The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance, carcass characteristics, hematologic and biochemical characteristics, chemical composition and water quality in the rearing of pacus Piaractus mesopotamicus in cages in the reservoir fed with diets containing different total phosphorus quantities. A total of 3,000 fish allotted to a completely randomized design were used with five treatments and four replications in 20 cages, and the experimental unit consisted of a tank with 150 fish. The treatments were formed by five diets made to contain total phosphurus quantities of 6.0; 7.5; 9.0; 10.5 and 12.0g/kg through supplementation of dicalcium phosphate. The quantities of 6.0 to 12.0g/kg of total phosphurus can be used in the feeding of pacus reared in cages without compromising the animals' performance and the use of 6.0 g/kg total phosphorus in diets for pacus can be commercially recommended.
Hematologic characteristics; biochemical characteristics; performance; native fish
