Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2010, Vol 10, Num, 2 (Pages: 187-194)
Feeding Habits of Tench (Tinca tinca L., 1758) in Beyşehir Lake (Turkey)
2 Ankara University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 06100, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey
3 Kafkas University, Faculty of Science and Art, Department of Biology, 36100, Kars, Turkey
4 Niğde University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Biology, 51100, Niğde, Turkey DOI : 10.4194/trjfas.2010.0205 Viewed : 4275 - Downloaded : 3197 In this study, alimentary canal contents of 188 tench (Tinca tinca L., 1758) caught from Beyşehir Lake (Turkey) between April 2004 and March 2005 were examined for feeding habits. Phytoplanktonic and zoooplanktonic organisms, insects, detritus (animal and vegetable) and two most common parasites of tench, Ligula intestinalis and Asymphylodora tincae were determined in observed in the alimentary canal of fish. There was a significant difference between the frequency of the existance of Chlorella, Coscinidiscus, Fragilaria, Mougetia, Phytoconis, Pinnularia, Rivularia, Synedra, Ulotrix, Brachionus, Gammarus sp., and Ligula intestinalis among seasons (df=3, P<0.05). Only 6 of these genera (Chaetophora, Coscinidiscus, Phytoconis, Surirella, Synedra, Daphnia) had a significant difference among age classes (df=5, P<0.05). Additionally, it was found that only 5 of the 188 tench (2.66%) were observed to have almost empty alimentary canal. Algae and macrophytes were found to be the most considerable food types in the present study, which is followed by zooplankton and insect larvae. Keywords : Feeding habits, Tinca tinca, Beyşehir lake, Turkey