DIGESTION OF MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA BY OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS

Abstract

The mean assimilation efficiency of aquarium acclimatized Oreochromis mossambiaue fed on a diet of Microcystis aeruginosa collected from Hartbeespoort Dam was determined as 50,8% for total organic matter, 63,7% for protein and 75,5% for phosphorus. Transmission electron microscopic examination of faeces of fish fed on M. aeruginosa, revealed that most Microcystis cell walls had become permeable allowing cell contents to leach out. Further digestion resulted in the break down of the cell wall structure. Up to 25% of the cells, however, appeared intact after passing through the fish. Fish fed on a diet of M. aeruginosa lost mass initially, but after 21 days showed a slight gain in mass. The high protein content of M. aeruginosa nay have inhibited efficient metabolism and would have led to reduced growth in fish.