Gut Content Analysis of Pangasiid Catfish, Helicophagus waandersii Bleeker, 1858 from the Mekong River: a Preliminary Report

Abstract

The study on gut content of Helicophagus waandersii from the Mekong River was carried out in Muang Nong Khai, Nong Khai province during March to May 2006. The sampling site is located at N=17°59'47.5" and E=102°56'01.4". There were many food items found in the gut of H. waandersii. The frequency of occurrence and relative abundance of bivalves were 100 and 37.0%, respectively. Forty percent of the sampled fish were infected with nematode. The highest number of nematode in the gut of H. waandersii was 889 individuals/fish. H. waandersii is a bottom feeder and an omnivorous fish.