IJABR Vol. 10(1): 124- 136 (2019)

Original article

FEEDING HABITS AND FOOD PREFERENCES OF Auchenoglanis occidentalalis FROM TAGWAI LAKE, MINNA, NIGERIA

Chukwuemeka V. I*., Tsadu S. M., Kolo, R.J., Ojutiku, .R.O.

Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria Department of Water Resources Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology Federal University of Technology Minna, Nigeria Submitted: May, 2019; Accepted: June, 2019; Published: June, 2019 ABSTRACT The temporal variation in the food, feeding habits and food preference of Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai Lake, Minna, Nigeria were investigated from January 2013 to December 2014 using the frequency of occurrence method. In 2013, seven different food items were found in the diet namely; parts, plant materials, parts fish parts, protozoans, phytoplankton, sand particles and crustaceans. The same trend was observed in 2014. Insect materials were fed upon the most irrespective of year and season of sampling. When a comparison was done for both years using a T-test, the result revealed that insect parts valued about 24.00±2.00 in 2013 which was the highest value recorded while parts of fish had the highest frequency of occurrence in 2014 (22.50±3.50). The frequency of occurrence of protozoan for 2013 was 8.00±2.00 while that of 2014 was 11.00±2.00. From both years it is seen that although Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai Lake Minna is an omnivore, which fed on both plant and materials, it had tendency to feed more on animal materials. Key words: Feeding Habits, Food Preference, Auchenoglanis occidentalis *Corresponding author’s address: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION fisheries management program on fish capture and culture [1]. Nature offers In recent times the study of food and a great diversity of organisms that are feeding habits of freshwater fish used as food by fish and these differ in species is a subject of continuous size and taxonomic groups [2]. The research since it constitutes the basis dietary analysis of organisms in their for the development of a successful

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Chukwuemeka et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2019 natural habitat enhances the Most studies on the biology of understanding of the growth, Bagridae in Nigeria has been abundance, productivity and conducted in Kanji, in manmade lake distribution of organisms [3]. The diet of River Niger, and in Brackish Lagoon of cultured fish species does not of Lekki Lagos and in River Orogodo, provide precise and reliable Delta State, Nigeria where some information on the food, feeding aspect of the reproductive biology of ecology and condition factor of such Auchenoglanis biscutatus was studied species. Hence most studies which are [8]. However, little is known about the aimed at obtaining such information biology of Bagridae in general and are based on the analysis of gut Auchenoglanis occidentalis in content of organisms caught from particular in Nigerian Rivers. their natural habitat [4]. Published information on the Auchenoglanis includes that of [9; 5; Interestingly, the success of 10; 11; 12]. There is paucity of aquaculture must be based on a sound information on the present status of knowledge of the biology, ecology and Auchenoglanis occidentalis in terms of habitat of targeted species. Experts food and feeding in Tagwai Lake [13]. have alluded to the strong positive Enhanced fish production is one of the relationships that exist between the cardinal strategies for meeting the biology, ecology and environmental ever increasing human demand for requirement of fish species and animal protein (fish diet and fish oil), productivity performance in captivity. since fisheries resources are on the Understanding these aspects of fish decline in Nigeria due to over requirements for successful exploitation and inadequate domestication will enhance the management of fresh water bodies. domestication of cost effective The need may not be met by over management protocol for the targeted dependence on unexplored wild fish species thus increasing fishery resources and domestication productivity, commercial of the very few species such as Tilapia, domestication and improved nutrition Carp and Clarias. There is therefore an status of the populace. Auchenoglanis urgent need for studies such as this to occidentalis is one of those fishes of generate baseline information on the great economic importance. Its biology of this fish species, since in biology and environmental Tagwai Dam Minna, this fish species requirements for host of effective Auchenoglanis occidentalis form a production in captivity could be easily significant portion of the catch by local harnessed and domesticated. fishermen, throughout the year, with The Bagrid are among the no known widespread threats. The dominant fish families in Nigerian fish is also known to exhibit good waters, contributing enormously to growth rate and size and has fish landing. This family also tremendous market value [10]. Thus, contributed about 42.5% of the total good knowledge of the biology and fish caught in Lekki Lagoon for 2 years ecology and feeding of this fish species [5]. Members of this family are widely will shed more light on culturing this distributed in swamp [6] in shore commercially important Bagrid in areas of lake, sweeping of flood plains artificial pond or enclosures. [7]. The proposed study is actually intended to look at the feeding habit

