The diet of matrinxa Brycon amazonicum (Pisces, Characidae) juveniles, in flooded areas of the Marchantaria lsland, Amazonas, Brazil

The diet of 44 Brycon amazonicum juveniles (15 to 50 mm S.L.) from the flooded areas of the Marchantaria Island in the Solimoes River was studied. The fishes were captured using a 30 cm diameter aperture and 2 meter long hand net. Our analyses were based on Frequency Occurence (%) and prey number: larvae diet was evaluated by length (S.L (mm)) and date of capture, using two factors ANOVA. The dates of capture explain the oscillations in the prey number ingested by juveniles. The qualitative diet shows little variation among juveniles of Brycon amazonicum during this development phase. In conclusion, B. amazonicum juveniles present a large food spectrum and adjust their diet according to prey availability in the environment.