Analysis of the gut contents of pool barb, Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) of the reservoir pond

Successful aquaculture development of any species requires a thorough understanding of food and feeding habits. The present study was carried out to analyze the gut contents of pool barb, Puntius sophore. A total of 180 specimens of P. sophore was examined on monthly basis for the period of study. Numerical method, points method, frequency of occurrence method and index of fullness method were employed to analyze data obtained from the gut contents of P. sophore. A total of 42 genera of phytoplankton, 13 genera of zooplankton and 1 insect larva were observed in the diets. Proportions of occurrence of Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae were almost equal and the highest percentage of total point was 54.13 in Cholorophyceae and the lowest 2.76 was in Rotifera. Chlorella was the dominant genus among phytoplankton; on the other hand, Brachionus was the dominant genus among zooplankton. The highest gut content was observed in March with average index of fullness of 3.21 and the lowest was in September with average index of fullness of 1.67. Average gut content of the fishes belonging to size group-2 (47-69 mm) was found higher with average index of fullness of 2.70 than those of other two size groups (24-46 mm and 70-91mm). With the increase of size of fishes, the intake of Bacillariophyceae and Cyanophyceae decreased while that of Chlorophyceae and zooplankton increased. The present investigation reveals that P. sophore is an omnivorous fish but phytoplankton is the most prevalent food item.