Stomach Content Analysis of Silver Catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) In Otuocha River, Anambra State, Nigeria

Ikechukwu CC, Akinrotimi OA, Amachree D, Ayaobu-Cookey IK, Nwankwo CG, Nwosu PO and Nwankwoala IC

Published on: 2025-01-27

Abstract

This study examined the stomach contents of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Siluriformes) from the Otuocha axis of the Omambala River in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Stomach contents were analyzed using frequency of occurrence and numerical methods. Various sizes of C. nigrodigitatus ranging from small to medium to large sizes were sorted out and used for the study. The study lasted for a period of four months (February to May, 2023). In the sampled fish, 10 had a full stomach, 2 had ¾ stomach full, 3 had ½ stomach full, and 1 had an empty stomach. The major food items found in the stomach of C. nigrodigitatus include algae, diatoms (phytoplankton), zooplanktons, and fish parts, while annelids, crustaceans, ant parts, sand, and unidentified materials were minor items. The results also indicated that diatoms (phytoplankton) had the highest composition (27.69%), which was closely followed by sand particles (22.69%), while molluscs and ants constituted the lowest (3.46%) composition of the food items in the stomachs of sampled fish. The results of the present study show that the most important food items of C. nigrodigitatus in the Otuocha axis of the Omambala River were diatoms, algae, zooplanktons, and small fishes. Foods of minor importance were annelids, crustaceans, ant parts, sand, and unidentified materials. The gut content analysis suggested that C. nigrodigitatus is an omnivorous fish in its feeding habits. The silver catfish is omnivorous as it feeds on a variety of food items, from algae to animal’s materials. It was discovered that the species, C. nigrodigitatus, relied on the same food items at juvenile and adult stages, which were obvious throughout the study period.