Title:

Preliminary assessment of the feeding ecology of Silver Catfish (Schilbe intermedius, Ruppel, 1832) in a seasonal floodplain of the Okavango Delta

Publication Year:
2005
Abstract:

This study investigates the feeding ecology of Schilbe intermedius across its entire life history. Data were collected using experimental fishing nets in two habitats in a seasonal floodplain. The results showed that S. intermedius has an ontogenetic shift in feeding behaviour where the young fish are primarily generalist predators, feeding on aquatic invertebrates while the older fish are more specialised predators feeding primarily on fish. This study showed that there is a higher potential for intra-specific competition among the older fish than in the younger size classes. However, it was recognized that this study is a snap-shot of the feeding ecology of S. intermedius and that a longer time series study is needed to study its feeding ecology.

Publication Title:

Botswana Notes and Records

Volume:
37
Issue:
Special Edition on Human Interactions and Natural Resource Dynamics in the Okavango Delta and Ngamiland
Pages:
207-217
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en

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