Stomach Content of Tillapia zilli and Oreochromis nilocticus from Wanzun River, Lavun Local Government, Niger State Nigeria
Y. M. Mohammed *
Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state Nigeria.
M. D. Abubakar
Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state Nigeria.
A. M. Muhammad
Department of Biology, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger state Nigeria.
A. S. Muhammad
Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state Nigeria.
B. L. Umar
Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state Nigeria.
M. Hadizat
Department of Biological Sciences, Federal Polytechnic Bida Niger State Nigeria.
A. C. Achebe
Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger state Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the stomach contents of two commercially important fish species (Tilapia zilli and Oreochromis nilocticus) from Wanzun River, Northcentral Nigeria using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods between January to April 2019. Fish samples were collected monthly with help of Fishermen using various fishing nets and traps. One hundred (100) individual fish of each species were collected and their stomach contents were examined. The results obtained expressed in mean percentage indicated that out of the one hundred (100) individual fish of each species examined,Twelve (12%) fish had an empty stomach contents in Tilapia zilli, and out of the 100 samples examined, Seventeen (17%) fish had an empty stomach content in Oreochromis nilocticus. The stomach contents of both Tilapia zilli and Oreochromis nilocticus consist of detritus, insects, fish remains. Algae/protozoans plant materials and molluscs. Both fish species are omnivorous feeders and occupy the same ecological niche.The study reveals the importance of algae, fish, insects and plant materials as food for fishes and they form important part in the diet of the species examined.
Keywords: Stomach contents, fish, tilapia zilli, oreochromis nilocticus, wanzun river