Levels of oxygen at reduced model for small yellow mandi (Pimelodus maculatus) in the Funil Hydroelectric plant

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify sources and levels of oxygen in the reduced model of the suction channel (place where the fish are subjected to conditions of high density and without alternative sources of oxygen) to yellow mandi (Pimelodus maculatus) from the Funil dam in the city of Perdões, MG, Brazil. Were weighed three amounts of ten and fifteen kg of mandi, who were referred to boxes of water. The treatments consisted in testing the introduction of eight liters of water every six minutes with a liter of air in the water, and the introduction of water without the use of air, in levels of oxygen in reduced model in the weight range of 10 and 15 kg of mandi to twenty minutes of exposure. The group control did not receive the introduction of water and air. To evaluate the resistance of the fish and the absence of oxygen, 5, 10 and 15 kg of mandi were used. Oxygen levels were observed every minute until that the fish showed symptoms of hypoxia. The treatments and the control group showed a linear effect in dissolved oxygen levels with increasing exposure time. The full weight influenced the decreased levels of dissolved oxygen. The mandi support a minimum concentration of oxygen dissolved in the water of 1.93 ± 0.03 mg L^-1 and may be considered as resistant to hypoxic conditions.