Diet variation in climbing perch populations inhabiting eight different types of ecosystems

TL;DR

This study investigates how climbing perch populations in eight different ecosystems vary in their diet, revealing both common and unique food preferences across habitats, with implications for ecological adaptability.

Contribution

It provides new insights into diet variation of climbing perch across diverse ecosystems, highlighting habitat-specific dietary adaptations.

Findings

Diet composition varies significantly across ecosystems.

Common food items include chironomous larvae, organic debris, and algae.

Sewage canal population relies solely on insect larvae and organic debris.

Abstract

The present study revealed that populations of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) inhabiting river, backwater, shallow water channel, ponds with and without vegetation cover, marsh, sewage canal and aquaculture tank varied significantly in the number of food items consumed. Chironomous larvae, organic debris and filamentous algae were the common ingredients of the menu of this species across focal ecosystems, whereas sewage canal population was found surviving solely on insect larvae and organic debris.