Ontogenic Changes in Prey Ingested by Nile perch (Lates niloticus) Caught in Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria,Kenya |
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| Authors: | Nicholas O. Outa Edwine Yongo Jameslast A. Keyombe |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Centre for Research and Technology Development, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya;2. Department of Fisheries and aquatic Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya;3. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Naivasha, Kenya |
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| Abstract: | A total of 289 fish were analysed in this study, with Caradina nilotica (44%) being the dominant food item in their diet, while tilapia (8%) contributed the least. Haplochromines, unidentified fish prey and juvenile Nile perch also were observed. An ontogenic shift was observed, with C. nilotica contributing highest (61.1%) of the diet of fingerlings, but decreasing to 21% in the diet of adults. Nile perch contributed 35.7% of the diet in the adults and 8.1% in the fingerlings. This study indicates Nile perch is a predatory fish, feeding mainly on C. nilotica, haplochromines, tilapia, Nile perch and other fish materials. |
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| Keywords: | cannibalism
Caradina nilotica
feeding haplochromines ontogenic shift |
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