Hematological characteristics of Brazilian teleosts. VII. Parameters of seven species collected in Guariba, São Paulo state, Brazil

Abstract

The intensive aquaculture needs accurate information on the identification and control of stress situations and/or diseases in order to ensure healthy fishes. The evaluation of blood parameters is the fastest way to detect stress symptoms. In this paper, the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), differential count of defense cells (leucocytes and thrombocytes) of Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887; Colossoma macropomum Cuvier, 1818; tambacu hybrid (male of P. mesopotamicus x female of C. macropomum); Brycon cephalus Günther,1869; Brycon hilarii Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1849; Leporinus macrocephalus Garavello & Britski, 1988 and Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 collected in a fee-fishing farm were evaluated. The hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and MCHC were similar in all species studied. However, inter-specific variation in the percentage of thrombocytes and neutrophils and special granulocytic cells was observed. Further studies on hematological parameters for fish species, mainly in culture environments are needed for the establishment of normal values, providing standards for physiological or pathological investigation.