Abstract
This study evaluated the growth performance and hematological parameters of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles (37.10 ± 0.35 g) subjected to different stocking densities (SD) in the biofloc technology (BFT) system. The individuals were distributed in five different SD: 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 fish m−3 (here called SD200, SD400, SD600, SD800, and SD1000, respectively) for 45 days. The experimental design was randomized entirely into five treatments and three replicates. The physical-chemical parameters of water quality remained stable. Survival was >94% in all treatments. Increasing SD had a positive linear effect on initial (R2 = 1.00) and final biomass (R2 = 0.87) and a negative linear effect on final weight (R2 = 0.93), final length (R2 = 0.92), weight gain (R2 = 0.93), specific growth rate (R2 = 0.92), and individual feed intake (R2 = 0.90). The SD600 showed higher values for hepatic somatic index according to quadratic regression (R2 = 0.95). According to quadratic regression, the highest SD had blood glucose values higher than the other SD (R2 = 0.95). Increasing SD had a positive linear effect on blood pH (R2 = 0.82) and mean corpuscular volume (R2 = 0.81) levels and a negative linear effect on hemoglobin (R2 = 0.81) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (R2 = 0.81) concentrations. In conclusion, pacu can be reared in a BFT system with an SD of 600 fish m−3 (final weight of 57.46 ± 1.60 g) since it increased the final biomass (34.16 ± 1.07 kg m−3) without compromising hematological parameters.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call