Feeding Activity of a Tanganyikan Cichlid Fish Lamprologus brichardi

Abstract

Feeding activity of Lamprologus brichardi was observed at Luhanga from August to November 1983. The fish was active in the daytime and inactive in the night time. All stages of the fish feed on zooplankters and suspended materials in open water. Diel change of patterns of feeding rate and feeding height of the fish were bimodal, high in the morning, 07:00-11:00 and in the afternoon, 13:00-16:00. It is suggested that the density of zooplankter might have been one of the factors initiating feeding activity of the fish. Seasonal change in feeding activity of the fish was recognized, high in dry season and low in rainy season. Turbidity of water and breeding activity in rainy season were considered to produce the decrease of the feeding activity.