Abstract
Scale-eating behaviour of Perissodus microlepis was observed in its natural habitat and the stomach contents of individuals at various developmental stages were examined.Young guarded by the parents fed on zooplankters, and juveniles exploited a wide variety of food items: zooplankters, phytoplankters, benthic animals and scales of other fishes.Adults subsisted primarily on scales.Adult P.microlepis removed scales from diverse fish species, most intensively from algae-eating cichlids larger than themselves and with flat bodies.Most of their attacks were delivered from near the substrate.They sometimes ambushed their prey using the underside or crevice of a rock as cover.Fishes engaging in feeding, territorial attacking or courtship display were often attacked.
