Fish feeding routine in Anwai stream ichthyofauna, Niger-Delta

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.