Growth of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella fed with different grasses
Author: João Antônio Amaral Xavier (Currículo Lattes)
Supervisor: Dr Mario Roberto Chim Figueiredo
Abstract
The Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella is one of the most important species in aquaculture worldwide. For being herbivorous, it can be produced with low cost, since it feeds on aquatic vegetation, terrestrial grasses or other vegetables. The objective of this work was to verify the possible use of native grasses in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil in the feeding of Grass Carp. The experiment was carried out feeding Grass Carp fry with initial weight of 2.69 ± 0.47 g, with 4 grasses: Pennissetum purpureum, Cynodon dactylum, Paspalum urvillei and Spartina alterniflora. Twelve polyethylene boxes with a useful volume of 200 liters were used, with a constant flow of water (600% per day). Ten fry were placed in each box, which were fed daily with the respective added grasses,every two days, commercial feed (1% of biomass). The experiment lasted 45 days, with biometrics performed biweekly. The results of Weight Gain (GP) and Specific Growth Rate (TBI) showed that the carp fed with C. dactylum and P. urvillei obtained a higher GP (respectively 1.45 and 1.32g) and a better TBI (respectively 0.95 and 0.88%), when compared to carp fed with P. purpurem and S. alterniflora. Cynodon dactylum and P. urvillei are, therefore, grasses indicated for feeding Grass Carp.