Gut Content Analysis of Siganus canaliculatus (Danggit)

The study aims to identify the gut content of Siganus canaliculatus (Danggit) found in a mangrove forest at Brgy. Tagabuli, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Sampling was done in two sampling stations namely: Area 1 (mangrove area) and Area 2 (aquaculture area). Results showed that percentage composition of prey items in Area 1 are composed of algae (78%), plankton (13%) and detritus (9%), while Area 2 is composed mostly of detritus (62%), algae (30%), planktons (7%) and others such as stone sediments, small shell crustacean and nylon fragments (1%). Proximate composition of Siganus canaliculatus flesh in Area 1 has Crude fat (11%), Crude protein (48%) and Ash (6%) while Area 2 has Crude fat (10%), Crude protein (51%) and Ash (28%). Siganus canaliculatus gathered in mangrove and aquaculture area consumed similar prey items like Melosira spp. (Diatoms), Meridion spp. (Diatoms), Nitzschia spp. (Diatoms), Ascartia spp. (Copepod) and Dreissena spp. (Zooplankton). Based on gut content analysis of Siganus canaliculatus, it is herbivorous. Hence, algae as the primary prey item of Siganus canaliculatus should be conserved, and harvesting of commercially important fishes should be monitored.

Gut, content, analysis, Danggit, Siganus canaliculatus

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