FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS OF TWO FRESHWATER FISHES, OMPOK BIMACULATUS AND O. MALABARICUS OF RIVER AMARAVATHY, TAMIL NADU

Abstract

The two freshwater fishes, Ompok bimaculatus and O. malabaricus are found to be omnivorous, feeding mainly
on vegetable matter and fish, which dominated the list with a percentage of 30.04. Vegetable matters take the
precedence with an average percentage of 28.65 for twelve months Crustacean adults, crustacean larvae, insect
and molluscs are identified as secondary and supplementary foods. The percentage frequency of occurrence of
fish and vegetable matter, and crustaceans in the gut contents of both the species are more than the other food
items. Feeding intensity was more in December (48.3%) with minimum (34.4%) in May for O. bimaculatus and
was more in March (63.5%) with minimum (32%) in October for O. malabaricus The occurrence of empty
stomach was found to be more during the peak breeding season, in both the species.