Feeding of fishes in the Ribeirão Grande system, eastern serra da Mantiqueira, SP

Abstract

Feeding habits of fishes were studied in the Ribeirão Grande system (22º 47' 08'' S and 45º 28' 17'' W), state of São Paulo. Stomach content of each specimen was analyzed through the grade of feeding preference, and classified as autochthonous and alochthonous, according to their origin. The eleven species of fishes were classified into one of three trophic categories: herbivore, when species fed almost entirely on periphyton; Pareiorhina rudolphi was the only species assigned to this category. Omnivores consumed plant and animal material; this category included Astyanax scabripinnis and Gymnotus pantherinus. Benthic insectivores, when species fed predominantly on immature forms of benthic insects; included in this category were Characidium lauroi, C. alipioi, Trichomycterus itatiayae, T. immaculatus, T. iheringi, Neoplecostomus microps, Taunaya bifasciata and Imparfinis minutus. Insects were the main food item consumed by the species in the Ribeirão Grande system, occurring predominance of autochthonous prey in relation to alochthonous prey.