Respostas da Tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) à atratividade e palatabilidade de ingredientes utilizados na alimentação de peixes

Avaliaram-se as respostas da tilápia do Nilo à atratividade e palatabilidade de 14 ingredientes. O método utilizado foi de dupla escolha, comparando-se cada ingrediente peletizado à uma ração controle. Foram empregados quatro aquários (750 litros) contendo, cada um, três alevinos e dois comedouros instalados nos cantos direito e esquerdo, sendo registrados tempo decorrido entre colocação do ingrediente e chegada dos animais aos comedouros, freqüência de visitas aos comedouros, número de grânulos ingeridos e freqüência de ejeções. Os tratamentos foram comparados pela prova não-paramétrica de Kruskal-Wallis e a comparação dos ingredientes para o conjunto de variáveis, por intermédio da Análise de Agrupamento e Análise de Componentes Principais. Os ingredientes foram assim classificados: a) baixa atrato-palatabilidade = farelos de trigo, soja e algodão, farinha e raspa de mandioca, farinha de girassol e fubá de milho, b) média atrato-palatabilidade = levedura de cana-de-açúcar e glúten de milho e c) alta atrato-palatabilidade = ovo integral liofilizado, farinhas de crisálidas, peixes, carne e camarão. Ingestão de grânulos (manhã e tarde) e freqüência de visitas aos comedouros (tarde) foram consideradas as variáveis mais discriminatórias e freqüência de ejeção de grânulos e tempo gasto para aproximação dos comedouros (manhã e tarde), as menos discriminatórias. As respostas comportamentais dos peixes variaram de acordo com o ingrediente apresentado. A avaliação do grau de atrato-palatabilidade deve ser realizada considerando-se uma combinação de parâmetros.

Digestibilidade aparente e trânsito gastrintestinal em tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), em função da fibra bruta da dieta

Os efeitos de diferentes níveis de fibra bruta na digestibilidade aparente e velocidade de trânsito gastrintestinal de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com dietas purificadas fornecidas foram avaliados. Utilizaram-se cinco aquários circulares (250 L) para alimentação, dotados de sistema fechado de filtragem, reabastecimento e aquecimento da água, e cinco aquários de digestibilidade (100 L), dotados de sistema individual de filtragem, reabastecimento e aquecimento. Utilizaram-se 32 peixes por aquário, com peso inicial médio de 30,65 ± 0,50 g. Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado caracterizado por cinco níveis de fibra bruta (2,5; 5,0; 7,5; 10,0 e 12,5%) e 5 repetições. Concluiu-se que níveis crescentes de fibra bruta, em dietas purificadas, interferem significativamente na digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, proteína bruta e do extrato etéreo. Níveis de até 5,00% de fibra bruta não diminuiu a digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca e da proteína bruta e 7,50% de fibra bruta não diminuiu a digestibilidade aparente do extrato etéreo da dieta purificada pela tilápia do Nilo. Entretanto, o aumento do teor de fibra bruta da dieta diminui significativamente o tempo de trânsito gastrintestinal.

Relação Cálcio/Fósforo Disponível em Rações para Tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Ca: available P (P-a) ratio in the diets on performance and bone mineral depositions of juvenile Nile tilapia (2.5 +/- 0.5g). Seven isoproteic and isoenergetic diets (28% CP and 3100 Kcal of DE/Kg of diet), with similar crude fiber and sulfur aminoacids content, were used. The diets had 0.50 and 0.25; 0.50 and 0.50; 0.50 and 0.75; 0.80 and 0.40; 0.80 and 0.80; and 0.80 and 1.20% of Ca and P-a which corresponded to Ca/P-a ratios of 2:1;1:1 and 1:1.5, respectively. An additional control diet, with low levels of Ca and Pa (0.02 and 0.12%, respectively) was used. A completely randomized design with a 2'3 factorial arrangement (Ca level and Ca:P-a ratio) on treatments, plus the additional control diet and three replications was used. Five fishes per aquaria were randomly allotted to 21 fiberglass aquaria (80L). The temperature of the water was maintained close to 26degreesC, and the oxygen, pH and ammonia levels of the water were monitored. The results showed that it was necessary a minimum dietary level of 0.25% of P-a for a satisfactory bone mineral depositions, and that the best performance results were achieved using diets with Ca: P-a ratios between 1:1 and 1:1.5.

