Evaluation of alternative diets with various levels of protein in the growth of “bocachico” fingerlings (Prochilodus magdalenae) in ponds

Abstract

The effect of three alternative diets with diffe- rent levels of crude protein, T1 (24%), T2 (27%) and T3 (30%) on the growth of “bocachico” (Prochilodus magdalenae) grown in ponds was evaluated. For which, a completely randomized design was used, with a unifactorial arrangement of three levels, and three repetitions per treatment, for a total of 9 experimental units of 14.4 m2. The formulation of the diets was carried out using the trial method. To determine their quality, a proximal analysis was performed. During six months, the weight and size of 10% of the individuals in each pond, survival and food conversion factor were randomly measured. With the data obtained, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied with a significance level of (p>0.05), and Tukey’s confirmation test, verifying the obtaining of gain in weight and height simultaneously in these two aspects, according to the three diets as follows: 31.7 g and 16.18 cm, 31.7 g and 16.04 cm and 28.28 g and 15.04 cm. The greatest increases were obtained with the lowest protein diets, indicating that it would be unnecessary to have 30% crude protein, it is enough to reach 24% to obtain good results in fish growth. In general terms, the evaluated diets contributed to improve the zootechnical performance of “bocachico” fingerlings, however, it is important to highlight that, due to the ecological characteristics of the species, growth in captivity turns out to be slow (4.3 g/month).