Régime alimentaire de quatre espèces du genre Haplochromis (Teleostéi, Cichlidae) du lac Ihema (Rwanda)

Abstract

The food of four haplochromine species is investigated in this study. These species represent 27, 9 % of the total weightcaught by experimental fishing. This work shows that each species takes advantage of specific food items. Haplochromis (Haplochromis) sp. feeds mainly on Chaoboridae, during the night, near the surface. H. (Gaurochromis) sp. is also an insect feeder whose main prey are Chaoboridae, but during the day and on the bottom. H. (Harpagochromis) sp. is a predator feeding mainly on fishes. The food of H. (Paralabidochromis) sp. is composed of benthic organisms, especially Chironomidae and Oligochaetes in the coastal zone. This high specialisation seems an efficient way to avoid food competition. © Gauthier-Villars, 1992.