Feeding ecology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in a rice–fish culture system of the Apatani plateau (Arunachal Pradesh, India) |
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Authors: | S K Saikia and D N Das |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India |
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Abstract: | For two years (2002, 2003) selective feeding ecology of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) has been studied in carp-integrated rice fields in Apatani Plateau of Arunachal Pradesh (India). Sampling strategy was
based on the water depths in the fields and on the flood phases: early flood phase (June–July), mid flood phase (July–August),
and late flood phase (September–October). In 2003 the water level was higher and therefore periphyton availability was better.
This resulted in larger gut contents and better growth of the carp compared with 2002 when the water levels were lower. Gut
contents analyses revealed a total of 60 food items of which 22 belonged to the Chlorophycea, 12 to the Cyanobacteria, 10
to the Bacillariophycea and 16 to several zooplankton taxa. With the progress of flood phases, the fish increased its feeding
on periphyton food items; simultaneously, feeding on plankton items gradually declined. This was caused by the increasing
periphyton availability on the rice-stems. Selective feeding on plankton and periphyton taxa was studied, selectivity changed
with the flood phases. Periphytic Chlorophycea and Cyanobacteria, especially, were strongly positively selected. Generally,
periphyton was the most important resource for the common carp in the rice fields. |
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Keywords: | Rice– fish integration Periphytophagous Gut content Niche breadth Food selection |
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