Seasonal variation in food and feeding habit of Indian major carp (Labeo rohita Ham.1822) in Vallabhsagar reservoir, Gujarat

Abstract

The gut content analysis provides the information on food components and feeding habit of fish which is an important aspect for fisheries management. In present study, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of gut content of Indian major carp rohu (Labeo rohita Ham. 1822) from Vallabhsagar reservoir (Gujarat), were conducted during June 2013 to May 2014. The results on gut content shows that qualitative changes in food component were not found but quantitative changes were observed during the study period. In the gut of fish, food contents i.e. phytoplankton (32.52 %), plant materials (25.07 %), Insects (13.39 %), decay matter (13.39 %) and zooplankton (11.42 %) were observed. The quantitative changes of food contents were also verified by the analysis of gasrosomatic index (GaSI) and it was maximum (5.582 ± 0.106) during post breeding season and minimum (3.589 ± 0.150) during breeding season as fish feeds voraciously to compensate the energy loss due to sexual maturity. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that studied fish (rohu) was herbivorous and mainly fed on phytoplankton and plant materials.