FEEDING HABITS AND MORPHOMETRY OF DIGESTIVE TRACTS OF Geophagus brasiliensis (OSTEICHTHYES, CICHLIDAE), IN A LAGOON OF HIGH TIBAGI RIVER, PARANÁ STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

Feeding spectrum of Geophagus brasiliensis(Osteichthyes, Cichlidae) stomach contents were analysed and morphometry of digestive tract are investigated, in Lagoa Dourada, Ponta Grossa, Paraná State, Brazil. A total of 83 specimens were captured between April 1993 and April 1994. From each specimen, the following measurements/data were determined: total and standard length, length of intestine and abdominal cavity, intestinal coefficient (IC = 1,59), celomatic coefficient (CC = 0,36) and the relationship between intestinal length and celomatic cavity length (il/cc = 4,60). G. brasiliensis is an omnivorous species, and insects represented 46.21% of the total volume of their diet. Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Trichoptera and Diptera larvae were predominant, compounding the largest feeding indices. The intestine is a moderately coiled tube, with intestinal folds following a “N” shape.