An Investigation on the Food and Feeding Habit of <i>Sarotherodon Galilaeus </i>(Cichlidae) in Egbe Reservoir, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the food and feeding ecology of <i>Sarotherodon galilaeus</i>, a species of cichlid found in Nigeria's Egbe Reservoir. For the investigation, 305 fish specimens were used. The stomach contents were analyzed using diet indices such as stomach fullness, numerical approach, and frequency of occurrence method. Additionally, the Geometric Index of value (GII) was used to determine the relative value of these food products. The findings showed that both adult and juvenile <i>Sarotherodon galilaeus</i> fed on nine various food sources. The variety of food items included rotifers, algae, desmids, diatoms, protozoa, detritus, aquatic insects, aquatic plants, and insect larvae. The inclusion of detritus in the food items suggests that the fish species graze on both surface water and bottom sediments. Algae had the highest frequency of occurrence (46.39%) in both sizes and seasons, whereas rotifer had the lowest value (1.55%). Since it is possible to create the artificial diet required for this species' mass production in Nigeria, the findings of this study are very significant for the culture of that species<i>. Sarotherodon galilaeus</i> can be classified as an omnivore because it consumed a variety of foods. Since feeding accounts for 60–65% of the aquaculture industry for any species being raised, research on fish diet and feeding habits is essential to developing an effective aquaculture management system. As a result, the fish species may be raised in our garden.