Elaboração de ração para pirarucu (Arapaima gigas (Cuvier,1829)) utilizando farinha de sangue, resíduo de castanha e farinha de carne e ossos

Abstract

The pirarucu, Arapaima gigas is an Amazon native species with high market value and crescent interest by aquaculturists in its rears. As a carnivorous fish, it needs a high level protein diet. The goal of this study was to evaluate the growth performance of pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, juveniles fed with diets produced with ingredients available in the State of Acre-Brazil, notably; blood meal (BM), Brazil nut residue Bertholletia excelsa (BNR) and meat and bone meal (MBM) combined with two energetic sources (animal fat and soybean oil). The study was driven into three phases in a complete randomized design, using different juveniles batch, previously conditioned to feed training to accept dry ration. At the end of each phase, the fish were measured, and one or two were sacrificed in each experimental unit for carcass analysis (whole body), for: moisture, protein, lipid and ash content. During the experiment, fish were kept under a natural photoperiod (12 light: 12 dark). In the first experiment were tested using diets with (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 or 21%) spray-dried blood meal and animal fat as an energy source. A total of 192 pirarucu juveniles(8,5±0,4g) were randomly distributed into the 24 circular fiber glass tanks, supplied with 250 L water (8 fish/tank). Parameters monitored were water temperature (daily, 8:00/14:00h) and pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, weekly. The fishes fed diets with 9% BM did not present a statistical difference (P>0,05) for evaluated body variables as compared with control diet (0% BM). At the second experiment five experimental rations were used to assess the Brazil nut residue performance at two levels (2 and 4%) as an ingredient able to allow up to 12% of the BM above, the 9% level indicated in the first experiment. One hundred twenty fish (13.10±1,9g) were stocked into 20 circular fiber glass tanks (6/tank) supplies with 300 L water. At this phase, soybean oil was used as energy source. Besides the control treatment with 0% BM and 0% BNR, four diets were tested: (9% xv BM - 2% BNR, 9% BM - 4% BNR) and (12% BM - 2% BNR, 12% BM - 4% BNR). No improvement at the fish performance was observed in animals feed with rations produced with 12% BM as a result of the addition of 2 or 4% BNR. A worse performance was detected in some variables compared with the control diet; even in animals feed with 9% BM diets. In the third set of experiments, three levels of MBM (6, 9 and 12%) were tested besides two energetic sources (animal fat and soybean oil). One hundred ninety two fish (9.21±1,7g) were stocked into 24 fiber glass tanks (8/tank) supplies with 300 L water. No significant statistical difference between treatments (P>0.05) on weight gain, survival and condition faction were detected. The voluntary fed intake showed significant difference among the two treatments with 12% and the 9% MBM + soybean oil compared with the others. The two diets with 6% MBM and the diet with 9% MBM + animal fat showed better protein efficiency rate performance compared to the others. It was concluded that is possible to include BM and MBM up to 9% when animal fat is used as energy source. The inclusion of BNR at 2% or even 4%,