FOOD AND FEEDING HABIT OF MACROBRACHIUM FELICINUM AND MACROBRACHIUM VOLLENHOVENII, AT THE AMASSOMA AXIS OF IGBEDI CREEK, BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

Food as a nutritious substance is necessary for the survival of any organism including Macrobrachium felicinum and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii. The investigation of the food and feeding habit of these species in Amassoma Axis of Igbedi Creek, Bayelsa State which was carried out for 12 calendar month in the year 2020 indicates that Ulothrix is the most consumed phytoplankton species for M. felicinum with (56.25%) and Aphanochaete (14.53%) for M. vollenhovenii. Plant materials consumed by M. felicinum constituting (62.5%), while M. vollenhovenii consumed (18.86%). The most consumed zooplanktons is the Copepod M. felicinum (31.25%); M. vollenhovenii (9.45%). The index of relative importance of each food item showed that plant material has the highest significance in M. felicinum (18.12%) and (21.22%) for M. vollenhovenii respectively. The knowledge of the diet of a species in nature is important for the establishment of its nutritional needs and shows its interaction with other organisms. The both species are omnivorous species with preference to plankton, plant materials and crustaceans. Based on the result of this study, culture of these species to support the aquaculture industry in the study area is recommended.