Rapid digestion of fish prey by the highly invasive `detritivore'Oreochromis mossambicus

Authors: Doupé, R. G.; Knott, M. J.

Source: Journal of Fish Biology, Volume 76, Number 4, March 2010 , pp. 1019-1024(6)

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Abstract:

Stomach residence time was tested over 24 h in three size classes of Oreochromis mossambicus using juvenile Lates calcarifer. In all 63 observations, the fish prey was digested within 24 h of consumption and most probably within 1 h, suggesting a need to re-evaluate the trophic status and potential effects of this highly invasive species.

Keywords: exotic fish; gut residence time; Mozambique tilapia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02531.x

Affiliations: 1: Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University, Queensland 4811, Australia

Publication date: 2010-03-01