Stocking density and feed management on larval rearing of amazonian ornamental fish Heros severus

Abstract

The banded cichlid (Herus severus) is an Amazonian species with potential as ornamental fish, however basic handlings as quantity and feeding frequency as well as stocking density in larviculture are still unknown in order to allow the rational production of this species in captivity. Then the objective was to evaluate the amount of food, feeding frequency and stocking density during the larviculture of Herus severus. Therefore, two experiments were conducted: the first assessed the food concentration (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Artemia larvae-1) and feed rate (2 or 4 meals day-1), and the second experiment evaluated different stocking densities (1, 5, 10, 15, 20 larvae L-1) with four replications each. Feeding of 250 nauplii larva day-1 distributed in four daily meals promoted the highest weight, length, specific growth rate, weight gain and survival. In the second experiment, reduction in growth was observed with increased in density due to lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen and elevated total ammonia from 5 larvae L-1. Thus, to promote the rational cultivation of the Banded cichlid larvae in captivity, the species should be reared at 5 larvae L-1 fed with 250nauplii distributed along 4 daily meals.