Food and Feeding Biology of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Langeno, Ethiopia

This study aimed to investigate the natural feeding behavior of Nile tilapia in Lake Langeno, Ethiopia, with emphasis on potential spatial, size and seasonal effects ingested food items. biology O. niloticus was conducted from March 2016to February 2017. Fish samples were collected monthly six different sampling sites using mesh sizes gillnets. A total 610 fish specimens full stomachs considered for assessment biology. In total, seven items, namely phytoplankton, zooplankton, insects, detritus, macrophytes, parts nematodes, identified stomach contents. Phytoplankton most commonly consumed prey, followed by zooplankton macrophytes. The other items occasionally randomly consumed. detritus dominant prey dry season, macrophytes main during wet months. contribution insects slightly highest small-sized groups (<10 cm), whereas larger-size (>20 cm) (p < 0.05). present results point a concurrence relative importance dietary at individual level, species level among sites. primary item, which indicates specialist strategy lake. Generally, plant origin, typically associated less protein content than animal origin dominated contents tilapia. pattern Langeno shifts aspects that might warrant further view aquaculture applications as well climate change.