Seasonal Dynamics of Food and Feeding Ecology of Giant River Catfish (Sperata seenghala Bloch, 1794) from the Gomti River, India

Abstract

The present study investigated the food and feeding habits of Sperata seenghala in the Gomti River, Uttar Pradesh, with emphasis on seasonal variation in diet. From October 2024 to March 2025, 233 specimens were examined during the six-month sampling period. Gut contents were assessed using frequency-of-occurrence, numerical, volumetric and gravimetric methods. Clear monthly shifts were observed. Insects were the most widely occurring and numerically dominant prey during several winter months, reaching 100% occurrence in February and 87.9% numerical contribution in January. Annelids increased during the later months, contributing 49.6% and 55.6% numerically in February and March, respectively. Fish contributed strongly by volume and weight, reaching 26.70% volumetrically in December and 60% gravimetrically in March, indicating the influence of larger prey on dietary bulk and biomass. Molluscs, semi-digested matter, plant matter, algae and mud occurred at lower or more variable levels. The contrast among occurrence, numerical, volumetric and gravimetric estimates shows that prey importance depended on the metric applied. Overall, S. seenghala exhibited a broad and predominantly carnivorous diet, with seasonal shifts in prey use and the relative importance of small and large food items. These findings provide baseline information on the trophic ecology and resource utilisation of this catfish in the Gomti River.