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Requirement of protein for piavuçu fry

The piavuçu Leporinus macrocephalus presents omnivore feeding habits, eating vegetables and seeds. The protein feed presents higher cost compared to energetic feed. Therefore, the higher protein content is in the ration, the higher might be the production cost of the fish. This study aimed to evaluate the gross protein need in the diet of piavuçu fingerlings (L. macrocephalus). 125 fingerlings (0.625±0.011g) were distributed into 25 aquariums with a 30L capacity at a random design, with five treatments and five repetitions. The diets were formulated to contain 22; 26; 30; 34 and 38% of gross protein and 3200kcal DeE kg.-1 The fish were fed four times a day (8:00am; 11:00am; 2:00pm; and 5:00pm). The water quality parameters during the experimental period remained in the normal conditions for good animal development. The best results of the final weight, gain weight and apparent feeding conversion were observed for fishes which were fed with diets containing 34 and 38% of gross protein, having differences (P<0.05) on the treatments with 22, 26 and 30 of PB. Also there was no variation in the protein deposition and protein efficiency rate in the animals' carcass. It is recommended to use 34% of protein gross on the diets of piavuçu fingerlings.

fry; nutritional demand; fish nutrition; fish culture


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