Sains Malaysiana 50(4)(2021): 907-918

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5004-03

Seasonal Dynamics of Stomach Contents, Trophic Level, Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877)

(Dinamik Bermusim daripada Kandungan Perut, Aras Trofik, Hubungan Panjang-Berat dan Faktor Keadaan daripada Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877))

SABUJ KANTI MAZUMDER^1,2, MRITYUNJOY KUNDA¹, MOHAMMED MAHBUB IQBAL³, LIPI RANI BASAK⁴ & SIMON KUMAR DAS^5,6*

¹Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh

²Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

³Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh

⁴Department of Livestock, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh

⁵Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

⁶Marine Ecosystem Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Received: 2 January 2019/Accepted: 31 August 2020

ABSTRACT

The Asian catfish Mystus bleekeri is a popular food fish along with favored as an ornamental fish in Bangladesh. Till now detailed report on stomach contents, trophic level, length-weight relationship and condition factor of this fish species in the agro-climatic context of Bangladesh is lacking. Hence, the aims of this study were to describe the stomach content, trophic level, length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factors of Mystus bleekeri collected from Dekhar Haor, Sylhet, Bangladesh from July 2017 to June 2018. A total of 600 specimens ranging from 6.9-24.6 cm total length (TL) and 5.7-72.4 g body weight (BW) was analyzed in this study. Stomach content analysis showed that the fish fed mostly on Mollusca with a frequency of occurrence (f_o: 25.36%) and worms (f_o: 21.68%), followed by plant matters (f_o: 3.32%), Cladocerana (f_o: 1.18%), Copepoda (f_o: 0.95%), and Teleostei (f_o: 0.36%). The estimated mean trophic level (TROPH) ranged from 2.35±0.13 in December to 3.02±0.23 in August, indicating that they are opportunistic feeder. The LWR analysis showed negative allometric growth (b<3) throughout the year. The values of the exponent b in the LWR (W=aL^b) vary between 1.474 and 2.490. The mean K value was significantly higher in October indicating the heavier weight and better condition of the fish (P<0.05). The data obtained from this study would be useful to introduce sustainable management of Mystus bleekeri not only in Dekhar Haor but also in other inland waters of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Condition factor; length-weight relationship; Mystus bleekeri; stomach content; trophic level

ABSTRAK

Ikan keli Asia Mystus bleekeri merupakan sajian ikan yang popular dan digemari sebagai ikan hiasan di Bangladesh. Sehingga kini laporan terperinci terhadap kandungan perut, aras trofik, hubungan panjang-berat dan faktor keadaan daripada spesies ikan ini dalam konteks iklim tani dari Bangladesh adalah kurang. Oleh itu, tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk memperinci kandungan perut, aras trofik, hubungan panjang-berat (LWR) dan faktor keadaanMystus bleekeri yang dikumpul dari Dekhar Haor, Sylhet, Bangladesh dari Julai 2017 sehingga Jun 2018. Sejumlah 600 spesimen berjulat antara 6.9-24.6 cm daripada jumlah panjang (TL) dan 5.7-72.4 g daripada berat badan (BW) telah dicirikan dalam kajian ini. Analisis kandungan perut mendedahkan bahawa ikan yang diberi makan paling banyakMollusca dengan kekerapan frekuensi (f_o: 25.36%) dan cacing (f_o: 21.68%), diikuti oleh jenis tumbuhan (f_o: 3.32%),Cladocerana (f_o: 1.18%), Copepoda (f_o: 0.95%) dan  Teleostei (f_o: 0.36%). Purata aras trofik (TROPH) telah dianggarkan berjulat dari 2.35±0.13 dalam Disember ke 3.02±0.23 dalam Ogos, menunjukkan bahawa mereka merupakan pemakan oportunis. Analisis LWR menunjukkan terdapat pertumbuhan alometrik negatif (b<3) sepanjang tahun. Nilai eksponen b dalam LWR (W=aL^b) berjulat antara 1.474 ke 2.490. Purata nilai K adalah ketara lebih tinggi pada bulan Oktober menunjukkan berat yang lebih tinggi dan keadaan yang lebih paik pada ikan (P<0.05). Data yang diperoleh daripada kajian ini dapat digunakan untuk memperkenal pengurusan secara lestari untuk Mystus bleekeri bukan sahaja di Dekhtar, Haor tetapi di kawasan pedalaman berair di Bangladesh.

Kata kunci: Aras trofik; faktor keadaan; hubungan panjang-berat; kandungan perut; Mystus bleekeri

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*Corresponding author; email: simon@ukm.edu.my