Journal of Environmental Biology

Diet composition and feeding strategy of crossbanded barb, Puntioplites bulu (Bleeker, 1851) in Perak River, Peninsular Malaysia

A.G. Intan-Faraha^1,3*, A. Arshad^1,2, S.A. Harmin³, A. Christianus¹ and M.I. Fadhil-Syukri^1,2 ? 

¹Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

²International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Jalan Kemang 6, Batu 7 Teluk Kemang, 71050 Port Dickson Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

³Department of Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Life Sciences, University Selangor, 45600 Bestari Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

*Corresponding Author Email : azizarshad@upm.edu.my

Paper received: 20.12.2019 ?????? ???????????????????????????????????????Revised received: 03.02.2020 ???????????? ???????????????????????????????Accepted: 14.08.2020

Abstract

Aim: The present study deals with the diet composition and feeding strategy of P.bulu from Perak River, Peninsular Malaysia in relation to its development stage and size

Methodology: Diet composition and feeding strategy of crossbanded barb, P. bulu captured from Perak, Peninsular Malaysia were studied between October 2015 and September 2016. Diet compositions were determined through a microscopic examination and feeding items were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. The feeding strategy for both stages (adult and juvenile) were determined based on Amundsen graphical method.? ??

Results: Findings of this study revealed that this species is a planktivorous species that feeds primarily on Bacillariophyceae. Based on Simple Resultant Index, there are seven major diet items groups consumed by P.bulu in the population. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were perceived to be stage related, with adult stages consuming larger-sized prey while juveniles were predominantly herbivorous and fed primarily on smaller dietary items.

Interpretation: Puntioplites bulu inhabiting Perak River is planktivorous. This species demonstrated mixed feeding strategy and ontogenetic dietary changes was observed between juvenile and adult stages.?

Key words: Feeding habits, Perak River, Planktivorous, Puntioplites bulu

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