The effect of food and frozen storage on the nutrient composition of some African fishes.

Specimens of Tilapia zillii, Clarias lazera, Channa obscura, Synodontis schali, and Scomberomus tritor were collected between January and December 1990, covering the dry and rainy seasons. According to stomach analysis they were classified as either herbivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, plankton consumers or invertebrate feeders. The crude protein, lipid and moisture contents were determined both for pre- and post frozen storage, with the exception of S. tritor (only post storage data). The percentage of total lipid and protein decreased significantly after each succeeding frozen storage, and the moisture content shows a trend similar to other parameters in all the species. Fresh fish is of the highest nutritional value. The feeding habit had some relationship with the muscle protein, fat and moisture content.