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Chukwuemeka et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2019 and food preferences of to October), and a dry season Auchenoglanis occidentalis with a (between November and March). The view to provide information on vegetation in the area is typically grass probable changes in feeding habits dominated savannah with scattered with season. The findings of this study tree species. Tagwai Lake is about will contribute meaningfully to 10km away from Minna town. Mean building the information gaps in maximum temperature remain high literatures, regarding preliminary throughout the year having about data in terms of feeding habits of 30C, particularly in March and June. Auchenoglanis occidentalis. The vegetative cover is characterised by woodland and tall grasses inter MATERIALS AND METHODS spread with tall dense species. In some Study Area areas, traces of rain forest species can be seen of Sudan Savannah alongside The study was carried out in Minna, the plain of the river [14]. The Niger State, located within longitude secondary benefits from this dam 633’E and latitude 937’N, covering a include fishing, recreation and wild land area of 88km2 (Fig 3.1) with an life conservation. The occupation of estimated human population of 1.2 the people of the area is fish farming. million. The area has a tropical climate The study sites are characterised by with mean annual temperature, different fishing gears. Tagwai relative humidity and rainfall of 30°C, settlement is dominated by Nupe and 61.00% and 1334.00mm, respectively. Gwari people [15]. The climate presents two distinct seasons, a rainy season (between April

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Figure 1. Map of the study site (Tagwai Lake) in Niger State, Nigeria Source:The Department of Geography, FUT, Minna. Centre for Remote Sensing (2018). Collection of samples for compound microscope at X40 morphometric measurement and magnification. Feeding Habit Dietary components were identified to Auchenoglanis occidentalis were class taxonomically using aids collected randomly from the total provided by [17].The frequency of catch landed by fishermen at Tagwai occurrence method was used to Lake. The fish were transported to the identify the different types of food laboratory for further processing in items in the gut of the fish. containers with ice blocks in order to Data Analysis arrest further degradation of the gut content. This was done bi-weekly. Data collected were subjected to Stomach Content Weight standard statistical analysis using SSPS (15.0 version). This was used to This followed the techniques of [16]. It calculate mean and standard deviation involved evacuating the content from of each variable per species. the stomach and spreading it on a Significant differences in a variable filter paper. The hard visible among members of a species were components were sorted out into obtained using linear correlation co- kinds, using unaided eyes, while small efficient. Relative abundance of components were examined under a dietary components of species was established using simple percentage 127

Chukwuemeka et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2019 proportions. All statistics test was the months (January to December) i.e. carried out at p = 0.05 level of in both the rainy and dry season. Plant significance. materials were present all through the year also, except in the last months of RESULTS the dry seasons which included Temporal Variation in the Food and January, February and March. Feeding Habits of Protozoans were present in all the Auchenoglanis Occidentalis months except in May. Phytoplankton were present in all the rainy season The food items present in the stomach months of October only and in the dry content of Auchenoglanis occidentalis periods November, December and from Tagwai Lake Minna in 2013 is January. Crustaceans were absent in shown in Table 1. From this table, July, August, October, November and parts of insect, fish parts and sand December, but were present in all the particles were present throughout all other months.

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Chukwuemeka et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2019 Table 1: Food Items in Stomach Content of Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai Lake (2013)

Parts of Chyme Plant Fish Protozoan Phytoplankton Sand Crustacean insect materials parts particles

January ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ February ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ March ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ April ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ May ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ June ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ July ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ August ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ September ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ October ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ˗˗ November ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ˗˗ December ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ˗˗ Key + = Present - = Absent

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Chukwuemeka et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2019 Table 2, shows the food items in stomach content in February, April, the stomach content of Auchenoglanis June, July, November and August. Plant occidentalis from Tagwai Lake Minna materials were not present in January, in 2014. Also like in 2013, insect parts, February and June. Protozoans were fish parts and sand particles were presents in all the months except in present all through the year in both September and December. seasons. Crustaceans were also Phytoplanktons were present all year present all through the year except in round except in September and January. Chyme was absent from the December.

