Should Limnothrissa miodon be Eaten and Lamprichthys tanganicanus Thrown? Proximate Analysis-based Arguments for a Lake Kivu Fish Resource Marketability

Abstract

This study provides arguments based on proximate analysis of Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger, 1906) and Lamprichthys tanganicanus (Boulenger), two introduced fishes in Lake Kivu from Lake Tanganyika to enhance consumers' attraction towards the neglected L. tanganicanus. The results indicated that L. tanganicanus and L. miodon have the same composition of mineral materials. Limnothrissa miodon was more protein- and calorie-rich than L. tanganicanus. The latter contained more fat. Despite these differences in macronutrient content, both L. tanganicanus and L. miodon are of high quality and accessible food resources that can contribute to food security and poverty alleviation by supplying animal proteins and other nutritional requirements to the poorest among the riparian population of Lake Kivu.

Keywords

• Feeding habits
• Food Reluctance
• Food security
• Fisheries
• Nutritional value
• Lake Kivu
• DRC