Author(s):

Agumassie Tesfahun

Abstract: The investigations on feeding biology of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) in some of Ethiopian Lakes have indicated that omnivorous feeder. Zooplankton, insects, fish preys, detritus, phytoplankton and macrophytes were the most important food items in the diet. The animal origins were the most important food items in most water bodies. However, plant origins were probably accidentally ingested. Seasonal variation in the diet composition of the fish was observed. Insects, zooplankton and fish preys were preferred foods during the dry season. Detritus, zooplankton, insects and macrophytes were mostly consumed during the wet season. The fish showed different size based dietary shifts in all water bodies with it increases in size. The small sized fish fed mainly on insects, fish prey and zooplankton. While, the larger fish consumed more zooplankton and fish prey. Generally, the feeding biology of fish is depending on prey availability, season, habitat differences and size of the fish, aspects that might warrant for further study in view of aquaculture applications as well as in their natural aquatic ecology.

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