The effects of feeding management strategies on larval rearing of trairao were evaluated in this trial. Eight-d old larvae were counted and stocked in 20 experimental containers (units with volume of 5 L each), with constant aeration and temperature. The stocking density was 30 larvae/L. The following treatments (feeding frequency) were used: F1 - once a day, F2 - twice a day, F3 - three times a day, F4 - four times a day, each with five replicates. Feeding rate was equal for all treatments. In order to evaluate the animal growth, some samples were collected every five days. At the end of the experiment, after 23 days, the survival, mortality, rates of cannibalism and stress resistance were also evaluated. No significant difference was observed among the growth parameters at 13 days. However, after 18 and 23 days, F1 treatment showed the lowest length and weight averages. No differences of larval specific growth rate due to the feeding frequencies were observed. No effects of feeding frequency on rates of survival, mortality, cannibalism and stress resistance were detected. The survival rates showed the highest values (93%) during the experiment. Thus, trairao larvae can be fed only twice a day, with no changes on growth, at least during the initial rearing (first 23 days).
feeding frequency; Hoplias lacerdae; larvae rearing; trairao
