Evaluation of feeding aspects of the bagrid catfish Mystus gulio (Order: Siluriformes)

Detailed knowledge of food and feeding habits is essential for the thriving culture of a fish species. The present study analyses the food and feeding habits of an indigenous bagrid catfish, Mystus gulio, from Vembanad Lake, southern Kerala’s most extensive wetland system. The main objective is to check the feasibility of utilizing Mystus gulio as a bioremediation agent for kitchen waste recycling. From the Vembanad Lake, 779 specimens were sampled from fishery catches during July 2015 to June 2017. The gut contents of 318 specimens were analyzed to summarize the species’ diet components and food preferences. Gastro somatic index, relative length and fullness of gut, feeding intensity, food components, and index of preponderance for various food items were calculated. The results showed that the fish is an omnivorous bottom feeder, feeding mainly on fish offal, plant matter, filamentous algae, prawns, and polychaetes. The results points to the possibility of considering this species a bioremediation agent for recycling kitchen waste.