ABSTRACT A feeding trial was performed to assess dietary protein:lipid ratios for the grow-out phase of the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). Nine balanced isoenergetic diets were formulated, combining three different protein levels (300, 400, and 500 g kg−1) with three different lipid levels (50, 100, and 200 g kg−1), designated as P300/50L, P300/100L, P300/200L, P400/50L, P400/100L, P400/200L, P500/50L, P500/100L, and P500/200L. Additionally, a commercial fish feed, commonly used in Mexico to feed bullfrogs, was also tested during the experiment. Growth performance, animal performance parameters, carcass composition, and fatty acid profiles in muscle and liver were evaluated. The feeding trial results showed that all the experimental diets enhanced growth, feed conversion ratio, and frog-leg weight compared with the commercial diet. Bullfrogs had higher growth with 400 and 500 g kg−1 of dietary protein regardless of dietary lipid content. It was also notable that with the P500/200L diet, frogs doubled the weight of those fed the commercial diet. DHA, EPA, and total omega-3 fatty acids were double in muscle and two to eight times higher in the liver compared with the commercial diet. In all cases, the final proximal composition of carcass reflected the diet composition. It is suggested that a diet containing 400 g kg−1 of protein and 50 g kg−1 lipids (protein/lipid ratio: 7.4; gross energy: 18.2 MJ kg−1) is adequate for bullfrog performance during the grow-out phase to achieve market size in a shorter period, thus, reducing farming risks and production costs.

Invasive Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Weber, 1991) (synonymy: Liposarcus multiradiatus) armored catfish were first reported in Mexico in 1995 and have spread successfully in several aquatic ecosystems. In Adolfo López Mateos El Infiernillo Reservoir, Michoacán - Guerrero, the population of this armored catfish is growing substantially because natural predators are not present and exploitation by humans does not occur. Over a complete annual cycle, we studied the following population parameters: weight, total and standard length, the relationship of weight to total length, the hepatosomatic (HSI) and gonadosomatic (GSI) indices, total fecundity (TF) and relative fecundity (RF). The average total (TL) and standard lengths (SL) were 248 ± 37.5 and 188 ± 30.7 mm, respectively, and the average weight (W) was 135.3± 66.8 g. The largest fish reported was 520 mm in TL and weighed 1 280 g. The species showed an extended reproductive season from May to November, as indicated by the GSI, TF and RF. The strongest reproductive peak occurred from July through October. During the annual cycle, the highest monthly average fecundity was 2 447 eggs, and the average relative fecundity was 12.6 eggs per g of fish (August and September). This information will be crucial for calculating the current biomass and future growth of the population. The calculation of these results could provide a basis for the exploitation of this resource for human consumption and animal feeds.

La especie invasiva "bagre armado" P. disjunctivus (Weber 1991) (sinonimia de Liposarcus multuradiatus) fue registrada por primera vez en México en 1995; en diversos sistemas acuáticos se ha distribuido exitosamente. En la presa Adolfo López Mateos El Infiernillo, Michoacán - Guerrero, la población de peces armados se ha incrementado considerablemente debido a la ausencia de depredadores y la falta de aprovechamiento. Por ello, a lo largo de un ciclo anual evaluamos los siguientes parámetros: longitud total (LT) y estándar (LS), peso (W), relación peso-longitud total, índices hepatosomático (HSI) y gonadosomático (GSI), fecundidad total (FT) y relativa (FR). La longitud total y estándar promedio fueron 248 ± 37.5 y 188 ± 30.7 mm respectivamente y el peso promedio de 135.3 ± 66.8 gr. El pez de mayor talla presentó 520 mm TL y peso 1 280 gr. La especie presenta una amplia temporada reproductiva, que de acuerdo con GSI, TF y RF se extiende desde mayo hasta noviembre. El mayor pico reproductivo ocurre de julio a octubre. Durante el ciclo anual, la mayor fecundidad promedio fue de 2 447 huevos y la fecundidad relativa fue de 12.6 huevos por gr. de pez (agosto y septiembre). Esta información es fundamental para estimar la biomasa y el crecimiento de la población, con lo cual se pueden plantear estrategias de manejo y explotación del recurso para consumo humano y animal.

The objective of the present study was to estímate growth curve parameters of length and weight in whitefish Chirostoma estor (EE), blacknose silverside Chirostoma promelas (PP) and their reciprocal hybrids (EP and PE) up to 300 days of age from a complete diallel cross under culture conditions in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. The length was measured monthly from hatching, while the weight was measured monthly from 120 days of age. The total number of each observation (samples) was analyzed for length 1006 (26), 771 (22), 513 (22) and 421 (21) for groups EP, PE, PP and EE, respectively. Total number of observations (samples) was analyzed for weight 630 (16), 521 (14), 263 (13) and 256 (13) for groups EP, PE, PP and EE, respectively. The growth curves for weight and length were estimated using nonlinear regression models. The group EE reached an estimated weight of 7.89 g at 300 days of age, 65% higher than the PP (4.78 g) and 57 % higher than the average of their hybrids (P < 0.01); EE had a length of 9.31 cm (14%) larger than PP (7.97 cm) and 13% larger than the average of their hybrids (P < 0.01). The four groups showed a positive allometric growth with values of 3.20 to 3.3 (P < 0.05). The results of this study are the first comparative estimates of growth characteristics up to 300 days of age for these species and their hybrids in captivity.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar parámetros de las curvas de crecimiento del peso y la longitud en el pez blanco Chirostoma estor (EE), el pez blanco pico negro Chirostoma promelas (PP) y de sus híbridos recíprocos (EP y PE) hasta los 300 días de edad a partir de un cruzamiento dialélico completo bajo condiciones de cultivo en Morelia, Michoacán, México. La longitud se midió mensualmente desde la eclosión, mientras que el peso se midió mensualmente a partir de los 120 días. Los números totales de observaciones (muestras) analizadas para longitud fueron 1006 (26), 771 (22), 513 (22) y 421 (21) para los grupos EP, PE, PP y EE, respectivamente. Los números totales de observaciones (muestras) analizadas para peso fueron 630 (16), 521 (14), 263 (13) y 256 (13) para los grupos EP, PE, PP y EE, respectivamente. Las curvas de crecimiento para peso y longitud se estimaron con modelos de regresión no lineal. El grupo EE alcanzó un peso estimado de 7.89 g a los 300 días de edad, 65% mayor que el de PP (4.78 g) y 57% mayor que el promedio de los híbridos (P < 0.01); EE tuvo una longitud de 9.31 cm (14%) mayor que PP (7.97 cm) y 13% mayor que la del promedio de los híbridos (P < 0.01). Los cuatro grupos, mostraron un crecimiento de tipo alométrico positivo con valores de 3.2 a 3.3 (P < 0.05). Los resultados de este estudio son las primeras estimaciones comparativas de las características de crecimiento hasta los 300 días de edad para estas especies y sus híbridos en cautiverio.