Experimental management of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings, feeding with commercial rations and pre/probiotic

Abstract

he Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Brazilian aquaculture accounts for 45% of continental fish production, with 219.33 thousand tons of fish. National tilapia farming is conducted with intensive management, exposing the fish to adverse crop situations. The objective of the experiment was to study the performance of tilapia fingerlings, fed commercial and pre/probiotic rations. The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Aquatic Organisms - LOA, which was set up at the Promove Faculties of Brasília - ICESP, Águas Claras campus - DF. The fifty-five tilapia fingerlings originated from Modelo Ipê Farm were used. The experiment was carried out in 40-liter rectangular aquariums containing external filters and microporous stones attached to air compressors. During the whole experiment, water quality parameters were monitored daily: temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration OD2 (mg/L), pH and ammonia (mg/L). For the removal of organic matter from aquariums composed of faeces and feed remains, the aquariums were siphoned and the water renewed daily. The water quality parameters of the experiment, phases 1 and 2, were within the limits recommended for tilapia, except the ammonia that presented high concentrations for the species. The good practices of low storage density management, high water renewal, external filtration system, constant aeration and feed utilization with pre and probiotics kept the fingerlings alive, even in experimental conditions and of presumed bacterial presence Edwardsiella tarda.