The effect of prey size selection and feeding on pacamã Lophiosilurus alexandri larvae culture (native specie of San Francisco basin classified as threatened of extinction) was evaluated. The larvae were cultivated in aquariums during 16 days and fed with natural zooplankton, screened in 650 and 1300 µm sieve, with and without ration. The offer of zooplankton of largest size provided a better development of the pacamã larvae, demonstrating the need of alimentary particles larger for the growth potential of the species. The increase of the amount of ration did not affect the performance of the larvae, evidencing low or lack of capacity in digesting the offered ration. The ration fed reduced the pH and increased the electric conductivity, worsening water quality, which did not affect the performance of the larvae.
extinction; handling to feed; intensive system; larvae culture; native specie; settlement
