Food and feeding habits of the introduced common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758) in Lake Ardibo, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the food and feeding habits of Cyprinus carpio, in Lake Ardibo, Ethiopia during dry (February–March) and wet (July–August) months in 2023. Specimens were collected by gillnets of various stretched mesh sizes. The gut contents were analyzed using frequency of occurrences and volumetric methods. A total of 915 specimens were collected; of which 605 (66.12 %) guts contained food. The most frequently occurring prey items were (72.72 %), phytoplankton (66.77 %), detritus (66.77 %), and macrophyte (39 %). Volumetrically, zooplankton (36.27 %), phytoplankton (31.41 %), macrophyte (15.08 %), and detritus (14.81 %) were most important. Frequency occurrences of phytoplankton and zooplankton varied significantly (X2test,p<0.05) between dry and wet months. The volumetric contribution of phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, and detritus varied significantly (U test, p < 0.05) in dry and wet months. Schoner Diet Overlap Index revealed there were no significant dietary shifts between juveniles and adults. Based on the result of gut contents; C. carpio showed omnivorous feeding behavior. This investigation is important to understanding the prey-predator relationship and conserving the prey types for C. carpio optimum production.