Abstract This study investigated the depuration time of tilapia in saline and freshwater environments and its influence on animal performance and meat quality. Depuration until the seventh day resulted in significant reductions in average weight, condition factor, viscerosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and fillet yield in both environments. Regarding proximate composition, the saline environment promoted the maintenance of crude protein, moisture and ash percentages. Depuration in the freshwater environment resulted in reduced percentages of crude protein, ash and energy and increased humidity. Total lipids were reduced in both environments, but with a significantly lower in saline. Maximum rigor index occurred in up to three and nine hours for fish depurated in freshwater and saline environments, respectively. During the post-rigor period, the rigor index experienced a sharp drop in the freshwater environment, while in the saline environment it remained similar to that of the pre-depuration group. Depuration in a saline environment for up to seven days was efficient at maintaining of proximate composition and rigor mortis, however, depuration until the fifth day is indicated to maintain performance indices.

ABSTRACT We used five nonlinear models to calculate the weight gain of rainbow trout (122.11±15.6 g) during the final grow-out phase of 98 days under three different feed types (two commercials diets, A and B, and one experimental diet, C) in triplicate groups. We fitted the von Bertalanffy growth function with allometric and isometric scaling coefficient, Gompertz, Logistic, and Brody functions to weight (g) at age data of 900 fish, distributed in nine tanks. The equations were fitted to the data based on the least squares method using the Marquardt iterative algorithm. The accuracy of the fitted models was evaluated using a model performance metrics, combining mean squared residuals (MSR), mean absolute error (MAE), and Akaike’s Information Criterion corrected for small sample sizes (AICc). All models converged in all cases tested. The evaluation criteria for the Logistic model indicated the best overall fit (0.704) under all different feed types, followed by the Gompertz model (0.148), and the von Bertalanffy-I and von Bertalanffy-A with 0.074 each. The obtained asymptotic values are in agreement with the biological attributes of the species, except for the Brody model, whose values were massively exceeding the biologic traits of rainbow trout in 0.556 of tested cases. Additionally, ∆AICc results identify the Brody model as the only model not substantially supported by the data in any case. All other models are capable of reflecting the effects of various feed types; these results are directly applicable in farm management decisions.

RESUMO Amostras de ovos, larvas recém-eclodidas (NHL) e larvas no final do período lecitotrófico (oito dias após a incubação) (LPL) de Lophiosilurus alexandri foram coletadas para determinar os perfis de aminoácidos e ácidos graxos. A proteína bruta não alterou durante o desenvolvimento inicial e a concentração de lipídios foi maior na NHL. O conteúdo dos aminoácidos indispensáveis (IAA) isoleucina, leucina e valina diminuíram em LPL, enquanto nos ovos e NHL eles permaneceram com valores elevados e semelhantes entre si. Os aminoácidos dispensáveis (DAA), como ácido aspártico, tirosina e glicina, aumentaram em LPL, enquanto a alanina diminuiu. A porcentagem de lipídios neutros aumentou em LPL. O teor de ácidos graxos saturados diminuiu durante a ontogenia, enquanto os ácidos graxos monoinsaturados diminuíram apenas em LPL. O teor de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados foi maior em LPL. Os ácidos graxos polares foram encontrados em porcentagens mais altas em ovos e NHL, e menores em LPL. O teor de ácidos graxos saturados reduziu durante o desenvolvimento ontogenético, enquanto que os ácidos graxos monoinsaturados diminuíram apenas em LPL. O teor de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados foi maior em LPL. O conteúdo de proteínas foi mantido durante o desenvolvimento ontogenético, enquanto as classes de aminoácidos sofreram mudanças. Lophiosilurus alexandri usa preferencialmente ácidos graxos saturados e monossaturados como fonte de energia durante o desenvolvimento inicial.

