Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part A (2025)

The present study was conducted from April 2023 to March 2024 along a 20-kilometre stretch of the Narmada River in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh to investigate the food and feeding habits of Tor tor (mahseer). Four ecologically significant sampling sites Bedhaghat, Tilwaraghat, Gwarighat, and Lametaghat were selected for systematic gut content analysis. Dietary items were categorized into twelve distinct groups, revealing considerable monthly and seasonal variation. The dominant dietary components varied throughout the year, with phytoplankton groups such as Chlorophyceae (32%), Bacillariophyceae (20%), and Cyanophyceae (11%) forming a major part of the diet during warmer months (April to September), while zooplankton (Rotifera-14%, Crustacea-9%), Protozoa (7%), fish parts, and unidentified animal matter were more prevalent during colder months (October to March). The presence of various genera including Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Navicula, Brachionus, Daphnia, and Paramecium underscores the omnivorous and opportunistic feeding behavior of T. tor. The gastro-somatic index (GSI) ranged from 1.48 to 4.68, peaking during the pre-monsoon season, suggesting heightened feeding activity likely related to reproductive cycles. Additionally, the relative length of the gut (RLG) ranged from 1.89 to 2.72, with higher values during the phytoplankton-dominated months, supporting the omnivorous classification of the species. These findings highlight the dietary flexibility of T. tor and its adaptation to seasonal food availability, offering valuable insights for species conservation, habitat management, and aquaculture practices.