Influence of size and level of satiation on prey handling time in Channa striata (Bloch)

Channa striata fry (100 ± 20 mg) and fingerlings (2 ± 0.2 g) were offered mosquito larvae as prey and the adults (75 ± 5 g) small fishes. The size of the fish was directly related to satiation time and inversely related to satiation amount. The influence of satiation levels on handling time, showed an increase to almost eight-fold in fry and fingerlings and about two-fold in adults. The study also revealed the role played by the young of C. striata in mosquito control. With the increase in size of the fish the preference for mosquito larvae was seen to decrease. The air breathing habit and hence its ability to survive in polluted and oxygen-depleted waters makes it a suitable candidate as a fish for mosquito control.