Abstract
Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate different feeding rates on the productive performance of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) grown in brackish waters. For the experiment, 1,600 juveniles were distributed in 16 enclosures installed in an estuarine pond. Four different feeding rates were evaluated: 1, 3, 5, and 7% live weight (LW) per day. The following performance parameters were assessed: survival, final biomass, specific growth rate, daily weight gain, apparent feed conversion, protein efficiency rate, lipid efficiency rate, and hepatosomatic index. Survival was greater than 80% at all feeding rates. The most efficient feed conversion rate was obtained with the feeding rate of 5% LW per day, which also resulted in better values for the hepatosomatic index. The rate of 5% LW per day provides a better productive performance for cobia in brackish waters.
Highlights
Brazil has more than 22,000 hectares of nurseries in estuarine areas currently used for the cultivation of the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, and the use of marine fish in these environments could allow a new alternative form of production and income for this productive sector (Sanches et al, 2014b)
Considering that the cost of producing aquatic organisms is significantly affected by feed consumption, studies that can define appropriate feeding rates for the different age groups of these organisms become essential for the establishment of good management practices
16 fences were installed, made of a nylon fabric covered with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and a 17x12-mm mesh, totaling an area of 44.17 m2 with a diameter of 7.5 m and a height of 2.4 m, fixed on wooden stakes and 8-mm polyamide ropes
Summary
Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766), is the most commercially produced marine fish species in Brazil due to its high growth rate of up to 6 kg in one year of captivity, good resistance to handling, and efficiency in converting feed, besides being greatly. Demanded by the market (Benetti et al, 2010; Kerber et al, 2011) Because of these factors, farming technology for the species is being rapidly developed in China and Taiwan (Sampaio et al, 2010). Considering that the cost of producing aquatic organisms is significantly affected by feed consumption, studies that can define appropriate feeding rates for the different age groups of these organisms become essential for the establishment of good management practices
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