What benefit does the digestive plasticity of Clarias batrachus provide during periods of food scarcity?

Allows survival by switching to lower-quality sustenance when preferred prey is absent

Digestive plasticity refers to the alimentary canal's adaptability to handle a diverse intake of materials, which is a core element of the walking catfish's biological success. This flexibility is crucial during periods of food scarcity, such as dry seasons or when preferred prey is absent. When energy-rich food is unavailable, the catfish can shift its diet to utilize less ideal sustenance, such as tougher aquatic vegetation or terrestrial insects that have fallen into the water. While this alternative food might be lower in immediate nutritional value, it ensures survival until more favorable feeding conditions return, contrasting sharply with specialized fish that rely on a single food source.