Feed management and stocking density for larviculture of the Amazon ornamental fish L333 king tiger pleco Hypancistrus sp. (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

Abstract

The study tested the use of Artemia salina nauplii as first exogenous feeding in the larviculture of Hypancistrus sp. Moreover, we aimed to assess the quantity of prey concentrations and the stocking density during the first 30 days of feeding. Experiment I: larvae were fed with four initial prey concentrations, T100: 100, T200: 200, T300: 300 and T400: 400 A. salina nauplii/larvae/day. The quantity of A. salina nauplii increased every six days to adequate the larval growth. Experiment II: larvae were kept at four stocking densities, 1, 5, 10 and 15 larvae/L. In both experiments, the A. salina nauplii were consumed with success for the larvae. Best larvae growth and survival were observed with T400 in comparison to T100. In the Experiment II, the stocking density of 15 larvae/L showed higher ammonia (1.23 mg/L) and reduction of larvae growth and dissolved oxygen concentration (5.7 mg/L). The densities of 1 and 5 larvae/L provided the best results for growth. The stocking densities showed no differences for survival. Thus, we recommend the use of A. salina nauplii in the first feeding for larvae of Hypancistrus sp., at the initial prey concentration of 400 nauplii/larvae/day and stocking density of 5 larvae/L.

Salinized water as a strategy for increase stocking density in Heros severus larviculture, an Amazonian ornamental fish

“…Salinized water as a strategy for increase stocking density in Heros severus larviculture, an Amazonian ornamental fish Larviculture is considered the most important and critical stage of aquaculture production chain, once it is the phase of higher animal fragility (Evangelista et al, 2020;Reis et al, 2021;Santos et al, 2021). The larvae are sensitive to several stressful factors such as pathogenic infections, productive managements and changes in water parameters, which can lead to high mortality rates and reduce productivity (Zuanon et al, 2011;Dias et al, 2016;Abe et al, 2019).…”

Evidence of secondary sexual dimorphism in King Tiger Plecos Hypancistrus sp, Loricariidae, of the Amazon River basin

“…The species has great economic importance in the ornamental fish trade (Aqua Imports, 2021; Ramos et al, 2015). Despite its commercial importance, all King Tiger Pleco specimens come from artisanal fisheries due to the absence of production protocols in all phases of captive breeding, that is, reproduction and larviculture (Reis et al, 2020).…”

“…importance, all King Tiger Pleco specimens come from artisanal fisheries due to the absence of production protocols in all phases of captive breeding, that is, reproduction and larviculture (Reis et al, 2020). Thus, it is necessary to develop captive breeding protocols to consolidate the species in the ornamental fish market and avoid overexploitation of wild stocks.…”