THE STUDY OF FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF BAGRUS BAYAD IN KIRI RESERVOIR SHELLENG LOCALGOVERNMENT AREA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study of food and feeding habit of Bagrus bayad in Kiri Reservoir the sample collected were 282 individuals
of Bagrus bayad randomly sampled for period of six (6) months the male and the female were identified through
physical observation of the genital organ of the fish. To determine the food and feeding habit of the fish samples
were viscerally dissected from mouth to anus to expose the intestinal organs. The guts of each fish were stretched
out and the length (GL) measured. The stomach ware removed, their contents and conditions were assessed on
the five-point scale from 0 (empty) to 100 (full) stomach and the contents emptied into a clean petri-dish. The
food substances found in the stomach were analyzed under light microscope, and each food category within the
content was identified using a guide provided by Needham and Needham (1962) and Quigley, (1972). The data
collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Descriptive statistic, regression analysis,
graph (bar chart) mean and standard deviation were used in calculating the data for analysis. Result from the
samples collections shows that most of the diet found in the stomach are either plant or animal origin with
percentage ranges from 6.67%-50% and 23.33%-36.67% respectively hence Bagrus bayad fish is classified as
omnivorous fish. It is recommended that aquaculture farmers of Bagrus bayad can effectively use plants and
animals’ materials in the formulation of feeds for feeding Bagrus bayad fish.