Food passage time through the digestive tract of a detritivorous freshwater fish (Prochilodus scrofa) was determinate by radiographic techniques using barium sulfate as a contrast medium. The fish were kept in tanks at a constant temperature of 23.5ºC and received by an oral catheter a mixture of 2.5 parts of ground ration and 1 part of oral suspension of contrast medium (Celobar). Radiographs were taken at intervals of 3 hours. Immediately after the introduction of the mixture the stomach was outlined by the contrast. A sphincter was observed between the cardiac and the muscular stomachs. After 3 hours, 80 per cent of the proximal intestine was filled. After 6 hours the contrast reached the proximal, medial and distal portions of the intestine. After 9 hours 70 per cent of the distal intestine was filled and after 12 hours, the rectum segment was still marked (25 per cent of the distal portion of the intestine).
Intestine; Digestive system; Radiography; Fish
