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.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The study of the biology of some fish species with preference to their diet composition is an important aspect in fish biology. Fish digestive system varies with their feeding habits which include; carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous. Fish food varies from seasons to seasons because seasonal changes in temperature influence food consumption as well as the available food organisms, and from species to species. Fish diet has been found to be an important factor governing fish growth, condition factor, fecundity and migration patterns (Adeyemi et al., 2019). Feeding habits of fish provide essential information on bionomics of single species. The analysis of stomach contents in fish is a common method for investigating the diet of fish, and thus describing food chains and webs shared by different species. Such studies also reveal interactions among species (Kenneth et al., 2014). Accurate quantification of fish diets is an important aspect of fisheries management (Quinton et al., 2017). Extensive studies have been done on diet composition (Nutritional) and trophic ecology of the fish species from different water bodies especially reservoirs, lakes and lagoons. These include: diet and dietary habits of the fish Schilbe mystus (Siluriformes: Schilbeidae) in two artificial lakes in Southwestern Nigeria (Ayoade et al., 2018).
Lawson and Aguda (2010) worked on the diet composition of ten pounder, E. lacerta from Ologe lagoon. The dietary habit of fishes, based on stomach analyses, is widely used in fish ecology as an important method to investigate trophic relationships in aquatic communities. Food and feeding habit of fish are important biological factors for selecting a group of fish for culture in ponds to avoid competition for food among themselves and live in association and to utilize all the available food (Manon and Hossain, 2011). It is virtually impossible to gather sufficient information of food and feeding habit of fish in their natural habitat without studying its gut contents. (Manon and Hossain, 2011).
Information concerning the chemical composition of freshwater fishes in general is valuable to nutritionists concerned with readily available sources of low-fat, high- protein foods such as most freshwater fishes ( Mozaffarian et al., 2003; Foran et al., 2005) and to the food scientist who is interested in developing them into high-protein foods, while ensuring the finest quality flavor, color, odor, texture, and safety obtainable with maximum nutritive value (Elagba et al., 2010), in other to help consumers in choosing fish based on their nutrient values. In the present study, physico-chemical parameters, gut content analysis, proximate composition analysis and amino acids profile of some fish species namely Clarias gariepinus, Synodontis clarias and Tilapia zillii were examined. These species are commercially important and commonly available in Tungan Kawo reservoir Kontagora. Also, the selection of the fish species was based on a preliminary investigation on consumer preferences.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
Fish is a very important food stuff, especially in developing countries due to its high protein content and nutritional value of unsaturated fatty matter. The ecology and nutritional content is an issue of concern on capture fish species from Tungan Kawo Reservoir, Kontagora Local Government, Niger State as their feeding composition and nutritional quality are not well known. The three fish species supply from the wild is declining on a daily basis.
1.3 Justification for the Study
According to Oladipo and Bankole (2013) there is a need for comprehensive information on the level of nutrient content in fishes mostly found on the dining table of the less privileged across the third world nations of Africa and Asia. In Africa alone, over 60% of infants below the age of five die annually due to Protein- Energy Malnutrition (Bene and Heck, 2005).
All fishes require energy for growth, reproduction and migration, which must be obtained from its food source. Understanding food and feeding habits of fish is useful to all scientists who are concerned with any aspect of fisheries as well as to common people who are into fish farming. Edegbena and Agbaja (2014) investigated the effect of some environmental variables on the community structure of zooplankton in Tungan Kawo Reservoir. Abdullahi et al., (2015) also studied the seasonal quality assessment of agricultural soils along the bank of Tungan Kawo Reservoir. Abdullahi et al. (2016) also studied the distribution pattern of metals in sediment of Tungan Kawo Reservoir. Therefore, there is no well-known information concerning the diet composition and trophic relationship among fishes in Tungan Kawo Reservoir despite the fact that the Reservoir is an excellent source of commercially important fish species. The information from this study will be useful in defining the feeding ecology and nutritional quality of fishes in Tungan Kawo Reservoir.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the research was to investigate the feeding ecology and nutritional composition of selected fish species from Tungan Kawo Reservoir, Kontagora, Niger State Nigeria and The objectives of this study were to determine the:
i. physico-chemical parameters of the water.
ii. gut content of the three fish species.
iii. proximate composition of the three fish species.
iv. amino-acid profile of the three fish species.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SOME FISH SPECIES FROM TUNGAN KAWO RESERVOIR, KONTAGORA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
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