A stomach content analysis of Horabagrus brachysoma from Lake Vembanad, South India, showed that this species was omnivorous and euryphagous, with few qualititative differences in the diet among size classes. Feeding rates changed over the course of a year in response to environmental change associated with the monsoon.

The landings of the endangered bagrid catfish Horabagrus brachysoma from three selected markets along Vembanad Lake, Kerala was quantified at 6744kg during October 2003 September 2004, with the greatest share (51%) from Koluthumkadavu market of Vaikom. A considerable portion of the exploited stock consisted of individuals in the size ranges of 180-280mm TL in the case of males and 160-300mm TL in the case of females. Seasonal variations in landings have been discussed and an appraisal of the fishing techniques for H. brachysoma in the lake ecosystem has been presented. KEYWORDSFishing techniques, fishery, Horabagrus brachysoma, landings, Vembanad lake, Yellow CatfishThe Yellow Catfish Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther) is one of the most important inland food fish, highly appreciated for its taste and having very high consumer demand in the central districts of Kerala, southern India, especially in the regions surrounding the Vembanad lake. In addition, fingerlings of this bright yellow coloured catfish has now become the choice among ornamental fish hobbyists and traders both in India and abroad and there exists an increasing demand for them in the international aquarium markets. As early as the last decade, Kurup et al. (1993) had observed that this species, along with other catfishes of the Vembanad lake were facing serious population declines and that they required immediate protection and artificial propagation. Due to the rapid decrease in populations of this species in the wild, the fish has been listed as Endangered in the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan workshop for assessing the status of freshwater fishes of India (Molur & Walker, 1998). The commercial significance of H. brachysoma as a much relished food fish and an ornamental species has made it an excellent candidate for commercial aquaculture (Prasad et al., 2005), and preliminary studies on the growth of this species has been studied by Hakim and Prasad (2006). Excepting two general studies, one by Kurup et al. (1995) and the other by CICFRI (2001), no attempts have been made till date to quantify the landings of H. brachysoma from the regions around the Vembanad lake, even though the species has been listed as threatened. Our study was a preliminary attempt to quantify the landings of H. brachysoma from the regions in and around Vaikom, a major fish landing centre located along the Vembanad lake. Observations were also made with regard to sex and size composition of the specimens as well as seasonal variations in the landings. The fishing techniques for H. brachysoma in the Vembanad lake have also been discussed. METHODOLOGYData on the landings of H. brachysoma from the Vaikom region of Vembanad lake during October 2003-September 2004 were quantified based on the catches registered at three major markets -Koluthumkadavu, Ullala and Kothavara using the data supplied by fish vendors, traders as well as fisherman cooperatives operating in the region. Total landings for each week were compiled by visiting the respondents and gathe...