Seasonal feeding habits and ontogenetic diet shift of black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) in Lake Sava (Serbia)

The black bullhead is an invasive species that forms dense populations and has a negative impact on the native ichthyofauna. Recent studies indicate it one of most dominant fish in Serbian waters. Feeding habits based stomach contents individuals caught Lake Sava were analyzed as first step towards evaluating its possible fauna lake. following indices for diet analysis applied: vacuity index, frequency occurrence, numerical abundance prominence value. Trophic niche breadth seasonal trophic diversity calculated using Shannon?s index. spectrum comprised 16 different prey categories from five groups: Mollusca, Crustacea, Insecta, Teleostei plants. Fish main all seasons, followed by aquatic invertebrates. Plant material terrestrial insects used food relatively small quantities. Predation eggs was also detected. Our research confirmed this opportunistic generalist. An ontogenetic shift lowest value found age 1+ (H=1.39), while highest 3+ (H=2.00). widest recorded spring 2011 (H=2.12).