Gut Contents and Feeding Pattern of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (HERKLOTS, 1857) and Caridina africana (Kingsley, 1882) at Asejire Lake and Erin-Ijesa waterfalls Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The gut contents and feeding pattern of (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii and Caridina africana) at Asejire Lake and Erin-Ijesa waterfalls respectively were studied for two seasons (October 2007 and September 2009) with intent towards acculturation. Sampling of each site for prawn composition and abundance was done twice every month. Catches obtained from the two areas were isolated and transported in ice chest boxes to the laboratory for numerical and biomass analysis of the gut contents. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan New Multiple Range Test. There was a strong correlation (p<0.05) between prawn abundance and food availability. The gut content analysis of M. vollenhovenii showed that juveniles were predominantly zooplanktivorous feeding on copepods and rotifers while adult prawns were omnivorous feeding more on animal food than plant dietary items. This observation showed that prawns change diet as they advance in age. This has positive implication on its culture potential. Stomach fullness index was high during the wet season which coincided with high number of prawns. C. africana fed predominantly on diatoms and other micro-phytoplankton. The availability of both species in freshwater bodies and its food and feeding habit revealed that the species can be cultured in earthen ponds like its temperate counterpart Macrobrachium rosenbergii and can utilize artificial feeds for optimal productivity.