Effect of pond fertilization on growth performance of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) during grow-out phase

Abstract

Fertilization of aquaculture ponds has been pointed out as an efficient practice to improve fish feed conversion and growth performance. In this way, the present study aimed to assess the effect of pond fertilization on the growth performance, body composition, and water quality of juvenile pirarucu Arapaima gigas reared in earthen ponds (600 m²) during the grow-out phase. Two fertilized and two non-fertilized ponds were stocked with 208 juvenile pirarucus (19.9 ± 3.6 g and 15.0 ± 0.9 cm) and reared for 100 days. All four ponds were limed before the study. Ponds were fertilized before fish were stocked and weekly until the end of the experiment, and fish offered feed until apparent satiation. Pirarucu reared in fertilized ponds presented higher final weight (20%) and biomass (19%), further to lower feed intake and feed conversion rate (1.31) than fish reared in non-fertilized ponds (1.61). Pond fertilization did not affect the fish coefficient of variation, which was reduced over the culture cycle. The body composition of fish reared in fertilized ponds presented higher water content, protein, and energy retention rates and lowered crude fat and energy. Fertilized ponds presented lower transparency levels and higher pH from the 50th day of culture, whereas ammonia concentration was higher in the fertilized ponds in the first 25 days. Therefore, pond fertilization is a recommended practice for pirarucu during the grow-out phase.