Feeding habits of Brycinus longipinnis in Bia River, Cote d'Ivoire

The diet of 171 specimens of Brycinus longipinnis was examined in relation to the study site, to the specimen size and hydrological seasons during 24 months in the Bia River (Cote d'Ivoire) on which has been constructed a hydroelectric dam in 1959. The relative importance index combining the occurrence, numerical and weight of percentage of the items identified in the stomach contents was computed. This examination revealed for this species an omnivorous diet mainly composed of invertebrates and higher plant materials. The dominant food items were Chironomidae and Formicidae. This study showed differences in diet in relation to the hydrological seasons in all site of study and the size of the specimens upstream of the man-made lake.