ABSTRACT Samples of eggs, newly hatched larvae (NHL), and larvae at the end of the lecithotrophic period (eight days after hatching) (LPL) of Lophiosilurus alexandri were collected to determine the amino acid and fatty acid profiles. Crude protein did not change throughout initial development and the concentration of lipids was highest in NHL. The content of the indispensable amino acids (IAA) isoleucine, leucine, and valine decreased in LPL, while in eggs and NHL they remained high and similar in value. The dispensable amino acids (DAA), such as aspartic acid, tyrosine, and glycine, increased in LPL, while alanine decreased. The percentage of neutral lipids increased in LPL. The saturated fatty acid content decreased during ontogeny, while monounsaturated fatty acids decreased only in LPL. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content was highest in LP. Polar fatty acids were found in higher percentages in eggs and NHL, but lower in LPL. Saturated fatty acid content decreased during ontogenetic development, while that of monounsaturated fatty acids decreased only in LPL. Polyunsaturated fatty acid content was highest in LPL. Protein content was maintained during ontogenetic development, while amino acid classes experienced changes. Lophiosilurus alexandri preferentially uses saturated and monosaturated fatty acids as an energy source during its early development.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate menthol and eugenol as anesthetics for early juveniles of curimba, Prochilodus lineatus. Juveniles of 4.0±0.5 g and a total length of 8.8±0.1 cm were exposed to the anesthetics menthol (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 mg L−1) and eugenol (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 mg L−1) up to deep anesthesia. The anesthetic effects were evaluated measuring the induction time to deep anesthesia (characterized by loss of equilibrium, absence of swimming, reduction of opercular movements, and responses only to intense tactile stimuli), recovery time, time to appetite return, and mortality rate after 96 h of procedure. The concentrations between 60 to 80 mg of menthol L−1 provided the lowest time of induction. Increased concentrations led to a decrease in recuperation time. The concentrations between 50 to 70 mg of eugenol L−1 provided the lowest induction times; however, recovery time was not affected by eugenol concentrations. The return to appetite was observed 24 h after anesthesia, while the survival after 96 h was >90%. Concentrations of 60 and 50 mg L−1 of menthol and eugenol, respectively, are recommended for effective anesthesia with limited side effects.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de períodos de condicionamento alimentar sobre o desempenho produtivo e a sobrevivência de juvenis de pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), durante a transição da alimentação com massa de peixe moída para dieta formulada seca. Animais com 15,8±1,2 g foram avaliados com substituições graduais da dieta a cada 2, 3, 4 e 5 dias. Após 12 dias de condicionamento alimentar, as substituições a cada dois e três dias proporcionaram as maiores taxas de crescimento específico. Recomenda-se a substituição da dieta à base de peixe moído por dieta formulada seca a cada dois ou três dias.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feed training periods on the productive performance and survivorship of pirarucu juveniles (Arapaima gigas), during the transition from ground fish mass diet to a dry-feed diet. Animals with 15.8±1.2 g were evaluated with gradual substitutions of the diet at every 2, 3, 4, and 5 days. After 12 days from feed training, the substitutions at every two and three days provided the highest specific growth rates. The replacement of diet based on forage fish by dry formulated diet may be done every two or three days.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos da temperatura da água e concentrações de presas (náuplios de Artemia) no desenvolvimento inicial de larvas de Lophiosilurus alexandri. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro temperaturas da água (23, 26, 29 and 32 °C), duas concentrações de presas (P700 e P1.300) e três réplicas. A quantidade de alimento ofertado aumentou durante os 15 dias de experimento. Ao final do experimento a sobrevivência e o fator de condição foram afetados apenas pela concentração de presas, sendo que a maior concentração proporcionou médias superiores para as variáveis mencionadas. O comprimento total (CT) e a taxa de crescimento específico foram influenciados separadamente pelos fatores temperatura e concentração de presa, sem interação entre os fatores, e o peso individual das larvas apresentou interação entre os fatores estudados. Em geral, o aumento da temperatura (de 23 para 32 °C) promoveu o crescimento e o ganho em nitrogênio nas larvas de L alexandri. Para o CT, a temperatura ótima ficou em 31,4 e 31,0 °C para P700 e P1.300, respectivamente. Médias semelhantes do peso individual e ganho em nitrogênio foram observadas nos animais cultivados a 23 °C em ambos os níveis de concentração de presas. Nas demais temperaturas, o nível de P1.300 levou a um maior ganho em peso para as larvas de L. alexandri. Desta forma, conclui-se que o desenvolvimento inicial das larvas de L. alexandri é afetado por ambos os fatores estudados, e temperaturas entre 29-32 °C combinados ao maior nível de concentração de presas são as melhores opções para maximizar o desenvolvimento das larvas e o ganho em nitrogênio. Em adição, esse é o primeiro resultado sobre a incorporação de nitrogênio em larvas de peixes neotropicais.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of water temperature and prey concentrations (Artemia nauplii) on the initial development of Lophiosilurus alexandri larvae. The experiment was conducted using a 4 x 2 factorial design, with four water temperatures (23, 26, 29 and 32 °C), two different initial prey concentrations (P700 and P1,300) and three replicates. Feeding was increased during the fifteen-day experiment. At the end of the experiment, the survival and condition factor were affected only by prey concentrations, with elevated numbers of Artemia nauplii leading to higher averages of these variables. The total length (TL) and specific growth rate were separately influenced by temperature and prey concentration, without interaction between them, and weight showed an interaction with these factors. In general, an increase of temperature (23 to 32 °C) improved the growth and nitrogen gain in L alexandri larvae. For TL, the optimal temperatures estimated were 31.4 and 31.0 °C for P700 and P1,300, respectively. Similar mean body weight larvae and nitrogen gain were observed at 23 °C for both levels of prey concentrations. For other temperatures, the P1,300 level provided greater weight gain for L. alexandri. Therefore, it is suggested that temperatures between 29-32 °C combined with a higher level of prey concentration maximise the development and nitrogen gain in L. alexandri larvae. Moreover, this is the first result about nitrogen incorporation in neotropical fish larvae.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses de florfenicol na incubação de ovos de pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri). Na primeira etapa, os ovos foram submetidos a concentrações de florfenicol entre 0 e 500 mg L-1, durante 24 horas. Na segunda etapa, as larvas foram observadas até o sétimo dia após a eclosão. Na terceira etapa, as larvas foram alimentadas por dez dias. Peso e comprimento apresentaram respostas que variaram de acordo com a fase de desenvolvimento e as concentrações de florfenicol. Concentrações menores que 309 mg L-1 de florfenicol podem ser usadas sem afetar as larvas nas fases posteriores.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of florfenicol doses on the incubation of "pacamã" (Lophiosilurus alexandri) eggs. In the first phase, eggs were subjected to florfenicol doses between 0 and 500 mg L-1, for 24 hours. In the second phase, larvae were observed until the seventh day after hatching. In the third phase, larvae were fed for ten days. Weight and length showed responses that varied according to the development stage and to florfenicol doses. Doses lower than 309 mg L-1 florfenicol can be used without affecting larvae in later stages.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a frequência alimentar e a taxa de arraçoamento durante o condicionamento alimentar de juvenis de pacamã. A alimentação de três e quatro vezes ao dia e as taxas de arraçoamento de 50, 75 e 100% da biomassa foram testadas. O manejo alimentar não afetou o crescimento, a sobrevivência, a mortalidade e o canibalismo dos peixes. A ausência de efeito do manejo se manteve quando os animais foram alimentados com ração extrusada, três vezes ao dia, durante 30 dias. A taxa de arraçoamento de 50% da biomassa e a alimentação por três vezes ao dia podem ser utilizadas no condicionamento alimentar de juvenis de pacamã.

