The main objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of young tambaqui (Colossoma macropum), fed with increasing levels of cassava flour, Manihot esculenta (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%), as corn (Zea mays) replacement. Fish (initial body weight 6.6 ± 0.1 g) were randomly distributed in 24 groups (20 fish/group) with four replications. They were fed with the experimental diets for evaluation of growth performances, feed utilization, body composition and production costs. Growth performances were not affected by the dietary treatments. Lipid content in muscle were significant different in fish fed 40% and 100% substitution when compared to the other treatments. The production cost decreased linearly with corn substitution. Diet decreased from R$ 1.43 kg-1 to R$ 1.21 kg-1 and fish production cost from R$ 1.54 kg-1 to R$ 1.30 kg-1 fish. It was concluded that the corn can be totally replaced by cassava flour in juvenile tambaqui diet without adversely affecting the performance of tambaqui.
Fish farming; fish nutrition; carbohydrates
