FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS, GROWTH PATTERN AND WELLBEING OF CASSAVA CROAKER (PSEUDOTOLITHUS SENEGALENSIS) FROM JAJA CREEK, IKOT ABASI, AKWA IBOM STATE, SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA.

Food and feeding habits, growth pattern and wellbeing of Cassava croaker, Pseudotolithus senegalensis from Jaja Creek, Ikot Abasi was studied between November 2022 and April 2023. A total of 201 specimens were collected and preserved immediately after capture in transparent container and transported to the Zoology Departmental Laboratory, Akwa Ibom State University for further examination. Specimens were weighed with electric weighing balance to the nearest 0.01g and total length and standard length of each fish sample were measured to nearest 0.01cm using a fish measuring board. Specimens were dissected and the stomach and gut contents were examined and analyzed using Frequency of occurrence, Numerical and Point methods, which were combined to have the index of relative importance of the food items. The growth pattern was estimated using the equation TW=aTLb, where by the b values gave information on the growth patterns. Condition index is determined using the formula K=TW/TL3. The results showed that the diet of the species composed of crayfish, prawn, fish parts, detritus, small fish, crab and octopus. Based on index of relative importance, crayfish, prawn, fish parts, constituted the primary food items, detritus, small fish and crab constituted the secondary food items while octopus made up the incidentally consumed food item. The species consumed mainly animal tissue hence it is a carnivore. Based on the gut repletion index, the species is an active feeder. The b values recorded by the species were 2.381, 2.525 and 2.476 for male, female and combined sexes which showed a negative allometric growth. Mean condition factor recorded for male and female species were 0.6084 + 0.10982 and 0.6516 + 0.11598 respectively. The condition factor was less than one (1) showing poor condition.