Predatory behaviour of a snakehead fish (Channa striatus Bloch)

The predatory behaviour of a snake-head, Channa striatus (Bloch) on Labeo rohita fingerlings was studied in the laboratory. The study was conducted with six C. striatus (120 to 210 g and 22 to 28 cm) over 24h a day for 3 weeks. Three different sizes prey of large (2.00g and 5.8cm), medium (1.30g and 4.5cm) and small (0.72g and 3.5cm) were used for the first week and then medium size prey for 2nd and 3rd weeks. All the predators preferred eating the small group of L. rohita although all three size groups of L. rohita offered were available. It was found that the prey fishes remained together aside of the aquarium from the predator. Predator first targeted a prey, drove fast towards it, the prey tried to escape from the predator's attack using a specific route and finally the predator grasped the prey on head first and then engulfed. The handling time ranged between 45 and 50 sec. The time of peak feeding was found in the morning and in the evening of day. When 2 or 3 predators were kept in one aquarium, they engaged in fighting, head on, followed by an attack on the mouth region by the dominant one, and subsequently on the pectoral fin and caudal fin of the defeating one. After 2-3 days they became habituated to remain together and did not involve themselves in fighting.

Influence of light on diurnal behaviour of Carangids in the Wadge Bank trawl fishery

Adequate data on the Wadge Bank fishery relating to several groups of fish, including Carangids, taken in bottom trawls are available for study. Analysis of this data indicated that the variation in Carangid catches was related to the time of day. In this paper, the available Wadge Bank fishery data is analysed and discussed to show the diurnal changes in Carangid catches and the probable influence of light in affecting these changes.

Predatory behaviour of a perch, Nandus nandus (Ham.)

Predatory behaviour of Nandus nandus was studied by offering Cyprinus carpio as prey. The study was conducted with six N. namdus (8.2 ±0.2 cm and 7.60 ±0.3g) represented as P 1, P 2, P 3, P 4, P 5 and P 6. Three size categories of prey (C. carpio) such as small (2.0 ±0.1 cm and 0.23 ±0.01g), large (3.6 ±0.1 cm and 0.57 ±O.O.lg) and mixed group consisting of both small and large prey were used for 14 days of trial. Predatory behavior was classified as targeting, driving, catching, handling, resting and next attempt of catching prey. After introduction of prey into the aquarium predators followed the movement of preys by eye movements and tried to target smaller one first. The predator grasped the head of the prey by its jaws by a drive and engulfed it wholly into the mouth. The average handling time (time taken to manipulate and swallow prey from capture to ceasation of pharyngeal movement) was 42±2 sec and 47±2 sec for small and large prey respectively. N. nandus were ingested more small prey than large prey though the size classes were equally available in case of mixed prey used. Although the prey consumption was higher in number when small prey were ingested but in weight the consumption was higher when ingested large size of prey. The study indicated that N. nandus, ingested more small prey and grasped the headfirst.

On the behaviour of marine crustaceans in an electrical field of alternating current

The minimum flow of current essential to produce electro-narcosis and fixation in marine crustaceans, Metapenaeus affinis, Parapenaeopsis stylifera, Panulirus ornatus and Neptunus sanguinofentus in an AC field of specific strength varied with the lengths of animals tested, except in case of the last one where the increase in size of animals showed no significant effect on the effective period for different reactions. M. affinis in interrupted AC required threshold pulses for narcosis and fixation, which varied inversely with the length of the organism. Animals subjected to current of higher effective period required longer time for recovery in interrupted AC of 50 c/s. The period for narcosis and recovery of M. affinis did not vary significantly with repeated stimulations on the same organism.

Temporal behaviour of marine landing in Karnataka 2. Seasonal patterns

Seasonal patterns of 21 fisheries in Karnataka (after isolation from time-series components) are presented. Depending on the pattern of seasonal fluctuation in landings, 19 fisheries have been grouped into five patterns, A, B, C, D and E. Ribbon fishes and 'other clupeids' did not exhibit any significant seasonal pattern. Pattern A with highest landings in the 4th quarter (October to December), followed by the 1, 2 and 3 quarters, is the most common in 10 species/groups (comprising 78% of the total landings). Harmonic analysis has been carried out using the seasonal indices.

Temporal behaviour of marine landings along coastal Karnataka 3. Cyclical patterns

Marine landing data for Karnataka during 1956-1978 were subjected to time series analysis and cyclical periodicities isolated in the case of seven fisheries namely, ribbon fish (five year cycle); Caranx spp., Leiognathus spp, and mackerel (six year cycle each); the combined landings of Hemirhamphus spp. and Belone spp.,'Lesser Sardines' and 'Other Clupeids' (seven year cycle each). 'Total' demonstrated an eight-year cyclical periodicity.