Food habits of brackish water tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron in riverine and lacustrine environments of a West African coastal basin.

The diet of the brackish water tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron is studied in various riverine and lacustrine systems of the Bia River basin (Côte d'Ivoire). Comparison of the diet between sampling sites (upper course, lower course and man-made Lake Ayame) shows significant differences. In the man-made lake, prey described as preferential include Asterionella (Bacillariophyceae) and Bosmina (Cladocera). In the lower course, the preferential preys are represented by Lyngbya (Cyanophyceae) while in the upper course Lyngbya and chironomid larvae are preferential. These differences are related to the altered environmental conditions generated by the construction of the dam on the Bia river main stream. In the man-made lake, there is no shift in diet either with the seasons (dry and rainy seasons) or with size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]