni-omnivore with preference to zooplankton.</p></abstract>

The feeding ecology of Pachypterus atherinoides was investigated for two consecutive years (2013-2015) from floodplain wetlands in the Subansiri river basin of Assam, North East India. The analysis of its gut content revealed the presence of 62 genera of planktonic life forms along with other animal matters. The organization of the alimentary tract and maximum Relative Mean Length of Gut (0.511±0.029 mm) indicated its carnivorous food habit. The peak gastro-somatic index (GSI) in winter-spring seasons and summer-rainy seasons indicated alteration of its feeding intensity. Furthermore, higher diet breadth on resource use (Levins’ and Hurlbert’s) with zooplankton compared to phytoplankton and total plankton confirmed its zooplanktivore habit. The feeding strategy plots also suggested greater preference to zooplankton compared to phytoplankton. The organization of its gill rakers specified a secondary modification of gut towards either carnivory or specialized zooplanktivory. So, the fish may be a carni-omnivore with preference to zooplankton.

Feeding Ecology of <italic>Pachypterus atherinoides</italic> (Actinopterygii; Siluriformes; Schilbeidae): A Small Freshwater Fish from Floodplain Wetlands of Northeast India

Department of Zoology, Fishery and Aquatic ecology Laboratory

Department of Zoology, Aquatic Ecology and Fish Biology Laboratory

Croatian Journal of Fisheries

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Feeding Ecology of  (Actinopterygii; Siluriformes; Schilbeidae): A Small Freshwater Fish from Floodplain Wetlands of Northeast India

The feeding ecology of Pachypterus atherinoides was investigated for two consecutive years (2013-2015) from floodplain wetlands in the Subansiri river basin of...

Feeding Ecology of Pachypterus atherinoides (Actinopterygii; Siluriformes; Schilbeidae): A Small Freshwater Fish from Floodplain Wetlands of Northeast India

Published Online: Sep 18, 2020

Page range: 105 - 120

Received: Nov 12, 2019

Accepted: May 04, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2020-0011

Keywords
Diet breadth, Feeding strategy, Plankton, India

© 2020 Budhin Gogoi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Feeding Ecology of Pachypterus atherinoides (Actinopterygii; Siluriformes; Schilbeidae): A Small Freshwater Fish from Floodplain Wetlands of Northeast India

Published Online: Sep 18, 2020

Page range: 105 - 120

Received: Nov 12, 2019

Accepted: May 04, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2020-0011

KeywordsDiet breadth, Feeding strategy, Plankton, India

© 2020 Budhin Gogoi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Diet breadth, Feeding strategy, Plankton, India