Diet of <i>Coptodon tholloni congica</i> (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from the Nkéni River (Tributary of the Congo River)

This study was undertaken to found out the feeding habits of Coptodon tholloni congica from the Nkéni River. The stomach contents of 62 fish specimens captured using a cast net were examined, 7 were empty (11,29%). The standard length of the specimens varied between 43.16 and 95.74 mm, an average of 63.3 ± 8.1 mm, examination of the structure of the digestive tract showed a small stomach and a long intestine (2 ,4< CI <7.13), thus indicating that the studied species is phytophagous. The diet was analyzed by calculating the preponderance index of each prey item according to the specimens size and the season. The emptiness coefficient was equal to 10.26%, Coptodon tholloni congica consumes plant debris (Ip=37.63%) and mud (Ip=33.50%) and algae (20.35%). The Schoener index shows that no significant seasonal variation in diet was observed.