Freshwater temperature in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, and its implication for fish culture

Abstract

In this study we verified data of water temperatures collected by CORSAN-RS from 1996 to 2004 in several cities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, and analyzed the possibility of raising the most cultivated fish species in Brazil. The water temperature from 1996 to 2004 was 16 to 28ºC in summer, 17 to 23ºC in fall, 14 to 17ºC (down to 9ºC in the coldest months) in winter and 14 to 21ºC in spring. Native species of this state, such as silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen), traíra (Hoplias malabaricus), dorado (Salminus brasiliensis), pintado (Pimelodus maculatus), as well as carps (family Cyprinidae), are resistant to the low winter temperatures. These species have a lower growth rate in coldest months (winter/spring) but a good development in warmer months (summer/fall), reaching a satisfactory performance throughout the year. In the periods of more intense cold, mortality of some introduced species, such as surubim from Amazon Basin (Pseudoplatystoma sp.), pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus), pirarucu (Arapaimas gigas), pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) may occur. In addition, as most tropical species have a thermal range for growth and reproduction between 20 to 28ºC, some species may have poor development even in fall. Therefore, water temperature in this state should be considered in the choice of fish species to be cultivated.Neste estudo verificaram-se dados de temperaturas de água coletados pela CORSAN-RS de 1996 a 2004, em várias cidades do estado do Rio Grande Sul, sul do Brasil, e analisou-se a possibilidade de criação das principais espécies de peixe cultivadas no Brasil. A temperatura da água de 1996 a 2004 foi de 16 a 28ºC no verão, de 17 a 25ºC no outono, 14 a 17ºC (chegando a 9ºC nos meses mais frios) no inverno e 14 a 21ºC na primavera. Espécies nativas deste estado, como o jundiá (Rhamdia quelen), traíra (Hoplias malabaricus), dourado (Salminus brasiliensis), pintado (Pimelodus maculatus), assim como as carpas (família Cyprinidae), são resistentes às baixas temperaturas do inverno. Estas espécies apresentam uma menor taxa de crescimento nos meses mais frios (inverno/primavera), mas um bom desenvolvimento em meses mais quentes (verão/outono), alcançando um desempenho satisfatório durante o ano. Nos períodos de frios mais intensos pode ocorrer uma intensa mortalidade de algumas espécies introduzidas, como o surubim da Bacia Amazônica (Pseudoplatystoma sp.), pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus), pirarucu (Arapaimas gigas), pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e tilápia nilótica (Oreochromis niloticus). Além disso, como a maioria das espécies tropicais apresenta sua faixa térmica para crescimento e reprodução entre 20 a 28ºC, algumas espécies podem ter um baixo desenvolvimento também no outono. Portanto, a temperatura da água deste estado deve ser considerada na escolha das espécies de peixes a serem cultivadas.

Parasite-host relationship between the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum Cuvier 1818) and ectoparasites, collected from fish farms in the city of Rolim de Moura, State of Rondônia, Western Amazon, Brazil

“…The water temperature during the studied period was between 20 and 27 °C. According to Garcia et al (2008), tambaquis are less resistant to temperatures lower than 18 °C. This temperature rarely occurs in the State of Rondônia.…”

Net ion fluxes and ammonia excretion during transport of Rhamdia quelen juveniles

“…Silver catfish Rhamdia quelen is the native species most frequently raised in southern Brazil (BALDISSEROTTO, 2009) because is well adapted for cultivation even in the winter (GARCIA et al, 2008). Commercial fish production requests an appropriate management during transportation.…”

Transport of jundiá Rhamdia quelen juveniles at different loading densities: water quality and blood parameters

“…Jundiá, Rhamdia quelen, is a catfish with great potential for aquaculture in southern Brazil because of its fast growth, hardiness, and resistance to low temperatures that are typical of winters in the southern region of the country (Carneiro, 2004;Garcia et al, 2008). While water quality changes and the survival of juveniles during transport of this species in plastic bags have already been studied (Golombieski et al, 2003), no studies have addressed the effects of transport on blood chemistry or cortisol in jundiá.…”