LIMITATION AND POTENTIALITY OF THE "TAMBAQUI" (COLOSSOMA MACROPOMUM CUVIER, 1818) CULTURE UNDER SUBTROPICAL BRAZILIAN TEMPERATURE

Abstract

The "tambaqui", Colossoma macropomum, a tropical fish species found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, has great potential in the commercial pisciculture. However, culture of this species in other regions has been limited by the low water temperature in the ponds. The main goal of this work was to estimate the growth rate of Colossoma macropomum under Brazilian subtropical temperatures. Specimens of that species were kept for 18 months in ponds at a density of 1 fish/5 m². Water surface temperature was recorded daily in the morning period, except in the winter, when it was also registered in the afternoon. Temperature ranged from 17.3 to 29.7°C, with a mean annual value of 23.9°C. The mean weight attained by the specimens was 1,636.9 g. In June/96, following consecutives days of low temperatures (minimum: 15°C) mortality of 100% of the specimens occurred. Despite the species limited tolerance to low temperatures, its growth rate was high.