The objective of this study was to evaluate the methodology to establish the hemolytic activity of alternative complement pathway as an indicator of the innate immunity in Brazilian fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), in addition to verifying the influence of β-glucan as an immunostimulant. Fish were fed with diets containing 0, 0.1 and 1% β-glucan, during seven days, and then inoculated with Aeromonas hydrophila. Seven days after the challenge, they were bled for serum extraction. The methodology consisted of a kinetic […]

The effect of visual, chemical and the combination of both stimuli from Artemia nauplii and from microencapsulated diet on dry diet ingestion by pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus larvae was evaluated in this research. The experiment was analyzed as a 7 x 4 factorial arrangement (seven stimuli and four ages) with two replicates. It was observed effect of larvae age and stimuli, but no interaction (age ´ stimuli) was observed. The chemical effect from Artemia and both effects from Artemia resulted in […]

To improve the pacu (Piaracatus mesopotamicus) feeding in the growth phase, it’s necessary to know the digestibility of the ingredients used in his diets. Initially, four fecal collection methods were analyzed (dissection, stripping, Guelph and modified Guelph), based on precision and versatility and also the most efficient time among fecal collection of the Guelph sedimentation systems, through crude protein digestibility coefficient of pacu basic diet. There was no difference among the fecal collection methods while the intervals of time among […]

The experiment was carried out, during 100 days, to study different crude protein sources and levels of diets for pacu fingerlings. Two hundred and fifty two pacu fingerlings were assigned to 36 aquariums, containing seven fishes, with 150 liters of water. During the experimental period, the average temperature of the water was 28oC and other limnology parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity and conductivity) remainded within the levels adopted for the good development of this specie. The experimental design consisted of […]