This work aimed to develop a methodology for the production of biomass of "branchoneta" Dendrocephalus brasiliensis Pesta, 1921. The experiments were accomplished at Paulo Afonso Fishculture Station of CHESF, BA, with the purpose of making possible the branchoneta as an alternative source of food in the aquaculture. The methodology consisted of two treatments (with and without inoculation of D. brasiliensis cysts) carried out at two different times (May and October), with two repetitions to each treatment. Four semi-excavated ponds, each with an area of 2000 m², were used. After ANOVA (P < 0,05) it was verified that treatment with inoculation showed the best results: 18,63 ± 0,74 kg superior to 8,00 ± 0,75 kg of the other treatment. This suggests an average biomass production of 1.863 kg/ha/year. The results obtained recommend production of biomass of D. brasiliensis using the methodology of inoculation of cysts.
Crustacea; resistance eggs; Thamnocephalidae
