The potential of the mapará Hypophthalmus spp. (Osteichthyes, Siluriformes) as alternative species for fish culture in Amazon

Abstract

Mapará is the common name for three species of fish from Hypophthalmidae family found on Amazon river and its tributaries. Considering the increasing fishing pressure over these species, this study had as objective to gather information of these three species, that may help become possible their breeding in captivity, thus assisting on fish stocks. Using the Projeto Manejo dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis data base, it was possible to know the amount of mapará captured, classifying it as one of ten main fish captured on Amazon. The data collected on Aquaculture and Fisheries Department revealed that captured and commercialized mapará comes exclusively from artisanal fisheries, needing therefore of more studies for the breeding in captivity, since the Ibama/AM placed this species as the third most exploited species on Amazon, having therefore a good acceptance on national market. Data on the capture per unit effort indicated that sustainable maximum capacity point to mapará is between 21.00 and 30.99 kg fisherman^-1 day^-1. By centesimal composition analyses was possible to observe good meat yield (53.04 ± 1.40% to fillet) and attractive chemical composition (12.85% PB; 65.18% U; 21.21% EE) to fillet.