GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Prochilodus lineatus ( = Prochilodus scrofa) LARVAE AND FRIMETHOD OF ANALYSIS BASED ON THE RELATIVE CONDITION FACTOR

Abstract

This work attempts to evaluate the growth performance of Prochilodus lineatus larvae and fry, fed on live and artificial diet based on the relative condition factor (Kn). In the first experimental phase, the larvae were fed on live feed: rotifers Brachionus plicatilis fed solely with Saccharomyces cerevisiae baker's yeast (LD1), rotifers enriched with fatty acids sources - Chlorella homosphaera (LD2), cod-liver oil emulsion (LD3), soybean oil emulsion (LD4) and wild plankton (LD5). After 30 days, there were no significant differences in the survival rates of the five treatments. To analyze the development of larvae, the Kn was applied. The diets LD1, LD4 and LD2 gave the best results. In the second period, the fry were fed with a basic artificial diet (AD2 and AD5 treatments), supplemented with yeast (AD1), cod-Iiver oil (AD3) and soybean oil (AD4). The highest survival rates occurred in AD2, AD4 and AD1, and the best Kn values, in AD1, AD4 and AD2.