Seasonal variations in the gut contents of Arius arius (Hamilton) from Cochin backwaters

The gut contents of the cat fish Arias arias from two areas of Cochin backwater i.e., Fort Cochin (high saline area) and Arookutty (low saline area) during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods, were studied for the period of 1 year from January 2002 to December 2002. The results indicated that A. arias is a voracious bottom feeder. Marked variations in the quality and quantity of food intake were observed in relation to season. Crustaceans, fishes and molluscs formed dominant food items in both the locations, during pre and post-monsoon seasons, whereas monsoon marked very low feeding activity. During pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, different conditions of the stomach such as gorged (overfed), full and 3/4 full (active) were seen, while 1/2 full (moderate) stomach and empty condition or stomach with traces (poor) were encountered during monsson. No sex-wise difference in the feeding habit was observed.