-This study aimed to evaluate economically the inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics in diets of Nile tilapia (4.07 ± 0.30 g), at two stocking densities (0.6 and 1.2 kg m -3 ). A total of 288 fish were distributed over 32 tanks (40 L) in a completely randomised design, in a 2 x 4 factorial (stocking density x additives), with four replications, over six weeks. The following were evaluated: total feed consumption (FC), final biomass (FB), relative gain in biomass (RGB), apparent feed conversion (AFC), survival rate (SUR), average cost of feed per kg of live weight gain (ACF), total cost of feed (TCF), total cost of production (TCP), gross income (GI), operating profit (OP) and economic efficiency index (EEI). No effect was seen on the evaluated parameters from the interaction (p>0.05) between stocking density and inclusion of the feed additives. No influence was observed (p>0.05) on SUR from the stocking density, although this significantly influenced the parameters FB, FC, RGB, AFC, ACF, TCF, TCP, GI and OP. There was no significant influence from the inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics on FC, SUR and TCF, however there was an influence (p<0.05) on the parameters FB, RGB, AFC, ACF, TCP, GI and OP. The control diet at the higher density displayed the worst EEI. The best EEI was obtained by fish at the lower density which received feed with added probiotics and symbiotics. The best indices of economic and zootechnical performance obtained demonstrate the economic viability of including prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics in the diets of Nile tilapia.

Dwarf rainbowfish (Melanotaenia praecox) are an ornamental fish with a high added value and considerable commercial interest. However, little information is known about the organism's reproductive biology, especially the early stages of embryonic development (initial ontogeny). Melanotaenia praecox embryos were examined throughout development to describe the dwarf rainbowfish initial ontogeny. Eggs were incubated at 28°C, and observations were recorded at pre-determined times. Development stages were identified and classified according to morphophysiological characteristics. The initial size of the eggs ranged between 0.99 and 1.04 mm. Oil droplets were observed in the eggs, and fixing filaments for adhesion were observed in the corium. Embryonic development was similar to that of other species in the genus Melanotaenia, in which hatching begins 119.50 h post-fertilisation or 3405.75 degree-h post-fertilisation. The main features of the newly hatched larvae were excellent swimming activity, a reduced yolk sac, mouth movement and an apparently functional digestive system.

Rev. Bras. Saúde Prod. Anim., Salvador, v.13, n.3, p.880-893 jul./set., 2012 http://www.rbspa.ufba.br ISSN 1519 9940 880 Ontogeny and embryonic description of Betta splendens, Perciformes (Regan, 1910)Ontogenia e descrição embrionária em "Betta splendens"

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a fish of primary importance in South American aquaculture, principally in the Amazon region and has a particularly unique diet in the wild. Oryza spp, or Wild rice as it is commonly known, is native to the floodplains of muddy rivers in the Amazon region. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical performance and the effects of dietary levels of Oryza spp. via the hematological parameters, total food intake, conversion efficiency, growth ratio and swimming performance of this fish. Diets containing 45% Oryza spp. induced the best performance in tambaqui. Diets containing 15% and 30% did not affect these indices, thus indicating that this amount of Oryza can be used as an alternative energy source for this important species within Brazilian aquaculture.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the co-feeding period (C) on the survival and growth of larvae of nishikigoi Cyprinus carpio, during the weaning period from live to inert food. A total of 1680 larvae with initial weight of 1.33 ± 0.12mg and initial length of 6.0 ± 0.33mm were used. The inert diet used was a commercial ration with 55% crude protein and the live food was the newly hatched nauplii of Artemia franciscana. The experiment was conducted following a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. Treatments constituted of: a) LF = supply of live food throughout the experimental period; b) C4 = 6 days of live food + 4 days of co-feeding (inert diet and live food) + 16 days of inert diet; c) C8 = 6 days of live food + 8 days of co-feeding + 12 days of inert diet; d) C12 = 6 days of live food + 12 days of co-feeding + 8 days of inert diet; e) IF = supply with inert diet throughout the experimental period; and f) F = fasting. Our results showed that the co-feeding period influences the survival and growth of the larvae. Survival in the treatment with the longest cofeeding period showed an improvement of over 70% when compared to the shortest period. Further, we noted a doubling of the juvenile weight after 26 days of age. There was a quadratic effect for all parameters, with maximum points ranging between 19.4 and 22.6 days of supply of live food. We concluded that the supply of commercial feed as exclusive food is unworkable in nishikigoi larviculture. RESUMO:Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do período de co-alimentação (C) na sobrevivência e crescimento de larvas de nishikigoi Cyprinus carpio, durante o período de transição de alimentos vivos (AV) para dieta inerte (DI), foram utilizados um total de 1680 larvas com peso inicial de 1,33 ± 0,12mg e comprimento inicial de 6,0 ± 0,33mm. Para a dieta inerte foi utilizada uma ração comercial com 55% de proteína bruta e como alimento vivo, nauplios recém eclodidos de Artemia franciscana. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por: LF = suprimento de alimento vivo ao longo de todo período experimental; C4 = 6 dias de alimento vivo + 4 dias de co-alimentação (dieta inerte e alimento vivo) + 16 dias de dieta inerte; C8 = 6 dias de alimento vivo + 8 dias de co-alimentação + 12 dias de dieta inerte; C12 = 6 dias de alimento vivo + 12 dias de co-alimentação + 8 dias de dieta inerte; ID = dieta inerte durante todo o período experimental, J = jejum. O período de co-alimentação influencia a sobrevivência e o crescimento das larvas melhorando mais de 70% a sobrevida entre os períodos de co-alimentação mais longos e curtos testados. Além disso, foi verificado um aumento de duas vezes o peso juvenil após 26 dias de idade. Houve um efeito quadrático para todos os parâmetros, com pontos máximos variando entre 19,4 e 22,6 dias de suprimento de alimentos vivos. Também é possível concluir que o fornecimento de alimentação comercial, com...

