Tolerance response of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) to water pH

Abstract

Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier) is a fish of primary importance in Amazon aquaculture. It has been described as an acid-resistant species that moves seasonally between white (muddy) water and black water rivers and enters the extremely dilute acidic areas of flooded jungle to feed during the rainy season. To analyse the pH tolerance of this species, tambaqui were exposed to three water pH levels for 40 days (pH 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0). The water was acidified slowly over 3 h, allowing the fish to acclimate. A similar protocol was used to adjust water pH to 8.0. No mortality was observed during the exposure period. Several haematological parameters were significantly changed in alkaline-exposed animals, with significant decreases in haematocrit (20%), haemoglobin concentration (8%) and red blood cells (12%). Tambaqui showed severe blood variations when exposed to alkaline pH. Fish final weight, condition factor and specific growth rate (SGR) was inversely proportional to a pH increase, and SGR were higher for fish reared in acidic water. The relative insensitivity of tambaqui to low pH confirms its acid tolerance and is in accordance with its natural occurrence in black water habitats.