Influence of plankton, artificial diet and their combination on growth and survival of curimbatá (Prochilodus fineatus) fries

Abstract

The effects of plankton, artificial diet containing 24% or 30% crude protein (CP) and their combination on curimbatá fry performance were evaluated during 28 days. Six hundred animals with an average, initial weight of 47,98 ±1,86mg were used and distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. The analysis of the water from the ponds showed a predominance of green algae in phytoplankton and rotifers in zooplankton. A higher weight gain (P < 0,05) for diets associated with plankton was observed but no differences (P > 0,05) between the treatments based on plankton, diets containing 24% CP and diets containing 30% CP were found and no difference (P > 0,05) for survival rate. The physicochemical parameters were found to be within an appropriate range for this species. It was concluded that plankton may replace diets with 24% or 30% CP and that diet with 24% CP associated with plankton leads to a better performance of the species.