Food and Feeding Habit of African Bagrid catfish, Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus in Kwakwalawa river, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the feeding adaptations and dietary composition of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Kwakwalawa river. A total of fifty (50) samples were collected weekly over twelve (12) weeks (October to December 2025) from artisanal fish landing sites. Specimens were captured using hand nets, clap nets, cast nets, and gill nets of varying mesh sizes. Samples were transported immediately to the Forestry and Fisheries Laboratory at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, for fresh examination. Stomach contents were analyzed using the frequency of occurrence and numerical methods. Results indicated that 86.0% of the stomachs contained insects, 68.0% contained millet, 12.0% contained grasses, and 6.0% contained fish parts. Identified food items included insects, fish fragments, millet, macrophytes (grasses), and unidentified organic matter. These findings suggest that C. nigrodigitatus is an omnivore with a diet primarily consisting of insects, plant materials, and fish. Fisheries management and local aquaculture developers should prioritize the preservation of insect-rich benthic habitats and the integration of locally available agricultural by-products, like millet, into feed formulations to ensure the sustainable growth and economic viability of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in the Sokoto region.  Further research is recommended to establish a comprehensive nutritional profile for this species across other water bodies, such as the Kwakwalawa river.