Energia digestível para larvas de tilápia-do-nilo (oreochromis niloticus) na fase de reversão sexual

This experiment was conducted to evaluate different levels of digestible energy on the performance of Nile tilapia larvae (Oreochromis niloticus) during the sexual reversion phase. Three hundred and seventy-five larvae with initial average length and weight of 21.0±4.0 mg and 1.19±0.72 cm, respectively, were allotted to 25 30L-aquarium. A completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates was used. The aquarium with 15 larvae was the experimental unit. The diets were formulated to contain levels of 3,300, 3,525, 3,750, 3,975, and 4,200 kcal/kg of digestible energy and to be isoprotein (38.6% digestible protein). The animals were fed ad libitum five times a day. At the end of the experiment, the averages of weight (PF), survival rate (SO), condition factor (FC) and length (CF) were analyzed. Linear reduction of fishes PF and CF, as the dietary digestible energy levels increased, was observed. No differences on fish SO and FC of different treatments were observed. Deleterious effects on performance due to the increasing dietary digestible energy levels were noticed for Nile tilapia larvae during the sexual reversion.

Valor nutricional do farelo de algodão para alor a tilśpia do nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Cottonseed meals (CSM) with different protein levels (35, 39 and 40%) were evaluated to determine their chemical composition and measure apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, protein, amino acids, energy, lipid and minerals for Nile tilapia. Apparent digestibility coefficients were determined using a reference purified diet containing 0.1% of chromic oxide indicator, and test diets contained 60% of reference diet and 40% of test ingredients. Results showed that apparent digestibility coefficients of cottonseed meals were different (p < 0.05). The apparent digestibility coefficients were: dry matter, 53.45-54.32%; crude protein, 71.56-74.81%; energy, 53.80-58.60%; lipid, 85.37-89.11%; phosphorus, 33.75-34.50%; calcium, 41.21-43.75%; iron, 62.02-79.85%; zinc, 0-67.41%; copper, 13.37-14.27%; essential amino acids, 71.39-79.17%; and non-essential amino acids, 77.08-82.58%. The ADC of protein did not reflect the majority of amino acids ADC showing variation in individual digestibility of amino acids and among cottonseed meals. Cottonseed meal can be used as protein succedaneum in Nile tilapia diets.

Economic evaluation of nile tilapia juvenile production, feed with commercial ration and with primary production come from organic and inorganic fertilization

Study objective was to evaluate economically a Nile tilapia juvenile production, employing different feeding techniques. Tilapia fingerlings of 8g were stocked at 5 fish m-2 stocking in 50 and 150 m2 ponds, during 75 days. Treatments were: inorganic fertilization (P205 and N); organic fertilization (poultry manure) and commercial ration (32% CP). Water quality results were considered adequate for fish rearing. In juvenile production there were significant differences among treatments for individual final weight, medians were: for inorganic fertilization 12.92g (13.35g in 50 m2 and 12.49g in 150 m2); for organic fertilization 30.55g (33.69g in 50 m2 and 27.40g in 150 m2) and for commercial ration 51.23g (52.90g in 50 m2 and 50.15g in 150 m2). Survival rate ranged from 63 to 71%, with no statistic difference. Commercial ration was effective to bigger juvenile production, with a better market value. Costs considered in economic analyses were tilapia fingerlings, fertilizer, ration, labor and installation depreciation. Obtained information showed that juvenile production in 50 m2 ponds is not viable economically and, in 150 m2, production is viable only when commercial ration is used.

Blood Cues Induce Antipredator Behavior in Nile Tilapia Conspecifics

In this study, we show that the fish Nile tilapia displays an antipredator response to chemical cues present in the blood of conspecifics. This is the first report of alarm response induced by blood-borne chemical cues in fish. There is a body of evidence showing that chemical cues from epidermal 'club' cells elicit an alarm reaction in fish. However, the chemical cues of these 'club' cells are restricted to certain species of fish. Thus, as a parsimonious explanation, we assume that an alarm response to blood cues is a generalized response among animals because it occurs in mammals, birds and protostomian animals. Moreover, our results suggest that researchers must use caution when studying chemically induced alarm reactions because it is difficult to separate club cell cues from traces of blood. © 2013 Barreto et al.

Environmental light color affects the stress response of Nile tilapia

We investigated the effects of environmental light colors (blue, yellow and white) on the stress responses (measured by changes in ventilatory frequency - VF) of Nile tilapia to confinement. After 7 days of light treatment, the VF was similar for fish in each color. On the 8th day, fish were confined for 15. min. After release, the post-confinement VF was measured six times (first period: 0, 2 and 4. min; second period: 6, 8 and 10. min). Irrespective of the light color treatment, confinement increased the VF to higher levels during the first post-confinement period than during the second one. When color was analyzed, irrespective of time, fish under white light increased their VF post-confinement, and blue light prevented this effect. We conclude that blue light is the preferred color for Nile tilapia in terms of reducing stress. This finding is in contrast to previous choice test studies that indicated that yellow is their preferred color. © 2012 Elsevier GmbH.

