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Tropical Zoology Volume 14, 2001 - Issue 1
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Original Articles

Food composition and digestive enzymes in the gut of the African electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus (Gmelin 1789) (Malapteruridae)

O. A. Fagbenro Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria
,
C. O. Adedire Department of Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria
&
M. L. Aiyegbeni Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria
Pages 1-6 | Received 16 Oct 1998, Accepted 30 Aug 2000, Published online: 30 Jul 2012
 
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Abstract

Stomach contents analyses of 330 specimens of the electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus (Gmelin 1789) (standard length, 10.1–30.5 cm) collected in Mahin Lagoon (southwestern Nigeria) established it as a bottom feeder. A preponderance of insects and prey fish, which accounted for 100% occurrence and > 18% of total volume in the stomachs of specimens, suggested a predatory habit. Carbohydrases (amylase, maltase), chitinase, proteases (pepsin, chymotrypsin, trypsin) and lipases were detected in different gut regions with different activity, which correlated with its predatory diet.

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