The objective of this work was to evaluate feeding frequency and rate during feed training of pacamã juveniles. Feeding for three or four times a day and the feeding rates at 50, 75 and 100% of biomass were tested. Feeding management did not affect fish growth, survival, mortality, and cannibalism. Lack of management effect was kept when animals were fed extruded feed threefold a day, during 30 days. Feeding rate at 50% of biomass and threefold-a-day feeding can be used for the feed training of pacamã juveniles.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de água levemente salinizada sobre a larvicultura intensiva do tambaqui, matrinxã, apaiari e piau, durante os dias iniciais de alimentação. As larvas foram mantidas em água artificialmente salinizada, em concentrações de 0 (água doce) a 14 g L-1 de NaCl (intervalo de 2,0 g L-1), e foram alimentadas com duas porções diárias de náuplios de Artemia, de acordo com protocolo para cada espécie, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Larvas de tambaqui, matrinxã e apaiari podem ser cultivadas em até 2 g L-1 de concentração salina, sem prejuízos ao crescimento e à sobrevivência. Larvas de piau foram mais tolerantes e suportaram até 4 g L-1 de concentração salina. Acima disto, a mortalidade dos peixes aumentou e chegou a 100% à concentração de 6 g L-1 (matrinxã e apaiari) e de 10 g L-1 (tambaqui). A salinização da água a 2 g L-1 proporcionou maior taxa de sobrevivência a larvas de matrinxã e maior crescimento a larvas de tambaqui, apaiari e piau. Estas duas últimas espécies apresentaram melhor crescimento com a maior quantidade de náuplios. Água salinizada a 2 g L-1 é benéfica para as espécies estudadas, pois otimiza o potencial de crescimento das larvas e o uso de náuplios de Artemia como alimento vivo.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of slightly saline water in an intensive larviculture of tambaqui, matrinxã, apaiari, and piau, during the initial days of active feeding. Larvae were reared in artificial saline water, at concentrations from 0 (freshwater) to 14 g L-1 NaCl (at a 2.0 g L-1), and fed with two portions of Artemia nauplii, following a specific protocol for each species, in a completely randomized design, with 3 replicates. Tambaqui, matrinxã and apaiari larvae can be reared at saline concentrations till 2 g L-1 without impairing growth and survival. Piau larvae were more tolerant and endured saline water until 4 g L-1. At saline concentrations above that, fish mortality increased and reached 100% at 6 g L-1, for matrinxã and apaiari, and at 10 g L-1, for tambaqui. Saline water at 2 g L-1 provided a higher survival for matrinxã, and higher growth for tambaqui, apaiari and piau. These last two species showed a better growth performance with the highest quantity of nauplii. Slightly saline water at 2 g L-1 is beneficial to these studied species, as it optimizes larval growth potential and the use of Artemia nauplii as live food.

