Spatial Variability in the Feeding Strategy of the Cichlid Fish Hemichromis fasciatus from Two Rivers in the Northwestern of Guinea Republic

Food composition and feeding strategy of the Cichlid fish Hemichromis fasciatus was studied in two rivers of Guinea Republic, in order to describe the spatial variability of the diet. Fish were collected during three surveys in October, November and December 2013. Out of 30 stomachs were analyzed and contribution of each food item was quantified using the frequency of occurrence ( %Fo), percent by number ( %N), contribution by weight ( %W) and the main food index (MFI). The feeding intensity (FI) of the species in each ecosystem was also evaluated as the percentage of individuals with stomach content. The feeding strategy was determined using the Amundsen et al. (1996) method. Hemichromis fasciatus showed relatively high feeding intensity in the two rivers (FI = 80.95 % in Kogon River and FI = 55.55 % in Tinguilinta River). The species fed mostly on preys of animal origin (Fish, fish scales, shrimps, arachnids, Odonata, Hemiptera, larvae of Coleoptera, larvae of Trichoptera and insect parts) in both rivers. The food spectrum was wider in Kogon River than in Tinguilinta River (9 items versus 4). Fish preys were the main food. As feeding strategy, H. fasciatus was found as specialized feeder in the studied rivers.