Research article

Studies on the Feeding Behavior of a Carp, Labeo gonius (Hamilton) from Keenjhar Lake, District Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan

^*2Hashim F, ¹Narejo NT, ¹Jalbani S and ³Jalbani YM

¹Department of Fresh Water Biology and Fisheries University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan

²Department of Zoology, Govt. College Punjur Balochistan, Pakistan

³Department of Animal Product Technology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan

*Corresponding Author E-mail: dr_ntnarejo46@yahoo.com

Accepted 3 September 2014

Abstract

For the feeding behavior of Carp, Labeo gonius, one hundred and twenty (120) specimens were collected from the landing centers of Keenjhar Lake district Thatta, from March to August 2012. Feeding habit showed that the fishes of all size groups were mainly a debris feeder with a pronounced tendency to be phytoplankton feeder. Debris was the more important and dominant food item of the fish both in small and large size groups. Among the phytoplankton Chlorophyceae was the chief food category which increased with body size. Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae also were the most important food group of this fish. The result of this study also showed that the amount of zooplankton was decreased with body size.

Keywords: Feeding behavior, debris, Chlorophyceae, Labeo gonius, Keenjhar Lake