The Feeding Habits and Some Aspects of the Biology of Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) The Feeding Habits and Some Aspects of the Biology of Fish (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

This study focused on the feeding habits and some aspects of biology of fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from Girzhiva stream, Muchalla area, Mubi zone, Nigeria. It was conducted for a period of four months (4) Starting from February,2023 and ended in May,2023. Water was collected from three (3) different sites twice a month and was analyzed using standard methods for quality and fish sample determination. The sites mean and monthly mean water temperature, conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen DO, Hydrogen Ion Concentration pH, Transparency, Total Dissolved Solid TDS, and Ammonia ranged from [26.20±0.79-25.83±0.79 and 27.53±0.18-25.50±0.06, 147.67±1.00-177.67±1.00 and 243.59-186.01±1.00, 3.73+0.31-4.33±0.31 and 3.96±0.34-4.42±1.00, 7.60±1.00-7.97±0.52 and 7.24±0.34-7.70±0.34, 31.67±1.00-48.00±1.00 and 31.19±0.11-49.90±1.00, 62.00±1.00-174.67±0.32 and 1.80±1.00-76.41±1.00, 0.26±0.24-0.28±0.24  and 0.13±1.00-0.26±0.84] respectively. The monthly water qualities were within the range set up by FEPA and WHO. The results obtained for length weight relationship regression are r²=0.6378, x=1.2206 y=1.8835. The results obtained for stomach contents based on frequency of occurrence and total point method are 26.60%, 84.12 plants materials, 20.52%, 71.75% digested food materials, 18.92%, 57.01% unidentified materials, 17.63%, 46.43% insect materials and 16.41%, 48.31% detritus. The ratio of male to female obtained was 7:5. The fecundity results obtained 14086±1.00--25100±1.00 at site and 9943±1.00—28519±1.00. These indicate that the fish are prolific. It was recommended that a continuous monitoring of water quality of Girzhiva stream should be done to examine their level of pollutions.

Keywords: Fish farming, Feeding habit, Oreochromis niloticus