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Table 2: Food Items in Stomach Content of Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai Lake (2014)

Parts of Chyme Plant Fish Protozoan Phytoplankton Sand Crustacean insect materials parts particle

January ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ February ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ March ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ April ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ May ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ June ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ July ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ August ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ September ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ October ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ November ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ December ₊ ₊ ₊ ₊ ˗˗ ₊ ₊ ₊ Key + = Present - = Absent

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Chukwuemeka et al. International Journal of Applied Biological Research 2019 The average seasonal frequency of omnivore which fed both on plant and occurrence of food items in animal material, it prefer animal Auchenoglanis occidentalis stomach materials to plant materials since it content for 2013 and 2014 is shown in fed more on them. table 5.0. Comparison for both years Fig 4.3 clearly shows the frequency of using a T-test, the result revealed that insect parts and parts of fish had the occurrence of the food items in the gut highest frequency of occurrence of Auchenoglanis occidentalis in both the dry and rainy seasons. It reveals although, insect parts was highest in that all the food items earlier 2013 (24.00), whereas part of fish had the highest in 2014 compared to 2013. identified were present in both The frequency of occurrence of seasons in the gut of the fish. The frequency of occurrence of , protozoan for 2013 (8.00±2.00a) was fish and sand were not significantly not significantly different from 2014. different. From both years it is seen that although Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai Lake Minna is an

Table 5: Average Seasonal frequency of occurrence of food items in Auchenoglanis occidentalis stomach content 2013 and 2014

Sample 2013 2014

Insect 24.00±2.00b 16.50±2.50a Chyme 11.00±1.00b 4.00±0.00a Plant Materials 12.50±2.50b 9.50±1.50a Part of Fish 17.50±3.50a 22.50±3.50b Protozoan 8.00±2.00a 11.00±2.00a Phytoplankton 2.50±0.50a 11.00±4.00b Sand 16.50±1.50a 20.00±5.00b Crustacean 5.00±2.00a 15.50±3.50b Values are Mean±Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Mean values followed by the same letter in the same row are not significantly different (p > 0.05)

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Figure 4.3 The Seasonal Variation in the Frequency of Occurrence of the Dietary Component of Auchenoglanis Occidentalis from Tagwai Lake Minna.

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DISCUSSION Insect parts were found in all the months of study which could be due to the fact that The results for the food and feeding habits they are able to withstand adverse of Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai environmental conditions. This results Lake Minna in this study revealed that the agrees with the work of [18]who reported fish species has a broad spectrum of food that insect in this study carried out in Lake ranging from insects, fish, sand, plant Akata in Benue State, dominated the materials, crustacean, protozoa and dietary components of Auchenoglanis phytoplankton. [8] reported same for occidentalis. Auchenoglanis biscutatus in River Orogodo, Delta State. The broad food The presence of both plants and animal spectrum of this fish suggests that they materials in the gut of this fish species feed both in surface water column and presents it as an omnivore i.e. one which even near the substratum. feeds on both plant and animal materials. [8]; [10]; [19] also agreed with this result. The sand which was found in the gut of this fish would have been accidentally ingested In conclusion, the study revealed that while feeding. The discovery of sand in the Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Tagwai gut of Auchenoglanis species was reported Lake Minna is an Omnivore, which fed on by [8; 10]. Auchenoglanis occidentalis fed both plant and animal materials, although on both plant and animal materials with it predated more on animal insect, fish and sand dominating its food. materials(Insect parts and fish parts) than Similar finding had being reported by [8]. on plants .However, its feeding habit in the The same trend was also observed in 2014, dry season months was not remarkably where insect dominated the food items in different from the rainy season months. Its the gut in both seasons. [18], who worked wide range of food items found in the gut in Lake Akata in Benue State also reported makes it a good aquaculture candidate. that insect materials dominated the food items of the same fish. Feeding increased from the month of May REFERENCES to October. The reason could be that the 1. Oransaye, C. G. & Nakpodia, F. A. season coincides with the periods when (2005). A comparative study of the there is availability of plenty of food due to food and feeding habits of the presence of rain. Also, the feeding Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and pattern of the dry and rainy season were Brycinus nurse in a tropical not remarkably different except in the river.Pakistan journal of Scientific month of January, where no plant was and Industrial Research, 48, 118- found in the diet of the fish, this could also 121. be attributed to lack of rains.[8] and [10] also reported same. The high feeding 2. Olufeagba, S., Aluko, P. O. & Eyo, A. intensity in the month of May to October A. (2002). Dietary protein coincides with the rains which bring in requirement of triploid different materials into the water bodies. heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed formulated diet.

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