The aim of this study was to describe the embryonic and larval development of discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus), and to determine the time required, hours post fertilization (hpf), for the emergence of various structures. To describe embryonic and larval stages, observations were made at regular periods under an optical microscope and images were taken with a digital camera attached to a microscope. The average temperature reached in the experimental tank was 27.9°C. Important facts in embryonic and larval development are described, such as the closure of the blastopore, which occurred at 31.5 hpf; a period of eruption, which occurred at 58.5 hpf; and a mouth opening, which occurred at 90.5 hpf; and larvae that exhibited oriented swimming and eating exogenous food at 136.5 hpf.

RESUMOConduziu-se um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar a influência do período de coalimentação na sobrevivência e no crescimento de larvas de Betta splendens. As larvas foram alimentadas com náuplios de Artemia durante sete dias e, posteriormente, submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: jejum contínuo; ração contínua; quatro dias de coalimentação + 14 dias de ração; oito dias de coalimentação + 10 dias de ração; 12 dias de coalimentação + seis dias de ração; náuplios de Artemia durante todo o período experimental. Os valores das variáveis de desempenho das larvas do tratamento 12 dias de coalimentação + seis dias de ração e do tratamento náuplios de Artemia foram superiores aos demais tratamentos, exceto para sobrevivência, em que não houve diferença significativa com o tratamento oito dias de coalimentação + 10 dias de ração. Considerando-se apenas o tempo de oferta de Artemia (em dias), obteve-se a equação de regressão para as variáveis analisadas. A sobrevivência e a taxa de crescimento específico (TCE) apresentaram efeito quadrático, e as demais variáveis apresentaram efeito linear. O ponto de máxima para sobrevivência foi de 21,7 dias (88,92%) e para TCE foi de 26,2 dias (23,47% dia -1 ). O período de co-feeding influencia no crescimento e na sobrevivência de larvas de Betta splendens. Após o período de 19 dias de oferta de alimento vivo, com 12 dias de coalimentação, as larvas estão aptas a aproveitar de maneira eficiente o alimento inerte sem prejuízos ao crescimento e à sobrevivência.Palavras-chave: peixes ornamentais, Betta splendens, larvicultura de peixes, coalimentação, transição alimentar ABSTRACT An experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of the period of co-feeding on survival and growth of Betta splendens larvae. The following strategies for co-feeding were used: continuous fasting, 18 days of inert diet, 4 days of co-feeding + 14 days of inert diet; 8 days of co-feeding + 10 days of inert diet; 12 days of co-feeding + 6 days of inert diet, nauplii of Artemia throughout the experiment period. The values of performance variables for larvae with 12 days of treatment for co-feeding + 6 days of inert diet and the nauplii treatment with

The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the hematological variables (erythrogram, thrombogram, leukogram and plasma metabolites) of three cichlid species: Cichla monoculus, Cichla temensis and Cichla vazzoleri. A total of 45 specimens were captured in Balbina lake, Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil, with the aid of a rod and reel or hand line, with natural or artificial bait: 15 C. monoculus, 15 C. temensis and 15 C. vazzoleri. Their blood was removed by means of caudal puncture of the dorsal aorta, and hematological data were determined in accordance with methodology previously described in the literature. The erythrogram showed similarities between the species, while the thrombogram showed differences between C. vazzoleri and the other species studied (C. monoculus and C. temensis). The total leukocyte counts for C. temensis and C. vazzoleri were higher than those of C. monoculus. The predominant leukocyte in C. temensis and C. vazzoleri was lymphocytes, whereas it was monocytes in C. monoculus. The plasma metabolites showed differences between the three cichlid species, regarding their glucose, cholesterol, urea and potassium levels. It is concluded that these three species present hematological differentiation, thus indicating that they have differentiated blood-cell immune responses and plasma metabolite physiology.