The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of increasing the stocking density in the larviculture of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in saline water. Six-day post-hatched larvae (average weight of 0.09±0.002 g), at the start of the exogenous feeding, were stocked in twelve 8 L tanks at densities of 1, 10, 20 and 30 larvae/L. The larvae were fed a diet consisting of 40% crude protein five times per day. During larviculture, water was kept at a salinity of 2 g of common salt/L. At the end of the 28-day experiment, the survival rate, length, weight, temperature, water salinity and conductivity were not affected by the different treatments. The dissolved oxygen and pH, however, decreased as density increased, whereas total ammonia concentration, turbidity and biomass showed a direct relationship with the increase of stocking density. Consequently, the present study shows for the first time that the larviculture of Nile tilapia is possible with up to 30 larvae/L in water with 2 g of salt/L.

Foram comparados os efeitos de diferentes dietas e da transição alimentar sobre o desempenho zootécnico e a morfologia do trato digestório de larvas de pacu alimentadas com duas dietas comerciais e uma dieta experimental microencapsulada produzida por gelificação interna. Larvas com quatro dias de vida receberam os seguintes protocolos alimentares: somente náuplios de artêmia em quantidades crescentes (controle positivo); larvas mantidas em jejum (controle negativo); três tipos de alimento formulado durante todo o experimento (dieta experimental microencapsulada, dieta comercial NRD1.2/2.0, Inve, USA, e dieta Poli-Peixe 450F, PoliNutri, Brasil); e três protocolos de transição alimentar com náuplios de artêmia durante os seis primeiros dias, seis dias de coalimentação, e somente as respectivas dietas formuladas após esse período. O experimento foi conduzido por 23 dias em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com avaliações periódicas do crescimento e do sistema digestório. A taxa de sobrevivência foi determinada ao final do experimento. Os melhores desempenhos de crescimento e sobrevivência, assim como mais acelerada organogênese do sistema digestório, foram verificados entre os animais que receberam alimento vivo. As larvas que passaram pela transição alimentar apresentaram médias intermediárias de crescimento e sobrevivência e não diferiram entre si. Entre os grupos que receberam apenas dieta inerte, somente naquele alimentado com a dieta nacional houve sobrevivência até o final do experimento. Nenhuma das dietas formuladas é adequada para uso como alimento exclusivo para larvas de pacu. Na fase de transição alimentar, a dieta experimental microencapsulada proporciona resultados de sobrevivência e crescimento semelhantes aos obtidos com dietas comerciais.

The effects of different diets and dietary transition on the performance and morphology of the digestive tract of pacu larvae fed two commercial formulated diets and an experimental microencapsulated diet produced by internal gelation were evaluated. Four-day old pacu larvae received the following treatments: only artemia nauplii in increasing amount during the experiment (positive control); larvae maintained at fasting (negative control); three types of formulated diets throughout the experiment (experimental microencapsulated diet, commercial diet NRD1.2/2.0, Inve, USA, and diet Poli-Peixe 450F, PoliNutri, Brazil); and three weaning protocols in which artemia nauplii were given from the 1st to 6th days, six days of co-feeding (artemia nauplii + the respective formulated diet), and only respective diets formulated after this period. The experiment was conducted for 23 days in a completely randomized design, with periodical evaluations of growth and digestive system. Survival rate was determined at the end of the experiment.The best performances of growth and survival, as well as the organogenesis of the digestive tract, were verified for the animals which received live feed. The larvae at weaning treatments induced intermediate growth and survival, which did not differ statistically between them. Considering the treatments that received only formulated diets as first feed, the PoliNutri diet was the unique that showed alive larvae at the end of experiment. None of the formulated diets are adequate as initial exogenous food for pacu larvae. During the weaning, the microencapsulated experimental diet provides growth and survival performances similar to those obtained with the commercial diets.