Transporte de juvenis de tambaquí Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818) (Teleostel,Characidae)

Abstract

Tambaqui(Colossoma macropomum)has been intensely studied with the purpose to eslablish a production technology,however some gaps still exist to be filled,and fish transportation is one ofthem. Mortality after transportation is pointed by fish farmers in the Amazonas statc as one ofthe main restrictions oftambaqui husbandry in the region. Therefore,this study intended to test transportation protocols for three phases ofdeveiopment oftambaqui: juvenilc (2-5 cm),juvenile II(15 cm)and young at harvest(1 kg). For each phase appropriate experiments were realized in accordance with the normally described procedure in the literature and carried through in hatchery operations. Juvenile and juvenile II were transporlcd using a closed system (plastic bags)and the young at harvest in open system (transportation can). The study was able to establish the amount oftambaquijuveniles that can be salely transported for a time period up to 24 hours. The ideal transportation density for Juvenile II was established at 78 g/L ofwater. Adding 8 g ofcommon table salt/L of water was enough to reduce the majority ofthe stress responses due to transportation of young of harvest. In a second stage it was established that the transportation ofthese fish size can be carried through safely using 8g ofcommon table salt/L of water at fish densities ofup to 150 g/L of water. It is our hope that these results will improve transportation guidelines for tambaqui in the Amazon.