Feeding habits of piavuçu post-larvae <em>Leporinus macrocephalus</em> (Garavello & Britski, 1988), with different diets in trial tanks

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study some aspects related with the feeding habit of Leporinus macrocephalus (Characiformes, Anostomidae) (piavuçu) post-larvae. Eighteen amianthus cement tanks with 1m³ capacity were previously fertilized and later each received 400 Leporinus macrocephalus post-larvae. Data were analyzed by model in a completely randomized design, with three treatments and six replications. Treatments were divided in to diets based on animal protein (A), vegetable protein (B) and natural feeding (C). Results showed that larvae took advantage of all the available nutrients. Variables studied were not significantly affected by diets. Sample time collection influencied the feed intake in treatment B and C. The equation that represents the relationship between gut repletion degree (GR) and sample time collection (time) is: GR = 1.9898–0.00164 (Time_i–Time_X)–0.01696 (Time_i–Time_X)². Results showed that Leporinus macrocephalus species is omnivorous and that this species takes most of its food during the day.