Evaluation of feeding indices of catfish Arius dussumieri in Oman Sea (Sistine & Baluchistan)

Due to study the food regime of Arius dussumieri, a total of 132 specimens were collected from Oman sea waters, Sistine & Baluchistan province. The stomach content, were taken into consideration and it was found that the amount of full, semi-full and empty stomachs were 31, 33 and 36 percent, respectively; of which the highest frequency was in winter (74%) and the lowest was in summer (24%). On the other hand, the fullness index was studied with the highest and lowest value for spring (44%) and winter (5%), respectively. The GaSI shows that A. dussumieri, has better feeding in spring and summer but feeding (up in male) was decreased in autumn and winter. The Food Preference (FP) Index was estimated as: Fishes (39%), Crustacean (40%) and Molluscs (20%) namely all of them are considered as minor food in all four seasons. The most important food items were identification as fishes: Carangidae, Engraulidae & Leiognathidae; crabs: Portunidae & Porcellanidae; shrimp: Alpheidae; cephalopods: Loliginidae & Opisthoteuthidae; gastropods: Muricidae & Naticidae