Effect of different proteic sources on curimba (<em>Prochilodus lineatus</em> V.) fingerlings nourishment

Abstract

Different proteic sources were evaluated for curimba fingerlings (Prochilodus lineatus) to check performance and economical viability for fingerlings with an average weight of 10.47 ± 2.11g and a total initial length of 8.85 ± 0.64 cm, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications, in sixteen 1,000L ponds. Soybean meal + fish meal (SM + FM); soybean meal (SM); SM + canola meal (SM + CM) and SM + dry yeast (DY), with inclusion levels of FM, CM and DY of 19.60%, 32.00% and 39.20% respectively, corresponding to 50.55%, 48.19% and 61.30% of crude protein substitution by FM, CM and DY respectively, were used. There were no significant differences (P > 0.01) for survival and ration R$/gain kg between treatments. The fishes fed with SM + FM, SM and SM + CM showed values of final weight and total length with differences between them (P > 0,01), but higher than those that received SM + DY. For weight gain the fishes fed with SM + FC showed values higher than SM + DY, but both treatments did not show differences (P > 0,01) of SM + FM or SM. The proteic efficiency rate and apparent feed conversion of fishes that received SM + DY were lower than (P < 0,01 and P < 0,05 respectively) SM + FM or SM + FC, however SM showed similar values in all treatments. Water temperature was below the recommended one, the pH remained within the adequate levels and electrical conductivity was below the levels that were recorded in ponds. It was concluded that protein sources constituted by SM + FM; SM + CM or only SM provided the best performance however all alternative tested sources may be given to curimba fingerlings