THE FEEDING HABITS OF SEVEN SPECIES OF FISHES IN THE RESERVOIR OF URRA HYDROPOWER (CÓRDOBA, COLOMBIA)

The object of the study was to evaluate the feeding habits of seven species of fishes that have established in the reservoir of the Urrá Hydropower (HU). 453 stomaches were analysed: perico (Tracheolypterus badeli cf) (n=115), cacucho (Panaque gibbosus) (n=111), yalua (Cyphocharax magdalenae) (n=108), mojarra amarilla (Caquetaia kraussii) (n=89), moncholo (Hoplias malabaricus) (n=11), barbul (Pimelodus clarias) (n=10) and doncella (Ageneoisus pardalis) (n=9). The stomach contents were analysed by means of ocurrence frequency (FO), numeric frequency (FN) and gravimetric method (G). The importance of each prey was determined by means of the Item Categorization Index (ICP) and the overlapping of diets was analyzed by means of the Morosita Index (IM). The results showed that yalúa stomach contents were detritus (95.5%) and the remaining were microalgal (Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta) and protozoans/rotifers. cacucho diet was conformed of microalgal and protozoans/rotifers (70.9%, Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophytas) and the remaining was detritus. Barbul (FO = 50%, FN = 46. 2%) and perico (FO = 73. 9%, FN = 86. 4%) fed mainly of insects. Mojarra amarilla (FO = 87. 1%, FN = 83. 3%), doncella (FO = 92. 3%, FN = 92. 0%) and moncholo (FO = 90. 9%, FN = 90. 9%) showed preference for fishes like cachanita ( Roeboides dayi) and sardinas (Astianax sp). From the results it can infereed that yalúa is detritivore-iliophagus, cacucho is detritívore, and perico and barbul are carnivore-insectivorous and doncella, moncholo and mojarra amarilla are carnivore-piscívorous.