Food composition and digestive enzymes in the gut of the african electric catfish, malapterurus electricus (gmelin 1789) (malapteruridae)

Abstract

Stomach contents analyses of 330 specimens of the electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus (Gmelin 1789) (standard length, 10.1–30.5 cm) collected in Mahin Lagoon (southwestern Nigeria) established it as a bottom feeder. A preponderance of insects and prey fish, which accounted for 100% occurrence and > 18% of total volume in the stomachs of specimens, suggested a predatory habit. Carbohydrases (amylase, maltase), chitinase, proteases (pepsin, chymotrypsin, trypsin) and lipases were detected in different gut regions with different activity, which correlated with its predatory diet. © 2001 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.