UNDERSTANDING THE FOOD AND FEEDING BIOLOGY OF CATFISH Sperata seenghala SYKES, 1839 FROM GOMATI RIVER OF TRIPURA, INDIA

Aspects of food and feeding biology of the Sperata seenghala of Gomati River of Tripura, a part of Eastern Himalayan hotspot region of India was studied over 12 months. The 176 fish (28.7 cm to 67.4 cm TL) specimens were examined for food composition analysis. Out of these, 21 (12.88%) had full stomach, 33 (18.53%) had empty stomach and 122 (68.58%) had partially-filled stomachs. The percent composition of various food items in stomach content was 7.5% of aquatic plant materials, 15.5% crustaceans, 29% aquatic insects, 6.7% molluscans, debris and detritus 5.3% and 36% fishes. Biomass of fish was highest in comparison to other food items. The alimento-somatic and hepato-somatic indices have every indication that S. seenghala is carnivorous and thus have intense liver activity. This study could render useful information on the food and feeding habits of the studied fish species and provide background biological knowledge for preparing its diet for future aquaculture practices.