Biology, digestive enzymes and organosomatic indices of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacépède, 1803) from Oyan Dam, Southwestern Nigeria

Some aspects of the biology, digestive enzymes and organosomatic indices of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus purchased from fishermen in Oyan dam was investigated. This study was aimed at providing information on the composition of food materials found in the gut and specific activities of selected enzymes as it affects the domestication of the species. 100 specimens of the species were examined for stomach contents, length-weight relationship, digestive enzyme assay and organosomatic indices, using standard methods. Food items observed were detritus (4%), fish part (12%), Insecta (13%). Sand was observed to be 11% of total stomach volume. The logarithmic equation for length-weight relationship lnW=2.68lnl-3.79 indicated that an increase in length led to a corresponding increase in weight with ‘R’ = 0.611, calculated ‘r’=0.78, ‘a’=2.68 and ‘b’=3.79 indicating positive allometric growth pattern. Amylase exhibited high activity in the stomach, while lipase and proteinase in the stomach and posterior intestine. Specific activities of digestive enzymes showed significant differences (p<0.05). Viscerosomatic (2.92± 0.25), hepatosomatic (2.27± 0.22) indices and Fulton condition factor (1.93± 0.06) were recorded. Feed items present in the species confirm its overlapping feeding habit, indicating that the species is an omnivorous detritivore. This was also depicted in the activities of the different digestive enzymes.