v10i2.258

ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v10i2.258

Submitted date: 7 June 2021
Accepted date: 17 September 2021
Published date: 22 November 2021
Pp. 121–122

A freshwater crab (Barytelphusa sp.) feeding on a catfish (Pterocryptis sp.)

Y. Kalki*
*E-mail: yatin.kalki@gmail.com

The freshwater crab, Barytelphusa cunicularis (Westwood, 1836), is a common and widespread crustacean species inhabiting freshwater streams throughout India except the northeast. It is an omnivore that feeds on small crustaceans, gastropods, insects and aquatic vegetation. This species is commonly collected as a food commodity and is also often reared in captivity for the same purpose. In captivity, these crabs seem to prefer animal-based food and are generally fed about 10% of their total biomass in prawn and rice flakes daily. Observations of B. cunicularis feeding in nature are scant in the literature, and to the best of my knowledge there have not been any reports of the species feeding on fish. Herein I report the first observation of B. cunicularis feeding on a Malabar silurus, Pterocryptis wynaadensis, a type of catfish.

Section Editor: Lee Harding