Where does a significant portion of wild Clarias batrachus energy intake originate?
Answer
Benthic (bottom-dwelling) invertebrates
Studies conducted on wild populations of the walking catfish confirm that while they do ingest vegetation, a substantial portion of the energy required for growth and reproduction is derived from consuming benthic invertebrates. These are organisms that live in or on the bottom substrate, such as mud or detritus. The catfish actively forages for items like worms, snails, and insect larvae that are hidden in the sediment. Its bottom-dwelling habit, aided by its sensory barbels detecting food in murky conditions, means it specializes in extracting these nutrient-rich protein sources from the substrate.
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