A survey on food regime of catfish Arius dussumieri in the Oman Sea

Due to study the food regime of Arius dussumieri, a total of 132 specimens were collected from the Oman Sea waters. The length – weight relationship was calculated as: W=aL2.91 in which it shows the isometric growth. The stomach content, were taken into consideration and it was found that the amount of full, semi-full and empty stomachs were 31, 33 and 36 %, respectively; of which the highest frequency was in winter (74%) and the lowest was in summer (24%). The GaSI shows better feeding condition of A.dussumieri in spring and summer but feeding frequency (mostly in males) were decreased in autumn and winter. The Food Preference (FP) Index was estimated as: fishes (39%), crustacean (40%) and molluscs (20%) namely all of them are considered as minor food in all four seasons. The most important food items were identified as 1) fishes consist of: Carangid, Engraulids and Leiognathids; 2) crustaceans as crabs: Portunidae and Porcellanidae families; shrimp: Alpheidae family; and 3) mollusks consist of cephalopods: Loliginidae and Opisthoteuthidae; gastropods: Muricidae and Naticidae.