Quantificação de ácidos graxos de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) alimentados com diferentes fontes de óleos vegetais

The present work aimed to quantify the fatty acids in total lipids of Nile tilapia fingerlings (Oreochromis niloticus) fed with different sources of vegetable oils mechanically extracted. Were used 320 tilapias (O. niloticus) with average initial weight and average total initial length of 2.55±0.57 g and 5.59±0.43 cm, respectively, fed for a period of 60 days, in a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replications. The diets were prepared with 320 g/kg crude protein and 3.500 kcal of digestible energy per kg of feed enriched with eight different oils: sunflower, canola, sesame, linseed, peanut, Para's nut soy and macadamia, with an addition of 4%. Among the major fatty acids the oleic, palmitic, linolenic and linoleic were obtained in higher concentration (mg/g of LT) in fish from all treatments. The sums of polyunsaturated fatty acids after 60 days of cultivation had increased in all treatments compared to the 30 days of the experiment. This is due to the addition of oils with high contents of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids in the carcass are a reflection of the energy source of oil used. As a conclusion it is recommended the use of linseed oil in the diet of tilapia fingerlings due to great improvement in the relationship between n-6/n-3.

Mannanoligosaccharide (mos) and β-glucan (β-glu) in dietary supplementation for Nile tilapia juveniles dept in cages

This experiment was conducted at an aquicolous enterprise with the objective of evaluating the use of MOS and β-GLU as dietary supplements in an experimental lot in order to follow the zootechnical performance, establishing a relationship with the hematological parameters, the morphological alterations of the intestine, and the enzymatic activity (protease, lipase and amylase), and the water quality of 3,000 tilapia juveniles kept in cages (Wt = 24 ± 0.26g). Nine cages (6.0 m3) were used, with three treatments and three replications. 1: commercial feed without supplementation (control); 2: 0.1% per ton of MOS; 3: 0.03% per ton of purified β-GLU. The feed contained 36% of crude protein (CP) incorporated into the premix MOS and purified β-GLU (BIORIGIN®). The tilapia that had received the diet supplemented with β-GLU in a period of 90 days showed a favorable condition of the immune system, increase in the absorption surface of the front part of the intestine and consequently, growth in the activity of the digestive enzymes, denoting higher efficiency in the use of the nutrients in juveniles, providing satisfactory zootechnical performance in comparison with the other diets. This product may be used as a dietary supplement for this species when kept in cages.

Stocking density of Nile tilapia in cages placed in a hydroelectric reservoir

The Brazilian government has been encouraging fish farming in cages in federal water bodies, including hydroelectric reservoirs. Despite the government support, it is a new activity and the production model still needs some adjustment to reduce the production costs and achieve sustainability. The aims of this study were to determine the appropriate stocking density of Nile tilapia in cages in a hydroelectric reservoir and to evaluate to what extent fish size selection could improve their uniformity. Twelve cages (6m3) were placed at the Fish Farmers' Cooperative of Santa Fé do Sul and Region, Ilha Solteira reservoir, São Paulo, Brazil (20°12'10″S, 50°58'31.15″W). In stage I (initial fish weight, 78g), four stocking densities were tested: D1-800, D2-2000, D3-2500 and D4-3000 fish/cage, with three replicates. At the end of this stage (average fish weight, 255g), the fish were selected into three sizes, except for D1. In stage II, four stocking densities were tested, designed to obtain the following final production: D1-100kg/m3 (800 non-selected fish/cage), D2-80kg/m3 (600 fish/cage), D3-100kg/m3 (800 fish/cage) and D4-120kg/m3 (900 fish/cage). The trial ended when the fish weighed 800g. By reducing the initial stocking density from 2500 to 800 tilapia juveniles per cage, there was no need for selection. The growth performance was higher, the feed conversion rate was better and the time taken to reach harvesting was shorter. Consequently, the production cost reduced and the operating profit increased. Using the lowest initial stocking density, the risk of disease outbreak was also lower, and there was no need to use drugs for disease control since the mortality rate and occurrences of disease and deformity decreased and the dissolved oxygen level inside the cages was higher. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Bacillus cereus e Bacillus subtilis na suplementação dietária de juvenis de Tilápias-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) e seu efeito probiótico

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Valor nutritivo do farelo de pinhão manso (Jatropha curcas) para alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Soja crua em dietas para a Tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Pós-graduação em Aquicultura - FCAV

Suplementação de selênio orgânico em dietas de reprodutores de tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)