ABSTRACT The influence of feeding frequency on growth performance, batch uniformity, and survival rate of severum (Heros severus) larvae and juveniles was investigated in two experiments. In the first, 200 five-day-old severum larvae with 3.20±0.31 mg and 6.20±0.39 mm were randomly distributed into 20 aquaria (1 L) and fed 500 Artemia nauplii larvae−1 day−1 for 15 days. In the second, 120 severum juveniles, 178.19±33.59 mg and 1.82±0.09 cm, were randomly distributed into 15 aquaria (300 L) and hand-fed a commercial diet (400.0 g kg−1 crude protein and 21.2 kJ g−1 gross energy) until apparent satiety for 30 days. For both experiments, feeding frequencies of one, two, three, four, and five meals day−1 were evaluated. We used four replicates for the first experiment and three for the second. At the end of both experiments, survival rate and batch uniformity were unaffected by the feeding frequency. Severum larvae fed three, four, and five meals day−1 showed higher final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, but only the larvae fed five meals day−1 showed higher final length and length gain than those fed once and twice day−1. Severum juveniles fed two, four, and five meals day−1 showed higher final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. Growth performance parameters of final length and length gain were not affected by feeding frequencies. Thus, we recommend that the optimal feeding frequency for severum larvae fed Artemia nauplii is three meals day−1 and for juvenile severum fed a commercial diet, the optimal frequency is two meals day−1.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of photoperiod on growth, uniformity, and survival of larvae of the Amazonian ornamental fish severum (Heros severus). A completely randomized study was used with five treatments (0L:24D, 6L:18D, 12L:12D, 18L:6D, 24L:0D) and four replicates, with the aquaria as the experimental unit. Two hundred severum larvae (3.20±0.16 mg and 5.60±0.00 mm) were distributed into 20 aquariums of one litre at a density of 10 larvae per litre. For a period of 15 days, feed was supplied four times daily with Artemia nauplii in a proportion of 160 nauplii/larvae/feeding. At the end of the experimental period, growth, uniformity, and survival data were subjected to analyses of variance and significance. Manipulation of the photoperiod showed no change in variables because there was no difference in the growth, uniformity, or survival of severum larvae. Thus, for larvae of this species of up to 20 days of age, the manipulation of the photoperiod is not advantageous due to the possible increase in production costs. Therefore, it is recommended to use the photoperiod close to the natural environment.