Seasonal Variation in the Epibenthic Feeding Habits of Hilsa Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in the Upper Meghna River Estuary, Bangladesh

Seasonal changes in feeding habits of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) were studied monthly 2019 the upper Meghna estuary, Bangladesh, through gut content analyses. Tychoplanktonic diatoms followed by copepods abundant all months and size groups hilsa. The inverse relationship between niche breadth relative length revealed consume a variety food at their early stages while habit towards during adult stage with development gill rakers. Young hilsas prefer mostly tychoplanktonic (Aulacoseira sp., Triceratium Nitzschia Synedra Coscinodiscus sp.) (Pseudodiaptomus sp.). However, rejected Aulacoseira sp. spawning season. Ingested sand grains correlated tychoplankton, revealing value from epipelic microalgae bacteria clinging to them epibenthic foraging young hilsas. Thus, this study that primarily feed on water near bottom estuary January June later rakers allow planktonic diatoms. Epibenthic needs be considered more fully evaluating biology and, perhaps, other clupeids, possible human impacts habitat.