FEEDING ECOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SOME FISH SPECIES FROM TUNGAN KAWO RESERVOIR, KONTAGORA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SOME FISH SPECIES FROM TUNGAN KAWO RESERVOIR, KONTAGORA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The study of the biology of three fish species; Tilapia zillii, Clarias gariepinus and Synodontis clarias with reference to their diet composition is an important aspect in fish biology. This research was aimed at evaluating the Feeding Ecology and nutritional status of selected fish species from Tungan Kawo Reservoir, Kontagora, from July 2018 February 2019. The Physicochemical parameters, stomach content analysis, proximate composition and amino acid profile were determined using standard methods. Four different sampling stations of human activities in the reservoir were selected for the study. Three fish species (Synodontis clarias, Clarias gariepinus and Tilapia zillii) were selected. The results from the physicochemical parameters showed that Water Temperature 27.00 - 32.40 ºC, alkalinity 19.25-29.50 mg/L, hardness 28.00 - 50.75 mg/l, phosphate 0.40 - 2.50 mg/L, nitrates 3.2-7.5 mg/L conductivity 81-125 µS/cm, dissolved oxygen 2.40 - 5.20 mg/L, biochemical oxygen demand 1.90 - 4.40 mg/L and total dissolved solid 117-198 ppm were within the limits specified by Nigerian Industrial Standard and World Health Organization, with the exception of pH 6.3 - 9.5 which exceeded the standards. This indicates the good health status of the reservoir for aquatic organisms. The results obtained from analysis of stomach content revealed varying food items. A total of 52 fishes were sampled for gut analysis out of which 12 had full stomach, 27 had ½ stomachs full, 8 had 3/4 stomach full, while 5 had empty stomach. The major food items of the three species were plants materials, insect’s remains, algae, fish remains, detritus and sand grains. The total percentage of the food occurrence for S. clarias 36.0 %, C. gariepinus 41.4 % and Tilapia zillii 22.5 %. The results from proximate analysis showed that moisture content of T. zilli was 52.19±0.55 g/100 g, C. gariepinus 49.87±1.82 g/100 g, S. Clarias 45.94±2.56 g/100 g. Ash content of T. zilli 7.89±0.84 g/100 g, C. gariepinus 16.48±2.37 g/100 g, S. clarias 15.30±0.43 g/100 g. Protein content of T. zillii 19.37±0.13 g/100 g, C. gariepinus 18.83±0.56 g/100 g and s. clarias 19.54±0.56 g/100 g Fat content of T. zilli was 2.72±0.16 g/100 g, C. gariepinus 3.34±0.40 g/100 g, S. clarias 3.43±0.46 g/100 g. Fiber content of T. zilli was 3.98±0.06 g/100 g, C. gariepinus 3.73±0.60 g/100 g, S. clarias 4.79±0.36 g/100 g and carbohydrate of T. zilli 3.85±23.13 g/100 g, C. gariepiunus 7.75±1.39 g/100 g and S. Clarias 11.00±1.33 g/100 g. The S. clarias, C. gariepinus and T. zillii of fish analyzed for amino acid composition showed that Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid are the most concentrated amino acid present in the fish ranging between 13.0 to 14.20 g/100 g protein and 8.71 to 9.21 g/100 g protein respectively. The total essential amino acid composition was higher in T. zillii 47.15 % than the other species analyzed. Special attention is needed in monitoring human activities which largely contribute to the reduction of the nutritional qualities of fishes from Tungan Kawo reservoir.

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